Home is the Hunter

Chapter 5

"Come on, kids," says Rose Red. "I'll take you home while your mom and dad talk about wedding plans."

"Don't people get married before having babies?" asks Connor.

"Your mom and dad aren't normal, buddy."

I roll my eyes at my snarky sister and hug each of the kids before they climb back on Rose's truck. They wave and blow kisses at Bigby. He smiles as they drive away.

"So they're a handful, huh?"

"You have no idea," I say. He takes two long steps toward me and lifts me up for a kiss.

"Thank you, Snow."

"For what?" my arms circle his neck, and I smile.

"Having my babies... and then raising them on your own for so long."

"I couldn't have done it on my own," I admit. "I had the whole farm to help."

"And for the letters and the presents... it's thanks to you that they don't hate me."

"I did that for them, too. I knew you'd come back eventually. You always do."

"And I always will." He kisses me again, more gently this time. "So why don't you tell me what kind of crazy wedding you're all planning."

I smile and pull out a pocket-sized notepad from my coat jacket.

"Well, I have some ideas, but I want you to have a say too."

My fiance takes my arms and leads me to a large boulder where we sit to discuss the details.

"Whatever will make you happiest is what I want," he says. He watches me with reverence and my heart flutters in response to his gaze. It's funny what losing someone for so long can teach you about yourself.

"So you really don't have a say about any of it?"

"As long as I leave with you as my wife, I'll be happy," he chuckles. "Plus, do I look like a guy who knows anything about flower arrangements?"

"Well, that certainly makes things easier," I tease. "I was mostly just being courteous by asking for your opinion."

"I'm sure you were, Snow."

"Hmm, well since I'm handling the wedding, where would you like to go on our honeymoon?"

He considers my question for a second before shrugging his shoulders.

"Paris?"

"You want to go to Paris?" I ask surprised.

"You like Paris," he says simply.

"Do you like Paris?"

"Get it through your head, princess. As long as I'm with you, I don't care where I go." He raises my hand to his lips and smiles.

"I must say... I never took you for a romantic."

"You never gave me a chance to be romantic."

"Fair enough," I say.

"So tell me something... why did you change your mind?"

"About what?"

"Me. Being together. You know?"

I shrug and look down at my hands. I don't even understand it well myself.

"I don't know," I admit. "But after you left... I think I realized I made a mistake. But Rose Red said something to me. Something about how you and I had a connection that couldn't be broken by a fight or by distance."

"Well, even your sister has her moments."

I laugh and lean my head against his shoulder.

"I think... you were right. After Prince Charming I didn't really want another relationship at all, but also you're far from who I imagined ending up with."

"I'm no Prince Charming."

"I'm glad." I say. "I'm pretty sure you'll be a way better husband."

"I sure hope so," he mumbles. "I swear to never sleep with your sister."

I elbow him playfully and he laughs.

"So we're going to Paris, huh?"

Bigby smiles and kisses the top of my head.

"We sure are, Ms. White."

I stretch my neck and search for his lips. In a few days' time I'll be kissing my husband. I can still barely believe this is all happening.

Bigby responds and holds my by the waist, pulling me closer.

"I don't think I'll ever grow tired of kissing you," he whispers.

I blush and press kisses along his jaw. "I'm sure you'll grow tired over the years."

"Impossible." He closes his eyes as my lips trail his skin.

"Are you scared?" I murmur against his cheek.

He gives me a puzzled look.

"Of you? Only when you get really, really mad."

I roll my eyes and pull away so I can see his face.

"No, not of me. Of all of this." I wave my arm toward our newly acquired lands. "And raising a family... marrying someone you've never even been on a date with?"

His lips stretch into a smile, and he looks at me with complete confidence.

"No."

"Really?"

"I don't get scared."

I scoff.

"Maybe I am a little nervous," he admits, but he's still smiling. "But how could I be scared when I'm getting everything I ever wanted?"

"Yeah, but we've never actually... been together, like in a relationship."

"Snow, over centuries we shared our workspace, worked together to handle all sorts of people and problems, spent more time with each other than with most other fables, and we kept a whole town from crumbling. Together."

"We were colleagues," I say.

"Maybe you thought so," he says. "Boy Blue and King Cole were my colleagues. But you were always..."

"What?"

"You. I don't know..." He scratches his neck at a loss for words. "I always cared about you like more than my boss. Of course, I never tried anything because you made it pretty clear you didn't feel the same."

"I know..."

Bigby shrugs. "It doesn't really matter does it? We're going to figure out this whole marriage thing together like we figured out how to run a town."

"You're right. We'll figure it out," I sigh.

"You are right about something though."

I give him a puzzled look.

"We're getting married in a few days, and we've never even been on a date." He grabs my hand. "So let's go on a date."

"Okay... I'll have to delegate some of the wedding planning and ask Rose to babysit, but--"

"Great. I'll pick you up at six."