Six Months Later…

Killian stepped back from his closet, tossing a skeptical look at the suit hung before him. Tight fitting breeches, long, brown coat with black trim, riding boots that rose to his knees. He'd look like a right proper eighteenth-century English gentleman.

He sighed, shaking his head. Regina Mills was nothing if not thorough. Eccentric as hell at times, but thorough.

Worked for her, though. Her attention to detail, her outlandish methods of promotion had done quite a bit to gin up excitement for this evening's premiere of Taking Back Neverland. This was shaping up to be the biggest hit Killian had ever starred in.

As further promotion, Regina had decreed that the fairytale feel must continue through the night. The cast was required (required, not requested) to attend the red-carpet premiere dressed in fairytale attire. Following the showing of the film, they would travel to a replica of a medieval castle in a neighboring town for a premiere party ball.

There had been no little grumbling among the cast and crew when they learned the plan, having nearly unanimously decided a casual night with good food, good booze and good company at The Big Bad Wolf would be more their style, but Regina had been implacable. Robin…now her husband…had smoothed ruffled feathers by suggesting a more relaxed after party for after the premiere party be hosted by Granny. Definitely the negotiator in the Mills-Hood family, that one!

Killian set about dressing for the evening, tossing on the blousy white shirt (leaving a fair number of buttons open), waistcoat and breaches. It was something of a minor miracle the film was already hitting the big screens. Only six months from the last day of shooting to the premiere? It was unheard of. It seems, though, that Regina had pulled every string she could find to make it happen, insisting the ideal date of release was today, Valentine's Day.

While not strictly a romance, Hook's romance with Emma did feature prominently in the film. And he had been assured that their on screen chemistry sparked hotter than a wildfire.

After tossing on the long coat, Killian reached into his nightstand, and pulled out the small, velvet box he'd been carrying around every day for the past month and a half. Truth be told, his real life romance with the lovely Emma Swan sparked every bit as hot and he was ready, more than ready, to take that next step.

Tonight would be the night; he was determined. Tonight he would ask the woman he loved to be his wife. Depending on her answer, tonight would either be the best or worst night of his life.

If only he were sure Swan would say yes. Oh she loved him, he had no doubt of that, but was it true love? True love was special; it was magical. It was something that didn't come around every day. Was Emma's love for him strong enough to overpower her remaining fears, her remaining wounds from her past painful experiences?

He most certainly hoped so. If not…

Killian's cell phone rang, pulling him back from his nervous reflections. Peering at the screen, Killian smiled, seeing Liam's picture grin up at him.

"Brother!" Killian said by way of greeting, "what the bloody hell are you doing ringing me at, what is it? Nearly midnight where you are?"

Liam's deep laugh came from the other end of the line. "Cheers to you too little brother."

Killian grinned, resisting the urge to correct his brother's "little brother" appellation. "Brilliant to hear from you Liam, but I'm afraid I can't chat for long; I must leave to pick up Emma for the premiere in a scant quarter of an hour."

"Aye, so I figured," Liam said. "I merely rang to congratulate you on your film. I'd tell you to break a leg, but as much as a klutz as you are, I fear you'd take me literally."

"Haha," Killian said dryly. "Quite the comedian you are, brother. Will you ever let me live down that unfortunate skiing incident a few years ago?"

"Of course not," Liam quipped. "It is a brother's prerogative to never let his brother live anything down."

Killian chuckled. "Thanks for calling, Liam! I'm quite looking forward to this film, to seeing my dashing self woo and win the heart of the lovely Miss Swan."

"Speaking of," Liam said, and Killian could hear the teasing grin on his face, "any interesting news to share with me on that front? After Christmas, I rather expected wedding bells to be ringing by this point."

Killian had taken Emma home with him to England over Christmas to meet Liam and his wife, Elsa. The two women had seemed to hit it off immediately, becoming the best of friends by the time their two week-long holiday had come to an end. It was during one afternoon that the ladies were off on a shopping expedition that Killian had approached Liam and asked for their mother's wedding ring, stating his intention to pop the question to Emma at his earliest convenience.

"Not yet, brother," Killian said, fingering the box in his pocket. "I've been waiting for the perfect time to ask her to be mine."

"Well don't wait too long, Killian," Liam said. "If you let this one get away, I do believe Elsa will murder you herself."

Killian laughed. "Wouldn't want that." He hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "If you must know, I have plans to pop the question tonight during the premiere party."

"Splendid!" Liam said. "And Killian…you've no need to fret. I saw the two of you together at Christmas, if you'll recall. Emma is head over arse in love with you. She'll jump at the chance to become your wife."

"I do hope you're right, brother," Killian said with a shaky laugh.

"Of course I am," Liam said smugly. "I'm always right. Ring me later, aye? No matter the time. I've a wish to tell you I told you so the moment you've secured your lady's hand…or at least the moment you've finished snogging each other's faces off after the engagement."

Killian laughed. "Should such a happy outcome occur, you will be the first to know."

~c~s~c~s~c~s~c~s~c~s~

Emma took Killian's offered hand as he helped her out of the limo Regina had hired to take them to the cast party. She tripped slightly on her floor-length, red ball gown, unused to such attire, and Killian steadied her with a hand to her back.

"Alright there, love?" he asked absently.

She smiled up at him, her heart swelling at the care and tenderness he always showed toward her, no matter the circumstance.

Six months. She'd been dating him for six months. Normally this was about the time the men in her life started getting cagey. This was about the time they left her. And so, Emma had come to dread the six month anniversary like the plague. Inevitably it was the beginning of the end.

But with Killian she had no such fear. She loved him. Truly loved him, and he took every opportunity he could to show her her feelings were more than reciprocated. It was joy and warmth and home. Never had she made a better decision in her life than when she decided to take a chance on him.

They walked arm in arm across a red carpet set up for the occasion, past a swarm of screaming fans with flashing cameras, right up to the magnificent great hall doors, opened by two men dressed elaborately as eighteenth century valets.

Emma felt like a princess attending her first ball, her fairytale prince at her side.

When the doors opened to reveal a room filled with her friends and cast mates dressed as knights and ladies, princesses and princesses (or in Leroy's case, as a court jester), Emma gasped in delight.

Or…at least she tried to. She definitely wasn't going to miss the torture device known as a corset when she had a chance to shed it later tonight!

"Ugh," she said as they stepped forward into the ballroom. "This may be a fairytale ball, but these clothes…yeah, more the stuff of nightmares."

He looked down at her warmly, his eyes taking in the gentle sweetheart neckline, the long, tapered sleeves, the full skirt. His eyes held no little amount of awe and wonder. "You may not be able to move Swan, but you cut quite the figure in that dress."

She ducked her head, smiling gently. Six months of dating and a gallant compliment like that still had the power to make her blush with pleasure.

"You're not looking so bad yourself, your majesty," she said.

A small string ensemble kicked off a musical selection, and Killian stopped before Emma, bowed deeply and then held out his hand. "My love, would you do me the honor of granting me your first dance?"

She grinned, taking his hand and letting him lead her out to the dance floor where several couples were already taking their places. He took her hand with one of his, and wrapped the other around her waist, expertly setting them in motion.

"You know how to do…whatever this is?" she asked.

"You don't star in a myriad of chick flicks without having the occasional dancing scene, Swan," he said with a grin. "And for your information, it's called a waltz. There's only one rule. Pick a partner who knows what he's doing."

And he did. He definitely did. Emma reveled in the feel of his strong arms around her as they moved to the music. It was certainly nothing new to her, after six months of his attentions, but dancing with him…it brought it home in a whole new way: There was nowhere on earth she'd rather be than in Killian's arms.

Eventually the music came to an end, and Emma wrapped her arms around Killian's neck, bringing him down for a quick kiss.

He rubbed his nose against hers when it ended, smiling down at her. "What was that for, Swan? Not that I'm complaining, of course."

She shrugged. "I'm just happy. Do I need any more reason than that to kiss man I love?"

His face lit up like a Christmas tree at her declaration. It was only in the last month or so that she'd first felt comfortable enough to say those three little words, and he seemed to cherish them every time she said them.

"None that I can think of," he said. "Allow me to escort you to the chairs set up along the walls. I believe I see your brother and sister in law. Then I'll secure us some refreshments."

"Sounds good to me."

Mary Margaret sat in one of the comfortable chairs set up for their use, her hand resting on the swell of her belly. Emma's little nephew was due to join them on the outside any day now—maybe even any minute from the looks of Mary Margaret.

"You and Killian looked like you were enjoying yourselves," Mary Margaret said happily. "Things are really going well with you, aren't they?"

Emma's smile turned a bit dreamy. "Yeah. Better than I ever could have imagined."

"I'm glad, Emma," David said, taking her hand and squeezing warmly. "Killian's a good guy, a true friend."

"That he is," Emma agreed. "So, what's up with you guys? How's the little one doing?"

"Kicking up a storm," Mary Margaret said, caressing her belly slightly. "I think little Leo wants to join in the dancing."

"Leo?" Emma asked.

"Yeah," David said. "We finally settled on a name. I was…hesitant to name our son Leopold; can you imagine how much he'd get picked on for a name like that? But Mary Margaret insisted on honoring her father. So we compromised and went with Leo."

"Leo," Emma said, reaching out and resting her hand on her sister-in-law's bump, chuckling when the little guy inside met her hand with a good, swift kick. "I like it! Well, I can't wait to meet you, Leo!"

They fell silent for a moment, and then David turned toward her. "So, Emma, have you heard the news?"

"Don't think so," she answered. "What news is that?"

"Seems Taking Back Neverland has been getting rave reviews," David answered. "The studio's asked Regina to make a sequel, and she's already gone to work to find a screenwriter. Word is, this could even become a franchise like Star Wars or something. So you up for another Regina Mills film?"

"Wow!" Emma said, "of course I'm up for another Regina Mills film. This one has been great! Best few months of my life."

Killian returned with a couple of glasses of punch, and the two couples chatted idly for a few moments before Killian led Emma once more to the dance floor.

After an hour of dancing with her one true love, Emma felt like she'd reached the heights of perfect happiness, but there were still a couple more surprises in store for her that night. Surprises that turned her happiness into pure ecstasy.

Finishing another rousing set of dances, Killian led Emma off the floor, both of them breathing heavily from the exertion of the dance.

"Hey, Emma!" Henry called from the refreshment table. Emma smiled, and headed toward the kid who was growing like a weed (and who Regina joked was eating her and Robin out of house and home).

"Hey kid! Hows it going?" she asked, ruffling his hair.

"Okay, I guess," he said, taking a bite of cookie. "Food's good."

"Well, lad," Killian said, stepping up beside Emma and wrapping an arm around her waist, "how are you faring during your first royal ball? Find any lovely princesses to dance with?"

Henry shot Killian a disgusted look. "Ugh, no! Girls are gross."

Killian turned, brushing a kiss against Emma's temple. "I can assure you, you won't always feel so, lad. There's truly no lass that intrigues you here tonight? What about that one over there? Violet I believe? Morgan, the lighting guy's daughter? She seems pretty."

Henry rolled his eyes elaborately. "She is kind of pretty I guess, but I don't want to dance and look all lovesick like you and Emma do!"

Emma laughed. "So other than avoiding gross girls, what have you been up to lately? Seems like we haven't had much chance to talk at all since filming came to an end."

"Well, the most interesting thing was this project we did at school a few weeks ago," Henry said, just as Regina and Robin walked up. "We were all supposed to make our family trees, but, you know, I was adopted, so it was pretty hard."

Emma dropped her eyes, feeling a quick pain at the thought of the little one she gave up. "Did.." she finally said "did you ever figure it out?"

"Yeah!" Henry said, nodding enthusiastically. "Mom helped me do some digging, and do you know what I found out?"

"Nope. What did you find, kid?"

"I was born in jail!" he said as though it was the coolest thing ever.

Emma gasped. "Um…where were you born? I mean what city?"

"Phoenix," Henry said, utterly unaware of the emotions beginning to churn through Emma. Killian, sensing her distress, pulled her a bit closer, lending his strength. "Couldn't find out much about what my birth mom did to get her into jail, though. She was still just a teenager, so they kind of hid her records or something."

Emma shot Regina a quick look, noting an odd look in the director's eyes. Henry's birth mom was a teenager in jail when she gave birth? In Phoenix? And…then there were those times on set when he seemed so utterly familiar. It could just be a coincidence, of course, but…? She had to know for sure."

"Um," she said, her throat tight, "so just what's your birthday, kid?"

"I was born on May 30, 2005," Henry said.

Emma staggered back, probably would have fallen over if Killian wasn't there to hold her up. Henry was born in jail in the same city and on the same day she herself gave birth to a little boy? That…that was too much to be a coincidence.

"Swan?" Killian whispered to her. "What's wrong love? Are you ill?"

She shook her head, smiling tightly as Henry bid her goodbye and then ran off to talk to some friends. "No, I'm fine, it's just…"

Emma turned toward Regina, who's eyes were knowing, sympathetic. "Regina…is Henry my…?"

Regina stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. She nodded slightly. "I can't know for sure, of course, without a DNA test; as Henry alluded to, his birth mother's records are sealed as she was a minor, but yes. The more I digging I did into Henry's background to help him with his project, the more convinced I was that you, indeed, are his birth mother."

Emma felt the tears well in her eyes, and abruptly she turned around, burying her face in Killian's neck, letting them flow. His arms immediately came around her, as he held her close, rocking her slightly, whispering soundless words of comfort. Henry was her son? Memories from that day, that day he was born flooded back into her. All those days and years she thought about her little boy, wondered what had become of him, wondered if he was happy. Actually finding him, meeting him, befriending him—it was a dream she'd never let herself hope could come true. It was beautiful and terrifying and utterly and completely overwhelming.

After some amount of time—Emma had no idea if it was mere moments, or hours—she finally pulled herself together, accepted the handkerchief Killian offered, blotted at her streaming eyes (trying desperately not to smudge her carefully applied make up) and turned toward Regina.

"I…" she began, "Regina, I know you're his mom. You're the one who raised him but…but is there any way…? I mean, um, would you be okay if I had a part in his life too? I…I've missed him every day of his life, wished things could have been different, wished I could be part of his life, wished I hadn't been so screwed up when he was born, wished…"

Regina stopped her with a gentle, raised hand. "I know, Miss Swan…Emma," she said, compassion evident in her voice, "and for the record, I'm incredibly grateful for the choice you made; without you I wouldn't have my son. And as for him being in your life, of course, you'll be a part of his life. I haven't told him yet; wanted a chance to discuss it with you first. But I will tell him the truth. And when he finds out you're his birth mom…do you really think that determined little boy would ever let you out of his life again?"

Emma laughed. "I hope not."

"For the record," Regina continued. "He's going to be over-the-moon thrilled when he finds out."

~c~s~c~s~c~s~c~s~c~s~

An hour later, Killian led Emma toward a balcony off the main ballroom. The room had gotten warm with the press of people, and Emma had expressed a wish for some cool air. Killian closed the large, floor-length balcony doors behind them, feeling his nerves begin to kick up.

It was now or never.

After the revelation that Henry was her son, Killian had toyed with the idea of putting off the proposal, fearing Emma had had enough moments of high emotion for one day, but stepping out on the balcony, the beauty of the garden below showing by the light of the full moon, the light breeze carrying the sweet scent of honeysuckle from the vines climbing the wall, Killian knew his perfect moment had come.

Emma stepped to the edge of the balcony, leaning against the chest-high wall, looking out at the beauty of the night. Gods she was beautiful. He'd never before met a woman to match her. And with each passing day, his love for her grew.

She turned to him, smiling sweetly, and he hurried to join her at the ledge. "Emma," he said, taking her into his arms. Slowly he lowered his head until he was able to capture her lips in a long, slow, achingly thorough kiss.

When they finally pulled apart, she reached up and cupped his cheek, letting her thumb caress the little scar below his eye. "Certainly not complaining, but what brought that on?"

"Swan, have you any idea how bloody gorgeous you are tonight?" he asked in a voice still unsteady from their kiss. "You're always beautiful, of course, but with the blush of happiness on your cheeks tonight…love you take a man's breath away."

"I am happy," she said with a tender smile. "Probably happier than I've ever been. And now I'm finally reunited with my son? It's a dream come true."

"I'm delighted for you," he said, "and the lad is truly blessed to have you for a mother."

She looked up at him for a moment, her eyes furrowing. "Thank you, but…is there something wrong? You seem, I don't know, nervous or something."

He took a deep breath and stepped out of the circle of her arms. "Truth be told, Emma, there's something I've been wishing to discuss with you."

A wary look came into her eyes. "Okay…"

"We've been dating for six months now, and, Swan, they've been the best six months of my life…"

She abruptly took a step back, stopping him with a raised hand and aching pain in her eyes. "Don't! Don't go on! I get it okay? It's been a good run, but now things have come to an end. I get it."

For a moment, Killian's brow furrowed, realizing Emma was upset but having no idea where things had gone wrong. And then suddenly he understood, and he rushed forward to reassure her.

"Swan?" he asked. "Did you think I was breaking up with you?"

She crossed her arms as though hugging herself. "Well, aren't you?"

He laughed, couldn't help it. Of all the ridiculous notions! "No! That's perhaps the farthest thing from my mind, Emma! I love you to the very depth of my soul. Every beat of my heart belongs to you. Not a thing in the universe could induce me to leave you, my dearest love."

He watched her eyes soften, the relief wash over her as she realized what he was telling her. Slowly, almost shyly, she smiled. "I love you too. A lot."

He leaned forward and kissed her once again, couldn't seem to help himself.

"I'm quite glad to hear that, because…" he said, his hands fidgeting. The moment of truth had arrived. There was nothing left but to ask the question that would change both of their lives forever.

Killian reached into his pocket, withdrew the small box, knelt on one knee, and opened the box to reveal the delicate ring within.

"Emma Swan, will you do me the greatest honor of becoming my wife?"

She brought her hands to cover her mouth as tears filled her eyes. Then, suddenly, she knelt beside him without care for her lovely ball gown, threw her arms around him and kissed him like there was no tomorrow.

When she pulled back, she rested her forehead against his. "What do you think?" she asked breathlessly.

"I think perhaps, we've just discovered our happy ending," he answered.

She leaned forward and kissed him once more. "I think you're right."

Throughout the rest of the evening Killian doubted his feet even touched the ground. He'd no idea it was possible to be this happy, this fulfilled, this complete. He may have had doubts about this film when Robin first proposed it, but taking the role of Captain Hook had proven to be the best decision of his life.

Notes:

-Well there you go! The exciting conclusion of "Taking Back Neverland"! I'm sure this chapter's "big reveal"—that Henry was actually the son Emma gave up ten years before—wasn't a huge surprise to most of you. (Btw, the birthday Henry told Emma was Jared Gilmore's actual birthday—minus the year. Jared was actually born in 2000, but in the interest of keeping my story's Henry nearly 11, here in the "six months later" section, I moved that date up to almost 11 years before today.)

-And then I couldn't resist throwing in a CS engagement—and any opportunity I can find to keep Liam alive, I eagerly take!

-Chapter 50! Can you believe this is chapter 50 of this collection? Crazy!

-Probably no Fluffy Fridays next week. I need a little bit of a break now that this mc is at an end. So two weeks from today…I'm not sure where I'll go next. Probably something relatively canon, since the last 10 weeks were au.