Well, here we are! My first completed fanfiction ever! I want to thank every single one of you once again for your support and love throughout this story, it has meant so much to me and kept me going through everything. I hope this ending is everything you hoped for (be warned it's extremely fluffy!) and that the unpredictable updates have been worth the wait (seriously guys thank you SO much for putting up with me)

"A special shout out to crocodilehunters, whose review gave me the inspiration for this chapter :)

Enjoy:

The first time Neal had proposed to her, back when they were both practically teenagers, it hadn't been a big affair. Henry was only a few days old and they were both beyond tired, taking turns to get up in the middle of the night to look after him.

Emma remembered being woken by her son's cries for the third time that night – although a glance at the florescent number 2 lighting up the screen of her digital alarm clock told her it was now morning.

She felt Neal roll over besides her and groan as he prepared to get himself up. Despite how tired she was Emma knew he'd had gotten up last time. Yawning and rubbing her eyes she mumbled "Don't worry, I've got him."

Without opening his eyes Neal sighed in relief and grunted out "I could marry you."

With a slight smile she pulled the covers off herself and went to comfort a crying Henry. Discovering that he needed to be feed she picked up the squirming boy, rocked him gently, and took him back to the bedroom.

From the corridor Emma could see the light was on to her and Neal's room and she frowned. She could have sworn she left it off so Neal could sleep. Wondering whether she was becoming delusional from sleep deprivation she stepped into the bedroom, only to be stopped in her tracks as she was met with the sight of Neal on one knee holding a small ring box up to her. Despite his obvious exhaustion Neal's eyes were alight with excitement, and he beamed at her as she attempted to process what was happening.

"I'm still asleep right now, aren't I?"

Neal's grin grew wider. "How about it, Em? Will you marry me?"

"You've got to be joking."

"Dead serious," He told her, "I've had the ring for months, I was just waiting for the right time."

"And you chose now?!" She laughed in disbelief.

"Admittedly, I'm not the best with timing."

She matched his grin and moved to sit on the bed, still cradling Henry.

"Was that a yes?" Neal asked as he sat himself next to her. Emma knew him well enough to tell he was getting slightly nervous even though he was trying to appear casual.

"Of course I'll marry you. After all nothing screams 'romance' like a crying baby and a two o'clock proposal."

He gave a sheepish smile and she laughed lightly before leaning forward and kissing him.

"I love you Neal."

"I love you too, Em." He gave her another kiss before pressing one to Henry's forehead. "And you buddy."

Emma supposed she shouldn't have been surprised with his second proposal. He'd never done romantic gestures particularly well, even if his heart was in the right place. They were crammed into the lift on the way back from killing a dragon (Emma was still processing that), with Henry, Rosie, Mary Margaret, David and Graham, when Neal had turned to her and asked her if she would marry him for the second time.

"So what do you say?" He cocked an eyebrow hopefully.

"No way!"

She ignored Mary Margaret's puppy dog eyes, David's approving nod, and Graham's eye roll.

"You were dead five minutes ago."

"Well yeah, but I'm fine now!"

"And your True Love," Henry pointed out. Emma glared as Neal high fived him.

"That's irrelevant."

Mary Margaret snorted. "Only you could find that irrelevant."

"I think it's a good decision." David chimed in and Emma resisted the urge to pull a face. He was really taking this protective dad thing to heart.

As strange as the situation was, she was glad that if anyone had to her parents it was two of the people she cared about the most. Over the years Emma had already come to see Mary Margaret as a mother figure, despite the fact they were only five years apart age-wise. Henry and Rosie even called her Granma for goodness sake! And even though she hadn't known him as long Emma cared just as much about David, who was always kind and would do anything for the kids. Although she would never admit it, she was elated at the thought that her dad was looking after her.

Mary Margaret elbowed David in the ribs, exclaiming "Charming!"

Emma knew her best friend, and now mother, would be over the moon if Emma got back together with her True Love.

"Come on mom, at least think about it." Henry begged.

She was saved having to respond by the lift doors opening.

"You okay out here?"

It was almost 10 at night, and Emma was sitting alone at one of the small tables outside Granny's diner. She glanced at Neal as he took a seat, watching her with concern.

"Yeah. Just… was feeling a bit overwhelmed in there." She jerked her head in the direction of the diner, where her family and their friends were celebrating the return of their memories.

"I get that. It's one of the reasons I was so unwilling to tell you about my past, I was worried it would be too much. Stupid of me, really." He told her.

She quirked an eyebrow at him questioningly and he added, "You're the strongest person I know; you can handle anything. You just need a little time first. Emma…"

He paused, staring at his hands and she smiled inwardly at the rapid movement of his foot, which was tapping the pavement unconsciously – a Tell Emma knew meant something was bothering him.

There was another beat of silence before he looked up at her and caught her gaze with apologetic brown eyes, forehead crinkling. "I owe you an apology. I was an idiot, and I'm sorry for everything I put you through. I thought I was protecting you and Henry but I just hurt you even more, and I'll never regret anything more than leaving you."

Emma sighed, the final remnants of her anger over his choice to leave evaporating. "You don't have to apologize Neal."

"Of course I do." He said without hesitation, voice raw.

She studied him for a long minute as he gazed out at the dark street. He looked older. She knew, of course, that it had been close to six years without seeing him and that he obviously would have aged, but this ran deeper than a few creases on his skin. His eyes were haunted in a way they hadn't been when she knew him, despite his rough childhood. He had spent years thinking that she and Henry were dead, and had never known he had a daughter. Emma couldn't imagine life without her children and despite the fact that he had left her, she'd at least been able to keep the knowledge that Neal was alive somewhere. She was still hurt, but she finally understood why. Neal had tried to give their family their best chance.

"I forgive you. You were just doing what you thought was best for me and Henry. Even if you were an idiot about it, I get where you were coming from – I probably would have thought you were crazy if you told me the truth!"

He grunted and they both let out a small laugh. They fell into a companionable silence for a few minutes before Neal stated huskily, "I meant it by the way Em. I really do want to marry you again."

She rubbed a hand absently over her face. She was in love with Neal. She knew it, Neal knew it, hell everyone knew it now she'd broken the curse, but Emma was still cautious.

"Not yet."

Neal's face lit up with hope. "That's not a definite no, then?"

"Not definite, but I'm not ready. I don't know if I'll be ready for a very long time. Or ever."

Neal's eyes crinkled as he grinned. "Alright. What's the date?

"Huh?" Emma managed, completely thrown by the abrupt topic change.

"The date?" Neal prompted her.

"Uh, the 25th. Why?"

"Every month on the 25th I'm going to ask you to marry me. Don't say yes until you're ready, 100%. I'll wait as long as I have to. In the meantime, how about we go on dates?"

"Dates? Plural? Getting a bit ahead of yourself aren't we?" She teased. "But… I'd like that."

There was a tinkling sound as the door to the diner opened and Rosie stuck her head out.

"You're missing the party." She informed them.

"We can't have that!" Neal leapt to his feet and offered a hand to Emma.

She took it, and together they followed their daughter back inside.

Sometimes it was a simple question, just a reminder every month that he would always be there. Other times he went all out, roping in Rosie and Henry (who were more than willing to help) to assist with his plans. Each time Emma would decline, although she found as time passed it was getting harder and harder to say no. On the 25th of each month she would wake up in anticipation, wondering what Neal could have to surprise her with this time.

Life went on. The town began to discuss ways to get back to their homeland and Emma found herself wondering whether she would go with them, or if her parents would stay here. She still thought it was weird that her mom and dad were only a few years older than she was, but she'd come to accept it over the past months.

Perhaps the most surprising development in post-curse Storybrooke was the transformation of Regina Mills. Emma still disliked her, and now she knew it ran in the family, but the mayor had undeniably started to change. For one thing she had actually apologized! Not just to the (Charmings? Swans? Nolans? Emma had no idea what to collectively call her family), but to the entire town. Emma wasn't sure whether it was the discovery of magic in the real world or Regina's apology that was more surreal.

After a lot of chaotic first months Storybrooke eventually calmed, and Emma found herself with the family she'd always dreamed of. Each day was both familiar and new – she could never argue that the town and its inhabitants were boring, even within the routine of everyday life.

"- and then we're going to the beach!" Henry finished enthusiastically.

"Okay, kid." Emma said, rolling her eyes in exasperation, "I think they get it. That's the third time you mentioned it."

Mary Margaret looked at Henry fondly while David winked at his grandson.

"We don't mind, it's not everyday you leave Storybrooke for a picnic!"

Emma shot them an apologetic look. "We're sorry you guys can't come with us."

They both shrugged. No one in Storybrooke had managed to cross the town line without losing all of their original memories. Gold had, at Neal's insistence, offered to create a potion to help, but he would need to bring magic back and no one wanted either him or Regina to have that magic.

"Can we get hot chocolates from Granny's with Nan and Grandpa first please?" Rosie begged, looking between the three adults.

"We'd love to," Mary Margaret said, glancing at Emma questioningly.

"Sounds good to me, we've got time."

The kids grinned and ran to get their shoes before bounding back next to Mary Margaret.

David and Emma slid off their seats at the breakfast bar and grabbed their jackets at the same time.

Noticing this, Henry smirked and Mary Margaret whispered something that made him snicker.

"What?" Emma and David asked in unison, causing the pair to laugh harder. Rosie beamed in delight when Mary Margaret whispered something to her in a voice to quiet for Emma to hear.

Starting to get annoyed she crossed her arms and demanded, "What's going on?" Beside her David was obviously equally confused. "Yeah, what's the joke?"

The three paused for one moment before bursting into hysterics. Rosie was doubled over with giggles, Henry was in stitches, and Mary Margaret was clearly attempting, and failing, to hide her laughter.

"Look." Henry chuckled, "Look at yourselves."

Emma glanced at her father in bemusement and he gave her an identical look. It was only once she really stared at David, taking in the jacket and jeans along with how he was holding himself – arms crossed in a stance that was a mirror of her own position – that she understood what they were getting at.

"Ah." She said, and smiled in amusement when she realised David had said "Oh."

Mary Margaret shook her head. "Two peas in a pod."

"Well," David let out a chuckle and threw an arm around Emma, "Like father, like daughter."

Emma laughed. "I suppose so. Obviously it's where I get my dragon slaying skills from."

"And your stubbornness!" Henry added.

Emma and David gave equally affronted looks.

Snow smiled as she watched her two grandkids enter Granny's diner while chatting animatedly. Even after living with them for almost their whole lives she was still surprised at how much she loved the pair. Finding out they were her biological grandchildren hadn't changed much, after all she had already loved them as much as she could, but Snow couldn't help almost glowing with pride. She was pretty sure over the past seven years she had bragged more about those two than she had boasted about everything in her life before them combined.

She squeezed Charming's hand as they entered the café, the bell tinkling to announce their presence. Emma plonked herself down in one of the booths and she and Charming followed. After a minute the kids, who had been talking to Granny, joined them.

"Hi guys!" Ruby greeted as she came up to their table. Snow stood up to hug her friend while the others gave a chorus of "Hey Ruby!"s.

"Let me guess, hot chocolates with cinnamon all round?" She asked cheekily.

"Ah, you know us too well." Charming joked.

Ruby was about to respond when Granny called her from behind the counter and she grimaced. "Duty calls." She mumbled, giving the kids an exaggerated eye roll, which caused them to laugh. With a small wave and the promise she'd be back soon with their drinks Ruby strode back to the kitchen.

Snow watched her family chat and joke together and snorted as Henry challenged his grandpa to a thumb wrestle, which as soon as Charming lost had him demanding a rematch. Lost in thought, Snow didn't notice the young girl beside her until a voice broke her reverie, "Miss Blanchard?"

Blinking in surprise Snow twisted to see one of the girls in her grade 4 class standing by the booth.

"Hi Melody," She smiled, "How are you sweetheart?"

Melody grinned, "I'm good. I just wanted to ask you about the homework for next week!"

Snow nodded for the girl to continue and Melody launched into a problem she was having with the work. Snow explained to her how she could fix it and made sure that Melody was happy with the answer.

Thanks Miss Blanchard!" Melody said gratefully, and with a cheerful wave at Henry she went back to her parents.

Snow had to admit that she loved teaching. Before the curse she would never have imagined that being a teacher would be something she would enjoy but Mary Margaret had brought out a side of her she hadn't realised existed.

It had been difficult at first, once the curse had broken, trying to teach kids who were still coming to terms with their dual identities (heck, most of the adults in the town were struggling!) but Snow kept at it, encouraging the children to talk about their uncertainties and listen to each other's stories. It became easier once Snow asked them all to decide on a name, either their original or their Storybrooke one, so that she wasn't constantly calling them the wrong thing or using the names interchangeably. They eventually settled into their new lives and although Snow would occasionally have some issues from the kids as a result of the curse most of them were extremely good at taking what had happened in their stride.

Aside from Henry, who was delighting in the attention of his classmates now that they knew he was both a prince and the son of the Savior, the happiest child in Snow's class was Jack Mills. As well as being included more amongst the other children (Henry was putting his popularity to good use and telling everyone how cool his bestfriend was), Jack was also becoming closer with his mother.

While she still hadn't forgotten what her former stepmother had done Snow was glad, for both Regina and Jack's sake, that the other woman was showing her son how much she loved him. Snow knew Regina was on the path to redemption (she emhad/em apologized, and Snow even suspected that she meant it) and because of it Jack was more content than he had ever been.

Snow was snapped back to the present when Ruby returned and set down their hot chocolates. Charming quickly pulled Rosie's away before the girl could take a sip too soon and burn her tongue.

"For my favourite family," Ruby winked, then darted off again before Granny could yell at her for standing around.

Emma glanced at her watch and Snow tilted her head in a silent question. The blonde shook her head in answer, letting Snow know that they still had plenty of time before Neal arrived to take Emma and the kids on their picnic.

Snow hid her smile at the thought of Neal's latest proposal, which had happened on the 25th about a week ago. Even though she and Charming had moved out a few months before, leaving the apartment to Emma, Neal and the kids, they still heard about anything exciting thanks to their grandchildren. Apparently Neal and the kids had gotten up early to make Emma breakfast in bed but ended up waking her when Henry accidently set the tea towel on fire and while Neal was dealing with it Rosie almost flooded the flat because she thought the best way to stop the flame would be to turn every tap in the house on full blast.

They were absolutely crazy, Snow concluded. Definitely a good crazy, and she certainly wouldn't have them any other way. She relaxed into her seat, content to listen to the lighthearted chatter of her family and chime in occasionally with a teasing comment at Charming's expense.

Rosie and Henry's excited voices carried faintly over the beach to where the two adults sat, blanket spread out on the sand. Emma was cross-legged, idly fiddling with the edge of the blanket, and Neal was lying on his back beside her, propped up by his elbows.

"Did you talk to your dad again this morning?" Emma asked casually. Neal and his father still had a rocky relationship but it had improved somewhat since the curse had broken.

"Yeah. I'm still surprised he hasn't tried to bring his magic back yet."

Emma shrugged. "Well he loves you. In his own really weird and slightly creepy way. He seems to be really trying."

Neal nodded thoughtfully. Emma gave him a sidelong glance to monitor his reaction as she added, "Belle must be good for him."

Neal was silent for a moment before he responded. "You know, I think she really is."

"Do you like her? She might be your new step mom after all."

Emma couldn't help but laugh as Neal pulled a face.

"There's a strange thought." He said.

She gave him a meaningful look. "You're telling me."

He sighed before saying, "I do like her. She's nice. I don't want him to break her heart."

Emma studied him and could see he was thinking about all the times his father had let him down.

"If it helps," she said softly. "I don't think Belle will let him. She's tougher than she looks. Besides, you're probably just jealous someone else is getting his attention."

Neal pretended to be offended, clearly recognising she was baiting him to lighten the mood and taking the opportunity.

"I am not!"

"Please," she told him. "What kid doesn't want their parents' undivided attention?"

"Mom! Dad! Look!"

Emma and Neal shared a smirk at the well-timed shout before waving at the kids, who were proudly standing beside their recently constructed sandcastle at the edge of the water. They were too far away to hear Henry as he said something to his sister and they both went back to adding more towers to their creation.

Emma watched as the sun began to sink closer to the horizon.

"This is nice." She admitted.

Neal tilted his head back to gaze at her. "Our dates are always nice!"

She grimaced and he quickly added, "Except for that one a few weeks ago when I burnt dinner and we had to have toast. That was a disaster."

She smiled at the memory and hummed. "That wasn't the one I was thinking of actually. Remember before we had Henry when we were living in the Bug and you stole us some food from that Italian place?"

Neal shook with laughter as he recalled what had happened. "Man, that guy was so pissed!"

"Of course he was! That was fifty dollars worth of food!" Emma reminded him in amusement. "I'd be annoyed too!"

Neal grinned up at her, "Ah but it was a good meal, wasn't it?"

She rolled her eyes but smiled back at him. "It was decent," she teased, unwilling to admit just how much she had loved that date even though they had had to run from the shop owner and were very nearly caught.

"Decent?!" He replied in mock outrage.

"Alright, definitely one of the best dinners I've ever had stolen for me."

"You better believe it was!"

She laughed and he did the same as she playfully pushed his shoulder away.

They both turned to watch Henry and Rosie laughing and playing together in the sand. The sun was finally setting and the sky was shot through with pink and gold. Rosie was shrieking in delight as the waves came in and Henry pulled her back just in time to avoid them, before the pair rushed back to the water to repeat the game. Emma's eyes flickered over to where Neal lay and her heart fluttered when she saw his expression. He was gazing at the kids in obvious adoration, wonder and joy evident in his eyes and a small smile on his lips.

"Okay." She said after a moment, breaking the silence.

"Hm? Okay what?" He answered distractedly, eyes still fixed on their children.

She paused for a second. "Okay, I'll marry you."

That caught his attention. His head snapped towards her in shock. "But…" he blinked in confusion, obviously struggling to process what she meant, "But it's not the 25th today?"

A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth and she raised an eyebrow at him as if to say "so what?"

Instantly his face split into a huge grin, the corners of his eyes crinkling. He sat up and was quick to amend himself. "Not that that matters! Are you serious?"

"Yeah I'm serious. I love you, Neal. The kids love you, and you love us."

He pulled her in for a kiss before drawing away slightly to say in a voice rough with emotion, "You have no idea how much."

"Should we tell the kids?" She asked and he grinned, grabbing her hand. They both knew that Henry and Rosie would be over the moon to find out that their parents were getting their happily ever after, as the pair would say, and Emma couldn't wait to tell Mary Margaret and David when they came home.

It was a strange thing, she decided, that after all these years and so much pain, she could be so unbelievably happy. Eleven years ago she never would have guessed that a small town in Maine with such a strange collection of people could become her Tallahassee, yet here she was. And it was perfect.

Thank you all one last time for sticking with me, without you this story wouldn't exist! Please leave one last review to let me know what you thought, I adore hearing from you guys :)