A/N: Hello all! I am back after a rather long spell away with another chapter of this story and it comes bearing more of my usual fluffy gifts. Expect thoughtful Killian, shameless morning smut, girls night, an Elsa/Liam update, and typical cuteness. Also, I am happy to report that my vacation away did wonders for my muse and I now know that this story will have at least fifteen chapters. So basically there is just more self-indulgent smuff to come for quite a while. Hope you all enjoy and thanks for reading!

There never came a moment, not in dreams or when awake, when Emma didn't know resolutely that she loved Killian. It had become such a tangible fact and an integral part of who she was that Emma was used to the simple truth sticking close to her always. Killian followed her in every aspect of her life, a presence for the better at every turn, but every once in a while her versions of him mingled together.

The dreams she had of their future and of all the moments she wanted that came with sleep would blur into hazy visions of the kind of pleasure only he could bring her. When that happened, Emma often found herself waking up somewhere in the middle of the fantasy only to realize she'd been tempting him into the real thing as she was stirring awake.

"There you are, my love."

Killian's words as his blue eyes looked at hers made Emma's heart sing. Still thick with the tenor of sleep, his comment warmed her through as his hands ran along her body, pulling her close. He said it like he'd been waiting for her forever, but the truth was he had her every moment.

Killian dropped a kiss on her neck, his hands drifting so they touched her thigh, creeping higher when her legs willingly parted. Emma knew that by now she should be used to this charge of longing. It came whenever they were together, undeniable in its hold over both of them, but it still left her breathless. When his mouth trailed kisses before nipping at her pulse point, it sent a sizzle of raw need coursing through Emma as she arched closer wanting more.

"Is this what you were dreaming of, Swan?" Emma nodded jerkily but it devolved into a moan when his thumb found her clit.

"God this is so much better when you're real," she said aloud, and he grinned.

"It's always real, Emma. You are the realest thing in the world to me."

As his thumb grazed across her clit, his fingers pushed inside of her, and Emma squirmed for more friction and better access. The movement pulled Killian's attention from that spot at her neck down to her breasts and he pulled a taut nipple into his mouth and sucked.

The string of curses she let out and the pleas for more prompted her husband to hum against her breast as his thumb applied more pressure with its swirling motion around her needy bud. Killian knew her body and her needs better than Emma even knew them herself, but it never stopped amazing her just how much control he had in moments like this. He made this all seem so effortless even as her heart nearly hammered out of her chest from pure bliss. She moaned into the start of her impending climax and he pulled his mouth away from her breast to press kisses at her lips and jaw.

"Seeing you like this makes me want to never leave this bed. I think I could convince you to stay here all day." Emma didn't doubt it but since she was on the edge of shattering she couldn't find the words. All she could do was hold on and languish in the fulfillment of being with him.

Killian's growl of approval as he pushed her over the edge heightened Emma's pleasure, sending her soaring only to come back down as he trailed kisses down her body. She knew she should be sated already, but the feeling of his scruff scratching against her skin as his mouth moved delicately across her curves made resistance to this continuing need impossible. It didn't matter that he'd just shattered her world with the feel of his fingers - she was greedy for more, desperately anticipating the feel of his tongue on her.

"Gods you're so gorgeous, Emma. I can't believe you're mine." Emma sighed into the words as her eyes closed, her hands fisting into the sheets seeking out some sort of purchase as she felt she might combust just from his words and the feeling of his breath against her.

She jumped a little when Killian kissed the inside of her thigh but this wouldn't be a fast claiming. He was taking his time to draw out the anticipation, and Emma knew that slow, thorough Killian was her ultimate weakness. Her eyes opened back up only to shut again. She was unable to handle how good it felt and how hot he looked at the same time.

His hair was tousled from sleep, his blue eyes burning her from the inside out. He looked so fiercely desirous and still so in love with her. Underneath the passion was the simple man who loved her and Emma felt herself winding tighter just thinking of all that Killian was. He was more than a dream, but a man, her man, and the person she was going to be with forever. Whatever life threw her way, Killian would be there and that was the most intoxicating thing.

Before his mouth even made contact, Emma was a jumble of nerves. She felt helpless to her desires and so far gone that by the time he swiped his tongue from her sex to her clit she nearly yelped. How did he deliver such dizzying pleasure so surely? And how did it always feel like the first damn time every time?

"I love you."

Emma didn't know how she found the words. She was so turned on and strung out on raw sensation, but they fell passed her lips all the same. Killian hummed against her as he continued to pleasure her and the vibrations sent Emma shuddering through another climax, somehow stronger and more all consuming than the first.

"I love you too, Emma. You have all of me, everything I am and everything I have to give, always."

Killian said the words when he'd returned to come above her and Emma felt happy tears sting her eyes. She wouldn't let them spill over, but she knew Killian could see how much that meant to her. He always had this way of saying things. He was able to convey what he truly felt, and it always left Emma in awe of him.

Emma wanted Killian to feel all the fierceness of what he'd done to her and to drive him as crazy with need as she was. Flipping their positions so she was now on top, she watched his appreciative glance and the slight surprise at her actions mingling in his eyes. Still he looked at her like she was everything.

"You're always giving, but I think it bears repeating that marriage is supposed to be a compromise. We both give everything, that's how this works." Emma watched the intensity building in his face as she kissed down his body and eventually took his hard length into her mouth.

It was easy to see why Killian was always so set on pleasing her. Every sound and word and movement from him that told of how much he needed and wanted her just fed into her own feelings. This was power and peace all in one. Nothing had ever made so much sense to her or made her feel so altogether new, and somehow she was lucky enough to get to start almost every morning this way.

"Emma I won't last that way. In fact I may very well perish."

Emma laughed as she moved up, showing a little mercy as she moved to straddle his cock. She pressed her hands against his chest, her fingers not missing the bit of hair there or the feeling of his muscles as they tensed in anticipation. She couldn't stop grinning, knowing she had him so close to losing it, but when she lowered onto him, allowing him to fill her as she tightened around him, she was just as lost too. They both chased that ultimate release until finally finding it, filling Emma's vision with that golden sort of tint that came when thoroughly content.

Emma lay back on the bed, cheek to his chest and tried to regain her breathing. His came out just as ragged, but his hands never strayed from her, running along her skin in silent worship as they often did.

"How does it keep getting better?" Emma asked and though she wasn't looking at him she swore she heard his smile.

"Because we were made for each other, love." And as sappy as that sounded, Emma didn't doubt it. In fact, she was pretty much convinced that somehow he'd been sent to find her and that marrying a stranger in Vegas (or at least this particular stranger) had been her destiny all along.

"How long until you think we'll be 'made for each other' again?"

Emma asked with her best seductive voice, delighting in his mumbled words that she was a bloody siren and the promise that that they always would be. Then he proved it to her with a few more hours together in their bed that completely redefined what a 'perfect morning' meant for Emma once and for all.

…..

Every single morning should pass just this way. That was all Killian could think as he stood in the kitchen holding Emma from behind as she busied herself flipping the pancakes before her.

After waking up in their typical way, which was to say wrapped up in each other and finding that same lazy morning pleasure they'd gotten used to so far this summer, Emma informed him that she had more in mind for the day than lovemaking. He was doubtful that there could be something better out there, but Emma made her opinions known.

"Pancakes?" Killian had asked, not skeptically per se, but definitely surprised.

"Yup, with chocolate chips and bananas. Then you spread a little peanut butter on top. Just trust me on this." Emma hadn't needed to implore him to do so, for Killian would always trust Emma. Nothing else in life would ever come easier, except perhaps for loving her.

But he did have to admit that this was somewhat harder than he'd expected. Emma was wearing nothing but his shirt, her hair up and out of her face leaving her neck exposed to him, and she looked so determined to get these just right. Her lips were pursed together in that way that spoke of concentration, her eyes trained on the task at hand, but still he felt her occasional shiver of awareness when his hands traced over her skin.

She never waivered though, always keeping the breakfast in front of them in mind. Killian truly didn't give a damn what she put in them or if they were perfectly shaped, but to Emma it was a source of pride, and Killian knew that no matter what he'd always follow her inclinations.

When the pancakes were all finished, Emma shut off the stove and turned around in his arms, her smile knowing as it curled up to one side and her green eyes studied his face. Killian felt the wave of so much happy emotion that always came when Emma looked at him this way and didn't bother fending it off. He knew he must look ridiculous, grinning as he was, but he didn't mind. His wife should always know how happy she made him.

"You planning to let us eat, or hold me all morning instead?" Killian chuckled, his mouth moving down to cover Emma's in a light kiss.

"Tempting as the latter might be, love, you've put a fair bit of work into the morning's showing."

Emma laughed lightly, muttering that he 'had no idea.' He could only assume she meant because he'd been teasing her with touches, and she had a point. Killian could have been more removed, but his heart wouldn't let him and he knew that Emma had exercised some will power to keep from caving to the unspoken promise. He liked making the most of every moment with his Swan, because a million moments would never be enough.

All through breakfast Killian battled with himself. Part of him wanted to enjoy this quiet interlude. It was exactly what he'd been dreaming of since meeting Emma that fateful night in Vegas. Normal moments where they were just together and happy were all that he could hope for. But at the same time his lovely wife was taking every opportunity to tempt him.

First Emma seated herself just beside him at the table. They were nearly touching, but not quite, and she'd lean in to whisper words in that husky tone that made him want to pull her back to bed, pancakes be damned. Then there were the gentle caresses, similar to the ones he'd dished out to her before, but all together more powerful. He didn't care what anyone said, there was no way that he had the same power over Emma that she had over him. He was completely lost to her, seeing nothing else but her.

"You've got a little chocolate right here." Emma's thumb came up to wipe the corner of his mouth and then returned to her own mouth to lick it away. Killian couldn't bite back the grunt and watched as Emma's jade colored eyes shone from his attention.

"Playing with fire, love." Emma feigned innocence.

"What? I was just trying to help." Killian pulled her closer to him and in a second Emma was in his lap, much to her surprise and delight.

"You were trying to tempt me, but you needn't try. All you have to do is ask. Anything you want I'll give you." Emma smiled.

"Anything, huh?"

"Aye, love." Her lips came crashing down to his and Killian felt how all consuming it was. The heat, the need, the love: it all swirled together into a heady concoction with just a tinge of chocolate.

The breakfast before them was long forgotten now, and Killian would have been grateful that they'd eaten most of it if he could think of anything other than pleasing Emma, but then she pulled back and sighed. He could see that she was about to say something when they both heard his phone beep with an incoming text.

"Ignore it." Killian groaned out the words, not interested in any interruptions. They'd gotten into this nasty habit of letting the world come between them, but the world could sod off for today. Right now there was only him and Emma.

"It could be important." Emma's logic didn't do anything to convince him, but her smile solidified that whatever it was could wait. He was about to pull her back down to his lips when the phone beeped again.

"Bloody hell." Emma laughed at his frustration, and it only got worse when the third text came in.

"Okay now you have to check."

Killian would disagree, but whoever it was clearly wanted to speak to him, and he wouldn't put it past them to call or worse, show up. Emma slid off his lap quickly and regrettably moved from the kitchen back through the doorway to the bedroom.

D: Need help with something. Meet me at the corner of Main and Friar.

D: I know, I know, I'm interrupting.

D: Trust me it's important.

"Everything alright?" Emma asked as Killian walked into the bedroom and he ran a hand across his face. Killian didn't actually have an answer for her question, but he saw that she was starting to get dressed for the day and that was regrettable to say the least.

K: You better be at death's door, mate.

"Dave needs something."

"Do you think he really needs something, or is this another male bonding thing?"

Killian laughed as he pressed a kiss to Emma's lips. She was of course referring to Dave's recent attempts at being better friends. He wasn't kidding at the barbecue when he said he'd been lacking for company. In the last week alone, he'd asked Killian fishing, hiking, and to a baseball game in Portland. But right now Killian was not particularly fond of the idea of having a friend who would tear him from Emma on a perfectly good Saturday morning.

D: Not quite. And before you threaten bodily harm, know that I've weighed the risks. You'll be glad you came.

"I couldn't tell you what he wants, love. He's a man of mystery." Emma laughed again, the sound of it filling Killian up with more love than he could articulate, but he knew Emma knew. Her green eyes traced over his face and her sweet smile said enough for both of them.

"Well it's probably for the best. Ruby's got it into her head that our normal girl's night isn't enough for tonight. She not so casually mentioned that my input would be appreciated and rewarded with grilled cheese."

"She knows you too well, Swan. I'd wager there are many a worse things than party planning that you would undertake for your favorite meal."

Emma shrugged and it was cute enough to him that he wrapped her back up in his arms, bringing her close for another kiss. Emma eventually pulled back promising they could pick up on this later.

"I'll hold you to that, Swan." Emma slipped out of his arms and back out of their bedroom with a wink and a smile.

"I'd expect nothing less."

It was understandable that after changing quickly and heading out into the world from his little bubble with Emma, Killian spent the entire way to Dave's designated spot intent on cussing out his new friend. Little did he know that the frustration would largely die off in the face of where he ended up.

"Ah there you are, and you didn't come brandishing a weapon. Promising." Killian looked from the sign of the Storybrooke Animal Shelter to Dave.

"You can thank Emma for that." Dave smiled.

"Trust me, it's Emma I was thinking of when I texted. Come on." Dave walked inside and immediately greeted the clerk behind the counter, a nice older woman with a genuine smile.

"Marlene, make my day and tell me she's still here." The woman beamed up at him, clearly charmed by Dave thoroughly.

"Oh she's here sheriff. Wouldn't know it though, she hasn't so much as whimpered since they brought her in. Gentle as can be, but quiet as a mouse."

Marlene moved back through the rooms and Killian followed her and Dave only to find a dog that was exactly to the specifications of what Emma had mentioned her dream dog looked like a few weeks back. She'd always dreamed of having a golden retriever or a shepherd, and this dog appeared to have a bit of both in her. She was young, but not moving about as the other puppies were with reckless abandon, and above all Killian noted the dogs wide brown eyes that tracked them all carefully. It reminded him of Emma when faced with a new situation, wary but still brave enough to face whatever came.

"See, I told you that you wouldn't want to kill me."

Killian shook his head as the dog in question's tail started to wag. Marlene opened the door and apologized, saying that to this point the dog had been a bit skittish with men, but no sooner were the words out of the woman's mouth than the animal was trotting up to Killian, pushing her head into his outstretched hand.

"That's a girl." The dog's tail continued to wag as Killian scratched behind her ear.

"So, was the sheriff right? Is our little lady here finding a home?" Killian grinned, affirming that she was, even if he knew he needed to check with Emma first. He could already anticipate her reaction, but it would be wonderful to behold all the same.

He called Emma quickly, insisting that before she go see Ruby she meet him at the park. She was surprised but his Swan agreed and Killian thanked Marlene for the leash and collar she provided for this little field trip. They set off quickly, with the dog by Killian's side the whole way.

They beat Emma to the park but only by a moment and when she came into view and her smile at him turned to a surprised excitement in the face of the dog, Killian's heart leapt. Couple that with the bark that came from the canine he'd been told was silent and her sudden tugging at the leash to get to Emma and Killian himself was equally surprised.

"A dog?" Emma asked, crouching low to dish out a lot of love to her new friend. Emma was unafraid of affection with the animal, even going so far as to giggle when the dog licked at her cheek. It was a sweet sound, one unmarred by any reluctance or resentment, pure in its happiness that struck Killian to his core.

As their time together continued to accumulate, Killian found more and more that Emma was opening up, but he'd rarely seen her affected with the child-like exuberance he saw now. She looked so innocently carefree, pouring her fondness over this more than willing dog, and though it made Killian just the tiniest bit jealous, Emma's look of love that she sent his way when she awaited his answer soothed any such feelings away.

"You mentioned it as a wish, love, and as I said this morning, there's nothing you could want that I won't try to give you." Emma grinned up at him before her eyes moved back to the dog again.

"Does she have a name?"

"She does when you give her one."

"Sandy." Emma said the name with a definitive tone and Killian had to appreciate it, even as he pieced together why she'd chosen it. Emma only confirmed his thinking aloud: it was all in favor of a more well known orphan girl and her favorite companion.

"Well with just a little paperwork Sandy will be coming home with us today, love. The newest addition to our family." Emma grinned at that, hopping back up to a standing position and kissing Killian lightly on the cheek.

"I love you." Killian felt himself warm and he wouldn't be surprised if he'd blushed a little based on the knowing smile that came from Emma as she continued to look at him.

"As I love you, Swan."

Killian handed Emma the leash, which she took eagerly in one hand as she extended the other for him to hold. Killian accepted it without hesitation and found on their walk back that as well behaved as Sandy was with him, she was the picture of puppy perfection for Emma. Mere minutes had been enough to bond them, and Killian was aware that now their new dog was just as much under Emma's spell as he was.

"I think it's safe to say she has a new favorite person." Emma smiled again as Sandy barked once more in reply.

"So did you forgive him?" Killian's brow furrowed at Emma's question. "Did you forgive David for the interruption?"

"Ah, that all depends. Are you happy?" Emma nodded. "Then all is most definitely forgiven." Emma laughed.

"Good, because despite your protests, I think you might like being his friend as much as he likes being yours."

"Perhaps." Though he wouldn't tell Dave that. He highly suspected the sheriff would just continue to show up more and more then, and leaving things as they were worked well enough for Killian.

"Mary Margaret's dubbed it a full on bromance, and I'm liable to agree." Killian shook his head at that.

"Bromance or not, today is for you and me to figure out every way we can to spoil this dog rotten." Emma grinned at his diversion tactic and they set out with that intention in mind. And if Killian happened to spoil Emma along the way, he couldn't be blamed, for no one could be more worth the effort and the love than his wife.

…

After what could only be described as a wonderful day, Emma found herself grinning all over again. This time though, it wasn't sparked by the fact that Killian had found her the perfect dog or his constant sweetness and beautiful words. No it was prompted by his movie of choice that he planned to watch with his brother, David, and Graham tonight while she was out with her friends.

"Star Wars?" Emma asked as she picked up the DVDs from the coffee table and looked over to Killian.

Killian scratched behind his ear, a tell tale sign that he was embarrassed and Emma only smiled more because of it. It turned out that underneath the incredibly hot exterior, her husband was a total nerd. Not that she hadn't learned that already, but still it was cute to see the little bit of red that came to his cheeks when she pointed it out.

"Aye, Swan. Tease me if you will, but they are classics and I will never concede to another opinion on that." Emma chuckled lightly, sitting down on the couch beside him as she waited a few more minutes to leave. She pulled him down for a kiss, liking the beat of understanding that came when he realized her intentions.

They both got lost in the kiss for a little bit until Emma pulled back catching her breath and he made a cheesy line about the force between them being stronger than anything in that franchise. Emma couldn't do anything but shake her head at the corniness and was about to kiss him again when she heard some sound from outside.

Sandy did little more than pick her head up off of the new bed they'd gotten for her today that was set up across the room. She made no motions to investigate and no bark came at any point, but Emma knew that someone was approaching the house and the light out front was all the confirmation she needed.

"My brother and Elsa are on time today. Shocking."

Emma knew that Killian meant the statement as a joke. She'd been told on more that one occasion that Liam was never late. It was a testament to his infatuation with Elsa that he had a tendency to be so now. Meanwhile Emma knew that Elsa always flirted with a less than stellar record of prompt appearance. It never diminished how much any of them loved her though.

Emma moved to the door to greet them before a knock could come, excited to get the night going so that she could eventually come back home again, but when she opened the door she was greeted not by two expectant guests but by two people who resembled teenagers in the throws of making out.

"Am I interrupting?" Emma asked, hearing Killian's laugh from inside the house. He likely knew exactly what she'd stumbled upon. Hell the two of them had stolen moments like that more times than she could count this summer.

Elsa and Liam broke apart and it was easy to see that while her friend might be surprised, she was still pretty thick in the haze that came when you were with someone you loved. To Emma's knowledge, neither Liam nor Elsa had told the other that this thing between them was in fact love, but both had made their feelings known to others.

"Emma! I didn't see you there." Emma bit back a smile.

"Yeah, I figured."

Maybe she should feel badly for making her friend blush, but Emma had to admit she kind of liked that someone else's newfound romance was on display. Maybe she could kind of understand her friends' continued fascination with her and Killian better now. Seeing Elsa this happy was good for Emma's heart too.

"I take it that's my brother laughing his head off inside?"

Emma shrugged at Liam's question as if there was anyone else who would be. Liam grinned, giving Emma a quick hug before doing so. The gesture still took her slightly aback. They'd had a few days now to get used to each other, and amends had already been made, but still… Liam Jones would never seem like a hugger to her. He was just so big and intimidating.

When Emma turned back to Elsa, her friend was all smiles, pushing a lock of her hair behind her ear that had fallen out of her braid and looking entirely too happy. Not that Emma could blame her. The Jones brothers seemed to have a way about them.

"So you're off then, love?" Speak of the devil.

Emma turned back to find that Killian had joined her at the doorway and she nodded. Killian pulled her in for a kiss that was a bit more involved than was polite given their company but Emma didn't care. If she had to guess, she'd say she probably looked as glad as Elsa did when it was done.

"A last ditch effort to get me to stay?" Emma asked, still a bit flustered even as she feigned composure. Killian chuckled.

"More a reminder of what awaits when you come home to me." Killian nodded to Elsa in greeting then and moved back inside with Sandy, leaving Emma and her friend there alone on the steps.

"It's sort of nice not to be alone in the whole crazy, head over heels thing." Emma laughed at Elsa's characterization as they headed out, filling the rest of the time with an update of sorts on Elsa and Liam's relationship. Things were progressing nicely, and all it had taken was Elsa's display of mutual affection for Liam to defect to Storybrooke just like Killian had.

Killian explained to Emma the immensity of that gesture for Liam. At first Killian could no believe Liam would be willing to step away from work, but it was clear that Liam was sincere and Emma was happy for it. Technically Elsa could paint anywhere, but this was her home, and her greatest muse was this place and the people in it. If anyone asked, Liam was still technically living in New York, but Emma knew it was just a matter of time before he was here permanently.

When they finally arrived at Ruby' house, they were greeted with a whole lot of energy from their other three friends, and though Emma had to admit she'd been a little hesitant to leave Killian and Sandy, she found herself having a great time. Plus it didn't hurt that all her friends were seemingly just as excited about her dog as she was. She'd been handed treats as gifts from Mary Margaret and Belle, and threatened with random dognappings from Ruby who referred to Sandy as 'problematically adorable.'

The evening passed with wine and food and all the usual ridiculousness that followed these girl nights. Gossip ran rampant, catching up was a must, but mostly they just had fun. There was a reason they'd all been friends since they were kids, and it was because none of them was adverse to a good time.

"Okay, I feel like we're one step away from 'never have I ever' and I have to be honest, we are way to old for that crap. So instead I'll be blunt: where are at on the happily ever after tours?" Ruby looked between Emma and Elsa and while Elsa choked a little on her drink Emma rolled her eyes.

"I don't think age is what caused the lack in subtly."

"Ha ha. Start talking, blondie." Emma smiled at the new nickname and because she was feeling laid back and a little more care free thanks to the wine and the incredible amount of carbs she'd just had, she was totally honest.

"I'm going to ask Killian to marry me." Emma said the words, expecting some sort of chorus of enthusiasm. She got it from three of her friends but her announcement was also met with more sass from Ruby.

"Hate to break it to you Ems, but you kind of already married the man." Emma rolled her eyes not bothering to respond to that. Ruby had been harping on Emma to get remarried soon so that they could all be there. Now she was just ribbing Emma for the hell of it.

"How will you do it?" Mary Margaret asked, diverting Emma's attention back to her actual mission at hand.

"I don't know yet. I just know I want to do it soon. Every day I don't feels like a missed opportunity."

Emma had been thinking about this a lot, and she liked the idea that they'd get married before the new school year started. She didn't want anything extravagant or taxing to plan. She just wanted the most important people in her life to be there when she reaffirmed that she wanted forever with Killian. Belle sighed wistfully cutting through Emma's personal musing and Emma turned her attention to her friend.

"Sorry it's just - you marry the man in Vegas, he finds you, the two of you fall more in love, he's building you a house, got you a dog, and now you're going to really marry him, presumably have a bunch of kids, and then grow old together right?" Emma blushed but nodded. "As far as love stories go, that's a pretty great one."

"I don't know. I'm pretty partial to high school sweethearts who always find each other and choose love over all," Mary Margaret quipped.

"Or the one about two people who meet and recognize the potential right away but let the sexual tension and love stew for a few years so then it never dies," Ruby replied.

"I like chance meetings on the beach." Elsa added happily, clearly thrilled that now she had a story too. Ruby was eager to help her fill in.

"Well then there was the whole forbidden attraction thing. All was hopeless until it wasn't and then it was magic. You're really selling your story short Els. Gotta work on that." Elsa blushed and the friends pounced. What wasn't she saying?

"Liam told me he loves me last night." The friend's all exchanged a look.

"Elsa, anyone with eyes could see that one coming."

"That's what Anna said! When I reminded her that she's yet to meet him she still claimed that she was right."

Everyone laughed because that sounded exactly like Anna, and when Emma found out that Anna was coming back for a week at the end of the summer she realized that was even more reason to have the wedding soon. She could really have everyone there if she did so.

The night pushed on, though if Emma was honest, she would admit that her thoughts never strayed too far from her want for that real wedding. It stuck with her through the whole rest of the evening, until the moment came when it was just her and Ruby left cleaning up the little bit of mess the friends had made. Emma had just finished bringing the last of the glasses into the kitchen to Ruby at the sink when her friend turned and faced her head on.

"Can I just say something?" Emma saw the sincerity in Ruby's eyes and decided to dish out a little of Ruby's typical fare in her response.

"Oh no. Is this about to get sentimental?" Emma joked and Ruby surprisingly didn't roll her eyes. Instead she confirmed Emma's suspicion.

"I know I tease, Emma, but I hope you know that I'm proud of you." Emma blinked at that.

"Proud of me?" Ruby nodded.

"Despite everything you let Killian in. That took a lot of courage. He might be a great guy, he might even be the one, but at the end of the day you're happy like you are right now because you chose to be. You said yes to him and second chances and after everything you've been through, that makes you the strongest person I know."

Ruby's words were touching of course, and Emma felt the weight of their meaning in every way, but more than that her phrasing sparked an idea. The theme in her and Killian's relationship for second chances might just be the exact thing that she needed when it came to proposing to him.

"Ruby, you're a genius!" Ruby blinked back at Emma and Emma realized that without the context of Emma's finding a new plan that sounded weird. "What I meant is thank you. You gave me an idea for proposing."

"So what are you waiting for then? Go get your man!"

Emma laughed, insisting that it would have to wait. It wasn't something that could just manifest in a rush. Tomorrow though was another story. Ruby made Emma promise to let her help if Emma needed anything to enact her plan, but Emma knew she would was more than equipped to handle this. All she had to do was wait a little bit longer and she'd get her chance.

Emma held onto that happy thought and the hope that tomorrow would be all that she wished it to be through her walk home and back to her favorite place beside Killian. And whether it was fate or intuition, Emma knew that it would all work out and that when it did it would be another step in a life she couldn't quite believe she got to call her own.

Post-Note: So I know it took forever to get the new installment but I really hope you guys will forgive me. I included puppy cuteness, so it has to be a given right? Fingers crossed. Anyway, thank you all for your patience and to those of you who reached out to check in on the story's progress or found it during my time away. It means so much to know you guys are invested in the fic with me, and I will keep trying to do the story justice. Like I said I have a number of chapters sketched out still, and they all come bearing love, happiness, and more fluff than one probably needs. Par for the course really. Anyway, thanks again for reading and I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!