A/N: All right friends, as you might have guessed, today wedding bells are ringing in 'To See You This Way.' It's been too long since I've written a wedding and this one was a cute one to get to try my hand at. In a story about second chances and finding each other again, a wedding seems to hold just a little more importance. Expect my usual amount of fluff and the requisite bit of wedding smut too, but mostly just expect some much needed closure for Emma and Killian. This is not the last chapter of TSYTW, as I am envisioning two or three more, but it's definitely the point we've been building to. Hope you all enjoy and thanks for reading!
"You may just be the calmest bride in the history of… well, ever,"
Ruby's words from across the room made Emma smile and turn away from the window where she was peering out to the set up below. She couldn't see the aisle or the ceremony itself from this room, for all of that was in the back yard, but she was seeing people arrive and marveling at how many guests had shown up to what was originally supposed to be a small wedding.
"What exactly were you expecting?" Emma asked and Ruby shrugged.
"You know, the usual. Pacing, some slight panic, maybe us holding you back from running straight to Killian and saying 'I do' before it's actually time." Emma laughed as did her other friends in the room.
"Sorry to disappoint." Now Belle spoke up.
"Are you nervous at all?" Emma shook her head.
"Not even a little bit." And that was the truth. Emma had everything she needed in this moment, and very soon she'd be getting married to the man she'd loved since she was just thirteen. No one got this lucky, and Emma knew that. Because of that, she had no hesitations or doubts at all.
"Well how could you be? You look too beautiful to be nervous." Elsa's compliment brought Emma's attention back to the dress she'd chosen for today and she grinned again.
Emma had selected this dress specifically for its romantic quality. Its beautiful ivory color and the subtle lace that molded to her curves clung to Emma before billowing out into a wider skirt. The dress seemed grand, hailing back to weddings of old while still being light and new in its own way. Despite its appearance, Emma could move in it easily, which would be important since her husband had insisted on dancing with her all night, but more than that it felt right. She'd gotten a moment many hope for where she'd seen the dress and known it was meant for her, and that certainty leant a bit more sureness to today.
Everything else had fallen into place behind the dress, to create an effect unlike anything Emma usually got to wear, but it was still her and it felt true to the moment that was coming. Emma could just picture the way Killian was going to look at her in a few minutes time when she walked down the aisle to him and her whole body heated at the thought. Her fiancé and soon to be husband was not subtle in his appreciation, and he'd wear his heart and his thoughts on his sleeve today as he did always.
"Have you got your vows all sorted? You wouldn't want to be like Mary Margaret when she nearly forgot hers and had a minor heart attack," Ruby asked, pulling an eye roll from Mary Margaret.
"Ha ha. Very funny, Ruby."
Emma bit back another smile as she moved across the room to grab her bouquet for the ceremony. It was a wild mix, all of which could be found somewhere in Storybrooke naturally and she took in their sweet, fresh scent. They reminded her of springtime and good glimpses from the past, and though they'd all been imported from vendors to have them in the fall like this, Emma knew they were perfect for today.
This was a pretty informal affair all things considered, and Emma had been adamant that each of her friends kind enough to stand with her today would get to bring a part of themselves to the ceremony. All of them had chosen their dress and their flowers themselves, and the effect was vibrant and fun, which was all Emma wanted for today. The time for worry and restraint was long gone in her life, but she'd had Mary Margaret and Elsa to keep the ship in order. None of the colors clashed, and in the end Emma was more than pleased with the result.
"Emma?" Emma blinked away the musings about how things were already going so well to see Ruby and her friends looking at her expectantly and remembered the question about her vows.
"I didn't write any."
"You didn't write any?!" All of her friends asked at the exact same time and Emma shook her head.
"Nope. Anything I say and promise today I want to come from the heart. It doesn't have to be perfect, and it'll never compare to Killian's way with words, but I'll mean them and that's enough for me." Her friends chorused with a set of 'awws' that made Emma sigh. This was a growing trend, and for someone who was rarely deemed the cute, emotionally available friend in the past, it was still something she was getting used to.
Before they could give the vow situation much more thought though, a knock sounded at the door and all the friends looked at Emma curiously, as if she somehow knew what was coming.
"You don't think he'd come here do you?" Tiana asked, giddy at the prospect.
"With Killian, none of us will ever know," Ruby replied, moving to the door and grinning. "Nope not the groom. Just my incredibly hot builder boyfriend."
"Who comes bearing gifts for the bride. Or a gift at least." Emma moved swiftly across the room to take the box from Graham, which she recognized immediately as a chapter. She had no idea there were any left, but running her hand across the golden box Emma felt a heady rush of excitement.
"That's all you're bringing?" Ruby asked as she put a hand to her hip and Graham shook his head, kissing her surely before backing away, whispering something about picking back up their later. Emma missed most of it though, as transfixed as she was with the chance at more memories from Killian.
"Well go on, open it," Belle said eagerly and Emma grinned, pulling the ribbon apart and revealing the final copy of Killian's book. It was glorious, but a little strange to see what all his words would become. There was a marker though sticking out telling Emma to 'Read This.' When she found the chapter in question it was called 'A Word On Dreams.'
"If you think there's anyway you aren't reading that out loud to all of us right now, you've got another thing coming," Emma laughed at Tiana's authoritative tone.
"Is that what you all want?"
"Yes!" Emma nodded and without further waiting, she read the excerpt in question.
Every word I've written in this book had a purpose and everything I've shared has been for a single reason – to prove to you, Emma, that I love you.
I love you, Emma Swan, and there has never been a day when I didn't love you with my whole heart. Yet I have always known that words might never be enough and so I've set out a path, a means to make you see that everything I want is worth taking the risk - that I am worth the risk. Tomorrow I leave for home, I leave the life I've had here to find you again, and I set that plan in motion, only hoping it will be enough.
I've been telling myself for years that I was too late, that I should have done more, and that I needed to move on. I told myself each and every day that I could do it, that I could find the happiness I wanted away from the woman who still held my heart, but it wasn't the truth. Those words were merely an attempt to make a half-life whole when it never would be.
But the thing about truth is it can be concealed in all places but in dreams, as I know well enough first hand. For years I've pretended, living each day going through the motions as if I was in any way passed the mistakes and the missteps of my history with you, Emma. And still every night you waited for me, as did my true feelings, the ones that would never waiver for they were already set in stone.
Dark as times might have seemed while we've been apart, I have dreams for how my life with you will still turn out, dreams that never died even with the miles between us.
There are all sorts of particulars, like the house you've loved since you were a girl with the old porch swing. We grow old in that house, you and I, and I tell you every day I love you more than the day before. There's the dog you always wanted but never got to have when we were children, and a family of our own in whatever shape and size you want. You keep your practice, the one I know you built all on your own, and you remain the ever-incredible woman I know you to be. You heal people as you heal me every day, and you show our children what it means to be good and kind and perfectly yourself.
Not every part of the dream is lovely. There's the frantic pace of holidays and fatiguing work weeks and stress and troubles, but there's always you and me, getting each other through it, your hand in mine keeping me grounded and helping me cope in the way only you ever have. In the dream I grant you the same steady sureness, the same sense of peace. We face each challenge side by side, the way we should have been all this time.
But most of all, Emma, the focal point of this life is that you're happy, and that is always the most important thing. Every day I spend with you, I strive to see you laugh and smile. You always know deep down that you'll be safe with me. You know that everything I do, I do for you and for the life we've built, and you know I'm always grateful that you even let me try to make things right again. You've forgiven me because you're you and because you are a miracle, my savior and my Swan.
I don't care how long it takes, my love. You will always be the only answer, the only dream that matters, and someday, no matter how far away that day might be, I will show you our truth. And on that day, when you say yes to me, it will be the start of a new adventure, one to shadow our dreams with its magic and its light. It will be the story of the ages about a girl and a boy who found each other even when all hope was lost.
Emma wiped away the tears that spilled down her cheeks quickly, thankful that she had forgiven Killian even if that had always been a certainty. Now they would get this dream together, the one they both shared in their hearts.
A loud bought of sniffling and some hiccupped breaths alerted Emma to the continuing response of her friends. To say they were all nearly hysterical would be rather accurate.
"I'm sorry, it's just how do you not cry like a baby all the time?" Mary Margaret asked, wiping away more tears with a handkerchief. Emma smiled, the last of her tears slipping down as she straightened up a bit.
"A miracle?" Her friends laughed as Ruby's phone started chirping.
"And that is our two minute warning. We have two minutes to pull it together." Emma watched as all of her friends tried to do just that as she closed the book and placed it back in the box gently.
Emma excused herself quickly, promising to be back in just a minute and moved from the rooms where they were to her bedroom. She placed the book in the same spot in her drawer where she'd put her sand dollars and smiled knowing it would be safe here. Emma didn't know if or when she'd ever return to it, but it held in its binding her story with Killian, and so must always be protected.
"Ready Ems?" Belle asked, sticking her head in the door way and Emma nodded.
"Yeah, I'm ready."
….
I must look an absolute wreck, Killian thought to himself where he stood awaiting Emma in the backyard. If his face portrayed even half the anxiety he was feeling he surely must look a mess and none of it made rational sense. He knew in his heart Emma was coming, she was just as in this as he was, but until she was here, until her hand was in his and she was agreeing to forever with her promise of 'I do' he would know no comfort. He was half inclined to say to hell with all of this, but then he felt a hand come to his shoulder.
"Patience, brother. She'll be here soon enough." Killian turned to Liam, who was smiling like a fool, no doubt at the agitation Killian was carrying with him and Killian bristled while still remaining silent.
"Pretty sure if you had to wait to marry Elsa as long as Killian's waited for Emma, you wouldn't take too kindly to pleas for patience." Killian hummed his agreement with David, his other groomsman standing up with him today.
Truth was it felt like years between the time he stood at his spot at the head of the aisle and when the music began to play, but as soon as Killian heard the first notes of the violin playing the wedding march, his body seemed to find the first bit of reprieve. He'd been fending off the instinct to simply find Emma and sweep her away, but now there was no need. The moment was here, unfolding just before him.
Watching as each of Emma's friends moved one by one towards him and to their spots to the side, Killian hardly knew what to do. He couldn't breathe or think or speak, but when he saw Emma for the first time, dressed in her white gown, hair up and adorned with a white veil, he felt whole. Peace like he'd never known settled on him and the restlessness he'd been feeling as they waited to marry dissipated. All that remained was Emma, beautiful and breathtaking as she was.
Whenever he'd fantasized about this day, allowing himself the chance to imagine what it might be like, it had never compared to the Swan who walked towards him now. She was a vision, a light in a world of shadows, and she was his, or very soon would be. In the light of the fading day, Emma practically glowed and there was no arguing for Killian that the entire world revolved around her in this moment and in all the rest. How could anyone argue otherwise when faced with Emma and all she was?
Killian watched as her dress moved with her, hugging every inch of her skin in white lace. No one would ever know that she was expecting already, that they were going to be parents soon enough, but Killian did, and it only added to how beautiful she looked now. The flowers that she held were wild, a bouquet of every mix under the sun and the colors, vibrant and varied as they were shone like Emma did in his world. Without her, there was little in terms of beauty, but with Emma, the world was glorious.
As Killian took her in every step of the way, Emma did the same with him, never breaking her focus on him the entire time she walked towards him. The happiness in his love's emerald eyes could not be denied in this moment, and by the time she'd made it, letting him take her hand to hold, Emma's eyes were a little misty with unshed tears.
"I love you," she said easily and Killian brought both of her hands up to kiss, completely ignoring the audience around them.
"As I love you, Emma." She beamed at him, and through the grace of god the ceremony started.
The justice of the peace went through every part, the vows, the promises, the traditional words of affirmation without Emma or Killian needing to turn away. Through the whole affair, Emma was smiling at him in that soft and sweet way that came when she was completely and utterly sure of something, and he knew his responding look must be just as bright. He would never understand how he'd gotten so lucky, and he silently vowed to never ever make Emma regret her decision to love him in return.
Finally, Emma and Killian were given their chance though, to say the things they still thought needed saying. For Killian, this moment was one he'd been looking forward to forever, for he'd constantly bombarded Emma with words and today he'd get a taste of more of hers. He wanted to know every thought in that beautiful mind of hers, and more of what she felt and knew and cherished would be said right now.
"Killian, as long as I have known you I have always been sure of one thing – you are the wordsmith and I am…well, not." The audience around them laughed at that and Killian smiled, urging her onwards. "You have always known your heart, and when we are together you've taught me to do the same. I am who I am because I've known you and because I've loved you. I have the life I do and the happiness that fills it because of our love and I know I always will because you are my constant.
"And no, you haven't always been there holding my hand, but you were with me even when you weren't, Killian, just like I was with you. When love is real, it doesn't ever leave you, it stays and it waits until the time is right and then it blooms. Well now our time is right and the world is waiting for us, our future is waiting for us just to take the step. So don't be afraid, because I know you. I know the man I love and he's still holding on to the tiniest shred of doubt about who he is and what he's worth." Emma paused waiting for Killian to acknowledge that and he did with a subtle nod.
"Let it go for me, give all that doubt to me and I will take it all away just like you've taken the bad in my life. I promise that when you do I won't let you down because I love you Killian Jones, and I always will."
Emma surprised him then and kissed him softly before pulling back, laughing at the fanfare her friends were sending their way in their moment. Killian, meanwhile tried to find his sense of balance in the face of such professions.
"Emma, sometimes I wish I didn't have all the words I do, because I think that sometimes words get in the way. Like right now, where I'm trying to find my way around the immensity of my emotions and my hopes for the two of us. I've said I love you in a thousand ways, but you are the eloquent one amongst us. You live what you feel and your love and your faith in me is something I can breathe and taste and touch. I can never be in denial that I have you for you've given me everything, Emma. You teach me every day how to love you better through you're example, and I am so grateful for that, because it's all I'll ever want."
Killian's hand came to push away a lock of golden hair that had come to fall before Emma's face, looking into her bright green eyes as he did, holding a swirling blend of pure emotion that mirrored his own. He didn't pull away, watching as Emma closed her eyes for the briefest moment, taking in his touch. He saw her finding her peace with him and it moved him, more than anything ever could.
"I promise my doubts are over, Emma. I swear right here and right now that the past is in the past. That chapter is done, the book is closed, but the story is not. We will never be over, Emma, we are a life in love and my heart is as much yours as it is mine. You carry all my hopes for our wonderful future with you and I will follow wherever you lead to see it through. I love you."
"With that, I now pronounce you -," The officient didn't even get the words out before Emma and Killian were crashing into each other for a real, soul searing kiss. They neither of them needed permission, because for each of them, their fates were sealed. Emma and Killian were now forever tied together in love and matrimony and that was all either of them had ever wanted.
…...
"Everyone's finally gone," Emma said happily as she stood by the front steps of their porch later that night, staring off at the last of their guests walking down the lane and leaving her and Killian blissfully alone.
Not to say they hadn't had a beautiful evening, because they had, a spectacular one even. It had been the perfect wedding but that was more to do with who she'd married than the catering or the first dance song or the gifts. Emma had been walking around on cloud nine all day and it was entirely thanks to her doting husband who was all smiles and heat and promises of pleasing her one everyone had gone.
"Well it certainly took them long enough." Killian said, lifting Emma into his arms swiftly, and pulling a surprised yelp from her as he did which promptly turned into a giggle as she looked into her husband's eyes.
"I should have known you'd be old fashioned. Carrying me over the threshold even when we've technically been living in sin for a while now." Emma ran her hand across Killian's jaw, feeling the subtle roughness of his beard against her hand and the upturn of his lips when he smiled.
"There certainly has been some sinfulness involved love, but you have loved every second of it." Oh boy had she ever. Just the thought of all the ways they'd loved each other over the past few months set Emma's toes curling.
"Always. But now that you've made an honest woman out of me, I think I need reminding why I got into your bed before saying 'I do' in the first place." Killian growled out his intention to do just that, moving up the steps only to stall for a minute at the door.
"Didn't think this part through did you, Captain?" Emma teased as she reached for the door herself and Killian shook his head.
"I can hardly think of anything but making love to my wife from now until forever."
"Good to know that we're in agreement, because I fully intend to drive my husband crazy for the rest of our lives." Emma ran her fingers lightly down Killian's neck and he groaned.
"Just let me get you to bed, love. Then you can have your wicked way with me." Emma chuckled at the prospect.
"Well if you insist."
Soon enough they were in their room and Killian tenderly placed Emma back on her feet, dropping a kiss to her lips lightly that Emma wanted no part of. They'd had subtle, gentle caresses all night long. Now was time for action, for raw sensual lust and love blended together. It was time to completely lose herself in Killian and not find her way back to herself for a few days at least.
"God, Emma, how you tempt me." Emma smiled at Killian's praise as she turned around in his arms, bearing her back and the buttons on her dress to him. With shaky hands he undid them, and Emma felt her own need rising in the face of his overwhelming desire. He loved her so much and in his vows he'd claimed that she was the one who always showed it, when he did just the same.
When enough of the buttons had been undone Emma stepped away from Killian, inching the dress off of her until it pooled at her feet and she had a second, maybe two before Killian was moving towards her, hunger radiating from him. Turned out the white lace she'd worn to match her dress underneath was a hit.
"Stop right there." Killian's brow furrowed, but he listened to her, stilling where he was just before holding her.
"Swan?" Emma smiled, moving forward to put her hands on him an unbuttoning his shirt. He'd lost the jacket and the tie earlier in the evening, but she was not interested in one of his slow seductions where he saw only to her. They were going to be in this together, at least this first time.
"I want a good look at what I've just saddled myself to for the rest of my life." Emma felt the vibration of Killian's hum of approval through the fabric, but with each inch of skin that she exposed it was Emma who felt the effects of infatuation. Her husband was hot and she was going to be very happy loving on him and calling hers each and every day.
"Like what you see, my love?" Emma nodded, letting her hands linger on his now shirtless body.
"My husband is devilishly handsome." Killian bent down to kiss her, taking her by surprise, but Emma tried to keep some semblance of her wits about her, undoing his pants and pushing them away as best she could. When that was done though, Killian was finished with letting her lead, back to wanting her with insatiable need.
Emma slid her fingers through his hair at the nape of his neck, pulling him closer for the kiss as his body molded fully against her. She felt every hard contour of his body against hers, and moved backwards until her back touched the wall. Then Killian was boxing her in, hands roaming leaving trails of desire behind them.
"And my wife is everything."
Emma felt herself melting into his touch and suddenly wished she'd been a little more thorough in getting rid of her own clothes as she had been with Killian's. The way he was tracing underneath her bra now was driving her a little mad. He seemed to know though, that she was never going to survive languid measures, and so he unclasped the offending garment tossing it aside.
"Are you going to just look all evening, or…?" Emma squealed as he moved closer to her in an instant. He growled low as he ran his hands across her body first paying attention to her now exposed breasts, which made Emma moan aloud. She was getting exactly what she wanted thanks to her challenge, and as he traced and sucked and kissed every part of her Emma thought of other ways to push him faster.
Emma needn't have worried though because during all of these attentions, one of his hands moved between her legs. When Killian's fingers pushing past the barely there panties she'd been wearing under her dress, she sighed as she leaned her head back against the wall and opened her legs wider so he'd have better access to her. Killian grinned and brought his mouth back up to whisper in her ear.
"Still questioning what I can provide for you, love?" She groaned as he added a bit of pressure to her clit and inserted a second finger into her waiting heat. Emma tried to answer, but found the words wouldn't come. After all the back and forth and the tension and emotion from today, Emma came quickly, reveling in the pleasure only this man could ever give her.
"Maybe just a little." Emma said, when she blinked back up at him. He knew she was teasing, the evidence of his effect on her was fairly damning to say the least but still he fed into this with her.
"I'm going to spend all night showing you Emma. Over and over and over again." Emma's hands tightened on his biceps, trying to steady herself.
"Will any of that include actually taking me to bed?" Killian twirled her back around to their bed, seating her on the edge and kneeling before her. He stripped away the last of the lace between them as Emma fought to catch her breath.
"Does that answer your question, Swan?"
"Killian!" Killian moved her legs apart, looking at her exposed flesh hungrily before he set his mouth at her waiting sex.
Gone were any thoughts she had at all about anything but the expert skill of Killian's mouth. He had her writhing with pleasure underneath his tongue. Emma grasped at the blankets on the bed for some kind of purchase but when Killian saw that it only spurned him on more. He was nipping and sucking at just the right beats to have her mindless but he'd pull back every time she got too close until finally he pushed her over, throwing her into the grips of another crushing climax. As Emma came back to herself though, Killian kissed her lips gently.
"It's hard to know at what point you are most beautiful, love. But watching you fall apart like that for me is a top contender." Emma ran a hand across his jaw and smiled at that. He had every right to be cocky in this moment because he was so damn good at making her come over and over.
Emma moved back into the bed some more away from the side and Killian followed, but she knew she had him at one point and used it to her advantage pushing him back down to come above him. Suddenly, taking him wasn't the most important thing on her to-do list. Emma wanted to get even and make Killian see that as much as he loved ramping up her need for him, she loved doing the same for him.
"Fuck, Emma. I'm too far gone as it is," Killian said when she ran her hand down to grip his hard length. She could see he was being honest as he strained to rein himself in.
"Do you trust me?" Killian jerked a nod and Emma smiled, pressing one last kiss to his lips, before setting her sights on driving him right to the edge. When she had him there she came over him, unable to hold back any longer and lowered herself on his cock.
"You always feel so perfect, love." Killian said and Emma knew exactly what he meant, but then his hand came to run against her stomach and she saw what he was doing. He'd been doing this all the time since finding out she was pregnant. Killian was reminding himself that all of this was real and that soon the next chapter would be here. He was so in awe of her and this child and she was so in awe of him.
They came together over and over until finally finding their release, and when it happened, Emma was immediately wrapped up in her favorite place, the safety of Killian's arms where nothing and no one could touch her.
"I think I have a pretty good ending line for this story," Emma said softly, pulling a smile to Killian's lips.
"Aye love? And what would it be?" Emma nestled in closer, closing her eyes for just a moment.
"And they lived happily ever after."
Post-Note: So full disclosure, I actually got teary eyed as I wrote parts of this chapter, especially Killian's words this go around. Now don't ask me why, since arguably there's been angstier or more beautiful sentiments before in this AU, but like I said before, this feels like a resolution, a final chapter in their past once and for all. Because of that, it might take longer than the usual week to update this story, but know that it isn't over and that eventually there will be more TSYTW cuteness coming in the form of honeymoons and babies. Anyway, I hope that you all enjoyed this installment, and I truly appreciate all the lovely support you've given me through this journey. Until next time, and happy Sunday!