A/N: Hello, loves! Wow.
This is the very last chapter.
I'm glad you all have enjoyed it thus far—I've loved writing it. It's a great story, and I think I'll be writing more about it soon.
Thank you all again so very much for reviewing and favoriting and following this story—it means so much to me, and I love each one of you!
Listen to: 'Boston' by Augustana and 'Standing By' by Pentatonix.
Enjoy!
"Henry!" Emma called through her apartment as she walked down the hallway, "Almost ready to go?"
"Yeah!" He called in response, flinging open the door.
"You're going to be cold in that, kid." Emma smiled, "Let's get you a jacket and a scarf."
She walked into his room and grabbed his peacoat, bending down to help him pull it on over the plaid shirt Killian had bought for him.
"And a scarf." Emma giggled, wrapping on of the scarves Killian had given him the last time they visited.
"Mommy, can we listen to Christmas music on the way there?" Henry beamed.
"Sure thing, kid. I'm sure Killian would like hearing it on the way back."
She ruffled his hair before walking out of his room. She heard him patter behind her in his boots, making her smile as she grabbed her red, wool coat from the rack. She flicked off the lights and made sure Henry was out before closing and locking the door.
Once they made it to the airport, Killian was already standing under the awning, his breath showing in the air. Emma pulled to a stop in front of him, and he glanced up from his phone with an immediate smile.
Emma hurried out of the car and around it to hug him tight.
"Mm, hello, love." He whispered in her ear, wrapping his warm arms around her.
"I missed you."
"I know-a month without you was quite difficult." Killian replied, tugging away as Henry tugged at his shirt, "Hey, lad!"
Killian chuckled and bent down to hug him, then lifted him up as he laughed.
"I see you've grown again!" He chuckled, "You'll be too big to pick up soon, lad."
"Never." Henry giggled.
"You keep thinking that." Killian chuckled, setting him down and ruffling his hair.
"C'mon, let's get back to the apartment." Emma giggled, "I'm sure you're ready for some food."
"So ready." Killian smiled, "Liam still thinks chicken Ramen noodles count as a good dinner."
"Even after I made you guys that pasta?" Emma giggled, picking up one of his bags and walking around to toss it into the trunk.
"Aye. He doesn't like cooking much." Killian smiled.
"Well, he seemed to like helping me make the turkey for Thanksgiving." Emma teased.
"That's because he was only helping-and, it was you. He adores you," Killian chuckled, "I need to watch out for him."
"Please," Emma scoffed as she got into the car, "He's like a brother."
"Are we talking about Uncle Liam?" Henry smiled.
"Aye." Killian chuckled, "So, what are you making me for dinner, lad?"
"I'm not making dinner-Mommy is!"
"Ah, that's right." Killian smiled as Emma started driving, "Wait, is that Christmas music?"
"I thought you'd like it!" Henry beamed.
"I love it!" Killian laughed, turning it up louder and singing obnoxiously loud, causing Henry to follow suit.
God, she loved her boys.
After dinner was done, and Henry was passed out on the couch, Emma and Killian sat by the fire, on a blanket.
"I can't believe we've been together for eight months." Killian smiled.
"I know. It feels like we met yesterday." Emma spoke softly, leaning into his arm.
"Speaking of which," Killian grinned, "I have an early present for you."
Emma furrowed her brows as Killian pulled out a small box from his coat pocket.
"What's this?"
"Well, we've been dating for quite a while now, and I thought... I thought this was the next step." Killian spoke with a simple smile, handing the box to her.
Shit, is he proposing?
She hesitantly opened the box, raising a brow at the house key inside.
"Killian?" She asked, looking up to him.
"Allow me to explain, love." He chuckled, "I know it's been hard on both of us-and, the lad-flying back and forth. So, I decided to amend all of that by renting an apartment here, in Boston. Just down the street, in fact."
Emma's jaw fell slack, looking back down at the key.
"You're..."
"I'm moving to Boston, love." Killian smiled, causing Emma to squeal and hug him tight.
"Killian, I love you." She whispered, squeezing his shoulders.
"I love you, too, darling. I may need help moving in... I don't have any furniture, and I think you're better equipped to help me." Killian spoke with a chuckle, tugging away and setting his hand on her cheek.
"How can you-"
"Well, you see, Liam and I were looking over our parents' wills a few months ago, and it turns out, they both left us quite a bit of money. And, considering I'm unemployed at the moment, Liam offered to give me the majority of it. He helped me find the place, and that money will go to the furnishing of it-so long as I can find a job here."
"Killian, that's... I'm so happy." Emma smiled, blinking quickly to stop her tears from following.
"Oh, don't cry, honey." He smiled.
"And, Liam's okay with you leaving?"
"Of course." Killian laughed, "Me leaving means he regains full control of his flat."
Emma giggled and wiped at her tears, nodding.
"We'll have to tell Henry in the morning." Emma smiled.
"Aye, of course." Killian grinned, rubbing his thumb along her smile lines.
"Thank you, Killian. You didn't have to do that." Emma whispered.
"Merry Christmas, Emma." He spoke softly, leaning forward to kiss her.
A merry Christmas indeed, Emma thought.