A/N: This chapter is, to put it mildly, beyond fluffy. Seriously, all angst has been checked at the door as I begin to tie up just a few lose ends and give you guys a glimpse into the impending wedding and happy ending for Emma and Killian. This is the second to last installment, of a fic that has become a joy to write. I started this journey extremely unsure of how to go about writing an EF AU, and how exactly I wanted to construct my Captain Duckling prompted story, but in the end I've found that rhythm and that ease of writing I have with my other fics. I hope you all enjoy, and thanks as always for reading!

Arriving back in the Oldstown port, Emma had to appreciate how far she'd come since being here last. It hadn't been that long ago, a matter of weeks really, but in that time she'd ended an evil reign, saved her people, and most importantly surrendered to love. Now here she stood, hand in hand with the man who had her heart, walking from where they'd docked the Jolly Roger, through the streets of this little village, to the one place she needed most to see in this port.

"To think I walked these streets before battling with my love for you and the unwavering belief I had that we would never happen." Killian's words made their way through the sweet smelling air and gave Emma pause. Her feet stopped for a moment as she pulled him closer and ran a hand across his cheek. She wouldn't kiss him out here in the open street, but she needed to look into his eyes and remind him that they were the realest thing in all the realms.

"We're a world away from where we started, it's true. But we were always going to happen." She ran her thumb across his upturned lips, tracing the edge of that crooked smile before retreating and allowing them to walk once more.

"I think the boy might like to see Miss Harriet privately while we tell the children the good news, love." Killian nodded to Pip who was flushing a bit at the comment and Emma smiled at the young man who had come to mean so much to her.

"Of course he should, but we'll wait to tell them until she comes outside again. Harriet's been holding this secret nearly a week, I'm sure she'll love to see their reaction."

"That she will, Princess. She loves them all as if they were her own." And so will he, Emma thought as Pip walked ahead of them, moving towards the girl who'd never left his mind since first stepping in Oldstown.

"There's something about being in love that makes me want it for the whole world. I wish everyone could be this happy." Killian hummed his agreement.

"You are about to change the lives of these little ones, love, and when you tell them as much you will see nothing but cheerfulness and glee." Emma shook her head.

"We are about to change their lives. We're in this together." Killian smiled once more, appeasing Emma's correction and taking it in stride as he always did.

"Aye, love."

The logistics of this move had come together far easier than one might think. To Emma though, most every task seemed easy now, for she'd faced real problems and real threats to her world and her life and the people she loved. This, in comparison, was an easily solvable puzzle. On the castle grounds there stood an older extension of the palace itself. All of Emma's life, it was used merely as a place to store old furniture and trinkets from the larger palace, but thanks to some hard work and an undeniable amount of determination, she and Killian and a number of the workers in the castle had cleaned it out, and made it livable for the incoming children. It was easily three times the size of the current house in which they lived, and updated with newer amenities and a sounder structure.

Though there was enough space for every child to have their own room, Emma had designed the place so as to keep the children's closeness in mind. She drew up who should be with who in the sleeping quarters, and which children probably preferred the time alone, and with all of the remaining space, they now had the option to help more children in the future, should the need ever arise. A further exploration of her kingdom would likely find more orphans in need of a second chance, and a place to feel safe and wanted, and some day soon, Emma expected that she and Killian would go off to find them.

Emma heard the light and airy laughter of children before turning the corner to see them, but it didn't prepare her for the reunion. The chorus of joy and happiness that sounded at her and Killian's return was exuberant and wonderful. Emma could hardly keep the tears from her eyes as she greeted all the children once more. As it was upon their first meeting, the first to truly draw her individual attention was little Moira, who Emma was delighted to see had found more of her voice since her leaving. It also struck Emma how close the young girl's name was to the entity that had helped Emma defeat Regina and save Killian.

"Do we call you Princess Emma now?" Emma smiled, though she was surprised that they knew who she really was.

"You can call me whatever you like." All of the children murmured about how they liked the sound of Princess, and how they'd always known she was special.

"Did you really stop the Evil Queen?" Sarah asked and Emma nodded, truly wondering where the children had heard all about this.

"Your reputation precedes you, love." Killian teased from behind her as he hoisted up one of the smaller boys in his arms who was looking for attention from him. Emma paused a minute, flustered by the image Killian made for when affectionate with the kids, before shaking away her ever present infatuation.

"It was the only way to get back here to my friends, and to make good on a promise I made to myself before leaving." Emma looked up to see that Harriet and Pip were standing in the doorway, able to hear and see all that was about to happen.

"What was the promise?"

"That I would return here someday and bring you all back to live in Misthaven." A beat of silence passed and then the most joyful kind of chaos descended. A million things were said at once, happy dancing and laughter and boisterous professions of thanks and excitement. It was all so much, Emma was swept away in the moment, feeling an incredible sense of rightness. This was a good thing they were doing, and Killian was right, they were changing lives for the better today.

Emma answered the firestorm of questions, often assisted by Killian, who was remarkable in his ability to hold all of the children's attention and to convince them that order was better for all of them than disarray. They told them all of how they'd get to continue their studies, and play on the castle grounds, about the hope to find them all families one day, and that no matter what they would always have Emma and Killian on their side. They also mentioned the impending royal wedding, which had each and every child wildly ecstatic. They all seemed fond of the idea that a pirate and a princess would fall in love like them, and Emma was quite taken with the story too.

When Harriet finally intervened and instructed the children to pack their things, Emma stepped into Killian's embrace and reveled in the warmth of his arms. It had fast become her favorite place in the world. Here she felt safe and unconcerned with bad or scary or negative things.

"Thank you," Emma whispered to him, watching surprise seep into his crystal blue eyes.

"For what, love?" Emma gave a happy sigh.

"For bringing me here, for understanding that this was something I needed to do, and for loving me like you do." Killian smiled, kissing her softly.

"There's no need to thank me, Emma." Maybe not, but she did it all the same. Emma didn't want a day to pass where he didn't know how grateful she was, and in a way saying it to him put it out into the Universe. Emma was truly happy in a way she'd never dreamed possible, and something, some force out there whether it was fate or destiny or her own determination had granted her this joy. She'd never take that gift for granted, and as long as she lived, she'd never forget her good fortune to be here with Killian now and always.

….

Not a single cloud attempted to dull the clear blue skies as they sailed one more towards Misthaven, and Killian noted how the winds were inescapably in their favor. At this rate, the sail back to the castle would be short and sweet, merely a day or two at most, but that was for the best. Despite his loving this ship, and celebrating his easier ability to be with his Emma here, he was all too aware of the presence of their current passengers. The children, and their caretaker were all awe and wonder here on the high seas, but they were also a lot of work, and Killian worried about the sleeping situation later. Emma, though, assured him that all was well. She'd enchanted the ship to keep it safe for their young charges and was confident the set up would work as long as they needed it to.

"If I may say so, Captain, I think I rather prefer it this way." Killian didn't need to ask Smee what he meant by 'it,' for his second in command surely meant the life of a sailor. Killian had long known that the man wasn't a devout pirate, certainly not when it came to a fondness for pillaging and raiding and the like. Smee was simply a man who loved the sea, and a man who liked order. More than once, Smee had counseled Killian on right and wrong before Killian's reunion with Emma, and Killian believed that he'd saved him from some of his own darker tendencies.

"As do I Smee, and you will be seeing this kind of life far more upon our return." Smee grinned, for he had been particularly honored by Emma and inducted the guardian and warden of the Jolly Roger. Smee would remain with the ship, filling it with his own crew, and would now be in charge of facilitating more good deeds throughout the realm. The man was clearly thrilled at the prospect, but when Killian had told him that he would now be Captain Smee, Smee shook his head, insisting that to Killian he should always be a second. Thus, Killian felt comfortable about the upkeep and honor of his ship. This would not be his last time captaining it by many means, but his love had calls on her attention, and his heart would not let him ever leave her again.

"They make her very happy," Killian followed Smee's gaze to see that he meant Emma and the children. She was endless patience in the face of their excitement and curiosity, and Killian's chest tightened at the sight. All day he'd been battling with the basest of urges inside him. He wanted that – a life with Emma as his wife and children to fill their home and their hearts. For so long he'd believed having her at all was impossible, but as destiny had brought them together, his dreams for them only grew.

"They do indeed." Killian's eyes never left Emma's, watching the shining brightness that manifested in the green depths of her gaze, and the way her smile enhanced everything around her. The full, rich sunlight of this perfect day could not compare to her, though it made her almost ethereal as it clung to her golden hair and kissed her creamy skin.

"You make her happy too, Captain." Killian grinned, knowing that was true, and as if the mention of them together out loud summoned her stare, she glanced his way, and stole the breath from his lungs with the genuine smile she gave him. That was the real miracle in all of this, the part of it all that was so unbelievably good – she loved him just as much as he loved her. Their being true love guaranteed it.

"Captain Jones?" Killian looked down to the young boy before him, and recognized him as Thomas, the young lad with a magical propensity. "I was wondering if I could ask you something."

"Anything, lad." Killian bent down to talk with him, giving him his full attention.

"Princess Emma told me that you know the castle, and her brother the Prince." Understanding dawned on Killian. Thomas would be receiving his magical training at the castle now, and it was decided by Emma and by Tinkerbelle that he would study with the fairy and with Prince Neal. This would cause anyone anxiety, to be working with royalty like that.

"Aye, he is a very bright and a very kind lad, Prince Neal." Thomas looked hopeful.

"Really?" Killian smiled.

"Captain's honor." The relief washing over the young boy tugged at Killian's heartstrings. There was no need to be afraid, and soon Thomas would truly understand that. The boy turned to leave, but seemed to remember something, rotating to look at Killian once more.

"You're light changed, by the way." It took a moment to grasp what he meant, but then Killian remembered the strange sort of conversation he'd had with Thomas weeks past.

"Has it?" Thomas nodded, smiling.

"You and Princess Emma have the same one now, like they mixed to make a new one." Without another word, Thomas turned back to rejoin the other children, but Killian remained rooted in place, struck by the words. He looked once more to Emma who stared at him curiously. She mouthed the words 'I love you,' and again he smiled, finding his ability to move once more as he came towards her and whispered his own affirmation of his feeling to her personally.

….

Nothing felt more freeing than being with Killian, and despite the fact that they were still a week away from their marriage, their presence on the Jolly Roger allowed Emma and Killian more room to be together. Actually… more room was an arguable way of putting it, at least it had been during the day. The ship was filled with children, and that had restricted some of the indulgences Emma and Killian allowed themselves on the trip to retrieve them. Now though, hours after leaving the upper decks and wishing the children goodnight in their quarters, Emma basked in the feeling of Killian's arms around her in bed.

With an extra heavy duty round of enchantments (she could never be too careful, since there were little ones around), Emma created a once again safe, comfortable, quiet space for her and Killian to come together, and just as it was every other time, the love between them shone brighter than anything else Emma had ever known. Now in the quiet lull of contentment that passed between them, Emma thought about what was next.

The wedding was a week away, which meant that in one week's time Emma would stand up in front of all the world and tell them she loved Killian and that they would be one unit all the rest of their lives. Not that most of her subjects didn't know that after her speech at the trial, but still. It promised to be a romantic affair that Emma would remember all the days of her life. But what would life beyond that look like? In the darkened quiet of their room, Emma considered what she wanted.

Another day in the company of these children told Emma many things as to what she might like her future to look like. For one, she loved helping people, and to see improvement in the lives of her subjects, at least to Emma, felt like some of the most fulfilling work she could ever partake in. She hoped to be a fair and just ruler, a Queen that brought prosperity to the peace she'd procured. But she also wanted more personal growth and changes. Seeing Killian with all of these kids today only cemented her already present desire to have their own children. Emma had always wanted a big family someday, but for years she'd been focusing her energy on defeating Regina. Now she was free from such considerations.

"You're awfully thoughtful tonight, love." Killian said as he pressed a gentle kiss to her shoulder.

"Just thinking about the future." He smiled, and Emma felt herself warm at its soft, affectionate nature.

"Do you see one for the two of us, a happy one?" She nodded and he moved his hand, tracing absentminded patterns along her arm. "What does it look like, love?"

"Well there's a wedding obviously, and then a good solid month after the wedding where we completely lose ourselves in each other." He hummed approvingly at that, pulling her closer and Emma laughed slightly at the feeling of him it brought forth.

"And then?" Emma hesitated only a moment before replying.

"Then a family of our own of course." Killian smiled, relieving the tension she'd felt at the thought. They'd talked of this before, but she hadn't been so upfront about how large a family she wanted.

"Sounds like our dreams for the future line up perfectly love. How many little ones do you think you'll be wanting?" Emma blushed, and bit her lip before replying.

"I always wanted more brothers and sisters." Killian nodded, as if he anticipated that response.

"As did I, love. So what are we thinking. Four? Five?" Emma stayed quiet and Killian's eyes grew wider, but in them, Emma saw an incredible level of wanting.

"I always thought six was a pretty good number."

"Just enough to make own little gaggle of heroes." Emma could see it now, the bustling, happy, big brood of children that looked like a mixture of her and Killian. It was a wonderful dream, and one she decided that she wanted to get to work on right away.

"There's nothing saying we have to wait to make that dream a reality." Killian smirked.

"Technically we haven't been waiting." He was right of course, and arguably she could be pregnant even now, which made Emma so happy.

"Let me rephrase then. There's nothing to say we shouldn't keep trying." Her hand moved from his chest, down his abdomen until she took his now hard length in hand. He groaned a bit at the contact, and she knew she had him, just as she always did.

"I like the way you think, love." Reenergized from the prospect of everything still before them, Emma and Killian succumbed to the throws of passion once more, as Killian came to rise above her.

Emma knew she would never tire of this, of the feel of his hands and his mouth on her as he drove them both crazy with pleasing her. He took his time, kissing her lips and then creeping down her jaw to her neck, paying special attention to each and every point he knew effect her. Killian never wanted to rush, even though Emma so desperately wanted instant gratification. The fire in his eyes, and the disparity of his motions, crossing back and forth between gentle and rough while remaining slow and meticulous, told Emma that any release now would be unhurried, and earned. Each one would be a testament of love and trust and a manifestation of Killian's want to provide for her and to treasure her always.

When his mouth came to latch at her breast, Emma wriggled beneath him, caught as she always was in the feeling of him and the way he knew exactly what she most wanted. Even now, all these weeks later, while Emma would consider herself an incredibly quick learner and an eager to please pupil of how to pleasure him, Killian continued to show her what it meant to truly join together. While one hand came to taunt her other breast, the other slid between her thighs, his fingers teasing her with what magic they could bring.

"I do believe all this talk about futures and families has you ready and willing for me already, love." Emma could only moan as his thumb grazed her clit and two of his fingers thrust inside her. It wasn't enough, not nearly, seeing as she wanted all of him, but coupled with the gruff feel of his beard and the continued attentions to her aching nipples and Emma was lost. She couldn't find the means to say she needed more, probably because she knew that Killian would always give it to her just when the time was right.

"Killian!" His name came out as more cry for more than plea as he withdrew from her breasts and kissed lower. The anticipation nearly killed Emma, as he slowly peppered kisses down her body, hovering just above her abdomen.

"The thought of you swollen here with our child does things to me, Emma. It makes me want so much more, when I hardly thought that possible." Emma had no idea how he kept his own need tampered down through all this. She knew he was just as ready for release as she was, but he didn't take it yet, as if he needed a level of her satisfaction to occur before he could ever take his. He'd told her as much before, but it still astonished her.

"Take me, you have me, all of me." Killian growled, forcing her legs farther apart with his hands as he lifted her sex up to his mouth and Emma dissolved into those familiar but always blindingly brilliant sensations of desire. With just the right pressure, and special attention to her clit, Killian owned her and her desire in this moment. Emma could barely think, but knowing that he would never take advantage of how much she loved him and wanted and needed him only fueled the fire low in her belly, until finally he gruffly demanded that she let go.

She did just that, flying off into pure bliss and letting the daze of climax overtake her for a moment, as Killian kissed his way back up her body, again stalling at the place she'd carry their child. This time Emma used his distraction to her advantage, eagerly changing their positions so she was the one on top, and arguably in control, until Killian reached his hands to trace soft patterns against her hips.

"Sometimes I wonder how any one person can own me so completely, and then you look at me and I realize I don't need to know why. All that matters is that you do." Emma could feel the pounding of her heart in her chest, and the bit of mistiness that came to her eyes and the words. They were so sweet, so sincere, and so not what she expected when they were both so near losing themselves in each other. She bent down to kiss him, running her hands over his chest until she pulled back and settled them into a rhythm of coming together designed to give them both what they so dearly wanted. They found it, of course, and when they did, they returned once more to how they had been, quietly luxuriating in the comfort of the others embrace.

….

"Now I know you said you weren't so taken with the idea of flower garlands, but I just think they'll be so much better suited to the great hall than wreaths would be." From his spot in the doorway, Killian watched as Emma tried her best to listen to her mother's continued musings on the details of their wedding which was now just a few days away. What was supposed to be a day for Emma and Killian had become an event worthy of a Princess, and to be honest, it was beginning to reflect her mother's dreams more than Emma's.

"It's just so much. I understand you want a royal wedding. It's for the people and for morale, and I understand that. I just don't think most of this is really necessary." Queen Snow frowned at the comment and once again Killian could see that Emma felt guilty for denying her mother what she wanted, even if it was Emma's day. She sighed, summoning forth her patience again, and Killian marveled at just how strong she really was. Emma was a big enough person to sacrifice the details of seating charts, and flowers, and musical tastes if it made her mother happy.

"Pardon me, your Highness." Emma turned at the sound of Killian's voice, and he saw when her eyes met his that his presence relieved her. She knew intuitively that he was here to rescue her from more mundane wedding planning, and so he pressed on with his plan. "Tinkerbelle has run into some trouble with Prince Neal and Thomas' tutoring and could use some assistance from Emma."

"If it's really that important." No sooner had the words left Snow's mouth, than Killian was walking over to Emma and extending his arm. She stood, accepting it quickly, as Killian humbly thanked Queen Snow. The woman liked him, and was charmed by him, which made their escape all the easier. When they were finally out of ear shot though, Emma threw herself into Killian's arms.

"You are truly my hero." Killian couldn't help but chuckle as he held her tight.

"Soon enough this will all be over love. We will be man and wife, and presumably there will be no more giant touchstones for your mother to plan with such energy and conviction." Emma groaned and Killian smiled as she rolled her eyes.

"Clearly you don't know my mother. She loves a good party, and treats even the most mundane event as something deserving her all." Killian took Emma's hand in his, and they moved outside. His words to the Queen were not untrue, per se, but he'd told Tink that they'd be there in half an hour's time. That gave them some space to breathe, and just be alone, which they had not had much of in daylight hours since returning from Oldstown.

Emma caught him up on all of her mother's ideas and beliefs about what made a real royal wedding as the two strolled through the gardens, eventually stopping in the portion with the hedgerow of roses. Their arrival seemed to interrupt Emma's line of thinking, and for a moment she went silent, before clutching Killian's hand a little tighter.

"Every time I come here I'm struck by all the memories," she said, clutching the pendant he'd given her years ago as Killian reached out, plucking a single rose from its place on the bush, and handed it to Emma. They'd been so busy since the trial and the engagement that they hadn't had much time to spend in this serene little bubble that this garden represented. Hopefully after the wedding ceremony that would change.

"As am I, love." Killian brought her hand up and placed a gentle kiss upon it, a subtle reminder to them both that they were no longer the same two young people separated by birth and circumstance that they had been. Now it was their right to walk the world together, where their first meeting here had been a stolen moment.

"Now I can't help thinking of all the new one's we'll make here. This feels like the place that we really began, so it's only right that we should keep coming back."

Killian agreed, as an idea struck – there was no better place for their wedding than right here in this garden. Though it filled him with excitement and though he knew this thought had the power to bring Emma great happiness if he spoke the sentiment aloud, he waited to share it until he'd secured the possibility. He kept quiet on the matter spending his remaining time alone with Emma speaking of other things, until bringing her to Tinkerbelle's study and taking his leave momentarily. He was happy to find the Queen still perched in the same spot that she'd been in before, this time joined by her husband.

"Oh Killian! I'm glad to see you, come, tell us which of these place settings would be better? The white or the eggshell?" Killian regarded both, seeing no real noticeable difference.

"Either is lovely, mam, but I've come to ask your permission on another matter entirely." Snow and Charming exchanged a look between themselves.

"Son, you already have our blessing to marry Emma." Killian nodded.

"Aye, my request is a means to make her happy on our wedding day. I was hoping we might be married outside, in the rose garden." Charming instantly grinned while Snow looked shocked.

"You want us to move the wedding outside? This late in the planning, it would be –" Charming silenced his wife with a kiss on the cheek.

"Nothing more than we could all handle. I've seen you take on worse problems. Besides, Killian is right, it would make Emma happy." The reassurance from her husband softened Queen Snow's features considerably and she looked at Killian once more.

"The rose garden it is then. But now that there's so much more to consider, I will insist that you too suffer through the planning." Killian conceded, laughing a bit at the fact that Snow was conscientious enough to realize how smothering her efforts were. It made no difference though, for as always, Killian appreciated the chance to sit by Emma's side.

Telling his wife-to-be of the change in plan was of course the greatest pay off, and to say she was glad at the new arrangement was an understatement. Seeing Emma that way calmed every part of Killian, healed away any trace of scars left on his heart, and Killian knew that as long as he lived, he'd work to put that same smile on her face and that same light in her eyes. Though they may be days away from saying 'I do' Emma was already his life and his world, and he would gladly spend forever reminding her of that.

Post-Note: So as I said, just a bit of light fluffiness for this installment. The final chapter will be a series of snapshots into Emma and Killian's happily ever after, and I hope you all join me for it. Also hope you are all having a lovely week and thanks for reading!