A/N: Thank you for all the love that has been shown to me during the last five years. I love you all! With this chapter, I mark this story complete!

This is self-betaed. This story is my baby and I've been editing it from the beginning.

Let me know what you think of the chapter by dropping a review!

Love always,

~starr

"Wear something special," Emma mused, scratching her head as she flipped through the collection of clothes hanging in her closet. There was an overabundance of jeans and sweaters, not to mention the small collection of leather jackets that she and Killian had accumulated over the last year and a half. With each outfit she held in the mirror, she shook her head. Nothing gave off the right impression that she wanted to enjoy the evening.

Everyone had been so off-kilter today with each encounter that she had, except for the cellmates she had stopped by to check on before coming home to get ready. Emma knew that Killian had something up his sleeve for this evening, but she wasn't sure what. Knowing Killian, Emma did not doubt in her mind that tonight would be anything less than extraordinary. With a satisfied sigh, Emma reached for the last item hanging in the back corner of her closet. A smile pulled at her lips as she made her way into the ensuite to start getting ready.

Emma descended the stairs of their home at half-past six with a smile on her face when she saw her pirate waiting for her by the front door. She noticed the single rose in his hand, and it made her heart flutter.

"Hey," Emma whispered, as she stopped just shy of standing beside him at the door. "Don't you look handsome?"

Killian flashed a smile at her, shaking his head as he offered her the rose. "Compared to you, love, I am underdressed."

"Don't be silly," Emma laughed, taking the rose from him and lifting it to her nose. She inhaled deeply and let out a sigh. "The rose is a nice touch, thank you."

"Shall we?" he asked, offering her his arm.

Emma took it with a smile and nodded her head. "We shall."

Killian and Emma found themselves lost in conversation until they arrived at their table as they made their way to the restaurant. The exchange remained light and pleasant as the atmosphere around them lent to. Killian did all he could to keep his excitement at bay. However, his hand had been sweating all night. He could barely keep his nerves in check. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't come up with any other time in his life where he had been so nervous.

So far, everything had been perfect. It seemed as though she loved the dinner they had gone to. It was a nice little throwback to their first date, only this time he didn't have to worry about her freaking out about the town being in danger. Especially since they arrested Jekyll, released Hyde, and the Evil Queen was currently locked in a magicless cell in the hospital. Tonight was all about them.

For the first time in a long time, Emma found herself struggling to wipe the smile from her face. The fact that this was the first night in a long time she and Killian could focus on one another instead of the rest of Storybrooke was calming. Now that dinner was complete, Killian had led them to the docks, one of his favorite haunts when he just wanted to think and be one with the sea. He had brought Emma with him on a few rare occasions, but she couldn't help noticing that there was something different about tonight. That thought sent a shiver down her spine.

"Are you cold, love?" Killian asked as he pulled off his jacket to hand to her. She smiled as she graciously accepted it and snuggled in close as he wrapped it around her.

"Thank you," she responded and kissed him on the cheek, "Where are we headed?"

"You'll see soon," he replied as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close.

They continued to walk along the docks in silence. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, though. It was peaceful and calm. Just the right serenity that they could have used a few weeks ago - a change of pace from the usual chaos of the town of Storybrooke - at least since they had both chosen to settle down here after the second curse.

In the distance, Emma could see that faint glow of something all lit up. She turned a puzzled eye to Killian, who wore a smile proud on his face as they continued walking towards the lights. His smile widened when he saw her looking at him out of the corner of his eye.

"Are we…" she asked, trailing off when she saw the smile, "What did you do?"

"You'll see, Swan," he promised as he squeezed her tighter.

Henry caught sight of Emma and Killian making their way toward the docks and glanced down at his watch. "Perfect timing," he mumbled, turning on his heel to return to where everyone was waiting with a large smile on his face. "It's showtime."

As they got closer to the lights, Emma could feel the tears starting to well up in her eyes. As they came up to the lights, she saw Henry standing there. Next to him were Regina and Robin. Beside them were her mom and dad.

"Killian.." she began to say, looking from him to her family and friends, "what's going on?"

He didn't say anything. He took a deep breath as he attempted to swallow his nerves as he led her to stand closer to the lights where she could see the bouquet of roses waiting for her.

"Killian, come on. What's going on?" she pleaded.

"Just give me a minute and stand here, okay?" he asked. She nodded as she moved to the spot he had pointed out.

Killian walked over to Henry to grab the one item that really brought tonight together. Henry smiled as he slipped it out of his pocket and into Killian's hand.

"Thank you, mate," Killian whispered.

Henry nodded, "Good luck."

Killian nodded and smiled. He took another deep breath as he made his way back to where Emma was standing. She was watching him carefully with a nervous smile on her face.

"Before you say anything, please just let me talk, okay?" Killian asked, taking her hand and looking deep into her eyes.

"Why are they here?" she questioned.

"Shush, it's storytime. Just listen," he pleaded. She nodded and listened to him.

"Emma, we haven't exactly been on the most normal of a journey that a couple typically goes on. When we met, you were ready to leave me tied to a tree; then, you tried to leave me behind with a giant who wanted my life for stealing his magic bean. We've fought on opposing teams, and I've always been so caught up in killing the crocodile that it seemed like I wasn't even looking for a friend. But then we found ourselves in Neverland, needing to reveal our deepest secrets after we shared our first kiss. One that you told me was a one-time thing. That kiss changed my life. I knew from that moment on that no matter what obstacles I had to overcome; I would be able to call you mine.

After that kiss, we were separated by a curse that I tried to kiss you to break, after which you slapped me for that. That kiss was followed up by Zelena trying to drown me so that you would kiss me to take away your magic. I wasn't worth saving when it would cost you your magic, just so you know. There is a slight pattern to the actions that result when we kiss. Somehow I end up getting hurt, and you have to come to save me again and again."

This brought a smile to Emma's face hearing him recount all of their relationship.

"After I brought you back to Storybrooke to save your parents, you questioned whether or not you wanted to stay here after you broke the curse. Hearing you say that you could leave all of this behind broke my heart. But then something interesting happened.

We got sucked into a time travel spell where we watched your parents fall in love, and you became a part of the life you missed out on. Then you found out that I had traded my ship to bring you back to this place. We shared my favorite kiss."

The tears were starting to well in both Regina and Snow's eyes as they listened to Killian speak and watching Emma's face light up as he spoke. They had never seen anyone so in love.

"Then we met the Snow Monster, and I told you that we needed to enjoy the quiet moments where you tried to back away from me and make me feel like you were avoiding me, but you knew that you were, and you placed a soft kiss on my lips. I told you I was a survivor because you were afraid to lose me like you lost everyone else. From there on, I knew I had to prove you wrong. After that, we had our first date, a night I will remember forever."

Emma was absolutely speechless. He remembered every last detail. She remembered the important things, but Killian was able to recite the details without question - including some of the thoughts she had never shared aloud with him. It wasn't like he was reading off of a piece of paper. He was truly telling her a story. She couldn't help but feel the tears starting to roll down her cheeks. She was starting to get an idea about what tonight was, and she couldn't be happier. She listened to him as he continued.

"From that date on, we've fought the Dark One and then became the Dark Ones. Then I died and was able to come back to life. We fought a crazy man from the Land of Untold Stories and the darkness from within of the Evil Queen. Our lives are always going to be crazy. Hell, we've got a teenage lad who lives with us, and I know we've got a lot more craziness yet to come," he laughed as he looked back over his shoulder briefly at Emma's family. The family he would soon be calling his own.

Turning his attention back to Emma, he slowly lowered himself onto one knee, "Emma, love. I'm not always good with words. I'm not always the most helpful when it comes to stressful situations. But when it comes to you, I know those things don't matter. What does matter is that I am in love with you, and I want so desperately to get my happy ending? My happy ending is you."

Slowly he pulled the ring box out of his pocket and opened it, showing her the perfect ring as he spoke, and her family turned the lanterns around to face them, "Emma Swan, I want you forever. Forever and always. For the good and the bad and the ugly. Grow together, forever and always through all the craziness that comes in our life. Will you marry me?"

He looked up at her and smiled. Hoping so desperately that she would say yes, but she couldn't form the words. All she could do was cry as she nodded her head furiously.

Finally, she was able to choke out the words, "Yes, Killian. I will marry you."

Killian's smile broadened. "Really?"

She nodded as she tried to take the ring out of the box. He stood up as he took over, trying to get it out, and slipped the ring on her finger before he pulled her into him for a kiss. His lips crashed against hers. His arms wrapped around her waist, lifting her up into the air and spinning them around as her arms wrapped around his neck. Her family clapped and cheered for them. When he finally set her back down, their foreheads touched as they looked into each other's eyes with smiles on their faces.

Emma turned to look at her family with a smile shining brighter than the sun on her face. Tears of joy were still rolling down her face as well as down Regina and Snow's cheeks.

Henry was the first to come to congratulate her and Killian. He gave Killian a quick hug before he wrapped his arms around his mom.

With a quick kiss on her cheek, he looked at her and smiled as he spoke. "Congratulations, mom."

"You knew, didn't you?" she asked as she hugged him again. Henry just nodded as he stepped aside before getting squished between Snow and Emma as she came in for a hug.

"Congratulations, sweetheart. I am so happy for you," she sobbed as she hugged her tightly, "I can't wait to start planning a wedding with you. It will be a wedding worthy of a Princess and her Prince."

Snow touched Killian softly on his arm as she hugged Emma again before she stepped aside for Robin and Regina to congratulate them.

The last person to congratulate the newly engaged was Charming. The ever protective father was still suspicious of the pirate, but he knew that Hook made Emma happy, and he wasn't about to stand in their way.

Before he said anything to them, he took Emma in his arms and squeezed her tight. Then he looked at Hook and smiled.

"Just remember, pirate. If you hurt her, then you will have to answer to me," he lectured.

Emma playfully punched him in the chest, "Really, Dad?"

Charming just laughed. Of course, he didn't mean it. He knew that Hook would never let anything bad happen to Emma. It just wasn't in his nature, and besides, if anything bad did happen, it wouldn't have been on purpose.

"Congratulations, Emma. I'm so happy for you," Charming said, kissing her forehead before he walked over to join the rest of the family before they all left Emma and Killian alone.

"We're going to Granny's for pie and a nightcap, if you'd like to join," Robin called before they began to walk away.

"We'll meet you all there," Killian responded. Robin smiled as he turned his attention back to where they were headed and slipped an arm around Regina's waist.

Killian and Emma turned to look at each other. Emma placed a quick kiss on his lips and then looked down at her engagement ring. She couldn't believe that she was actually engaged. That was something that she never thought would happen to her. A part of her always believed she would end up alone.

Killian watched her as she stared at her ring. It was the perfect ring for her. Henry had been right when he said it was perfect. The entire evening had been even better than he could have ever imagined. Looking at that ring on her finger made it all so much greater.

"Do you like it, love?" he asked quietly, drawing her attention back to him from the ring.

"I love it! How did you do all of this?" she asked eagerly as she looked around the dock for the umpteenth time.

"With a little help from your boy," Killian answered with a smile, "This part here was all his idea, having the lanterns and the roses. It was my idea to have them all here. I knew that it would mean a lot to you for this to just be us, but at the same time, I knew how much it would mean to your parents that they were here for this. I do hope that was okay."

"Of course it's okay. I still can't believe that you did all of this and with Henry's help. I'm just in awe," she told him as she wrapped her arms around his neck again to give him a tight hug. He smiled as he squeezed her tight. Leaning back, he looked deep into her eyes as he brought a hand up to cup her cheek before he kissed her again.

"I love you, Emma," he told her as his lips crashed into hers before she could tell him that she loved him too. "Forever and for always."