A/N: Henry and Grace are getting married and Emma and Killian host the wedding at the ranch. They marvel at their good fortune and the health and happiness of Henry and their other kids. It's a short chapter, but I hope it ties up the last of the loose ends well enough for everyone's liking, as any good epilogue should. Thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy!

5 Years Later

Killian

"Do you, Grace, take Henry to have and to hold, for richer or poorer as long as you both shall live?" Grace, now far more grown up and looking beautiful in her late mother's wedding dress, gave a tearful nod as she replied 'I do.'

"And do you, Henry, take Grace to have and to hold, for richer or poorer as long as you both shall live?" Henry was beaming as he made his vows, and Killian tore his gaze from his joyous son for a moment to look at his wife, who though quiet, was crying quite profusely at the scene before them. He reached in his suit pocket and handed her a handkerchief.

"And you thought I shouldn't bring this today," He loved his wife's eye roll and relished the sass she depicted, tears and all. Still as she dabbed away the tears, she leaned into Killian's embrace as they watched the pastor name Henry and Grace man and wife. This union had been a long time coming, for the two kids had known each other longer than even Emma and Killian had, but it had only been the last few years, when Henry had returned from his time in cooking school where a romance had blossomed. Killian hated to say he told them all so, so he didn't. There actually wasn't any need to, for Emma brought up his prediction all the time.

"I still don't know how you saw it back then," Emma said and Killian shrugged, pretending that it was something that came to him on a whim, but the truth was that he'd seen the bond between the two as one built on strength and trust. Though they were children, they were adamant that the other would always be there, and while that didn't mean it would someday turn to love, Killian had been the only one who admitted that it might.

"We couldn't have picked a better sister for the girls, though, could we?" Her comment brought Killian's attention to Leia (now fourteen) who was one of Grace's bridesmaids and Hope (nine) who had been the flower girl standing beside her. His girls were turning into real beauties just like their mother, and it was all passing so fast, but he had to admit that Grace, who by all accounts was always a member of this family, was indeed a great new addition to the Jones clan.

"We'll just have to hope that our two other boys make equally good choices." Hunter who at thirteen had already done more growing than either of his parents had ever expected, was standing with Henry as a groomsman and admiring himself in his tux. Emma always said he was just like his father, and Killian had to agree. He was very proud of the lad, just as he was proud of the youngest of the Jones children, little Sean who was currently taking a nap on his father's lap after bringing up the rings earlier.. This, Killian had come to learn over his many years of parenting, was quite common for four year olds. They were either bouncing off the walls, or falling asleep where no one would ever to think to.

"And the girls." Killian let out a low growl at the thought of his daughters marrying. He was very protective of his princesses, but he also knew, that they had the same power and strength as their mother. By the time they were Henry's age, they'd no doubt be ready to find their own happily ever afters, and Killian would have to let them do so, painful or not.

By this time, all of the wedding party had headed from the location of the ceremony in the same wild flower field where Emma and Killian had married to the segment of the yard where the reception was to be. Killian lifted a still sleeping Sean into his arms and extended his other arm to Emma, leading her to the rest of the festivities.

"Aye, and the girls. And where will that leave us, Swan? All alone in the wilds of Montana?" Emma laughed at that. He only called it the wilds when he was feeling particularly dramatic, and Emma no doubt knew that after their many years together.

"How could we ever be alone? Mary Margaret and David, Belle and Will, hell your own brother and Ruby all live within a half mile of us, literally. We haven't been alone in… hell have we ever been alone?" Killian bent his mouth down to her ear and whispered in that husky way he knew always affected his Swan.

"We have this many children, and you're claiming we've never been alone? I have living breathing proof of at least four times." Emma swatted his chest playfully and shook her head but kissed him quickly before they made their way to Henry and Grace to extend their congratulations.

"We're so happy for the both of you," Emma said as she hugged Grace and Henry and Killian watched as their son smiled happily.

"Thanks Mom. Thanks Dad." This was Killian's queue that he'd established with Emma earlier to give their gift to their son and new daughter-in-law. It appeared to be merely an envelope, until Henry and Grace opened it and both went slack jawed.

"Is this…?" Henry's voice cracked slightly with emotion as he tried to form the question, and Killian kindly put him out of the misery of finding the words.

"The deed to the house in Billings you two seemed to like just by your restaurant? Aye it is, son." In the years since Killian had left the UK, the business that he and Liam had built together was still thriving, and though they were very far removed at this point, they still had shares in the company, thus keeping them more than comfortable. It was the rationale of Emma and Killian then, that since Henry had managed to fund his own way through college, he should be given something big for his wedding.

"I don't know what to say other than I love you guys, and thank you." Killian handed Sean over to Emma who was speaking with Grace now about other matters and then hugged Henry.

"You may not be thanking us when you're having a house instead of a closet-sized apartment means your mother and siblings make that two hour drive more and more often." Henry laughed but then looked thoughtful.

"And what, you just aren't coming?" Killian shook his head.

"Nothing could keep me away, lad." With that, Killian and Emma took their leave of the newlyweds who had more guests to greet and found their spots at the family table. They were happily seated with Liam and Ruby and their kids as well, who all looked thrilled with the occasion. Everyone was chatting happily, enjoying the start of the more laid-back festivities as the kids were playing. They were also joined by some old friends who had come back from Dublin for the wedding – Robin, Regina and their three children, Diana, Ronan, and Thomas.

"You know, the kids never stop talking about this place after a visit. Somehow my three children love this place more than they love home." Robin's words as he held on to Regina and spoke with Emma and Killian were teasing, but there was something in his old friend's eyes that gave Killian pause.

"It's a magical place, I think they can sense it," Emma said with kindness in her voice. "Besides, this was their mother's home for a long time, and it's clear to see how much they love her." Regina smiled at that as she looked to her children and then back at her husband.

"You know the old saying, home is where the heart is? Well my children's hearts are here, as is my wife's, and my heart lies with them. So we're moving back." The entire party was silent at that moment, a lull hanging in the air at the announcement, until Mary Margaret of all people spoke.

"Well it's about time!" With that, everyone was giving their congratulations and celebrating with another round of drinks.

"That was a close call," Killian whispered low into Emma's ear and she nodded.

"Think we can handle this new turn of events?" Killian considered as he and Emma looked at their children who were happily interacting with Regina and Robin's kids. They all seemed happy and excited to have new friends to hold dear.

"I think we just might." He took Emma's hand in his and ran a thumb lightly across it, bringing it up for a kiss. "Now, love. Would you honor me with a dance?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

….

Emma

Some day, when I'm awfully low
When the world is cold
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight

As the words sounded through their backyard and the music played, Emma reveled in the warm feel of Killian's arms around her. Though there was so much going on around them, but here with this song, and with this man, the whole world was at peace.

"I'm guessing you put in a special request for this particular number tonight, Mr. Jones." Killian grinned in response, which as all the affirmation Emma needed to know that was true. Not that she thought Henry would ever have minded, especially since just a few feet away he was dancing with his bride to the very same song.

"The world is never cold, and I never feel low for I have you, love. You have made my life the most beautiful of stories, a gift that I get to keep each and every day. But it's a damn good song, and dancing to it with you is a favorite for me." Emma laughed at that, and let herself get lost, even just for a moment in those deep blue eyes.

"When you held me in your arms to dance on our wedding night… I don't think I ever said it out loud, but I had never known peace like that. I have never felt as truly safe as I did then. Now that feeling comes every time I'm in your arms." Killian's gaze had gone hot at the words and he pulled her in, halting their dancing for a kiss, one that was beautiful and perfect and passionate and over too soon.

"Oooh, Kissing!" Ruby's mocking tone had Emma rolling her eyes in her head.

"Mom, Dad, really?!" Henry called over to them and Emma immediately stepped back and covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. Killian pulled her back in his arms and wrapped her in a hug. She hid in his chest to muffle the laughter, and felt the reverberations as her husband called back to their son.

"If you and Grace are half as happy when you've been married as long as your mother and I, you'll be embarrassing your children like this too." Emma mouthed the word 'sorry' to Henry but she really wasn't, for Killian was right. All these years later and they were still just as in love as they always had been. Through the face of the good and the bad, their love had never waivered, doubt had never festered, and Emma had always known that she was loved and could love in return.

"You know, the rest of the world is pretty cynical about the chances of love lasting forever," Belle said from where she was dancing with Will not far away. "But there's just something about this town. It's almost like…"

"Magic!" The word had come not only from Mary Margaret, but a number of the kids who were still running about. Magic had become a favorite topic for the children of this group of friends. They loved it, in any form they chose to dream it up as.

"Magic indeed, love." Killian whispered to Emma, and she could feel a flush of excitement coursing through her. Killian broke eye contact to look over to David and Mary Margaret, asking if they would watch the kids for just a little while. "I need a moment with my wife."

Their friends of course said yes, and soon, Killian was walking Emma back around the house, to the big wrap around porch out front. Though the party was very much still going on around them, Emma noticed something that she hadn't when they'd been getting ready during the day. There, just beside the porch swing were an assortment of flowers decorated to make the white paint pop with color. It was gorgeous, taking a little piece of their usual world and making it beautiful.

"Killian, what is this?" Her husband only smiled as he led her up the stairs and poured two cups of what Emma found was cocoa from a kettle that had been set on the side table, adding just enough whipped cream and cinnamon for her liking. He then handed her a single rose from the dozens that decorated this little alcove and brought her to sit beside him on the swing.

"It's our moment alone." But how had he known that she was going to make those remarks about their limited time just the two of them? If Emma was to hazard a guess, she would suppose that her doting husband had planned this from the start, and that it was coincidence that led them to the words of earlier.

"Can I ask how you did this, or does this fall under the umbrella of magic too?" He laughed, his arm wrapping around her, his thumb tracing a soft line back and forth through the fabric of her soft pink dress. It set a hum of desire through her as she leaned in closer to him.

"Well, love, I did what any man in love should do. I thought to myself, 'how can I give my wife a gift today to soften the blow of this happy occasion?' The answer led me to this, and with some help from our friends, and from the kids here we are."

"The kids helped?" Killian nodded and put his cup of cocoa down on the table to bring his free hand to cup her cheek.

"Aye they did, love. They knew that even though you are very happy for Henry and Grace, you might be a little sad that they're all growing up so quickly." She was in a way, but not perhaps as much as she'd anticipated. Even if she felt a twinge of sadness, she mostly just felt pride. Her son had found love, and was following it wherever it led. That was to be admired and supported, especially for Henry, who had shown her and Killian nothing but those two qualities when they themselves had gotten together.

"I think of either of us, it's you who will have the hardest time saying goodbye to the way things have been." Killian looked thoughtful, and the sincerity in his eyes spoke volumes of the earnest caring he had for all of them. He and Henry were bonded, a true father and son, just as Killian was bonded with the rest of their children. Killian was just as much a protector as Emma was, just as emotionally connected to the kids, but there was always something about Killian, like he had a capacity to feel just a bit more. It was what made him such an excellent husband, and a great father.

Emma sipped at the cocoa and looked out into the parcel of land that was theirs to keep and hold dear and protect. Every day she got to be here, with him and their kids and the family of friends of that they'd chosen, was exactly what Killian had said before, a gift. Never in Emma's wildest fantasies had she ever thought happiness and love like this could exist, but it did. This was her life, her charmed, perfect, magical life.

"I love you, Killian." He kissed her lightly then but pulled back to reply.

"And I love you, Emma." There was absolutely no doubt in her mind that what he said was true and that it always would be.

"We really got our happily ever after, didn't we?"

"Aye, love. Is it everything you dreamed of?" Emma remembered being asked that very same question all those years ago by Mary Margaret, on the day they'd found out that Ruby and Liam had eloped, only this time her answer wasn't the same.

"No. It's so much more than that." And it was. It really, truly was.

Watching as the last bit of sunlight slipped behind the trees, Emma imagined the rest of her life and saw it pass in front of her eyes. Whether it was prophecy or fantasy, she couldn't say, but it was beautiful. Life continued on for Killian and Emma much the same way as the years went on. They watched their children learn and grow and become the people they'd always hoped they could be. One by one, as they went off into the world, her children made it their own, following their passions, choosing to see the good in others, and never letting fear hold them back. Emma was so proud of how brave and kind and wonderful they were, but still, as the nest emptied, she would never be alone. No, for as long as she lived and even thereafter, Emma was certain she would never be alone again, because there beside her would always be her one true love, holding her hand in his, ready for whatever came next.

The End

Post-Note: It's over, and I may have gotten a little teary at that fact. This story, while fluffy as all get out, still means a lot to me in a way that none of my other stories really have. 'Hope Springs' is definitely about CS, but it's also about Emma and her friends, and the family you choose versus the family you're born with. It was about love and overcoming fear, and basically an outlet to have so many frustrations with the actual show worked out. In the end, it was a great first multi-chapter story to try and take on, and I'm proud to be completing it. I hope you guys have enjoyed! Know that your kind words have meant so much, and that I truly appreciate it. Now, on to the next story!