A/N: Huge thanks to Cute McBeauty, beverlie4055, mela16, Lisa1972, and BehindThePurpleSmoke for being absolutel gems and leaving a review for the last chapter! You're brill :)

CHAPTER 21

LOVED – (noun) A strong feeling of affection and sexual attraction for someone

Emma still had yet to say the words. Out loud. To Killian.

'I love you.'

Just three little words. It was easy. Simple.

Hell, she said them to him in her head every single damn time they kissed or touched but to actually put voice to them was proving more difficult than she'd ever thought possible.

Seriously, how hard could it be, right?

She'd broken a curse cast by the Evil Queen; she'd confronted the devil imp Peter Pan and faced off against the Wicked Witch of the West. Dealt with giants and the threat of ogres and yet the more she thought about telling her true love how she felt, the more the words seemed to stick in her throat.

It'd been two weeks since she'd first heard him say the words. Granted it had been just as she was falling asleep but when she'd awoken, she'd still remembered.

He'd said it again after she'd taken a tumble from her horse while riding through the forest. She was still learning and when something had spooked the creature and reared, she hadn't been able to cling on. She'd landed flat on her back completely winded and unable to move or speak while the frightened horse had reared again and she watched helplessly as its hooves hovered ominously over her head.

Killian had yelled out in anguish and jumped off his own mount then rushed to her side and dragged her out of harm's way just in time. The troubled horse had bolted then and he'd dropped to his knees next to her, concern etched on his face and worry rolling off him in waves while he'd checked her over and kept asking her to say something.

Once she finally gained enough breath back to let out a grunt, he'd hugged her fiercely to him in relief and said those three little words once more. Unfortunately, she was still too out of breath to answer him in kind and by the time she could, her mouth had been engaged in far more enjoyable activities. After such a near miss, the need to show him how she felt far preceded the need to vocalise it.

The third time he'd said it was during the most intense orgasm of her entire life. His dulcet tones expressing his love had then ignited yet another wave of pure pleasure that had left her boneless and with no capacity of coherent thought. By the time she'd gathered her wits, he'd been asleep, their union taking its toll on him quicker than her for once.

So now, on the night of her baby brother's naming ceremony, it had become a 'thing'. A 'thing' that she'd built up in her mind to be some kind of huge declaration that when she did finally say the words she half expected a full choir to burst into song and fireworks to go off.

Annoyingly, Killian didn't seem to mind that she'd not told him. It was as if he didn't even expect her to say it to him and that somehow made the whole 'thing' much worse.

Slowly meandering through the throng of guests after leaving Henry with Regina and Robin, she glanced over to where Killian stood chatting with her parents to the side of the vast ballroom and let out a sigh. He looked so handsome in the formal attire he wore for the occasion. The brown, slightly pearlescent coat suited him, as did the crisp white shirt that contrasted sharply with his tanned skin and dark hair. Blue trousers and black waistcoat completed the ensemble, along with his prosthetic hand and she had to admit that as much as she loved his leather look, this one was not without its merits either.

Her own red ball gown that her mother had helped pick out made her finally feel like the princess everyone kept telling her she was even though she didn't consider herself one most of the time. Just seeing Killian's stunned expression when she'd appeared at the top of the stairs, however, was enough for her to put up with the restricting confines of the corset from hell.

They'd shared the first two dances earlier and according to Snow that was their land's equivalent of 'going steady'. It was all so Austen-esque at times that she couldn't help but smile. Still, if it meant that potential suitors from neighbouring realms knew she'd made her choice of partner, all the better. It saved a lot of awkward brush off's.

Typically, the ceremony hadn't gone without incident. Apparently any important occasion in the Charming family's lives was destined to bring with it an interruption from one evil person or another.

In this case it had been Rumplestiltskin. He'd appeared in a puff of red smoke and let out a maniacal giggle as everyone turned to stare at him in trepidation.

"Don't stop on my account," he'd urged with a waggle of his fingers in the direction of Snow and Charming.

Her mother had frowned worriedly then stiltedly gone ahead and announced that the new prince's name would be Neal.

It had floored the Dark One, Emma could tell, but apparently it hadn't been enough to divert him from his intended course of action…that persuasion had come from Belle.

Rumour had been rife throughout the kingdom that she'd left him after finding out what he did to Zelena and what he'd intended to do to her and Killian. It seemed that her forgiving nature had finally reached its limit.

The beauty had called out his name and he'd turned around in surprise as she'd come forward.

"Whatever it is you're going to do…don't, Rumple, please," she'd implored, going up to him, "For me."

His expression had softened at her request and after a very long, very taut moment, he'd finally nodded his head.

"For you," he'd acknowledged quietly then had looked over at Emma and Killian before adding, "Consider yourselves lucky, Dearies. Next time you cross me, I promise you won't be."

Killian's arm had tightened around her waist at the threat but then the Dark One had disappeared and Belle had apologised to the Charming's for the interruption before heading back into the crowd. Emma had gone after her and the beauty had tearfully told her that she was still working things out with Rumple. That he was going to have to prove himself after his betrayal of her trust and that tonight had been a start.

The two women had shared a moment of understanding over having trust issues caused by men of the same family and then the beauty had taken her leave.

Music suddenly started to play startling Emma out of her reverie. After the ceremony, they'd all sat down for dinner then the ball would resume for the rest of the evening. As was tradition, it was expected that her parents would lead the dancing once again and she began to head over to where they still stood with Killian to look after Neal.

She was barely halfway there when she saw Snow say something to the pirate that had his eyes widen comically and shake his head. He took a step back then, to Emma's great amusement, her mother suddenly thrust baby Neal straight at the pirate's chest with a huge smile. His arms automatically came up the cradle the infant and his cheeks bloomed a deep red. Charming grinned at the uncomfortable looking man then gave him a slap on the back as they walked away, causing Killian to grimace at the none to gentle contact.

The pirate held himself rigidly then glanced quickly around the room with a mildly panicked expression as he no doubt tried to find her. She was about to call to him when he looked back down at Neal and swallowed hard. A chubby little arm appeared above the blanket, reaching out towards him and Killian's gaze softened as he smiled. Raising his own hand, the pirate held out a finger and the baby grabbed hold of it causing a huge grin of pleasure to light up Killian's face.

Emma came to a halt in her tracks just a couple of feet away as she watched the two of them together, her insides melting at the tender scene. What she wouldn't give for a camera right about now.

His eyes lifted and locked with hers suddenly, his grin widening in delight. She smiled back and hurried over to his side, slipping her arm about his waist as she gazed down at her brother fondly.

"Look at you all adorable," she cooed at the baby.

"Why, thank you, Swan, although I do prefer dashing as well you know," Killian quipped wryly.

Emma rolled her eyes at him and shook her head then turned her attention back to the baby.

"He seems really taken with you," she murmured with a smile.

"Aye, I quite like him too," Killian remarked softly as Neal let out a little gurgle then tried to pull the pirate's fingertip into his mouth causing him to chuckle. "Feisty, just like his sister."

Emma shared his laughter then looked up at him and suddenly everything seemed to click. With blinding clarity, she realised that she wanted to see him with their child one day. Hard on the heels of that little epiphany came another…the 'thing' really wasn't such a big 'thing' after all. Not when the timing felt just right.

"I love you," she told him softly.

His gaze snapped to hers, his smile fading a little as her words hit home then blooming again wider as the reality of them sunk in.

"And I love you, Emma," he replied before leaning in and giving her a leisurely kiss.

"Hey now, stop corrupting my son, you two," came Charming's amused voice.

They broke apart reluctantly and Emma shot her father a faint look of recrimination as he took his son from Killian's arms and gave him a nod of thanks.

"Please, you're a fine one to talk," she accused mildly, "You and Mom can hardly keep your hands off each other."

The Prince laughed then gestured towards the dance floor.

"Go and enjoy yourselves."

"We already were, mate," the pirate countered dryly.

Charming walked off with another chuckle then Killian turned to Emma and took her hand. Gaze never leaving hers, he raised it to his lips and placed a kiss on the back, then turned it over and kissed her palm.

"Thank you," he murmured huskily, "Even though I knew how you felt, it's always nice to hear the words, love."

Emma stared back at him and all of a sudden her heart just ached as she wondered when was the last time he had heard them…from anyone? No parents, no brother, no first love…all gone. He'd been alone for far too many years.

But it was different now and she firmly resolved that he would never have to experience the feeling of not knowing he was loved ever again.

"Well, you're going to hear them a lot more from now on," she promised, squeezing his hand.

"I look forward to it," he grinned happily.

"Good," she retorted with a smirk then, jerking him towards her by the lapel of his coat, she told him again right before they kissed.

END CHAPTER 21

Too fluffy? Not enough fluff? Let me know ;)