Summary: SPOILERS AHOY. Anyway, I'M MAD AF, and I heard there was some kind of romantic scene shot on the JR coming up, and I can only hope that we get the kind of proposal these two deserve. It's really short, but I needed to do it for my own peace of mind.

.

.

the do over

"Want to tell me what's going on, yet?"

Killian smiled as Emma nudged her hip with his, an expectant expression on her beautiful face. Her hand felt reassuringly warm in his as they walked down the docks together towards the Jolly Roger. His nerves were getting the better of him at the moment, but his thumb absentmindedly caressed the ring on Emma's finger, and it gave him the boost of confidence he needed.

"I know you don't enjoy surprises, Swan," he said, "But it's my hope that you'll like this one."

Emma smiled in return, squeezing his hand. "I'm sure, I will."

Once they reached the Jolly, he gestured gallantly up the gangplank. "After you, m'lady. Captain's quarters, if you please."

She rolled her eyes good-naturedly before climbing aboard his ship, and he followed after her, watching with pride as she navigated the deck with ease. At the top of the hatch leading to his quarters, she shot him a playfully suspicious look before descending down the steps. He knew the exact moment she found her surprise, her soft gasp echoing off the sails, and Killian hurried down after her.

The room was lit with tiny candles, illuminating the table where a three course dinner was set, complete with a bottle of champagne. Light instrumental music wafted through the air from a small portable device that Henry had helped him set up earlier that day.

"Killian, what is this?" Emma asked, turning to him with wonder, but also uncertainty. "If this is about my grandfather, you know I've already forgiven you."

"I know, Swan," Killian said, stepping closer to her and taking her hand in his. "And you'll never know how truly grateful I am to have that forgiveness, but this isn't about that. At least, not completely."

He closed his eyes briefly and inhaled to steady himself. When he opened them, he dropped down to his knee and looked up at her. Emma's eyes widened, but Killian spoke before she had a chance to.

"Emma, when I proposed to you, I did so with a heavy heart, weighed down by my secret," Killian told her, remembering how conflicted he'd felt. He'd been unable to come clean then, loathe to take away her happiness. "But now, I wish to give you the proposal you deserve. No walls. No secrets. Just you and me."

Emma's confusion molded into one of understanding, and she smiled softly at her words being repeated back to her.

"There are no words to describe how much I love you," Killian whispered, looking up into her eyes. In the candlelight, they took on a distinct sheen as he spoke. "Only know that I love you more today than I did yesterday, and that I shall love you more still tomorrow."

"You helped me find a part of myself that I thought had been lost forever," he continued, mesmerized by the love in her eyes. "You've given me a home, something I've never had before, as well as made me a part of your family. There's nothing I want more in this life than to spend the rest of my days by your side."

Tears were falling down her cheeks now, and even Killian found his eyes blurring. "Emma Swan, will you marry me?"

Her response was immediate as she nodded fervently. "Yes, yes, I will."

Hearing the words the second time around was much sweeter than the first, and Killian let the joy he'd been holding back flow through him, smiling uncontrollably as he took her hand to kiss her ring before leaping up and taking her into his arms. Their kiss was wet and salty with both of their tears, but they laughed merrily, arms locked around each other, and Killian knew himself to be the happiest man in all the realms.

"I love you," Emma sighed into his ear. "Thank you."

He pressed his lips to hers again in response before pulling away. Reaching behind her, he grabbed the bottle of champagne that had been chilling. "Can I tempt you with a glass, love?"

"What, no rum?" she asked playfully.

"I'm engaged to a princess now," he quipped, arching an eyebrow at her. "That calls for something a little more sophisticated."

Emma giggled happily, and Killian grinned, uncorking the bottle with his thumb. He poured them both a glass, handing one to her.

She raised hers in the air. "To our future," she said firmly.

The threat of Gideon's dark mission succeeding hung over them for a moment, but Killian nodded. "Our future," he echoed, clinking her glass with his.

Whatever happened, they would face it together, and Killian knew they would overcome it, as they had done time and time again.