"Killian, you don't have to help me clean up."

"Nonsense, Swan. You took all the time to set this up for us - the least I can do is help."

She smiled at him as they finished packing up the basket. She then grabbed the handles and told him, "I'll put this up and grab your guitar."

He nodded before he watched her walk away. He settled back on the blanket and drew circles in the fabric.

Goosebumps appeared on his arms. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves, running his fingers through his hair

"Bloody hell, Killian – you've been in love with her since before you first danced to this song. You can play it for her."

He then ran his hand over his face.

"You okay, Killian?"

He looked up to find his girlfriend staring at him – worry filled her green eyes. He stood and closed the distance between them. He caressed her cheek.

"Aye, love. I'm just a bit nervous is all."

She gulped, her eyes widening. "D-do you still want to play the song? B-because you could do it another t-time."

He shook his head and cupped her face. "Emma – I think it's time you know just how much you mean to me."

He took a breath and added, "How much we mean to each other."

She smiled. She then passed him the guitar case.

"I think you'll be needing this."

With a nod, he took it from her. Their fingers brushed against each other's.

Emma ran her fingers through her hair as he told him, "I couldn't find your notebook. Is that okay?"

"Aye, love. I've memorized those chords by now."

He offered her a smile before he walked back to the blanket and knelt down. She joined him as he opened the case.

She couldn't help but smile as he started to strum. He hummed as he continued to tune the guitar.

He then brought his eyes up to hers, a smile playing across his lips.

"Ready, Swan?"

Her smile only grew as she nodded. His blue eyes sparkled as he adjusted his fingers on the frets and strings.

He smiled at her once more as he played the opening chords. He then started to sing.

"Highway run, into the midnight sun. Wheels go round and round, you're on my mind. Restless hearts, sleep alone tonight. Sending all my love along the wire.

"They say the road ain't no place to start a family. Right down the line, it's been you and me. And lovin' a music man ain't always what it's s'posed to be.

"Oh, girl, you stand by me. I'm forever yours - faithfully."

Killian never took his eyes from hers. Each word conveyed the depth of his feelings for her – it was as if he wrote them just for her.

Emma's heart fluttered in her chest – goosebumps rose on every inch of her skin. She bit her lip as he continued to sing. Her emotions threatened to overtake her.

The way Killian made her feel – like she was his entire world. Like they were always meant to find one another.

She then blushed deeply and ran her fingers through her hair.

Killian caught her and inched closer to her. He pecked her cheek before he finished the song.

"I get the joy of rediscovering you. Oh, girl, you stand by me. I'm forever yours, faithfully.

"Oh, oh, oh oh.

"Faithfully, I'm still yours. I'm forever yours - ever yours, faithfully."

He strummed through the last of the song, a smile making its way across his face.

He then placed the guitar aside and clasped his hands together.

"So? What did you think?"

Emma took his hand in hers and entwined their fingers. She offered him a smile.

"I absolutely loved it – and I love that you learned it for me."

"Of course, darling. I just wanted to do something special for you."

She smiled at him. She then took a deep breath, exhaling deeply.

"I wanted to do something special, too. Because I want to tell you something."

Killian squeezed her hand. "Aye, love – and if you're truly ready, I'm more than happy to listen."

He then nodded and offered her an encouraging smile. She then took another deep breath.

"Okay, Killian. Just let me get through this – it might, um, take some time." "We've got all the time in the world, love."

She smiled once more. She squeezed his hand and looked deep into his eyes.

"I…don't really know where to start actually. Other than I never thought I'd have this – something that will last."

She let out a chuckle. She then smiled and shook her head.

"Especially with you – you annoyed the hell out of me. And you still do sometimes."

He shook his head while she laughed. She then straightened her shoulders and ran her free hand through her hair.

"Okay, uh, I'm not really sure where I was going after that."

She shook her head and furrowed her eyebrows. She then brought her eyes back to his.

Her heart rate sped up – the way he looked at her. It gave her the courage to take that leap of faith.

"I'm still a little terrified because saying it makes it real – b-but it's what I want, Killian. I want you to know what you mean to me – and I want us."

Killian only nodded. He bit his lip as he waited for her to continue.

She reached up and caressed his cheek. "You are an amazing boyfriend, Killian. And there are so many things I love about you – just like how you always know exactly what I want to eat in the mornings."

"And…I love you, Killian. I love you so, so much."

Her eyes welled with tears. She moved her hand to wipe them when he grabbed it.

"You, Emma, are everything to me. I love you, too."

She beamed. She then grabbed him by the collar and pulled his mouth to hers. He smiled into it before he threaded his fingers through her hair. She tilted her head to deepen the kiss as his free hand pressed against her back.

This kiss – so unlike the ones they shared before. This one held all the love they shared – the love that would only grow stronger.

When they pulled away, he breathed out, "Say it again."

She smiled. "I love you, Killian."

He pressed his mouth back on hers. She ran her fingers through his hair as she returned the kiss.

They pulled back, and rested their foreheads together. Neither said a word as they let the moment wash over them.

Emma then lifted her head and brought her eyes to his. She ran her fingers along his jaw.

"Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky."

"I believe I'm the lucky one, love." He then nuzzled her nose as a smile spread across his face.

"And I'm not sure it's all luck since we're hopelessly in love."

She blushed and ducked her head. "That's gonna take some getting used to."

"I know." He rubbed his hand up and down her back.

He then caressed her cheek and reassured her, "And wherever we go from here – however we move forward – it's as much up to you as it is to me. We're in this together."

Emma smiled at him before she kissed his forehead. "And that is one of the many reasons why I love you."

He returned her smile before he pressed a light kiss against her lips. She then furrowed her eyebrows.

Killian tilted his head as he asked her, "Everything alright, Swan?"

She gestured toward the radio. "The battery must have died – I guess that's it for the music."

He bit his lip to keep from laughing. "We can just play music from our phones, love." As he pulled his from his pocket, she placed a hand on his arm.

He looked up at her – confusion settling across his features. He opened his mouth when she interjected, "Dance with me?"

Another blush then stained her cheeks, and she averted her eyes. Killian couldn't help but grin.

"Come now, Swan. I know you're not normally the spontaneous type – but I rather like this side of you. And I happen to love your suggestion."

She brought her eyes back up to his. She wrung her hands together as she asked, "Really? It's not, I don't know, cheesy?"

"Maybe a little – but I'd still love to dance with you."

He rose to his feet and offered his hand to her. She couldn't help but smile as she took it, allowing him to pull her to her feet.

He kept hold of her hand and slid his free arm around her back. She tilted her head.

"Are we really gonna waltz?"

Killian chuckled. "No, not quite – but this is how you dance with someone, love."

He then raised an eyebrow and pointed out, "We have done this before, you know."

"Yeah, I do. I just forget – or you know, get distracted."

She then shot him a wry grin, and he let out a chuckle. When he sobered, he squeezed her hand.

"Be that as it may, your partner knows what he's doing."

She couldn't help but smile at him as she looped her arm around his neck. They then started to dance.

Emma hummed as she laid her head on his chest. She closed her eyes, another smile making its way on her face.

She really was in love. It still surprised her – and it would for a while – but she wouldn't trade this feeling. She wouldn't trade being in Killian's arms.

She then took his face in her hands, bringing his eyes to hers.

"You stand by me, too, don't you?"

He furrowed his eyebrows. "Pardon, love?"

She ran her thumbs over his cheeks. "Like our song - "Faithfully". You stand by me – and I'm forever yours."

His lips grazed her forehead. He smiled as he told her, "Aye, love. Even after heartbreak, we found each other. We found love again."

"And it's amazing." She then ran her fingers through his hair, settling her hand on his neck.

"And…I can't wait to see what the future holds."

He leaned in – and she closed the distance between them. Their lips met in a tender kiss.

He tilted his head to deepen it as she draped her arms around his neck. As the kiss continued, he lifted her off the ground. She smiled before she tightened her grip around him.

When they pulled away, he placed her back on the ground. They shared a smile.

The couple then resumed to dance. Emma laid her head back on his chest before he planted a soft kiss in her hair.

As they pulled each other even closer, they rested in the love they shared. The love that found them in a coffee shop.

Life could be messy and unpredictable – these last months proved that. But when they were together with the ones they cared for most, it was always worth it.

A/N: Hi, everyone! I hope you enjoyed these last installments of "Second Chance." I have absolutely loved sharing this story with you, and I hope you all have enjoyed reading it :) But the journey isn't quite over – I do have an epilogue in mind that I think you all will enjoy :) Until next time!