I might not have been raised as a princess- with all the gowns, crowns, and royal fanfare of the position- but you had to admit...I was getting better at it.

Although it was my first announced entrance down a grand staircase, I didn't feel awkward or out of place. Butterflies of anticipation, not nervousness, fluttered in my stomach.

I reach over to give Mom's hand a squeeze before gathering up the voluminous layers of my dress to descend. Her skirts swish in the direction of Dad and I smile as Killian, all wine and coal leather, meets me at the bottom. I feel my cheeks heat at the admiration clearly evident on his face and in our usual fashion, compliments are half-deflected before he masterfully twirls me onto the floor.

Torchlight makes the tile look lit from within and for a few precious moments, I'm able to forget the voices in my head, the darkness, the threat of what I might become if we.. if I... fail.

I shift my feet to clasp Killian's hook as we circle. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my parents following the same steps. The winged sleeves of Mom's gown brush Dad's legs as they spin out and find each other again. Love glows from both of their eyes and I can feel it spread and engulf me like a warm blanket.

Seeing them like this I'm reminded of another ball, my first courtesy of an unexpected portal drop; one where I learned to waltz in a ballgown with a pirate. A ball where I saw my father in all of his princely glory- with a jeweled sword at his hip and gold-threaded embroidery on his jacket. His familiar voice, honest eyes, strong hands.

I stood less than six feet away but it might as well have been 60. He didn't know who I was. The pain of being with him but not WITH him dug deep. At the time I wasn't ready to admit to Killian, let alone myself, how much I wanted to make, at that moment, one father/daughter memory with David.

One last note and the musicians' tune end. Memory sinks into the background. I curtsy to my partner and he acknowledges it with a proud smile and a gentlemanly bow of his own. "You truly are a natural Swan."

That unfilled ache still clings to my thoughts and, like the pull of a magnet, I seek out my parents. Dad is leading my somewhat breathless mother to the refreshment table.

"Everything alright love?"

I clear my throat but know the emotion is still thick when I reply, "Yah, I just..."

He raises his brow with a knowing grin. I always was an open book to him.

"There's something I've wanted to give my Dad for quite a while now. I think this is a perfect time."

He nods and with our fingers interlocked, we move to join my parents on the outskirts of Camelot's great hall. It gives me just enough time to blink away the tears threatening to slide down my cheeks.

When we approach, Killian intuitively knows that I would appreciate a private moment. My astute pirate. With a honeyed "Mi'lady" to Mom, he guides her to join the other dancing couples. Shockingly, David doesn't seem to mind.

"There's my lovely daughter," Dad moves to kiss my forehead. "You seem to be enjoying yourself."

"I am. It just needs one thing for it to be completely perfect."

Before he can ask what it is, I bolster my courage and sink gracefully into a deep curtsy. If I'm going to do this, I'm going all out.

Dad's lips part in surprise but he instinctively offers his palm to help me rise. With my heels firm beneath me again, I allow all the love I've felt but rarely acknowledged to seep through my walls and shine through.

I tug his hand. "Will you dance with me Daddy?"

He stands stock-still. He ducks his head briefly and or a split second, I worry I've gone too far in laying the groundwork of my request. But then I realize, he's fighting the same emotion I was only moments ago. Like father like daughter.

His eyes hold moisture and his lips the most brilliant, blinding smile as he looks at me. "Sweetheart, nothing would make me happier."