Captain Swan - Wild at Heart

Chapter One

Over one year ago...

Emma hitched up her long, pale pink gown and let it drape over the carpeted floor as she knelt down in front of the cedar chest at the foot of her childhood bed. Everything in her room was still in tact since she left for Cambridge nine years ago. Her parents couldn't bear to part with her things and Emma was grateful for it. It brought back pleasant memories of her childhood along with the not so pleasant ones of course. But her most fondest memories were of her father reading her fairytale books in that exact same bed; his soothing tone and the sparkle of excitement in his eyes put her at ease and gave her comfort. Every night, he would tuck her in, handing her stuffed teddy to her as he laid next to her over the pink comforter and read to her until she was too tired to keep her eyes open. He would set the book on her nightstand and lean down to kiss her sweetly on the forehead before whispering in her ear "I love you my little princess." He would turn off the table lamp, letting the mattress rise as he got up and quietly left the room. It never took long for her to drift off to sleep after that.

Emma smiled weakly at the memory. She was still feeling jet lag from her flight, her eyes tired as she lifted the lid and rifled through the items in the chest. She found her baby blanket that was knitted by her mother and had her name stitched into it. Her eyes welled up with tears as she traced the purple lettering with her fingertips. She never knew how much she missed being at home until she just missed it. Being away in Massachusetts had really taken its toll on her. First going to school in Cambridge, then accepting a job in Boston. She came home for the holidays and during summer break but as much as her parents frustrated her sometimes, she still hated to be away from them. But then again, what parent didn't frustrate their child from time to time? Deep down Emma always knew they only wanted what they thought was best for her.

Pressing the blanket to her chest, she tried to blink away her tears. She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath, but then a tear slipped out anyway. Carefully placing the blanket in the trunk, she found the brochure for an art school she had wanted to go to back when she was a junior. Her parents had said she could go but the only way they would pay for her schooling was if she went to an Ivy league school. She was at the top of her class and had impressively high standardized testing scores, so they had eventually persuaded her to apply to Harvard among some other private universities and told her they wanted her to go to one because she was an intelligent, young woman and they wanted to see their daughter have her best chance in life. And unfortunately for her, being a starving artist was not the best way to proceed.

"Emma?"

She heard a light tap on the door and craned her neck toward the sound, seeing a bright smile on her father's face. "Hi Daddy." She quickly wiped her tear and put the brochure back into the chest before closing it.

His features immediately fell when he saw her tears. "Everything alright, sweetheart?" His voice was full of concern and worry as Emma stood up and went to him, giving him a kiss on the cheek followed by a warm hug.

David immediately wrapped his arms around his daughter, pulling her closer to him as he let out a soft sigh in her golden curls.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just missed my room while I was away... and I've missed you and mom," she admitted honestly.

David kissed her temple, speaking in a whisper as his hand came up to cradle the back of her head. "We've missed you too... very much."

Emma felt more tears threatening her eyes, but she felt the familiar calmness from his soothing and gentle words.

As she pulled away, he wiped the tear that slipped down her cheek and flashed her a small smile, admiring her. "You're look too beautiful to be crying."