Chapter 16: Epilogue

8 months later

Killian stepped outside the doors of the Maine Correctional Center and breathed in fresh air. To say that freedom meant more to him today was an understatement. Killian had spent 8 months in a room shared with a very large man named, Tom the Tuna. His first week there he was pretty sure he was going to become his bitch, but by the time he walked out, Tom was wishing him luck and hoping never to see him in there again.

He had not told his family that he would be leaving today. He had actually told David to pick him up tomorrow. Killian wanted to return home without the pomp and circumstance of a huge surprise welcome home bash that Mary Margaret was sure to be planning.

His cab ride home was full of anxiety. Killian was happy to finally be heading home, but unsure about what he would find there.

He had barred his family from visiting him in prison. He didn't want anyone to see him in that environment.

He had only seen Emma at the trial when she testified against Gold. They had both completed their testimony on the same day. He waved to her from across the courtroom halls. His heart ached not to be able to hold her or talk to her that day, but he knew if he had it would have made returning to his cell that much harder.

He had seen on the news that Gold had received a life sentence. Regina called him later that day to tell him that it was over, that it was time to move past that part of his life.

Emma wrote to him that day, telling him how happy she was that they could finally move on past the memories of Gold, Neal, and Milah.

In fact, Emma had written him many letters. She had kept her promise, her letters were filled with the life that Emma had led while he was in prison. She had traveled to Italy with Belle, gotten her bartending license to work with Robin, spent many days exploring the ocean, and learned to ride a motorcycle, his motorcycle according to Will.

She refrained from telling him any information on the presence of gentlemen that may have been courting her, but from the photo's she had included in her letters, he was sure there had to be a few. She was still the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.

He closed his eyes and managed to sleep for a few hours before the driver woke him to advise they were pulling up to his destination.

Standing in front of the cabin that had long been his home almost brought him to tears. He had spent so many nights dreaming of returning.

When he entered the home, it smelled exactly as he remembered, pine and cedar. It was the most refreshing thing he had ever smelled. It definitely beat the smell of toilet water and tuna that he had become accustomed to for the last 8 months.

"Hello?" He yelled into the quiet house. "Anyone home?"

His shoes echoed through the house, his fingers touching every surface. He pushed open the door to his room, surprised to see it not only clean, but seemingly as if nothing had been touched, except for his bed which was unmade.

The sound of a loud engine turned his attention away from his reflection in the mirror. He opened the door to the cabin and stepped back into the wind. His motorcycle sped up the driveway, coming to a stop in front of the cabin.

He wasn't sure if it was the fact that he hadn't seen her for 8 months, but watching her long slim legs wrapped around his bike in tight black pants and a black leather jacket was stirring his arousal. The girl on the bike, climbed off and removed her helmet, her blonde locks blowing in the breeze.

She hung her helmet on the bike and turned toward the house, stopping dead in her tracks as their eyes met.

"Killian?"

"In the flesh, Swan." He smirked.

"You're supposed to be here tomorrow."

"I may have been a bit dishonest in my communication with Dave."

They stared at each other for what felt like centuries, his heart pounding as if it may voluntarily rip from his chest.

And then in an instant she had crossed the front lawn and launched herself into his arms, her legs wrapping around him, her mouth executing an assault on lips. He thanked the Gods that he had spent most of his time in prison strengthening his left arm in order to be able to learn how to still use it or else he may have dropped her immediately.

Just as quickly as the kiss began, she pulled away. "I'm sorry, I practiced this so differently in my head."

He chuckled. "What was the alternative to look like?"

"Well, it involved a lot more self-control."

"I think I prefer this greeting. Though I must admit I was not sure what kind of greeting this would be at all."

"Killian, I told you, I would be waiting for you at home. You just got here early." She grinned.

And somehow, he knew that she had done everything she told him she would. She had lived her life, but she never left him behind. She lived her life, but her heart waited for him. Emma Swan would always be his.

She dropped her legs to the ground and gave a devious smile in his direction.

"You know…" She played with the buttons on his jacket. "Will isn't home until late tonight."

"And what does the lady have in mind? Care to do a puzzle? I've gotten very good at those in the last 8 months."

She smacked his arm. "If you don't take me to bed right now, Jones."

"As you wish, M'lady." He took her hand yanking her through the house, their lips crashing together, shedding clothes to the floor as they went.

"I've missed you so much." She tugged her pants off her hips, hoping on one leg while she yanked her feet free from the garment.

"I've thought about this moment so often for 8 months." He groaned, yanking his shirt over his head.

"Did you now?" She teased.

"Your room or mine?"

She laughed and then tipped up on her toes to kiss him. "Mmm, I moved into your room the day you left."

He pulled back to look at her. "You did?" She rolled her eyes and pushed him back toward the room.

"I told you I would wait for you."

He paused. "I know, but…"

"Killian, stop. I didn't break my promise. I lived my life. I fell in love with travel. I fell in love with the sea. But I am and always will be in love with you. There is no other man for me."

She walked closer to him; her fingers splayed out on his chest. She brushed a light kiss above his nipple, and he shivered. He waited 8 months and now she was going to ruin him in 20 seconds. She kissed his shoulder, marking a hot trail of electricity all the way to the blunt end of his arm. He flinched. She paused and looked back at him.

"I love every part of you Killian."

He pulled her against his body. He had dreamed of her touch so often in 8 months. "I wanted you every single second for 8 months."

She smirked. "Oh really?" Her hand slid down his torso and rubbed against his length.

"Bloody minx, it's been 8 months, just seeing you get off my bike almost caused me to finish in my pants."

"Oh, you liked that, huh?" She purred, pushing him back against the bed and shoving him backward. "You know, I've gotten really good at riding…your bike."

He lifted up on his elbows, his eyebrow raising as she undid her bra and tossed it to the floor. She climbed onto the bed, crawling toward him. His entire body was on fire in anticipation of her.

Her fingers teased the length of him, and he swore the world ended when she took him in her mouth. "This is going to be over way faster than I dreamed, lass."
She slid her tongue down his shaft, his heart stopping at the devious grin she provided when she released him from her mouth with a pop.

She crawled up his body, her hips grinding against him and her hands trailing up and down his chest. "There is something I'm more interested in riding than your bike, however." She purred.

"While I am hoping that reference means what I most wish it does, I'm afraid condoms were not a necessary purchase where I just left, so I hope you came prepared."
She licked her lips, "I am prepared. I'm on birth control."

The moment she sank down on him the entire room reverberated with the sound of their moans. He was overwhelmed by the feeling of his cock naked inside of her warm core, staring up at her rocking her hips into him as she sank down on him over and over, his finger joined with hers, tangling into her wet slick until they both lost themselves, falling together over the edge. It was everything he dreamt of and yet somehow more.

She pressed into his chest, leaving small kisses on his skin. "Bet you didn't get that in prison."

"Hey, Tom was a most patient lover." He teased and he immediately sought to memorize the sound of her laughter.

"You know, Mary Margaret planned a huge surprise party for you for when you got home."

He laughed. "I feared that might be happening, hence my deception with the David." She cuddled into his side and he immediately began kissing her forehead. "I must say as much as I told you to move on, I secretly had hope that you would not find anyone until I returned."

"Mmm, I didn't intend to look."

"Graham didn't attempt to regain his time with you?"

She laughed loudly. "No. I guess you could say that you and I helped lead Graham to his own happy ending."

"Really, and how did that happen?"

"Graham met a lovely woman one night at the bar while drowning his sorrows. Let's just say they commiserated over shared sorrow."

"Shared sorrow?" He paused and then realization swept over him. "Tink."

"Uh huh. Never saw that coming, but they are very adorable together. They both deserve to be happy after everything we put them through."

"Aye, always thought he would end up with Ruby."

She snorted. "Ah but that's where Dorothy comes in."

"Dorothy? I'm afraid I don't understand. I thought you said Graham was with Tink."

She nodded, kissing his chest. "I did. But after I left Granny's to work at the bar, Ruby hired Dorothy and turns out she's really into plaid skirts and ruby slippers."
"Oh my. I fear I have missed much, Swan."

"Well, we still have a few hours before Will is home, perhaps we can make up for lost time."

1 year later

"So where are you two off to?" Belle was folding Will's shirts and putting them in his dresser drawer. Belle had been spending more time at the house with Will lately. It was nice having another girl around.

"We're sailing down the coast." Emma pulled her jacket from the closet. "We haven't taken her out in a few weeks and Killian has been really excited about it."
Killian's insurance policy had afforded him to replace his previous ship. He had christened her the "The Swan" in her honor and they tried to take her out at least once a month.

"He's always excited when we go sailing but he's acting like a child going to a toy store today." She joked.

"You ready, Swan?" Killian excitedly ducked his head into the room.

"Always." She smiled at Belle and exited the room as Belle yelled out for them to have a nice time.

"Ok, turn her Port, Swan. There ya go. Great job!"

He had his camera out, something he did often to remember the moments they shared together.

"I think I'm getting the hang of this." She grinned.

"I might have to promote you to Captain." He slid up next to her, pulling her into his arms and kissing her firmly.

"Should we drop anchor here? I'm starving."

Killian looked out at the horizon. "Yeah, I think this is perfect."

"What did you bring us?"

He pulled out the picnic basket and smirked. "Grilled cheese!"

"And fries?" She questioned.

"Onion rings." He smirked.

"I was just testing you." She purred.

She looked beautiful sitting on the bow of the ship, her hair blowing in the breeze, cheeks pink from wind burn. He would love this woman as long as the universe would allow.

"You're awfully quiet suddenly."

"I'm sorry love, I can assure you it is not for any nefarious reasons."

She crinkles her nose. "You're always so adorable. No one else even uses the word nefarious?"

"There is nothing wrong with having a robust vocabulary. However, I must say that no one is as adorable as you." He looked out at the water and spoke almost at a whisper. "You'd like her very much, Liam." He added softly with a grin. "Though she does talk more than you would enjoy."

"You really think they would like me?"

"Aye, I do. Do you know how I know?"

She shook her head.

"Because I believe they sent you to me, they guided your boat to our harbor all those years ago."

"Killian, I was 6. I just picked the ship with the best place to hide."

"Aye, but do you know what happened that night? Because I do." She sat up next to him, staring into his eyes. "Did you know that your ship was actually supposed to dock in Portland but there was a storm that forced them to dock before their port? That's how they ended up in Storybrooke."

"Is that true?"

"It is. And thus, our story began because of the sea." He paused. "A story that I hope will continue for a long time."

"Me too." She grinned.

"I waited so long to realize how I felt about you, and when I finally did, the future was so uncertain that we were robbed of our time together. But there is one thing I want you to be certain of."

He reached his hand into his pocket and licked his lips before dropping down to one knee. "I will always, always be by your side. So, Emma Swan, what do you say? Will you marry me?"

"Yes Killian, Yes!" Her hands were warm on his cheeks. "I love you so much."

"You know, I gave you your last name when I first met you, I was hoping you might be ready for a new one."

4 years later.

"I don't understand how this part fits into this hole." Killian held up the wooden pegs in his hand.

"The instructions don't even make sense." Will flipped through each page of the book with a confused look on his face.

"You need part 38. I put it over there." David pointed next to Will.

Emma leaned over to Belle. "How many men does it take to build a crib?"

"Apparently four." She laughed.

"I'm glad you find this funny." Will complained.

"But you are so adorable when you are confused, my love." Belle teased, kissing her fiancé on the top of his head.

"I found it." Robin exclaimed triumphantly.

Emma rubbed one of her hands across her growing stomach. "Be thankful daddy still has 4 months to figure out how to put together your bed, Hope."

"I heard that, Mrs. Jones." Killian scolded.

Hours later, Killian sat on the couch, Emma's legs in his lap while he massaged her feet. He ran his hand up to her calves, squeezing her tired muscles. "Long day."

"Well, you did spend 4 hours trying to build a crib."

"Hey, we finished most of it."

"Tell that to this little girl when she has nowhere to sleep." She giggled.

There was a knock at the door and they both looked at each other. "Are you expecting someone?"

"No."

Killian got up from the couch and opened the door to find Graham standing on the porch.

"Sorry to bother you, Jones. But we have a situation I thought I could talk to you and Emma about."

"Sure, come in."

Emma sat up, "Hey Graham, what are you doing here so late?"

"Well, I didn't know where else to go honestly. We found a boy down by the docks tonight, and well, we didn't know where to take him for the night while we look into where he came from."

Emma and Killian looked at each other, the corner of her mouth turned upward, and she shrugged. "Well, this is the home for lost boys, or at least it was, I think it's only fitting that he stays here until you can find his parents."

"Thank you both so much, let me go get him." He stepped out onto the porch and then returned with a young boy who looked to be about 9 or 10 years old.
Emma got up and stood next to Killian. "Hi there, I'm Emma and this is my husband Killian."

The boy stared at Killian. "What happened to your hand?"

Killian looked down, his arm hanging by his side, he had always worried that his lack of appendage would scare children. Honestly, it was a fear he had of his own child on the way. "That's a long story."

"I like stories! Do you have a hook?" He whispered as he leaned closer to Killian.

Emma snorted and Killian smirked at the boy. "I had not thought about a hook, it doesn't sound very useful."

"But then you could be Captain Hook." He held a brown bundle up in his hands. "Like in my book."

"Isn't that guy the villain?"

"Not in my story." The boy grinned.

"Well, I might need to read your story then." Killian conceded.

"My names Henry." The boy said with a smile.

"Well then Henry, why don't we get you something to eat."

~
Emma watched as the boy went to the kitchen with Killian, amusement on her face at the ease of his playfulness. She knew Killian was going to be an amazing father, even if he had doubts that children would like him or that they would be scared away simply because he only had one hand.

"Thank you for doing this Emma." Graham was still standing by the door when she turned back to him.

"Please, let us know what you hear in the search for his parents."

"Will do." He smiled. "You're getting bigger." He exclaimed.

"Hey, that's no way to talk to a lady!" She giggled.

"Sorry, I meant that in a good way. You look happy."

She thought about all the years that had passed. She had thought at one time that happiness was something she was just not destined to find. But after everything they had all survived together, the way they picked up the pieces to build a new life and take back their town. Happiness had found them all.

"I am. You know it's been a while since you and Tink came over for dinner. We should have you both over soon."

"I'd like that very much, Emma. I'll tell her when I get home." He exited the house and Emma walked into the kitchen.

"He very much likes grilled cheese sandwiches." Killian exclaimed as the boy sat at the table stuffing food into his mouth in the dining room.

"I wonder how long he's been on his own?" She said sadly.

"He didn't tell me much; he has a very active imagination. His foster mother is evil or so he says."

Emma laughed. "Well, that's a bit dramatic don't you think?"

"His words, not mine, love." He paused as if he was thinking before he spoke again. "So, what do you think?"

"Do I think his foster mom is evil? Probably not." She laughed.

"No, I mean about the Lost Boys home. About us reopening it."

"What?"

"It seems only fair after everything Marco did for us."

"Where is this coming from?"

His hand glided against her swollen belly. "We had very difficult beginnings, you and I. We had no one but ourselves. Trust did not come easy. But things changed, we changed. We made each other better. That's what having a family can do for you. And doesn't every child deserve that opportunity like we were given?"

"Are you going soft on me, Jones?" She said through tears in her eyes.

"Me? Never. Didn't you hear, the boy says I can be Captain Hook! Most daring pirate in all the lands."

She snorted. "Well, I think you're charming."

"I actually prefer dashing rapscallion. Dave was always the charming one." He pulled her to him, nuzzling his cheek into her neck. "So, what do you say love, will you think about it?"

She turned in his arms and pecked her lips to his. "I'll think about it." She stepped away to check on the boy, turning back to playfully smack his bottom. "Pirate." He turned and chased her out of the room.

Later that evening, Emma walked past her old room when she heard Killian's voice.

"You chose the perfect room to spend the evening in, Henry."

"Why do you have so many rooms in this house anyway, does she have a lot of babies in her belly?"

Killian's laughter filled the room. "Not that I am aware of. However, this home used to have many of us that lived here."

"Where did they all go?"

"Well, Lad, like all things that happen, they grew up and moved on. My brother Arthur lives in Seattle, August never stays in more than one place for long, he's full of adventure and comes home to share all his stories. You'd like him." The boy grinned as he continued. "Robin lives in town; his bar is one of my most favorite places to be after a long day."

Emma peered into the door; Killian was sitting on the bed with his back to her.

"Will moved out a few years ago, he didn't go far, his wife and he run the local library. I'll have to take your there tomorrow, I have a feeling you would enjoy it." The boy's face brightened.

"I love books."

"Aye, I can tell. My other brother, David works for the police department."

"Was he the one who brought me here?"

"No that was Sheriff Graham, but David is his deputy."

"Wow you have a lot of brothers. Must be nice."

Killian chuckled. "Not all the time, but I do consider myself lucky. None of us are family by birth, but we are family all the same. We used to call this place Marco's Home for Lost Boys."

The boy got excited. "Like Peter Pan. I told you that you were Captain Hook."

Killian chuckled. "Yes, the lost boys like Peter Pan. But then Emma arrived, a lost girl, she was much younger than you are now."

"Emma lived here too?"

"Aye, this was actually her room."

"Cool."

Emma walked into the room, "Ok, it's time for Pirates and Lost Boys to get some sleep."

"Killian has been telling me all about the Home for Lost Boys."

"Has he now?" She winked at her husband.

"It's pretty cool. I bet you were so excited to find it."

Emma frowned. "Well maybe not at first."

"Didn't you want to be found?"

Emma sat down next to her husband and took his hand. "No. I thought I was just a little lost girl that didn't matter and didn't think she ever would. I had to learn to trust others. And that didn't come easy for me." Killian squeezed her hand. "I didn't believe in books like you do. I didn't believe I could have a happy ending. But if you meet the right people, you find that love is a part of all happiness, and you have to be open to that."

"I wish I had found you guys earlier." Henry said sadly.

She looked over at her husband, his eyes beaming, and she knew that their home would welcome many lost children in the future. Her hand brushed her stomach, thinking of her daughter inside and knowing that she would always have a home, she may not have had an easy start, but her daughter would always know love.

"Well, you're here now lad. Let's see what we can sort out in the morning." Killian stood from the bed.

"Can you read me a story?" The boy's eyes were shining.

Killian and Emma shared a glance and they both sat on the bed on either side of the boy.

"Alright, I'll read one chapter, and then it's time for bed." Killian flipped to the first page of the book.

"Once upon a time…"

The End

Notes:

I want to thank all of you who left kudos, commented, and enjoyed this fic. I was very nervous about getting back into fic writing under a new fandom, but you all made me feel very welcomed.

I also want to thank Krystal ( kmomof4) for reaching out to a nobody on Tumblr and cheering and flailing in my inbox. Her support really pushed me along to give me the confidence to keep going with the fic and I really appreciate it.

I am working on two new WIP's that I hopefully will be interesting, and you will want to check out as well.
The first one will be an angst filled enemies to lover's fic about a musician turned actor and a high society socialite that meet at an affluential island rehab center.

The second one will be more of a comedic Love boat fic where Emma begrudgingly goes on a singles cruise where she meets Captain Jones.

Hope you all tag along and drop by to say hi on Tumblr Wefoundloveunderthelight