#final ch

Ch. 4 Bringing It In For a Landing

“Oh, Killian,” breathed Emma, as they entered The Melting Pot fondue restaurant the following evening. “This is wonderful! I’ve never been to a fondue restaurant!”

“Neither have I,” he replied. “But Liam and Elsa have one somewhat close to them in Bedford and they love it, so I thought it would be a nice place to bring you for our special date.” He lifted her hand and brushed her knuckles with his lips, smiling gently at her.

“I’m sure it’ll be wonderful.” She returned his smile before he approached the host stand and gave his name for their reservation.

“Ah, yes, sir,” the hostess replied. “Everything has been arranged to your specifications, Mr. Jones. Please follow me.”

Emma’s eyebrows nearly hit her hairline at her words and she wondered exactly what her boyfriend had planned for the evening.

Once they were seated, their server approached with a bottle of champagne and poured them both a glass. Since they were both new to the fondue experience, he explained everything about the 4 course celebration they were about to enjoy. 

A decadent cheese fondue with artisan breads, fresh fruit and seasonal veggies to dip, followed by their choice of salads, then they would choose a single cooking style - Coq Au Vin, Court Boullion, Mojo, Traditional Oil, or Grill - and their individual entrees. Finally, the dessert course featured rich chocolate fondue with various sweet treats and fresh fruit for dipping. Emma’s mouth watered just listening to him.

They chose Classic Alpine cheese fondue - a delicious mixture of gruyère, raclette, and fontina cheeses, mixed with white wine, garlic, and nutmeg. For their salads, Killian chose a classic Caesar, while Emma chose the California, with mixed greens, candied pecans, gorgonzola, tomatoes, and raspberry walnut vinaigrette.  They chose the Court  Bouillon cooking style since it paired well with any entree, then for the main course, they both created their own. Killian had sesame crusted Ahi tuna, Atlantic Salmon, and Shrimp, while Emma enjoyed the herbed chicken breast, teriyaki steak, and petite filet. Finally, for the chocolate fondue course, Yin and Yang, because in Killian’s words, I’m dark, you’re light, and we pair perfectly together. His waggling eyebrows when he said it made her cheeks heat as she remembered his words from the night before after they’d gone to bed.

She laid perfectly content and sated, spooned against Killian when he nuzzled behind her ear and placed a gentle kiss on her neck. “I love you so much, Emma. You’re the perfect woman for me and I never want to let you go.”

She turned in his arms and faced him, running her fingertips along the side of his beloved face. “I love you, too, Killian. I wish we had more time together before we have to leave.”

He looked like he was about to speak again, but something stopped him. Instead, he kissed her and then rolled on his back, drawing her close to him so that her head lay on his shoulder, his arm around her, and his other hand on top of hers where it lay over his heart. 

It was only minutes later they were both sound asleep.

“Yes, we do,” she replied, before giving him a kiss. She speared a strawberry and dipped it into the dark chocolate before bringing it to his mouth.

“Mmmmm,” he said, never breaking eye contact with her as he enjoyed the morsel.

Shivers cascaded down her spine at the heated look in his eyes. She couldn’t look away from him, but could just perceive in her periphery his spearing something else from the dessert platter and bringing it up toward her.

Something flashed in the corner of her eyes and she finally glanced away at the fork that had just entered her line of sight. Dangling at the end was a huge, sparkling, round diamond ring.

Emma gasped. “Killian!”

“Emma,” he began, taking the ring off the fork and holding it in his hand, “since the moment I first saw you on the airplane in Boston, I thought you were the most beautiful woman in the world and at the time, I wanted nothing more than your phone number and permission to contact you again after going our separate ways. You graciously gave me both, and the last four and a half months have been the happiest of my life as I’ve gotten to know you and Henry and fallen in love with you. I love you more than life, Emma and now, I want nothing more than to make you happy for the rest of our days. Would you do me the greatest honor and be my wife?”

A tear rolled down her cheek and her heart fluttered within her as she lifted her hands to cup his beloved face. “Yes,” she whispered before drawing him to her for a tender yet passionate kiss. She never thought she would have this. A good man who loved her with everything that was in him, and loved her son as his own. When they parted, Killian slipped the ring on her finger, both of them beaming. Cheers broke out from around them as their server and other employees, as well as fellow diners, congratulated them on their engagement.

Their server handed Killian’s phone to him as he turned slightly unsure eyes on her. “I hope you don’t mind, but if you do, I can delete it, I just thought it would be something…” he rambled before she stopped him with another kiss, knowing exactly what he was trying to say.

“No, I don’t mind,” she assured him. “Mary Margaret and Elsa will certainly want to see it.” 

Emma snuggled into his side, as he held her tightly against him, and took her own bite of a rice krispy treat dipped in the decadent chocolate fondue. They took turns enjoying the fruit and other culinary confections dipped in the luscious and delicious chocolate. All too quickly, their platter was empty and Killian was paying for their meal.

“I’ve had all this arranged since before everyone got here,” he explained. “The manager and our server were most accommodating with everything I wanted to do, so this tip is going to reflect that.”

Emma glanced at the ticket and saw how much he was leaving them. She couldn’t hide the small gasp that escaped her lips before she spoke. “We’re going to be their favorite customers after that,” she commented, a small smile touching her lips. 

“You may be right,” Killian conceded with a nod at the host as he opened the door for her. “But once we’re married, this will be our celebration restaurant.”

Emma grinned. “Sounds good to me!”

As they exited the restaurant into the gloaming of early evening, Emma’s head resting on his shoulder, Killian lifted a thankful prayer to God for the gift of the wonderful woman at his side and the very best Christmas ever.

~*~*~

The End.