AN: It's finally here! Apologies for the delay in getting this posted. I was truly swamped with work, but I think another part of me was putting off finishing this because I didn't want this journey to be over. Writing this story has been a true joy for me, and I do a little happy dance every time I see someone commenting or reblogging and telling me they are enjoying it as well. I will miss working on CF. Thank you all for coming along this journey with me.

For those of you avoiding the more explicit passages, there is some smut in this chapter, after the second section break (horizontal line) which starts with "the move was exhausting." If you don't want to read that, you can skip that passage and move onto the next.

Epilogue:

Emma's birthday was a turning point for she and Killian. The continued their sessions with Archie and weekly dinners with Henry. They also tried to fit in at least one outing a week with just the two of them, even if it was only to share lunch. They celebrated Christmas together, with Killian helping Emma to assemble Henry's new bicycle after the lad went to sleep. The morning was spent opening presents before having dinner at Rob and Regina's. On New Year's Eve they celebrated with sparkling cider and a kid-friendly celebration at 7pm in Emma's living room. After Henry went to bed they tried to stay awake until midnight, but ended up falling asleep next to one another on the couch. Killian thought it was the perfect way to start the new year.

Everything was going great, until life threw them an unexpected curveball in mid-January.

"I have to move," Killian huffed as he stormed into Emma's apartment.

"Hello to you too," she said, closing the door and coming closer. "And what are you talking about?"

"Sorry," he replied as he gathered her in his arms and gave her a sweet kiss. "I didn't mean to barge in here like this, but I needed to talk to you."

"It's okay." She brushed an errant strand of hair from his forehead. "Why do you have to move?"

"The bloke I'm subletting from, Will, is returning to the States. He left a while ago to help a friend, and now he is home and needs to re-occupy his flat."

"Oh," Emma said, unsure of how to reply.

"I knew this was only a temporary arrangement. I'd just so enjoyed living close to you that I kept putting off finding a more permanent situation. And now I've gone and gotten myself in a bind."

"When is he coming back?"

"He's asked me to be out by the end of next month, so I've got a little time. I am sure I can find another place. I'm just upset because I will miss seeing you and Henry so frequently."

"So why don't you move in with us?" Emma asked.

"What?" Killian replied, stunned at her suggestion.

"Well, it makes the most sense, Killian. We spend a lot of time together anyway."

"I wouldn't want to impose, Swan."

"It's not an imposition if I'm the one suggesting it. Besides, I am sure having you around will only make my life easier. Let's face it; you're a much better cook than I am."

He smiled at her. "And you don't think it's too soon?"

"We've been dating for eight months. It's a natural progression."

"Well, as long as you are sure, Swan. Though, let's talk to Henry before we make a final decision. I want to make sure the lad is comfortable with this."

"Sure, we can do that, but I can already tell you his response will probably just be 'that's awesome!'"

Killian chuckled. "Even so, I'd like to ask him."

Emma was right, of course. Henry thought Killian moving in was an awesome idea. Unfortunately, they didn't account for how unfit the space was for three people living there full time. Even though Killian didn't have many clothes, the closet was not large enough to house both his and Emma's wardrobes. And the one bathroom became much more crowded with an extra person's toiletries taking up the already limited counter space. They tried to make the best of it, but after 4 months, they decided to look for a bigger place.

Emma was ecstatic, having never before had the luxury of taking her time to select a new living space. They ended up finding a townhouse, bluish-gray with white trim, three bedrooms, a finished basement, and a converted loft space in the attic. It was everything Emma dreamed of as a child. There was a white picket fence around the front yard and a small backyard space that would allow them to finally set up Henry's soccer set once more. And, as an added bonus, Mary Margaret and David were only a mile away.

Buying a home together revealed to Killian how badly he wanted to take the next step in his relationship with Emma. He'd purchased a ring shortly after moving in with her, but had been struggling to find the best time to propose. The moment never seemed right, and he wasn't entirely sure she'd be open to it. It still felt a bit soon for him. But he knew he wanted to make this commitment to her before they finalized the house sale.

He came home early one day, a week before their closing date, and was surprised to find Emma there.

"Emma?" he asked. "What are you doing home?"

She came out of the bedroom, running up to him and giving him a tender kiss. "I had an easy case today and it wrapped up early. I thought I'd take advantage and get some packing done. What are you doing home?"

He blinked slowly and shook his head slightly. "A similar situation, actually. Listen, I'm glad you're here. I wanted to talk to you about something." He grabbed her hand in his and looked to the floor. "What I need to discuss with you… it's not easy, and I'm not entirely sure how you'll react." He gathered his strength and looked up to meet her gaze.

"Well," she replied, tilting her head slightly and turning her body in toward his. "Maybe I can make it easier and tell you that my response would be yes?"

He was thrown off guard by her words and forgot the topic of conversation entirely. He looked at her in confusion. "Yes. I… what was the question?"

She released his hand and looked chastised, shrinking back from him slightly. "I might have found something in your nightstand that I shouldn't have." She held up her other hand and showed him the ring, pinched between her thumb and index finger: a 1.5 carat diamond in a white gold solitaire setting.

He laughed then and brought his hand up to take the ring from her. "I've been waiting for the right moment, Swan. I just never thought you'd be the one to make it happen." His right hand gripped the ring, while his left floated up to cradle her cheek. "Emma… I know we haven't been together very long, but ever since I met you I have been pulled to you. I know we face an uncertain future, but one thing I want you to be certain of is that I will always, always, be by your side. So, Emma Swan," he said, sinking to one knee and holding the ring aloft. "What do you say? Will you marry me?"

Tears flooded Emma's eyes, and she lowered to her own knees to be eye level with him. She rested her hands on his shoulders as she leaned in and whispered "yes." Then, lifting her hands to his face, she surged forward, capturing his mouth in a sweet yet passionate kiss. They kissed deeply for a moment before breaking apart and resting their foreheads together. Emma released a happy sob before pulling apart to look him in the eyes. Killian took that moment to slide the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit.

Emma was content to get married as soon as possible in a courthouse ceremony. She didn't want to waste a moment of her new life with Killian. Unfortunately, one look at the diamond put Ruby Lucas and Mary Margaret Nolan immediately into wedding planning mode, and they would hear no objection from the couple.

"Of course you're going to have the wedding at the Inn. I'm thinking a later afternoon or early evening ceremony," Ruby began one day when Emma was having lunch with her friends. "Twilight would be so beautiful. You can say your vows in the backyard under the big oak tree."

"Oh!" Mary Margaret joined in. "We can string up fairy lights in the branches. And Emma, you have to wear your hair down. It would look so beautiful in soft ringlets. And Ava could be your flower girl!"

"Ava isn't even walking yet," Emma said with a laugh as she reached over to smooth the soft hair on the head of Mary Margaret and David's 8 month old daughter.

"I could carry her! Or you could wait until next summer. Wouldn't it be so adorable to see her toddling down the aisle?" Ava cooed as her mother cradled her face and peppered her chubby cheeks with kisses.

"I will not deny how adorable that would be, but I don't want to wait a year. Killian and I are buying a house together. I don't want to live in some limbo waiting for a fairytale wedding. I just want to marry the man I love and settle down together."

Mary Margaret teared up at her friend's words, depositing the baby in her high chair and leaning over to give Emma a hug. "I am so happy to hear you talk like that!" She was blubbering so loud that Emma was afraid they might be asked to leave the restaurant. But she was also touched by her friend's words, so she gave a watery smile and returned the hug.

As they pulled apart, Mary Margaret sniffled and wiped under her eyes. "But you're not getting out of having a wedding that easy," she said, giving her friend a steely gaze.

Emma groaned in response. She could not talk her friends out of their plans and expressed her frustrations to Killian that evening.

"They weren't even listening to me! I don't need all that fanfare."

"Love," Killian said, taking her hand in his, "I am so honored to hear you say that, but I also want you to have a day to celebrate you. We don't need to do quite as fancy of an affair, but we should do something to mark the occasion."

"But I don't want to wait for that! I want to marry you now. I want to start our future now."

"I want the same, Swan." Killian smiled at his love and leaned in to kiss her tenderly. "I have an idea of how we can appease them while still giving you what you want."

"And what's that?" Emma asked with a tilt of her head and a lift of her brow.

"Let's go get a license and do the courthouse ceremony now, and we can still have the official wedding later on."

Emma's face broke into a huge grin. "That's perfect!" She leaned over and wrapped her arms around Killian's neck, knocking him back on the couch. He pulled her down with him and captured her mouth in a searing kiss. They lost themselves for a moment in their fevered passion, and might have gone further, had Henry not chosen that moment to exit his room and beg for a glass of water.

Killian and Emma were married on a Thursday afternoon at Boston City Hall. Rob and Regina served as their witnesses. After the ceremony, they spent a beautiful wedding night at a fancy hotel, before waking up early on Friday to close on their house. They spent the rest of the weekend moving into the new place. They promised each other they would have a proper honeymoon after their 'real' wedding took place.

The move was exhausting. Even with the few possessions they owned, the effort to get everything out of the old building, into the truck, out of the truck, and into the new house made Killian feel his age all the more keenly. He was sore in places he didn't even know could be sore. Emma had expressed a similar level of tiredness, and they'd collapsed on their bed the Saturday night after their marriage, each falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Emma had never been a morning person. Sure, a rather active son had forced her to endure more than a few early wake-ups, but if given the choice, she would always choose extra time to sleep over getting a jump on the day. This tendency, combined with her exhaustion from the previous day, led to a great deal of confusion for Killian the following morning, when she was up before sunrise and doing her damnedest to awaken him in the most sinful manner possible.

"Swan…" Killian groaned as she worked her way down his body, capturing his swollen cock in her small hand and giving it a few pumps.

"Can't call me that anymore…" She sing-songed, not letting up.

He growled and hooked his arm under her shoulder, depositing her next to him as he used his other hand to disengage the one she had still wrapped around his erection. Once he removed it, he pinned her arms above her head and pressed her body into the mattress before attacking her mouth with his own. Her lips parted to take in a shaky breath, and he exploited the opening to tease her with his tongue in before abruptly pulling away. She looked up at him, cheeks flushed and fire in her eyes, and wiggled in an attempt to escape from his clutches.

"Minx," he whispered, adjusting the hold on her wrists.

"What are you gonna go about it, pirate?" she challenged, thrusting her chest up to meet his own.

"Are you sure you want to do this now, Swan?" he asked, pausing to look at her with a raised brow. "Henry might come in and catch us."

"It's early, and he sleeps like the dead," she replied, moving her hips and clenching her thighs together in a desperate attempt to release some pressure. He took pity on her and moved his free hand over her ridiculously tiny sleep shorts to massage her center. She let out a breathy sigh and threw her head back. "And stop calling me Swan," she repeated. "That's not my name anymore."

"Apologies, Mrs. Jones," he replied, lifting his hand long enough remove the shorts and her underwear before returning to his prior task, now unimpeded. "But," he continued as he bent down to nibble at her neck, still not releasing her hands, "you will always be Swan to me."

"I don't care what you call me. Just don't stop doing that," she sighed as her hips began to move in tandem with the motion of his fingers.

He slid two digits inside her waiting heat, pumping slowly at first, while his thumb found her clit. He increased the pressure and added a third finger, working her into a frenzy in an embarrassingly short amount of time. Her breath quickened and she moaned, making no attempt to moderate her volume. Killian said a silent prayer of thanks that their new house had the master bedroom at the opposite end of the hall from Henry's bedroom. He continued his pace, still kissing and sucking at her neck until she crested, making delicious squeals and moans that had him hard as a rock. He brought her down slowly, still thrusting his fingers lightly until she lifted her head and grabbed his earlobe in between her teeth.

"I need you inside me, Mr. Jones," she whispered, before emitting a low moan as he lightly grazed her oversensitive bud with his index finger.

Not needing to be told twice, Killian released his hold on her arms, crawling on top of her and sliding home as quickly as possible. "Oh!" Emma moaned, "it feels sooooo fucking good when you fill me up like that." She was not as vocal in bed as he was, and hearing the filthy words spilling from her mouth now spurred him on. He began thrusting in and out of her tight sheath, his cock glistening with the juices from her first orgasm.

"Always so wet for me," he said, straightening his back and lifting one of her legs to his shoulder. The new angle hit her just right, and he could feel her walls quivering as they built up quickly to another release. He knew he wouldn't last much longer, and he wanted to feel her come along with him. Emma told him he was a generous lover, but in truth the fluttering motion felt amazing to him and intensified his own orgasm. He increased the pace and brought his thumb back to her nub, finding the hood and rubbing under it just how she liked.

"Oh shit, I'm gonna come again!" Emma cried, as she turned her head and used the pillow to muffle her screams. She came hard, and the squeezing sensation was all it took to send Killian over the edge. He thrust hard and deep several times, groaning as hot jets of cum bathed her inner walls.

He collapsed on top of her, resting his sweaty head on her chest and breathing hard. She wrapped her arms around his body, pulling him tighter to her, before combing her fingers through his damp hair.

"Good morning, Mr. Jones," she said after a minute.

"Good morning to you, Mrs. Jones," Killian replied with a laugh.

Life continued on, and everything was almost perfect. Almost, because Emma was becoming increasingly frustrated with wedding planning.

"I didn't even want this damn thing! Why is it so frustrating? Let's just call it off. We're already married. We don't need to do this!"

These tirades had become a near daily occurrence. Killian set aside the paper he was grading and turned to look at his wife. "What happened, my love?"

She flushed. "You're going to think I'm stupid."

"I promise I will not. Tell me and we will try to make it better."

"The dress shop just called me. The dress I'd picked out has been discontinued and they don't have it in stock anymore. I knew I should have just bought it when we were there! Why did I want to wait?"

Killian took her hands in his own and held her gaze while taking some deep breaths and encouraging her to do the same. Once she seemed more settled, he continued. "Did they offer you any other options?"

"Well, of course they wanted to try and sell me another dress, for twice as much as the one I'd picked out."

"We can probably afford a bit of a price increase. If it is truly the dress you want."

"I refuse to spend that much money on a dress I'm only going to wear once. And besides, I don't like any of the others. I loved that dress, Killian."

"Can we find it online?"

"Yeah, maybe, but there's not much of a chance we'd get it this close to the day. And let's not forget about alterations." She broke down in tears at that moment. "What are we going to do?"

Killian reached over and rubbed his wife's back slowly until her sobs abated and her breathing slowed. "Have you called Milah?"

"What? No way! I can't ask her to help me find a dress!"

"Why not? Milah has a knack for finding vintage pieces, and she has also designed several wedding dresses, hasn't she?"

"But you're her ex! I can't ask her to help me find a dress so I can marry her ex."

"We're already married. And isn't she dating some mystery man? Give her a call. She will tell you if she isn't comfortable with the request.

Emma bit her lip and considered his suggestion. She eventually settled that she would call Milah, but decided to make it a more general conversation to catch up.

"Emma!" Milah's bright voice was cheerful when she answered the call. "How are you? It's been awhile since we spoke."

"I'm good," Emma replied. "It's been busy, but good. How about you?"

"Things have been incredible! It's been crazy, but I am in an entirely different place than when you found me last year, and I couldn't be happier."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. The shop is still doing well, but I am hardly there anymore. I've been to runway shows in New York and London, and there is an up and coming Fashion House in New York that I'm in talks with about designing a bridal line."

"Really? Congratulations! That's incredible! Did you meet them at a runway show?"

"Thank you! No, one of my clients knows the head designer, and when he saw her wedding pictures, he asked to be introduced to the person that designed her gown. It's been a whirlwind. I still can't believe this is my life!"

"I'm so glad to hear you're doing so well."

"I am," Milah replied. "How's married life treating you?"

"You heard about that?" Emma squeaked, feeling her heart rate pick up.

"Liam mentioned it."

"You've been talking to Liam?"

"Oh… um… yes. We caught up when I was last in London."

"Oh. Okay. Well… married life is... good. It's good," Emma replied, laughing nervously.

"But…?" Milah said, encouraging her to continue.

"Oh, well, nothing like that. Killian is wonderful." Emma emitted another anxious chuckle. "I am just regretting agreeing to have an actual wedding. It's been so stressful trying to decide on all the details. And now I've had an issue with my dress."

"What happened with your dress?"

"I had one picked out that wasn't too ornate or expensive, but I didn't buy it, and now it's been discontinued. And the ceremony is in two weeks and I'm gonna have to walk down the aisle in jeans now!" Emma bit her tongue to stop herself and wiped at the tears in the corners of her eyes.

"Why didn't you come to me sooner? I could have made you something!"

"I didn't want to bother you," Emma replied, feeling her cheeks flare. "And it's still a little awkward, you know…"

"You are family, Emma. You are not a bother. Listen, when can you come by the shop? I've got a few pieces that I could probably alter for you. We can find you something that will be perfect."

"Are you sure?" Emma asked. "It's not too weird?"

"How many times do I have to tell you that I'm okay with this situation? Had you not come into my life, I would not be where I am now. I have no regrets. Now, when can you come by?"

Emma breathed a sigh of relief. "I can come by tomorrow afternoon. Is that too soon?"

"That's perfect. 3:00?"

"Yes. See you then."

Milah ended up being Emma's savior. She had a vintage piece in the shop that fit almost perfectly, only needing minimal dress began with a v-neck, adorned with delicate lace, which flowed into a long, pleated tulle skirt layered over a silky soft under-dress. The shape was loose, hugging her hips and then flowing out, as opposed to the full-skirted princess dresses Emma abhorred. The sleeveless design was perfect for her outdoor, summer evening wedding. She felt incredible as she stood in front of the mirror.

She stepped out of the dressing room and met Milah's gaze. "What do you think?"

Milah grinned back at her. "Dear Killy won't know what hit him."

Emma reached for the other woman, taking her hands. "Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me."

"I'm just glad I had something that worked. Does this mean I'm invited to the wedding now?" She winked at Emma.

"You want to come?" Emma asked, dumbfounded.

"Of course I do!"

"Well, yes, of course you can come!" she said with a nervous laugh. "I just didn't want to hurt your feelings. I know you say not to, but I'm not sure I'll ever be a hundred percent okay with this situation. It still feels weird sometimes."

"I know, but no matter our past, I want to be there to support you and Killy. And to see my grandson in a tuxedo." She smiled.

"Oh! He's super adorable! I'll give you a preview right now. I just had to take a picture when he got fitted for it." Emma started to run back to the dressing room to grab her phone, but tripped over the too long skirt.

Milah laughed in reply. "Why don't I help you out of that first, and then you can show me? And I'll make sure we fix the length before the wedding."

The day arrived. Although they'd been married for two months, Killian still felt nervous the morning of his wedding. Mary Margaret had insisted they stick to tradition, and thus Emma had spent the night at the Inn. Henry slept over at Roland's, which left the house unnaturally quiet when Killian awoke. He was ready for the day to be over so he could return to the life he'd come to love with his wife and son.

He'd taken to calling Henry his son not long after he moved in with the Swans. He'd said it accidentally one day, and bit his tongue after the outburst, afraid of Emma's reaction. To his surprise, she flashed him a large smile as her eyes shimmered with tears. Despite her grin, he worried for his love and had immediately swooped in to pull her into his arms and ask what was wrong. She dabbed her eyes and took some deep breaths as she held onto his shirt.

"I'm just so happy. Henry has more family than he'll know what to do with. It's all I could ask for my son. No," she corrected herself, "our son."

Her words made Killian tear up, and he brought his mouth down to hers for a passionate kiss to celebrate the life they had made. And now, several months later, he stood on the precipice of the next stage of that life and couldn't wait for more.

After he drank his coffee and showered, the doorbell rang, heralding Liam's arrival. His brother had taken him out the night before, but the outing had been sedate and he'd arrived back home by 10:00pm. "I'm not a bachelor, so I don't need a bachelor party," he'd explained to his slightly disappointed elder sibling.

Once Liam arrived, the day turned busy as they finished their last preparations for the ceremony that evening. They arrived at the Inn at 2:00 in the afternoon. Killian was forced to wait in the car while Liam went in and made sure Emma was nowhere in sight. After settling in his appointed room and dressing in his tuxedo, they took a staggering number of pictures, including one where he and Emma stood with their backs to opposite sides of a door while they held hands without seeing one another. Killian was at the end of his rope, ready to see his wife.

Once the pictures were over, he returned to the room he'd been assigned and paced the floor while he waited for his cue to go outside and meet his bride at the end of the aisle. Liam convinced him to take a shot of rum, to calm his nerves. Henry wandered in, looking incredibly dapper in his small tuxedo and seeming much older than his five ("almost six!" Henry had reminded him) years.

Finally the time came, and he stood at the end of the aisle underneath the large branches of an ancient White Oak. Small white lights had been strung up in the branches, giving an ethereal glow to the setting. Three rows of chairs stood before him. They'd opted for a small number of attendees, preferring an intimate gathering. He saw Milah, Rob, Regina, and Roland, Mu and Aurora, some of his colleagues from work, and Tink (Tina, he corrected himself) in the audience.

He heard music start up, and saw Ruby standing at the door to the Carriage House at the back of the inn, where Emma had been preparing for the ceremony. Ruby waved to someone inside, and Liam emerged, wearing a self-satisfied grin. He walked down the lined path toward his brother, but paused briefly and gave an almost imperceptible wink to Milah. Killian filed that tidbit away to investigate more at a later time.

Mary Margaret followed, carrying her now ten-month old daughter Ava, who was dressed in a frothy pink concoction of a dress and holding a small silver bell in her hand. With encouragement from her mother, the toddler rang the bell, but the delicate tones were a bit rattling due to the frantic pace set by the girl. Still, she was so adorable that no one seemed to mind.

Once Mary Margaret was settled in the spot next to where Emma would stand, she handed the babe to Aurora, who was just starting to show from her own pregnancy. Aurora and Mu took a moment to fawn over the little girl before turning their attention back to the Carriage House.

The music changed, and Killian strained his eyes to see Emma. She finally emerged from the door, being escorted by David. She was a vision, her hair falling around her bare shoulders in loose ringlets, adorned with a crown of flowers, and wearing a delicate white gown that made her look like an angel come down from the heavens. Seeing her took Killian's breath away. The other surroundings faded and all he could see was Emma as she slowly drew closer. Finally, his love was near him. He barely noticed that Dave kissed her on the cheek before placing her hand in Killian's and patting the other man on the shoulder. Killian was dumbstruck. He could not believe the golden beauty before him had agreed to be his wife.

"Killian," she whispered as she positioned her body to face the officiant and indicated he should do the same.

He caught on and blushed fiercely before turning to face the same direction.

The ceremony continued on with only a few more hitches, such as when Killian rushed to say "I do" before the officiant had even finished listing the vows, which drew a laugh from the attendees. Before he knew it, the official part was over, and they could move on to the true celebration. When he was told he could kiss his bride, Killian bent her back deeply and captured her lips in a fiery embrace which left them both panting for air. The crowd erupted into cheers. Ruby directed everyone to the parlor for cocktails while her staff rearranged the area underneath the oak with tables for the dinner. The wedding party hung back to get the pictures they did not take earlier, when Killian was forbidden to see Emma.

Once the reception started, they did all the traditional things: a dance, candid photos with their guests, and cutting the cake. Everything was beautiful, at least in the pictures, but Killian had trouble remembering any of it. He only had impressions of that night: his beautiful bride gracing him with her smiles; her hands on his shoulders while his arms encircled her waist and they twirled around the dance floor; stealing kisses at their table when they thought no one was looking.

Only two things from that night stuck out in strong relief. The first was when he stepped inside the Inn to use the facilities. As he rounded a corner, he caught his brother in a passionate embrace with a dark-haired woman. Blinking through the haze, Killian realized that the woman in question was Milah. They did not notice Killian, and he chose to take a different route to his destination as to not disturb them. He was not surprised when, three months later, Milah announced that she and Liam were dating. Nor when Liam announced he was moving to the states. Killian was thrilled to see how happy Milah was. Her inner light shone brilliantly. She was happy and fulfilled in a way he'd never seen before.

The other memory from his wedding that Killian will never forget is when he and Emma sat at their table and exchanged gifts. Killian had custom-ordered a Swan necklace for Emma, to replace the pendant she'd worn as a reminder of the pain Neal put her through. The new pendant was adorned with blue and green gemstones, specifically picked to match the color of his and his wife's eyes. Emma had teared up as he explained to her that he hoped she would wear this necklace as a reminder that she had someone who would love and cherish her for the rest of their days. She'd kissed him sweetly after he fastened the clasp behind her neck.

Emma carefully wiped her eyes and handed Killian his gift, a small, square box. It felt heavy for its size. He opened it to find a small picture frame. The frame was high-quality, made of silver, but what took his breath away was the picture the frame held. Rather, not a picture, but a sonogram. The bottom of the frame was engraved. Baby Jones, February 2019.

His vision once more clouded with tears as he looked up at Emma.

"Truly?" he asked, blinking back the drops that blurred his vision.

"Yes," she replied, releasing a nervous giggle.

He raised a brow and looked at his wife. "Um… don't take this the wrong way, love, but… how? You're still on birth control."

She flushed and looked down. "I missed about a week's worth of pills around the time of the move."

"And the babe is alright?"

"Healthy as a horse." She smiled. "A little seahorse, I guess. It kind of looks like one in the picture. Don't you think?" She looked up and caught his shocked stare. A shadow cast over her face and she looked down once more. "Are you… are you okay? I thought you'd be happy about this."

Killian dropped the frame to the table and took her face in his hands, kissing her soundly. As he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers and nuzzled her nose. "I am happy, Emma. So happy. I'm sorry I made you doubt that, even for a minute. I just couldn't believe today could get any more wonderful. Thank you. You have given me everything I could ever ask for. I love you so much."

"I love you too," she whispered in reply.

They kissed once more, before a sleepy Henry walked over and crawled into Killian's lap, not once saying a word. Killian held his son close and put his free arm around his wife. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, sighing deeply. Killian returned the sentiment. He'd never been happier.

FIN

Post-Script: Ten months ago, I was explaining the crazy phenomenon that is the Charming family tree to my husband. When I got to the part about how Killian's former lover was Henry's grandmother on his dad's side, I started to think about how that dynamic would look in a modern setting, and thus this story was born. I decided pretty quickly that I wanted to give Milah some more attention, although this is a Captain Swan story through and through. I've always liked Milah and thought she got a raw deal on the show (especially her reappearance during the Underworld arc). I also thought it might be nice to delve into the relationship between Emma, Neal, and Killian a bit more. Neal was a jerk on the show, but he really didn't get a chance for any character growth.

I hope I have done justice to these two goals, along with my wish to show a modern-setting CS story. Killian here is definitely more Lieutenant Jones and less Captain Hook. But he never lost Liam or Milah (at least, not the way he did in canon) and this is how I imagine he would have been had he been able to continue on as Lt. Jones. At his core, Killian wanted nothing more than to share his love with another. Losing Milah the way he did turned him into a villian, but as soon as he had something else to live for, he made a hard 180 and became one of my favorite television characters ever.

Thank you for reading this story and coming along this journey with me. If you've enjoyed it, I'd love to hear a comment from you. We fanfic authors LIVE for comments. They always brighten my day. Thanks for your time, and I'll see you again when I post my CSSNS story!