True Love: God Approved

Chapter 11

*Killian's POV *

I woke up in the middle of the night alone, disoriented by the empty bed. I looked around the room but found it empty as well, the candles I'd put out still burning and melted to the floor. I got up and pulled on a pair of pajama pants, wiping sleep from my eyes as I went up on deck.

I found her at the stern not far from the helm wearing my shirt from earlier, sitting sideways on the railing with her arms around her knees and her eyes on the water. I smiled a bit at how beautiful she looked in the moonlight, going to wrap my arms around her. She instantly relaxed against me, leaning her head on my chest and moving one of her hands to hold onto my arm.

"I didn't mean to wake you," she said quietly, her eyes still on the horizon. "It's just so beautiful up here at night."

"You didn't," I assured her, kissing her forehead lightly. "But your absence did. I don't enjoy not having you in my arms, it's very disconcerting."

"Sorry," she giggled a bit, closing her eyes and turning her face into the crook of my neck. "I was just thinking and I know the ocean calms you, so I thought I'd give it a try."

"Was it working before I showed up?" I asked and she nodded. "Did you want me to go?"

"No," she said quickly, grabbing my arm with her other hand as well. "Stay with me. It's better when you're here."

"What's better?" I asked, now concerned when she didn't answer. "Talk to me, my love. What is it?"

"There's just," she sighed, looking back out at the water. "A lot going on in my head. It get really chaotic sometimes, especially at night... but it's easier with you."

"I'm glad I can help," I said gently, holding her tighter as my heart ached for her. "I'll always be here, I can promise you that."

"Thank you," she whispered, finally looking up to my eyes. "You know how much I love you, don't you?"

"Of course I do," I said, my eyebrows pulling together with both confusion and concern as I studied her eyes. "Why are you so worried about that now? What's going on in that head of yours?"

"Nothing," she shook her head and looked back to the horizon. "It's just... I know the darkness is gone from us both, I can tell in my heart... but sometimes, at night, it haunts my dreams. It tells me the same things it always used to when we got back and I was trying to get the darkness out of you- that you can't love me. You can't even forgive me after all I did to you, and I'll never get to be happy with you."

"That's nonsense," I stopped her as her voice trembled and I knew there were tears in her eyes. "I know it likes to make you believe the worst, but it's lying to you. The only thing you did was do everything in your power to make this future for us a reality, and I'll do anything I have to to keep you safe and happy. I love you with all that I am, and we'll never be separated again."

"No, we won't," she agreed, turning to put her hand over my heart. She kept her eyes on her hand as it started to glow, making me wince a bit as the magic stung my skin and looking back to my eyes as it faded. "Now no one will ever take your heart again. It's going to stay right here where it belongs, no matter what I have to do to keep it there."

"Swan, the only person who has ever held my heart this truly is you," I said quietly, putting my hand over hers. "They're just nightmares. You never need to worry about me."

"You've said that before," she whispered, her tears leaking down her cheeks as she held my gaze. "You said it over and over, but every time something else happened to you. I'm not taking any chances this time, not when it comes to you."

"Come on, my love," I sighed, scooping her up bridal style as her arms slid around my neck. "You need to get your mind off of all that, and if that means getting you out of your head then I'm more than happy to help."

I placed her back on the bed, climbing in with her and letting my torso hover over hers. I wiped her tears with my thumb gently, kissing her lips ever so lightly so she knew she could pull away if she wanted to. She just pulled me closer, sliding her hand up into my hair to hold me to her as she let me deepen the kiss slowly. I happily brought her closer, unbuttoning my shirt on her to hold her bare waist as we kissed.

*Emma's POV*

I woke up again when I felt the ship shake violently. It stopped a few moments later so I ignored it, turning over to cuddle into Killian's chest. He mumbled my name in his sleep, making me smile as he pulled me closer out of instinct.

For years I was so tired of waking up alone, and while I knew it was better than being with someone unworthy, there were nights and mornings where all I needed was a pair of arms to hold me tight and a gentle whisper telling me everything would be alright. That was the moment I realized I'd finally found my peace, my safe haven. After all the pain, drama and deceit, the chaos and despair, there was finally rest. I felt the warmth and safety of his arms, the way his hands held me as if he'd known me all my life. I was home, here with the man who understood every bit of me, including how tired I was of being strong.

He rolled over so I was on top of him, his arms so tight around me his hands held opposite sides of my waist. I watched him with a small smile, my chin on his chest and my fingertips playing through his chest hair absent mindedly.

"Emma," he mumbled again as he started to wake. "You're here?"

"Right here," I assured him, leaning up to kiss along the stubble on his jaw and he sighed happily as he held me tighter. "Right where you left me."

"Mmm," he smiled as I left soft sucking kisses down his neck. "I've missed you the past few days. Waking up without this is awful."

"You love me," I teased him, squealing out a giggle when he quickly flipped us and sighing as he kissed me deeply. I absolutely melted beneath him, my legs wrapping around his waist and my arms around his neck. "Mmm well good morning to you too, Captain."

"Good morning, my love," he smiled, bumping my nose with his. "How are you this fine morning?"

"Achey," I smirked, biting my lip. "Horribly sore in the best way."

"Want me to kiss it better, Swan?" He smirked right back, cocking his eyebrow suggestively. "Because I'd be more than happy to if you like."

"Well I'm not going to turn that down," I giggled and he grinned, moving his lips to leave gentle kisses along my jaw. I bit my lip as I smiled, my hands tangled in his hair as he slowly kissed every bit of me that he could reach. "Remind me again why we waited so long for this?"

"Because I'm a gentleman," he smiled against my skin, his breath hot on my chest as he kissed down to my stomach between words. "But now. You. Have agreed. To. Be. All. Mine."

"Always," I sighed, closing my eyes and just reveling in the feeling of his lips on my skin as he kissed the bruises that surely covered my sides and stomach. "Always and only yours."

"I've waited lifetimes to hear you say that," he whispered, slowly moving back up to capture my lips in a deep kiss. "Feeling better now, love?"

"Much," I nodded and he kissed me again, dominating my mouth with his own until my stomach growled loudly and chuckling against my lips as he pulled away. "What? We never actually did have dinner last night, and it's not like they were feeding me when I was a hostage."

"Then it's about time I feed my love, isn't it?" He smirked, kissing me again quickly but deeply before pulling me up with him and slipping his shirt back up on my shoulders. "You go back up to what's left of our picnic, and I'll go make us some breakfast, okay?"

"Okay," I smiled, giving him one more deep lingering kiss that made him groan as I pulled away to go upstairs. I looked up from buttoning his shirt on me and my smile fell. "Killian! Get up here! Now!!"

"What is it, Swan?" He asked, quickly running up to my side and putting his hand on the small of my back before following my gaze. "What the bloody hell..."

"Killian?" I whispered, swallowing hard as I looked around. "What world is this?"

Dun dun DUN!! I told you I'd try to get some action going. Anyway, hopefully I can think of something haha. Later, loves!