AU where Emma and Killian have been in a relationship for a year and he asks her to move in. She said no and prepares to run, but realizes she doesn't want to– not from him. Too bad her car won't start back up and public transport is down. Of course she chose the night of a horrible blizzard to have this realization.

Emma felt like she'd been walking for hours through the deserted streets of Boston on this cold winter's night. The harsh wind blew at her golden hair that a white knit cap was failing to contain and where the cold touched, she felt a sharp pricking at her skin. But she couldn't stop, she needed to get to him. Of course her stupid phone had died as had her car. The snow, now quickly piling up, had shut down the T and the bus lines, but she had to get to him.

Earlier tonight he'd asked her to move in with him and she'd panicked. Things didn't usually go well for her in relationships and for almost a year they had been. Killian had shown Emma everything that love was supposed to be. He was faithful and strong and present, and it certainly didn't hurt that she was painfully attracted to him. But old habits die hard, and in the past when people got too close she always ran. That was her nature, and it was near impossible to fight against. Now she was paying for it as she walked against the harsh winds of what the radio was calling the biggest blizzard of the past twenty years.

Just three more blocks. You can do this, Emma. She pushed forward, trying to busy her mind with what she'd say. How she'd beg him to forgive her, and try to explain that it wasn't about him. It was never about him – she had baggage and she had to be the one to throw it away. But how could she say that in a way that didn't sound like she was playing the victim?

"Excuse me, Miss?" Emma heard the voice from behind her. She turned to find a frantic looking woman who appeared to have faced about as much as this storm as Emma had, which was saying something. "Have you seen a golden retriever anywhere around here? I was walking my dog and the leash broke and she took off after one of those sanding trucks. I've been looking everywhere and I know she's probably g - g – gone." The choked out sob at the end of the statement tore at Emma's heart. She'd never had a dog, but she could only imagine what losing one would be like.

"No I'm sorry. What's her name?"

"Jenna. I know it's a kind of stupid name, but my son watched that movie Balto a few years ago and went through a phase where he thought all girl dog's that lived in houses were named Jenna." Emma smiled at the little anecdote. This made this all the harder, she had a son, a son who was likely worried about his best friend.

"Well I have to head about three more blocks this way, and I can look for her. Here, give me your number and I will call you if I find her, alright?" The woman nodded thankfully and hurried to type in her number though her hands were shaking. Emma patted the woman's arm. "You'll find her."

"Thanks, I'm sorry I didn't catch your name."

"It's Emma. And I didn't catch yours either."

"Elsa." Emma nodded.

"Good luck, Elsa." Then the two women parted ways. As she walked the rest of the way to Killian's apartment, she called out Jenna's name but heard no response except the dull moan of the wind through the concrete forest of Boston. Emma didn't give up hope though, she kept at it, until she was right at Killian's front door. She debated searching more but she needed to see him – needed to set the record straight. She buzzed up to his apartment and heard his voice a few moments later.

"Yes?"

"Killian it's me. I'm sorry I-" Emma swore she heard a faint bark in the distance.

"Emma, love it's okay. I shouldn't have pushed. Just come upstairs and we can talk about it." There it was again, the bark was getting slightly closer.

"Wait – I think I hear Jenna. I –" The barking was getting more frantic and Emma called out Jenna's name again. When she did, the barking doubled. "Shit – I have to go."

"Emma, no!" But she was already rushing down the icy steps to try and follow the barking. She hurried down the street until she reached an alleyway. She was about to head down it when she heard him.

"Bloody hell, Emma. Please don't leave, I'm sorry I truly am! I should have been more patient. I'll wait as long as you need honestly I-" She pulled him in for a kiss by the open collar of his jacket as a means to show him that she was not running. When she pulled back she saw confusion in his eyes.

"I am moving in with you. If you still want me, but right now – I have a dog to rescue for a little boy and his mom okay?" Emma moved down the alleyway and called out to Jenna again. This time she watched as the golden retriever in question moved out from behind a trashcan.

"Come here girl." But Jenna didn't come. She merely wagged her tail and yipped at the trashcan. Emma moved forward until she saw what had Jenna so riled up. There, shivering in the snow was a small black puppy. A lab of some kind, it looked like and Emma crouched low to take the puppy in hand. The poor little guy couldn't be more than ten weeks old and looked so painfully small in the midst of all the white snow. To warm him up, Emma opened up her jacket, and tucked him in the top with her. As she did, the puppy shakily licked at her. Despite the exhaustion and horrible cold that was no doubt pulling at it, the little guy was grateful and still so trusting.

"Killian?" Emma turned expecting to see him still at the end of the alley but he was right behind her, and he moved his hand forward to stroke the puppy's head in a calming gesture. The little dog was appeased, if still shaking. Then Killian undid the belt of his jeans and made a makeshift leash for Jenna.

"Let's go home, love." Emma nodded as they made their way back to his townhouse. Once inside, he took the black ball of fur to try and get it warmed up and some water and food as Emma called Elsa.

"Hello? Emma?"

"Yeah, Elsa it's me. I found her. She's okay." Emma heard the sigh of relief through the receiver and then the cries of glee as Emma told her son that Jenna was all right.

"How can I ever thank you?" Emma looked at Killian who was lovingly holding the small pup in his arms.

"No thanks necessary." Then Emma gave Elsa her address, and since she only lived two blocks away, she was coming over to get Jenna straight away. Soon the blonde woman was there, and this time she was joined by her son, Aiden.

"Jenna!" The boy cried as his dog ran over to lavish him with doggy kisses. Emma felt her eyes tear up at the heart warming scene and then looked over to Elsa who was actually crying. Emma invited them in, and put an arm around Elsa.

"You guys want to stay for some cocoa?" Elsa seemed to hesitate but eventually nodded. As Emma led them into the kitchen, Killian looked over and smiled.

"Elsa this is my boyfriend, Killian. Killian this is Elsa and Aiden. Jenna's family."

"Pleasure to meet you, two. Let me guess, cocoa?" Emma nodded and came around to kiss him on the cheek as he passed her four mugs to prepare. They spent the next hour talking with Elsa as Aiden played with Jenna and the new puppy. When Elsa finally made to leave, Aiden offered a potential name – Balto.

"I thought you said he went through the phase a few years ago," Emma whispered to Elsa.

"Oh no, it started a few years ago. At this rate it will never end."

"Actually lad," Killian started "I was thinking we'd name him after the storm that brought him and Emma home. Jonas." Emma smiled as she tucked closer into his chest.

"Oh that's a good one too. Okay bye Emma, bye Killian, bye Jonas!" When they were finally gone Emma turned to face Killian and tried to say the words that she'd managed to string together on her way over here originally.

"I was wrong. I thought I couldn't have this and I was scared. I didn't think I knew how to have a home that's really mine. But then I realized that I already do. You're my home and I don't want to lose you. I don't ever want to lose us." She looked up at him and watched as his eyes flooded with warmth and love.

"I've loved you from the start, Emma. A bit of cold feet isn't going to change that." Then they were kissing, melting into each other and cherishing the relief that their words provided. A soft yip eventually pulled them apart though. Emma looked down and saw Jonas looking up at them. She watched as Killian bent down to pick him up and bring him to his chest.

"As for this little rascal, I think he's a good next addition to our family." Emma's heart thumped at the mention of family and she nodded. In this moment the truth was absolutely clear – Killian (and now Jonas) was her future and she was in. She was all in.

Emma didn't know it then, but Killian was in too. He'd actually bought a ring for her a few weeks before, but he didn't present it to her for another six months. When he did, he had the help of his new best mate Jonas and he watched as Emma agreed with no hesitation. Soon they were wed and their happy little family of three grew to four and then five. And every year, when the worst of the winter storms were upon them, Killian and Emma found themselves happily reminded of the year they'd made the turn on the path to home.

My voice you didn't know, didn't know
I called you had to go, had to go
Back to your little world
Where nothing is strange

You set out on your own, on your own
You said, I'm heading home, heading home
Back to the life you know
Neatly arranged

I have done for you
Everything my love
Hear my song for you
I will not hold my tongue

It's late, your getting cold, getting cold
You try to keep warm, but you're alone, you're alone
The dark streets are empty now
And the wind starts to blow

I have done for you
Everything my love
Hear My song for you
I will not hold my tongue
Open your heart, open your heart
For I have loved you from the start

I will never harm you, come my love
So come
So come

I have done for you
Everything my love
Hear My song for you
I will not hold my tongue
Open your heart, open your heart
For I have loved you
Open your heart, open your heart
For I have loved you from the start

Post Note- Hope you all enjoyed. I wrote this fluff today because its February 1st and in the 60s. Where is my snow people? Where is my snow?