I just wanted to thank my new Beta, dreamerwriter15, who is super awesome and has helped with this chapter and the one before it. Hopefully now my stuff won' be too full of mistakes.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Once Upon A Time...just the idea for this story.

Masquerade

Emma couldn't stop staring at her ring. She couldn't believe she was so lucky to find her true love. She walked by a mirror in the castle corridor and saw she was grinning like an idiot.

What is wrong with me?! I've always been the way opposite of this! Tough and all that. Stupid pirate turned me into a giggling girl she said to herself.

Yeah, but you love him, another voice said. You're allowed to act like a giggly schoolgirl once in a while Emma.

Yeah, but don't count on it being a regular thing.

Just wait until you have a baby.

Shut up. It is way too soon to think about that! Great! Now I feel like I'm crazy.

Emma shook off the 'conversation' and continued on. She and Killian had returned to the castle a couple of days before and her parents (along with baby Neal) were waiting to greet her and give their congratulations. Snow started talking about the ball that Saturday.

"I know you're not big on royal balls sweetie", Snow said as she passed Neal over to Emma.

"Well, when you have a partner who knows what he's doing, it isn't too bad", Emma replied as she winked in Killian's direction.

"Aye, lass, very true." They heard a snort from David's direction, but Snow ignored him.

"As I was saying…there's going to be a ball on Saturday in celebration of your birthday."

"You really don't-" Emma protested as Neal grabbed a tiny fistful of her hair.

"We want to", said David.

"I'm only going to be 31. Not that important of an age you know." Emma pulled her hair from Neal's hand, "This kid is going to make me bald. Here Killian, he adores you." She handed Neal to a surprised Killian.

"I don't think I should", he said. Emma rolled her eyes,

"You've held him before. Just relax." Neal immediately reached up and grabbed Killian's chest hair. "And that, buddy, is why you button up." He smirked at her and attempted to get the little prince's grip to loosen.

"Can I finally finish?" asked Snow as she crossed her arms. Emma just looked at her, "Since we're so close to Halloween, I thought it'd be nice to do a masquerade."

"So you're basically throwing me a costume party for my birthday?" Emma asked.

"Basically, but it's more…fancy", replied David. "Snow was actually a big fan of Halloween back in the Land Without Magic. She had this planned out ages ago, as soon as we returned I'm sure."

"I kinda really liked Halloween too you know", said Emma. So now, she had to think of a costume, but no sooner did she think that that the idea popped into her head. "I've got it!"

"What have you got love?" Killian asked.

"The perfect costumes for us…Pirate."

cscscscscscscscscscscscscscsCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCScscscscscscscscscscscscscscs

The day of the birthday ball arrived and it pretty much went the way coronation day had: hair and make-up…all the stuff Emma was never truly fond of. When it was time to dress, Emilie brought in Emma's gown that she'd described to the royal tailors as best she could: a close enough mint green gown replica of one of Princess Buttercup's dresses from The Princess Bride. Emma went with some matching flats and the other tiara her mother had given her, the one she'd worn to Rumple and Belle's reception. Emilie had done Emma's hair like Buttercup's as well, thanks to Emma being able to describe it to her as best she could. Her mask was a golden filigree design with jewels; simple, yet beautiful and for the first time, she couldn't wait for the ball.

Killian was the lucky one; all he had to do was wear his own black shirt and leather pants…and a black mask, since he was the other half of the costumed couple. He'd be dressing as Dread Pirate Roberts, or as he said he preferred to be called, Dread Pirate Jones. He wasn't happy that Emma had told him he'd have to wait to see her costume until the ball. She told him that she wanted it to be a surprise.

She stood in front of the mirror in her room as Emilie tied the mask onto her face.

"You look beautiful Princess", she said, "Commander Jones won't know what hit him."

"Thanks Emilie", Emma said as she turned around. "I appreciate everything you've done for me you know. I'm sorry if I was difficult in the beginning. I'm not used to this kind of thing, as I'm sure you know."

"It's no problem Princess." There was a knock on the door and Snow came in with Henry and David. Emilie curtseyed and left the room.

"Kid, what are you wearing?" Emma asked when she got a good look at him. He was wearing black knee high boots, black riding breeches, black shirt, black leather vest, and what appeared to be a smaller version of Killian's leather jacket. "Are you-"

"Yes mom, I'm dressed as Killian", said Henry with an eye roll and an arching of the eyebrow.

"You've been spending way too much time with him", said David with a laugh. He was wearing a red outfit with silver accents that reminded Emma of the outfit he was wearing when he woke Snow White from her first sleeping curse, just like in the pictures of Henry's storybook with his gold mask pushed up on his head.

"Well, he's going to be my stepdad soon, so…" Henry gave a smirk very reminiscent of Killian and Emma just shook her head.

"Anyways…" said Snow. "Your father and I have a birthday present for you Emma." She was wearing a knee length green dress, matching green slippers with white poofs on the fronts, her hair pulled up in a bun on the top her head, and her mask was a match to Emma's, just green.

"Wait a second", said Emma, putting her hands up. "Are you dressed as Tink?"

"Yes", replied Snow with a look that said So?

"Okay then. You said something about a present?" David produced a flat, square box from behind his back and opened it. Inside was a long string of pearls.

"They're beautiful! Thanks Mom, thanks Dad." Emma took them from the box and put them on.

"It's time to go", said Snow, "You don't want to be late to your own party, do you?"

The four of them made their way down to the ballroom and entered unannounced. They would be removing their masks when David made the engagement announcement.

"Hey, I'm going to find Mom and Robin", said Henry.

"I'm sure she's going to love your costume", said Emma to his retreating back. The band started playing just then and David offered Emma his hand.

"Would the birthday girl care for a dance?" he asked with a bow.

"Yes Your Majesty", Emma replied with a curtsey. David led her out to the dance floor and they danced until someone tapped David on the shoulder.

"May I cut in?" asked Killian.

"Have fun you two", David said and handed Emma over to Killian.

"Have you seen Henry?" asked Emma.

"Yes, I saw the young prince. I've got to say, the lad has cheek. He does make a dashing captain though."

"I knew you'd love it." Killian laughed,

"You look stunning Swan", he said.

"You're a better looking Westley than Cary Elwes ever was", she replied.

"Who and who?"

"Don't worry about it. Let's just have fun, it's my birthday."

"I have to say, I like this side of you darling: carefree and happy and such."

"It's thanks to all of you: my mom and dad, Henry, baby Neal, you…even Regina and Robin and Roland, this whole big and weird family. I did what I was brought to Storybrooke to do: bring back the happy endings", said Emma.

"I'd do anything for you love and so would the rest of this 'big and weird' family as you say", said Killian as they sashayed across the dance floor. "How about we sneak away?"

"I thought you'd never ask." Killian pulled her through the crowd and they were almost away, when someone called out.

"Emma!" They turned to see Elsa heading towards them in an ice blue gown and white mask.

"Elsa, how are you?" asked Emma as she hugged the Queen.

"Your Majesty, it's a delight to see you again", said Killian. "How is your sister, Princess Anna?"

"She's doing very well Commander. She and Kristoff got married right after you all returned to the Enchanted Forest and I'm happy to report that they'll be having a baby!"

"That's awesome! Are they here?" asked Emma.

"No", replied Elsa, "They're in Arendelle. Anna hasn't wanted to travel by ship since our parents."

"I don't blame her." Emma, Killian, and Elsa sat and talked until David found them.

"Come on you two, it's time!"

They excused themselves from Elsa and followed David up to the dais that had been set up at one end where Snow stood waiting. Everyone removed their masks as David held up his hands for quiet.

"I'd like to thank everyone for being here to celebrate our daughter's birthday. We lost her so long ago, but as you know, our family has a saying: we will always find each other. And we did. Now she's here, with us." David looked over at Emma and held out his hand to her and she went to stand next to him.

"That's why her father and I couldn't be happier to make a big announcement", said Snow and she held her hand out to Killian, who took it and stood next to her. "We'd like to announce the engagement of our daughter, Princess Emma, to Commander Killian Jones of the White Royal Navy!" Killian took Emma's hand and everyone started cheering. Emma saw Henry standing with Regina in the front of the crowd and waved.

"Kiss!" he yelled and Emma's cheeks flushed pink. Unfortunately, his cry got the whole crowd worked up and they all started chanting,

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" Killian turned to Emma,

"What do you say Swan?" She just smiled and he pulled her close, dipped her back, and planted a (chaste) kiss on her lips as everyone cheered.

cscscscscscscscsccscscsCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCScscscscscscscscsccscscs

Emma was walking through the ball room actually enjoying a royal ball for once. Really enjoying it, not just because it was celebrating her, but because it was celebrating Killian as well. She looked over to where he was laughing and talking with Victor and Robin, both masquerading as themselves, and she was happy that the tension that had been on his shoulders since Arendelle was gone.

"Hey Princess! Come join us!" someone called, breaking Emma out of her daydream. Emma looked over to see Ruby seated at a table with Ella, Aurora, Belle, and Elsa. Emma took a seat next to Ruby. "So Emma, when's the wedding?"

"We just got engaged like, five days ago Ruby", replied Emma, "I have no idea."

"I wouldn't put it past Snow to have the date chosen already." Emma rolled her eyes, but couldn't help agreeing with Ruby.

"I agree. If I know Snow, she's had it planned since you and Killian started going out back in Storybrooke", said Ella.

"I'm happy for you Emma", said Elsa, "Especially after everything that's happened. I'm sorry about all the trouble I caused in Storybrooke and with what happened back in Arendelle." Emma took hold of Elsa's gloved hand.

"Storybrooke wasn't your fault, Elsa. You were scared and in a world you didn't understand. As for what happened in Arendelle, that was all me. I used magic that I shouldn't have and as we all know…"

"Magic comes with a price", finished Belle.

"Today is a happy day", said Aurora, "It does not do well to dwell on the past."

"I agree", said Belle. "So, tell us! Have you thought about a Maid of Honor?"

"Honestly, that's something I have been thinking about, which I find very weird because it's not something that I used care about.", replied Emma. "My best friend when I got to Storybrooke was my mother, but she won't be able to be Maid of Honor so…" She looked over at Ruby and smiled, "Ruby…?"

"Yes! I'd be honored!" cried Ruby as she pulled Emma up into a hug, drawing the attention of Victor, Killian, and Robin who sauntered over.

"What's got you all excited Red?" asked Victor.

"I'm going to be Emma's Maid of Honor!"

"My Swan could not have made a better choice", said Killian.

"How about you sir" asked Robin, "Given any thought to your choice for Best Man?" Killian scratched behind his ear,

"I don't know, I'll have to think about it", he said. "Enough wedding talk, I'd like to steal my fiancée for a dance." He offered a hand to Emma and led her out to the dance floor, where the song that had been playing at Midas' ball started up. He and Emma shared a laugh as they danced.

cscscscscscscscsccscscsCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCScscscscscscscscsccscscs

Near the end of the evening, a big cake was brought out: several tiers high, it was white with blue ribbon around the bottom of each tier and had swans painted on the sides with icing. On the top was a candle in the shape of a blue star. Emma stood next to it as everyone in the ballroom sang happy birthday to her. Killian took her hand as she was about to blow out the candle,

"Make a wish darling", he said. She turned to look at him with a big smile on her face,

"Why? I've got all I need right here", she said and blew out the candles.

As always, don't forget to leave a nice little review.

On another note: OMG COMIC CON YOU GUYS! EEEEEE! SEASON 4 IS GOING TO BE AMAZING! Only TWO MONTHS to go! AND KILLIAN IS GETTING MODERN CLOTHES THIS SEASON!