The Swan Princess-Epilogue

CS Genre: Lieutenant Duckling

A/N: Warning: Absolutely ridiculous levels of happy, sugary fluff ahead. Proceed at your own risk…

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Killian took a deep breath, feeling the sweat bead on his forehead, his heart hammering in his chest. He doubted he'd ever been so nervous in his entire nineteen years of existence. Slowly letting out his breath, Killian squared his shoulders and rapped firmly on the door before him.

It had been a beautiful, absolutely blissful two months here at the castle ever since the Dark One had gone to the Land Without Magic. He and Emma had spent an idyllic summer together, talking, laughing, holding each other—and whenever they could steal away (which was no easy feat with all seven of the dwarves styling themselves the princess's own personal chaperones), long, slow kisses.

Killian didn't even know it was possible to be so deeply, so passionately, so stupidly in love. But after a summer of paradise, Killian found he wanted more, much, much more. He wanted everything.

And so it was that he stood outside the King and Queen's private sitting room literally shaking in his boots as he waited for his Swan Princess's parents to grant him entrance.

"Enter," came the voice of the king.

This was it. Sending up a quick prayer to heaven, Killian grasped the door handle, twisted, and then pushed. Queen Snow and King David sat in comfortable chairs in their sitting area, the sun shining merrily on the happy, True Love couple.

"Killian," Snow said with a smile and a raised eyebrow, "I'm surprised to see you up and about so early. You and my daughter were out quite late for your moonlight stroll last night. I understand the stirrings of young love, but I'm afraid we'll all suffer today with Grumpy's complaints about lack of sleep."

Killian grinned in spite of himself, remembering the night before, seated with Emma in the royal gardens. He thought of the becoming blush on her cheek as he'd cut and given her a middlemist flower and then tucked it into her loose bun. The romantic moment had been broken by the quiet grumbling of Emma's chaperone of the night, and the couple had dissolved into laughter.

"I apologize for the unpleasantness your highness, but I can't bring myself to regret my evening with Swan."

"Nor would I expect you to," David said, getting to his feet and clapping Killian on the shoulder. "My wife and I were just about to sit down to an informal breakfast. Would you like to join us?"

"Thank you, but I couldn't impose," Killian said, feeling all of his nerves rush back in upon him now that the moment of truth was upon him. "I…I merely wanted to have a quick word with you both, and then I'll leave you to your repast."

Snow and David shot each other an amused look, and Killian couldn't help but wonder if the king and queen had a suspicion about what Killian wished to discuss with them.

"Have a seat," David said, leading Killian to an ornate sofa across from their chairs. Then, taking his own seat, David took his wife's hand and threaded his fingers with hers. "Now, Killian, what's on your mind?"

Killian swallowed audibly, trying desperately to calm his pounding heart. "Your majesties," he said formally. "I wanted to inform you that I love your daughter with all my heart."

Snow shot an amused look at her husband, and then turned back toward Killian. "Yes, Killian, we're well aware of your feelings for Emma. Was there maybe a question you wanted to ask the king and me?"

Killian nodded. "Aye. I…I know I'm merely a lieutenant in your navy and I can't provide your daughter with the kind of life a true prince could, but I vow to you I will offer her a lifetime of everlasting love, devotion and respect. Your Majesties, I…I've come to ask your blessing to propose marriage to Emma."

The king and queen were silent for a moment, and then King David turned toward Killian with a smile on his lips and tears in his eyes. "Killian, I can't speak for my wife, but for my part…I think I've hoped this day would come ever since you and my little Swan Princess were inseparable childhood friends. You have my blessing gladly, and I can't wait to welcome you into the family."

Killian felt his heart leap. He turned toward the queen, awaiting her response.

"I'll grant my blessing on one condition." The queen twisted the silver wedding ring with the small green stone from her finger. "It's said that True Love follows this ring wherever it goes. I would be pleased if you'd present this to my daughter as a token of your love and commitment."

Killian took the ring reverently with trembling fingers. This conversation had gone far, far better than he'd ever hoped.

"Thank you," he said in a voice gruff with emotion, "and I would be absolutely honored to use this ring to propose to Emma."

~l~d~l~d~l~d~l~d~l~d~

Dear Em,

I hope you get this letter. Ariel the mermaid promised she could take a letter across realms, but who knows? I know full well how difficult realm travel can be.

Anyway, I hope you're doing alright, and I just wanted to let you know that things are working out well here in the Land Without Magic. Papa and I settled in this city called "Boston". Em, I bet you'd have liked it. Right now, I'm just working odd jobs—stores, restaurants, that sort of thing, but I have ideas for the future.

Papa started his spinning again. Turns out he's really good at it. I found him this old fashioned loom, and he's even started weaving blankets, simple clothing items, that sort of thing. I'm hoping one day we'll be able to open our own little shop—papa makes the clothes and I run the business side of things.

But that's not even the biggest news.

Remember how I said Tink stayed behind because she'd made a life for herself? Turns out she wasn't being totally honest with me. See, she figured I'd come back some day, and she wanted to give me a fresh start. Offered herself up to the police; confessed to my crime of stealing the watches. They gave her 11 months, which kills me! It should have been me doing the time, but Tink insisted it was what she really wanted.

I'm just blown away. And, Em? Turns out you made the right call turning me down. Don't get me wrong, you're a great person and Killian's a lucky guy, but when I got back to the Land Without Magic and sawTink again and found out what she did for me last year after I came back here…well, I suddenly realized it's her I have feelings for. We've been dating for about a month, and I think things are going good.

So hey! Happy endings for everyone, right?

Anyway, I know your big birthday ball is coming up soon and I hope you have a good one.

Take care!

Neal Cassidy

Emma folded up the letter, smiling happily. She was glad everything seemed to have worked out the way it was supposed to. And who knows? Maybe in the Land Without Magic Rumplestiltskin could even find a way to be a decent person. Stranger things had happened.

Looking at a clock on her chamber wall, Emma got to her feet. The ball for her birthday and for Killian's and his brother's promotions would start in two and a half hours. It was time she call for her maid to start her bath if she hoped to have time for her hair to fully dry in time for it to be styled. (Aunt Ruby had promised to come help her style her hair, and then she and Elsa would help each other with make-up.)

She was on the point of opening her door and calling for a maid when there came a tentative knock at said door. Emma opened it to reveal the man she loved.

Killian looked…nervous, ill-at-ease. Emma's stomach dropped. What could be the matter?

"Killian?" she asked tentatively, opening the door wider and ushering him in (leaving the door conspicuously open so none of her diminutive chaperones need have the vapors over her being in her bedroom with a man.) "Are…are you okay?"

He gave her a surprised glance and then pasted a very obviously forced smile on his face. "Of course, love. I'm perfectly shipshape. I've come to wish you the happiest of birthdays."

"Thank you…" Emma said slowly, still more than a little ill at ease at the strange way he was behaving.

"Might," he said in a voice that cracked. He cleared his throat and started again. "Might we adjourn to your balcony, Swan? I've something I wish to discuss with you, and the balcony seems an appropriate place."

Emma gave him a probing look and then shrugged knowing he would eventually get around to telling her what was on his mind and her questioning would do nothing to help speed things up. Emma turned toward the large French doors leading to the balcony that looked out on the castle's gardens. She had to admit it was a beautiful, romantic view. On this morning with the sun shining down on the dew covering everything, it was positively gorgeous.

Once outside, Emma took a seat and watched in concern as Killian paced for a moment before turning toward her, squaring his shoulders.

"Emma…my Swan princess," he began, eyes fervent and overflowing with feeling, "You must know by now how deeply, how completely, how eternally I love you."

Emma felt her heart melt and she smiled up at him, taking his hand and squeezing it. "Of course I know, Killian, and I love you too. So, so much."

He smiled, squeezing her hand in return. "Aye, love. I know it full well. It's just…ever since we received word that Liam and Elsa are engaged to be married, I've given a good deal of thought to my own happy ending. Do you know what I realized, Emma?"

She shook her head,

"I realized, my love," he said, dropping down to one knee before her chair, "that I have no need to search for my happy ending, because I've found it already."

Emma's eyes widened. "If…if you've already found your happy ending…what is it?"

His eyes bored into hers. "Don't you know, Emma? It's you."

She couldn't have said a word if her life depended on it. She drew in a deep breath, overwhelmed and so overcome with love she thought her heart would burst with it. Slowly she leaned forward, pressed her lips to his, and told him in the only way she was capable just what his words meant to her.

The kiss went on and on, and Emma felt a single tear make its way down her cheek. This was everything. If the angel of death came for her right now, she could depart this life knowing she'd achieve perfect happiness.

After long moments, Killian pulled back, his hand still in her hair, and Emma could see the tears swimming in his eyes as well.

"Emma," he said, voice hoarse with emotion, "I have something important I must ask you."

She had more than a little idea of just what that something might be, and she wanted to yell her "yes" to the entire kingdom. Instead, she calmly responded. "Go ahead, Killian. I'm listening."

Killian pulled back, pulled a ring—her mother's ring—from his waistcoat pocket, and held it before her. "Emma, Princess of Misthaven, will you do me the greatest honor of my life and consent to become my wife?"

Emma slipped from her chair until she was on her knees with him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she smiled and whispered "yes" before pulling in for one more kiss.

~l~d~l~d~l~d~l~d~l~d~

Snow White sat in her throne beside her husband as the two looked out over the ball room. The entire kingdom seemed to be in high spirits on this night, but she had eyes only for her daughter. Snow's heart turned over as she watched Emma, dressed in a lovely, princess cut red dress with her hair pulled up into a loose bun, dance with her newly minted lieutenant. The love and utter joy on Emma's face could have lit up the entire castle.

It was all Snow could have ever asked for her daughter.

"I think we did pretty well with our Swan Princess, don't you think, my love?"

Snow pulled her eyes away from her daughter and turned to smile up at her husband. "She looks so happy, Charming! Did you see my ring on her finger? Killian must have asked her and she must have said yes!"

"I've no doubt he did," David said in return. "I recognize that look on his face. That's the happy, almost reverent look of a man whose True Love has accepted his hand."

"I knew they'd make the perfect couple," Snow beamed. "Didn't I say it, even years ago when they were children?"

David laughed. "That you did, my love; that you did." She watched as a look of wistfulness came over her husband's face. "I'm thrilled my daughter found such a good man and such a deep love, but I must admit. I'm going to miss my little girl."

Snow reached over and laced her fingers with her husbands. "Don't worry, Charming. She's not going anywhere. She and Killian will no doubt take up residence in the castle—or at least upon the palace grounds. We'll see our Swan Princess nearly as much then as we do now."

Snow put a protective hand over her flat stomach. "Besides…David I have a feeling that in about eight months we'll both be too busy to even notice the times when Emma's absent."

"What makes you think…" David began, and then abruptly ground to a halt as his eyes dropped to her hand. "Snow…are you trying to tell me…"

Snow's smile grew and she nodded. "Late next spring a new little prince or princess is going to be taking up residence in the castle. I'm pregnant."

David's face lit up, and then he leaned over and kissed her soundly. The two of them had been hoping for a big family—both of them having grown up as only children—but after Emma, they'd never been blessed with another baby, no matter how much they tried for one. That Snow finally, finally found herself with child once again was nothing short of a miracle.

"Are you happy?" She asked softly.

"No," he answered seriously…and then smiled as widely as she'd ever seen him smile. "I'm thrilled. My country is at peace. Our one remaining enemy is in a place where he can never again hurt us. My daughter has found true love with a man I both care for and admire, and my wonderful wife just let me know that I'm about to be a father again. There's not a person in any realm I'd want to trade lives with."

The End!

Notes: Well, there you have it. The ridiculously fluffy ending of The Swan Princess. Not only did it end happily for everyone, but I think pretty much everyone ended up getting even more than they'd thought possible—Snow and Charming are pregnant with a little boy they'll name Leo; Emma and Killian will marry and live happily ever after; Liam and Elsa will likewise marry and be ridiculously happy—making Emma and Elsa not only best friends but also sisters; Neal and Tink end up together; and Rumple succeeds at making a name for himself with his one-of-a-kind clothing line—and Grumpy's chaperone services will no longer be necessary, thus eliminating the extra-grumpy mornings after Emma and Killian are out late on a date :-) (I apologize for any tooth decay or weight gain you might have experienced as a result of this level of sugary sweetness, lol.)

-Up next: I haven't completely decided yet. There are three Fridays left of the hiatus (only three! Yay!), and I'm planning on filling them with canon compliant one-shots. There'll be a canon divergence, a deleted scene and a future fic. As for what order those stories will come—or what seasons/arcs they'll cover, I guess you'll just have to stay tuned and find out!