A/N: I cannot believe this is the last chapter in this story. I loved writing every single one, and I'm so glad you all stuck around for the journey! Don't set this one aside for good quite yet… If you all would like, I might add some more little drabbles to this 'verse :)
Anyways, enjoy, and thank you again for all of your support!
As soon as they reached the palace and got Killian situated, Emma knew she had a big favor to ask of him.
"Killian." She spoke softly, finding that she would use any excuse to say the name she had been needing to say since she met him.
"Aye, love?" He asked as they wandered the palace.
Emma had been trying to show him around, amidst all of the chaos surrounding her father's death. She didn't even want to think about that.
"I know we've really only known each other for a few days, but... I love you." Emma offered, stopping him in the corridor, "I love you so much. And, I know the life here is... terrifying, to say the least."
She smiled when he chuckled and took her hands in his.
"I also know that it's usually the man who does this, but..." Emma sighed before getting on one knee, in her dress, making Killian laugh, "Killian, I have a large favor to ask of you."
"Anything." He smiled.
"I would like... Would you-"
"Yes, love." He grinned, "I will."
"You don't even know what I was going to ask." Emma stuttered.
"Oddly enough, I do." He smiled, getting on one knee as well, "Which is why it's my turn."
Emma felt the flush return to her cheeks as he motioned for her to stand up.
"Queen Emma, your Majesty," Killian smiled up to her, making her giggle, "Will you do the utmost honor of marrying me?"
"Yes." Emma smiled, nodding rapidly as she repeated the word.
"Back at my home, I've my mother's ring. She gave it to me when I was just a lad, and I'd like for you to have it." Killian offered.
"Killian, I-"
"If you want something different-"
"No." Emma smiled, pulling him to his feet and pressing her forehead against his, "I want every piece of you."
She watched his expression turn soft, smiling a little. Without a second thought, she leaned up on her toes to kiss him, tilting her head so their noses brushed slightly.
Emma tugged her lips away first, smiling at him.
"Now, I believe since we are informally engaged, we should have a little fun." He smiled.
"What do-Killian!" Emma shrieked as he lifted her up off the ground, tossing her over his shoulder.
"Hold on!" He laughed.
"Killian!" Emma laughed into his neck, pressing a kiss at the nape, just below his hair.
Moments like this were the ones she remembered her parents sharing when she was younger, when they were both alive.
For a moment, she could close her eyes and relive those years, the years where days were filled with nothing but playing and happiness, and-
"Emma, love, are you crying?" Killian asked, gently setting her down.
She pressed a hand to her cheek, smiling and closing her eyes when she felt the tears.
"Sorry, I... This reminded me of my parents." Emma sniffled, wiping away at her tears.
"It's alright, love. I'm sorry."
"No, no, it's not you." She smiled as he moved her hand to gently brush her tears himself, "I just remembered."
"Let's return you to your room, love." Killian offered.
"I'm fine, honestly-"
"Emma." He whispered, directing her focus to his bright blue eyes.
"Alright." She sighed, slipping off the heels that were hurting her feet.
"Are your feet in pain?"
"It's the shoes. They're new, so they're rubbing my heels raw-"
Emma smiled this time as Killian swept her off her feet, leaning into his chest as he walked down the corridor.
"Thank you."
"Of course, my Queen."
"My Killian." Emma whispered to him, closing her eyes and letting herself get lost in his arms.
Weeks passed, and Killian was getting more and more used to palace life.
He'd gone back to his home (that he and Emma were keeping as a second home) to grab a few important things, and they'd attended the King's funeral-but, it was mostly quiet.
Until the morning of their wedding.
Killian paced in his room, realizing what marrying Emma meant.
He was about to be crowned King.
"Killian?" Graham's voice asked from outside the door.
"Come in, Graham." He sighed, sitting on the bed.
"Almost ready?" Graham smiled.
"I wish." Killian sighed, "I don't know that I'm cut out for this."
Graham sat beside him, giving him a knowing look.
"I wish I knew what to tell you, aside from how lucky you are." Graham said.
"I'm the luckiest man in the world to be marrying her." Killian offered, "I've known that since I met her."
"You are." Graham said, causing Killian to furrow his brows.
"What?"
"Listen." Graham sighed, "I've loved Emma since we were kids. I won't ever try to get in between you two, because I understand that she never felt the same way I did. But, I will tell you that if you so much as lay a hand on her, you'll have me breathing down your neck."
"Noted." Killian spoke with a nervous chuckle.
"Emma loves you, Killian." Graham said, "And, coming from someone who has known her as long as I have-you're very lucky. She's lucky to have someone like you, too. All I've ever wanted was for her to be happy, and with you, she is."
"Thank you, Graham." Killian replied.
"Of course." He smiled, clapping a hand to Killian's shoulder, "Ready for this?"
"It's now or never, I suppose." Killian nodded.
"You'll be a great King, Killian." Graham promised, "Emma's lucky to have someone she loves at her side."
"Thank you."
"Now, let's go meet your Queen." Graham smiled, rising from the bed, "I've seen her-she looks beautiful."
Killian smiled and took a deep breath, following Graham from the room.
He tried to keep his breathing level as they walked down the corridor together, to the chapel.
They walked down the aisle, and Killian couldn't help but smile at how many people were there to see he and Emma get married.
He couldn't believe most aspects of his life anymore.
Graham stood at his side as they waited for Emma, the bridesmaids and more groomsmen coming down the aisle and lining the altar.
Killian just wanted-
Emma.
She was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.
Killian couldn't help the smile that sprung on his lips as he watched her walk to him, her beautiful, cream dress flowing behind her. The dress fit her beautifully, and had the most beautiful flowers embedded onto it.
Killian could not have imagined a more beautiful Queen to marry.
She finally reached him, and when she did, she let out a giggle.
They were really getting married.
"You look beautiful, Emma."
"And, you look incredibly handsome, Killian." She smiled, taking his hands in hers.
Here we go, he thought with a smile.
That night, after the coronation and the parties and the food (Killian had never seen so much in his life), the two retreated to their room for their first night together.
In the morning, Killian woke with a gentle start, the end of a nightmare. He closed his eyes again, smiling as his beautiful Emma laid beside him, curled up with her head on his chest. He moved his fingers to her soft, long hair, smiling to himself as it simply slipped through his fingers like golden rays of light.
Gods above, he loved her.
"Killian?" Emma whispered in a worried tone, stirring a little.
"Hey, hey, it's alright, I'm here." He smiled, smoothing her hair as she curled further into him.
"You are so warm." She mumbled, pressing a kiss to his collarbone that sent a shiver down his spine.
"Sorry."
"No, no, I love it." She assured him, setting her chin on his chest and looking up at him with a giggle.
"What?" He smiled.
"Your hair is sticking up in every possible way." Emma smiled, moving her hand up to the mess.
"I'm sure it is." He chuckled.
Before Emma could reply, there was a knock at their door, causing both of them to jump.
"Breakfast!" One of the maids called, causing both of them to sigh.
"I suppose our life as King and Queen begins now." Killian smiled.
"It appears so." Emma replied, "C'mon. Let's get dressed, and tackle this together."
"Together it is." Killian smiled, craning his neck down to kiss her once.
His happy ending was not what he'd imagined for himself-no, it was much better than he had ever anticipated.