A/N: So I'm sure that I will end up writing another Christmas chapter this season, but I just had to have a Christmas proposal for this story. I think I've written one Christmas proposal in total and I think in retrospect that's possibly criminal of me. Anyway, this chapter is all fluff and is the last one before a short epilogue coming in the near future. Hope you all enjoy and thanks for reading!
For most kids, Christmas Eve was a time for wishes and big dreams. This was, after all, the one night a year that Santa Claus was supposed to come to town, one night when every little boy and little girl could get their heart's desire if only they'd been good enough throughout the last twelve months. If the stories were true it was a straightforward equation: good behavior in exchange for happiness, it was as simple as that.
Most kids hoped for things like puppies and ponies and video games to appear the next morning thanks to a big man in red with a jolly belly and a white beard. Emma, however, never waivered in her wishes when she was younger. All she'd ever wanted was a family. It was the same thing she wished on shooting stars for and every birthday candle but family never came, not until years later when she finally found her friends and made one of her own.
This year though, the feel of Christmas was different. Emma felt more connected than she ever had before when she'd joined Ruby at her Granny's house or Belle at her father's. This year Emma was with someone who she loved, working towards what she really hoped was a forever kind of relationship, and to be with Killian and his family on a night like this made the usual sadness of Christmas' past disappear. Instead of feeling regretful for everything Emma had missed out on as a child, all Emma felt was grounded and hopeful and a little overwhelmed from the fantastic aromas currently filling the house.
In recent months, Emma had been spoiled by dating Killian and getting to taste anything and everything he made for her, but tonight the cooking would be split between him and Elsa and as such Emma and Liam were in for a treat. In the meantime, Emma was assured by everyone that her job was simple. She was to enjoy her wine, kick up her feet after a long day at the home helping to prep Christmas for the kids, and keep Liam from starting on another tangent of his Christmas carol caterwauling. The only problem was that Liam's newborn daughter seemed to actually like the heinous attempt at singing even while the rest of them grit their teeth at the sound.
"They're all just jealous aren't they little love? Yes they are. Yes they are."
Emma smiled despite herself at the way Liam was with Arianna. She hadn't known Killian's brother an exceptionally long time but she was assured of his love for his child and his wife. Elsa and Liam were wonderful parents. They were still learning of course, and prone to a little bit of trouble from time to time, but Arianna would never be lacking for genuine affection and care, which was the best gift any kid could receive. And if her father just happened to be a terrible singer, that wasn't the end of the world. There were far worse fates than being the child of someone who couldn't hold a tune.
"The day she learns to speak is the day she lets you in on the joke brother. She's laughing at you not with you."
"That's rubbish," Liam countered only for Elsa to call over her shoulder.
"No it's really not." Liam sighed as if actually wounded but then he shifted his attention to Emma.
"So tomorrow will be your first Christmas with my little brother -,"
"Younger brother." Liam blatantly ignored the interruption.
"What's on the agenda then? I mean other than the Christmas drinks we've been invited to."
Emma looked to Killian who was smiling, no doubt enjoying the fact that he'd already called 'dibs' on time with her tonight and all day tomorrow. He'd even planned something for his family and her friends late in the evening to hedge his bets. Not that Emma was going anywhere. She knew exactly where she wanted to be on Christmas (and every day) and it was with Killian.
"We have an early Christmas dinner at the home with the kids in the afternoon but the morning's a mystery. Someone doesn't feel like telling me the rest of the plan."
In years past Emma had spent all day at Little Journeyers but this year she decided to take up the offer of going for one of the shorter holiday shifts. Some people would be there in the morning for breakfast and gifts, and others would be there in the afternoon for other general holiday merriment. For Emma though, this was time for a change in her life and she needed to embrace that. She'd still get the chance to see the kids happy and enjoying themselves but she was also choosing not to give up her whole day in the process.
"Sounds like Killian. And in the evening I'm assuming it'll be the same group as Thanksgiving?"
"With one other addition," Killian said from across the kitchen. "You two remember Will Scarlet? He'll be there."
"Oh you know what would be great? If he hit it off with Belle. She's the only friend still unmatched right?"
Emma grinned, appreciating that Elsa recalled what she'd told her about Ruby meeting a new guy in their building. Well 'meeting' was actually an interesting way of putting it. Ruby had positively pounced on the man when she saw him moving in, not that he minded. Emma had learned all of the three things about this new neighbor: his name was Graham, he was new to the city, and he was very interested in Ruby. That interest was mutual, and despite past relationships for Ruby, seemed to have a little more hope for longevity than the others before it. Theoretically that did leave Belle as the last one without a partner.
"That might actually kind of be in motion…" Elsa turned and pointed her spoon in Emma's direction as if to accuse her good-naturedly.
"It is?! And you didn't tell me?!" Emma laughed, enjoying how invested Killian's sister-in-law was in her friends' love lives. As she continued to bask in the humor Killian filled in the blanks for Elsa and Liam.
"That's on me, love. I had a hand in distracting Emma in the moment where she was going to text you."
Elsa looked back and forth between Emma and Killian and then smiled, probably at Emma's slightly embarrassed blush. She would never be ashamed of Killian but it also wasn't really her style to go around telling people that the sexual advances of her boyfriend made everything else slip her mind. She should probably just get used to it though because he did have that power and it didn't show any signs of going away anytime soon.
"Okay I'll forgive you, but only if you tell me everything."
"Let's actually get to the table before that. If we don't this dinner will never get eaten." Elsa yielded to Killian's request and once all the food was out and ready to eat Emma began to tell the story.
"It was actually kind of an accident. Killian had some secret recipe of Will's he wanted to test out for the book last week and I forgot my scarf at Killian's. Belle and I were trying to grab it on the way to dinner and one thing led to another…" Killian chuckled and shook his head.
"You're leaving out the best part, Swan." Emma laughed as she recalled said element of the story.
"Oh right. Guess what the first thing he said to her was."
"Oh my God who could know with Will? It could be anything. I once heard him carry on a full conversation about the merits of being a goose over a duck like that was a totally normal thing to consider as a human being." Emma smirked, finding that totally conceivable.
"Well first he gaped at Belle for a solid thirty seconds and then he kind of blabbered on about her hand muff. He went on a tangent about how they aren't socially acceptable for men but he wished they were because it's 'bloody cold' all the time here."
"He didn't!" Elsa looked to Killian for confirmation and he nodded.
"Aye, love. And the craziest part is it worked. She ate the whole thing up and within two minutes he had an invitation from Belle to join her and Emma."
"You're kidding! Oh my god, you're not! So what was the date like? Did they hit it off right away? I can totally see it." Elsa was ravenous for more information and Emma gladly provided it.
"They talked the whole time. We barely got a word in edgewise. In the end we were the awkwardly quiet couple." Killian scoffed at that and Emma amended. "Alright we were the less verbose duo."
"That's more like it."
Everyone laughed at Killian's assessment and eventually the conversations shifted to more holiday-oriented topics. Like how Anna wasn't present tonight because of a previous engagement having to do with actual reindeer (which her boyfriend seemed to be a bizarre sort of expert in) and how Mary Margaret was meeting Doctor Nolan's family in Maine. Elsa especially got a kick out of that love match and she was still patting herself on the back a while later when dinner and dessert were cleared away and they were all in the living room with the Christmas tree and decorations.
"All right let's get the fight over with then. A swift one two and we can be on our way."
Emma's brow furrowed at Liam's sudden and unexpected words. They were imbued with a clear level of humor but he'd also stood up from his chair and rolled his sleeves up as if actually gearing up for a fight. When his eyes turned to Killian Emma was a little wary even if she didn't fully believe Liam capable of sparring with his brother.
"No need. I'm rescinding my claim this year. I have everything I could possibly want. If your heart isn't full enough with your own good fortune go right on ahead."
"What are they talking about?" Emma asked Elsa in a stage whisper and her new friend smiled.
"Who gets to put the angel on the top of the tree. It's a long running feud dating back to… well forever I guess. One of those family traditions that's a huge headache but will never die." Emma finally understood and she breathed a sigh of relief only to find that Liam looked a little forlorn. He'd at one moment been so excited and now he seemed less so.
"What's wrong brother? Don't you want the honors?" Killian asked with a smirk.
"Not when you put it like that. It's not as if some bloody angel is going to make my life better."
"Liam, language!" Emma muffled a laugh with her hand as Liam looked contrite and bent low to give his daughter a kiss to her forehead and then her mother a light kiss of her own.
"Sorry, love. Killian's just got me all messed up." The laugh that came from Killian at the claim was loud and barked out.
"And how exactly have I done that? I gave you what you wanted."
"Well things change. I don't want it anymore. You can have it."
"Seems we're at an impasse then." Killian was teasing and Emma knew he'd step up in the end, but before he could Elsa chipped in with an idea.
"Why doesn't Emma do the honors? She seems fully capable of putting a tree topper on without losing her mind as she does it." Killian and Liam both chuckled at that as Killian's hand came to move across Emma's back.
"What do you say, love?"
"I don't know. Elsa just said it was a family tradition and -," Emma swore she heard something like a growl come from Killian but it was Liam who spoke out.
"I'm going to stop you right there, Emma. Far as we're concerned you are family and as such you should do the honors."
Emma looked at Killian who had tensed a little. She could see that her questioning the family part had hurt him and she didn't realize he felt so strongly. She was delighted at the thought of belonging to this group though and to be Killian's family when she thought of him as hers too. Her hand ran over his cheek lightly before she kissed away the slight frown he was sporting and she told them all she'd do it.
"Brilliant. Just watch yourself on the ladder. It's a little rickety."
Emma heeded the request, taking care not to fall (not that Killian would let her from his perch just behind her holding her steady). It was a fairly straightforward job that was completed quickly, but to Emma it felt more powerful thank simply placing an angel. She'd been given the chance to be a part of a much larger fabric of Killian's Christmas story and to know that everyone wanted her to play that part filled her with a happiness she couldn't quite explain.
"Well done, Emma! You should do this every year. Usually Killian or Liam sets her a little crooked and then it's a big deal for another hour." Emma smiled as she came down from the ladder and Killian's arms wrapped around her from behind as he pressed a kiss to her neck.
"Aye, love, Elsa has a point. You've improved this season at every turn. I'd hate the thought of one without you."
The warmth that spread through Emma at that whispered compliment was intoxicating and she felt giddy and joyous all at once. Emma realized in that moment that this was the feeling kids and adults alike chased this time of year. Feeling this love and belonging and hope was all everyone wanted but somehow she'd found it.
The night with Liam and Elsa was a lovely one in the end, though it did end a little on the early side thanks to Arianna's need for sleep. Emma didn't mind though, not when Killian informed her that there was one more item on the agenda, a binge of any Christmas movies on the television back at his townhouse. Whatever was on, they'd have to watch, it was tradition.
They lucked out in the end, and the first channel they landed on was playing the classics. No Hallmark or Lifetime tales about ghosts in love with innkeepers or high-drama Christmas soaps for them. It wasn't the first time Emma had seen any of these movies, but it was the first time that she wasn't envious as she watched them. Her life right now was better than any of these stories, hands down without a doubt.
"You look happy, Emma." Emma glanced up at Killian who was watching her with a soft gaze and a hopeful looking smile.
"You brought me Christmas. A real Christmas. Of course I'm happy." His hand came to cup her cheek affectionately.
"You did the same for me, love. This is easily my best Christmas ever."
Emma pressed a kiss to his lips lightly before replying that it was her best one too and a while later, as she fell asleep curled up on the couch with the man she loved, Emma had to admit that that she hoped every year could be this way.
….
It had become apparent to Killian rather quickly that where Emma was concerned, there could be no comparing his old life to this new one. He meant what he said to her last night at Liam and Elsa's about her making all the parts of his life better and he hoped that his actions during their time together showed her that. Emma was irreplaceable and so integral to his sense of happiness that the thought of life without her was too terrible even to contemplate.
It was for that reason that today he was taking a risk, one some people might call him crazy for. Today he would ask Emma once and for all to be his. He'd been fighting off this driving urge to propose for a while now despite the haste of their relationship but he waited for this morning in particular. He wanted Emma to have the perfect Christmas after too many years of not knowing one and if he was right, if his heart was correct in believing as it did that Emma loved him as much as he loved her, then this would be exactly the right way to ask her for forever.
First, though, he needed to extract himself from the comfort of their bed, which was no easy feat when the temptation to stay was as strong as it was. Leaving Emma would never come easy, but Killian clung to the soothing thought that if Emma said yes, she would be moving in here. They wouldn't have that distance between them anymore of technically having two different spaces, and this house he'd found would truly be a home because it would be just as much Emma's as it was his.
Killian allowed himself a few minutes more in that calm coziness of holding Emma before heading downstairs to see that everything was as he wanted it. Last night after they'd dozed off on the couch, Emma and Killian both put their gifts for each other under the tree. There weren't an excessive amount then, but that was thanks to a tiny bit of deception on Killian's part. He hadn't wanted Emma to feel guilty in any way but he also didn't like the thought of holding back. Now he put the rest of the items he'd procured under the tree but he kept one box in particular, the one carrying the ring she'd hopefully accept, in his pocket.
Once he was certain that the living room was up to the standard he wished for Emma, with stockings hung and the space ready for unwrapping gifts, Killian changed tactics diving into Christmas breakfast. He had a few ideas in mind, but the more time that passed, the more he ended up whipping together. There was just something about adrenaline and anticipation that made the cooking that much easier, like it was somehow his lifeline allowing him to cling to some semblance of control instead of just running upstairs and pouring his heart out to Emma right this second.
But while he was setting about creating a perfect breakfast for Emma, Killian noticed that his hands were prone to shaking. He couldn't tell if his trembling was caused by excitement or anxiety. Killian was certain in his heart that Emma loved him and that if she said yes he would be the happiest man alive, but even still doubt niggled through his firm belief that Emma was with him. Old fears about him moving too fast resurfaced, not in a style strong enough to dissuade him from his plan but to enough of an extent that he wouldn't be truly comfortable again until he'd asked Emma this question and procured her reply.
"This is not exactly the way I expected Christmas morning to go."
Emma's words immediately pulled Killian's attention to the doorway and his breath caught when he saw his Swan staring back at him.
She was heavenly, the morning light illuminating her and allowing her to glow even more than she already did. Killian was speechless. It didn't matter how many mornings they'd had together, Emma was still capable of defining his whole world just with a teasing look and a soft, inviting smile. As she moved across the kitchen and came to stand in front of him, her eyes shifted from his to the feast around them and she whistled, a testament to the impressive spread before them.
"Would you believe it if I told you I tried to hold back?" Emma laughed at the words and returned to look at him, her hand resting on his chest as she did.
"Not even a little bit."
Killian was about to laugh himself when Emma pulled him in for a kiss, one that tugged him in like a riptide. One second he was immersed in providing a Christmas breakfast worthy of the one person he loved more than anyone or anything else, and the next he was being led into that all too enticing state of ecstasy that came at Emma's touch. It would be so easy to give over completely, to strip the shirt of his she'd chosen to don this morning and whatever might be underneath and have her right here and right now, but Killian had plans and a need to give Emma a taste of the kind of Christmas he was hoping to bring her every year from here on out.
"We both know that all you have to do is say the word and I'll cave to your wishes, Swan, but if you trust me, I think you might find you like Christmas my way."
Emma's eyes were still dark from the lust their kiss emboldened but she nodded, immediately facilitating his request despite the still present tension between them. Patience wasn't a virtue either of them was particularly adept in when it came to the other, but they could hold off for this. Or at the very least they could try.
"So I can see 'your way' includes way more food than two people can ever dream of consuming. What else did you have in mind?"
Killian smirked at her claims, noticing that as she made them Emma went to get coffee started for them both. He hadn't begun to do that yet and his smile only grew when he thought of how she was always filling in the pieces for him in every part of his life. He could so readily imagine every morning like this, the two of them coexisting in this complimentary manner.
"You'd have me spoil all the surprises?"
"Are they really surprises if everyone knows the usual deal?" Killian had to admit that was a good point by her.
"Fair enough. I was thinking breakfast, presents, and then making good on those naughtier fantasies of yours about a proper Christmas morning." Emma blushed at the words, but held his stare all the same. It made it near impossible not to take her in his arms right then and there but through the grace of God Killian prevailed.
"No cleaning? You have people coming over later and we won't have much time after dinner." Killian shook his head.
"No, Swan. It's a rule of Christmas that there be absolutely no cleaning." Emma laughed but played along.
"Is that so?"
"It is in this house, and anyone looking for a drink later can survive the bit of wrapping paper strewn about and a few dirty dishes."
Emma took the plate that he'd just fixed with all her food and smiled, grasping his hand as they moved to the counter to eat. It was a lovely meal but they were both enthusiastic for the next step and the food was gone rather quickly. When it was they shifted into the living room and began phase two of the morning: presents.
As was customary stockings came first with all the little tidbits inside having been chosen by Emma and Killian for the other. Then came the larger gifts that were under the tree. Seeing the substantial amount of gifts sparked images for Killian of a potential future with many more presents under a similar evergreen for a house full of children. He knew Emma would join him in spoiling their little ones rotten on Christmas, and as such this room would be filled with more toys than any one family could possibly need.
Still as they moved through each present, Killian was a little worried Emma would feel he'd done too much. Instead she enjoyed herself immensely and surprised him with gifts that blew his out of the water when it came to thoughtfulness. She must have been chronicling everything he'd told her over the past few months as he had been with her, because some of these things were so specific and so well planned that he was hard pressed to think of better gifts he'd ever received.
The best of all those gifts, however, was a parcel that Emma handed him last. He undid the wrapping to find a leather-bound recipe book. On the cover it said 'Jones Family Secrets' written in Emma's telltale cursive. The inside was entirely empty save for one recipe on the first page reading 'The Perfect Perfect Christmas Cookie Recipe.' It was the one he'd made for her competition and the one that brought about their first real conversation on kids and the future.
"What do you think?" Emma asked when he'd been quiet for a moment and Killian pulled her to him.
"This is… this is lovely, Emma. I don't know what to say other than that I've never loved a gift more." Emma looked truly happy at that, pressing a kiss to his cheek and humming out a happy sound as she did.
"I'm glad. So what do we think? Still the best Christmas ever." Killian gulped harshly but nodded.
"It's shaping up to be." Emma grinned and then looked back at the tree, which was now empty and bare once more.
"Is that everything? Nothing else hiding under that gigantic tree you got?" Emma's teasing only managed to speed up Killian's steadily beating heart rate more. Now was the moment of truth.
"There's one last thing actually." Emma looked amused as she got back up off the couch but before she could bend low to look under the tree Killian was up too and taking her hand, kissing it gently.
"What are you doing?" Her question was quiet and curious but he could hear the trust there. Emma was willing to follow his lead and he had to believe that would follow into this next moment.
"This."
Killian dropped down then onto one knee and immediately Emma's eyes widened and her hand came to cover the gasp that left her mouth. Killian meanwhile pulled out the ring and popped open the little blue box where it resided to show her. The fact that her eyes never left his to look at the glittering stone, however, prompted the overflow of words that came from him then.
"I love you, Emma Swan. Honestly I've been in love with you since the first moment that we met and I know that there is no Christmas wish I could hold dearer than being your husband. I've told you that I want forever a time or two before, but you should know that I meant it. I bought this house hoping it could be a home not just for me but for both of us, for the kids we've talked about, and for the big, nosy family we've got between the two of us." Emma let out a bark of laughter at that last part but Killian kept going, scared to lose his momentum if he didn't press on.
"I know it's fast, Emma, but I also know that nothing in my life has ever felt as right as being at your side. Loving you comes more naturally than anything. It's the one combination I'm completely sure of." Emma smiled at his use of culinary language and the gesture both relieved him and set him off his trail of thinking.
"So one part me and one part you is a recipe for success, huh?" Killian nodded, blinking away the daze that came from seeing her this relaxed and easy going in the face of his proposal.
"Aye, love. That equation has fast become the makings of the only life I want and if you'll let me I'd like to stay right here by your side, loving you, all the days of my life." He paused, waiting for Emma to agree to be his.
"Is there a question in there somewhere or…?" Emma's grin was playful even as her eyes filled with happy tears and Killian let out a sigh of relief before the words tumbled past his lips.
"Emma Swan, will you marry me?"
"Yes."
Her answer came without any hesitation or doubts. It was clear as day in the way she responded that Emma was invested in this just as much as he was, and that as much as it was his dream to have and to hold Emma forever more, it was also hers to claim the same privilege with him.
In seconds Killian was up from his spot on one knee and the ring was on her finger. He wasn't entirely certain how other couples went about this moment, but Emma didn't hazard a glance at the ring, instead jumping into his arms and kissing him with all that fire and passion she possessed just under the surface. There was no holding back from either of them and right there in the living room Killian set about unwrapping his last present – his lovely Swan.
"Please tell me you're not making us wait."
Killian chuckled at the desperation lacing Emma's tone. In the past he'd been adamant about taking her in a bed and making love to her properly but right now he was too riled himself with the grandness of the news and the hope that had been imbued into his world by her acceptance. So he was going to have her right here and ravish her properly and then spend the rest of the morning upstairs seeing that they neither of them every forgot this moment as long as they both lived.
"I wouldn't dream of denying my future wife."
Saying those words not only sparked something in Killian but in Emma as well and everything was heightened with her demanding kiss and roaming hands. He maneuvered them to the couch as he ripped of Emma's shirt. When they hit the plush surface of the sofa Emma laughed, filling him with even more raw need for her.
"Say you'll move in with me." Emma gasped as his hand moved past the seam of the panties she put on this morning.
"I'll move in with you."
His thumb brushed against her clit on the last word and it came out almost as a squeak making Killian grin. He teased her a little more so she was sensitive with his fingers and his thumb but before his lovely Swan could fall apart, Killian moved down to strip the scrap of cotton away and moving between her legs to taste her sex. It took a bit of rearranging but when he had her just where he wanted her he struck again with another demand.
"No more leaving, love. Every night you'll be in our bed with me from here on out. You're moving in immediately."
Emma nodded eagerly and though she was riled up and aroused beyond comprehensive words Killian knew she wanted that too. It wasn't all contingent on what he was currently doing to her body. The promise from Emma was enough to get him going and it didn't take long at all for her to come apart. He loved that she was so responsive to his every touch, his every lick and suck and so he remained there until she'd fallen apart again before stripping out of the pajama pants he's worn this morning and moving above her to claim her as his.
"Please don't make me wait too long, Swan. I would wait forever, but I just…"
Emma took his mouth in a kiss to quiet his pleas before switching their positions again so she was on top. If he'd had the presence of mind to think rationally he'd thank his lucky stars that he'd chosen such a spacious couch. On anything smaller this might have been a bit harder. As it was it was perfect when Emma was looking down at him with a smile and the curtain of her golden curls hanging around her in the most alluring way.
"I always thought spring was the perfect time for a wedding. But maybe we should stick with the Christmas thing -,"
"Spring! Spring is good."
Emma laughed at that before lowering herself on him and giving them both that shock of pleasure to the system they craved. With the action all the feelings of joy and bliss that came from Emma saying yes to his proposal rushed back to the surface and they both gave way to it. Coming together until they were both pushed past the brink and left spent with the lingering feeling of perfection that only came when they were together.
"It's almost a shame," Emma said as her hand trailed across his bared chest and Killian asked her meaning. "That we have more to do today. I could spend forever right here, just like this."
Killian loved to hear that and his hand came to cover hers, keeping it just over his heart as he promised her something that he would make good on no matter what it took.
"This is just the start of moments like this, my love, and a lifetime of Christmas' just like this one." Emma smiled and Killian amended his statement. "Well maybe not just like. Once those kids of ours arrive I can't see the morning unfolding in precisely the same way."
"Yeah. We'll probably have to save this part for somewhere a little more private."
Killian took that as his queue to change their venue from the living room back to their bed upstairs now with Emma laughing all the way. And though Emma was right, and the moment of their rejoining the world did come just a bit too soon for their liking, it was all worth it. Because from now until forever it would be Killian and Emma together, two parts of one team designed to find the best in each other and the best happy ending two people could ever wish for.
Post-Note: If any of you were wondering how to ensure I was in feels heaven, it's combining CS fluff and Christmas. This chapter was a pleasure to write and I hope you guys have enjoyed. I didn't originally plan for this fic to be so holiday oriented, but in the end it just worked timing wise. Anyway thank you so much again for reading and for all of you who left comments and likes, you are fantastic and I appreciate you!
