Hey there! I am so sorry, I know this is a week late. I had a crazy schedule, and as you can see this chapter is much longer than I had planned, so it took way more time to correct it than it usually does.

I still hope you like it. One last time, thanks to the best beta reader out there, Dancing Doula, you're amazing!

Somewhere in Maine, June 12th 2007, 4:07pm

Sarah was looking out of the passenger side window at the beautiful landscape around her. She had never been in Maine before, but this was the perfect occasion to go there for the first time. Turning to her left, she looked at her friend who was behind the wheel, eyes on the road.

Killian Jones looked so peaceful. One hand on the steering, his arm with the prosthetic resting on the opened window, he was smiling, singing to the radio under his breath. She had never seen him so happy, Sarah thought as she kept detailing the man sitting next to her.

"What?" he finally asked, turning to her with a puzzled look, brow furrowed, before he directed back his attention to the road.

"Nothing, you just look happy," she simply said, and he beamed her a smile from his side of the car.

"You have no idea," he replied, and she smiled.

She believed she had an idea. After all, she had seen him when he had first gotten out of that plane what seemed like an eternity ago. He had been a shell of a man back then, eyes empty, and his suitcase as heavy as the weight on his shoulder. She had watched him grow back into his happy, smiling, handsome self.

This past year with Emma by his side had finished this miraculous transformation, and she was now looking at a totally different man. Sarah was so happy that she could have made a difference between those two.

As she thought that, Killian pulled into the driveway, and turning off the engine.

"Emma won't be here for another hour. Do you want a beer while we wait?" he asked, getting her suitcase out of the back seat and walking to the house.

"Of course, this is the perfect day for that," Sarah replied, following him.

The weather outside was beautiful. It looked like a summer day even though it wasn't summer yet. The sun was shining still up in the sky, evidence of the summer solstice drawing closer. While being warm, the air was perfectly refreshing for Sarah who was used to the stifling atmosphere of Florida.

After dropping her suitcase in the guest room, she followed Killian outside. He was already sitting on one of the swings, and she sat down on the one next to him, grabbing the bottle he was handing her. He got the second one he was holding between both his legs, and took a sip.

"So how's life in Disney World?" Killian asked Sarah, pushing himself a little, swinging softly as he looked at her.

"Everything is good. The new guy they have doing Captain Hook isn't nearly as handsome as the last one, but hey, those were big shoes to fill and he's great at it," she told him sipping on her beer.

"When you've had the best it's hard to go back, right?" Killian chuckled.

"Always modest I can see," Sarah laughed, rolling her eyes.

"Some things never change," he told her, winking before pushing himself a little harder on the swing.

"Talking about things that never change, Britney is in love again," she said, matching his speed.

Killian just laughed at that, it was common knowledge that Tinkerbell fell in love as easily as was flying in Neverland.

"Well, maybe that one is the good one," he finally said, looking to his right to shrug at Sarah.

"Maybe," she agreed, mimicking his shrug.

"I remember when Emma told me she loved me, we were playing here actually," he told her a few minutes of silence later.

"She did? You never told me that," she said, guessing that Killian might want to keep the memory to himself at that time. She was surprised when he continued.

"It was a beautiful day, just a little warmer than today actually," he started, taking a sip of his beer before he resumed.

Saturday July 18th 2006, 2:49pm

This, was the perfect day, Killian thought as he looked at Emma pushing Henry on the swings.

He never would have thought, when he ran into her at Magic Kingdom two months ago, that he would be here now. How could he have though? This was the most unexpected, yet welcome, thing to happen to him.

Deciding Henry was going high enough, Emma stopped pushing him and walked around, careful not to get hit by the small feet. Taking a few more steps, she dropped herself on the warm grass next to Killian. She turned her head to look at him, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

Emma was so beautiful, golden hair shining under the summer sun as she offered him one of those smiles he loved so much. It warmed his heart every time. Gosh how he missed her when he had to go back to Disney. Pushing the thought to the back of his head, he tried to enjoy his last day in Maine before having to go back.

Those stolen days always felt like little spots of happiness in a life that had been so full of darkness lately. Come to think of it, the last couple of months had probably been the happiest of his whole life.

Resting her head on his shoulder, Emma made him get out of his thoughts, and he squeezed her a little harder against him. He wanted to tell her he loved her again, but he knew that it would probably make her feel awkward, just like the first time he had told her, about a couple of weeks after their night in Magic Kingdom.

"What are you thinking?" she asked him, turning halfway around to plant a small kiss on his shoulder.

Smiling, Killian laid a soft kiss on the top of her head. Emma always had that way of guessing when he was thinking about something that he couldn't or didn't want to tell her.

"I was just thinking about how much I love these weekends with the both of you," he finally answered, smiling in the direction of Henry.

"I love them too," she replied, waving back to her son who was now slowing with each motion of the swing.

"Killy, come push me, it's too slow," Henry called from the swing set.

"I'm sure I can go; it won't matter," Emma whispered to Killian, low enough so that her son couldn't hear it.

"It is okay, love. It will be my pleasure," he answered, pushing himself up on his feet using his good hand.

Walking around the boy, careful not to get hit, he started pushing him softly, not wanting to scare the little guy, although it soon became apparent this wasn't going to be an issue.

"Higher, higher," he beckoned, his little hands hanging tight around the two chains that held the small wooden plank.

"Your wish, my command," Killian told him, pushing a little higher the next time.

The few pushes were even harder, and Henry giggled, wiggling his small naked toes like he wanted to touch the sky with them.

Deciding that it would be okay for now, Killian walked back around the swing, his eyes stuck on Emma. She was looking at him with a look that he had seen before but couldn't quite decipher.

"I love you," she said, eyes still locked to his, and his heart leapt.

Those three little words stopped him right in his tracks, and he half registered Emma's look changing before someone screamed behind him.

"Killy!" he only had time to hear before something hit the top of his shoulders, making him lose his balance and fall to the ground.

Seconds later, Emma was crouching over him. She was clearly trying to contain her laughter, but seemed a little worried at the same time.

"You okay?" she asked, helping him as he pushed himself on his elbow, sitting up.

"I am fine, love," he said, brushing the small pieces of grass sticking to his knees that were now stained green from it.

That's when Emma finally let out the laugh she had been holding, falling backwards against the grass, and Killian lowered himself to place his face over hers.

"You had all the time in the world to decide how to tell me, and you chose that moment?" he joked, raising an eyebrow in that Captain Hook glare.

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't help myself," she said, laughter slowly dying but still making her words jump. "Looks like I surprised you."

"Yes well, I did not see that one coming," he simply told her.

"I know, I wish I could've said it back that time, it's not that I did'…" she started, but he interrupted her, kissing her lips lightly before pulling back.

"Do not worry about it, love, I know," he said, beaming at her, and she smiled back.

"That's all you've got to say to me?" she replied, a teasing smile on her lips, eyes half closed because of the sun.

"I love you too," he whispered, and her eyes sparkled in the sunlight.

Pulling herself against his shoulders, she kissed him, a little harder than he had earlier, and he held her close against him.

"Ewwww," Henry cried from a few feet behind them, making them stop and laugh.

Prosthetic arm hurting a little, Killian let himself drop to the ground on his back, shielding his eyes from the sun with his left arm. Only a moment later, Emma laid her head on his chest, right arm swung over him. He wrapped his around her back.

She smelled like flowers, sun and summer. Something just completely Emma.

Here, lying in the sun, with the woman he loved in his arms and her son still giggling on the swing, Killian couldn't help but to think that this was it. This was his happy ending.

423 Main Street, Storybrooke, Maine, Now

"I can see the two of you are living the life," Emma called out to Killian and Sarah still swinging slowly.

Sarah turned around to the sound of the voice. The blonde woman was closing the screen door, looking at the both of them with a smile.

Getting down the few steps to the backyard, she walked towards them, first stopping in front of Killian. She bent a little to kiss him, and then backed off, their eyes locking for the smallest of seconds, but even in that short amount of time, Sarah could see everything they shared. She was a little jealous actually, even if she knew that it would probably happen to her too one day. These things happened when you least expected them; Killian definitely showed her that.

"Well hello to you too," he replied, with a smile.

Getting up, Sarah took a step towards Emma who hugged her tightly. The two of them hadn't had a lot of chance to talk apart from the two times Emma had been to Disney after the first time with her parents. Still, Sarah felt like she knew her from how Killian talked about her. The woman had to be pretty amazing to have changed her friend's life like that.

"How was your trip?" Emma asked as she took a step back, hand still on Sarah's shoulder.

"It was great, beautiful day for flying," she answered as Killian also got up of the swing, wrapping an arm around Emma's waist.

"I bet," she replied, smiling. "Anyone hungry?" she asked, giving two small slaps on Killian's hand and walking back to the house. "My parents should be here with Henry in about an hour, we should probably start cooking now."

"Definitely, I will come help you," Killian answered as he grabbed the two empty beer bottles from the ground and followed Emma inside.

Sarah followed them, still half lost in her thoughts. Killian was glowing. When Emma was around he was a totally different person. Yes, he was a great guy to be around all the time, and he had changed from the dark and brooding pirate when he met Emma, but when he was with her it was something else.

Sitting on one of the kitchen stools, she looked at them getting out everything to start the salad. Grabbing a couple of tomatoes from the vegetable basket, Emma slid a hand down Killian's back absent-mindedly, and Sarah couldn't help but smile.

"You guys look so happy," she said, voicing the thoughts that had been wandering around in her mind for the last quarter of an hour.

"We are," Emma started, looking sideways at him. "Well at least I am," she added, winking, as she got out the cutting board and a sharp knife.

"I can't believe it's been almost a year since you've left Disney. Time surely flies," Sarah told Killian, and he nodded, agreeing.

"I wish we could have done this sooner," he replied, grabbing the salad bowl and placing it in front of Emma.

"These are definitely the best circumstances to be reunited," she said with a smile. "But I did miss you; I just came back from vacation and then you left."

"I'm pretty sure you're the reason why he finally had the guts to give his two weeks' notice," Emma told Sarah, bumping her shoulder with Killian's.

He simply pouted in answer, and Sarah frowned, wondering what it meant.

"The house was definitely too empty with you gone. He felt lonely," she continued, answering the unspoken question.

"Oh really? You never told me that," Sarah replied, teasingly, and Killian scoffed, amused.

"This is not what happened," he replied, waving the cucumber he was holding in the air in front of Emma.

"Oh really? I remember that video call like it was yesterday," she started, looking at him with a mischievous grin. "I was just getting ready to make myself some late night after work snack," she continued.

423 Main Street, Storybrooke, Maine, September 14th 2006, 11:57pm

Emma had been hungry since before she left Granny's, but had been too eager to get home to eat at work. It was now almost midnight and she was starving.

"Cheese, ham, soup…" she detailed the contents of the refrigerator under her breath.

Nothing seemed interesting. Sighing, she dropped her phone on the kitchen table. She then opened the cupboard, scanning it with her eyes. They finally rested on a cylinder of salt and vinegar Pringles and a Hershey's Cookies'n'cream chocolate bar.

"Bingo," she muttered, grabbing the two items before walking towards the living room.

She was about to leave the kitchen when her phone rang on the table. It was the characteristic ringtone of the Facebook Messenger video call and she stopped in the doorway. A small glance at her watch told her it was past midnight, and she wondered what Killian was doing calling her at this hour. Because he was the only one to video call her, so it had to be him.

Turning around, she grabbed the Samsung and slid the green circle, the photographed picture of Killian was quickly replaced by the real thing and she smile. His face brightened as soon as he saw her. Holding the phone at arm's length, she held the chips and the chocolate bar in her left hand and made her way back to the living room.

"How come you're still up?" Emma asked, dropping her snack on the small coffee table before she sat on the couch.

"Well hello to you too, love," he replied, raising an eyebrow.

Laughing, Emma balanced the phone against the armrest of the couch before grabbing the chips.

"Hello," she finally said before popping a couple of Pringles in her mouth.

"I figured you would still be eating at this hour," he told her, and she shrugged, her mouth full. "How was work?" he asked, but she couldn't answer yet.

Taking her time to finish chewing, she detailed him. He was shirtless, sitting down on his bed, and she wondered if he had tried sleeping, because his hair was all spiked up in every direction. His chin was covered with the day's scruff and he looked absolutely handsome. It was still hard to believe this, them, was all real.

"Busy, as always," she finally answered after she swallowed her bite. "I didn't think you'd still be up," she told him. He usually called her in the mornings, before both of their shifts started. They hadn't had a lot of late evening calls.

"The house is so quiet, I cannot sleep," he explained, confirming what she had been thinking.

"Why so quiet?" she asked, tearing the wrapper around the chocolate bar and breaking it into smaller pieces.

"The two other girls left yesterday, and Sarah has been on vacation for the past week," he told her, frowning at the fact that she was now eating a square of chocolate, the chips following quickly. "What are you eating?"

"Salt and vinegar chips and white chocolate with some pieces of Oreos," she told him, smiling as she then popped a square of chocolate and a chip in her mouth at the same time.

"Uhm," he simply grunted, his eyes telling her how disgusting he thought it was and she smiled at that, it was delicious.

"When is Sarah coming back?" she asked, not bothering to tell him that it was the best combination of flavor, the extreme saltiness of the chips compensating for the extreme sweetness of the chocolate.

"A week from now, but I do not think I will be spending much more time with her," he said, cryptically, and it was her turn to raise an eyebrow in a silent question.

He didn't reply just yet, his face just getting a little more serious and she wondered what he wanted to say.

"I miss you," he simply said at first, a small sad smile slowly stretching his lips.

She smiled back, "You know I miss you too, but you'll be here in just about two weeks, that's not too far away," she said.

They had seen each other only a week ago, and had done longer in the past four months. No, it hadn't been easy, coordinating their busy schedules so that he could come home to Maine or she to Disney, but she thought it had been working way better than she had expected.

Some nights though, she wished he was closer. The way it felt falling asleep in his arms was one of the best feelings ever, and sometimes she surprised herself wanting to do it every single night.

"I know, but I do not want to leave anymore," he started, and she waited patiently for him to continue. "I did not buy a return ticket," he finally dropped.

It took her some time to compute the information he had just gave her. They had seen each other a grand total of 7 times in the past 4 months, some longer than the others, sometimes driving over when the time allowed it, sometimes flying in when it meant they could have more time together. Never had he flown in and driven back.

"I thought you didn't have the time to drive back with your tight schedule?" she asked, knowing that it had been even harder than usual to find some free time to see each other that week, which was why they had settled on the plane.

"I don't, but I have been thinking about us, and this is not working anymore," he said at first, waiting a couple of seconds.

Emma's heart leapt in her chest. She thought it had been working great. Yes it was hard being apart, but the time they had together was even better than what she had imagined.

"Emma, that is not what I meant," he added, probably seeing everything she was thinking on her face.

"What do you mean then?" she asked, pushing all the other thoughts back in the corner of her head, trying not to think about it anymore.

"I mean I am giving my two weeks' notice tomorrow. I will get an apartment, find a new job, whatever, I just cannot bear those 4000km between us anymore," he explained, and her heart became instantly a lot lighter.

"Really?" she whispered, almost like saying it aloud would make it less true, and he smiled at that, nodding slowly.

"Really. I have been thinking about it for a while, and, if you are okay with it, I will not leave next time I come to see you," he said, explaining the reason why he had only taken a one-way ticket.

This felt like a dream, and Emma surprised herself realizing she wanted it a whole lot more than she thought she did.

"Of course I'm okay with it, are you sure you are?" she asked, knowing that he loved his job and that he hadn't been planning on leaving it when they had met; that had only been four months ago.

"I do not think I have ever been surer of anything in my whole life, love," he said just as if it was the easiest decision, a genuine smile on his face.

She smiled back, snacks forgotten on the table as she grabbed back the phone from the couch. She wished she could hug him right now, but obviously couldn't.

In two weeks though, they wouldn't have to restrain themselves to a few video calls and stolen weekends here and there.

In two weeks it would all be different.

423 Main Street, Storybrooke, Maine, Now

Sarah remembered the moment when she came back from vacation just as if it was yesterday. Of course she had been happy for her friend, and he had ended up not even renting an apartment and just moving in with Emma. But she had been sad too, no longer having her partner in crime anymore. After all, he had been her roommate for a year when he finally left.

"Yes well, then I came back and I was the one left all alone in that big house," Sarah said pouting, and Killian offered her a small smile followed by a shrug.

"I did not know that it would be more than a month before they put someone new with you," he tried, and Sarah smiled.

"I'm just joking, I'm fine on my own. You guys look so perfect together, who am I to stop that, huh?" she asked still looking at them.

Sarah had been looking at the both of them as they cooked diner, and there was something there. Every time she looked at them she could see something deeper than just simple attraction. It was like they were two parts of the same soul.

Every single touch, every small glance, they were all so full of love. Emma had been telling the story, concentrating on cutting the vegetables, and Killian just walking around her, unconsciously sliding a hand across her back, his hand lingering on his shoulder, his eyes stuck on her face. It was just like they couldn't be apart from one another.

She had rarely seen a couple radiating so much love.

It was Killian's laughter that brought her back to reality, and she raised her head, eyebrow raised in a silent question about what had made him laugh.

"We are definitely not perfect," he simply said, throwing a small glance at Emma who shook her head with small laugh.

"Definitely not. We do fight sometimes, but then we make up," she said, squeezing softly Killian's shoulder.

"Oh really? You guys fight?" she said half sarcastically.

She knew that Killian had one hell of a temper and it was bound to create some sparks sometimes. Of course, when they had been seeing each other only twice a month, there wasn't any time for them to fight; every single moment was spent enjoying each other's company. But she knew that now that they were living together fights were bound to happen.

"Oh we do," Killian said with a glance at Emma. "Remember our first fight? It was just about two months after I moved in here," he continued.

"I remember, but I don't even remember what it was about," she answered, stopping what she was doing for an instant to think.

"Oh I remember," he told her with a smile.

"It surprises me that it took you so long actually," Sarah said and that got her a look from the both of them, which made her laugh.

"We never fight over big things though," Emma added, and Killian agreed.

"It was definitely not a big thing the first time either," he started, looking at Sarah. "It was just one of those stupid fights."

Granny's Diner, Storybrooke, Maine, November 21st 2006

They had never fought before. Not for the big things, ever. Even during the time Neal had stayed at their place, pushing and pushing back the time he finally moved into his own apartment. Of course, there had been some sparks, but they had never fought.

No, never.

That day though, it was just as though if something was in the air and it just had to happen, no matter how stupid the reason.

It all started when Killian had to keep the car for the day, having to run some errands. That's how he came to pick up Emma from work at the end of the afternoon. It was pouring rain outside, and he was a little late.

When he finally stopped in front of the diner, Emma was waiting by the door outside, hair a little damp from the rain and the humidity in general. Even the few steps she had to take under the rain drenched her and she closed the door behind her, rubbing the water out of her eyes with her hand.

"You're late," she simply said, and Killian turned around, raising an eyebrow.

"Well hello to you too," he replied, trying not to take offence on her reaction, knowing she probably just had a bad day.

"Hello," she added, turning to the window and not saying another word for the rest of the drive home.

Knowing that saying anything never helped in those situations, he just drove slowly, parking the yellow bug in the driveway and gathering the few bags from the backseat. Getting inside the house, he made his way to the kitchen, getting out the few items of groceries he had bought earlier.

Emma was getting herself some coffee when he finished and he folded the grocery bags, putting them away in the cupboard. He was just about to get out of the kitchen when he was stopped by her voice.

"You didn't buy some milk?" she asked, staring inside the fridge.

"There was still some left," he simply answered, turning around to talk to her.

She got the quart of milk out and shook it. The sloshing sound coming from inside the plastic clearly told them there was about one sip left and she raised an eyebrow.

"Really? You call that some?" she said, her tone harsher than the one he was used to hearing. "That's the other thing, I told you not to put it back when there's only 10ml left. How hard is it to just finish it at once?"

"I am sorry, I will get some tomorrow," he told her, his voice still soft, knowing it wouldn't do any good to argue.

"It was the only thing you had to do today, don't you think you could've done it?" she continued, dropping the pint on the table a little harder than necessary.

"Oh I am sorry if my job is less important than yours," Killian replied, not wanting to throw some oil on the fire, but a little angry at the way she was talking.

"You just take people around the harbour in that small boat, it's not like you've had a lot of work today," she scoffed, referring to the fact that it was always really quiet this time of year, especially with the rain.

"I did have to do some other things you know. Of course you only see what I did not do," he told her, feeling a little less calm than earlier.

"Of course, it's my fault. I'm overreacting. I think I'll just go," she blurted out, grabbing the milk pint and throwing it in the trash.

"Emma, really?" he called after her as she got out of the kitchen.

"Really what, Killian?" she cried out, grabbing her rain coat and keys before looking at him.

"Are we really fighting about that?" he asked, annoyed, and she just shot him a look full of knives and he didn't say another word.

Not answering, she turned around, opened the door and left.

Killian just stayed there, in the middle of the entrance, watching her drive away, helpless. How could that be something they fought about? They had been 4000km apart for 4 months, lived with her ex for three more weeks, shared a house with her parents and her son since then, and had never fought. But they were fighting about forgetting to buy some milk?

Sighing, he walked back to the kitchen, starting to cook dinner. That's what he was still doing when Mary Margaret entered the room.

"Where's Emma?" she asked, and Killian took a deep breath.

"She needed some time on her own I guess," he told her, shrugging.

She didn't say another word, just helped him finish dinner. When everything was ready, he looked outside. The rain had stopped and the sun was almost set, some sparks of golden red illuminating the sky and making it look like it was on fire.

"I think I will go and clear my head," he said to Mary Margaret before he left the kitchen and trekked outside.

It was brisk outside, and he almost regretted not grabbing his winter coat. His steps took him to the docks without him even noticing, and he sat down on an empty wooden box, looking over at the water.

The air had a characteristic smell of rain, mixed with the salt from the ocean. He closed his eyes for a minute.

He didn't quite know how long he stayed there just looking at the horizon, but by the time he got out of his haze, the sun had completely disappeared, leaving only a flaming line on the sky. He was just about to get up and walk back home when a silhouette entered the docks.

It didn't take long for him to recognize it. He would've known it among hundreds, and he looked at her as she walked towards him and came to sit next to him.

Emma was silent for a moment before she rested her head against his shoulder. That's all it took for Killian to wrap his arm around her waist and hold her close to his side, caressing her through her small coat.

"I'm sorry," she simply said after a couple more minutes. "I've had a really bad day at work, but I had no right to make you pay for the annoying customers," she continued, breathing deeply.

"It's okay, love," he replied, turning his head to lay a small kiss on the top of her head.

She sighed audibly, and he squeezed her a little harder.

"How did you find me?" he asked after a while.

"My mom told me you needed to clear your head. I figured you'd be here," Emma explained softly and Killian smiled.

She knew him so well, of course she figured it out.

"I don't want us to fight," she added, eyes still lost on the water.

"I do not either," he replied. "But it does not mean that I love you any less or that I am going anywhere," he added, only half referring to the fact that she had left earlier. "And I promise I will not forget the milk next time."

She chuckled sadly, probably realizing the ridiculousness of the situation they had been in a couple of hours ago.

"Come'on, let's go and have dinner," he said, getting up and grabbing her hand to help her up.

She let him hoist her up on her feet and then let go of his hand which he rested on her waist, not wanting to let her get away.

As long as it ended like that, he didn't mind fighting a little. After all, it was just normal. It wasn't the lack of fighting that made a couple great together, but the ability to stay calm and to be able to apologize and recognize their mistakes.

423 Main Street, Storybrooke, Maine, Now

"It really was a stupid reason," Emma said when Killian stopped talking, and he nodded with a smile.

"We all have our moments when everything is the end of the world," he told her before bending over to give her a small kiss on the cheek.

Sarah looked at them from the other side of the table with a smile. He was right, sometimes someone breathing too loud was enough to trigger an anger attack.

"Everyone has everything they need?" Mary Margaret asked as she came back from the kitchen bringing the bowl of salad.

"All good," David replied from the other side.

As the older woman sat down at one end of the long table, Sarah took a moment to look at the portrait painted in front of her. This family was absolutely beautiful. David and Mary Margaret were sitting next to each other. The woman was now transferring some salad to her plate. He was just looking at her from the corner of his eyes, the look of endearment clearly visible to the naked eye.

Emma and Killian were sitting in front of Sarah on the other side of the table, now talking about something that had happened at work. She was laughing, and Killian was looking at her like she was the most beautiful thing in the world. Sarah wish someone would look at her that way one day.

Henry, now aged 7, was sitting on the right side of his mom, concentrated on getting a piece of tomato on his fork. Sarah had only seen pictures of him, but she could see he had grown a lot since the last time Killian had been in Disney.

"Do you want any salad, Sarah?" asked Killian, the glass bowl in his good hand as he handed it over the table.

"Yes please," she replied, getting out of her contemplation. "So is everything all set for tomorrow?" she asked when her plate was full.

"Almost; I have some last minute things to pick up tomorrow morning, but nothing complicated," Emma replied.

Nodding, Sarah took a bit of chicken, her eyes falling on the frames behind her two friends. It was a beautiful thing, pictures of different sizes overlapping in a complex patchwork that covered a good half of the wall. In it were pictures of Disney, probably from their trip last year. Henry on David's shoulder in front of the Animal Kingdom tree, Mary Margaret, Emma and Henry with Olaf the snowman, the four of them in the Buzz Lighting shooting attraction. They were all great.

Two of them though captured Sarah's attention. The first one was of Emma and Killian in the Splash Mountain boat. It was a hilarious picture. Emma had that look Sarah had come to recognize on people who loved roller coasters. She was smiling with all her teeth and looked like there was no place on earth she'd rather be.

It was Killian though that made her laugh interiorly. He looked like he was at the same time both terrified and excited. His mouth was stuck in a round form and he was gripping the handle of the boat so hard she could practically see his knuckles turning white.

The second picture looked almost like the one she had caught Killian staring at the year before. The only difference was that he was in the picture too, the camera probably in the hand of some stranger sitting in the row in front of them.

From that picture it was hard to believe that this had been their first outing together. Henry was sitting on Emma's lap, Killian on her left, their shoulders touching slightly. She had the most gorgeous smile, but Killian wasn't looking at the camera, he was looking at her. He looked like he was already in love with her, and Sarah thought maybe he was.

She had never believed in love at first sight, but she had to say that since last year she almost believed it could happen. The way Killian had become smitten with the young woman was startling. This picture reflected exactly what she had witnessed while living with him.

"You're admiring my Christmas present?" Emma asked, catching Sarah's eye.

"It really is beautiful," she answered, turning her head to look at the woman in front of her.

"My parents gave it to us, but I have to admit it was the second best present I got last Christmas," she continued, her hand finding Killian's under the table and winking at him.

"Yes, I believe I've heard about that," Sarah replied, looking at Killian who gave her a smile. "I heard everything that happened before, helped him plan it, but never heard how it went down," she continued.

"What?! He never told you?" she almost gasped, letting go of Killian's hand to slap him playfully on the shoulder.

"I did not see her since Christmas, it is way more fun to tell her in person; don't you think?" he said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Ahh, of course that's why you didn't tell her," she agreed, winking at him before turning to Sarah. "It was Christmas day, had been only for an hour or so. Everyone had gone to bed or home for the night," she started, talking to Sarah, but her eyes still half fixed on Killian.

December 25th, 1:07am

Emma was sitting on the couch in the living room, legs drawn under her as she looked at the fire. There wasn't any light in the room, but she didn't need any.

The lights of the Christmas tree were shining in different colors, reflecting on the ornaments and illuminating the walls of the corner the tree was sitting in. On the other side of the room the fire was dancing in the fireplace, with its warm orange glow.

It was the sound of Killian coming down the stairs that made her turn her head to the right, a smile creeping on her lips as he walked towards her. Not saying a word, he sat on her left, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Almost instantly, she cuddled against his side, pulling on the blanket she had resting on her lap.

"Is Henry asleep?" she asked as he arranged the blanket around both their legs.

"Sound asleep; he was exhausted," he answered her, eyes locked on the fire.

"Christmas can surely be tiring," Emma agreed.

They had spent the first half of the day outside, building a snowman and then a snow castle. The rest of the day hadn't been less busy, cooking dinner and wrapping presents.

In Emma's family they always did a big dinner on Christmas Eve, then waited for midnight to open the presents under the tree. That year had been a great year for presents, and Emma had gotten a beautiful arrangement of frames, all filled with pictures of their Disney vacation.

There were even some pictures with Killian, taken from their Disney photo pass and his phone. It was now resting against the wall of the living room, just waiting to be hanged, proof of this amazing and incredible week.

She couldn't believe how things had changed since they had left for that trip only 8 months ago. It was crazy. Had anyone told her she would be sitting here now, cuddled against the most wonderful man, she probably would've laughed in their face. And yet, here she was.

"You happy with your presents?" he asked, catching her eye and following her gaze to the arrangement of frames.

"Very," she said, looking down at her wrist where her silver bracelet was reflecting the colored lights. "My favorite present though is that you're here with me," she added, turning her head to look at him.

Smiling, he lowered his head to rest a long slow kiss on her lips. It wasn't passionate, it was just warm, the fire of his mouth warming her whole body even more than the fire burning in front of them.

When he backed a little, resting his forehead against hers, he smiled mischievously and Emma raised an eyebrow questioning.

"Maybe I can make you change your mind?" Killian whispered softly and she backed off a little.

"I thought we were done with the presents?" she told him, feeling a little guilty for only giving him one, but he stopped her, almost like he was reading her mind.

"This one is more a present for the both of us, do not worry about it, love," he said as he pushed the plaid off his legs, getting up.

He took a few steps forward, bending under the Christmas tree. There were still some presents left under there, but she didn't think there was one for her. Henry had wrapped his present for Neal, who was supposed to come around tomorrow, Mary Margaret and David had a couple of presents for a family of friends who were supposed to come over for dinner on the 27th, and behind all of those stood a small little box.

It was so discreete that she almost didn't see it at first when he crouched down. It was a small cubic box, maybe 4 inches big, wrapped in golden paper. There was a bow on the top of it, also golden, and a ribbon circled it.

Grabbing it, Killian got back up, the box in his hand and walked over to Emma. He sat next to her again, not settling himself against the back of the couch, but staying on the edge to keep looking at her.

His face was unreadable, and she wondered why he had waited until everyone had gone to sleep to finally give it to her. He handed it to her, not saying a word, and Emma took it slowly. It wasn't too heavy, the cube fitting almost perfectly inside her both hands.

She had never been one to save the paper around a present, more the one to tear it in pieces and throw it on the floor. This present was different though, she didn't know why. Maybe it was the look Killian was wearing on his face or the fact that he had kept it all that time without talking about it, but she knew there was something inside that was important to him.

Taking her time, she pulled off the ribbon and the bow, putting them aside under the attentive eye of her boyfriend. She then teared the paper on one corner, carefully getting the box out. She could see the characteristic Disney logo covering the back of the purple box.

She raised her eyes, meeting his for a moment before she got them back down. If it came from Disney he probably left with it when he came to leave with her in September. Had he really bought it all that time ago? He smiled, lowering his head to point at the box so she would continue to open it.

Understanding, she turned around the box, her eyes falling on the top of it. It simply said Disney Christmas Collection, and she pulled at the opening.

Inside the bubble paper was a beautiful castle, almost identical, though smaller, than the one in Walt Disney World. She turned it around in her hands, the small pointy turrets of the castle poking her skin as she looked at it. There was a small inscription on the inside of it.

05-13-2006

That was it. Just 8 small numbers engraved by hand on the back of the castle. But those 8 numbers were enough to bring tears to her eyes. This date was as clear in her head as if it had been engraved there too. It was the night they had watched the fireworks in Magic Kingdom for the first time. They had watched them three more times in the months they had lived apart, but that first time had always held some kind of magic.

"Is that the date we…" she started, looking up at him, and he smiled tenderly.

"Yes, It was the day I realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you," he simply answered, eyes locked with hers.

"You had known me for about a week," she said, astonished, and he chuckled softly.

"I know, but I still have not changed my mind," he added, and she turned her eyes back to the tree decoration, unbelievingly.

The locket on the front caught her attention as she turned it over one more time. It was almost like the doors of the castle could open, and she slid her fingers over the doors. She only had to push the locket up and the doors moved slightly. Concentrating on the small castle, she brought it closer to her face, delicately sliding her fingers between the two doors.

Something was shining inside, and she pulled open one of the doors, pushing the other one next. The inside was decorated with a Christmas tree, tiny painted lights shining as the diamond reflected the lights from the fire.

The diamond was mounted on a golden ring, and her breath caught in her throat. It was beautiful. Another castle was sculpted on the ring, this time really tiny, and a small shoe was just next to it, the miniature diamond encrusted in it. It was absolutely perfect.

She finally raised her eyes from the decoration that was now resting on her lap, the ring between her fingers. Killian had one knee on the ground, hands resting on his other knee, and she stared at him for an instant.

"I told you, I never changed my mind about wanting to spend the rest of my life with you. If you will have me," he whispered, the emotion raw in his voice making his accent stand out even more than usual.

Emma opened her mouth, not able to say anything. The words were stuck in her throat. This was absolutely perfect; the gift, the ring, the whole proposal. Still not finding her words, she just slid the ring on her left hand, letting her gesture speak for her.

"Is that a yes?" he asked, face illuminated, and she nodded once, then twice.

"Yes," she croaked, her throat half closed.

At that, Killian got up from the ground, and Emma put down the castle that was still on her legs. He engulfed her in his arms, holding her so close to himself that she didn't know where she ended and he began.

She couldn't say how long they stayed like that, holding each other on the living room couch, but she didn't care. This was it.

Happiness.

Magic.

This was how it was supposed to be.

And when he whispered in her ear that he loved her, she answered with all of her heart, that she loved him too.

423 Main Street, Storybrooke, Maine, Now

They were sitting in the living room when Emma finally finished her story after having been interrupted a few times during dinner.

"You've outdone yourself on this one, Killian," Sarah said when Emma finished telling the story, and he looked at his fiancé, a loving smile on his face.

"He definitely did," Emma agreed, looking at the man next to her, resting a hand on his thigh.

Still smiling, he bent over and laid a small kiss on her cheek, wrapping his arm back around her shoulder. Bending over from the other couch, Sarah grabbed Emma's left hand, examining her ring. It was absolutely beautiful.

The best part about it was that it represented their relationship perfectly. It had all started in front of the castle, and after all it was Emma's shoes that had made her aware of Killian's trip to Maine and decide to go back to see him in Disney. It was absolutely perfect that there was Cinderella's castle and her shoe on the ring.

It wasn't too big either, which was Sarah's first thought when Killian had told her about it. It was just the perfect size, the diamond on it adding just the perfect touch of delicacy.

"It's absolutely gorgeous," Sarah said, putting back her hand down and settling back in the couch.

"Thank you," she replied, examining it for a second herself. "Maybe we should get some sleep? Tomorrow is going to be a big day," she added, stifling a yawn with her hand.

"Yes, you're right, and the flight here after my day of work was pretty exhausting," Sarah agreed, trying not to yawn herself.

Emma was now standing up, and she turned around to look at her fiancee.

"You coming?" she asked Killian, stretching her arms.

He simply shook his head at first and she frowned, probably wondering why he didn't want to go to bed with her.

"It is bad luck to see the bride before the wedding," he told her, getting up and hugging her close to him.

"Of course you'd be one to keep those silly traditions alive," she groaned as she hugged him back, and Sarah laughed.

"Hey, I am an Irish sail man, of course I would," Killian replied, bending her head to kiss her.

When she took a step back Emma simply sighed and turned to Sarah. "Goodnight, Sarah, I will see you tomorrow morning," she said before turning around.

"Goodnight, Emma," Sarah said as Killian sat back down on the couch in front of her, letting his head fall behind him as he rubbed his face with his good hand.

Getting his left arm behind his head he looked back at Sarah, his eyes full of sleep, excitement and pure genuine happiness. She smiled at him, getting up from her couch to come sit next to him. She turned around, laying her head on the right armrest and raising her feet to rest on his lap, just like when they lived together.

"I cannot believe I'm here to attend your wedding," Sarah said, and Killian chuckled under his breath, putting his right hand over her ankles.

"I know, right," he replied, and she shook her head.

"Killian Jones, getting married. I didn't think it would happen, let alone before me," she continued, her eyes getting lost in the ceiling.

"It never would have happened without you, love," he said, seriously, squeezing her foot tenderly.

"I'm sure you would've found a way. After all, true love always finds a way," she told him, looking back at him with a smile.

"It will happen to you too you know," he began and she laughed under her breath.

"If I'm lucky enough to get just half of what you guys have I'll be happy," she said and he smiled sadly at her. "Don't worry about me, Killian, I'm happy for you. Believe me I am, you deserve it so much," she added.

"I am very happy you are here," he said genuinely and she nodded.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world," she said, and he smiled, this time more sincerely, as he closed his eyes.

Killian and she had always been very close. Before he came to Disney she was herself a little lost, and having him around had helped her a lot. When you lived with someone for almost a year they became part of your family. That's who Killian was to her, a brother. For the little girl who had grown up alone, wishing that she could have siblings, this was almost like a miracle.

They had only known each other for a year and a half, but she knew that this friendship would follow her during all her life.

"We probably should get to bed too," Killian said, breaking the silence and getting her out of her thoughts.

"Yes we should," she sighed, opening her eyes and rubbing them sleepily. He let go of her feet and she got up, yawning. "Where are you sleeping?" she asked once she was ready to go upstairs.

"I am staying at a friend's place, but I will see you tomorrow," he told her and she nodded.

He then took two steps forward and hugged her tight. Sarah knew Killian wasn't a man to give a lot of hugs. Still to this date, he probably had only given her two hugs that felt like this one. The first one was the day she gave him Emma's address, the second, when he left Disney to come live here. The way he was holding her now told a lot about what he felt, and she hugged him back just as hard.

When he pulled back, he opened her mouth, but she was quicker.

"I know," she simply said, and he smiled.

She didn't really know if she knew he was thankful for her being there, for her getting him the address, or if it was for her pushing him towards Emma. Maybe it was a little bit of everything, but whichever it was, she knew. He didn't have to thank her again, that's what friends were for.

"Goodnight," he said and she extended a hand to his shoulder.

"Goodnight, Killian," Sarah told him, pressing his arm before she turned around, climbing the steps towards the second story of the house.

As she slid in bed, drawing the covers over herself, she thought about how happy he looked, and once again she reminded herself that she would have to buy yet another really great birthday present to Red.

It had been the best favor ever.

Church Notre-Dame-Of-Victories, Storybrooke, June 5th 2007, 2:01pm

That morning had been hectic.

Everyone had been running everywhere, the air filled with a mix of anxiety and excitation as the hours ticked by. Last minute errands, everyone getting dressed, not wanting to forget anything. But they had all made it.

Sarah was now standing right beside Killian, her dark red dress not exactly the usual symbol of the best man, but after all, who really cared?

When he had asked her at first, she didn't want to, telling him he must have some friend that could do it. At that, he had replied that he did have a couple of friends in Storybrooke, even if he only had been here 9 months, but he wanted it to be her.

Emma had proposed David, and Killian had almost wanted to accept, but in the end, Sarah was the one he really wanted next to him. She had told him that she would be there no matter what, but it wasn't the same as being in the wedding. Plus, David would be the one giving her away, so he couldn't really be the best man.

They were now all waiting there, everyone staring at the door in the back of the church. It wasn't a big church, but it seemed like the whole town had wanted to come and it was filled to capacity.

When they were finally ready, it was Henry who was the first one to walk down the aisle, carrying the rings, followed closely by Emma's mom in her beautiful bridesmaid dress. Although she really was gorgeous, Sarah felt like the whole church stopped breathing when Emma entered the room. Or if not everyone did, Killian definitely stopped.

Every single pair of eyes were fixed on the bride. Every single pair except for Sarah's.

She was looking at Killian. The look on his face was worth anything in the world, and she was suddenly really grateful she got to be a part of this. Not even a word had been spoken that she already had tears in her eyes. She wondered how she would look once it all started for real.

When Sarah finally turned her eyes to Emma, she could see why Killian was so astonished. She really was beautiful. The dress she was wearing had been her mother's, but they had worked on it a little since the day she had worn it.

It was absolutely beautiful. Lace covered the whole top of the dress, going up to her neck. It also ran down her sleeves all the way to her hands. But was the most stunning, Sarah thought, was the smile she was wearing. It lighted up her already gorgeous face, making her look even more attractive.

A few seconds later, David lifted the veil of his daughter, kissing his cheek before handing her hand to Killian and coming to stand beside Sarah who was still staring at her two friends.

They looked blissfully happy.

Words were spoken, vows exchanged, and Sarah managed not to shed a tear until the very end.

It was when Killian slipped the ring on Emma's finger that she almost lost it. She was just so glad their story got a happy ending after all. Or maybe happy endings didn't really exist, maybe it was more of a happy beginning.

Of course this wedding didn't mean they would live happily ever after, but who really did anyway? Life was hard. Life was messy. But she knew that they would find a way to make it work. That's what she was seeing in their life as it was now Emma's turn to slide the ring down Killian's finger.

They would make it work.

The words of the priest then broke the silence. Six little words that sliced through the silence that had fallen over the church during the last second.

"You can now kiss the bride."

Bending over, Killian slid a hand behind Emma's neck, his eyes never leaving hers as he slowly got closer. When his lips finally touched hers, even Sarah could feel the heat coming from them, and she bit her lip not to cry.

She had never really understood why people cried at weddings. Actually, she had never really understood why everyone made such a big deal over weddings. Never, until now. Because now, standing as the 'best man' to the man she had come to consider as her brother, she felt like her heart was going to explode. It felt almost felt like a real fairy tale and she smiled.

She had never believed in happily ever after. But she now wanted to believe it existed. But if happily ever after didn't exist, moments of happiness were the next best thing.

And those, definitely existed.

I really hope you liked it, as long as it was! If you did, please leave me a small review, one last time! :)

Thank you so much for reading! See you soon!