Hey, guys! For this one-shot, we're going way back. In this one, Liam and Elsa are still alive, and it's not within a flashback. At first, I wasn't sure about it, but it became something that I really wanted to do and explore. I hope you all enjoy!

Emma knocked on the door of Elsa and Liam's house.

He answered it and smiled as he said, "Hello, Emma. How are you, love?"

Emma returned his smile as she answered, "I'm great. How are you?"

"I'm wonderful," Liam responded.

He then ushered her inside as he asked, "What brings you by?"

Emma held up a cupcake tin and answered, "I'm returning this to Elsa."

Just then, said blonde came from her daughter's nursery, with Anna Elizabeth toddling along in front of her.

When the little girl saw Emma, she began running to her, which resulted in her falling on her butt.

Liam bent down and to help her up and to make sure that she was okay before she went over to Emma, hugging her leg.

Emma bent down and hugged her back.

As they pulled away, she tickled Anna Elizabeth's stomach, making her giggle.

Emma then asked, "Are you ready for your party?"

Anna Elizabeth recognized the word "party" and clapped her hands.

Liam then said, "We have a play date to get to with Evie," as he stood up, followed by Emma, who placed the cupcake tin on the counter.

He scooped up his little girl and kissed Elsa on the cheek before they were out the door. Anna Elizabeth was moving her fingers up and down in goodbye.

Elsa then observed, "You know, I'm surprised that she let Liam hold her. Since she's learning to walk, she insists on going everywhere by herself. She's so stubborn, just like her father."

"Hmm, I don't know. It sounds like to me that she's independent, like her mother," Emma pointed out with a grin.

Elsa couldn't help but grin in response.

Emma then noticed all of the baking supplies on the counter and asked, "You baking something?"

Elsa nodded before she elaborated, "Yeah, I'm making Anna Elizabeth's cake for tomorrow."

"I feel like that this is a pointless question, but do you have any ideas for it?" Emma asked.

Elsa smiled as she responded, "The cake will be chocolate, with chocolate frosting, of course. I'm going to pipe "Happy 1st Birthday, Anna Elizabeth" with bright green piping gel. It'll be finished off with Peter Pan figurines."

"It sounds like it'll be adorable. I can't wait to see it," Emma responded.

Elsa then began preparing all the ingredients for mixing when there was a knock at the door.

"Would you mind getting that, Emma?"

Emma nodded before she answered the door.

"Well, hello, love," Killian told her with a smile.

"Hey, Killian," Emma replied as she returned his smile before ushering him in.

"Killian, shouldn't you be at home? You're still recovering from surgery," Elsa scolded.

"I'm fine, love. You and my brother worry too much," Killian responded.

"Someone has to worry about you," Elsa began.

She then continued, "You know, the offer still stands of you staying her for a bit."

"Yes, I can bunk with Anna Elizabeth. I wonder if there's room for both of us in her crib," Killian told her.

Elsa rolled her eyes and crossed her arms while Emma bit her lip to keep from laughing.

Emma then said, "It's nice to see that your accident and surgery didn't affect your sense of humor."

"Ah, so you do find it charming. I knew I'd win you over, love," Killian replied with a lopsided grin.

This time, Emma rolled her eyes at him. However, she couldn't help but grin.

Elsa then asked, "So, what brings you here, Killian?"

"A man can't just visit his lovely sister-in-law?" Killian told her, feigning having his feelings hurt.

He then told her, "One reason is to return Anna Elizabeth's Snow White doll. She left it when I watched her yesterday."

"Oh, thank you! I figured that's what happened when Liam couldn't find it last night. Luckily, we managed to distract her attention with another doll," Elsa explained.

"I'm sure that the lass will be happy to have it back," Killian stated.

Elsa then asked, "What was the other reason you came?"

"Ah, yes. I was wondering if Liam had borrowed by Bon Jovi CD. I can't seem to find it," Killian answered.

"Oh, I have it," Emma piped up.

Killian turned and looked at her curiously as he pointed out, "I gave it to you months ago – I thought you had returned it."

"I just found it about a week ago in my car. I forgot that I even had it. It wasn't high on my priority list since you were, you know, unconscious," Emma told him.

"Hmm. I'm not sure I buy it, love. I think you stole my CD. That's very bad form, Swan," Killian playfully accused her.

Emma decided to tease him back as she stepped closer to him and replied, "Oh, yeah? What are you gonna do about it, Captain?"

Killian moved her hair behind her shoulder as she said, "Make you walk the plank, Swan."

Emma narrowed her eyes at him before she playfully shoved his hand away, giggling as he feigned being seriously hurt.

Elsa then told him, "I know you think that I'm hovering, Killian, but I only want you to take care of yourself. I really think you should go home and rest."

Killian looked over at Elsa as he told her, "I know that you do, love. I may complain about you and my brother, but I really do appreciate you two, love."

He then pulled her in for a hug.

As they pulled away, he told her goodbye before hugging Emma and doing the same. He was then out of the door.

As Emma looked back at Elsa, she noticed her friend wearing a giddy smile.

Emma then asked, "Okay, Elsa, what's up?"

"Oh, nothing," Elsa replied before she went back to making the cake.

"Come on. You can tell me," Emma goaded.

"Are you sure about that?" Elsa told her, her expression turned serious.

Emma frowned in response before she asked, "What do you mean?"

Elsa considered her words before she responded, "Do you remember the first time you saw Liam and I together?"

Emma, who was hopelessly confused, went along with Elsa as she answered her friend, "Yeah. I had never seen you so flirty and giggly around a guy before. And you tried to deny it - you said he was just like everyone else. He didn't understand you. But the truth was that he was the only guy who had ever truly understood you, and it scared you."

"Yep. And you were right. Once I was able to let go of my insecurities and my controlling nature, I was able to fall in love. And here we are, married with a beautiful little girl," Elsa replied with a smile.

Emma returned her smile as she told her, "I am so happy that you were able to find your happy ending after everything you went through after you lost your parents."

She then took a breath and continued, "But I'm not sure what this has to do with what you were going to tell me."

"Believe me, I know it's not the same thing, but you became so closed off to love after Neal. I totally understand that. I wasn't sure I'd ever see the day when you were flirty and giggly with a guy," Elsa responded, with that same giddy smile forming on that last sentence.

Emma's face turned into one of total confusion as she asked, "Elsa, what are you even talking about? I don't flirt with anyone."

"Okay, so what would you call that little conversation with Killian? Or should I say Captain?" Elsa pointed out.

"Seriously, Elsa? It's Killian - we do that all the time," Emma crossed her arms as she told her friend.

Elsa furrowed her brows and scrunched up her nose in thought. She then observed, "So you admit that you flirt with him. I knew that you liked him."

"Okay, we do not flirt. We tease each other because that's what's friends do," Emma began.

She then continued, "And you actually think that I like Killian? As more than friends? That's ridiculous."

"It's not that ridiculous," Elsa stated.

"Oh, I want to hear this," Emma challenged.

Elsa planted her hands on her hips as she pointed out, "You two know each other's morning routines, work schedules, and whatever else is going on in your life. You two spend a lot of your free time together. Alone. You have the same taste in music. You know each other's favorite foods, and least favorite movies. Not to mention you two know practically everything else about each other. He calls you by your last name - it's you guys' thing.

You two had this immediate connection that I've never seen you have with anyone else. He puts up with your stubbornness, and your walls that you put up. He understandsyou Emma. And I know how important that is in a relationship to you."

Emma took several long moments to take in Elsa's words.

She then took a deep breath and spoke, "All that you've said is true about me and Killian. I won't deny it. We did hit it off instantly, and we do, you know, care about each other. But it isn't romantic in any sense, and it never will be. We are just good friends.

Elsa nodded. She then considered her words before she asked, "So you wouldn't be willing to try?"

Emma offered a small smile as she told her, "Look, I know that you want me to find happiness in a relationship. It would be nice to have that one day, but I've had my heart broken. Even though I've forgiven Neal, I don't know if I'd be willing to risk my heart again. Don't get me wrong, Killian is an amazing guy. I know he'll make someone so incredibly happy one day. But it won't be me. Like I said, he and are just friends. That's all we'll ever be," Emma told her, matter of factory.

Elsa nodded in understanding. She knew that Emma's mind was made up, and she wouldn't change it.

She then apologized, "I'm so sorry, Emma. I didn't mean to push."

Emma waved off her apology as she said, "It isn't your fault. I asked."

She then pulled in Elsa for a hug.

As they pulled away, she smiled and told her, "I'll let you get back to making Anna Elizabeth's cake. I've got to go anyway - I have laundry piling up."

Elsa returned Emma's smile as she said, "I'll see you tomorrow, then."

"See you tomorrow," Emma responded before heading out the door and back to her apartment.

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"Swan, must you quote the whole movie?" Killian complained from his couch.

"Hey, it was my turn to pick, and you know that The Princess Bride is my favorite movie. And that I quote it when I watch it – you'll just have to deal with it," Emma pointed out.

"Well, love, next time, we're watching the first Pirates of the Caribbean, and I'm doing the same thing to you," Killian retorted.

"Whatever you say, love," Emma mocked, trying and failing to imitate his accent.

"If you're going to mock my accent, Swan, you need to actually be able to sound British," Killian teased.

Emma rolled her eyes at him in response.

As they turned their attention back to the movie, a funny scene came on, and Killian and Emma started laughing.

However, their laughter was soon drowned out by Killian clutching his side and groaning in pain.

"Hey, Killian, are you alright?" Emma asked.

"Aye, love. I cracked some of my ribs in the accident. Even though Whale mended them in surgery, it hurts when I laugh or if I do too much," Killian explained.

"That's why Liam and Elsa are worried about you, and why Belle keeps calling you," Emma pointed out.

"I've been in worse scraps than this, and I survived. I assure you that I'm fine. You all can stop worrying," Killian assured her.

"Did I say I was worried?" Emma defended.

Killian raised an eyebrow at her as he told her, "Perhaps not as much as my family, but I can tell you are, love."

"Can you now?" Emma asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I'm quite perceptive, love. And you're something of an open book," Killian refuted.

Emma narrowed her eyes at him before she turned her attention back to the movie.

From the corner of her eye, she then saw Killian turn his mug up, drinking the last of his tea.

She then asked, "Do you want me to make you some more tea?"

"You don't have to, love," Killian assured her.

"We can pause the movie, and I can do it. It really isn't a big deal," Emma replied.

"You sure you even know how, Swan? I know you're not a fan of it," Killian told her.

"That doesn't mean I can make it – I've lost count of the times I've seen Liam do it. And your sister when she comes to visit," Emma replied.

Killian smiled at her as he said, "Alright, love. You've convinced me."

"You know, Killian, Elsa always talks about how stubborn Liam is, but you can be every bit as stubborn," Emma pointed out before she grabbed his mug and made her way to the kitchen, while Killian paused the movie.

A few minutes later, Emma returned to the couch and handed Killian his tea. He sat up as he took a sip; he looked contemplative before he told her, "It's rather good, love."

"I told you," Emma refuted.

Killian rolled his eyes before he told her, "You know, Swan, you are quite the stubborn one yourself."

Emma rolled her eyes before she quipped, "Can we please get back to the movie already?"

Killian saluted her as he said, "Aye, aye, Captain."

He then became serious as he told her, "Thank you, love, for making the tea for me."

Emma smiled at him as she responded, "You're welcome, Killian."

He then took another sip of his tea before he settled back in against the couch. He propped his feet on the coffee table and rested his arm on the cushion behind Emma. She sat sideways with her knees up and leaned against the back of the couch. When they were both comfortable, he pressed play.

As they continued to watch movie, Emma unknowingly moved closer to Killian's side. It wasn't until he got up to use the restroom that she realized how close they had been sitting. It wasn't as if this was unusual, but it made her think of her conversation with Elsa. She started to wonder if there was actually any truth in it. She pondered the thought for a moment as Killian sat back down on the couch.

He could sense that she was deep in thought, and asked, "Everything alright, love?"

Emma smiled at him as she answered, "Of course. I'm fine."

Killian returned her smile before turning his attention back to the movie.

Emma then knew that Elsa's idea was, in fact, ridiculous. Emma wouldn't want anything other than movie night with a good friend. There was so much pressure in dating, and there was always the possibility of heartbreak. But with Killian, there were neither of those things. In her mind, it was perfect. She didn't have feelings for him, and she never would; she knew he felt the same. They were becoming best friends, and she wouldn't want it any other way.

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Four years later

Emma woke up to the sun gleaming through the window of her fiancé's, no, her husband's room

She turned over in his arms to find him watching her.

Emma smiled as she told him, "Good morning."

"Good morning, love," he replied, returning her smile and running his fingers through her hair.

"How'd you sleep?" Emma asked with a sly smile.

He returned her smile before he replied, "Well, love, that was the best sleep I've had in quite a long while."

Emma couldn't help but blush slightly before she asked, "Hey, what time is it? Our flight leaves at noon."

"A little after nine," he replied.

The blonde nodded before she asked, "Do you want me to fix us breakfast?"

"Shouldn't I be the one making you breakfast, Swan?" he questioned back.

Emma rolled her eyes before she pointed out, "You and I both know that you're a terrible cook."

He couldn't help but chuckle because he knew that she was right.

He then suggested, "Well, perhaps I can just assist you, then."

"Sounds like a plan," Emma told him.

She then commented, "Where do you keep your frying pan? I always forget because your kitchen is organized differently than mine."

He then reminded her, "Swan, it's our kitchen now. This is your house now, too, love."

Emma offered a small smile as she said, "I know – it just takes some getting used to."

He smiled back at her before he kissed her forehead. He knew she wasn't just talking about the house.

He then told her, "Well, love, we'll get through it together. That's what we meant when we said 'I do.' "

Emma smiled at him brightly before she pulled him in for a tender kiss.

As they pulled away, she told him, "I couldn't be any happier that you are my husband, Killian."

"And you being my wife, Emma, makes me the happiest man in the world."

They kissed once more before Killian got out of bed. He slipped on his boxers before heading into the kitchen.

Emma laid in bed for a few minutes as she thought about what her life would be like now.

Marriage wasn't really something that she ever thought would happen for her after Neal. Even if it did, Killian Jones was the last person she would have expected that she would fall in love with, much less marry. She thought that Elsa had been absolutely crazy when she first brought up the idea all those years ago.

Emma had never been happier to be proven wrong.