Chapter 26 Yes
Emma had finished her tale and answered all Henry's questions at length. After her third cup of cocoa with liberal cinnamon, she was feeling a bit better. Her crying jag had wrung her out, and in a weird way she felt much better. Or maybe it was just David's advice sinking in.
She'd peeled herself away from her family, promising more time later. Henry had handled the news about the baby surprisingly well. He was actually excited, she thought. He even asked her if she was going to marry Killian! This was all very strange. She needed to be with Killian, now. She needed to feel his arms around her. And she needed to sleep.
When she got to Granny's, however, the bed was empty. Where could he have gone? If he wasn't here, he would've known to look for her at the loft. Odd.
She left and headed down to the docks, which is the only other place she thought he could be.
Sure enough, she found him sitting at the end of the pier, legs dangling and staring out to sea with a melancholy look on his face.
She dropped down beside him, surprised when he barely acknowledged her.
"What's eating you?" she huffed, a bit hurt at his sudden lack of affection.
He tossed a pebble out into the water, watching the ripples spread. He was silent a few moments before responding. "Do you love me, Emma?"
"Yes," she replied, without hesitation.
"Is that enough?"
Her breath caught. "What do you mean?"
"I came to the loft, to find you after you snuck out this morning."
"I didn't sneak-" she bit her tongue when he looked at her disbelievingly. "Okay, I snuck out. I needed to think. And?"
"I overheard a bit of your conversation with your mother."
"Oh."
"You're not sure you want to marry a pirate. Much less a former pirate, with not a great deal of marketable skills aside from captaining a ship. I guess I can understand that. I suppose I don't have a lot to offer, if I give up the sea."
"Killian-"
"Lass, let me finish. I know I have a past, a mostly unpleasant one at that, and perhaps I wouldn't be the perfect husband. Or father," his voice caught. "But I would love you completely, all of my life-"
She silenced him with a kiss. He made to pull away, but she wound her arms more tightly around him. Once he'd finally given up talking and was kissing her back with passion, she pulled away a fraction and locked eyes with him.
"Killian," she whispered breathily,"will you marry me?"
He smiled hesitantly. "You're sure?"
"Yeah, I am," she smiled at him. She searched her own feelings and was relieved to find it was absolutely true.
"Aye, love. Aye."
They kissed fiercely, the heat of the sun's rays warming their skin. Emma felt radiantly happy. Whatever crazy thing happened next, and she was learning that there always would be something, she wouldn't be facing it alone.