A Never Event [Teacher/Student]

Chapter Fifteen - Happy Eighteenth

Emerys woke up on the morning of her birthday with a smile on her face – something she hadn't done for several years.
She was ecstatic that her birthday this year had fallen on a Saturday, but less so that her parent's wanted to take her out for birthday breakfast.
Normally, birthday breakfast would consist of Beignets from Café Du Monde, but this time it would just be Granny's.
Her parents were a little down heartened by the fact that they'd basically be taking their daughter to work for her birthday, but Emerys had made sure they knew that she liked Granny's food and was totally fine with going there.
Of course, after that she'd be going to Killian's, or Regina and Zelena's as far as her parents were concerned. He had a surprise for her and she couldn't wait.

Arriving at Granny's, Emerys saw something entirely mortifying.
"Oh no..." She groaned.
"We tried warning Granny that you weren't into the whole big charade thing, but she insisted." Her mother chuckled. "Her words were 'a girl's eighteenth birthday is no joke and one that should be celebrated properly.'"
Emerys walked into the diner to see the whole place decorated with black and silver streamers, balloons, cutlery, crockery, cups, tablecloths, the works. Over the bar was a sign reading 'Happy birthday Emerys'.
"Jesus fucking Christ..." Emerys mumbled to herself.
Over at the opposite end of the diner to the door stood Granny, Ruby, Regina, Zelena, Belle, Emma, Alice, Robin, Will, Jefferson, Peter and Neal.
"Happy birthday Em!" They all cheered.
"Wow... Thanks guys." Emerys chuckled nervously.
Behind them was a table filled with breakfast foods.
Waffles, pancakes, fruit, yoghurt, cereal, toast, Pop Tarts, a less-than-breakfast-y chocolate fountain with marshmallows and other chocolate friendly snacks, but then Emerys saw them...
"Beignets!" She squealed, running over to the table.
Jocelyn and James laughed, watching their daughter stuff her face with one.
"It wouldn't be your birthday without birthday Beignets." James smiled.
"They may not be New Orleans' finest, but they're handmade with love from Granny." Granny grinned.
Emerys thought she was in Heaven as soon as her taste buds coated themselves with the deep fried, powdered sugary goodness.
"These are damn good, Granny. Thank you so much." Emerys pulled the old woman into a hug, being mindful of her sticky, powdery fingers.
The only thing Emerys felt was missing was Killian.

Emerys had never had a full on party in the morning, but she could get used to it.
Just when things couldn't get much better, someone opened the diner door, the overhead bell grabbing Emerys' attention.
'Oh my God...' She thought.
"Mom..." She frowned, walking over to Jocelyn. "What is Mr Jones doing here?"
Jocelyn looked over to see a rather awkward looking Killian and smiled, beckoning him over, which is when the birthday girl realised that Liam was in tow.
"I invited him and his brother. His brother owns a bar on the outskirts of town and I broke up a bar fight there the other night with the help of him and Killian. He knew I was your mother and we got talking. He told me not to tell you or your classmates this, but you're his favourite student." Jocelyn smirked, elbowing her daughter playfully. "So I invited them along."
"Mom, that's so weird." Emerys grimaced, doing her very best to hide how excited she was that they were here.
Good morning, Sherriff." Killian smiled. "Hello Miss Taylor. Happy birthday."
He handed her an envelope.
"Thanks Mr Jones." Emerys gave a small smile.
"This is my brother, Liam. He wanted to say hi and thank your mom for helping out the other night." Killian said, fake-introducing him.
"Hi Liam, nice to meet you." Emerys awkwardly waved.
"Nice to meet you too, Emerys. Happy birthday." Liam winked, handing her a bottle gift bag.
Emerys side-eyed her mother, who smirked and turned her back.
"What the Sherriff doesn't see didn't happen." Jocelyn laughed.
Emerys smiled and took the bottle bag from Liam, seeing it was a bottle of Jack Daniels.
"My favourite! Thank you so much!" Emerys grinned.
"You're very welcome." Liam chuckled, before turning to her mother. "Sherriff, could I talk to you for a moment, please?"
"Of course, Liam!" Jocelyn smiled, leading him to the back of the diner, away from the noise.
Killian awkwardly stood next to Emerys, who placed the bottle bag and envelope down on the table of one of the booths.
"I can't believe you're here." Emerys mumbled, looking anywhere else but at him.
Killian shoved his hands in his pockets, not looking at her either.
"I couldn't miss my kitten's birthday breakfast party, could I?" He smirked. "Your real card and gift is waiting for you at mine, by the way. The one I've just given you is just for show."
"Thank you." Emerys looked down, unable to hide her smile.
She picked up the envelope and opened it, seeing a plain old 'Happy 18th' spread across the front.
Emerys chuckled and turned the card's page.
"To Emerys, happy eighteenth birthday, don't think this gets you out of homework! From Mr Jones." She read aloud, followed by a laugh.
"Thank you Mr Jones." She giggled.
"You're most welcome, Miss Taylor." He gave her a subtle wink.