A/N: This chapter brings another flash forward but what a world of difference. It up on Emma and Killian after a year of being together and as such it is far fluffier (and smuttier) than the chapters before. Hope you guys enjoy!

December 31st, 2016 – Boston, MA

"I can't believe this is the last time we'll all be here."

Mary Margaret muffled a sniffle with her hand as she looked around the nearly empty apartment. All that remained were some last boxes of Emma's belongings and that same, floor-length mirror in which Ruby and Emma were looking now. The lease was up at midnight, and after eight good years, Emma was saying bye to the first real home she'd ever known.

But the wonderful thing about the past year was that she'd learned a critical lesson – change, scary and intimidating as it may be, was good. Despite her anxieties, she thrived every time she tried something new in 2016 and on those very rare cases where she hadn't she'd had the support of her friends to pick her back up.

Oh and Killian of course. Yeah, the world's hottest, sweetest and most adorably geeky man was hers and over the last year they'd been as close to inseparable as possible while juggling their two careers. The year had begun with Killian (and by extension the band) relocating to Boston while they cooled down from a full touring season. While there, Legal Piracy added the final songs to their next album during the day and Emma's nights had been filled with romantic moments with her favorite guy. And sex. A lot of fabulous, hot, often dirty sex. Yeah, Emma Swan was a lucky girl. That she was sure of. The thought made her smile, something she couldn't seem to stop doing most of the time these days.

To make sure she and Killian could keep close when the eventual craziness of the music mill came back, Emma looked into alternate employment and happily discovered that her firm was looking to merge with an LA branch. Now she worked as a liaison for both companies and oversaw the crisis management divisions in both cities. The work was crazy but allowed for the mobility she needed and the access to both coasts that Killian's life required.

"This place did right by us over the years, but now we're at the next chapter."

Ruby looked at the beautiful rose cut diamond adorning her ring finger, and that special smile reserved only for Graham came to her face. Her normally flowing locks were pulled back loosely with hanging tendrils, clipped together in an ornate hairpin with a silver wolf and a crescent moon. When Ruby originally said yes to his proposal, Graham and Ruby flew to Europe for an impromptu pre-honeymoon as they called it. Other than tons of PDA filled pictures, Ruby's only trinket from the trip was this hairpiece. Now she wore it often and Emma noticed that more subtly wolf-themed items had made their way into the townhouse Ruby and Graham shared over in Kenmore Square.

"I know, I just – I don't know – I worry that things will never be like they were when the three of us lived here together. I can't believe it's been two whole years," Mary Margaret said.

Emma tore her attention away from her reflection in the mirror, assured her gold (yes fully gold again, life with Killian felt like that after all) dress looked all right, and pulled Mary Margaret close beside her and slipped her arm around her waist. She looked at Mary Margaret through the mirror and smiled sympathetically.

"Things are different, yeah, but things are good. They're real good. Baby Eva is beautiful and healthy and so happy. You and David are still grossly affectionate despite the whole wacky baby sleep cycle, and your students are freakishly engaged and excited for eighth graders. Ruby," Emma pulled her other best friend in to her other hip, "has found that even bankers can be bad boys. She's marrying the man of her dreams and finally opening the restaurant she's always wanted. And I… well clearly 2016 was way better. In fact, I'd say it was my best yet. Our best yet."

Emma nudged her hip into Mary Margaret's playfully and the other woman laughed, a few small tears escaping as she did.

"Yeah I know you're right. Just promise me we'll always be best friends."

"Well duh I promise," Ruby replied. Mary Margaret looked expectantly at Emma who pulled her into a larger side hug.

"Right now, in this moment, I have everything, and you guys are a huge part of that everything. You're more than my best friends. You're my family. So yes, I promise that we will always, always have each other. Now no more crying. You may be a mom but Eva's staying overnight with your parents and we are meeting our men in…. shit, twenty minutes. God how do we keep getting worse at this whole being on time thing?" Emma asked.

"That'll be this years to-do," Ruby replied and the three women laughed again. Donning their jackets and grabbing their bags, the three headed out and hailed a cab back to Luna.

"Dave, mate, you may want to take it easy there, that drink isn't going anywhere." Killian watched as David practically chugged his pint of beer but at the comment David seemed to realize how ridiculous his actions were. He put the glass down and shook his head with a small chuckle.

"Sorry, habit. Mary Margaret and I have taken to speed eating because Eva's bound to interrupt at some point."

Killian nodded in understanding. He admired the man for his dedication and unwavering loyalty to his wife and child. Though he'd only really known David the past year, the two of them were definitely kindred spirits. He'd certainly been very lucky that Emma's two best friends and sisters were not only lovely themselves, but had found good and honorable men to love. His life was all the richer for knowing them and each of them not only meshed well with him, but with his band mates as well.

"So, 2016 was a good year for you: four Grammys, another platinum record, and a band documentary that's winning awards at every festival. How are you gonna beat that?"

David's tone was teasing. He knew he'd intentionally left Emma out and that Killian's most valued occurrence of the year was winning the heart of such a magnificent woman and finding a way for the two of them to blend their lives together. They had moved in together a few months ago, but Emma had held on to her old apartment until the lease was up tonight. He would never deserve her, but Killian worked every day towards being a man who could. He absently fingered the interior pocket of his leather jacket while he answered David.

"I'm gonna convince Emma to marry me. Then, if she'll have me, I plan to make her my wife as quickly as possible."

Truth was Killian had already been ready to ask her last year. Quick as the fall had been, he knew, even in those first few hours that this was the woman he'd most desire to spend his life with. His fantasies changed in the past year from the often hazy and lusty thoughts he'd had after their first meeting to vivid musings on all the ways he'd like to please her. Time had given him intimate knowledge of all things Emma. Like how she let out that delicate purr when he took his time kissing and biting near the pulse in her neck. Or how she loved taking the reins but secretly craved following orders in their bed.

She still knew how to surprise him, though. Just last week she'd lured him into the coat room of a classy restaurant they'd been dining at with Will and his girlfriend Belle and dropped to her knees, taking his cock into her mouth and very nearly causing his head to explode with pleasure. In return he'd spent hours worshipping her as she deserved when they'd gotten back home.

Yet sprinkled in with his dirtier daydreams were others, like ones of him teaching his sons and daughters to kick around the football or play the guitar. He envisioned a whole life of school plays and homework and late night hot cocoa breaks alongside his lovely Swan. He dreamed of showing Emma and his kids his home back across the sea and buying a sail boat or two to fill his time when the band eventually slowed their recording and touring. But mostly, he dreamed of holding Emma and loving her through everything forever and always. Yeah he was a bloody goner and he was thrilled to be since Emma seemed just as blissfully happy as he.

"Shouldn't take much. Your love is true and so is hers. Only a matter of time, really." David mused.

"Only a matter of time until what?" Mary Margaret asked as she and Emma approached. Ruby had moved towards the bar where Graham was getting their next round.

Both David and Killian rose to greet them but Killian's words caught in his throat, strangled, when he saw Emma's dress. Just as tight and short as the one from the night he'd met her, she was a vision of golden loveliness. She was his goddess, his savior, and if the smirk on her face was anything to go off of, she knew it and the effect this choice was having on him.

"Cat got your tongue, Captain?" She whispered so low only he could hear as she came up and hugged him.

Gripping her waist tightly he felt himself get hard at her little endearment. Not very convenient but bound to happen when Emma was so near and dressed for sin. When she pulled away he saw the faint blush of desire on her cheeks and knew that despite her bravado she was just as effected as he.

"I was just thinking how lucky I am. I love you Emma."

The unexpectedly affectionate words pulled the cockiness from Emma's eyes but the heat remained. Now swimming in those emerald green irises was the favorite look of Emma's he'd yet to see. It was trust of the purest kind, one he'd worked hard to achieve with this woman who for many years had kept walls around her heart. Now, though, there was nothing between them. Except these blasted clothes which he couldn't bloody well strip off in the middle of the crowded bar.

"Not to interrupt…" said Graham from behind Emma. Killian kissed Emma quickly then spun her to face the others holding her firmly against him still. His erection pressed into the small of her back and the flush returned to her cheeks but she tried to focus on Graham and Ruby as best as he could. "But we better get going or we'll be late."

"Late for what? The band hasn't even gone on yet."

Mary Margaret looked at Graham like he was crazy and Ruby tucked further into the crook of his arm, muffling her laugh into his chest. Whatever was going on, Mary Margaret and Emma's confusion clearly made it all the funnier.

"Well our wedding of course." Graham said matter of factly. "Our ride leaves in thirty minutes, and we better be on it."

Mary Margaret turned to David demanding answers and he simply kissed her and then assured her that he had everything covered. Emma too was concerned but a handful of words from Killian were enough for her.

"Trust me, Swan. It'll be a night to remember."

Emma let Killian slip her coat back on her shoulders and felt the tingle spread on her skin as he lingered with the tips of his fingers on her arms and then her collar bone. He was entirely too attractive for his own good and now they were going somewhere else so her plan to steal the back room while the band was playing… well that plan was out the window. The six of them walked outside and Emma shivered, this time from the actual piercing cold of the New England night.

"You two so would do me like this on a night when it's maybe seventeen degrees. Better be some wedding."

Emma was really only half kidding as she stood there shivering in her heels and dress. There was half a second where she worried her skin would turn to ice until a limo pulled up in front of them. A year ago this would have been a big to-do, but in the whirlwind of 2016, this had become somewhat normal.

"It will be," Ruby replied and then pulled Graham by the tie around his neck into the limo as the others followed behind.

"So why do you guys know but not Emma and I?" Mary Margaret asked. She was clearly impressed with the interior of the car but still slightly worried. She wasn't typically a fan of surprises. David whispered in her ear, but Emma still caught it.

"Because my beautiful wife deserves something special, and I intend to give it to her." Relaxing back into him, Mary Margaret happily sighed, placated. Emma meanwhile turned to Killian and raised her eyebrow, a new habit she'd learned from him.

"And I don't know because?" Killian, unlike David, knew exactly how to keep his tone low and gruff enough to avoid the others overhearing with his response.

"Because we both know I've never led you astray when you've given me control." Killian watched as she clamped her legs tighter together, squirming slightly in her seat to try and alleviate the ache that was back full force. Now was certainly not the time to want to climb on him and fuck him into the next year, but later she was using this need to bring them both some much-needed satisfaction.

The rest of the drive passed with a companionable ease as the six of them discussed the past year, the ups and the downs. Ruby made everyone go around and make a resolution, which soon deteriorated into a game of innuendos between the men (that of course Killian won). Meanwhile Emma, Ruby, and Mary Margaret laughed to keep from groaning, half from desire and half over the immaturity of it. When the limo finally stopped, Emma looked outside to see they were on a tarmac.

"You're getting married at an airport?" Mary Margaret was trying her best to make the best of it and Emma could sense her trying to piece together an uplifting or positive metaphor for a union surrounded by planes until it finally dawned on her that this was not their ride. They were here to board one of said jets.

"But Eva-" Mary Margaret began.

"Will be fine for the weekend with your Mom and Dad, who by the way practically begged me to take you away. You are a wonderful mother, Mary Margaret," David said as he reached for her hands now balled into tight fists of worry, "but you need a break. We both need just a moment. It'll all be all right."

It took her a moment, but she finally nodded and with that they all exited the car and made a beeline for the ginormous jet in front of them. It seemed awful lavish for six people. The thing probably rivaled air force one. When they were all buckled into their seats, preparing for take off, Emma spoke up.

"Now will you tell us where we're going?" Emma pleaded.

"St. Lucia. We're going to St. Lucia, and I am getting married on a beach. Happy now?" Ruby answered. Graham stole a kiss from his feisty bride to be and she lost herself in the moment with him until he pulled back and replied.

"Ecstatic."

Emma's attention didn't stay on Ruby and Graham for long, as she felt Killian drawing lazy circles on her thigh. Why was he tormenting her like this, getting her ready for more when they clearly couldn't do anything about it? Adventurous as she had become in the past year, she was not even remotely interested in trying to have sex in an airplane bathroom, and she'd spare her friends the free show.

"Curious as to why Graham procured such a large vessel for this trip, Swan?"

Killian's breath on her neck caused goose bumps to pebble on her flesh and a shiver of anticipation to course through her veins. She met his eyes silently pleading with him to just tell her already.

"It was the only one with three separate bedrooms flying out of Boston."

As he spoke the words, Emma's fingers began itching for contact. Her hand flew down and gripped his thigh and he bit back a curse at the force of it. As the plane began its take off and eventual ascent, the six of them waited impatiently, completely consumed in their individual couples, for the fasten seatbelt sign to shut off. When it finally did, they barely made their excuses to each other and split off into the three available compartments.

Maneuvering quickly to the far end of the plane, Killian opened the door to their room. Oh thank, God, a bed, and a big one at that. Emma could almost die from happiness. With the door firmly shut behind them, Emma pushed Killian against it and went in for a hard and fast kiss. Nibbling at his lower lip and pulling a groan from the back of his throat, she arched for closeness and the feel of him against her. She felt Killian's hands searching the back of her dress for her zipper, and once he'd located it, pulling it down quickly but carefully. She stepped out and felt the heat of his gaze intensify as he looked at her standing completely naked in front of him.

"Christ have you been bare for me all night, love?"

He ran his hand over his face as she nodded then tugged at his jacket pushing it off of him. With his help, they quickly left a trail of clothes on the floor of the room leading towards the bed. As her legs hit the side of the plush mattress he gently lay her down on the bed. Then all gentleman courtesy went out the fucking window and the charming, boyish man he was in public turned into her own personal sex-god pirate. Driving her just near enough to the edge to cry out for more with the slow perusal of his hands, he pulled back and removed the touch of their skin save for his mouth on hers. She growled in frustration and pulled him down to her, earning her a smile against her lips.

"Something wrong, Emma?" he teased.

"Hell yeah something's wrong. I want to come. Like yesterday." She raised one of her legs and hooked it behind his thigh leveraging her hips up to meet his own. He growled low and deep but held his ground.

"Patience love. I plan to keep you coming near the entirety of this journey."

Then mercifully he showed her how. Lowering his head to her nipple and roughly tugging at one with his mouth he pulled a loud cry from her and prompted her hands to fly to his hair. With his hand he teased and pleased her until finally she was coming so hard and so good her heart felt near to full with the dizzying sensation.

The scratch of his short beard with the gentle pressure of his kisses as he moved down her body drew her near mad as it always did and in record time she was headed towards the precipice again. When he made it down between her legs, he let out a slow breath, knowing the coolness of the air always caused her to pant with wanting. Then he devoured her. It wasn't slow, but fast and oh so good. Emma tried to keep from pushing her heat harder into his face but failed and he took her eagerness as permission to go further. Fixated on her clit, his tongue and lips worked her into a tight spring of need, then his fingers pushed inside her and she couldn't keep from screaming out his name.

She recovered quickly and though her muscles were tired and taught, she wanted to return the favor somehow. Yet, instead of sucking him off as she knew he loved, she pushed him back to a kneeling position then turned over and rose on her hands and knees. Angling up to him so he could take her from behind she watched as the control he had been grasping to snapped and his hands ran up and cupped the firm globes of her ass. Kneading the muscles there earned him a throaty plea from Emma but he moved on gathering her long golden hair into his hands. He pulled and the sharp feeling (not exactly painful, but definitely tugging) made her even wetter for him. Knowing she was ready for him, he entered swiftly and she moved her hands to he headboard gripping and moaning as he plunged in and out, hitting that spot so deep and driving her crazy. When he was close he moved his hand to her clit and roughly stroked and she was gone then so was he. It was pure ecstasy.

Spent and happily sated, they both held each other in their afterglow keeping close but neither speaking. After lying there for some time, Emma pulled out of his embrace to his confusion. She was shifting around on the ground looking for something amongst their clothes. Whatever she'd been searching for though was soon abandoned and Killian heard her release a rough breath.

"Everything okay love?" He asked.

When she turned he found the cause of such a response. There, caught between her trembling fingers, was his mother's ring. The one he'd kept on his person damn near every second over the last year. All the while he'd been looking for the right time to propose, to make a perfect moment for his beloved. To see her with it caused his heart to skip painfully.

"I'm going to ask you, but not tonight. When I ask you - when it's time - you'll know." Emma continued to stare down at the beautiful ring and nodded. She put it back in his jacket pocket and whispered

"Yeah I will. And I'll say yes."

Unable to rein in the love in his heart, Killian crawled off the bed and brought Emma back with him. Now he knew, really knew, that she felt as he did. He had to ask her officially. And he had to ask her soon. Emma was snuggled close to his chest and Killian lowered his head, kissing her hair gently and thanking the Gods for granting him such a precious gem.

Post-Note: So the last chapter brings not only the Graham/Ruby wedding, but a proposal for CS as well because what better way to bring in the new year? Anyway thanks for reading and let me know what you thought!