Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time

Part IV

Do you remember we were sitting there by the water

You put your arm around me for the first time

You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter

You are the best thing that's ever been mine

Do you remember all the city lights on the water

You saw me start to believe for the first time

You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter

You are the best thing that's ever been mine

- "Mine" Taylor Swift


Nine Months Later

"I just want to make sure you're sure about this." David said calmly, "I'm not telling you no."

"Mate, I feel like you're trying to tell me not to ask Swan to marry me." Killian crossed his arms.

David ran a hand over his face, "All I'm saying, is that you're sure. You guys have barely known each other a year, and I just want to make sure you're sure. This means you can never walk away."

"Why would I walk away from her?" Killian asked.

"You guys have broken up four different times in the last year." David reminded him. "And I know it hasn't just been your fault. I know Emma's difficult. I am the only other person who knows her like you do. And the next time she panics," he pointed to the box, "when you show her that, you can't let her walk away. You have to fight harder for her."

"David, I know, I know we've been down a bumpy road, but that doesn't matter anymore. All that matters is our future. And she's the best bloody thing that's ever happened to me. I'd be a fool to let her go."

David tipped his chair back in the coffee shop, "Okay, okay I give. You're not going anywhere." He held his hand out, "Go for it, mate." He mocked.

Killian grinned and shook his hand, "Thanks, Dave."

OUAT

"Everything is set up at the pier." Ruby confirmed, "All you have to do is get her there." She glanced around at the handiwork of Regina, Mary Margaret and herself. It looked quite romantic if she did say so herself. And David, Victor and Robin were charged with keeping other passerbys away from the pier before Killian arrived with Emma.

Killian groaned through the phone, "Really, Ruby? That's all I have to do."

Ruby snickered, "Someone's bloody nervous." She mocked.

"I really wish you Americans would stop trying to butcher my accent and stop using my phrases against me. And of course I'm nervous, I'm proposing."

"David wasn't nervous." Ruby taunted, referring to the engagement of David and Mary Margaret seven months ago, leading to a wedding next month.

"Well, sorry, love, but I'm no Prince Charming and Emma is no Snow White. We're actual human begins, not fairytale characters." Killian snapped, "I'm going to get her from work now. We'll be there in an hour traffic and her job willing."

"Good luck!" Ruby called out, Regina and Mary Margaret echoing her sentiments.

"We should get out of here." Regina checked her watch, "David said he made sure she was getting off before Killian showed up so she'd be ready to go."

"She's going to love this." Mary Margaret sighed, "Oh, I love love."

"Do you frolic through the forest and sing with animals in your spare time?" Regina asked tiredly, "Doesn't that happy go lucky, zippety doo dah attitude ever get tiring?"

Mary Margaret rolled her eyes, "Not in the least. Does your evil queen attitude ever get tiring?"

"Oh, biting sarcasm and wit, what a nice change." Regina sneered.

"Okay ladies, let's go." Ruby hustled them towards the edge of the pier. "And why do I have to play peace keeper, you know I'd much rather be the one fighting." She grumbled.

OUAT

"Killian," Emma whined, "I'm tired and I just want to take a bath and piss Regina off with the water usage for today." She pouted at him, "You could take a bath with me and we could piss her off with more than one thing." She suggested.

Killian picked up her hand and brushed his lips against the backs of her knuckles, "Later, love. I have a surprise planned for you."

"I'm not sure it can top your last surprise." She poked his ribs, "Unless, is The Swan done already?" She asked quickly, "I thought it took longer to build boats." She referred to the boat he designed and named after her.

Killian shook his head, "No, it's still got a few more months of work left. If you'd like we can venture out this weekend and you can see the progress. They're doing a bloody gorgeous job on it."

"As if you'd have it any other way." Emma murmured with a soft smile, her hand raising to brush along the edge of his jaw. Leaning forward, she placed a kiss there. "I love you."

When he'd parked by the pier, he turned to face her, "I love you too, Emma."

Looking over his shoulder, she quirked an eyebrow at him, "Why are we at the pier?"

Killian opened his car door and before she could react, rounded the car and was helping her out, "Let's go for a walk. I need to talk to you about something."

Emma felt her stomach plummet slightly at that. Talking was never a good thing. He loved her though. Nodding, she latched onto his hand, hoping the contact would make whatever was about to come harder for him if it was bad.

"Everything is fine, love. Please calm down." Killian whispered against her temple, his lips brushing against her ear, "I promise."

Nodding, Emma whispered, "Of course."

Chuckling, Killian responded, "Perhaps suggesting we talk was not the best idea. I have a question for you, and I hope it's one you're going to like." He motioned ahead of them to the edge of the pier.

"Killian?" Emma whispered with a questioning look, "Did you?"

"Well, technically Mary Margaret, Ruby and Regina, but they were to follow specific instructions and Victor oversaw the project to make sure none of them added their own ideas." He chuckled, "I couldn't trust Robin not to cave to Regina and Dave was too busy making sure you got off work."

Walking a head of him, Emma's eyes scanned the candles that lined the dock and the various flower arrangements. Luckily it wasn't a windy day so everything was staying in place, "Killian, it's beautiful." When she turned she found him on one knee. "Oh my God." She murmured.

"Emma," Killian took a deep breath, "before I met you I was simply floundering. I was looking for something, anything, special to hold onto. And when you knocked your hot cocoa over in that diner, I knew you were different, but I never thought I'd see you again. When you were at that party all I could think was how did I get so lucky and how do I get he to entertain the idea of spending a little time with me? This last year hasn't always been easy, but we always find our way back to each other. I can promise you that, no matter what life throws at us, I will never walk away from you. I know you've been hurt before. I know I've hurt you. I know life hasn't been easy for you, but if you'll let me, I intend on spending the rest of my life making up for the past. I love you Emma Swan. I love you like I've never loved anyone else. So, will you marry me?"

Biting her lip, Emma dropped down to her knees in front of him, "Yes." She nodded as he slipped the ring on her finger, "Yes." She whispered, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer, "Yes." Loud cheering behind them tore them out of their bubble. Their friends, along with a rather large gathering of passerbys, were clapping for them. "Yes." She whispered again in his ear.

XOXO

MAS