A/N: Hey guys! So I decided to write a few chapters of one-shots, fluff makes my day I suppose. I really hope you enjoy them!

The dress

Summary: Emma wakes up after her first night with Killian and realizes how happy and full her life is now that she has everything for the first time. She finds an old dress, symbol of hope and can't help but compare her old self with her self now.

DISCLAIMER: Of course I don't know anything, not ouat, not cs. Just writing for fun!

The dawn of what turned out to be Emma's most beloved morning of all, had arrived. A stunning day outside, lucid sky and bright sunlight beaming through her window and brightening the room, created a magical atmosphere. The sea was unruffled and reflected the beautiful color of the sky, in that serene silence, she could still make out a subtle sound of tiny waves fondling the shore. Emma was up early enjoying this striking view through her–their-bedroom window, in Killian's loving embrace. A wide, ear-to-ear smile was drawn on her face. Although she would much rather slouch in bed all day just gazing at her pirate's peaceful sleeping form, she lazily pulled herself out of bed and made her way to the shower. She knew she had never felt more fulfilled in her life. She had her son back, a caring family and a man who would do (and already had done) everything for her. Secretly, she was entirely aware that she loved him as well; she was just not ready to admit that yet. That was… happiness for the first time. She didn't feel the need to run, after a long time. She finally found home. When Emma walked out wrapped in a fuzzy white towel and a cloud of flowery scent, she found him waiting, resting on his side and grinning at her.

"Good morning, love." Killian spoke softly, without lowering his gleeful grin by any means. His azure eyes pierced hers making her quiver in an instant. She enjoyed how relaxed he looked, unfettered and free from anything that had been troubling him before. Emma had never noticed this side of him, the tranquil and sweet side. She realized she had just been sitting there for a while without saying anything and tried to snap out of that deep deliberation.

"Hey." Emma simpered, cheerfully hopping on the bed next to him. She leaned in and brushed her lips against his in a gentle kiss while Killian eagerly responded cupping the back of her head and pulling her closer to him, deepening the emotions behind it.

"I must say, I was rather disappointed not to find you by my side this morning, Swan, but then again, there is a good reason for us to storm out, I presume." He moves placing small kisses down her neck.

"Sorry, my parents wanted to meet for breakfast today, so…" Emma scowled with a sigh.

"Well then, Swan, I guess I should be the one getting in that shower now, shame!" Killian looked at her playfully. "Care to join me for another… shower?" he stressed the last word, eyebrow raised.

"You have no idea… but I think it would be better if we left that for some other time. I guess today, it's only going to be a shower…" she teased him as he groaned, disappointedly.

While Killian was washing up, Emma slowly paced to her wardrobe, instinctively reaching for her red-leather jacket. And then she stopped. "Nope, not a savior day today!" she told herself pulling out something entirely different from what she usually goes for… a dress. A flowy dress in a vivid burgundy color. It was not too short, or too long, it was just perfect. She loved how soft and malleable the fabric felt, enfolding her body as she slipped it on. There is great history behind that dress… Emma thought taking a glimpse at her mirror trying to get her blond curls right, brushing through them with her fingers. She decided to take some time to work on her face, look as beautiful as she could.

"Wow, love, you look… spectacular!" Killian exclaimed walking out of the bathroom drying his hair with a towel, when she added her final touch, a bright lipstick matching her dress. She turned around and faced a contently surprised Killian, beaming at her. His hair was still ruffled and damp from the shower and made her wonder how he managed to look so handsome in any situation.

"You're one to talk…" she replied with a sly grin placing her arms around his waist. "You should put on some clothes too, we have to get going." she added, lips pressing on his cheek.

They were ambling all the way to Granny's to meet Emma's parents, clutching each other's hand, Killian caressing small circles on the knuckle of her thumb. They were both glowing, allowing everyone in town to distinguish their genuine bliss. Killian eventually won Emma's heart without any trickery and Emma eventually wanted him. She sensed that something was different this time. Her feelings were much more intense and meaningful than any other time.

"How come you've never worn this dress before, Swan? It truly suits you, makes your gorgeous eyes seem brighter." Killian had been observing her for quite some time now, struggling to find words to express himself and make a compliment. It had never been that difficult before, it was the first time he could not think of anything more complex and charming to say.

"Well, it's a… special dress." Emma tilted her head to the side locking her gaze in his.

"In what means is that?" Killian asked in a voice filled with adoration for the woman standing before him.

"Okay, let me tell you a little story…"

The first months after Henry's birth and how she gave him up, Emma was unusually emotional, welling up to anything that could remind her of the baby she had just given up. The heartbreaking first cry of her son was still echoing in her ears and maybe, just maybe, she had regretted her thoughtless decision. She was walking in the streets one evening, gazing at stores' windows, which had recently been decorated for Christmas, lights glistening behind the glass windows, Christmas trees popping around, ornaments sparking everywhere, even as individual decorations and Emma all alone. This celebration was one of the most depressing for her. It reminded her that she had no one to celebrate it with. Family holidays were the worst periods of her life, since apparently, no family was able to love and accept her. She could have had a son, but… When a woman with her baby on a baby cart passed her by, Emma's heart crushed to dust. She felt positively miserable. She knew she gave that little baby up for his best chance, however, she also gave up the only family she had. She tried to build her protective walls back up and keep strolling down the street. That's when she caught sight of a beautiful burgundy colored dress. She was enchanted by it gauging her emotions to decide if she wanted to invest to something so useless to her, especially when she could not really afford it. And then she stopped thinking. She walked in and tried the dress on. Emma was never the kind of girl who went shopping for comfort, she considered that to be shallow and idiotic, but the soft material against her skin felt so soothing and she couldn't help it. She soon found herself outside the store once again holding a shopping bag with the dress in it. All the way back home, Emma practically scolded herself in her head. 'Really? Are you crazy? Why? It's not like you had extra money to spend!' . She had been trying to build a normal life, find a job, rent a place to live in so that she doesn't sleep under bridges anymore. That never meant that in a few months she had earned enough to spend in unneeded dresses. When she walked through the door of her little apartment, she pulled it out of the bag, which she tossed to the wall, and took a good look at it. It was stunning, but she did not even have any place to wear it. Besides, she was not in the mood for a dress. Regret, regret, regret. After a lot of self-criticism, Emma made a decision. She would wear that dress some day. The day when she found joy, a family and a home. The day when she would be entirely happy. This way, that plain dress became a symbol. A symbol of hope for the future, a future she was deeply uncertain for then.

"So, love, this is the day you are fully happy?" Killian nuzzled his nose in her hair as they kept sauntering to Granny's. Emma stopped for a moment and turned around to meet his loving gaze with a silly grin on her face, wrapping her hands around him.

"Aye, captain, it is. I finally have a home, a family, my son back and a devilishly handsome pirate as my private little bonus." She sank even deeper in his steady embrace, whispering her finishing words. "Is there anything missing?" they came together in a sweet, yet passionate kiss, fully appreciating what they now have. Emma's hands against Killian's neck pulling him closer to her, while he caresses her cheek with his hand resting his hook at the small of her back.

"I am glad to be part of it, Emma" Killian whispered when Emma pulled back out of breath, sending shivers down her body with the use of her actual name. They continued their leisurely walk to the diner speechless, but always brightly grinning and with Killian's arm always a warm, protective shield around Emma.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading! Hope you guys liked it. If you did, make sure to follow/like my story! (hehe) Also, reviews make my day! :)