A/N: I don't own MPHFPC. I originally published this on Wattpad under SingingTomato, so don't worry, I didn't steal it. This was just written as a one shot but could be continued if you guys want.

*It's been three months since my parents tried to take me to the clinic. 3 months since Miss Peregrine saved my ass yet again. 3 months since I realised Emma and I have time and yet it's something I still can't quite wrap my head around, knowing that I can have the best of both worlds. *

I climb the stairs slowly, knowing that almost everyone will be asleep by now but stop short as a hear faint whispers coming from the girls' room. I assume it's probably Claire and Olive trying to stay up past their bedtime. I tiptoe to the door and push it open.

"Shouldn't you be asle-" I'm interrupted by the sight of Emma glaring at me with a finger pressed to her lips and it's only then that I notice Claire and Olive curled up by her side, their heavy breathing making it clear they're both out for the night. Emma closes the book in her lap before standing, careful not to disturb the slumbering children, and makes her way towards me, closing the door behind her before she speaks.

"I really wish you'd check before you come rampaging in like a peculiar rhinoceros, I've just gotten them down. If you'd woken them up, I'm afraid I would've had to melt your face" she smiles sweetly at me as she finishes, lighting her index finger and waving it playfully in front of my face.

"Yes ma'am" I say, taking a step back "I just wasn't expecting to find you in there, you're really good with them, you know?"

"Yeah, well when you've lived with small children as long as I have, you can't really help picking up a few things" she shrugs, extinguishing her finger before snaking her arms around my neck, drawing me closer. I wrap my arms around her waist, smiling down at her.

"You're gonna be an awesome mom someday" I say without thinking. I feel her body stiffen in my grip and her smile falters. "Oh god, Emma...if you don't want kids that's totally fine with me, I don't mi-"

"No, it's okay, Jacob. I guess I haven't really considered it before. I mean when you're stuck in a loop, living the same day over again, it becomes too painful to think about a future that you know you can never have, especially after Abe stop writing. Even when Miss Peregrine activated the loop, I was and still physically am only 16, I thought I'd at least have a few years before I'd have to think about that stuff, kind of ironic now, don't you think?" She laughs but it doesn't reach her eyes.

"Emma, I know it hasn't been easy for you and believe me when I say I wish I could go back and fix it all but given that I can't do that, I'll do this instead. I know we promised to take things slow but I figured we could allow this small exception" I dig into my pocket, my fingers making contact with the smooth metal before I pull out the elegant ring. I see her eyes widen and the blood drain from her face as she becomes panicked and begins to ramble.

"Jacob, I can't accept this. I love you, I do but we really haven't been together all that long and I'm still trying to get a handle on your world and..." I press my lips to hers, ending her tirade, then slowly back enough to rest my forehead against hers and peering deeply into her amber eyes.

"Don't worry, it's not what you think. It's a promise ring. It's to symbolise my dedication to you and that in a few years it could be replaced with something a bit more...permanent. I've been thinking about this for a long time, even before you came to Florida. Before I met you, my life consisted of stacking adult diapers into famous American landmarks and trying to avoid getting beaten up by my classmates but now look at it, I have friends -I have you- you completely turned my world upside down and that can only be a good thing"

"Jacob..." she sniffs, tears threatening to spill from her large eyes.

"Wait, I need to get this out now or I'm afraid I'll never do it. I know that the people in your life have a habit of letting you down, what with your parents and my grandfather, but I'm not like them. I certainly have no plans on going anywhere...that is, unless you're coming with me. After I left London, it was your letters that kept me sane and reassured me I hadn't just imagined the whole thing, you were my anchor and without you I'd be floating in a sea of my own thoughts, being fed pills like they were candy" I take in a long, shaky breath, lifting the ring up between my thumb and index finger. "So I, Jacob Magellan Portman, do solemnly swear my allegiance to Emma Bloom for as long as I shall live...or as long as she's willing to put up with my sorry ass before leaving me for someone a lot better looking because, lets face it, she's out of my league..."

I pause as Emma splutters, clamping her hand over her mouth so as not to burst into laughter and wake the whole house. I wait a few moments until her shoulders stop shaking but the grin remains plastered on her face. I reach down and take her left hand in my right, positioning the ring just at the tip of her ring finger and looking up at her one last time for confirmation. She stares at me silently for a moment before tilting her head forward slightly as acceptance. I slide the ring gently onto her finger and then bring it up to my lips, planting it with a small kiss.

"I love you, Emma" I whisper, cupping her face in my hand.

"I love you too" she beams mischievously "...you idiot"