Hi again, guys :) Well after a couple of requests and the heartbreaking mid-season finale, I decided to continue on with this story for a little while. I don't know about any of you, but I think we need or are going to want fluff like this after 5B, so I'm just getting a head start. Thank you to everyone who favorited, followed, reviewed and just read my first attempt last chapter. It meant a lot to me to know that I can write outside of my main fandom. Thanks!
So, this chapter takes place the day after the previous one and Killian isn't wasting anytime on finding Emma an engagement ring and he takes Henry along to help him. I always imagined and hope that something like this would happen, so I went along with it.
Hope you enjoy it :)
Chapter 2 – Operation Diamond
"So lad, what do you say?"
Henry glanced towards the pirate in astonishment. "Me?" the boy asked, excitement lighting up his face. "You want me to come ring shopping with you?"
Killian's face dropped. "Well, you don't have too," he said, disappointment evident in his tone. "I just thought you would have liked to help me with this endeavour is all..."
"Are you kidding me?!" Henry exclaimed cheerfully, cutting off the rest of the pirate's sentence. "Of course I do!" Frowning, the thirteen year old glanced up Killian, brows furrowed. "Why me, though?"
Killian smiled at the boy, before placing a kind arm around his shoulders. "Well, I need someone to go with me, don't I, lad?" he asked. "And who better than my soon-to-be stepson?" Henry's face lit up in a wide grin. "Besides," Killian continued, "who else am I going to take with me? Your grandparents?" The pirate shuddered as he looked over at the couple in question, still snoozing away in their bed nearby. "Forgive me lad, but I think that would make for an awkward shopping trip."
"Yeah, me too," Henry grinned, as he followed the pirates gaze. "Besides, I know what mum would like. You have to take me with you."
"I'm wounded, lad," Killian said, mock hurt spreading across his features. "Are you saying I can't even choose a ring for my true love?"
Henry snorted. "You're blinded by love," Henry pointed out wisely, despite the grin on his face. "You'll just want to buy my mum the biggest ring money can buy, when you know that's not what she'd want. You need someone there to help you."
Killian's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you get so wise, Henry?"
Henry shrugged. "Experience?" the thirteen year old grinned. "Seriously, though, you know I'm right."
"That I do," Killian agreed with an answering grin. "Well, shall we go then?" he asked the boy, as he made his way over to the door.
"Not so fast," Henry said quickly, stilling Killian's hand on the doorknob. "If we're going to do this, we need a code name for it. So, what's it going to be? I know!" he added quickly, as Killian opened his mouth to reply. He glanced at the pirate with a smug grin. "Operation Diamond."
"Operation Diamond?" Killian repeated, voice tinged with amusement. "Why can't it be something simple for once? Like...operation proposal...or something?" he trailed off, as Henry threw him a 'are you kidding me' look.
"And that," Henry sighed, as he and Killian made their way out the door, "is why I come up with the code names. No imagination, any of you."
" Oi!"
"So, where are we going?" Killian asked his young companion, as they strolled down the quiet streets of Storybrooke. "Sadly, I am unfamiliar with any ring shops in this town."
"That's because there's only one," Henry explained. "Happy Ever After," Henry pointed to a shop at the far end of the main street, "is the only jewellery store in town. Obviously my mum didn't think we'd need many," he added quietly. "Considering no one was supposed to be happy here."
"Happy Ever After?" Killian asked, his face screwed up in distaste. "Well, it's little wonder I've never noticed the place. It's a complete mockery of itself!"
"Well, yeah, it is pretty corny," Henry grinned as he glanced at the shop. "But it really is the only ring shop in town. Unless you want to see what Grandpa has, that is," he muttered quietly, earning him a dead pan glare from the pirate beside him.
"I'd sooner risk going over the town line then do business with the crocodile," Killian vowed bitterly, before heaving a heavy sigh. "Happy Ever After it is, then." Turning to the boy beside him, Henry was relieved to see all the pirate's anger melting away as quickly as it came. "Shall we?"
Henry beamed. "Lead the way."
"Right," Killian said, as he reached out a hand towards the door handle, only for nerves to suddenly engulf him as he did so. Taking a deep breath and unclenching his white knuckled fist, he opened the door, and slowly stepped inside the establishment; the clinging of a bell above he and Henry's heads announcing their entrance. As the door shut with a clang behind them, their eyes met the sight of hundreds of pieces of jewellery in many different forms; from rings to watches, bracelets to necklaces covering every inch of the spacious shop, every piece glittering in their places. A pirate's dream, Killian thought, as he craned his neck to look around the room.
"It has a lot, doesn't it?" Henry commented, as he too looked around the crowded room. "We should be able to find something in here."
Opening his mouth to answer, both he and Henry both started as a crash sounded from the back of the shop.
"Sorry about that!" a male's voice called. "Be right there!" Muffled sounds of heaving and a thud sounded, before a short statured man came hurrying out from the back of the shop, a wide grin plastered on his face as he saw who his customers were.
"Well well, Killian Jones!" he exclaimed brightly, as he took in the pirate. "You're a sight for sore eyes, that's for sure!" Grinning widely, he stuck out a hand for the man to shake, which Killian took with a grin of his own forming. "Good to see you in one piece, captain!"
"You're not the only one," Killian grinned, before turning his attention to Henry, who was staring at the two of them in utter bewilderment.
"This is Jeremiah Gibbs, lad. He was one of my crew back in the day." Snorting in amusement, Killian glanced around the shop, then back to the man beside him. "Why doesn't it surprise me that you work in a shop filled with jewels? You always did like the treasure side of pirating more than anyone else."
Jeremiah snorted. "Look who's talking."
"Is Jeremiah your real name or your Storybrooke name?" Henry inquired, effectively cutting off the teasing banter between the two men, causing the little man to frown in confusion.
"Um...real name. Why, lad?"
Henry shrugged; a disillusioned smile on his face. "No reason," he said, disappointment etched in his tone. "It's just your name is similar to a Pirates of the Caribbean character. Well, same last name anyway. Oh well."
"Is that that movie your mother and I have been trying to coerce me into watching?" Killian asked the teenager.
"Yep," Henry admitted with a grin. "And once you've moved in, there'll be no getting out of it."
"Wonderful," Killian mumbled. "That's just what I need. Another pirate movie that mocks every fibre of my being." He shuddered. "I don't think I'm quite recovered from that horrific portrayal of me those bloody idiots at Disney did of me. Not sure I'm ready for that again, lad."
Henry snorted as he remembered the one time he and Emma had put Peter Pan on for him once, resulting in an uproar from the pirate in question. Killian had felt so betrayed that he'd refused to watch a movie the two had suggested for a few weeks, and even then it had taken a lot of persuading on their parts.
"It's nothing like that, Killian, I promise," Henry reassured him with a grin towards Jeremiah, who was watching them in amusement. "Trust me, Pirates is much more realistic then that. Plus you're not in it."
"The lad's right, sir," Jeremiah chuckled as he leant on the counter. "It's nowhere near as bad as Disney's portrayal of us."
"If you say so," Killian mumbled. "But we didn't come here to discuss horrific movies of me, did we lad? Or were pulling my leg when you said you wanted to help with this?"
Henry bit his lip sheepishly as Killian raised a brow at him, before turning back to the matter at hand. "Right," he said awkwardly, turning his attention back to Jeremiah, who was looking back at Killian with a surprised expression.
"Don't tell me you're in here to finally propose to that lady of yours, sir?" he asked the pirate in awe. "It's about time!"
"Actually, mum proposed to him," Henry cut in with a grin, causing Killian to flush slightly around the ears, despite a pleased smile forming on his lips. "But Killian still wants to get her an engagement ring."
"You think I'm letting your mother have all the fun, lad?" Killian asked the boy, with the shake of his head. "She may have proposed to me, but there's no way she wasn't getting a ring, no matter what she said."
"Well, what were you thinking of getting her then?" Jeremiah asked the pirate, curiously, as he bent down to unlock the ring cabinet. "Because I have plenty to choose from, I assure you."
"Nothing too out there," Henry said quickly, before Killian could even speak. "Mum wouldn't want anything too over the top."
"So, something simple then?" Jeremiah asked, looking to Killian for confirmation, who in turn glanced at Henry.
"I don't want to buy something too simple, Henry," Killian said, slightly crestfallen at the notion. "After everything your mother has done for me, she deserves a ring befitting a princess."
"But she doesn't want something like that," Henry reminded the man gently. "Honestly, after everything that's happened, I think you could buy the smallest ring here and she'd still be happy." Frowning thoughtfully, the teen glanced down at the rings placed in front of them, his eyes locking on one in particular. Reaching down gently, he plucked it from its place and held it up. "What about something like this?" he suggested. "It's nice."
Killian looked at him, unimpressed. "It's like any other ring here," he pointed out.
Sighing loudly, Henry placed the ring back carefully, before glaring back at his soon to be step-father. "You're going to have to have an idea, then," he prompted, waving a hand at the rings. "What about something unusual?" he suggested. "You two don't have the most normal of relationships," he chuckled, earning a laugh from the pirate in question.
"True, lad," Killian agreed with a nod of his head, as he turned his attention back to the array of rings in front of him. He sighed. "This isn't something I ever expected to do," he admitted. "How am I supposed to choose a ring for someone who's literally been to hell and back for me?" His voice trailed off in frustration.
Thoughtful, Henry glanced down at the rings, sweeping his eyes from one trinket to the next, all the while, his mind racing. As he glanced over the assortment of rings, it didn't fail to escape his notice the slight differences in every ring that was on display. Each one varying in shapes, colours, sizes, stones and whatever else you could think of. His eyes widened.
"And that's how you're going to choose one," Henry said suddenly, glancing back to Killian's frustrated expression. "Look at these rings," he continued, waving a hand to the trinkets beside them. "Each one is unique in their own way; just like mum. Choose one that represents the both of you."
"The lad's smart," Jeremiah noted, fascination clear on his face. "I'd listen to him."
"Why do you think I asked him to come with me?" Killian grinned as he wrapped his arm around the teenager's shoulders in a one armed hug. "He was the best man for the job."
"Thanks, Killian," Henry replied with a smile. "Now hurry up and pick one. I don't want to be stuck in this shop all day," he joked, earning him a playful swipe from the pirates' hook arm, which he carefully dodged.
Turning his attention back to the rings in front of him, Killian hovered a hand over them, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully as he paid attention to every intricate detail the rings had to offer. Reaching out to grab one, a sparkle in the corner of his eye caught his attention. Withdrawing his hand, he swept bright blue eyes over to the ring nearest the window, where the sun was hitting it as it began to rise higher in the sky. Intrigued, he picked it up and his eyes widened. It was the most unusual ring he'd ever seen. Turning it over in his fingers, a smile began to form on his lips as he examined it in more detail, causing Henry to come over in curiosity. His jaw dropped open.
"It's awesome," he said in awe, as he plucked the ring from Killian and examined it himself. He looked up at the pirate. "Is this it?" he asked him.
Killian smiled. "This is it," he confirmed, as he handed the ring over to Jeremiah, who nodded with a pleased smile.
"So, when are you going to give it to her?" Henry asked, excitedly; immaturity coming out. "The party at Granny's has already started hasn't it?"
"Indeed it has, lad," Killian told the teenager with a smile as a mischievous sparkle suddenly lit up his eyes. "And I think it's now time to turn the tables on your mother."
Henry frowned suspiciously. "What are you planning, Hook?"
"Oh, you'll see, lad. You'll see."
"You're just asking for mum to send you back to the underworld, aren't you?"
Boisterous chatter met Killian and Henry's ears as they approached the diner sometime later, announcing the celebration was in full swing already. It seemed no matter what the occasion was, the citizens of Storybrooke didn't need any excuse for a good party, and this celebration seemed to be of no exception.
"Something tells me they're all going to regret this tomorrow," Henry chuckled, as the sounds of clinking glass and booming laughter drifted from inside. "It's barely eleven. And if they keep going all day..."
"...there'll be some sore heads tomorrow," Killian finished for the teenager, a grin spreading across his face. "Guess we better head in there now then, before they all forget the reason they're there in the first place." He chuckled nervously as he eyed the door handle of the diner.
"Killian," Henry said gently, seeing the uneasiness in the pirate's eyes. "You don't have to be nervous. You're already engaged. This is just...the icing on the cake."
"I'm not just giving her the ring, lad," Killian reminded him, anxiously, as he looked over towards him.
"Are you going to tell me what it is you're going to do?" Henry asked him, curiously, folding his arms in front of his chest. "Maybe I can help."
"This is between me and your mother, lad," Killian said, nerves beginning to fade from his eyes as he spoke. "You'll see before long." He took a deep breath as he went to open the door. "Well, here goes nothing."
The chatter was deafening as the pirate slowly opened the diner door. All around the room, there were people crammed into every inch of the place, laughing and talking loudly; each with a mug or bottle of something in their hands. The dwarves were crammed up in a corner, talking cheerfully; Granny was pacing backwards and forwards taking orders and Archie, Marco, August and Whale were in a back booth chatting. Sweeping narrowed eyes around the room once more, it didn't take long to spot Emma, crammed into a booth in the middle of the room, talking animatedly to her parents, Regina and Robin, her eyes lit up in ways Killian had not seen in a long time. The sight heartened the pirate greatly.
"And there's the man of the hour!" Killian heard Granny shout, as he made a move towards his swan, before halting mid step as she rushed towards him. "It's wonderful to see you home again, Killian," she said gently, as she gave him a quick embrace.
"Thank you, Granny," Killian said, nodding at the proprietor in appreciation. "I'm more than grateful to be here, too."
"Here, here!" Leroy called out, sounding like he'd already had too much to drink, causing groans all around. Killian was swiftly passed from person to person, patted on the back and welcomed home before Regina, Robin, David and Mary-Margaret soon took him into a small embrace themselves, taking the pirate by surprise.
"We haven't had a chance to welcome you home properly, Hoo-...Killian," Mary-Margaret amended quickly with a gentle smile, as she placed a tender hand on the man's cheek. "We're glad to have you back."
"Thank you...Snow," Killian said gently, as Henry rushed over to hug both his mothers.
"So, dare I ask where you two have been all morning?" Emma asked with a suspicious glint in her eyes. "That was a long time to run an 'errand', wasn't it?" She raised a brow at her son, who shrugged, unfazed.
"It took longer than we expected, that's all."
"Aye, love," Killian said gently, as he placed a loving arm around her waist "You'll find out about it soon, I promise." He bent down to press a gentle kiss into her blonde locks, allowing a contented smile to form on her lips, as she leant onto his chest, listening to the steady thump of his new sharedheart, beating steadily under her ear. She closed her eyes in content, before wrapping an arm around his waist.
"Well..." Emma heard her father speak up, clearing his voice as he did so. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes once more to see David standing in the centre of the room, beer glass raised. "Before we all get into the celebration too much, I'd just like to say a few things." He threw Emma and Killian a small smile as he glanced over to them. "The past few months have been tough, I won't lie," he said, looking around the room. "What with Emma becoming the dark one, then...then our trip to the underworld to save Killian, it seems like we haven't had much to celebrate lately. But today, we stand here. And today, we not only celebrate Killian's return home, but hopefully, a return to normalcy. As much normalcy as Storybrooke gets anyway-"
"-Which isn't much," Regina pointed out dryly, causing laughter around the crowded room.
David chuckled. "Well, hopefully enough that we don't have to making any more trips to the underworld anytime soon anyway," he confessed. He glanced over at Emma and Killian, still wrapped in each other's embrace with a sad smile. "Killian," the prince said gently, "I hope you know that we appreciate everything you did for Emma that night. Despite everything, you sacrificed yourself the way only a true hero would do. And for that we thank you-"
Killian nodded, swallowing hard to dislodge a lump forming in his throat. "Thanks mate," he choked out, tightening his grip on Emma's waist in the process, which she automatically returned. "I just couldn't let it go on. Not when Emma was at stake. But I must admit, I'm grateful for you all coming after me. I can't thank you all enough."
"Just enjoy every moment you have with Emma is all we can ask, Killian. Welcome back," David said gently. He raised his glass. "To Killian."
"To Killian!" the diner chorused.
"To Killian," Emma whispered, raising her own glass, all the while her glistening eyes never leaving Killian's weary face as she gave him a tender smile. Tears prickling at his own eyes, Killian felt his own lips turn up as he reached up to stroke her cheek with his hook, his hand otherwise occupied around his loves waist.
"So," David piped up, making everyone look up once more. "If nobody else has anything else to say, I guess we can-"
"Actually, mate, I do," Killian cut in, as he removed his hand from around Emma's waist, before moving to face everyone, meeting Henry's eyes as he did so. "While we're all gathered here today; and sober for that matter-" he added, allowing for a chorus of laughter to erupt from the guests, "-I wish to announce something that-"
"Killian," Emma whispered in alarm, sweeping her eyes across the room at everyone as looks of intrigue crossed their faces. "What are you doing? I thought we agreed not to announce this yet until-"
"Mum," Henry said quietly, causing her to look back at him with a look of surprise. "Just listen to him."
Emma's eyes widened. "But what-" she began, bewildered, before turning back, only to find Killian going down on one knee, effectively cutting off the rest of her sentence as the whole room gasped in surprise, before going silent. Heat raced to her cheeks as she glanced around the quiet crowd. "Killian," she said, flabbergasted, as she felt tears begin to prickle at her eyes despite herself. "What are you doing? We're already-"
"Emma Swan," Killian started nervously, effectively silencing the rest of her comment. "When we met, I was nothing but a selfish pirate, who sought nothing but revenge and hatred, over a love I had lost decades before. I believed I could never move on from my first love and that I would spend forever alone, seeking justice for a woman I would never have again." Taking a deep breath, he glanced up towards Emma, whose emerald eyes were beginning to fill with tears. Taking a hand in his, he continued. "But when I met you, something changed. You reignited something in me that I never thought I'd have again. You showed me that I could be the hero that I never thought I could be. Gave me love I never thought I deserved-"
"Oh, Killian," Emma interrupted, sniffling loudly, as tears suddenly spilled from her eyes onto her flushed cheeks. Squeezing his hand tightly, she gave him a watery smile. "I'm sorry," she choked out, emitting a soft giggle. "Keep going."
Killian chuckled, before giving her hand another squeeze, his own blue eyes quickly filling with tears of his own. "You're the only one who has ever seen the real me," he continued, his voice beginning to shake. "Not even Milah saw that, and for that I thank you." Stopping again, he took a deep breath. "Emma, I love you more than life itself. Heck, I've even proven that," he added, causing Emma to emit a giggle. "But once more, I can't live without you. You are the most amazing woman I've ever met, and I fall more in love with you every day and for as long as I draw breath, I will prove that to you." With a shaking hand, Killian reached into his jacket pocket, and withdrew a small box, causing Emma's hand to fly up to her mouth in a choked sob. "Emma Swan," Killian said, manoeuvring his hook so as to open the box, "I want to spend every day of the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"
Despite the tears flowing down Emma's cheeks, she snorted. "What do you think, you stupid pirate? Of course I'll marry you!"
The room erupted in applause as Emma held out her hand towards Killian, who brought the ring into Emma's view at last, before gently taking it out from its case. Emma emitted a gasp of awe as she took in the sight of the most unusual ring she'd ever seen. A band of gold, knotted like vines on an old country house leading to a gem set by four towers - the gold the brightest she'd ever seem, and the diamond at its' heart catching every hint, every speck of light in the room.
Placing his hook gently on Emma's wrist, Killian used his hand to gently manoeuvre the beautiful ring onto the ring finger of her left hand. With a wide smile on his face, Killian ran a thumb over the ring. It was a perfect fit. As he made a move to stand up, he brought the ring to his lips and kissed it, his eyes all the while never leaving Emma's face.
"It's beautiful," she said quietly, flicking her eyes down to the ring on her finger, before glancing back up towards Killian, who was looking back at her with such love in his eyes, Emma thought her heart would stop beating. He brought a hand to her cheek.
"I love you, Emma," he said, his voice cracking a little.
Emma gave him a watery smile. "I love you, too," she choked out. "I-"
He kissed her before she had the chance to continue. Emma stiffened in surprise at first, before her eyelids suddenly fluttered closed as she brought her arms up to wrap around his neck, burying a hand in his messy black locks. The kiss was tender at first, but soon became more passionate as Killian wrapped a hooked arm around her waist, pressing her closer to his body, while using the other hand to gently cup Emma's cheek. Tears of joy were still flowing freely down the woman's cheeks as he did so, which he instinctively wiped away with a thumb in a gentle caress, before cupping her face once more. Neither of them were aware of their audience as they stood there, wrapped in each other's embrace as all the heartache and misery of the last few months seemed to vanish for that one moment; heartache that has led to this one moment, which neither of them wished to end.
Air soon became necessary, though, and slowly the couple parted, their faces bright as they glanced at each other tenderly with love in their eyes. Killian gave her a watery smile as he stroked a thumb cross her cheek, which she returned.
A burst of applause around them is what brought the couple back to reality. Blushing furiously, the two of them turned around, only to find themselves surrounded by a mob of enthusiastic citizens.
"Never thought I'd see the day!" Leroy exclaimed cheerfully, raising his drink exuberantly. "Congratulations!"
"After everything that's happened, I was wondering if there was going to be a proposal before long," Granny said, shooing the crowd of well-wishers off with an annoyed wave as she approached them. She beamed. "Congratulations Emma, Killian," she said, giving them each a quick embrace.
"Yeah, well, what my handsome fiancée seemed to have forgot to mention while proposing," Emma said, throwing him a pointed look, making him grin sheepishly in turn, "is that I had already proposed to him. Last night actually," she added with an amused chuckle as Killian scratched behind his ear using his hook guiltily. "Obviously somebody," she said pointedly, wrapping her arms around his waist, "just wanted to show me up." She raised a brow.
"Well, love, what kind of gentlemen would I be if I didn't get down on one knee with a ring?" Killian asked, a mischievous grin forming on his lips as he gently placed a kiss on her temple.
Emma rolled her eyes. "An old fashioned one, that's what," she replied.
"I didn't see you complaining, darling," Killian pointed out gently, as he ran a thumb over her new ring, before giving her a tender smile.
"Yeah, well, who could have said no to that?" Emma muttered, her cheeks burning bright as everyone chuckled around her.
"No one, that's who," Mary-Margaret said, a proud smile on her face, as she reached up to cup her daughter's face gently. "Congratulations, baby." She kissed her forehead lightly. "Even if I already heard it all last night. One question, though," she added with a glance at the sparkling ring, then back to Killian. "How did you choose that beautiful ring?" she asked him in awe. "I've never seen anything like it!"
"Neither have I," Emma admitted, as she glanced down at it. "It's so unusual."
"Well, love, I did have a little help," Killian pointed out, throwing Henry a thankful smile, who rolled his eyes in turn.
"More like I just gave him a push in the right direction," Henry explained to his mother, with s small smile. "He was starting to panic that he couldn't find the right ring, so I just told him to pick one that represented both of you the most. Didn't take long after that."
"I couldn't have done it without him, in other words," Killian quipped, as Emma wrapped an arm around her son's shoulders, before placing a swift kiss on his head.
"Well, either way, it's beautiful," Mary-Margaret said. "Now the question is; when's the wedding going to be?"
"Yeah, about that," Emma said, an unusual look that no one could pick crossing his face. She glanced over at Killian, who was accepting a glass of beer from Robin in congratulations and taking a sip. "How hard do you think it would be to organise a wedding by the weekend?"
Beside her, Killian spluttered, his drink going everywhere as he coughed wildly.
"Wait, what?!"
Yeah, I imagine after everything that's happened that it wouldn't take long for these two to marry (I really hope not anyway), so what better way to do it sooner rather than later. And although I imagine Emma being the one to propose if it happens, it wouldn't surprise me if Killian turned the tables on her and proposed back. It's very like him anyway!
So, since I'm going to continue this for a little while, the next chapter will be a short one about the preparations for the wedding, and considering the short time frame Emma set, should be interesting. I haven't been this excited about my writing in a while so I'm enjoying it while I can :)
If anybody would like to know what the engagement ring looks like, search 'braided engagement rings' on google. My boyfriend, who studied geology at university, suggested it to me after I was stuck on an idea for one and they really are interesting to look at. The one I used in here was a gold one which took a little bit of searching to get.
Thanks for reading :D Please review if you can. Please remember though, that I DO NOT tolerate flames, but KIND constructive criticism is accepted. If you have any ideas or suggestions for this story, also feel free to PM me. I won't be doing many chapters, but ideas are always appreciated.
