A/N: I love this story! It's very special to me. I am happy that I get a chance to come back to this universe again after so long of being away from it. And it's all because of you, Miranda. For your birthday... enjoy the next step in Emma and Killian journey! Happy birthday!

Killian's hand slipped from over Emma's blouse to underneath it. Fingertips smoothed over the flatness of her stomach, lightly tickling her. He seemed to take advantage of her squirming against of him because of it, his mouth opening wide over the side of her neck.

Her smile was involuntary. Most likely due to the fact that she loved the man, even though he was being a hindrance, instead of a helper.

She was fully dressed. She was minutes away from walking out of the apartment to begin her day. Yes, it was early for her, but there was a reason for why she was leaving for work at… six thirty in the morning. And if she let him distract her…

"Killian!" It was meant as warning. "I don't have time for this." Emma attempted, albeit a feeble attempt, to move away from him.

"A continuation of last night?" he murmured against her neck, once again aligning his body to hers. His hand over her stomach pressed her even closer against him.

The feel of… No. No!

Emma turned around in his hold so that she could face him. She wouldn't be deterred by the sexy glint of his eyes or the devilishly handsome grin that he was trying to keep at bay.

"You're trying to make me late," she accused, narrowing her own eyes on him. "I can't be late. I have a busy morning that will only run through to the afternoon and perhaps even into the evening."

"And you were visibly tense about it," Killian told her quickly. His eyes lost the sexy glint and became more serious. His arms tightened around her waist. "I was only offering to help you with that."

Emma smiled at the smoothness of his voice. "Should have thought about that earlier then." Placing her hands on the arms that were wrapped around her, she pulled herself away from him. "I was awake, you know."

There was a part of her that wanted to follow where he was leading. She liked when she was able to give in to his whims. Today just wasn't going to be one of those times.

"Rain check then," Killian said easily. "I see… a hot bubble bath in our near future."

Emma turned back around to look at him, catching him coming up close once more.

"I doubt that it will be in our very near future. This weekend is so jam-packed with things that are happening and things that need to happen."

"Oh, I'm well aware of what is happening." His words were soft, meaningful.

They made her smile. They made her go easily back into his arms, where she'd wanted to be if only for a few minutes more. Thoughts of the upcoming weekend left her overwhelmed with feelings.

"Thank you for picking up Henry from the airport for me, Killian," she murmured up at him, sighing contently. "It'll save me from having to interrupt my work. Which means I can hopefully get done all the faster." It was those things that softened her resolve towards him even more, making her want to stay just like this for as long as possible.

Killian was quick to shake his head. "You don't have to thank me, Emma." Again, he shook his head, a frown covering his face. This time, his hand came up to caress her cheek. "It isn't just an 'Emma and Henry' thing. Not anymore."

"It hasn't been only an 'Emma and Henry' thing for quite some time," she added, because since the moment he had walked into their lives… The relationship that he had with Henry would always be amazing to Emma. To witness and to experience. She was… a very lucky woman.

"If this weekend signifies anything at all, it is that," Killian told her quietly. His eyes had lost all their mirth, leaving behind some deep emotion that was real and true. "It's been almost two years to the day. Your second lease is up, and we're finally going to do this thing the right way." Both hands fell over her cheeks, holding her there so that he could look right into her eyes. "You two are moving in."

Two years. He had been a part of her life for two years. And… she wondered how she had ever lived without knowing him. The truth of the matter, though, was that… she hadn't lived such a great life before him. He had forever changed her, all for the better. Not only with his love for her, but with the tools and help that had given her the ability to fix herself (for herself). If it wasn't for him… Emma didn't know what would have pushed her to take a firm hold on her own issues and her own life.

"This is going to be interesting." She couldn't help the automatic squint of her eyes as she looked at him.

"What's that, love?" Killian let his hands slip from her cheek, letting them smooth down her neck and over her shoulders.

"All of us living together here," she told him lightly. "I mean, it is going to be a change."

"Mm, I'm willing to give up the late night rendezvous, with you sneaking over into my bed, if it means I get to have you there every night." The glint was back in his eyes again.

Emma huffed out a small laugh, tilting her head as she watched him. "What about giving up those bubble baths, Killian? Are you okay with that, too?"

She read the confusion on his face as he slightly pulled back. "What do you mean?"

"Henry will be here," she reminded him. Her lips curled into a smile. "We'll be living in this one apartment, which cuts our space in half. Which means... being a lot more discreet in certain matters. You know what I mean?" She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow up at him. "Henry is coming home from Tallahassee and it will be the three of us. Right... here."

Looking into his eyes, she could see the wheels turning in his head.

"Are you saying…?" He pulled her closer to him, his mouth coming close to her ear. "No more bubble baths?"

Laughter bubbled up inside of her, but it was a sigh that escaped from between her lips.

"Well, there was a reason why our meetings normally happened at my place when Henry was away," she reminded him quietly. She waited until he pulled back, until he looked at her.

Killian pulled his bottom lip between his teeth, scraping over it. There was still a look of consideration he chose to give her.

"I like to think of myself as an incredibly creative person, Emma Swan," he assured her smoothly. "I am up for the challenge of proving you wrong on this one."

His words made her bite her own lip. "I guess we will see." To keep herself from laughing, she reached up for his lips with her own, kissing him softly.

It was meant to be a goodbye kiss. It was meant to be something quick and sweet and full of love. It wasn't supposed to include his hands cupping over her hips and him pulling her closer against him.

"Okay." It was a thick murmur as Killian finally pushed her away. "I'm going to have to let you leave before I won't be able to let you leave."

His words, and the way his hands on her hips helped turn her around, put another smile on her face.

"Thank God for your creativity," Emma murmured through a smile. She took hold of one hand as it rested on her waist, turning around to face him. "Call me as soon as Henry touches down."

"I will," Killian assured her with a smile.

Emma almost sighed, but there truly was no need to feel anxious about today nor the weekend.

"See you tonight," she whispered.

Killian planted a hand into her hair and pulled her closer, dropping a kiss on her forehead.

"See you tonight, love."

Killian's fingers rubbed roughly over his chin. He stopped himself just short of shaking his head, but he still was a bit in awe of the lad who was walking his way.

Henry had put on a couple more inches since the last time he was home. Fifteen years old. That was…. simply amazing. He'd been thirteen when they'd met. Two years ago. At that point, who would have imagined that… their lives would turn into what they had?

"Killian!" In person, the voice was even a bit deeper… Spotting him, Henry moved through the throng of unboarded passengers, making his way toward him.

By God, it was hard to believe that it wasn't his blood running through the boy or that it had only been two years that they'd actually known each other. Killian pulled his hand away from his chin as he smirked at the oncoming Henry. The next time he left for the summer in Tallahassee, he'd come back the legal driving age signifying the end of those special road trips between him and his grandfather.

Killian lifted a hand out towards Henry when he made it near him. The smirk became a genuinely happy smile as he watched the outstretched hand come his way.

"My God, boy," he murmured softly, "just look at you." His arm closed around his shoulders, hugging him tightly against him.

"Tell me you're not going to be like Mom, please, Killian." Henry pulled back away from him, his smile bright as he looked at him.

Standing next to him, Killian began to look him over. "I won't be like your mother. But, it's good to see you. It's good to have you home."

Henry was quick to nod. "I'm happy to be home again."

Killian wrapped his arm back around his shoulder, pulling him closer to him once again.

"Let's get your bags and be on our way, shall we?" He raised an eyebrow as they began to move. "It's a big weekend, with lots to do. I hope that you're not upset about coming home from your dad's only to endure another move." His eyes drifted back over him.

Henry lifted a shoulder in a shrug as he looked over at him. "It's across the hall. I'm kind of familiar with the area."

His humor put a smile on Killian's face as he nodded in understanding.

"Hopefully, it's the last one though," Henry confessed easily.

"Well, perhaps just one final one," Killian sighed "An actual house has to be in our future, right?"

It was Henry's turn to smile. "When you put it that way, then yeah. I could go for just one more, somewhere down the line."

"Mom said that it would probably work out best if we just meet her at Liam and Ruby's place."

Killian pushed the key through the keyhole and opened the door before he turned around to Henry.

"She said that she will try to make it there by five, which she thinks she'll be able to do," he continued, looking up from his phone that held the text message.

"Hm, that's fine," Killian murmured. He grabbed at the suitcases next to him before he moved into the apartment. Henry came in right behind him, with bags as well.

His thoughts turned back on Emma's words to Henry. Five o'clock was still pretty late. Emma would have had a long day. The smile was involuntary as he began to think of ways of helping her relax. Unfortunately….

"We'll leave in a little bit then, after I get through some of this research on one of my articles," he said with a nod.

They both pushed themselves into the apartment, dropping the luggage down in the middle of the living room.

"Killian?" The question in Henry's voice called for immediate attention.

Killian turned around towards him. "Yeah?"

His face was one of amazement, his smile barely there and his eyes wondrous.

"Are you going to show it to me?" This time, his smile grew in expectation.

It didn't take Killian by surprise. He bit down on his lip as he watched Henry from only feet away. At least he looked excited. He wanted Henry to be happy about the idea.

"It's in the closet," he murmured with a shrug.

Henry's chin lifted, only his eyes lighting up hinting to his eagerness. "I want to see it."

The thought of the box sitting in his jacket pocket had Killian turned towards the direction of the closet. Henry wanted to see it. He wanted Henry to see it,

Killian's head bobbed up and down. "Aye, I'll get it."

He felt the stammer of his feet, shuffling about without making much progress. He shook his head and grinned to himself. His sudden nervousness was surprising even to himself.

Killian moved quicker, heading straight for the closet. The jacket that he'd place the box in was near the back. It was a jacket that he had not worn in quite some time, and he knew that Emma would have never gone in there and found it.

He sorted through the array of outerwear that hung from the rail. The black jacket caught his attention suddenly, his hand slipping inside and reaching for the inner pocket immediately. Being the only thing inside that pocket, his fingers gripped at the small jewelry box. The significance of that box was felt immediately as well, Killian feeling the speeding of his heart instantly.

With a sigh, he came back out of the closet and shut the door behind him. When he turned, he could see that Henry had stayed exactly in the middle of the living room floor.

Killian's hand tightened on that box for just a moment, measuring the weight of it, before he tossed it Henry's way. It was an easy catch, landing in both of Henry's hands with a soft thump. A smile crossed his face as he waited to see what the response would be.

The gravity of the situation was lost on the lad. He snapped the box open, seemingly without thought. Upon seeing the ring for the first time, he raised an eyebrow and tilted back his head.

"It's nice, Killian. I think she's going to love it." Henry looked up at him then, a grin now in place of the smile. "Do you think she suspects anything?"

Killian's thoughts turned towards the last few months. His mind replayed the day at the jewelry shop with Ruby. He remembered the first moment he had seen the diamond collar engagement ring in the glass case. Ruby had quietly, yet respectfully, pouted over the idea of Emma getting the fourteen karat white gold ring when she had his mother's ring. (Liam had been the sentimental type at the time of his proposal.) He didn't know much about rings, but this one, with its nearly one karat round diamond that was surrounded by a diamond-studded "collar," hence the name, brought the weight up to a full karat. Emma didn't seem to need big and flashy, but her ring… her ring would fit her perfectly.

"I don't think she suspects anything at all." It came out thick from sudden emotion. Killian's eyebrows knitted together as he turned his gaze straight on Henry. "You don't think she suspects anything, do you? I mean… not from any of your conversations with her as of late?"

Henry was slow to shake his head, his lips pursing as his mind ran through the possibilities of Emma's knowledge.

"Good." Killian nodded. "That's good." He took in a quick and sudden deep breath. "I'm hoping that it comes as a surprise. A good surprise."

"One that she answers 'yes' to?" Henry asked lightly. He smiled again as he moved over towards Killian, his hand stretching out to give back the ring.

"Aye, that's the idea." Killian scraped his teeth over his lip as he took the box.

From the natural light filtering into the room, the diamonds sparkled all the more.

"She'll say yes," Henry offered, sounding every bit of supportive.

Killian snapped the box close and let his gaze fall back on him.

Henry. Two years. He was as much a part of Killian's life as Emma was. They were as much a part of his life as Liam and his family were. Except it was different because… Emma and Henry were his family. And it was time to make that into reality.

Killian raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm just waiting on the day that the word falls from her lips."

Excuse after excuse. It was the first thing that came to Emma's mind when she heard the knock on the door. The moving men were already there. And where were her own personal moving men? Well, one of them had believed that his first night back home from being away for the whole summer was actually spending the night with his best friend instead of his family. But he'd come home a week earlier than usual, so wasn't it okay that he got this one night to hang out? Fine… And Killian's excuse? Well, when late night political stories broke, sometimes it meant sudden trips to Springfield to catch a lead on said story. That, supposedly, didn't mean he couldn't make it back by the time the movers were to arrive. Apparently, that was only theoretical because…

Emma ran up to the door to answer it. At least she could count on the paid movers to be on time...

A sigh left her lips at the sight of the man at her door. "Good morning."

"Good morning." Her greeter's head ducked down as he pulled the clipboard up to his face. "Ms. Emma Swan?"

"Yep, that's me." Emma slapped her hand down over her thigh as she stepped aside.

There was one more behind the first mover, she realized as they began to move inside. But it was no longer them who held her attention. She glanced across the hall at the matching door. The strands of annoyance drifted away. She was finally saying goodbye to her apartment. They were finally going to make the step of trying out the one big happy family thing. And even in Killian's present absence (the need to roll her eyes was one she couldn't contain), there was a feeling of complete and utter happiness about the way her life was turning out.

For some reason, hearing the ringing of her phone from her pocket made her believe that the euphoric feeling was going to be taken away. Emma pulled at the phone and instantly slid her thumb over the bar.

"Henry?"

"Good morning, Mom." His voice had a note of excitement to it.

"Good morning." She'd returned his greeting out of habit, but there was something more important on her mind. "Are you on your way back home now?"

"Yeah. That's why I was calling. To let you know that I'll be there in about a half hour to get helping with the move."

Emma sighed at her son's timing. "I don't even know how this happened. We were supposed to be getting everything out of the apartment early this morning. And then you decide to go spend your first night back home with your friend."+

"I'm on my way, Mom, I promise," Henry assured her easily.

"Killian's not even here yet. The movers are going to have all the furniture out of here before we even start moving all the little stuff over to the other apartment."

Emma's frustration did not seem to faze her son. Not if she took his response as a clue to what he was feeling.

"I'll be there soon, okay?"

"Okay, Henry," she sighed. "I'll see you soon."

After a quick exchange of goodbyes between the two, Emma disconnected the call. She stared down at the phone in her hand, noting the time. And noting how the two guys in her life were absent at the start of their new beginning.

What a start to this new family-style of life...

The moving men were in and out, and had accomplished a large portion of the job. She watched the way they maneuvered the mattress through the door by angling it in the only way possible. It would take them a minute to come back inside, so she was ready to start her part of the move.

The apartment was becoming bare, so many things already being taken out. Seeing the way the apartment began to empty out left Emma a bit nostalgic. Two years. She hadn't expected her life to twist and turn the way that it had when she signed that lease. She hadn't expected to find herself and find love in the process. But she had.

Emma patted down her pocket, feeling for her keys. Finding them there, she moved towards the stack of three cardboard boxes sitting near the wall. Those weren't going into storage, but going home with her. Even with a small amount of annoyance towards her guys, she smiled at the thought of being together in that one space. It was… happening. And no turning back because… she'd never want to turn back from what this was.

Placing her foot on the bottom of the stack of boxes and watching the back of the second mover disappear from the doorway, she pushed the heavy load towards the door.

Killian felt like his heart was going to surely beat right out of his chest. This was the moment. Right here. No turning back. Not that he wanted to. No, he wanted everything that came with moving forward.

He smiled at the first mover as they dragged out the mattress. They exchanged quick nods of understanding. Watching the piece of furniture being moved out of the apartment signified that it was time. He couldn't see Henry from his spot outside the door, but he knew he was ready and in position.

He remembered that day he first saw her exactly two years ago. He remembered every feeling and every thought that had crossed his mind that morning, when he was witness to the most infinitesimal fraction of the mystery lady who would have to be in his life in some way. He just had no clue of the true magnitude of her role in his life would be.

The mattress and second mover disappearing from the doorway was a means to an end. Killian's eyes were already there, waiting for the reveal of what he knew he would see.

Standing inside his own doorway, his eyes widened as he tried to expand his view. He could still make out only a sliver of the inside of her apartment.

It was the moving stack of boxes that was being shoved across the floor that came into view. And then…. it was only a whisper of her form from behind those boxes, just a hint of blonde hair, illuminated by the overhead light, falling over a slip of shoulder.

The boxes moved again, this time offering up more of Emma in the process. Killian angled his head, hoping to increase his chances of catching more of the woman who took his breath away. He didn't know what it was, as he watched her step away from behind that stack and placing her hands on her hips. He didn't know if it was the past, the present, or thoughts of the future that knocked him back against the doorframe as he looked at her then.

Maybe it was the sound of his back hitting the wall that drew her eyes up, that drew that once haunted-looking green gaze up, and settle on him from across the hall.

The look on Emma's face was one of surprise, followed quickly by the narrowing of her eyes and tilt of her chin.

"Killian?" Her hands fell away from her hips as she stared hardly at him. "What the hell are you doing here?"

It was the fact that he leaned there with eyes on her and unmoving.

"Killian?" Emma let her hands fall away from her hips and she stared right back at him. "What they hell are you doing here?"

He wasn't supposed to be back from his trip for hours. She had tried to tamper her annoyance about that fact from the moment he had informed her. But now… now here he stood, or rather leaned, only feet away from her.

He was silent as he finally pushed himself off of the wall, his eyes making a trail over her.

With a sigh, Emma turned back to the tower of boxes beside her She kicked at the bottom again, making the entire stack move only the merest of inches. Looking back at him, he was still silent as before.

"I would think that you'd be eager to help me get all of this stuff over to the other apartment, not stand there compliantly just looking at me," she muttered with a huff this time. One hand went back to her hip as her eyes widened expectantly.

Killian offered only a shuffle of his feet as he kept close to the wall. But there was something about the somber look to his eyes and the calmness to his entire face.

"Do you remember, Emma, the day that you moved in?" It was a quiet murmur as he took one firm step towards her.

His ignoring of her question to ask an out of place one of his own confused her

"Are you feeling a bit nostalgic all of a sudden, Killian?" she asked lightly. She moved then, stepping closer towards the doorway.

"Ah…" A smile broke across his face and his eyes crinkled in the corners. "A bit nostalgic, yes." This time, his eyes blinked at her, his mouth hanging slightly open.

Maybe he was more than a bit nostalgic. There was something odd about his stammer and the shuffle of his feet before her.

"Killian?" Emma said his name slowly, tilting her head just so as she watched him. "Are you going to come over here and start helping me move this stuff?"

"Emma…"

She lifted an eyebrow as she leaned a shoulder against the door frame. Her arms crossed over her chest as she waited for the words to come out.

Killian's mouth opened again, looking as if he was actually attempting to do exactly what she wanted him to do: speak.

"The first time I saw you, it was only a glance." He smiled, albeit timidly, her way. His hand shot out, palm up, between them. "Just a whisper of your hair. And even then… I wanted- needed to see more of you. And you moved right into view so that I could."

Emma's lips turned up in a smile as she listened to him speak about that day. The stammer had begun to leave his voice, his words becoming stronger.

"I remember," she assured him with a nod. "It was very brief, that first encounter."

"Because you were so quick to close the door in my face," he reminded her, taking a step towards her.

Emma bit down on her lip softly. "Did I ever apologize to you for that?"

He was getting closer, his hand reaching out towards her as he came.

"You never apologized," Killian murmured, his eyes narrowing on her playfully.

Emma bit down harder on her lip this time as he took his place in front of her. His hand slipped around her waist and she let him pull her against him.

"You know that we are not alone, right?" she whispered up at him. "The movers are right outside. They're coming back in."

She wondered if he had even heard what she said. His eyes were running across her face again, his expression had grown somber and rather serious.

"You took my breath away that day, Emma," Killian told her softly. "You knocked me flat back against that wall and took every ounce of breath from me that day. All I wanted from that moment on was to know everything about you."

She didn't know why, but her heart began to pick up speed and her breathing became noticeably shallow. Emma licked at her lips, trying to keep her smile at a minimum. It would be easy to go back to that day in her mind. It would be easy to remember where her head and heart were at that day she saw him from across the hall and promptly shut the door in his face.

"Mm, maybe it wasn't so instantaneous, but you kind of knocked my breath away, too." Emma's smile was bright and full this time. "Eventually, at least."

Killian smiled again as his hand tightened for just a moment on her waist. His hand was slow to move then, slipping up her side before his fingers curved around her cheek.

Emma let her eyes slip shut at the feel on his strong touch. Now shouldn't have been the time for a touching moment between the two. She was in the middle of moving. But… she heard her own sigh of contentment escape from her lips.

"That day was only the beginning," Killian continued softly.

His voice and his touch had her heart starting all over again. She forced her eyes open so that she could see him again.

Emma was struck by the blue gaze that was already upon her.

"You changed me, Emma." Killian's fingers trailed along her cheekbone as he continued watching her. "You changed my life in ways that I never expected. In ways I never knew I truly wanted. That is, until I met you."

This time, his word made her catch her breath in her throat and stuck there. She wanted to know so many things. She wanted to ask so many things. But… she was struck there.

Emma let her hands reach out for him, grabbing and clutching on to his shirt with tight fist. She didn't know what this was, but it felt…

"It was always in the back of my mind, what real love was and what it meant." Killian's fingers slipped lower this time, over her neck. "I never searched for it. I never sought it out. And then… I met you and… you turned everything I thought I wanted in life upside-down. You… gave me… you. You gave me a sense of what… family was and what it meant beyond Liam. You gave me… love. Unconditional love at that. And unconditional love from you, Emma… I knew what it took for that to happen."

She felt the sob rising from deep inside. Emma opened her eyes again, blinking them over and over again to keep the tears from blinding her eyes. What was he doing to her all of a sudden? Why was he doing this to her all of a sudden?

"Killian, what…"

The sheen of tears didn't stop her from seeing the way he pulled his hand away or seeing how he began to lower himself down to the floor… onto one knee.

"Killian, what are you…"

Was he….

She hadn't expected this. She hadn't expected him to take her hand in his own, holding on tight. She hadn't expected….

Her right hand had been left free to come up and swipe away the tears freely falling now. He had spoken of the way that he had been changed by her and her love for him. She didn't know if there was really a true comparison. Because…. the gifts that he had bestowed on her included… her life again. He had given her life… after she thought life was over.

Emma's breath entered her body as a shudder…

"I never want to know what life is like without you in it," Killian continued, staring up at her from his kneeling position on the floor. "I never want to know what life is like without you and Henry being my family." His thumb ran over the back of her hand, which he held onto firmly. His other hand moved to the side pocket of his pants. "I never want to know a day without knowing your love."

Emma's eyes darted from his to the small box now in his hand. She watched as his head bowed down, coming in contact with only the dark sweeping hair swirling around his head.

"I love you, Emma Swan."

Hearts could burst from utter surprise and happiness, couldn't they?

Between his fingers, the box snapped open, revealing the sparkling diamond ring just sitting there.

Killian's gaze found hers, once again somber and… full of the love he spoke so eloquently of.

"Would you do me the honor, my love, of marrying me?"

And…

There it was. He wore his heart on his sleeve. He bared everything to her and… for her.

Two years. Two years. Yet, it felt like a lifetime worth of love.

She wanted it to be a lifetime of love.

Emma opened her mouth, her eyes blinking at him. Suddenly, she felt a calmness settle inside of her. It was simple, the answer. There was only one word she could possibly answer him.

"Yes." She felt every bit the mess, but the word escaped from her lips easily and with confidence.

"Yes?" Killian's eyebrow went up in what looked like surprise.

It was Emma's mouth that was gaped open, stunned by the turn of events. She bobbed her head in affirmation.

"Yes." She found her voice finally. "Yes. Yes. I will marry you, Killian."

"You said yes." The relief washed off of Killian is waves, his eyes closing for a moment.

It was then that Emma noticed the shakiness of her hand and the slight tremble of his.

"You said yes." His eyes opened again just as he removed his hand from hers. Turning the box around, he worked at removing the ring. The box dropped to the floor beside him carelessly as he reached for her hand again.

Feeling him slip the ring onto her finger made it all feel official.

"Oh my God, Killian!" It was only then that the sheer magnitude of the ring's beauty hit her.

"Something worthy of you, my love," Killian murmured, clasping her hand firmly. He was slow to stand back up, looking her in her eyes the entire time. "Emma." It was a quiet murmur that spoke volumes to what he was feeling at the moment- what they were both feeling. "I love you, Emma."

Never… It had never been like this before. Not before Killian. The truth of the matter was that… she never believed love could be as consuming as her love was with him.

"I love you, too, Killian." She slipped her hand out of his and opened her arms for him.

Moving slowly into her embrace, Killian wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her off the floor.

Emma buried her face into the crook of his neck, closing her eyes and feeling as if she could stay that way forever.

The sound of the door opening reminded her immediately that… there were moving men right outside and moving her belonging out of her old apartment. She lifted her head to see….

She didn't know what was the most surprising: Henry, the video camera in his hand, or the sudden light shining in her face.

"Congratulation, Mom." He was practically beaming from behind that camera.

Killian was slow to let her feet reach the floor once again. He still held tight around her waist, keeping her close.

"Congratulations, Killian," Henry continued. "And don't worry. I got the whole thing."

Her son had been in on it, too. Of course he had. The amount of time it was taking for the moving men to make their way back inside made her wonder about them as well.

Emma bit down on her lip again as she slowly shook her head. "Come here."

It was with a laugh that Henry did just that, moving across the span of the hallway in a matter of seconds. The camera was lowered and she was swept up in a huge hug by her fifteen-year-old son that was as tall as her.

"I'm happy for you, Mom." Henry muttered it close to her ear, his hug becoming even tighter. "I'm happy for all of us."

Emma felt the sudden embrace of her husband-to-be bringing them all together. She felt the sob almost take over her at the same time.

Never had she let herself dream of all of this. Not before.

Not before Killian Jones had stepped into her life with all his cockiness and self-assuredness. Not before Killian had showed her that she was worthy of him, and herself and... so much more.

She felt his kiss on the top of her head and the way his hold tightened even more.

"Kid." Emma pressed Henry closer to her, closing her eyes. "I'm happy for all of us, too."