A/N: This story is going to give an insight into Emma and Hook's thoughts throughout every one of their interactions, starting in season 2. I may add some of my own Captain Swan "memories" that weren't on the show.

This chapter is an introduction to the "real" story, a little bit like in A Princess Bride, where their story is told by one of the characters in the story, it will be told through the eyes of Emma and Hook.

Just FYI: This chapter takes place in the future. It's a proposal scene, after which Hook and Emma reminisce about their past. I also have another Captain Swan fic, maybe you'd like to check that out as well.

Please review!

I - The Proposal

The Enchanted Forest, 2018

Emma felt a tingling in the tips of her fingers. Her heart was pounding relentlessly in her chest. She was short of breath. She could barely stand the anticipation. She had been looking forward to this moment for months. Now it was here. It had finally arrived. She felt it in her heart. After having teased her for weeks on end, Killian had decided to propose to the love of his life today. Emma was sure of it. He had been acting fidgety all week.

"Wait here," Killian told her now. "I'll be right back." He suddenly turned serious, almost stern.

This had to be done right. He wanted everything to be perfect.

The cheeky edge usually audible in his voice had vanished for a moment as Hook thought this. He got up from his chair on the bow of The Jolly Roger, on which he had prepared a romantic dinner for Emma, to retrieve a "very important" something from below deck.

Was this the life-changing moment Emma had been longing for? Never in her life would she have thought she would be here one day, possibly the soon-to-be bride of a reformed pirate - but then again, with her past as a delinquent, maybe marrying a rogue wasn't too far off. Emma sat in silence while she waited for Killian to return. She wanted this, but it terrified her no end. Of course, she would never admit this to anyone, but the prospect of "tying the knot" scared her to death. She wanted people to believe that she was invincible, being the saviour and all. She had so much responsibility that she did not have the luxury of feeling anxious - or so she thought. She needed to appear tough to be respected, but now she felt weak at the knees.

That was what that rascal of a man did to her!

She took a deep breath and stared out at the black ocean surrounding the Enchanted Forest, which The Jolly Roger was now floating on, when she heard Hook's footsteps announcing his imminent return. They had needed some "quiet time", or so Hook had told Emma. That was why they had sailed out to sea: for some privacy. Hook had tried to keep his proposal a secret, but Emma's stubbornness had eventually gotten the better of him. He had eventually given in, saying he needed her to trust him, as he had one "very important" question to ask her. That was all he had hinted at, but it was enough for Emma to drive herself crazy. She was madly in love with Hook, but she felt the wind had been taken out of her. She had badgered Hook until he had given her an inkling of his plans, as she had been reluctant to sail out to sea without knowing the reason. She hated surprises. Always had. But now she was terrified. She didn't exactly know why herself. Maybe it was because she always needed to be in control - but not today. Not now. She had to grin and bear it. She had to let it go.

The former pirate was now approaching his future wife with slow but steady steps. He was wearing a black suit and tie, as he had wanted to dress up for the occasion. Emma looked up at him then, a shy smile crossing her lips. Hook responded with a grin.

There it was!

That was all Emma had needed to calm down, to see Hook's signature grin and the roguish glint in his deep blue eyes. This was her man, her partner, her pirate, her true love - and that she was grateful for.

No need to panic. Calm down and face the music. Enjoy this moment!

Sometimes Emma wished she would not always overthink things so much, but that was just who she was. Always prudent. Always vigilant. That's what happens if you have to fight for your life and your loved ones' safety every other week.

"Killian..." Emma sighed as she saw what he was holding.

"Let me do this, Swan. You promised," Hook responded, as he knelt down before her on one knee.

This was really happening! Emma felt her thoughts whirr in her brain. Breathe! Don't forget to breathe.

Hook held out his hand, in which he was holding a small emerald jewellery box. "Open it, love," Hook urged. As Emma did so, her gaze fell on the sparkling diamond ring embedded in the cushion.

"Emma Swan," Hook began his proposal with a hopeful smile on his lips, "will you marry me?"

Emma only now realised she had been holding her breath. She sighed audibly and a loud "YES!" burst from her lips in assent, the word ringing out as clear as a bell.

"Thank God," Hook joked. "I wouldn't have known what to do if you had said 'no' - and believe me, I thought you might."

"Never! How could you think that?" Emma chuckled.

Hook only shook his head slightly.

"Here you are then, my darling," he said, still on his knees, as he placed the ring on Emma's finger.

"You can get up now," said Emma with a hint of sarcasm in her voice, taking Killian by his hook-less hand. "There's no need for antics. All I need is you."

"I think that's the most romantic thing you've ever said to me, Swan!" Hook teased her, caressing her cheeks. "But really, it's tradition. You knew I had to do it in the proper manner," Hook pouted slightly in mock disappointment.

"Don't look at me with those puppy dog eyes, honey. I can hardly resist you as it is." Emma said, leaping into Hooks arms in exhilaration.

"Well...then don't." Hook smirked with a wink, raising his left eyebrow suggestively. He leaned in closely, so his silky-smooth lips touched Emma's in a lingering kiss. It was filled with a red-hot passion that spoke to their deep spiritual connection.

Later on that evening, Emma and Hook sat side by side, snuggled up beneath a blanket on the old leather sofa in the ship's cabin. Emma felt contented as she stretched out her left hand in admiration of her engagement ring.

She felt blissful at the thought of being engaged to Killian, but she did wonder ever-so briefly if Hook had dug out the ring from his treasure chest or actually bought it for her, but she discarded this thought as soon as she had let it slip into her mind.

Once a pirate, always a pirate! And that was what she loved about him. Although he hadn't gone "treasure hunting" (as Emma called it) since their time in Storybrooke, she knew he still had the heart of a pirate, but his heart was in the right place. And that was really all that mattered.

"Can you believe we're engaged?" Emma inquired dreamily, lifting her head from its position on Hook's shoulder to gaze up at him.

"No, love," was Hook's reply, as he tugged her even closer. "But I'm so glad that I was lucky enough to meet you, my precious Swan."

"Do you remember the first time we met?" Emma reminisced.

"How could I ever forget?" Hook answered wistfully.

The two of them had always been meant for each other. They were truly in love with each other. The pirate and the former thief, turned sheriff, turned saviour. Their story was a long one, but never had there been a dull moment. They had lived through their fair share of peril, but their relationship was built to last. Just like the ship they were sailing on, it was built on a solid foundation.

As the pair of them sat in the cabin of The Jolly Roger companionably, they began talking about their past and how they had met. They had both felt an instant attraction to each other, but hadn't really given in to their feelings until much, much later...

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please don't forget to leave a review!