A Different Happy Ending:

A New Beginning – Part 6a

"Well, Swan, it seems myself and Gideon managed to edge you and Alena out after all," Killian teased as he grinned at his wife.

Emma rolled her eyes and shook her head. She then told him, "You would want to brag, wouldn't you?"

"You'd do the same," he pointed out as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She tilted her head in thought for a moment.

With a chuckle, she conceded, "I guess I would," draping her arms around his neck.

Killian only hummed before he kissed her forehead. Alena then chimed in, "I think it's safe to

say that we're all a little competitive," snaking her arms around Gideon's waist.

"Some of us more than others," he teased as he nudged her shoulder with his. Alena rolled her eyes.

"Careful, m'boy, you may come to regret those words," Killian joked as he shot his daughter a wry grin. She rolled her eyes while Emma swatted his chest.

Gideon chuckled before he replied, "I don't think she'd stay mad at me for too long."

"I'm right here," Alena began, trying to sound annoyed. However, a smile soon broke out across her features.

"But he's right - I love him too much," planting a sweet kiss on his cheek.

Emma and Killian smiled at the couple. She then asked them, "What are you guys gonna do now?"

"Hmm," Alena began with a tilt of her head, "Not sure yet. But I think I wanna grab a snack - I'm kind of hungry."

"So we should be on the lookout for nachos and corn dogs," Gideon supplied as he squeezed her hip.

She only hummed before Emma spoke, "I think I might see if I can drag Killian to another game."

"You say that in jest, but I actually quite enjoyed myself," he told her as a smile made its way across his features.

Emma looked at him with narrowed eyes for a moment. She then surmised, "You seemed like you were, but I thought it might have been for our benefit."

"Perhaps at first," Killian admitted, "But once I truly got the hang of it, I realized it was rather fun."

With a smile, Emma said, "Glad you enjoyed yourself." She then added, "Maybe you'll feel the same about ring toss or whack-a-mole."

Alena scrunched her nose in thought as she spoke, "Hmm, I don't think we tried whack-a-mole. We may have to give it a shot," turning to look up at her boyfriend.

Gideon smiled at her as he replied, "I think we just might." She smiled back as she ran her hand up and down his side.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, "Before or after we eat?" He couldn't help but grin as he answered, "I guess that depends on how hungry you are."

Alena let out a giggle, and her parents soon joined with chuckles of her own. When they sobered, Killian spoke, "Whatever you two decide, there's no doubt it will be immensely fun."

Gideon began to reply when Alena threw her arms around her father's neck. While embraced, she simply told him, "Thank you."

Without hesitation or a question, Killian replied, "You're welcome, love," as he ran his fingers through her hair.

When they pulled away, Emma and Gideon both wore smiles. Hers remained as she suggested, "Maybe the four of us - five counting Henry - could have dinner sometime. Either Granny's or at the house - I'm no Martha Stewart, but I'm still a pretty good cook."

Alena and Gideon laughed while Killian wore an expression of confusion. He gestured with his hook as he said, "I'm not sure who this Martha Stewart person is - or why you're comparing yourself to her - but your cooking is quite delicious, my love."

"I don't think I'm that good, but I appreciate the vote of confidence," Emma told him with a smile. He smiled back before she nodded toward their daughter.

"Speaking of cooking, Ruby told me you were thinking about becoming a better one?"

With a nod, Alena confirmed, "Yeah. I do enjoy cooking, and I would like to be a bit better at it."

Emma nodded as well before she surmised, "At any rate, I know you'll have fun with Ruby. And I think she'll make a pretty good teacher."

"I think she will, too," Gideon agreed. He then offered his girlfriend a smile and said, "I can't wait for a home-cooked meal."

She giggled before she said, "That makes two of us." The blonde then turned her focus to her mother and questioned, "When were you thinking about having that dinner?"

Emma shrugged as she answered, "Whatever works for you." "We'll let you know, Mom," Alena told her, earning a nod in response.

At the sound of familiar laughter, Emma turned her head. She smiled when she saw her little brother - as well as her parents.

She pulled away from Killian as she told them, "I'm gonna go see Mom, Dad, and Neal. I want to see how the little guy is enjoying the carnival."

"I think I want to see him, too," Alena said as she planted both hands on her hips.

Gideon and Killian both nodded before the former spoke, "And while you're doing that, I'll grab those snacks you wanted."

"Sounds good," she replied with a smile. Killian then chimed in: "I'll think I'll join you, lad. I'm feeling a bit parched."

With crossed arms, Emma then asked, "What about your rum?"

He rubbed the back of his head as he explained, "I drank the last of it during a brief break while we played bean bag toss."

His wife threw a smirk his way as she teased, "Never known you to run out. Guess you were

distracted or preoccupied, huh, Captain?"

He responded with a smirk of his own: "If I was, I dare say it was your fault, Swan."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head before she and Alena walked over to join David, Snow, and Neal.

Killian and Gideon watched their retreating forms before they headed in the opposite direction toward the singular food booth.

They walked in comfortable silence for a couple minutes until the pirate cleared his throat and asked, "What would you suggest I drink, lad? As you know, my choices are pretty limited."

He then cocked an eyebrow and commented, "Because I don't suppose they'd actually have rum."

With a chuckle, Gideon relayed, "I don't suppose they would." He then thought for a moment and suggested, "I rather like lemonade, and Alena almost always gets iced tea, And then Emma and Henry love hot chocolate."

Killian shook his head at that last part. "I don't know how they drink that sweet concoction."

Gideon couldn't help but laugh before Killian surmised, "If my memory serves me, Belle rather likes iced tea. As does the Croco… uh, that is Rumplestiltskin," scratching behind his ear and fumbling with his hook.

Instead of mentioning the slip-up, Gideon simply resumed the conversation: "It is their favorite, and you may just develop a taste for it yourself."

When Killian looked back up, he offered the young man a grateful smile, who gladly returned it.

As they came to the concession, Gideon dug his wallet out of his back pocket. Killian tilted his head as he noticed something else falling out.

"Here, lad, you dropped…"

His blue eyes went wide as they landed on the small black box. His heart pounded in his chest as he fished it from the grass.

Gideon's eyes blew wide as well. He fumbled through an explanation, "That's, um, you see…it's...uh, I wanted to…well…"

Killian pinched the bridge of his nose as he raised his hook in a "stop" gesture. Gideon nervously bit his lip as he waited for him to speak.

With a deep breath, he then asked, "How long have you wanted to do this?" "A few months," Gideon answered as he drummed his fingers against his thigh.

Killian's blue eyes widened slightly as he then questioned, "And you've had this," gesturing with the ring box still in his hand, "all that time?"

With his hand still drumming against his thigh, Gideon simply nodded. He then took a deep breath of his own and elaborated, "I didn't realize until a week ago that I had her ring size wrong, and they had it ready this morning."

The pirate only stared for a few moments - Gideon shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. The silence dragged on until Killian finally broke it: "When…when were you going to do this?"

"If I'm honest," Gideon began as his eyes lingered on the little black box, "We'd be planning our wedding right now."

Killian couldn't say the admission surprised him - he could see how in love they were. And they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

He let out a deep breath before he scratched behind his ear and surmised, "I suppose I'm the reason you haven't."

"It…does have, uh, something to do with that," Gideon slowly admitted. He started to continue when Killian began to speak.

Gideon held up his hand as he pleaded, "Let me say this. Please." The dark-haired man offered a nod before he took a deep breath.

"I don't think I have to tell you how much I love your daughter. Aside from being reunited with my parents, she's the best thing that ever happened to me - and I'm not about to give her up. I want her to be my wife - I want us to be a family.

"And I know how much you and Emma mean to her - and how much getting your blessing would mean to her. It's the very reason I've held off so long."

"But?" Killian supplied with a quirk of his eyebrow.

"Our lives together mean just as much to her. To us. We - I - still would have come to you and just hoped you would have learned to accept it. For her sake if for nothing else."

Killian stared at the man in front of him once more - this time he remained unflinching. As he continued to look at him, he recognized the look in his eyes.

The adoration, the passion, the love - none of which could ever be broken.

He let out a long, slow deep breath before he offered Gideon the ring box. A smile fluttered across his features.

"I think you'll be needing this."

Gideon wore a bright smile as he took the box. He then opened to reveal a circular diamond set against double silver bands. The bands themselves were covered in smaller diamonds and featured a loop on either side.

"It truly is beautiful, lad," Killian commented as he peered down at the ring. He felt a tightness in his chest as he realized how much their lives were changing.

Alena may not have grown up with him, but she remained his daughter - his little girl who he loved more than life itself.

He then brought his gaze back up to Gideon and let out another long and slow deep breath. His voice cracked as he uttered his next words.

"Promise me one thing - you will do everything in your power to give her the life she deserves. And you will never hurt her."

With a nod, Gideon reassured him: "Alena means the world to me. We will spend the rest of our lives making each other happier than we thought possible."

"I'm going to hold you to that," Killian offered as he clasped his shoulder. Gideon smiled as he said, "I hope you do."

He then chuckled and added, "Though I'm sure Alena will do a good job of that herself."

Killian chuckled as well before he agreed, "No doubt she will, lad." He then let out a sigh as he looked at Gideon once more.

"You really do love her, don't you?"

He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion before Killian continued, "Forgive me, I know it seems like a bit of an afterthought - not to mention redundant - but I never really saw it before. Truly loving someone means learning to accept their flaws and broken parts - you embrace Alena's, and you understand what it is she needs from you," pausing to take a deep breath, "And I couldn't be happier that she found you."

Before Gideon could reply, the concession opened to the front. He stepped up and ordered his girlfriend's snacks, including one for himself.

When he and Killian turned to head back, he spoke, "I wanted to thank you, Killian, for being okay with me proposing."

He cleared his throat before he continued, "And for your, uh, blessing?" his voice rising in pitch.

Killian raised an eyebrow as he playfully considered giving him a hard time. But, he soon offered him a smile.

"I thought that bit was made perfectly clear already - but nonetheless, you do have my blessing. I have no doubt of the years of happiness you two will share."

"I believe we will," Gideon agreed with a bright smile. He then noticed Alena and Emma headed their way, so he quickly shoved the ring back in his pocket.

Killian couldn't help but chuckle before he surmised, "I'm surprised she hasn't noticed that yet."

With a grin, he replied, "That's rather lucky for me. It would ruin this afternoon's surprise."

"What?" Killian questioned with wide blue eyes. "You're asking her today?"

At Gideon's puzzled expression, the pirate clarified, "I only meant that it seems rather sudden since you just told me."

Gideon rubbed the back of his head before he told him, "I know it seems that way, but I truly can't wait for Alena to be my fiancée - and for us to start planning our future together."

With a smile, Killian told him, "I can't argue with that." He then grinned and added, "I suppose 'congratulations' would be a bit premature."

Gideon couldn't help but chuckle before he said, "Not according to my mother. She's been dropping subtle hints since I sought her advice about proposing."

"If I know Belle, she likely said something to the effect of following your heart because you already know just how to make Alena happy," Killian supplied as the corners of his mouth quirked into a smile.

With a soft smile, Gideon then surmised, "I sometimes forget that you two are friends. Best friends even."

"Given our history," Killian began as he gestured with his hook, "It surprises me as well. But she forgave me and gave me a second chance when I perhaps didn't deserve it, and we always worked well together during a crisis. Through all of that, we became friends."

Gideon hummed his reply. He then grinned and said, "But I think 'friends' perhaps is way too generous of a term when it comes to you and my father."

With a good-natured laugh, the pirate acknowledged, "You have a point there, lad - it's far too generous." He then ran a hand through his dark hair and spoke, "Though there is something to be said of being in-laws - which is strange in itself - but it is welcome nonetheless. If I hadn't learned to take chances and to look out for someone besides myself, my life would be drastically different. As would most people who call Storybrooke home."

A thoughtful expression formed on Gideon's face as he considered his words. A smile slowly spread across his face as he supplied, "Which is why we should embrace each new adventure - and new beginning - as it comes."

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Killian told him with a smile and a clap on the shoulder.

Gideon smiled back at him before Emma and Alena joined them. The latter took her food before she glanced between the two of them.

"You guys looked like you were having a pretty serious conversation. Everything okay?"

Slight nervousness filled the blue and brown of their eyes before Gideon covered, "Of course it is. We were just reminiscing over that amazing battle that led us all here."

Killian offered an appreciative nod before he added, "And how we're all so grateful to you, love. In more ways than one."

Alena blushed slightly before she told them, "Guys, it has been two years, you know. And I didn't do all of that by myself."

"Perhaps. But your father and I now see that it - and you - are some of the most important things we have in common," Gideon said as he slipped his arm around her waist. She couldn't help but smile as she leaned against him.

Killian and Emma both smiled at the couple - their smiles also holding a fondness for memories past and a hope for the future.

The blonde then spoke, "So, Alena and I were thinking the four of us could play another game, if you guys are up for it."

Alena then added, "And this time, it'll be a couples' face-off," popping a cheese-covered chip in her mouth.

The men exchanged a look before Gideon squeezed his girlfriend's waist and suggested, "I was actually hoping we could steal away to our spot?"

She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as she questioned, "But why in particular? We still have at least a couple hours before things start winding down."

A sweet smile made its way across his face as he readily answered her, "As much as I love celebrating with our family and friends, I wanted to spend some time with just the two of us. Can you blame me?"

With a sweet smile of her own, she said, "No, I really can't. And time with you is always something I look forward to."

She then looked over at her parents and spoke, "See you guys later. Have fun!"

Emma and Killian waved them off as Gideon pulled her closer to his side, and the two of them began heading toward the beach.

With narrowed eyes, Emma then perceived, "Something's going on - Gideon's got this whole nervous excited thing going on," gesturing with her hands.

Killian kissed her head as he began, "You have always had quite the keen eye, Swan." He took a deep breath and continued, "Let's just say that our daughter is about to be made very happy."

Emma tilted her head in thought for a few moments. Realization then filled her green eyes, and a smile erupted over her features.

"He's proposing, isn't he?"

Killian tilted his head that time as he questioned, "You already knew about it?"

With a shrug, she told him, "I didn't exactly know, but I had a feeling that he wanted to take that next step."

He only hummed in response, his eyes glossing over as he once again got a far-off look in them. He was pulled from his thoughts when Emma squeezed his hand.

"Are you okay with all of this, Killian?"

He nodded before he told her, "Aye, love, I truly am. It shouldn't have taken me this long to realize that they're truly in love, and they belong together. And I'm happy they didn't let me get in the way - and they're ready to spend the rest of their lives together."

Emma smiled before she grabbed him by his jacket and pulled his lips to hers for a searing kiss. Killian didn't hesitate to respond as he pressed his hook against her back and tangled his fingers in her hair.

The kiss lasted until they were both breathless. When they pulled away, Killian pushed Emma's hair behind her ear and offered her a grin.

"Not that I'm complaining, love, but what exactly was that for?"

With a smile, she told him, "I'm just proud of you. I know none of this has been easy for you, but you're now able to see that our daughter has found her own happy ending."

"Indeed she has," Killian agreed as he smiled as well. He then chuckled and told her, "And they'll be up to their ears in wedding plans. I suppose we should offer our help."

Emma rolled her eyes and swatted his chest. "Just don't even think about sliding back into your overprotective spiel, pirate."

He couldn't help but chuckle before he pressed a kiss to her forehead and assured her, "I wouldn't dream of it, love."

She only hummed before she took his hand in hers and entwined their fingers. She then smiled and suggested, "Let's go check out one of those other games. See if you can beat me without Gideon's help."

With a smirk, Killian told her, "Don't you know, Swan, I love a challenge," raising an eyebrow at her.

She smiled and shook her head before the two of them wandered over to whack-a-mole.