Perched a Few Feet Above the Water

Chapter 17

Authors note: Here we go! Once again id like to thank So Much Tea and Captainwiley for all their help on this!

Disclaimer: Characters not mine!

Week 1

Killian really had given up. He did what she'd asked him to do and left her alone. Aside from their weekly meetings for Liam's lessons, he hasn't attempted to contact her. Not even once in the past three weeks.

She did it. She'd officially driven the most relentless person into giving up. On her.

She got what she wanted, but the pit in her stomach only got deeper.

At least she had finally forgiven Ruby. She still hated her friend's meddling, but that same meddling brought Liam into her life. So as upset as she was with her wayward friend, she was more grateful than ever to have her in her life.

So as a mutual thank you, Emma and Ruby decided it was time for a girl's day out. With both of them having to work morning shifts the next day, they thought it best to lay off the heavy drinking... Bars and clubs were overrated anyway.

They planned a road trip to New York City; they were going to take part in an interactive theater experience called Speakeasy Dollhouse. The piece was set in the 1920's, and both of their roles required them to be in Flapper dresses. This was exactly what Emma needed after everything that happened.

#          #          #

Killian received a text from Ruby telling him that the coast was clear and that Emma was safely out of town.

He and Ruby had struck up somewhat of an accord; every Sunday for the next few weeks, Ruby would get Emma out of the house for a couple of hours. It was a win-win situation. Ruby and Emma would get to spend quality time together, and Killian had the time to drop a few things off at Emma's place.

So with Ruby's message, he carefully loaded his car and set off to Emma's home. Since he was now devoid of a sitter, Liam also got to come along with his own little gift for Emma, making this an official Jones Adventure.

When they arrived at her street, Killian parked the car, unstrapped Liam and unpacked the trunk. He gave Liam his ten-inch by ten-inch wrapped gift, while he carried two much heavier, much larger, four-piece sets of differently sized rectangles. The sets were only told apart by their different colored wrappings. He and Liam set their pieces down right by her front door.

Killian pulled a Sharpie from his pocket and sketched a quick swan on the corner of every rectangle. He capped the lid and was about to put the marker back when he noticed Liam staring at him with his palm held out expectantly. He chortled a bit as he handed his son the Sharpie. It seemed his son had absorbed some of Emma's amusing cheek.

He only wished he could share this revelation with her.

He watched as Liam scribbled – his little tongue sticking out in concentration - what he assumed was meant to be a swan on his little square, before he picked him up and promised him some ice cream for his wonderful efforts.

#          #          #

Ruby and Emma had a blast at the theater. Everyone really took their roles seriously and it made the experience so much richer. She was actually so caught up in the experience that even their drive back home wasn't enough to quell her excitement; their early twentieth century personas still in full effect.

"Waddaya say to a cup of noodle juice, Ruby?" Emma said as she opened her front door.

"Uh... Emma,"