Chapter 21: New Beiginnings

Emma:

"Well, they're back to Wonderland. Alice is their new queen," she turned and smiled to her mother.

"How long do you think it'll take to build the bridge? I mean, we're using my magic, yours, and Rumplestiltskin's."

"Hopefully it'll be done in a few months, but we can't really guarantee anything."

"Yeah…are you sure you're ready to go back to the Enchanted Forest with us?" Snow looked at her.

"I might as well give it a shot. What do I have to lose?" Emma laughed.

Snow rolled her eyes and smiled. "I'm going to check on your father and Henry, just to make sure that they'll be ready."

Emma bid her good bye and turned once more to face the pier. She breathed in the salty air and closed her eyes.

I'm going home.

She opened her eyes once more and reflected on everything that had happened in her life so far. She was only halfway through her thoughts when she felt someone wrap their arm around her waist.

"Killian!" she playfully punched his shoulder. "Don't do that to me."

"I'm sorry, love," he now had both arms wrapped around her. "You looked so concentrated on something, I couldn't resist."

"I can't believe I'm going back to the Enchanted Forest…I'm going home."

"I? I believe you mean 'we'."

"Obviously," she laughed and turned to face him, this time, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Now it's our turn to rebuild the place."

"I can't wait," he kissed her forehead.

"Do you think Henry will like it?"

"He'll love it," he smiled. "He'll have a king and queen for grandparents, a princess for a mother, what more could he want?"

"I don't know actually…" Emma looked down, then back up and stared out to the sea.

Killian studied her face. "Love, what's wrong?"

"Henry won't have a father and the fact that Rumplestiltskin is coming back with us doesn't really sound so comforting to me."

"Well, I can't really change Rumplestiltskin's mind, you know," Killian smirked.

"I don't think anyone can change his mind," Emma sighed.

"I can change one thing, though," Killian let go of her.

"And, please, tell me, what is it that you can change?" Emma asked, puzzled.

Killian stepped back a bit and gazed into Emma's eyes. Emma rolled her eyes and folded her arms. She only stared back at him, waiting for something to happen.

Killian fished in his pocket before presenting a small black, velvet case in his hand. He walked forward and stopped short in front of Emma, this time his face serious. Emma watched with tears forming in her eyes as he dropped to one knee.

"Oh my god," Emma laughed through her tears.

"Emma Swan, with the permission of your parents and your son, will you take my hand in marriage?"

The ring truly was a sight. With silver plated into the platinum band, the pearl that stood out caught the eye. The pearl itself was embedded in silver. "It was the ring my father gave to my mother," Killian told her.

"Oh my god, yes," Emma cried. "Yes!"

Killian smiled and slipped the ring on Emma's finger. "It's a perfect fit," she told him.

Emma looked up to him and wiped her tears. She brought him closer, only separating him by a few centimeters.

"I love you, Killian Jones."

"I love you, Emma Swan."

She leaned in and gave him the most passionate, meaningful kiss she could possibly give him. The moment so sincere, they could've lived in that moment for an eternity. It was the symbol of a new beginning for the two.

On the inside of the ring, the words were inscribed: The Beginning of Forever