Hi all, I go back to the real world of work tomorrow so the updates will not be as frequent. I also wanted to get them past Christmas and settled back in to their jobs.

There was only one thing Killian regretted about their night; that he was damaged and couldn't properly hold Emma and caress her the way she deserved. The way he wanted to. After all her years of waiting she deserved a whole man. Emma's absolute denial that she minded his missing appendage helped alleviate some of his concerns, but he still couldn't help but feel he needed to fix himself.

Christmas Eve he finally decided to do something about it. He was at the office, finishing up some work before taking a week off for the holiday, and he got the number for the medical unit and made an appointment. He wouldn't tell Emma just yet, but he would talk to her about it before making any decision. She had to live with what he did as much as he did, and he wanted to ensure she would be comfortable with whatever he chose.

Going home in a much better frame of mind, he excitedly thought about his Christmas surprise for Emma. He hoped she would love it, as it was really a gift for them both, not just for her. He'd bought a few little things, but the big present was one for them to share, and one she couldn't use without him. He meant it when he said she was hard to shop for.

They were going to have their big meal on Christmas Eve. Granny had prepared it earlier in the day, and got everything she could ready so that Emma could heat it up and serve it herself. Once Emma turned eighteen and was given some authority over the household, she'd decreed that all of the staff was to have Christmas Eve, Christmas, and Boxing Day off. They could take more time if they wanted, but no one was to work on those days. She could do for herself, and the palace wouldn't fall apart. She wanted them to be able to spend the time with their families, like she wished she could. Granny was the only person who Emma couldn't convince to leave. She'd taken care of Emma for so long, and she couldn't leave her to sit in the house all alone for three days with no company at all. This year, with Killian's return, Emma finally managed to get her to take the time off, as Emma would no longer be alone.

Killian walked in to the large kitchens to see Emma wearing an apron and running around checking on all of their favorite foods. He'd never seen his princess do more than grab a drink from the refrigerator, and this was quite a shock.

"Swan, I don't believe I've seen this side of you. Did you go domestic on me while I was away?"

"Oh hush, Granny did all the work. I'm just reheating it. Go upstairs and get cleaned up. Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes." As he was leaving he heard her call, "you need to be back in time to set the table." He chuckled, liking the homey scene that had been set.

Emma served up a turkey, green bean casserole, potatoes, salad, gravy, and a few more staples, but nothing overly elaborate. They would be able to eat the leftovers for a few days until the cook and rest of the staff returned. Emma always thought it was a bit ridiculous that she had a whole household of people who were there to take care of her twenty four hours a day, and that she should really learn to be more self sufficient. Then she thought about the enormity of the house, and respect that was due to her parents and went back to relying on others. It was days like these that she got to work for herself that she truly appreciated how much work must go in to every daily activity.

Killian came back downstairs and set the table, poured their drinks, and tucked in as soon as the food was served. Trying to compliment Emma on the food, she shushed him.

"I told you, I only reheated."

"Well, you reheat things marvelously, love."

Emma gave him no response, and started to clear the table.

"Presents now or tomorrow morning, love?"

"NOW!" The dishes could wait.

"You never were one to be patient about presents."

"Well I never had a good role model." She smirked at him and continued. "'But Liam, if we open our gifts tonight we'll still have presents from Santa tomorrow. It just makes the celebration last so much longer.'" She said in a child-like, sing-song voice. "You wouldn't give in until he finally caved and let you open your presents. And of course all I had to do was sit and be quiet, because once you were allowed to open yours, my parents couldn't deny me."

They had walked into a parlor with a large tree where Killian and Emma had both been stashing presents for each other over the past week. They brought a bottle of champagne to drink as they sat comfortably by chairs placed next to a fire, and started dividing up the presents, each taking a turn opening one. Killian was thrilled by the assortment of gifts. He particularly chuckled when he opened a large package of fireworks, remembering the time they'd gotten in the most trouble as children. Killian had bought a collection of various types, and brought them back to the palace where he and Emma were caught lighting them and setting roman candles off near the pond. The lecture that night included warnings that they were going to lose an eye or a hand and then where would they be?!

Emma said, "see, you've already lost a hand so we'll be okay now."

He laughed. If Emma could joke about it, he was more than okay joking about it.

He'd gotten her various presents, books, a scarf. Things he knew she'd like, but nothing especially sentimental. Until she opened his last gift. It was a silver cuff bracelet with a gold inlay, depicting a scene of a swan swimming on a pond. Areas had been highlighted with enamel work, and it was truly a work of art. Emma was surprised that it was not in a museum.

"Killian, this is beautiful. I've never seen anything like it." She put it on her wrist immediately, and put her hand on his cheek and kissed him. "Where did you find it?

"I was in Borneo a few years back and found it at a market stall. Swan, I don't think it's valuable, so don't get too excited over it. I just saw it and thought of you."

Hearing that he'd been holding on to it for several years made it infinitely more valuable in her eyes. Knowing that he thought of her while he wasn't there was just more proof that he never truly wanted to be away. Emma's heart soared.

He added, "Emma, your real present isn't here. We need to go to it tomorrow. You'll need to dress warm and be ready to leave first thing."

"A mystery present. I like it." She then added, "your real present isn't in here either. It's out in the gardens."

She grabbed his hand and led him out the door, into the chilly December air. They'd walked down the path and were standing outside a door leading in to a secret garden, and she told him to close his eyes. Squeezing them shut as though he were five again, she led him in and finally told him to open them. That's when he saw the massive trampoline. His eyes were shining and he was laughing almost instantly. He pulled Emma up on to the net, and the started bouncing, just like when they were kids.

She knew that to any outsider, the adults would have looked like absolute idiots, laughing and bouncing around, but they were blissfully happy. In that moment, neither had any cares in the world. Just the thought of the next bounce.

Killian grabbed Emma around the waist, and they sank down, breathless on to the net.

"Thank you, Emma. I don't think I've had that much fun in years."

"I'm glad you like it, Captain."

They lay there for awhile, looking up at the stars. Killian would point out certain constellations to her, telling her the myths behind the names. She loved this quiet, peaceful time, and thought her life was close to perfect. She propped herself up on her elbow, and leaned over and kissed him gently. He enveloped her, and quickly the two were wrapped in each other, not paying any mind to the cold December night.

\\\\

The next morning Killian woke Emma up early.

"Happy Christmas, love. Time to get up. We've got somewhere to be."

"Killian, another hour. Please?" Not being about to deny her anything, he finally caved. "Alright darling, but then you only get 10 minutes to get ready. Remember, dress warm and don't worry about breakfast. There will be food where we're going."

When Emma arrived downstairs, Killian handed her a go cup of hot chocolate and escorted her out the door. He had a car waiting, and the two climbed in. Emma noted that the driver must know where they were going, as Killian hadn't needed to give any directions. She quickly realized they were heading towards the direction of the harbor, and her suspicions grew regarding her present.

When they arrived at the docks, and Killian started walking her towards one of the ships that had a red ribbon tied around the mast, she laughed.

"Welcome to the Swan. Its yours love, but only if you let me be your captain for our adventures."

"I love it Killian. Truly. I thought about getting you a boat but decided not to in case you weren't ready, and frankly because I know nothing about ships and wouldn't have been able to pick out a good one."

"Well, Swan. No matter, I've bought you a boat, and will ask you to borrow it any time I have a want or need. As long as you don't mind sharing. It's modest, but it's what I can sail on my own. I wanted this to be for us. Away from the Palace and staff. Just us."

"I love that idea, Captain. I love you."

He was surprised. He hadn't expected Emma to say it first. He expected that he would accidentally blurt it out at some point, and Emma would go running. He didn't want to make a big deal out of what he just heard, knowing Emma would not like that. He simply took her hand and whispered, "I love you, too." As he walked her up the gangplank.

The two set sail, and Emma reveled in watching Killian in his element. Once they were out of the harbor, with a good breeze blowing, Emma went below to look for the breakfast she'd been promised. Finding fruit, danish, and coffee, she took plates for herself and Killian up to the deck, and they ate while he absentmindedly manned the tiller. This was his idea of a perfect way to spend a day, and he was so glad to see that Emma was enjoying herself as well.

Eventually the two grew cold, and Killian started heading them back in to the harbor. He promised her that they would go again soon, and possibly for a whole weekend once the weather started to grow warmer.

Walking back in to the Palace hand in hand, Emma leaned up and kissed Kilian, thanking him for her best Christmas in quite some time. He simply told her that this was just the first of many.