For Tornadoamy - apologies for the delay.

056:"I jokingly told you that the only way I'd marry you was if you did this weird outlandish thing, and you actually did it, and I'm kind of charmed."

"What the bloody hell?"

Killian looked around the Rabbit Hole in stunned surprise. Emma had texted for him to meet her there for a drink after her shift was over and he'd readily agreed.

When he'd entered Storybrooke's pub, however, he'd not found himself surrounded by the drinking establishments usual décor, but instead it looked exactly like a tavern right out of the Enchanted Forest.

"Care for some rum, Captain?" suddenly came Emma's dulcet tones from behind him.

He spun around to look at her, startled as his long coat flared out briefly before settling back into place around his legs. A quick glance down confirmed that he was magically back in his old pirate clothes. Then he levelled his gaze on Emma, eyes widening as he slowly took in her attire.

She was wearing the same wench outfit as when they'd shared an adventure back in time and it suited her just as well now as it did then. An appreciative smile lifted his lips as he met her gaze again then, suddenly, his heart slammed against his rib cage as it hit him exactly what she was doing...or rather was going to do if certain flippant comments he'd made barely a week ago had anything to do with it.

The diner had been buzzing with the news of Ruby and Whale's engagement when they'd entered and joined Emma's parents for dinner. Henry had been babysitting Neal and so it was of no great surprise that Snow would take the opportunity while having them alone to hint heavily about hoping to hear a similar announcement soon from both Emma and himself.

In all honestly, if it hadn't been for Emma tensing so rigidly beside him, he would've encouraged Snow even more just for the pure enjoyment of seeing Charming squirming uncomfortably by her side.

Knowing Emma wasn't pleased though, he'd decided to diffuse the situation as quickly as possible.

"I can assure you that we've already spoken of this, Milady," he'd lied blithely, "and I've told Emma that if she wants to make an honest man out of a pirate, there has to be a wench's outfit and lots of rum involved."

"Oh God," Charming had groaned with a pained expression as Snow's mouth dropped open in shock.

The waitress had come with their orders then and as they'd sat back Emma had turned to Killian.

"You want me to dress up and ply you with drink?" she'd queried for his ears alone, the mirth shining clear in her eyes.

"Aye," he'd answered just as softly, "I have a fancy to meet the mysterious woman that seduced past me. I've always wondered what she said...or did, that made him so keen to take her back to his ship."

"We can hear you, you know," Charming had interrupted then, his obvious discomfort at what he'd overheard plain to see.

Emma had laughed but they'd all said no more on the subject and Killian was certain that it would be a good long while before Snow and Charming attempted to broach it again.

Their daughter, however, seemed to be keen to revisit it a damn sight quicker than he'd ever imagined.

"Emma?" he queried now, his tone hesitant as he tried not dare hope too much that the woman he loved was about to ask him to spend the rest of his life with her.

"No names. I'm supposed to be mysterious, remember?"she lightly chastised him, but he didn't care because it was all he needed to hear to know that his dearest wish was coming true.

In two strides he swiftly closed the distance between them then wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a tight hug. Emma gave a little yelp of surprise and let out a breathless giggle as he placed ardent, tiny kisses down her neck.

"Wait, don't you want me to pour you some rum first?" she gasped, tilting her head slightly to give him better access.

"To hell with the rum, I just want you," he replied gruffly as he drew back to look down adoringly at her.

Emma grinned and brought her free hand around to lay flat against his chest. Looking up at him from under her lashes she then asked softly, "So...is the fearsome pirate ready to become an honest man for a common bar wench?"

Killian smiled gently then shook his head, pulling her closer again when she tensed in his arms at his perceived rejection.

"I don't know, love," he answered slowly, "But I can assure you that I am more than ready to become that, and more, for you."

Emma drew in an audible breath, her lashes fluttering as she relaxed and pressed herself closer to him.

"Really?" she checked before adding hastily, "I mean, we've never talked about it and I know it's a big step..."

"Not big, Swan," he refuted tenderly, "Merely the next of many more to come. Ones that we'll continue to take in the same way we always have...together."

And they did.