If Only They Knew

Chapter 3

Emma leaned into Killian and buried her face in his chest after Ruby left. "I'm sorry.." She said softly.

He shook his head. "I came out here thinking you'd be alone, it's partly my fault, Love. I know this isn't how you wanted this to come out.. But doesn't it feel nice now that you don't have to hide from your friend? Your best friend at that." Killian was actually glad someone knew, maybe then he would not have to hide it from his brother when they visited.

"I guess so.." She sighed. "How did I get so lucky? You put up with me and my walls." She looked up at him.

"I'm the lucky one, Love. But can we talk about maybe finally telling Liam, and David.. And Elsa and Mary Margaret? And finally taking you out, on a date, somewhere close to home.." He asked softly.

He did not want to push her into anything, but he wanted to be able to show the world that he was with her. Emma Swan was his girlfriend, and he was proud of that.

Emma took a deep breath. "Killian.. They're going to be so hurt that we kept this.. David might literally punch you." She ran her finger over his cheek. "But you really do want this, don't you?"

He nodded, his eyes sparkling with hope. "I do, Swan. I don't plan on our relationship ending, so they're going to have to find out eventually, Love.. I just want to be able to post a picture with you, or hold your hand in public. I want to have dinner with Liam and Elsa when they visit, with my girlfriend at my side." He brushed her hair back from her face.

She nodded. "I know.." She leaned in and kissed him. "We'll tell them. I want to see you smile, and.. Honestly, having your arm around me just now while we ate with Ruby felt pretty good." She said softly.

He kissed back. "I love you, Emma Swan. This means a lot to me.." He smiled a little at her. "I've got to go into the restaurant, like usual, but.. Maybe you'd come by and eat dinner?"

She smiled. "I love you too.. But you really want to tell everyone, don't you?" She shook her head. "Can we take it slow telling everyone?"

He frowned at her. "Lass, this would be easier if we just told everyone. I'm not going anywhere. We spend most nights in the same bed, and I love you. I know it's scary, and I know this is hard. But it'll be worth it. I'm sure of that." He sighed.

She played with his fingers and looked up into his eyes. "I'm being inconsiderate of your feelings. Damn it." She sighed. "I'm sorry, Killian. You deserve a woman better than me.. Someone who would have let you actually be open about your relationship."

"Emma. You're the only girl I want. I've wanted you since we met that day in New York, and then ran into each other at that coffee shop here." He admitted. "There's no one else for me. I agreed to keeping it to ourselves. If I wasn't okay with it. I wouldn't have agreed, love." He kissed the back of her hand.

She nodded. "I understand. You're too good for me."

They spent the next couple of hours talking and watching TV before Killian had to go to work. Emma showed up at the restaurant just after the dinner rush so she would not be in the way. She put on a nice dress and curled her hair the way she knew he loved.

She stopped at the hostess stand. "Hey, Tink. Can I go see Killian?" She smiled.

Emma had stopped by the restaurant many times, but she usually was just coming from work and was there to get him to make dinner for her after a long day.

The blonde smiled. "Hey, Emma. Of course, go ahead. Killian might be in his office, he usually takes a break around now." Tink was one of Killian's good friends and the manager of his restaurant, The Jolly Roger. Emma had gotten a little jealous of them at the beginning of their relationship.

Emma thanked her and went back towards Killian's office. Before she made it to the back hallway, Emma was not paying attention and ran into someone's chest.

"Bloody hell, I'm sorry." Killian muttered, his arms had come around her waist to keep her from falling.

"Oh, Kil.. Hey." Emma smiled a little. "I was just coming to find you." She had decided she was going to be bold tonight so she stood up on her toes and kissed him in greeting.

Killian kissed back, but was a little surprised. "What was that for, Love?" He squeezed her hip gently.

She looked up at him, he could read her nervousness in her eyes, but she was still happy. "I'm happy to see my boyfriend." She grinned knowingly.

He smiled and kissed her again softly. "I'm so happy you came. I'm on my break for only a couple more minutes, but I'll get you a table."

She nodded and held his hand while he talked to Tink. Tink grinned, she had been watching them, and saw Emma kiss Killian.

"You two are together? That's wonderful!" She smiled. "I knew you seemed happier, Killian." She told him as she walked them to the table for Emma.

Killian nodded and looked at Emma before responding. "Aye, Lass. Thank you. I'm very happy." He smiled.

Tink nodded. "I'm sure you'll be managing Emma's table, but I'll make sure she's taken care of." She smiled.

Killian pushed Emma's chair in and kissed the top of her head. "My famous grilled cheese, and soup?" He grinned at her. "And a glass of wine?"

Emma smiled at him and nodded. "That sounds perfect, thank you.."

Killian nodded and went back to the kitchen. He made her food and waited on her table, he made sure Tink wrote down who was supposed to wait on that table and made sure to give them a tip so they would not miss out on the tips they would have gotten if someone else had been seated there.

Emma came there often to eat with Killian so she knew most of his staff. They kept her entertained and she talked with all of them. She was talking to one of the waiters when Killian came out and kissed her cheek.

"How was your meal, my love?" He sat in the chair next to hers.

She rolled her eyes. "You know I loved it, Killian. You don't have to be so smug." She shoved him playfully.

He chuckled at her and shrugged. "I still like knowing what my girlfriend thinks of the food." He smiled.

She took his hand in hers. "When will you get to leave? I can wait for you, then we can go back to your place?" She asked softly.

"We close in twenty minutes, and then I've got to close up the kitchen and make sure everything is prepared for Monday. Maybe 45 minutes or so? Then I'm all yours."

She nodded. "Can I help any? Maybe help straighten the dining room? I want to earn the dinner you won't let me pay for."

He shook his head. "If you must, you can help them straighten the chairs. But I do pay for your food, you know. And I don't mind it at all. I like treating you." He kissed her.

Emma helped the waiters close up the dining room while she waited for Killian. He came out with his chef's coat draped over his arm. Emma held his hand as they walked to his apartment. She shivered a little, leaning into his warmth.

He put his chef's coat around her shoulders and kissed her head. "Thank you for coming to the restaurant tonight, and letting me be open with my employees, my friends, Swan." He said softly.

She nodded and snuggled into the coat. "I was nervous about it.. But I can see the happiness on your face.. And don't say 'I told you so' Killian, but being able to hold your hand and talk with you openly, it was kind of nice."

He held her close. "I won't, Love. Though I am glad that you're okay with this. We can take it slow, we'll just be us, and when my brother and Elsa visit, we can tell them, and then move on to telling David and Mary Margaret."

She nodded. "Slow is good.. Slow is easier." She unlocked the door to his apartment, and followed him in. "Your coat smells good, smells like you after a long day in the kitchen." She smiled.