#v:remember when

[justcallmejolly]

@themxdhatter

The curse had hit her dead on. Literally. Right through the chest and she stood there and took it. Because if not her than it would have been Killian or MIlah or god forbid her sweet Jefferson and she’d not allow anything to happen to them.

She had no memory of the sheet they wrapped her in. Had no idea that it had been Jefferson that insisted at a sea burial. Though it meant he’d not have a permanent place to visit her, he understood that the sea was where she belonged.

What she did remember was hitting the water. A light jolt to her being and a spark of life as she was encased by a warm cocoon of water. She heard his voice carry out over the water. Cursing her for leaving him just like everyone else. He was right, she broke her promise, but she had done so for her family. So they would be safe. So her children could have a full and happy life with at least one parent.

But she couldn’t do a bloody thing about it. Her body still taking in exactly what it needed and very slowly it was put back together. She’d no idea when it actually happened, but as the sheet tattered away, and her clothing rip, eventually she could feel life take over and she rose to the surface. Surprisingly enough, she was still within reach to Storybrooke, Jefferson being her anchor and keeping her close. Just as she promised, she hadn’t left. She never would.

She was weak by the time she reached the house, not bothering to knock and honestly not surprised when she found Jefferson red-eyed with a bottle within reach. She wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch him but it was probably too soon for that.

“I didn’t break my promise, sweetheart, I told you I never would.”

[justcallmejolly]

‘What is it? What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?’

“I—” She wasn’t expecting that small fleck of grey lightly peppering his cheeks. It wasn’t that noticable but to Jolly it was a sign that age was finally catching up to him. Even if his years were slowed, they continued to move on, where as Jolly was at a stand still. Aging meant death and frankly she wasn’t prepared to deal with such a thing.

“It’s nothing-” she lied, offering up a timid smile and looking away quickly. They still had plans to go off to OZ once the children were a little older, she only had to wait until then.

[justcallmejolly]

@themxdhatter (continued)

The small tug to the cord around his neck and the small wooden ring appearing from under the layers had him returning her soft smile. She had given it to him, a piece of her from before she was flesh and bone, and he had intended to return it to her at first but it had become a part of him. Just as much as she had.

“Those brownies were only meant for the bin,” he teased as she let the ring fall and pressed it against his chest. Leaning down, he returned the kiss.

“They didn’t mean as much as this did…”

There used to be an ache, just under her ribs, where that tiny ring once belonged. She had thought if she kept it close, it made the ache lessen. If she couldn’t get the piece back where it belonged at least it was close. And then there was Jefferson. Re-appearing in her life with that shy smile and all the Jones charm. She had always loved him, ever since he was a boy; but this-- what they had now, she had never imagined that. 

The day she slipped him that ring-- the very second-- the pain was gone. As if it had never been. Turns out the place where it belonged was near his heart. And Jolly was just fine with that. 

“Clearly--” the Ship scoffed, “--I may make rubbish sweets, but I’ve gifted you with a beautiful boy.” She sighed into his kiss, fingers twirling in the hair at his neck. She gave a breathless laugh then, quiet against his lips, “Between you and me, though? I think we have to keep him.”

[justcallmejolly]

@themxdhatter <3′d for a  small thing

“Your brother wants to come and spend some time with James...”

[justcallmejolly]

❤️

[meme]

All day. It had taken all bloody day for Jolly to manage up what should have been a simple meal. 

Pasta.

And Jolly couldn’t even take all the credit, she had Milah to thank for that. She also had both of his parents to thank for offering to take both Grace and James for the evening. 

She had spent the day cooking at the beach house. Had arranged with Leroy to borrow his small craft so she and Jefferson could get that chance to bond at sea. Something she’d wanted to share with him since the start and they simply hadn’t gotten around to doing much seaside with the exception of the occasional beach picnic. 

Casual when she called him. Asking him to meet her where she had been docked when he first really  kissed her. Dinner all set up, a small round table, simple white table cloth, complete with candle at the end of the dock; and  not so different than that film with the dogs she’d watched with Grace on more than one occasion.

She was beaming by the time she saw him start the walk up the dock. Bouncing on her toes with her hands behind her back. More than a little bit proud of herself.

The welcome kiss she gave him was soft. The perfect blend of ‘I missed you’ and ‘I love you’. Sweet and lingering and ending with just a hint of a smile before kissing the tip of his nose.

“So-- I’ve a surprise for you. Thought I’d tackle this whole Valentine a little early.”

[finding-milah]

"I think it’s time for you to tell me the location of the gift.

[meme]

“I’m your mother, that’s the best gift you’re gonna get.”

The answer came with a deadpan look, one she’d given him a thousand times before when he was trying to pry something from her. The only tell being a small quirk of her brow and that too had been something she’d done since he was just a little lad running along the beach. Chasing crabs and building sandcastles in the shallows. Such a long time ago and she remembered it as if it were days not centuries.

“I buried it- left you a map and all right in your mailbox. Now be a good lad and hone those pirate skills I know you have.”

[justcallmejolly]

[ smile ]

[meme]

His mother really went all out for it this time, the little family gatherings had been something she looked forward to as the week came to a close and just as they’d done time and time again, they’d load the kids up and make the short trip to the beach house. And what a day it had been- it took a tired Grace carrying Amelia up the stairs while she followed behind with James and got everyone off to bed. She made her way back down, rounding the corner and leaning on the banister as she watched him tidy up despite himself being undoubtedly exhausted from chasing children up and down the shoreline. Sometimes she still couldn’t believe how lucky she had been. Not only to be gifted with a human form but to have been given the chance to love- truly love and build a home and family of her own. They had their battles, aye, and while some events of their time together she could do without, she’d do it all again to get to this moment.

Her hand lifted when his eyes finally lifted and met hers, fingers giving a small wiggle and a small smile pulled at both her eyes and lips. She knew none of the children would wake should she of announced herself, but also didn’t want to break the serene of the moment. Her hand twisted and she pressed lips to her fingers before blowing across them and giving a small chuckle before turning and headed up to bed.

[justcallmejolly]

@themxdhatter <3′d for a new years starter!

It had been the perfect ending to the perfect evening. Water sloshing gently against the dock outside the beach house. Grace and Henry off doing... well honestly, Jolly didn’t want to know what and the youngest children tucked away in bed. They didn’t come back often, but once a year-- until there was no reason to, they came to spend the holidays with his parents.

She came to sit next to him on the sofa. Passing him a cup of tea and giving him his second of a million kisses for the year to come.