Here it is everyone, the final chapter and epilogue for Safe Harbor!

I own nothing except my delusions.

Seven years later

Emma knew Killian was awake beside her as she stirred, feeling his arms tighten around her.

He tenderly nuzzled his nose to her ear, making her fight a small laugh.

"I know you're awake, love," he said with a chuckle.

She turned over so her front was pressed to his, letting her rest her palms on his bare chest as his bright blue eyes bore into her own green. She could feel his heartbeat in his chest, perfectly matching the rhythm of her own. It was something that never failed to make her smile, that their shared heart was always was in sync with one another's.

"Morning," she hummed before lazily kissing him.

His hand fisted in the back of the light material of her nightdress as he pulled her even closer to him, relishing in the small, intimate moment.

"Morning to you, too," he replied in a soft voice as they broke their kiss, smiling. "And happy birthday."

To his amusement, she released a small groan.

Chuckling, he began to rub along her spine. "Thinking of the party your mother has planned for you?"

"Don't remind me," she said with another groan, burying her head in his neck as he laughed.

Upon their return to the castle as well as regaining their cottage, they had a deal with Snow and David for birthdays, that they were to spend the night before in the castle so the entire family could celebrate, and they were free to return to their cottage later in the night.

Feeling herself relax in her husband's arms despite his teasing, Emma released a content sigh, feeling his familiar body against hers.

Killian kissed her head, burying his nose in her hair. "Love you."

"Love you, too," she hummed.

Despite the beginning of their marriage, Emma and Killian had been married nearing on eleven years, with their relationship always growing stronger. Emma never thought it was possible to love someone so much, but found that as time went on, she only grew to love Killian more and more, and knew he felt the same. As always, they were stronger together, always a team. They were more than each other's first love, but the love of each other's lives, as well as True Love.

Emma loved her life with him, not regretting what they went through to be together.

"How soon do you think before they sneak in?" Killian asked after a few moments of content silence.

Smiling, she peeked up at him. "Knowing them, any second now."

Deciding not to move, they continued to lay together in their room for another moment before grinning, hearing a rustling outside their door.

"And that will be them," Killian whispered, grinning widely.

The door opened, with different sets of footsteps entering, one pausing to close the door behind them.

A small blond head popped up at the foot of the bed before the rest of his body appeared, their son launching himself on the bed just as his older brother used to do.

A girl jumped on next, her dark hair shining in the morning sun as she settled next to her mother, before Henry finally followed, sitting at the edge.

"Happy birthday, Mama," Paden said.

Emma smiled at her and Killian's children, sitting up and drawing the three of them to her in a tight hug.

"Thank you," she whispered as they hugged her back.

She glanced over at Killian, who had gotten up to retrieve a shirt, pulling it on before he sat back in the bed under the blankets beside her.

Releasing them, she looked at them, unable to help the loving smile that curled her lips.

Henry, their ten-year-old son, sat closest to Killian, his legs crossed beneath him.

One of the things both Emma and Killian were eternally grateful for was that Henry didn't remember the day he almost lost his father, the day that they returned to the castle. They didn't know if it was because of the trauma being blocked, but they weren't about to complain, especially Emma. If she could have, she would erase the memory from her own mind.

A year ago someone had said something in front of Henry without realizing he was there, which made Emma and Killian have to tell Henry the truth of his lineage. They had been terrified of Henry's response, that he would suddenly be furious at them and distance himself from Killian. They told Henry the complete truth, about the reason they married and that Killian claimed Henry as his originally to protect the boy and his mother, before it turned to doing it completely out of love for them.

Henry had been silent for a long moment, scaring them further, before launching himself into Killian's arms and hugging him tightly, saying that Killian was his father despite what anyone said. Emma nearly cried in relief, seeing Killian holding back tears of his own as he hugged their son back tightly. Nothing had changed, if anything Killian and Henry became closer.

Sitting beside his older brother, their youngest child, Paden, grinned widely, looking between both his parents before moving with Henry to pounce of Killian, intending to wrestle with his father.

The five-year-old strongly resembled his father, already looking much like how Killian had when he and Emma first met. Despite having his father's features, he had his mother's hair, his only a slightly darker shade than what she had, as well as inheriting her emerald eyes.

He and his brother laughed as they jumped on Killian, making Emma move slightly away to avoid the fray.

"You gonna help your brothers?" Emma asked Hope as the girl settled in her mother's lap.

Hope resembled her mother as much as her brother looked like their father, looking like a dark haired version of Emma. Bright blue eyes, exactly like her father's, watched the boys brawling with their father in amusement.

Both Hope and Paden inherited Killian's slightly pointed elfin ears, something Emma found completely endearing.

"I can't have them always expecting me to help them win," Hope said in amusement.

Emma chuckled. "You could help your Papa, instead."

"I want to see how they do without me, first," the girl said, cuddling further into her mother.

Smiling, Emma pressed her lips to Hope's dark hair as she wrapped her arms around her small body. Contently, she watched as Killian fought off their boys before letting them pin him, with Paden sitting on his chest.

Letting out a dramatic groan, Killian looked back at Henry and Paden. "Well, lads, you've bested me."

"Aye, we did," Paden said proudly.

"Go on," Emma laughed. "Go back to your rooms for now so me and your Papa can get dressed."

Henry scrambled of the bed, helping Paden off and onto the floor as Hope jumped off on the other side, going with her brothers out of their parents' chambers and closing the door behind them.

"Do you think they would buy it if we just stayed in here for a while in bed still?" Emma asked, reluctant to leave the warmth of the bed.

He hummed in response. "They might, but your parents won't."

With the knowledge he was right, she groaned, sitting up and peeling the blankets off of her. As soon as she reached the wardrobe to select a dress, she felt a pair of strong, familiar arms wrap around her waist. She leaned into Killian's chest, feeling his body against hers.

"Just think, we can go back to our cottage tonight, and come tomorrow morning, we can stay in bed as long as you want," he said, coaxing a wide smile from her. "The kids may even decide they want to stay here tonight, so you don't have to worry about getting up."

Emma's smile widened at the prospect of getting to sleep in and do nothing.

While she loved her little family more than anything, she didn't always love being woken up by being pounced on, even if the children's target was their father.

Killian kissed her cheek once before pulling away to pick out his own clothes, shedding the shirt he had pulled on for when their kids had came in.

Pulling a simple yet elegant ivory dress, she caught Killian sneaking appreciative glances toward her as she undressed, making warmth spread through her as well as grin.

Just as their relationship grew stronger over the years, their physical relationship never diminished. Emma found him more attractive than ever, Killian having completely filled out into a charismatic man who never ceased to show her any love and affection he could. Even ceasing most of his work as a sailor and blacksmith, his body remained toned and strong.

Despite carrying three children, he continued to insist she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, praising the marks she wore from carrying and delivering their children. She never ceased to feel warmth spread through her when she caught his hungry gaze on her, knowing his desire for her never lacked.

Pulling her dress on, she quickly finished getting ready, glancing over to see Killian patiently waiting for her to finish before going with her to exit the room. She finished by fastening her swan pendant around her throat, which she continued to always wear everyday, only taking it off at night. Her wedding rings she never took off, having remained on her finger all the years since her husband placed them on her finger.

Emma reached out, taking Killian's hand in hers as they made to exit their room, feeling his own wedding band that rested on his finger. Just as she hadn't, he never removed his.

"You take Hope, I'll take Paden?" he asked as they neared their children's rooms.

She nodded. "Yeah. I'll let you deal with our squirming five-year-old."

He laughed, raising their joined hands together to kiss the back of hers. "Thanks."

"Hey, you're the one that proposed it," she pointed out.

He dramatically rolled his eyes before releasing her to go it their son's room to help him dress.

Trying not to cringe at the large amount of people in the ballroom set up for her birthday, Emma grasped Killian's hand tightly.

"I thought my mom was going to keep it small," she whispered to him, feeling nervous at the large amount of people with their eyes and smiles on her.

He fought back a laugh. "For your mother, this is small."

"You know what I mean," she replied, not wanting to be the center of attention.

"Just think, we can go to our cottage after this," he reminded her.

The thought of being in their own little place away from watching eyes made her relax.

"Honestly, love, one would assume you'd be used to the pomp and grandeur by now," he teased.

She looked back at him, giving him a small smile. "You know I've never cared for it, though."

Replying with a small smile of his own, he squeezed her hand. "I know."

Even having returned to her family and having spent years back on the castle, she hadn't been able to get used to the large celebrations, instead missing the small quiet ones she shared with Killian and Henry when it had been just them. She understood her parents' wish to have her family with them for special occasions, but she missed some of the simplicity they used to have.

Emma knew Killian was of the same mindset as her, often expressing the same desire to escape back to their cottage the first chance they got. He had even told her a few times that he missed the years when it was just them.

He just enjoyed teasing her on her birthday, just as she did for him on his.

Moving further in to join the people gathered, she smiled as she greeted them, all the while Killian remaining by her side, accepting any greetings from them, particularly any of the people he commanded.

Despite not going back into the Navy, particularly leaving for the sea, David and Snow declared that Killian was deserving of a position worthy of the new status he had gained. Despite his and Emma's original agreement, she convinced her husband to take a position, wanting him to be more than just the prince consort. Having already decided to keep Killian's status as a captain despite how he gained it, they set him as the head of the Navy, a position Snow and David deemed he deserved that was fitting for a king to be.

Emma was beyond proud of him for the work he did, as well as the leadership he showed anytime he was to attend a council meeting, showing he was a perfect fit for the position.

As the night grew on, Snow had asked Granny to bring out a large cake, bringing it out onto one of the tables set out.

Emma felt her cheeks flare as they stuck a single blue star candle in the center, which Regina magically lit.

"It only lasts a moment," Killian reassured her quietly, his hand splayed out on her back.

She nodded. "I know."

Stepping away from him, she saw out of the corner of her eye their children flock to their father, making her smile. Standing at the head of the table before the cake, she thought about the customary wish, the one her parents had always told her since she was younger that was always granted on her birthday.

Looking back up at her family, at Killian holding Paden on his hip while Hope and Henry stood on either side of him, she knew she had everything she could have ever wanted. She had a wonderful husband and family she loved more than anything, more than she could have ever asked for.

Knowing she had everything she ever needed, she blew out the candle.

"What did you wish for, Princess?" Grumpy asked her, a rare smile on his face, one he only showed around few people.

She shook her head, a grin at her own lips. "Nothing."

She went back over to her little family, where she stood again by Killian's side, sinking into his touch as he wrapped one arm around her waist.

"I have everything I could possibly ever want right here," Emma whispered to him, low enough that only he could hear.

He gave her a tender smile in return before leaning towards her to lightly kiss her.

Feeling a rush of relief of being in their own space and the home they made themselves, Emma removed her cloak, handing it beside Killian's heavy leather coat on the wall.

She turned back to watch as their children went off to their rooms to change into their sleep clothes, Paden having to be nearly dragged by Henry in his tired state.

Chuckling, she walked over, scooping the small child into her arms to help him get ready for bed.

"Is someone sleepy?" she asked lightly, knowing Paden wasn't used to being up at such a late hour.

He nodded wearily, rubbing his eyes with his fist. "Aye."

Patiently, she helped him change, able to do it herself in her sleep having had the practice. Having known what to expect because of Henry, Hope had been easier in doing a routine. With Paden, it was easy, knowing all of the tricks possible to make it easy on her and Killian.

He clutched onto his favorite stuffed animal, a small dragon, as Emma carried him back out, so she and Killian could read to him and Hope before they went to bed.

Emma smiled as she saw her daughter emerge from her room, a stuffed seal in hand.

Just as when Henry was born, Emma made Hope and Paden's baby blankets herself, changing out the red she used for Henry's with yellow for her daughter and green for her son. Killian kept his own tradition, getting the seal and dragon for both of their children before they were born, just as he had gifted Henry his lion.

Killian was already sitting on the couch, holding the same book they had read to Henry from. He helped pull Hope up, sitting her on his lap, where she settled comfortably with her head tucked beneath his chin.

Emma sat beside him, her side and leg pressed to his, Paden on her own lap.

Seeing his own siblings settled, Henry sat next to Emma, resting against her and prompting her to wrap one if her arms around him as Killian began to read.

Both Hope and Paden fell asleep quickly as Henry began drowsing, fighting to remain awake, signalling Killian to close the book and set it aside.

Carefully, he and Emma picked up their two youngest, murmuring a good night to the one in the other's arms before carrying them away into their rooms, their cottage expanded with the birth of each of their children.

"C'mon, Starfish," she heard Killian say softly to Hope, making her smile.

Just like Henry, Killian gave each of their children fond nicknames after sea creatures. Hope's Starfish came from her sleeping habit of sprawling as she slept, completely stretching out her limbs in her slumber. There had been many nights Emma and Killian had been awoken from sleeping with Hope in their bed, to find the girl had sprawled, resulting in one parent with a foot in their face while the other got a hand in theirs.

"Good night, Octopus," Emma whispered as she kissed Paden's head, using her husband's nickname for their youngest son.

Ever since he could crawl, Paden had been a handful. They learned very quickly with him they had to put everything as hidden as possible with him, their son somehow always managing to find the most complicated of hiding spots to get what he wanted. Paired with his knack for being able to get in and out of any place, whether it be his room, the kitchens, or even one of the dwarves' or his uncles' rooms, he had earned the nickname of Octopus from his father.

Tucking his blanket securely around him, she quietly left the room, meeting Killian in the hall so they could go into Henry's room.

Henry had just crawled into his bed as they walked in, looking up at them with tired hazel eyes. His room had changed as he grew, but he kept his old baby blanket over a chair beside his bed where his lion and wooden ship rested.

"Good night, Sea Otter," Killian said, a warm smile gracing his face as he sat on the edge of the boy's bed.

Henry smiled back at him. "Night, Papa, Mama."

Emma leaned forward, brushing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "Night, Henry. Sleep well."

Making sure he was tucked in just as when he was a baby, she stood, moving to blow out the single candle that illuminated the room before she left with Killian.

At ten years old, Emma still often saw the newborn baby Henry had been that she was ready to sacrifice everything for. Even having two more children, Emma never ceased to make sure Henry never lacked for anything, giving him every bit of comfort and attention he needed from her and Killian. He was growing up, something that Emma hated, but loved to watch, eager to see the man he would become.

Killian reached out, wrapping his arms around her as they reached their main room and drawing her to his chest. Resting her own hands on his strong shoulders, Emma laid her head into the crook of his neck, feeling content and loved in the warmth and security of her husband's embrace.

Resting his cheek on the crown of her head, he exhaled contently. "So, what did you wish for earlier?"

She smiled. "Nothing. I was serious, Killian. I have everything I could possibly want. I have a husband and children I love with everything I have. There's nothing more that I could ever ask for."

"Well, I'm glad," Killian said in a tender voice as he lifted his head to kiss her hair. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Emma replied, tilting her head to seek his lips out with hers.

And that is the end of this story! A huge thank you to all my readers, you guys make all of the work that goes into these stories worth it. Just a heads up, I will be taking a little two week max break before I post the first chapter to my next story. I'm on my final semester before I graduate college, so of course I have papers I need to get done, and want to take a little break to get those written. I'm sorry about the delay, but I've been debating for a while on whether or not to have a little hiatus, and want to do it so that the writing for my new story doesn't suffer. I hope you all understand, and enjoy the next story, which is was inspired by Dark Sarah's song Dance With the Dragon.

Summary for Die Another Day, Another Way: Desperate to get back to her son in another realm, Emma must enter a dragon's lair for the compass that will allow her to return home. Killian has lived for too long as a prisoner as punishment for his sins, cursed to a life of darkness until a Savior comes and gives him a second chance at life.

Review?