The Song of Darkness

Date Night

KILLIAN JONES

Emma's back in town. I saw her this morning when I took Layla to school. She hasn't called, but she may have just gotten back. I could call her. That may seem desperate.

I sit at the table and have a drink. And a second. And a third. She calls as I'm pouring the fourth. I pick up on the third ring. "Hello love."

"Hook hi."

"To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"We're going out tonight, just thought I'd call and let you know."

"I'll pick you up at six. Wear something nice."

"Will do. See you at six pirate."

I hang up without another word and find a nice restaurant in town. I know that she does enjoy the grilled cheese and hot cocoa from Granny's, but I can't have that be our first official date. I found a nice place here in town, it has a bar, but most of all it has a nice, romantic atmosphere. It's beautiful, great ambience. Nice and calm I believe.

Later, before its time for our date I go pick Layla up from school. She walks out holding hands with a little girl.

"Hey little love, did you make a friend?"

"This is Victoria. She's miss Ruby's daughter."

"Hello Victoria." She waves at me and walks away. I pick Layla up.

"So if you were to have someone watch you for a bit who would it be?"

She frowns. "I thought you said we could play today."

"I know baby, and we will. After my date..." Her mouth hangs open and she wiggles down. She grabs my hook and pulls me home. Her little legs run up the stairs and to my closet. "Little love, what are you doing?"

"Picking your outfit for your date." She pulls out a black vest and blue button down underneath. Black trousers, and black shoes. She picks out jewelry too and lays it all out. "There you go."

"Oh ok." I go get changed.

She sits on my bed. "Looks good. Maybe cover up the Milah tattoo though." I roll the sleeve down a bit more. She stands up on my bed and fixes my hair. "Perfect." She goes into the bathroom and gets out cologne. "You need it."

"Wow, ok." I put some cologne on.

She smiles. "All good." She gets back on the bed and kisses my cheek. "Now I would like to go toooo... miss Ruby's house"

"Alright little love lets go."

I hold her hand and walk her to Granny's. Ruby's still working, but Victoria is sitting at a table coloring. I send Layla over to her and approach Ruby. "What do you want, Hook?"

"For you to watch my daughter, who has taken quite the interest in your daughter, for the night. She has an overnight bag packed, and if it's too overwhelming, drop her off with David, or call me."

She sighs. "Fine. But only because she's Victoria's first friend."

"Ok." I kiss Layla's head. "I love you little love, have fun."

She hugs me. "Be nice to Emma."

"I will."

She lets go of me and colors more with Victoria. I walk around for a bit, out to the docks. I sit and have a drink before I walk again. I go to Emmas apartment and knock on the door. Her father opens it.

"Hello David."

"Emma's still getting ready." He seems rather angry.

"That's ok, I can wait out here."

"I think we should talk about what you intend to do with my daughter."

"I intend to take her to a nice restaurant and get to know her."

"Have her back by midnight." He says through gritted teeth. Emma comes down the stairs.

"Yes sir." She looks beautiful. She's wearing a black sleeveless dress, her hair down and curled. She looks beautiful. "Wow."

"I know." I hold my hand out and she takes it. "I'll be back later."

"Midnight."

She rolls her eyes and we walk out. She lets go of my hand. Oh ok then. I put my hand in my pocket. She holds my arm instead. "So, where are we going?"

"You'll see." I walk us to the restaurant. The host seats us right away. I pull out her chair and she sits. She looks amazed.

"It's been a long time since I've been on a date with someone who actually thinks things through."

I pick her hand up and kiss it. "I wanted everything to be perfect love."

"You're already off to a great start."

I run my thumb over the side of her hand. "Shall we order a drink?"

"We shall." She smiles. She gets red wine, I get myself a glass of rum. "So how's Layla?"

"She's alright. A lot happier than she was around Lottie. How's your boy?"

She sips her wine and sighs. "Our little trip to New York was eventful. I haven't really seen him since we got back."

"Eventful how? If you don't mind me asking."

She takes another drink and sighs again. "Golds son is Henry's father. Henry met him. It's a lot. Let's talk about something else."

"Ok, Layla made a friend."

She smiles. "That's lovely. No more kid talk. Tell me about you."

"What about me?"

She shrugs. "Anything."

"Bloody hell um." I don't know what to talk about. I don't want to scare her off.

She has a beautiful smile. The waitress comes to our table before I can speak. We order our food. Emma's just looking at my hand and my rings.

"You like them Swan?"

"Yeah they're nice."

"Each ring is a sad story."

She frowns. "Well that's not very nice." She squeezes my hand.

"Everyones got baggage."

She takes another drink. "Don't I know it."

We spend the rest of the evening talking about practically nothing. I just like the sound of her voice. It's calming. I walk her home and put my jacket around her. It's chilly.

She turns around when we get to the door. "Thank you for a nice night." She kisses my cheek and squeezes my hand again. My jackets still on her as she walks in the door.