Disappearance of the Swan Chapter 13, an once upon a time fanfic

Chapter 13

Life was better without the threat of the trial lingering overhead. Going to the store was no longer an ordeal and they found that they felt more free when it came to going out and about the town that they were living in. Days were very much the same, studying and spending time together out on the deck. However there was the slightest bit of tension because it felt as though they were in a bit of a holding pattern. Waiting for a decision that they had silently decided to back burner. Who were they? Who were they going to be going forward? Sitting on the stool at the kitchen counter Emma found herself wondering, not for the first time, if they were now just playing house. They loved each other but it had all happened so quickly and they had a marriage certificate in their house with the names of people that didn't exist. Or didn't exist before now. Killian moved about the kitchen in a pair of grey sweats that hugged his body in all the right places and a white tank top that did nothing to hide his toned physique. For a moment she was distracted and it hit her that he was hers. For better or for worse somehow the universe or fate or maybe just dumb luck had found her and brought her this man. "Killian..."

"Yes love?"

"I've made a decision."

"I'd be happy to hear it love but I would love to know what said decision is about."

"I've made a decision about where to go from here. But I want you to be sure that if you're unhappy with it you'll tell me. No pretending you agree even if you don't or if you want something else."

"Before you panic yourself lass why don't you tell me what your decision is?"

"I want to take down our marriage certificate and put our real one. I love the life that we live here. I don't want to go back to Storybrooke. That life seems so long ago and it was okay but this life? The one that I have here with you? I can't imagine anything better than this. Waking up with the ocean outside our bedroom window, sixty degree winter days, and just knowing that you're mine and I'm yours."

"We would belong to each other wherever we live love."

"Does that mean you want to go back to Storybrooke? I mean I'll be happy wherever I am as long as I'm with you but I just thought...it's so nice here."

"Here or there has never mattered to me. I like it here but I thought maybe you'd want to go back to where your family is."

"My family?"

"Granny and Ruby. I mean they were your family before all this started. I thought you might want to go back to where they are. Pick up where you left off."

"I was an add on in their family. They loved me and I loved them but I was included a lot just because I didn't have anyone else. They took care of me and I will always be grateful for that. But my family is wherever you are now."

"So we've made our decision then. You and I are going to remain here?" She smiled at the excitement on his face. This was what she had known that he wanted but it wasn't why she did it. Every fiber of her being wanted to stay here in this life that they had created with each other. Moving from the stove he stood across from her, taking her smaller hand in his much larger one.

"We're going to stay here. But that doesn't mean I think things should stay the same." Some of the excitement faded from his eyes but his hand remained in hers. Whatever the case may be she still wanted him. How she wanted him didn't matter as long as she wanted him.

"What changes do you wish to make Lady Swan?"

"I want to be us. I don't want to be Colin and Jennifer Henry. We haven't really made friends here. No one will notice that we've changed our names. I want to be Mrs. Jones. For as much as we're married I've never gotten to be that."

"You've always been that to me." Tenderness filled his eyes as he looked at her, seemingly peering into her soul.

"I want to be that to everyone. There was no trial and we get to do all those things we talked about. Specifically kids. I don't want to have dual lives when that happens. I just want to be your wife. I want it to be our marriage certificate on the wall and I want to be out in public with you and not have to try to figure out what name to call you."

"If that's what you want Emma then it shall be yours. There's no legal paperwork to take care of."

"Is that what you want?"

"I don't care if you call me Colin, Killian, or Jim the plumber as long as I'm yours and you're mine. All I want is you love. I want you however I can get you." The corner of her mouth turned up in the half smile that he loved and he felt as though his heart skipped a beat. All these years he had waited for someone, something, and now he knew what it was. He had been waiting for her. Reaching behind him he shut off the stove, never releasing her hand. With said hand in his he led her out the door, and down the steps off their deck. "Where are we going Killian?"

"Say it again louder." Confusion flashed across her face.

"My name. Out here, where people can hear you." In a split second her eyes began to sparkle and a smile burst out as she threw her arms around his neck.

"I love you Killian Jones." She was nearly shouting but it didn't matter. No one was after her. She could shout it from the roof top if she wanted to.

"I love you Emma Swan." His voice matched hers in volume as he relished in saying her name loudly for the world to hear. It hadn't mattered to him, what name she called him. And yet here he was feeling as though the sun just burst through the clouds simply because she could shout that she loved him, not his alias. Pulling her along behind her he ran until his legs hurt, but she kept in perfect pace with him. After about fifteen minutes they came across a small cove, taking them from sight of anyone that might be on the beach. Not that many people were out at the beach. It may be South Carolina but that didn't mean that the beach in late January was really overflowing with people. They certainly wouldn't be out there to swim. As soon as they entered the cove Killian grabbed her by the waist, swinging her around before bringing his lips to hers. Intensifying the kiss she released her knees, bringing him to the ground without ever breaking contact. She had no idea how long they laid there wrapped up in each other, kissing as though their lives depended on it before he finally pulled back a bit.

"Love, this is amazing but we don't have a blanket, it's a public place, and it's still a little cool for any less clothing." She laughed a little, hiding her face a bit. It was adorable to him how she still got flustered by his attention even after months of marriage and being intimate.

"Did you have another reason for bringing me out here?"

"I did indeed."

"Care to share?" Laughter danced in her eyes as he brought her to her feet, pulling her into his arms. With his arms around her waist he pulled her closer, his feet beginning to move in a rhythm that seemed to match the waves.

"Are you dancing with me?

"I'm trying love but you could be a little more cooperative." The movements became more graceful, moving in time to the rhythm of the ocean next to them. Her hands linked behind his head and she rested her head on his shoulder, memorizing the moment. She wanted to remember everything. The color of the sky behind her, the blue of the water, the feel of the sand beneath her feet, the smell of the ocean, but most especially the beat of his heart. She could hear it in her ears and she tried to memorize the rhythm as though it were the lyrics to her favorite song. Time ceased to exist and all too soon he had taken a step back to look in her eyes.

"Have I ever told you how much I love your eyes Emma?"

"I don't believe you have."

"Well I do. It's the most brilliant green I've ever seen. I don't think there's truly a color to compare it to. I've never seen it outside of your eyes but if I ever do I think honestly the only thing I could call it would be Emma green. All other greens should be compared to the color of your eyes and honestly they would all pale in comparison."

"Wow. You know, you take my breathe away sometimes. I've never had anyone care for me the way that you do."

"I always will love. Not a day will go by that I don't think of you. That I don't love you." She smiled softly before whispering, "Good." Moving to capture his lips she was taken aback by his step back and him slowly descending to one knee. Her hand found her lips as she looked down at him, his eyes filled with love and devotion.

"Emma Swan I know that we've already taken our vows. That we've already promised our lives to each other. But I want to ask you now again if you will allow me the privilege of being your husband?" Falling to her knees she threw her arms around his neck, knocking him back into the sand.

"I will. I do. YES!." Laughing his lips crashed into hers, taking her breath away.

"I don't have a new ring for you yet love. This was a bit of a spontaneous proposal." Pausing for a moment he waited for doubt to fill her eyes, for her to wonder if the spontaneous nature of it meant that he didn't really want it. The fear never filled her eyes and it occurred to him that that was all he wanted. She was confident in his love for her, confident in her love for him. There was not a trace of doubt or fear in her mind.

"I don't need a new ring Killian."

"Oh you'll have one. You'll have your dream ring. Mainly because you're going to go with me to purchase it. And soon I hope I'll slip another wedding band on your hand. One that means so much more than the first."

"I'll save my reply to that for the vows.

Two Months Later:

It came as a surprise to know one that their wedding took place on the water. Renting out a cruise boat, sailing around Charleston Harbor with the sun setting in the background. The day couldn't have been more perfect and somehow it seemed as if the sky had decided to set itself on fire to lend the perfect ambiance to the occasion. Standing just inside the cabin with a bouquet of blue calla lilies and yellow roses in her hand Emma waited for some kind of nerves. There had been no time for that the first time they were married. It had been desperation on her part. Amazingly she felt none of the nerves she anticipated. It helped that she knew they were already married but more than that she felt certain. Killian was the one for her. Doubts had long since ceased to plague her and she was free to enjoy this day and this moment for exactly what it was. The perfect culmination of their time together. Dolphins swam through the water at the side of the boat, jumping and splashing, singing as though they were hired to become the music to which their vows would be written to. In all of Emma's wildest dreams growing up she had never imagined this. She had potentially imagined marriage but it had always more closely resembled their first wedding than this one. Now she stood waiting for the door to the cabin to open so that she could walk towards the first man who had ever really made her feel like there was something more than just surviving in her future. A soft tap on the door jarred her from her thoughts and she pushed open the door. Sunlight spilled in as soft violin music floated towards her, calling her towards the front of the ship. The sunlight hit her hair, loose with the exception of a diamond starfish barrette pulling one side back from her face, making it seem as though she had a golden halo. Looking up she saw Killian standing at the bow of the ship, waiting for her and already she could see the sheen of tears in his eyes. She knew he was taking it all in but she also knew that he couldn't care less about the hours of work she had put into her makeup and getting her hair to look perfectly beachy. He didn't care about the spaghetti strapped dress of french lace that stopped just above her knee with an over-skirt of tulle flowing in the wind. He looked at her with the same look of awe and devotion when she was dressed in a pair of his pajama pants and an over-sized t-shirt. These touches were for her, although she knew they would stay in his mind. Finally reaching him she took in his khaki slacks and white, untucked linen shirt.

"Damn baby you look good." The crowd, small as it may be, laughed at her out of nowhere comment.

"You look quite fetching yourself there Swan. So fetching I believe I have no recourse but to marry you. A man must find a way to keep this kind of goddess-like beauty all to himself."

"It's all yours babe." His grin got even bigger as he turned to Archie, who had made the trip from Storybrooke to marry them. "What do you say? Do you think you could make this fetching lass my wife?"

"I say I think I've already done that. But I'd be happy to do it again." The couple turned to face each other, taking on a more serious stance. There was laughter to be had but these words were serious and neither took them lightly.

"Dearly beloved we are here to join this man and this woman again in matrimony. As all of you know by now their first wedding was less than traditional. It was necessity, not love, that brought them together. It is my joy to be here today as they affirm their love for each other by recommitting themselves for an entirely different reason. Not surprisingly this highly unorthodox couple has opted to share their own vows. Killian?" As Killian opened his mouth to say his vows Emma put a gentle pressure on his hand. Looking up at him she bit her lip before speaking. "Actually, I'd like to go first if that's okay."

"Tis your show love."

"It's our show. But you've let me take the lead in this relationship, sometimes infuriatingly so. I swear sometimes I hated it. But this time I'd like to take the lead. It's only happened a time or two before. While I was getting ready today I thought back on our time together and I remembered something you said. You told me that somehow, someday, I was going to know just how much you wanted this with me. That I wouldn't doubt it. The knowledge of it would be second nature, as natural as breathing. That day I didn't believe it. I wanted to but the thought of it was so foreign to me. But standing here in front of you now I can't imagine doubting your love for me. It's so ever present. I can only hope that you never doubt my love for you. The walls I had built around my heart were so high but somehow you scaled them in just a matter of months. Now I can't imagine my life without you. Killian, I love you. I love you yesterday, I love you tomorrow, and I will love you for the rest of our lives. It's not a question. I don't have a single doubt. You're my forever. My always." She smiled, sunlight reflecting in her eyes. With tears in his eyes he tried to speak but felt himself choke up.

"Emma I remember the moment I saw you. It wasn't a happy moment and it wasn't exactly love at first sight but I was struck by your strength. I'm still struck by your stength. You've been my rock through some big challenges the last month and on top of everything else you opened yourself up to me in a way that I know it not comfortable for you. Every step you've taken in my direction has been a miracle, one that I'm not worthy of. I'll never take you for granted. I will love you with every breathe that I take for as long as I'm able to take breath. I will fight beside you and I will fight for you every day. I don't doubt that you love me. I knew how big of a deal it was that you said it first and I've known it every moment since. We're going to have trials along the way love. It won't be perfect. A time may come in life where we feel as though we don't connect or that something has changed between us but know this. My feelings will never change. Life may but I won't. I will be rock steady for you. I will be the family that you lacked growing up and you will be mine. Every day for the rest of my life. You love are also my forever. My always. I couldn't love you more if I tried." The hands that held hers in his rubbed a thumb over the back of her hand, giving her gentle assurance. Declarations of love were all well in good in private but this notion of doing it front of people was a bit daunting.

"Do you Emma Swan, or I suppose Emma Jones, take this man to be your husband? To love him and to honor him, to support and protect him from this day going forward until death parts you?"

"I do."

"Do you Killian Jones take this woman to be your wife? To love her and to honor her, to support and protect her from this day going forward until death parts you?"

"I do."

"Let us exchange rings. Emma, please take Killians hand in yours and repeat after me."

"Actually Archie I've got this part too."

"Alright then." A smile spread across his face but Emma didn't see. Her eyes were fixed on the man in front of her. "Killian this new ring symbolizes my love and devotion to you. It has no beginning and no end. And an inscription on the inside." She turned the ring over so he could see it and he saw inscribed, "Colin, Killian, my love." His eyes crinkled as he smiled while she placed the ring on his finger.

"Killian do you need my assistance with this?"

"Sorry Archie. Like my lovely bride I may have a surprise for her." Taking Emma's hand back in his he had a hard time tearing his eyes away from her face. "Emma this new ring symbolizes my love and devotion to you. It has no beginning and no end. And like yours an inscription on the inside." Lifting the ring up the light caught the lettering. "All of me...all my life." He placed the ring on her finger before lifting her hand to his lips, brushing the ring with a soft kiss.

"By the power invested in me by the state of Maine I know pronounce you, for the second time, man and wife. Killian you may kiss your bride." Before the words were out of the ministers mouth Killian had swept Emma up in his arms, her arms coming around his neck. Dipping her backwards he placed a deep kiss on her lips, luxuriating in the knowledge that this time when he married her it was as real as a marriage could be. Nothing would ever make him regret their first wedding. It brought them together. But this, this was everything he had ever wanted. Everything he had never allowed himself to dream about. Standing her upright he took in the faces in the audience. They had not been on the forefront of his mind before the ceremony. Only her. Always only her. But here they were. The people that, outside of Emma, were the most important in his life. Looking over at his wife he saw that she too was taking in the small grouping of people on the deck of the ship. It wasn't many people but it was a family. It was the makeshift family that each of them had made for themselves in lieu of having a real family. Although he now had Emma Mary Margaret and David were still a part of his family. As he knew that Ruby and Granny were to Emma. Their love didn't change that. It increased it. Taking his brides hand he led her down the aisle back to the cabin she had come from a short time before. Entering the room he grabbed her again, crashing his lips to her. Hands were everywhere and before long he had to take a step back to catch a breathe.

"Well Mr. Jones. That was unexpected."

"The rest of the day is going to be you and me in front of our friends. I'm sure there will be requests for kisses but I wanted a moment that was going to be just ours."

"We've got a lifetime of them coming our way."

"And I couldn't be more thrilled." Taking a look out the window he saw that the deck had been cleared and that it seemed as though they were ready for the couple to make their appearance. Taking one hand in his he led the other across her cheek, stopping to place a gentle kiss on her lips. "Ready Mrs. Jones?"

"I am so going to love being called that. I'm ready Mr. Jones." Leading her onto the deck the deejay announced their appearance. "Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Mr. and Mrs. Killian Jones." Before a word could be said he was leading her to the middle of the deck, spinning her into his arms as the music for their first dance began. Her arms went around his neck while his went around his waist. Perhaps it was a little high school dance but he wanted her close. Traditional dancing kept them too far apart.

One look at you; my whole life falls in line.
I prayed for you; before I called you mine.
I can't believe it's true, sometimes.
I can't believe it's true.

I get to love you, it's the best thing that I'll ever do.
I get to love you, it's a promise I'm making to you.
Whatever may come; your heart I will choose.
Forever I'm yours, forever I do.
I get to love you, I get to love you.

The way you love, it changes who I am.
I am undone and I thank God once again.
I can't believe it's true, sometimes.
I can't believe it's true.

They say love is a journey, I promise that I'll never leave.
When it's too heavy to carry, remember this moment with me.
I get to love you, I get to love you,
I get to love you.

They swayed together as the music ended, coming back from the world that they had slipped away to during their dance. The crowd clapped but for the two of them it barely registered. That is until Ruby catcalled and practically insisted that they kiss. Not that either minded. The rest of the evening was spent near each other. Neither was ever more than an arms length away from the other and finally, as the sun set, they started to bid their guests goodbye. After everyone had left they stood on the deck of the boat, which they rented for a night on the water, staring out at the waves like they did so frequently on the deck of their home. He stood behind her, her head leaning back on his shoulder while his arms around her waist.

"Was it everything you wanted?"

"Even before today it was everything I wanted. I get to call you my husband. I get to be your wife. I get to love you. This was a day. A beautiful day but just a day. What I'm looking forward to are all the days that are coming. I'm looking forward to a day in the not too distant future where I can tell you I'm pregnant, a day where our child is born, a day where they go to school, and a day when they get married. This was one day and I can't wait for thousands more."

"Then I suppose you don't need the final surprise of the day?"

"Well I didn't say that." A smile lit her face as he leaned his head down to press his lips to hers. The sun had gone down completely and the moon lit the night sky. "Look up love." She looked up and heard a loud crack of noise before colors exploded over the water.

"Fireworks? For us?"

"Of course love. It's our wedding day. If ever there was an occasion for a celebration with fireworks this is it."

"I am just so in love with you."

"Well that's great since you're stuck with me for the rest of your life."

"Gladly." She stayed in his arms for the rest of the fireworks show and afterwards they went below deck to their room and created some fireworks of their own.

Epilogue:

One year later

"Killian, we have to go. We're supposed to meet Mary Margaret and Dave down by the water in about twenty minutes and you know I'm not getting around like I used to." He looked around the bathroom door into the bedroom where she was struggling to put on the necklace he had gotten for her for their first anniversary. Wearing a white sundress with her hair up loosely she looked like a goddess. Not that she would acknowledge that. She had stayed slim for the first six months of her pregnancy but now that she was coming up on eight months she felt that she was huge. To him she was perfect. More than perfect.

"Are you sure you want to go love?"

"Your friends came from Storybrooke to be here with us on our anniversary. And not even our real anniversary. The anniversary of our vow renewal."

"It's our real anniversary love."

"They both are. Our first wedding anniversary is the one we actually got on but I love that this one is special in and of itself." Placing her hand on her stomach she looked down, practically glowing from the inside out. The past year had been amazing. After their wedding they found themselves taking off on a honeymoon that had been meant to last a week. It turned into a month, and then two. Finally after two months they found themselves back at their Charleston home, redecorating and settling into domestic life. After three months back at home he found her in the guest bedroom, paint brush in hand and a sunny yellow paint at her feet. It was her unique way of letting him know that they had a new addition moving into the home. Coming out of the bathroom now he moved to stand behind her, reaching around to take the necklace from her hand. As he placed it around her neck he leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on her shoulder. "I would celebrate every day if it made you happy love. After all every day that I get to spend with you is a gift."

"You, Mr. Jones, are a flirt."

"Aye, that I am. But only with you. I am so glad that I was the one who was assigned to be your guard love. It has been the greatest joy of my life. I had barely anything before you and now my life is so full I can barely take it."

"I feel the same. So what do you say Jones? Come celebrate with me."

"Every day. Always."