'Are you going to stay?' Emma asked as she dried her hair, watching Killian as he washed himself in the shower

He stared at her 'Are you really worried I would leave you?' she remained silent, waiting for his answer 'I promise you lass, I won't leave now, not of my own free will' he finally elicited a smile from her, and shut off the water. She held out a towel- soft and luxurious compared to the threadbare rags he had on his ship. The small conveniences and luxuries this world held, amazed him.

'Are you hungry?' she hadn't taken her eyes off him since he stepped out of the water.

He leaned over and kissed her 'For you? always' he smirked, tousling his hair with the towel before hanging it up.

Emma smirked 'You should probably go get some fresh clothes'

'Am I not sleeping on my ship this evening?' he queried, cocking his head

'Do you want to?'

'300 years... I guess it's time to get my land legs'

'300 years' she murmured 'Killian, you have to stop saying that! I feel so... young'

'Aye lass, you are indeed young' he pulled her close, her hair warm from the blow-dryer- a contraption that created warm air. 'I suppose we can disregard the 300 years as two or three, as that place holds no measurable method of time passing. I believe that puts me in my 30's'

'That sounds much better' she wrinkled her nose at him, before leaving the bathroom.

'What is it that people in this land call their partner, if not yet Husband and Wife?' he called as she pulled a sweater over her head

'They call them boyfriends, or girlfriends' Emma yelled back 'Why?'

'I wanted to know what I should call you' he said gently, from where he now stood at the door. 'I can't very well go about with people thinking I have possessed you without claiming you'

Emma blushed, heat burning her cheeks, and she struggled to find the words that suited his 'old fashioned' phrases 'Am I 'spoken for' then?'

'If you have to ask lass' he shook his head, though he smiled at her 'Aye, you are spoken for'

'How about you retrieve some of those clothes we bought, and then you can stay here' she was unreasonably nervous to be asking such a simple question

He thought of giving up his ship, his home, forever, to live with his swan, and her son. To surrender his life upon the sea, the only life he had known, for a woman. To be part of something, a family. 'Aye darling, that we should do' he held his hand out towards her, pulling her gently down the hall.

Hand in hand they left Emma's little house, and climbed into her little yellow bug. She was unable to wipe the smile from her face, as his hook rested on her thigh- the sentiment of the gesture somehow meaning more than if he had a hand to touch her with. Together the collected a few days worth of clothes, his toiletries and a few essential items he insisted on. He packed it in the backseat, and she drove them home.
It felt final, and right, when she cleared out a space in the cupboard for Killian's things. They cooked dinner together, Emma explaining what spices and flavors she was using on the chicken, and laughed at him when he squished a piece of cooked pasta between his fingers, screwing up his face at the consistency. All she had to do now was ease him into Henry and her parents lives, and the family would be complete.

I hope you enjoyed it! Short, I know, but I've had a very busy day- my best friend gave birth to twins today! This weekend will be extra hectic for me, so the next chapter probably wont be up until Monday- I appreciate the love & comments so much! Thank-you for sticking with me!
Aj.