Marriage

Author's Note: This fic is inspired by Taylor Swift's song Speak Now. It is by no means necessary to listen to the song in order to understand the fic, but if you are interested in where my inspiration came from feel free to give it a listen.

Emma had done it. She had said yes when he had asked and Henry had been absolutely ecstatic. Snow had practically jumped for joy when they told her. David on the other hand immediately went into overprotective Dad mode and eventually relented. Mary Margaret jumped immediately into planning mode to plan the royal wedding. She had missed Emma's first ball and she intended to make up for it by planning her the most extravagant wedding possible. Emma didn't really care about a big celebration; but it made her Mom happy and most importantly it made Henry happy. The kid was a big believer in happy endings and nothing was quite as Fairytale as having a ginormous celebration.

-CS-

And so that's how Emma ended up in a cupcake wedding dress about to marry him. She had a ridiculously long veil that trailed along behind her. Her parents approved of the marriage and everything was perfect from the music the orchestra played to the hors d'oeuvres being served before the ceremony began.

Well that's not true everything was perfect except for one thing, one thing that Emma tried to tell herself was okay. Despite it being her wedding day she wasn't happy, instead of standing in front of a man with piercing blue eyes and dark disheveled hair she was facing a brunette with brown eyes. Emma wanted more than anything for Henry to be happy and having a united family made him that way.

She turned her eyes to face the crowd and was once again disappointed that she didn't spot those stormy blue eyes. Emma had given Killian an invitation but he obviously decided not to come. Admittedly Emma couldn't really blame him, if the roles were reversed and he was marrying someone else she knew she wouldn't attend. It was probably best for the both of them anyways, besides Emma wouldn't even know how to react if he did show up. Still a part of her wanted nothing more than to see those blue eyes out in the crowd.

For that matter she hadn't even seen him since she got engaged to Neal a week ago (Mary Margaret plans things fast). Emma tried to refocus on the words the minister was saying, after all one should remember their own wedding and whatnot. She smiled at her husband to be, just because she didn't love him now didn't mean she couldn't in the future. At one point all she ever wanted was to find Tallahassee with Neal. But that wasn't what she wanted anymore, even now staring into her grooms eyes all she could think about was how she wished they were blue instead.

Emma mentally shook her head, Henry wanted this, what better ending for a kid who loves Fairytales than his parents finding each other again after years and reconnecting. After all as the Charmings always said 'I will always find you', and she had finally found him back. She just wished she had never had to find him back in the first place. Emma knew that Neal didn't know she was pregnant at the time, but she still hadn't quite forgiven him for letting her go to jail all those years ago.

Although he was a thief Emma knew he was a stand-up guy and had he known she was carrying his child he probably would never have abandoned her. That being said she could never quite know for sure that he still wouldn't have. 'This is ridiculous' Emma thought to herself as she cleared her head of all her worries and refocused on the ceremony. She had to hand it to Mary Margaret, she was excellent at planning weddings. In another life she could have been a wedding planner. Perhaps if Storybrooke got cursed again her Mom might become one.

The ministers voice continued to warble in the background. The voice spoke out "If anyone has a reason why these two should not be wed speak now or forever hold your peace". Emma knew it was awful of her to think that way but she couldn't help holding her breath and hoping her knight in shining leather would burst through the church doors. Emma's chest fell as the moment passed interrupted, when suddenly a loud "Oi" could be heard from outside the main chapel. Emma felt a smile break across her face as the man with disheveled dark hair ran into the building.

He smirked "apologies for being late lass, I'm usually one for punctuality". Emma's heart leapt in her chest, she hadn't seriously expected him to show up. Still Emma wanted her son to be happy more than anything else in the world, even more than her own happiness.

Henry stood and asked quietly "do you love Killian?"

Emma was silent for a few moments before whispering out a quiet "yes".

Henry smiled sadly "Mom I want you to be happy and Killian makes you happier than I've ever seen you".

"But kid" Emma began.

Henry cut her off "I'm happiest when you are happy. I don't need some perfectly idyllic family. Heck have you seen our family tree lately, it's anything but perfect or normal". Henry turned then to look at Baelfire "Dad I still want you in my life, but just not with my mom. You are a great guy, but her smile is never quite as bright as it is around Killian".

Neal nodded slowly "Killian you better treat her right, and if I ever hear of you ever making her cry again, trust that I will do everything in my power to kill you. And I am the son of the dark one so trust that I can make good on that promise". Emma was suddenly aware of the tears of joy streaming silently down her face. Her pirate offered her his arm apprehensively. After a beat she took it and together they ran out of the church with her veil and dress flying out behind her in the wind. Running with him Emma felt more happy than she did during the entire wedding process.

Author's Note: At this point I've written the standard wedding fic so many times that I felt like changing it up again, plus Taylor Swift's song kind of poisoned the idea of a happy wedding fic. And yes I'm aware that the whole objection question doesn't even occur in actual weddings but is more a rom com thing. I also wanted to show Neal in a more positive light than in my earlier work. If you enjoyed this feel free to leave a review.