I own nothing except my delusions.
Pulling down the blankets to her bed, Emma laid down on her side, waiting for Killian to join her. She watched closely as he exited the small bathroom, looking for any signs of him losing his balance as he walked across the room to her bed.
After more than a week in the hospital, Killian had been eager to get out, restless with the same walls that constantly surrounded him and having to remain most of the time in bed.
Emma had stayed there with him, the first day leaving only to retrieve some of his own pajamas, a few things to keep him entertained, and some clothes for herself, only leaving the rest of the time when she absolutely had to. She understood his frustration, leading to her taking him on walks through the grounds as much as possible and constantly making runs to Granny's, knowing from experience how bad the hospital food was.
He had insisted that she slept with him every night, telling her how they both slept better together, and that he refused to let her spend another night in the uncomfortable chair she had spent her first night in.
He'd been ecstatic when he had been released, nearly bounding out of the bed before toppling over because his balance was off. Emma had caught him, packing up their things while he signed his discharge papers.
She had to hide her laughter that the first thing he wanted to do was shower when they arrived at the loft, remembering it being the first thing she did after her own stay. She shadowed him, making sure he remained steady going up the stairs and moving around.
Both David and Mary Margaret told them he was welcome to stay at the loft, something Emma was grateful for. While they didn't have the privacy of the cabin, the loft was closer to the hospital. It was cramped, with four adults, a preteen, and a newborn, but it only had to last them a short while.
Knowing that they could move forward and that his curse would no longer keep him back, Emma had proposed to Killian that they find a place together after he got out. Happily, he agreed, spending some of the days scouring over various listings around the town.
Emma knew the basics of what she wanted, somewhere open and light for Killian as well as near the water, but didn't care too much if it was a cabin, house, or apartment. She just wanted something they could call theirs.
Killian sat beside her, stretching languishly on the bed as he laid down.
"You don't know how good it feels to be in a proper bed," he moaned.
Chuckling, Emma pulled the blankets up over them before cuddling up beside him. He curled his left arm around her, having told her he was alright so long as he wore bandages over his wrist for the time being.
He continued to show trepidation whenever his wrist was revealed to her despite her insistence that it didn't bother her in the slightest, going as far as helping him remove bits of brittle bone that had begun to flake off as the wound closed.
"Are you sure you're up to going out tomorrow?" she asked as she smoothed her hand over the material of his tee shirt, thinking about their plans to look at some places for them to move into.
He refused to be without at least a tee shirt in the loft, unwilling to risk anyone seeing the scars of his back. Emma was the only one he would allow himself to be completely vulnerable around, with her having proven to him that she loved all of him, including his scars.
Killian turned his head toward her to look at her. "Yeah. I don't want to inconvenience your parents anymore than I absolutely have to."
Sighing, Emma shifted so she was laying on his chest, propping herself up with her elbow. "You know they'll say differently. No one minds you being here."
Grinning, she suddenly dropped her forehead to his. Her voice was a faint whisper. "But I do hate our lack of privacy."
Laughing quietly, he ran his thumb along her chin before chastly kissing her. "Aye, that is a problem."
Emma hummed as she pulled away, moving back to his side.
"Soon," she promised.
"I'm gonna hold you to that," Killian replied with a flirty grin.
Stepping back toward her car, Emma leaned against the door, looking between Killian and Henry.
"What do you guys think?" she asked, wanting to get their opinions on the apartment they just looked at.
"I didn't like it," Henry spoke up first. "I mean, it wasn't bad, but it was small."
Killian nodded. "The lad's right. It was just barely larger than the cabin."
Emma nodded. It had been similar to the apartment she had in Boston, perfect for one or two people, but cramped for three.
"Okay, so onto the next?" she asked them.
Henry nodded enthusiastically.
Emma had worried about how Henry could have reacted when she told him she wanted to find a place for her and Killian to move into. She knew that they were moving quickly, but felt they didn't have a reason to wait. Henry had been the wild card. If he didn't want Killian to be with him and his mother, both Emma and Killian agreed that they would stop the plans on the spot.
They had been lucky with his reaction. Instead of refusing, Henry had begun asking if they had found anything, as well as promising to look for listings himself. Emma had known that her son genuinely liked Killian, but seeing him approving of their plans to create a life together had put to rest the last of her uncertainty.
Emma helped set the seat back after Henry climbed into the back, knowing it would be harder for Killian to fix it himself. Once he was settled in, she hurried to the driver's seat, turning over the engine to take them to the next property.
The beach became more visible the closer they got, ticking off one of the requirements she had. After being locked away for so long, she wanted Killian to be able to be near the sea again.
The house was massive compared to the property they had just looked at, giving plenty of room to the three of them.
The Victorian house was bluish gray in color with white accents along the trim, railings, and fence. A wrap around porch encompassed the bottom level, making Emma think about how perfect it would be to set out some chairs to watch the waves.
The lawn was more of a garden with various shrubs and bushes, but it fit the style of the house. Even with the idea of the upkeep it would all need, she didn't find it off-putting.
"You wanna check inside?" she asked Killian and Henry.
Killian nodded as Henry walked forward, pushing open the fence for them.
Like Emma, Henry often hovered near Killian, ready to help steady him if he needed it.
Emma glanced around the porch as they climbed up the short steps, unable to help grinning in satisfaction.
"You like this?" Killian asked quietly from beside her.
She nodded. "Yeah, I do. I think it would be really nice out here."
He wrapped his arm around her waist, resting his hand on her hip as he lightly squeezed her. "You're not the only one."
She was just as happy with the inside as she was the outside, from the large living room that provided them a view of the ocean through large windows to the outdated kitchen.
There were more rooms than they initially needed, but knew they could find some uses for. She knew the master bedroom would be perfect for them with the large windows, giving a lot of natural lighting to the room. The bathroom alone was enough to make her want the house, providing a large tub as well as shower.
A small part of her mind thought that the house would be ideal for them if she and Killian ever did start their own family, something that hadn't been a possibility before.
Letting Henry wander, Emma moved back into the master bedroom, chewing her lip as she gazed out at the water beyond. She wanted the house, loving everything about it, but was aware of a couple of snags. She was worried about the price, knowing that both her and Killian were limited on what they would be able to afford. The matter remained if Killian and Henry liked it, knowing that if they didn't, she would have no problem moving onto the next place.
She heard Killian's footfalls on the wood floor as he came in, moving to where she stood to wrap an arm around her.
"What do you think?" he asked her.
"That I really, really love it," she admitted as she kept her eyes on the water. "That it's perfect."
Tearing her eyes away from the view, she looked at him, her chest fluttering at his expression.
"What about you?" she asked seriously. "What do you think?"
"I think you said it best," he told her. "I really like this one. I can see us making a life here."
Giving him a soft smile, she nodded as she continued to chew her lip. "I just keep thinking about how we're gonna afford it."
He nodded. "Aye. I've been thinking about that, too."
Emma pulled the paper with the listing from her jacket, looking to see who the seller was.
"Great," she muttered as she saw the name.
"Let me guess," he sighed.
"Yep," she answered simply.
Killian's eyes met hers. "We'll figure something out."
Her mood suddenly lifted, she nodded, trusting him.
They both looked over as Henry came into the room, grinning widely. "Guys, I found the perfect room for the armory."
Emma glanced over her shoulder as she set the containers of food on the counter, checking on Killian and Henry at the table. Having been deemed to having to take everything easy, Killian had happily volunteered to help Henry with his homework while she cooked what they were supposed to bring for her baby brother's naming ceremony with David. Mary Margaret had retreated for the time being to her and David's room to feed the baby.
Seeing her two true loves interacting so easily gave her hope that the future she wanted would work, that they could all be a family. Even with the knowledge that they had gotten along from the beginning, the extra evidence of Killian and Henry's bond didn't hurt.
"They seem to be doing pretty good," David commented as he glanced back to where she was looking at the table.
She nodded. "Yeah. They really like each other."
"Henry's still on board with you guys finding a place together?" he asked.
"Yeah," she replied. "He wants to help make the decision. He will, I mean, it will be his home, too."
David nodded. "It's gonna be weird with you guys not being here. It's gonna be empty. I know a lot of nights you would stay with Killian at the cabin and Henry would be with Regina, but this is different."
Smiling, she placed a lid on one of the containers. "I know, but I'm excited about all this, you know? Killian didn't even think this could be possible. But to get to make a home together, I want it."
His smile turned warm. "Then that means you should go for it."
"You know we're not actually going away, right?" she asked him.
"I know," he said as he rested his hands on the island. His tone suddenly turned teasing. "I missed a lot with you growing up. Let me have this moment with you leaving the nest."
Tossing a dishrag towards him, she laughed.
"You know, thanks for doing this," she said quietly. "I know you and Mom didn't have to."
David shook his head, smiling and knowing she was referring to her brother's naming ceremony. "It's like we told you before. We wanted the whole family to be together for it."
The first day Killian was staying in the hospital, David and Mary Margaret had come in to see him after Emma had gotten everything they needed. They didn't tell either Emma or Killian the baby's name, telling them they wanted to have a naming ceremony as was custom for them back in the Enchanted Forest.
As soon as they said they were going to wait for the entire family to be present for it, Killian immediately encouraged Emma to go, until David emphasized they wanted their entire family there, giving him a pointed look.
Emma couldn't describe the feeling at the time of her family completely including Killian as one of them, but knowing from his face, he was feeling similarly.
"Still, thanks," she said quietly before going towards the dining table.
Going to the table, Killian leaned into Emma immediately as she rested her hand on his shoulder, turning his head to catch her for a quick kiss.
"You guys aren't gonna be gross when we get a place, are you?" Henry asked, wrinkling his nose.
Emma hummed, deciding to mess with him as she kept her eyes on Killian. "You bet we are."
She was rewarded with a retching sound from her son, making both of the adults laugh.
Everyone in the loft stiffened when they heard a knocking on the door, all eyes turning towards it in apprehension.
David stepped forward to open the door, standing aside as Belle and Gold entered, the latter carrying a briefcase.
Instinctively, Killian stood, blocking both Emma and Henry.
"Stand down, Captain," Gold said quietly. "I'm not here to do you or anyone here any harm."
"Then why are you here?" Emma questioned as she moved to stand beside Killian.
Instead of answering immediately, Gold set his briefcase on the dining table and opened it.
"To give you the papers you need," he said simply as he pulled out a document. "I wanted to do this before the ceremony tonight."
"Papers?" Killian asked as Emma tentatively took the document.
Peering at it, she saw it was the deed for the house she and Killian wanted.
"Killian," she whispered, "it's for the house."
He looked down at the paper she held, his brow pinching.
"What's the price?" she asked Gold suspiciously.
"There is no price," Gold told them. "I'm giving it to you, no strings attached."
Emma nearly dropped the deed in shock. "What?"
"You always have a price," Killian added.
"Believe it or not, I do actually feel guilty over taking your hand," Gold said. "And I do want my grandson to live in a good home."
Emma couldn't believe it, but she somehow knew Gold was telling the truth.
"Belle told me you called earlier and were interested," he continued. "That house has been empty since the start of the curse, and it's been of no use to me."
He looked directly at Killian. "Think of this as compensation for Zelena making me tell her how to kill you and making me take your hand."
Killian looked taken aback, not ever expecting to receive anything that remotely resembled guilt from Gold.
As he shared a quiet glance with Emma, she knew they were both in agreement that despite Gold's words, they were reading everything that came with the deed of the house.
Nodding, Emma sat down, searching for anything that indicated that the house would come with any price or obligation. Finding nothing, she felt hope bubbling within her as she passed the document to Killian to look over.
After a moment to read the document, Emma saw an identical light in Killian's eyes.
"There's nothing in here," she whispered, fighting a smile. "It really would be ours."
She could tell he was fighting his own grin.
"Now that we've established that there really are no strings," Gold prompted.
"And there really is no price?" Emma asked with a raised brow. "Even a monetary one?"
"No," he replied firmly. "As I said, I've had it with the start of the curse, and it's been of no use to me."
Emma looked back at Killian, pitching her voice low. "What do you think?"
"This is what we wanted," he replied, smiling lovingly at her. He looked back behind him to look at Henry. "Henry?"
She felt her heart soar that he was including her son in their decision.
"I think we should take it," Henry told them, grinning excitedly.
Killian looked back at her. "I think we're all in agreement."
Nodding happily, she picked up a pen to sign the deed, leaving enough room for Killian's name. It was to be his home as well as hers, it was only right that he have it in his name as well as hers. She wasn't worried about what it would mean later down the line, knowing they would be spending the rest of their lives together.
Copying her, he signed the deed.
"Congratulations," Gold said. "The house is yours."
Emma nodded. "Thank you."
He nodded in return, closing his briefcase to leave.
Belle offered them a congratulatory smile before following him out, David closing the door behind them.
What she and Killian did set in for Emma, suddenly feeling giddy. Releasing a laugh, she looked back at him, throwing her arms around him. It took her a second to register his own laughter.
"We did it," she gasped out. "We actually did it."
He nodded quickly. "Aye, Swan. We did."
Reaching up, she kissed him enthusiastically, not caring that they weren't alone.
Breaking apart, she saw both her parents wearing wide grins.
"Congratulations," her mother said happily.
David nodded in agreement.
"Thanks," Emma said as she leaned into Killian, resting her head on his shoulder as he kept his arm wrapped around her waist.
"You're staying here tonight, right?" Mary Margaret suddenly asked worriedly.
Emma nodded, suddenly thinking that David wouldn't be the only one to have trouble seeing her move out. "Yeah. We still need to move in."
Her mother's eyes suddenly lit up. "You need to get everything, don't you?"
Sensing her mother preparing a design project, she chuckled.
"Just the essentials for now," Killian replied. "We'll be out of your hair soon enough."
"It's no rush," Mary Margaret replied quickly. "Honestly, it's alright if you need to stay here longer."
Emma looked up at Killian, meeting his eyes with a tender expression. "No, but we want to start our lives together now. We want our happy beginning."
Grinning, he leaned down to give her a quick but loving kiss. "Couldn't have said it better, love."
It never ceased to amaze Emma on how many people could fit into the diner as she sat on one side of a booth sandwiched between Killian and Henry. Mary Margaret sat opposite them, cradling the baby in her arms with ease.
"Ready?" David grinned where he stood beside his wife.
Mary Margaret hummed, nodding.
"Excuse me," he said louder, addressing the entire diner. "If I could just have everyone's attention for a moment."
All eyes turned to him and Mary Margaret excitedly.
"This coronation ceremony is something we've looked forward to for a long time," he began, sounding every bit the royal he was. "The arrival of our new son has been the cause of great joy for our family. And we hope you can share in it as we name him for a hero. Someone who has saved and protected every one of us. Someone who sacrificed. Who loves, and we love back."
Emma hid her surprise, not thinking that her parents were naming her baby brother after anyone.
David looked back to his wife, both smiling widely.
Looking towards the room, Mary Margaret spoke up. "People of Storybrooke, it is our great joy to introduce you to our son, Prince Ian."
Feeling her chest inexplicably warm, Emma looked at Killian, who was looking at her parents and the baby in awe as the people in the diner clapped.
"You okay?" she asked quietly.
He nodded, his eyes remaining on the baby.
"I hope we didn't overstep," Mary Margaret said quietly to them, smiling nervously.
Shaking his head, Killian grinned. "No, no. It's just surprising is all. I never expected something like this, and I can't thank you enough for this."
David shook his head. "I think we should be thanking you."
Smiling softly, Emma reached forward, letting Ian grasp her finger in his tiny hand. "It's so nice to meet you, Ian."
Ian waved his hand, turning his head as he did so.
Gently pulling away, Emma sat back, letting Killian tuck his arm around her shoulders. Leaning onto him, she rested her head into the crook of his neck, smiling as he gently squeezed her.
Author's note: Guys, this is the last chapter before the epilogue. Surprisingly, this story's number of chapters actually hasn't changed since I originally finished it (usually I either add or take out a couple chapters from either story. Unless it's Gentlemen of Fortune, which was only supposed to be forty chapters, but turned out to be sixty-six.). I will be taking a little break after this is over before I start the new story, probably just about three weeks. I'm not happy with where I'm at right now in regards to chapters in the story, and I feel like I need to just recharge my batteries so to speak. I do have a couple updates for Stolen Moments set up to be edited, so those will be going up during those three weeks. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and I hope you're all doing well with everything that has been going on.
Teaser: "Couldn't go back to sleep?" she asked in a voice husky from sleep.
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