A/N: Hello all. I am sorry it's been so long since I updated this story, but finally after a while I am back! It's a much shorter chapter (again, all of the apologies), but it's because I've been grappling with how to end this lovely fic. I have decided that the best way will be a long epilogue that gives flashes of this CS HEA, but until I have the time to craft that, here is this smaller bit that I wanted to include. Thanks for reading!

The past three weeks of Emma's life had been some of the best she'd ever experienced. After saying 'I do' to Killian, and spending their one night at home in the sacred space they were starting their future, they'd set off on what was easily the most romantic honeymoon ever.

It was filled with every good thing a honeymoon required – passion, adventure, newness, and still the comfort of that one special person that you truly belonged with. Emma had that in Killian and everything else, all the wonder and surprise that awaited her after that, was simply icing on the cake.

All Emma knew before their leaving was the basics. She would need to take a month off of work so they could spend three weeks in Europe and one week back at home without worrying about anything else. From there, it was all a surprise, planned out by Killian as one final wedding present to Emma.

It might seem slightly excessive to be gone so long on a honeymoon, but when Emma considered that she'd never given herself a real vacation of any kind since she opened her practice's doors, she felt better. Besides, when was she ever going to have the chance to do something like this again? The answer was likely never.

So Emma found a temporary physician to take her place at the clinic. When she'd found a suitable candidate, Emma informed Tiana that despite not having her MD, Tiana was in charge. She knew their patients and Storybrooke better than any outsider ever could, and more than that Emma trusted her. Tiana was more than up to the task, and a few times during their weeks away, Emma got periodic updates from her friend. Things were going well, even if everyone missed Emma while she was gone.

Emma missed her friends back home too, but it was hard to be too heartbroken over it when she was traveling through Europe (a place she'd never been before) with her ridiculously handsome and ever thoughtful husband. England, Italy, France, Spain: Emma had seen so much and explored places she never thought she'd get to see all while being with Killian. The food, the art, the cultures, and the people were so varied but Killian was her constant, making her laugh and smile and feel good the whole trip. It was perfect and romantic, and exactly what they needed after everything they'd been through.

Now they were stateside again, in New York for just two days to get to this – Killian's one agreed to interview for the impending book.

They were only a few days away from the global release of A Life in Love, and Emma was excited. Even if it was kind of a personal thing, this telling of their story was something Killian had worked so hard on. There wasn't a word in that book that he hadn't chosen with precision and written with love and hope, and Killian should be rewarded for that not just by having Emma's love in return, but also a little bit of appreciation from everyone else as well.

Emma had no doubt that Killian's book was going to be a hit and that people would be talking of it for a very long time, but the sooner he did this interview the sooner they could run back to their little bubble on the coast of Maine. Once there, they might have the chance at normal again, or at least the normalcy that life would allow given this next step already starting on their journey. Adding to their family was going to make everything else seem tame – this would truly be their surest test and their greatest adventure, and Emma could hardly wait.

And Emma actually had some updates on that front for Killian that she'd procured only this morning. She'd claimed she was sharing breakfast with an old friend from med school, which was true, but Emma casually left out that her old friend was one of the top OBGYNs in the country and that she'd given Emma some news that was going to change everything. As soon as this was over, and the two of them found another quiet moment, Emma had every intention of savoring his delighted reaction to this new detail and spending the last week of this honeymoon completely wrapped up in him.

Until then, Emma waited in the wings as Killian took his spot on the stage of the talk show he was appearing on. Emma knew Killian wasn't nervous for this at all, having done this a time or two before for past books, but she had to wonder how that could be. If it were here out on that stage, Emma would be a wreck. As it was she could feel herself shaking a little just from nerves for Killian.

"I'm joined now by Killian Jones, a world renowned author who after years of writing suspense stories that kept us all on the edge of our seats veered to a romantic memoir of sorts. His book, titled A Life in Love, has been number one on the best sellers list for three weeks, just from presales and will be in stores this week. Killian, it's good to have you here with us."

Emma watched as Killian nodded and thanked the host for having him. She smiled at the fact that he didn't say it was good to be here too. Emma knew he was rather grumpy over the fact that he'd had to come at all, but it was for the best. The book needed some promo even if it wasn't very much, and this show was an easy enough way to get mass exposure in one simple interview.

"I think I'll start with the most obvious question – why write this book at all?" Killian scratched behind his ear and Emma knew he was a little uncomfortable, but he pressed through, answering with that same easy charm he spoke with regularly.

Killian had his host and the audience completely wrapped around his finger as he talked of his and Emma's second chance and his not knowing any other way to say he was truly sorry. Through it all, Killian was so complimentary of her, and more than once Emma felt the eyes of the show's production team on her as she waited off the side of the stage for Killian. The awe and envy were palpable as Killian continued to go on and on, but Emma didn't mind. At the end of the day he was hers, and he always would be.

"So I have to ask, because readers and fans alike are curious – did it all work out in the end? Did the guy get the girl and the happily ever after?" Killian took that moment to look away from the host, and caught Emma's eye where she stood. His brilliant smile made her heart warm considerably.

"Aye it did. In the end it all turned out better than I ever dared to hope."

"So the two of you really found each other again after all those years apart?" Killian nodded.

"Yes. We found a way. Love always finds a way."

As Killian said the words, the screen behind him switched from a picture of the book's cover to one of Emma and Killian on their wedding day. They'd both been asked if it was okay before the interview, and Emma felt it a far better thing to share than getting out on that stage herself. Still the crowd's incredibly excited reaction was surprising. So many people cared about how it ended up, and the book wasn't even out yet. It was amazing.

"Well we are wishing you and the new Mrs. – excuse me – Doctor Jones all the best." The host went on to introduce the show's next segment and when they cut to commercial, Killian came over to see Emma and hold her once more.

"I can't even tell you how glad I am that's over." Emma laughed.

"Really? I was kind of thinking you should do a dozen more while we're here." Killian groaned at the thought putting a triumphant grin on Emma's face.

"You joke, Swan. But I know you'll be glad to be home." Emma nodded.

"I will be. But we still have one more day right?"

"Aye, love, and I have an idea of how to spend it. Do you trust me?"

"Always," she said without hesitation and Killian pressed a gentle kiss to her lips before leading her out and away into one last little honeymoon adventure.

…..

When Killian told Emma that he had one final endeavor up his sleeve for the end of this holiday away from their home, he knew Emma had no idea where the day was heading. But Killian had chosen New York for a reason instead of opting for some place with warmer weather like LA for this one interview. It had been important to Killian that there was something familiar for them even if this wasn't truly home.

Back in high school they'd gone a class trip, one long weekend where students had the chance to go to New York City. Killian and Emma spent the whole of their time together, or as much as could be managed on a school sanctioned outing. The trip included the usual touristy things, like Times Square and the Statue of Liberty, but the best part had been Central Park. Emma loved it better than any other place, but on that trip she'd been denied one of the attractions she wanted to try. Killian was keen on righting that past wrong now and giving her the experience she'd been denied for too long.

Only when they reached the boathouse in the middle of the park did Emma start to piece together his intentions for the rest of their afternoon, and when she did there was pure excitement in her bright green eyes.

He'd seen that look a hundred times over the past three weeks while they'd been traveling. In every moment, Killian thanked God that the two of them had this chance to see all these things and experience all these firsts together. Through everything, Emma held his hand in hers, and he could feel the waves of trust that moved between them. They'd come so far to get here, and Killian still found himself wondering how he'd gotten this lucky.

"You remembered," Emma said with happy tears pooling in her eyes as she squeezed his hand tighter. Killian pulled her into his arms, wanting to hold her close even if just for a moment.

"I remembered everything else, didn't I?" Emma laughed before nodding.

They moved to the attendant, disregarding the sign that said there were no available rentals and when Killian gave his name, the man immediately moved to show them to the last boat. It hadn't been easy, but through enough bribery and a little bit of luck, Killian had managed to put this on hold for them when most rentals had been booked since the early morning light. Seeing Emma's excitement made it all more than worth the effort.

It wasn't much of a pond in truth, and the sailing back in Storybrooke or even on the lakes near them would probably be more fun from an actual shipman's perspective, but for Emma it seemed to be enough. With the last of the fall foliage around them, and the gentle breeze casting upon the water, it was a good moment, a brilliant one even, that Killian was happy to have.

"I can't believe we're doing this." Killian brought the oars to this little rowboat back inside and took Emma's hand in his again.

"You like it then, Swan?" Emma nodded before sitting forward and kissing him. It was for the best that she pulled back quickly, because Killian was about a breath away from fully pulling her into his arms, and forgetting they were on a rickety little boat in the middle of water.

"I love it." Killian watched Emma as she took in everything around them, laughing at the other tourists making a mess of things around the pond, and sighing happily as she saw an older couple out there on the water together.

"That will be us some day, love." Emma smiled back at Killian looking positively radiant with the happiness she felt.

"You say the sweetest things to me."

"Just trying to make sure you always stay with me."

"Like there's even any doubt of that at this point."

Killian brushed a tendril of her hair that had come out from the wind back around her ear and Emma's eyes widened slightly. Killian knew as they did that he would never get over her reactions and how amazing it felt that Emma wanted him so much, and loved him as much as he loved her.

"You know, you're not the only one with surprises today." Killian watched as Emma pulled an envelope addressed to him from her bag and handed it his way.

"A letter, Swan?" She smiled.

"Technically it's a really cheesy story, with probably every other word misspelled, but you're always saying how much you love my take on things. I thought I'd give you just a little more." Killian raised her hand to his lips to kiss and Emma paused. "On second thought, we should probably be on land for this."

Killian didn't really gather what she meant, but Emma took the oars into her own hands and waved him away, preemptively telling him that it was perfectly safe even though she was pregnant.

"You read and I'll row."

"Aye, aye, Captain." Emma rolled her eyes even as she laughed and Killian allowed himself to open up the envelope and devour all of her words.

Once upon a time there was a girl, an ordinary girl, who was waiting. She was waiting for change, waiting for meaning, waiting to know that she belonged beyond the shadow of a doubt. She sought that comfort, walking the world in the hopes that someday she would find what was always missing and then she did. One day at the end of a beautiful but lonely summer, she found it in bright blue eyes of a boy she didn't even know.

"I found everything with you too, love. And you are anything but ordinary." Emma smiled at his words but urged him on.

"Keep reading."

The boy was unexpected, different in a way that she couldn't understand, but over time the girl realized that the thing that made him unique was that she loved him. That love was instant, and it sparked a sense of recognition that her young heart couldn't comprehend until she had a little time. Years passed and the love only grew, until she found that he loved her too. The feelings that such a love brought were more vibrant and more beautiful than anything she'd ever known.

"I love you too, Emma."

"Killian." He could hear the humor in her voice even as she chastised him.

"Right, reading."

Things got in the way of their love for a while, and there was a time too long for either of their liking when the boy and the girl were apart. But all of that time was worth it, for their story, even when they were away from one another, was far from over. They found their way again back to each other, and the love was even stronger, even brighter than it had ever been before.

The boy and the girl were happy and they continued to build a life that would make sure they stayed that was forever. They were married, and found that they were expecting, and every wish the girl had ever made was coming true.

"Alright time to get out of the boat," Emma said, pulling Killian from his silent reading as she did so. He heeded her request, getting himself on the wooden planks of the landing point safely before continuing on.

But even that was not enough, for the girl and the boy had more love between them than any one child could bear alone. So they were blessed with two, both healthy and growing and destined for a life where they would always know right where they belonged.

"What?!" Killian practically yelled from his shock.

"Surprise," Emma said, a hopeful look of anticipation on her face as she did.

"But how did you – I mean when did you – twins?" Emma grinned, running her hand along his chest as she beamed up at him.

"I found out this morning."

"You did? When? How? Emma -,"

Emma pulled Killian down then by the collar of his jacket and in for a kiss, and in that instant, Killian felt all the magic of this moment. Emma's little story was one of fairytales, written in the basic language of happily ever afters, but it was true. Somehow this was their life, and Killian could not contain his happiness.

"I think you might be slightly psychic, but I can't say for sure, because it's still too early to know if we're having one of each."

"It doesn't matter, love. All that matters is that I love them and I love you, more than anything."

"I love you too."

They shared another kiss, and suddenly Killian realized that even though it was lovely, and another memory in a life filled with many others just as magical, this wasn't where he wanted to be, not now, not when there was so much good coming their way.

"Emma, I know perhaps you're wanting to stay another night but…" He trailed off, trying to find the words but his lovely wife found them first.

"Let's go home, Killian." He grinned, taking her hand in his once more.

"As you wish."

Post-Note: I think my brain subconsciously thinks that if I write a million stories (okay so actually like four of ten multi-chapters I have written) where Emma and Killian have twins, then I'll get that on the show. Now rationally I know that's not true – but come on. It would just be so perfect. Frazzled Emma and Killian trying to handle two babies at once? It's too cute a scenario for me not to want to write. Plus I had Killian saying maybe they would have twins a few chapters ago, so it needed to happen. Anyway, thanks so much for reading this shorter installment, and I hope you all have a lovely Monday.