Thanks for sticking with me on this journey. This chapter is unbeta'd as I literally just finished it and want to stick with my Sunday updates. All mistakes are mine, hopefully there aren't too many. Hope you enjoy it!
18 years old
Emma woke up feeling light hearted and elated, Killian had been courting her for exactly one year. She stretched out, a smile splitting her face, as she prepared to meet this special day. Today was also their birthday once again, only this time she had succeeded in her quest to have a celebration with just her parents and her Killian.
Looking back on their year together Emma couldn't be more in love with Killian, they'd been inseparable, save for the times that his duty to the King's Navy pulled him away. (David had seen to it that Killian had a job that kept him around more, he was no longer attached to Mistahven's Marvel, but had been assigned as lead strategy officer. As these were peaceful times, he mostly worked with training operations.) They'd rode together, and picnicked at their field, they'd gone for long walks through their forest and talked endlessly, they'd even ventured to one of the local pubs several times. Of course Emma went incognito, it had become one of her favorite past times to venture out in public in disguise, she loved the anonymity. Although the King and Queen didn't love the idea, they allowed it, believing that Emma should be able to have some common experiences. The past year had been everything Emma hoped, marred only by the fact that their beloved swan Henry had passed away. She had been devastated, Killian as well, but they were there for each other which made the healing process quicker.
Killian awoke in a similar fashion, a smile on his lips as he remembered what day it was. Today marked a year since he and Emma had become a couple. He had spoken to the King only the day before asking permission regarding his intentions for today. It had been nerve wracking, but gone smoother than he'd expected.
The previous day…
As the men cleared the room after the tactical planning meeting, only Killian and David were left.
"I think that went well," David spoke.
"Aye, things are coming along well," Killian agreed half heartedly, his mind nowhere near work issues.
"So why do you look as though you have the weight of the world upon your shoulders?" the wise King questioned.
Killian's gaze shot up to the King, a look of surprise mixed with nervousness plastered on his face, "You can see that, can you?"
"I've known you your entire life, of course I can tell when something is on your mind," David answered, "why don't you have a seat and see if we can solve whatever is on your mind?"
Killian sat in the seat next to David. He took a deep breath and readied himself, don't screw it up you git, he thought to himself. "I love Emma, I love her more than I can describe. I'd like your permission and your blessing in asking for her hand in marriage," he said everything all in one breath, making him a bit dizzy from adrenaline. He scratched behind his ear as he added, "I want to ask her tomorrow, if you're amenable."
David sat back in his chair, he inhaled a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak. Just as quickly he closed it. He knew this would be coming at some point, he'd be blind not to, he just hadn't expected it this soon. Of course he had no issues with it, he was just a bit caught off guard.
Killian stared at the King, as the seconds rolled by. What was he thinking, did the King mean to deny him his dream, dash his hopes of marrying the love of his life? After everything was he found to be not worthy of the Princess' hand afterall? Rapid fire thoughts of being denied his request circulated through his head, the longer the king stayed silent, which is why Killian's jaw dropped to the table when the King finally and simply stated, "You have my permission and my blessing."
Killain sputtered and tripped over his words, "Thank you, Dav- Highness. I promise to care take of her, that is I mean to take care of her, and love her every day, you'll not regret it."
"I know I won't, you two have loved each other for longer than even I remember, plus I know where you live, you hurt her, I hurt you," David promised flashing him that signature charming smile. He knew it was an unnecessary threat, but it was still fun, he wasn't going to deprive himself of all of the joys of screening his daughter's future husband, even if he had known Killian since birth.
He rolled out of bed and went to his small chest of drawers, digging down in, he pulled out the small, black silk pouch that held the ring he'd bought for her. He'd saved for several months to buy her this ring, not that he made a habit of spending all his money, but he also didn't want to deplete the small nest egg stashed away for whatever he and his princess might need it for. It was an opal for her birthstone, with an emerald on each side, to match her eyes that he loved to see into, so expressive and pensive, set into a white gold band. After getting dressed he stuck the ring in his pocket and headed down to breakfast.
Everyone was already at the table when Emma finally wandered into the room with a dreamy look on her face.
"Happy Birthday!" her mother, father, and Killian greeted her; the King and Queen just having done the same when Killian walked into the room.
Emma startled slightly, as she'd been in thought, then thanked them smiling . She had plans for today and they involved her and just one other individual. She sat down and picked her way through breakfast as the casual conversation flowed around her. Truth be told, she wasn't very hungry, the butterflies swirling around her stomach left no room for food. She was lost in her thoughts of what today might bring.
"Emma, sweetie are you feeling okay?" her mother questioned.
"Yes, I'm fine," she blushed, "just a bit excited for our family birthday dinner tonight, finally no big ball with a bunch of people we barely know," she covered.
"Oh yes, the awful parties I force upon you both each year," Snow pouted, "there's no need to have one of those for your birthday that represents your entrance to adulthood."
David reached over to take his wife's hand, "There, there dearest, something tells me this isn't the last opportunity you'll have to celebrate with a lavish party for these two," he comforted her.
She just rolled her eyes at his optimism, not being privy to Killian's intent just yet. David had decided to let her be surprised by the news when Emma inevitably came running to tell her.
Emma was too enraptured in her own thoughts to even pay attention to the conversation, while Killian beamed at the King's secret jest in regard to Snow getting to plan wedding; that was of course so long as she said yes.
"Let's go riding today," Emma blurted out.
"Aye, love, anything you'd like, it's your birthday," he said lovingly.
"It's your birthday too," she added as usual, rising from her seat, "mom, dad, we will be out at the field, and will be home before dinner. And yes, I'll be back in time to bathe and change into the ball gown you insist I wear tonight, mom."
Snow and David smiled at the young couple, nodding their approval, "Behave yourselves, and be safe," the King stated.
Emma turned around to look at her parents, walking around the table she gave them each a hug, "I love you mom and dad," then she trotted off toward her room, asking Killian to give her 20 minutes before meeting at the stables.
Killian finished his breakfast then headed out to start getting the horses ready. He checked for the ring in his pocket for the umpteenth time as he walked toward the stables. He was buzzing with energy and excitement at the prospect of asking Emma to be his wife.
Emma ran to her room where she threw her hair back in a ponytail, put on her black riding pants, and a light blue silk shirt, throwing on her boots, she stopped once to make sure she looked okay. Smoothing her hands over her breasts in the shirt, making the fabric lie just so, she unbuttoned one more button, definitely walking the line of proper attire for a princess. Throwing her black riding jacket over it all she headed out on her mission.
To be Continued...