Scarborough Fair: 8/?

I apologize for the long wait for this chapter! We just moved into a new house, and at first we didn’t have internet. I also felt that every spare moment needed to be spent unpacking and getting the house all set up. I finally escaped to Barnes and Noble to write because I just can’t do it at home right now! Anyways, I hope the contents of this chapter make it up to you. We’re getting to the good stuff ;)

Is the situation Emma is in as a pregnant foster teen accurate? I really have no idea, but it’s in the book Impossible that this is based on. I also have no idea if you can make a shirt like that. Again, I’m going by the book Impossible. I’m not following it exactly, but those two plot points were kind of important, so I left them in. Anyways, things are going to keep getting steamier from here on out, though our lovers are far from out of danger. Plus, we’ve still got Snow, David, and their kingdom out there somewhere, so hang on, folks! It’s gonna be a romantic yet bumpy ride.

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Emma Swan has had a charmed life, despite being a foster child. She has a wonderful family who loves her, and the best friends in the world. The only thing that mars her idyllic existence is her birth mother: a homeless woman who mutters nonsensical rhymes and claims to be Snow White. One fateful night, however, Emma’s world is shattered. Perhaps her mother’s rhymes aren’t nonsense after all.

Rated: M for date rape, dubious consent, teen pregnancy, and sexy times (the good kind!)

Words: Over 3k in this chapter

Chapter One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six

Also on Ao3

Tagging:  (let me know if you wish to be removed or added):  @snowbellewells @teamhook @kmomof4 @jrob64 @xhookswenchx-reads-blog @thisonesatellite @welllpthisishappening @spartanguard @ohmakemeahercules @tiganasummertree @sparlecorn93 @sals86 @pirateprincessofpizza @xarandomdreamx @zaharadessert @huntressandlioness1 @jamif @undercaffinatednightmare @onceratheart18 @sparlecorn93 @sals86 @pirateprincessofpizza @xarandomdreamx @zaharadessert @huntressandlioness1 @jonesfandomfanatic​ @hollyethecurious​

Chapter Eight:

The entire family jumped right in to help Emma solve the riddle that had defeated her mother. Liam dove back into every bit of research he had accumulated about the song Scarborough Fair. He and Ingrid met with the art professor he had mentioned who had done her dissertation on textiles. Elsa talked to the scientists on board ship and zoomed with the family every single day. Even Anna found her niche, taking Emma to the library and helping her check out every book available about pregnancy and childbirth. 

And Killian? He was the rock she could lean on. The one who made her smile or laugh just when things got too heavy. He also ran whatever errands he needed to: taking Emma to her first prenatal appointment, shopping for a long list of different types of fabrics at the craft store to make this impossible shirt, and going for a late night ice cream run when Emma’s cravings started. In some ways, nothing changed.

Yet his declaration of love still hung in the air. He hadn’t brought it up again, hadn’t treated her any differently, hadn’t asked her on a date or tried to get physical. He was giving her space to decide what she wanted, and it honestly was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. 

At the same time, Emma was confused. She had always loved Killian, of course. But was it romantic love? She could even admit she had been physically attracted to him at times, but did that mean she was in love with him? Did she even want something like that right now, when she was processing having a kid of all things and still healing from a violent rape? Did Killian fully understand what he would be getting himself into? Did she want to burden him with all her crap? 

She was just completely and utterly confused. 

Keep reading

@searchingwardrobes For crying out loud! It has taken me much too long to review this chapter (but I did completely enjoy going back and reading it a second time to make sure I mentioned all the best parts 😉) Once again, you completely amaze me with how each new chapter of your story makes it that much more complex, emotional, and engaging. The stakes are high, but this family - and Emma and Killian, in particular- do not shy away or falter. They know they can beat this, and they won’t abandon Emma; they’re with her every step of the way.

I really loved how each family member found a job that suited them, a part to play in helping Emma untangle the riddle and figure out what she needed to do. I especially liked how, when they are face with the fact that the system might try to take Emma’s baby after it’s birth, Killian says the exact same thing Liam did - clearly he learned from the best. I loved in general how Killian’s main job was support and comfort, fi adding a way to help Emma believe that she would not go crazy and they would not let anyone take her child.

I also adored the scenes where Killian walked in from his construction work, shirtless and sweaty, and Emma couldn’t help but be affected. He had her all flustered, and who could blame her?!?

But on a deeper note, her reaction gave Killian hope that she might want to be with him, might reciprocate the feelings he had already told her he had. I loved that bit of reassurance for him. And also, when they are alone together fitting the shirt. I loved Killian’s proposal, Emma’s admission, her awareness of his patience and tenderness toward her, and how she lets herself trust his promise. There were so many beautiful passages in this chapter, as always!, but I think my favorite was here: “He opened his eyes, and she nodded. Her hands shook as she lifted them and rested them upon his temples. She threaded her fingers through his hair. It was softer than she had imagined. He tipped his head back and watched her intently. She thought of him the other night, stating so matter-of-factly that he loved her. He had said it as something unshakable and infallible. Something as predictable and steady as the seasons. Then they had gone on as they always had, with no demands that she respond to his declaration in any way.”

You even worked in the bit about ‘I know you face an uncertain future… but I will always, always, be by your side.” Bravo! ❤️❤️❤️

But oh, when Rumplestiltskin creeps into their home at the end - and he’s been there before?!? It’s so eerie and chilling, brilliantly well done, but frightening in the amount of power and knowledge he has, and that he’s aware of where they stand and what they’ve accomplished. I’m glad he couldn’t touch the shirt, but we know he has found a way to hurt even those with Trie Love before. I can’t help but worry, and be desperate to know what happens next…

Once again @snowbellewells . . .

Scarborough Fair: 8/?

I apologize for the long wait for this chapter! We just moved into a new house, and at first we didn’t have internet. I also felt that every spare moment needed to be spent unpacking and getting the house all set up. I finally escaped to Barnes and Noble to write because I just can’t do it at home right now! Anyways, I hope the contents of this chapter make it up to you. We’re getting to the good stuff ;)

Is the situation Emma is in as a pregnant foster teen accurate? I really have no idea, but it’s in the book Impossible that this is based on. I also have no idea if you can make a shirt like that. Again, I’m going by the book Impossible. I’m not following it exactly, but those two plot points were kind of important, so I left them in. Anyways, things are going to keep getting steamier from here on out, though our lovers are far from out of danger. Plus, we’ve still got Snow, David, and their kingdom out there somewhere, so hang on, folks! It’s gonna be a romantic yet bumpy ride.

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Emma Swan has had a charmed life, despite being a foster child. She has a wonderful family who loves her, and the best friends in the world. The only thing that mars her idyllic existence is her birth mother: a homeless woman who mutters nonsensical rhymes and claims to be Snow White. One fateful night, however, Emma’s world is shattered. Perhaps her mother’s rhymes aren’t nonsense after all.

Rated: M for date rape, dubious consent, teen pregnancy, and sexy times (the good kind!)

Words: Over 3k in this chapter

Chapter One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six

Also on Ao3

Tagging:  (let me know if you wish to be removed or added):  @snowbellewells @teamhook @kmomof4 @jrob64 @xhookswenchx-reads-blog @thisonesatellite @welllpthisishappening @spartanguard @ohmakemeahercules @tiganasummertree @sparlecorn93 @sals86 @pirateprincessofpizza @xarandomdreamx @zaharadessert @huntressandlioness1 @jamif @undercaffinatednightmare @onceratheart18 @sparlecorn93 @sals86 @pirateprincessofpizza @xarandomdreamx @zaharadessert @huntressandlioness1 @jonesfandomfanatic​ @hollyethecurious​

Chapter Eight:

The entire family jumped right in to help Emma solve the riddle that had defeated her mother. Liam dove back into every bit of research he had accumulated about the song Scarborough Fair. He and Ingrid met with the art professor he had mentioned who had done her dissertation on textiles. Elsa talked to the scientists on board ship and zoomed with the family every single day. Even Anna found her niche, taking Emma to the library and helping her check out every book available about pregnancy and childbirth. 

And Killian? He was the rock she could lean on. The one who made her smile or laugh just when things got too heavy. He also ran whatever errands he needed to: taking Emma to her first prenatal appointment, shopping for a long list of different types of fabrics at the craft store to make this impossible shirt, and going for a late night ice cream run when Emma’s cravings started. In some ways, nothing changed.

Yet his declaration of love still hung in the air. He hadn’t brought it up again, hadn’t treated her any differently, hadn’t asked her on a date or tried to get physical. He was giving her space to decide what she wanted, and it honestly was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. 

At the same time, Emma was confused. She had always loved Killian, of course. But was it romantic love? She could even admit she had been physically attracted to him at times, but did that mean she was in love with him? Did she even want something like that right now, when she was processing having a kid of all things and still healing from a violent rape? Did Killian fully understand what he would be getting himself into? Did she want to burden him with all her crap? 

She was just completely and utterly confused. 

Keep reading

Scarborough Fair: 5/?

I apologize for the long wait for this chapter. I said I would update every two weeks, and then I dropped the ball on that. I won’t bore you with the details, but life just got crazy. Anyways, I think I have a game plan now that I should be able to update every two weeks, alternating updates with No Wives, No Lovers, No Mothers.

This chapter is about Emma’s recovery, and it’s honestly a gut-wrencher. However, some important plot points also come up, so I can’t really give you places to skip like the last chapter. Hopefully, if you’ve stuck with me this far, you’ll keep reading! I can’t say the angst will cease after this chapter, but the rape will no longer be the main focus. So it gets better in some ways? I guess?

This is also now part of the CS Angsty August, so be sure to check out the other fan fic and fanart from that event!

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Emma Swan has had a charmed life, despite being a foster child. She has a wonderful family who loves her, and the best friends in the world. The only thing that mars her idyllic existence is her birth mother: a homeless woman who mutters nonsensical rhymes and claims to be Snow White. One fateful night, however, Emma’s world is shattered. Perhaps her mother’s rhymes aren’t nonsense after all.

Rated: M for date rape, dubious consent, teen pregnancy, and sexy times (the good kind!)

Words: Over 3k in this chapter

Chapter One | Two | Three | Four

Also on Ao3

Tagging:  (let me know if you wish to be removed or added):  @snowbellewells @teamhook @kmomof4 @jrob64 @xhookswenchx @thisonesatellite @welllpthisishappening @spartanguard @ohmakemeahercules @tiganasummertree @sparlecorn93 @sals86 @pirateprincessofpizza @xarandomdreamx @zaharadessert @huntressandlioness1 @jamif @undercaffinatednightmare @onceratheart18 @sparlecorn93 @sals86 @pirateprincessofpizza @xarandomdreamx @zaharadessert @huntressandlioness1​

Chapter Five

The rest of that night and the next day passed for Emma in a hazy fog punctuated by bouts of crying in her bed curled up in the fetal position. Other times she just lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to let herself be swallowed up by a dark, dark hole that had taken up residence in her chest. She wanted to go numb, to never feel anything ever again. Just when she thought she’d succeeded in emptying herself of all emotion, waves of tears would begin to pound her once again.

She hadn’t had to spell anything out for Killian. He’d simply nodded when she asked for him to take her home, and in the car, he said nothing. The silence was laden with grief, yet she knew she couldn’t have handled any questions, or even worse, platitudes. 

Even when they walked through the kitchen door, no words had been necessary. Ingrid had taken one look at Emma, and a single sob had escaped her lips. Emma fell into her embrace, tears finally coming. She heard Liam make a guttural sound followed by a thud. He’d punched something, even had bruises on his knuckles the next day to prove it. Like Killian, however, he said nothing, asked no questions, and refrained from touching her. She could tell the brothers wanted to, the way their hands kept fisting then opening again, the way their arms kept reaching just short of touching her, then falling back to their sides. Emma ached with both relief and sadness at their hesitancy. 

Keep reading

@searchingwardrobes Sheesh Melanie, just go ahead and break me heart why don’t you?!? 💔 No, I’m giving you a hard time, but in all seriousness, you have such a way of writing even devastatingly emotional things in a way that I am willing and even glad to read it because it’s what the characters have to go through to get to their happy endings at last. I’m more than willing to feel their hurt with them in exchange for getting to go on the journey you take us on.

Emma’s mourning for her lost innocence, and the rest of the family’s concern and uncertainty of how to help her were so real and raw, you couldn’t help hurting along with them, but wow was it well done. And it also shows how much she is loved and cared for that they try all they can to be there for her - even if it’s just in giving her space and time. Killian’s thoughts in this time sun it up perfectly though: “It wasn’t a lack of patience, at least not for him. He realized that Emma would never be the same person she’d been before, and he wasn’t expecting or asking that of her. He just wanted to see joy in her eyes again. He wanted to see her cheeks pink as she laughed, he wanted to see her collapse against Liam on the couch as he read a book, he wanted her to sit here with him chatting about everything and nothing. In short, he wanted her to live again. Fully. Not for him, but for her own happiness.”

There are also two or three lovely subtle and effective nods to canon here that I have to mention. I thought Neal’s being the child of the single mom Lacey Cassidy was a really clever and sad choice in its own way. And the part about the law and the town not knowing the whole story and Neal being elevated to almost saint-like status by his unfortunate death was very reminiscent of what the show did after Neal died - sometimes to the point of utter frustration when it masked all that he put Emma through. This was an interesting way to spin that into your story and it really hit home. (Even the way Emma reveals to Killian that he didn’t seem like himself, and from what I’ve read of the Impossible book, what was truly going on, plays into the complex father-son dynamic Neal had with Rumple/Gold) Seriously, you could not have picked a much better book to adapt into an OuaT/CS au!!! Most of all though, I love how Killian’s desire to help Emma heal and see her happy and fully living her life again, capture something beautiful about his canon character that can’t be celebrated enough. Yes, he is in love with her, but he also simply and purely wants the best for her, and for her not to close herself off from joy and love and life as she has been for so long when they first meet. This story’s Killian is wishing for that for this Emma too.💖

And then the end of this one, where she asks why he won’t hold her, and his pained, “Oh Emma….” before he runs around to her side of the car to just wrap her up and hold her while she cries. Good heavens!!! It hurt and it was glorious and just WOW breathtaking.🥺😭😍

Ok, I was wrong, @snowbellewells - THIS was the best reblog ever!

Scarborough Fair: 5/?

I apologize for the long wait for this chapter. I said I would update every two weeks, and then I dropped the ball on that. I won’t bore you with the details, but life just got crazy. Anyways, I think I have a game plan now that I should be able to update every two weeks, alternating updates with No Wives, No Lovers, No Mothers.

This chapter is about Emma’s recovery, and it’s honestly a gut-wrencher. However, some important plot points also come up, so I can’t really give you places to skip like the last chapter. Hopefully, if you’ve stuck with me this far, you’ll keep reading! I can’t say the angst will cease after this chapter, but the rape will no longer be the main focus. So it gets better in some ways? I guess?

This is also now part of the CS Angsty August, so be sure to check out the other fan fic and fanart from that event!

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Emma Swan has had a charmed life, despite being a foster child. She has a wonderful family who loves her, and the best friends in the world. The only thing that mars her idyllic existence is her birth mother: a homeless woman who mutters nonsensical rhymes and claims to be Snow White. One fateful night, however, Emma’s world is shattered. Perhaps her mother’s rhymes aren’t nonsense after all.

Rated: M for date rape, dubious consent, teen pregnancy, and sexy times (the good kind!)

Words: Over 3k in this chapter

Chapter One | Two | Three | Four

Also on Ao3

Tagging:  (let me know if you wish to be removed or added):  @snowbellewells @teamhook @kmomof4 @jrob64 @xhookswenchx @thisonesatellite @welllpthisishappening @spartanguard @ohmakemeahercules @tiganasummertree @sparlecorn93 @sals86 @pirateprincessofpizza @xarandomdreamx @zaharadessert @huntressandlioness1 @jamif @undercaffinatednightmare @onceratheart18 @sparlecorn93 @sals86 @pirateprincessofpizza @xarandomdreamx @zaharadessert @huntressandlioness1​

Chapter Five

The rest of that night and the next day passed for Emma in a hazy fog punctuated by bouts of crying in her bed curled up in the fetal position. Other times she just lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to let herself be swallowed up by a dark, dark hole that had taken up residence in her chest. She wanted to go numb, to never feel anything ever again. Just when she thought she’d succeeded in emptying herself of all emotion, waves of tears would begin to pound her once again.

She hadn’t had to spell anything out for Killian. He’d simply nodded when she asked for him to take her home, and in the car, he said nothing. The silence was laden with grief, yet she knew she couldn’t have handled any questions, or even worse, platitudes. 

Even when they walked through the kitchen door, no words had been necessary. Ingrid had taken one look at Emma, and a single sob had escaped her lips. Emma fell into her embrace, tears finally coming. She heard Liam make a guttural sound followed by a thud. He’d punched something, even had bruises on his knuckles the next day to prove it. Like Killian, however, he said nothing, asked no questions, and refrained from touching her. She could tell the brothers wanted to, the way their hands kept fisting then opening again, the way their arms kept reaching just short of touching her, then falling back to their sides. Emma ached with both relief and sadness at their hesitancy. 

Keep reading

THIS CHAPTER

@kmomof4 I had to reblog your reblog for those gifs! They killed me 😂 That pretty much sums up the emotions of this chapter, not gonna lie.