Mismatch Lovers

Chapter 37

*Emma's POV*

The entire four hours to Boston was silent and extremely tense. I honestly thought it couldn't get any worse, until we pulled into the shop. I saw a familiar car outside but brushed it off, going inside and coming face to face with someone I hadn't seen in a very long time.

"Emma?" Neal got my attention as he stood in the aisle next to the desk, his face lighting up when I looked over. "Oh my god, I haven't seen you in years. How long has it been now?"

"Neal," I answered him in utter shock. "Uhm, probably about twelve years now. How've you been?"

"Not too bad," he shrugged, walking up to us. "Oh, who's your friend?"

"I'm Mary Margaret," she introduced herself politely, shaking his hand. "I'm Emma's mother."

"Oh wow," he said with obvious surprise, it being a widely known fact that I'd never known my parents last time I lived in that town. "Well it's nice to meet you. What are you two doing here?"

"Just running an errand for her boyfriend," she told him, making my blood boil as she talked over me. "She's always doing things for him."

"Oh, who are you dating now?"

"Killian Jones." He'd asked me, but she answered anyway. "They're so adorable together, I can't get over it."

"I should have guessed," he half smiled, still trying to talk to me instead of her, which I was grateful for even if it wasn't working. "You guys were so in love back in high school, everyone knew you'd end up together. Though I'm surprised you're not married yet."

"We actually broke up during my first year in college," I admitted, so angry about my mother speaking for me that I was just blurting things out. "But we recently got back together when I came back into town. He owns the garage now so I'm here picking up a part he was having trouble getting delivered."

"Sounds nice," he nodded, seeming to sense how annoyed I was. "Well, I'll let you do that and get home. I know how protective he is of you. But we should get together and catch up some time."

"Sure," I agreed, glad he was letting us go without doing said catching up right this moment. I was in no mood. "Just let me know when you're in town and we'll set something up."

He hugged me briefly before moving on, and I immediately went up to the counter. I just wanted to get back so this day could be over. Sure, I'd finally gotten to say a lot of the things that had been bothering me my entire life, but It was also horribly stressful having to then spend hours in the car with her. And while logically, I understood where she was coming from, that didn't change the way I felt about it. Nothing was going to change the way I was forced to grow up.

I got the part from the rather annoying sales guy and went to my car without a word, Mary Margaret close behind. She still wouldn't talk to me on the way back, apparently having the nerve to be hurt about what I'd said earlier. I told myself I didn't care if she was angry or hurt, I'd been angry and hurt since I was born. As soon as we pulled up to the garage in town she jumped out, going to her own car and speeding off. I rolled my eyes with a sigh and took whatever that part actually was inside.

"Swan, you're back," Killian greeted me cheerfully and a small smile crept across my face as he came over to gather me into his arms. I clung to him, my nails probably digging into him through his t-shirt, but he easily took the hint and just held me. "Everything alright, love?"

"It is now," I mumbled, closing my eyes and just breathing him in. He smelled the way he always did when he worked, like him, but with the added touch of sweat and car grime. "Mary Margaret went with me and I ran into Neal, so it's just been a long day. I missed you."

"I missed you, too," he said softly, kissing my hair and rubbing my back lightly. "I'm just about done if you wanted to wait a bit and we can head home together."

"Mkay," I agreed but didn't let go. "Just another minute."

"As long as you like," he assured me, holding me like that until I could bear to let go.

I then finished up the day's paperwork while he put the final touches on the car he was working on. His took a bit longer than mine, but I didn't mind. I'd always loved watching him work, and right now it was calming my mind from the stress of the day. We walked home together like we always did, grabbing some take out on the way and just eating in bed.

He let me rant about the day at my own pace, never pushing me or disagreeing with me, just being there for me. He may think he needed me more than I needed him, but on days like today he had no idea how wrong that was. Sometimes I'd catch myself wondering how I made it through so many years without him, but I'd quickly have to push away the thought before I could get too upset.

"Emma!" Killian called for me, having gone upstairs to answer the door when the doorbell rang. "It's for you!"

"Coming!" I called, wearing only one of his t-shirts as I ran up the stairs, stopping dead when I saw David standing there. My stance immediately tensed, my expression hardening. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard about what happened today," he answered, already sounding defeated. "Your- I mean Mary Margaret was pretty upset when she got home so I thought I'd come make sure you were alright."

"You... came to check on me?" I asked quietly, my arms uncrossing slightly. "You didn't come here to yell at me or argue with me? You just...wanted to know if I was okay?"

"Of course," he answered, his eyebrows pulling together. "I can't argue when everything you said is true, and even if you don't want us to be your parents, we still care about you. I know all this can't be easy on you, so... are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I mumbled, quickly wiping away tears that I hadn't noticed until then. "I mean, yeah, it's a lot, but I've dealt with worse with a lot less support, so I'll be okay. Is... is Mary Margaret okay? I was pretty mean earlier."

"She will be," he assured me, not seeming nearly as worried for her as he did for me. "She'll understand eventually that you're not over reacting. You have every right to be angry with us, and I fully expected you to be, but we at least had to find you. And we did, so if you really want us to leave you alone, we won't bother you again."

"Wait," I stopped him when he went to leave, stepping closer without thinking. "You don't have to do that. I just... can I just have a little time and I'll call you?"

"Sure," he smiled, obviously trying to hide the flicker of hope in his eyes. "We'll look forward to your call. Goodnight, Emma."

Okay, let's all praise the power of a good laptop, because even I don't know how I'm getting these up so fast. But away from my dorkiness, I hope you enjoyed the update and I'll try to get you another one soon. Don't forget to vote and comment please! I'm totally winging this story at this point, so all input and ideas are welcome! Later, loves!