The next morning, the sun was just peeking over the tops of the trees, and it was peering through the window as Emma and Killian were still peacefully sleeping in front of the fireplace.
A couple hours after they had fallen asleep, the couple had awoken and realized that their positions were not the most ideal for sleeping. It didn't really matter to them, but stiff joints and a crick in the neck is not what they wanted to wake up to in the morning.
While Emma and Killian did love their lives, this trip was a break from their busy schedules as much as it was a romantic getaway. As such, they were too tired - and comfortable - to move from their spot. And so, they snuggled up amidst the blankets and pillows and drifted back into dreamland.
Emma's green eyes slowly fluttered open before she turned away from the few sunbeams streaming through the window. She buried her face in the crook of Killian's neck.
She couldn't help but smile when she felt Killian start to run his hands up and down her back and through her long blonde hair.
After a few minutes, she felt him kiss her head before he softly spoke, "Good morning, love."
She looked up at him before she replied, "Good morning, Killian." She kissed him sweetly before she continued, "Happy anniversary."
With a bright smile, he told her, "Happy anniversary, Swan." He then asked her, "Shall I make my special breakfast?"
"Not just yet," Emma told him before snuggling closer to his side. He grinned as he began, "Comfortable are we?"
She hummed in response before she told him, "There are times I prefer you to an actual pillow."
Killian chuckled before he kissed her forehead. He then said, "Well, love, we may not do it all the time, but I do rather enjoy snuggling with my Swan."
Emma bit her lip to keep from giggling, but she couldn't quite help that it came out anyway. She then spoke, "You can be really cheesy sometimes, Killian."
He only grinned as he said, "Perhaps I am, but you have to admit that it's part of my charm."
The blonde shook her head at him in response. She then adjusted her position to rest her arms on his torso and replied, "I do have to admit that I did always like that about you. You have quite the way with words."
"And you - my insufferably stubborn, tough-as-nails sheriff with a heart of gold, breathtakingly beautiful, and quick-witted wife - bring out the best in me."
Emma smiled brightly at his words before she responded, "And you - my incredibly impulsive, extremely overprotective, devilishly handsome husband with a heart overflowing with love for our family - bring out the romantic in me."
Killian smiled as well before he closed the short distance between them, and they shared a sweet and tender kiss.
When they pulled away, she spoke, "How about that breakfast now? I'm starving."
"You have the appetite of a teenager, Swan. Which I know well because we've raised two - and Liam still is one. You're always hungry - I had to order an extra meal from Burger King when we stopped on our way here to get dinner."
Emma only rolled her eyes in reply. She then asked, "You gonna fix breakfast or not?"
Killian couldn't help but chuckle at her annoyed and indignant tone. She always had a way of stubbornly getting to the point.
He then told her, "If you kindly roll over, love, I'd be glad to start breakfast for us." The blonde simply nodded before she moved off of her husband.
He got up and onto his feet before he reached out his hand and pulled Emma onto hers. She then told him, "While you fix our eggs and bacon, I'll be in the shower."
Killian simply nodded before he headed to the kitchen, and Emma headed to the bathroom.
About 20 minutes later, the blonde emerged in jeans and a black-and-white striped long sleeve tee. She sat down at the square dining room table just as Killian had set down their plates, along with mugs of hot tea and coffee.
As she was taking a sip of the coffee, Killian told her, "Two creams, one sugar, and just a splash of milk. Just the way you like it," with a grin.
Emma sat down her mug before she smiled and commented, "I'm kind of surprised you remember. I only drink coffee every once in a while."
"I wouldn't want to incur your wrath," Killian teasingly began. The blonde rolled her eyes before he continued, "Besides, I do believe I know everything about you at this point."
"I think you knew everything about me before we even got married," Emma pointed out. She took a bite of eggs before she added, "Except maybe which side of the bed I slept on and how I wake up in the morning."
He couldn't help but grin mischievously as he joked, "I'm rather surprised you that you manage to wake up to your alarm at all, darling. You sleep like a bloody log - I found it rather amusing when I had to wake you up so we wouldn't miss the complimentary breakfast at our hotel the first morning after we arrived in Italy."
Emma shrugged as she pointed out, "You can't exactly blame me - we had just flown almost 9 hours the day before."
"And your excuse the rest of the time?" Killian teased with another grin. She glared at him in response.
He then proceeded to level her with puppy dog eyes, and she couldn't help but giggle and cover her mouth.
Killian only grinned and kissed her cheek in response before he resumed eating. Emma then ran one of her hands through his dark hair as she sincerely told him, "I always loved the way you make me laugh."
He smiled sweetly at her as he spoke, "Well, Swan, I've always been rather fond of your laugh. I'm pretty positive that a part of me fell for you when I first heard it."
She smiled back at him before he quipped, "And there have been quite a few times over the years where you've try to hide your laughter at one of my jokes."
He tried his best to seem genuinely annoyed, but Emma knew him much better than that. But, she decided to play along, "I suppose I didn't want everyone to know that I actually thought you were funny," with a nonchalant shrug.
Killian only shook his head before he told her, "Oh, is that how it is, Swan? Well then, perhaps I should just pay you back, eh?"
That mischievous grin returned, and Emma was confused for only a moment. It then hit her, and her green eyes widened.
"Don't you dare," she vehemently stated. "Oh, it's much too late for bargaining," he replied, with an air of triumph in his tone.
Before Emma could even hope to move, Killian was tickling her. The sound of her laughter filled the cabin while she was also trying to protest.
"Killian! Stop it!" she yelled in between laughs before she got up from the table and moved away from him, using her hands as a shield.
It was to little avail as he ran after her and tackled her on the couch. She continued to laugh until tears were filling her eyes and her sides were hurting.
Killian then finally stopped, using his elbow to prop himself up. Emma chuckled once more before she asked, "We really are like two lovesick teenagers, aren't we?"
He couldn't help but grin as he replied, "I know the question is rather rhetorical, but it is a rather fitting description." He then chuckled himself and added, "If Liam were here, I believe he'd use the term "dorks"."
Emma giggled at that before she added, "And I believe there'd be some eye-rolling to go along with it."
"I believe you're right, love," Killian agreed. He then moved some hair off of her forehead before he said, "Shall we finish breakfast, love? I have a wonderful day planned for us."
"Oh, you do, do you?" Emma questioned with a raised eyebrow.
He nodded before he elaborated, "This weekend just so happens to be the weekend that the fair comes to town. It's actually quite marvelous, really - there's a variety of rides and games, as well as food. I thought it'd be a lovely way to spend the day together before our date tonight."
The blonde smiled brightly as she told him, "It sounds perfect, Killian. I love the idea." He smiled back at her before he said, "I'm glad you approve, love. I thought we'd rather enjoy it."
In response, Emma closed the distance between them for a kiss. He ran his hand up and down her arm as he happily returned it. When they pulled away, they rested their foreheads against each other, simply relishing the feeling of being with the one they loved.
Emma then said, "We should probably finish our breakfast before it gets cold. I'd hate for your special breakfast to go to waste."
Killian rolled his eyes at her not-so-subtle jab at his cooking before he carefully maneuvered himself from over her. She then rolled off the couch before the two of them sat back down at the table.
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Emma commented, "You know, Killian, it's a shame that this," motioning to the plate in front of her, "is the only thing you can cook. You'd probably be pretty good at it."
The dark-haired man shook his head before he said, "As much as watching The Food Network has made you highly admirable of men who can cook, I won't be joining the ranks anytime soon."
Emma couldn't fight the giggle that escaped in response. Killian couldn't help but smile at the sound before he began to chuckle.
When they had both sobered, she assured him, "I know I tease you about your cooking skills - or the lack thereof - sometimes…"
"And by sometimes, you mean almost always," he smugly interrupted.
She rolled her eyes before she continued, "But, I always found it kind of cute and endearing that you manage to burn almost everything. It's actually pretty adorable."
She could feel the eye-roll coming. Before he had a chance to even protest, she corrected, "And by adorable, I mean one of the many qualities that make you devilishly handsome."
Killian hummed in response before he told her, "And don't you forget it." He then kissed the side of her head.
"I wouldn't dare," the blonde teased with a grin before she kissed his cheek. When she started to giggle, Killian commented, "I'm glad you can have a laugh at my expense."
Emma continued to giggle at his words before she sobered and sincerely spoke, "Whether I'm laughing at you or with you, it is one of the many reasons I have loved being married to you."
Killian offered a genuine smile as he replied, "As have I, Swan. You are one of the best things that has ever happened to me."
He then began to lean forward, and Emma met him halfway for a tender and loving kiss. He wound one of his hands in her hair, and she cupped his face with her hands.
They pulled away a few minutes later and rested their foreheads against each other's. Emma then pulled away to look into her husband's blue ocean eyes and told him, "I love you so much, Killian."
"And I love you just as much, Emma," he responded with a blinding smile. She smiled back at him in response.
The two of them then resumed eating in between light-hearted conversation and laughter.
Nearly an hour later, Killian parked in front of the fairgrounds. He and Emma stepped out of the truck before they entwined their fingers and surveyed their surroundings.
The blonde looked up at her husband with a smile and told him, "This is gonna be great." He kissed her head in response before she continued, "I think we should get on the Ferris wheel first."
"Sounds like a plan, love," Killian spoke before they began walking toward the admission booth.
When they arrived, a man around their age greeted, "Welcome to the Orleans County Fair. Two admissions I presume?"
"Yes, please," Emma replied with a smile as Killian reached in his back pocket for his wallet. He glanced at the sign above the window before pulling out some bills.
As he handed over the money, the man commented, "If you don't mind me saying, I don't think I've seen you two here before - this fair mainly attracts only the locals."
"It's quite alright, mate," Killian assured. He then explained, "We're from a little town in Maine. We've come here for a weekend getaway to celebrate our anniversary."
The man smiled as he told them, "Happy anniversary, you two. I hope you enjoy your stay and our fair."
Emma returned his smile while Killian nodded. They then thanked the man before making their way into the fairgrounds.
As they were walking, Emma commented, "It's been a while since I've been on a Ferris wheel. I don't think I remember when it actually was," chuckling at the last part.
Killian chuckled as well before he took a few moments to reminisce. He then told her, "I believe that the children were younger. I think that it was shortly before I started teaching Anna Elizabeth how to drive, and the fair came to Mist Haven. We took them to it one weekend."
Emma tilted her head as she took on a thoughtful expression. She then said, "Oh, yeah! I remember that Anna Elizabeth kept pointing out all the things that were similar and different to Coney Island."
With a head shake, Killian grinned and pointed out, "Well, darling, Coney Island was the first amusement park she had been to. Liam as well. It's bound to leave a strong impression - one that isn't likely to be replaced."
"I guess you have a point," Emma conceded. She then took a breath and spoke, "Don't get me wrong, Coney Island is great, but I happen to really enjoy the smaller, local fairs. It brings back a lot of amazing memories."
Killian smiled at her words before he curiously asked, "And what memories do you have, love?"
"Hmm. There's quite a few," Emma began with a grin. Her expression changed to a smile, and she reminisced, "Ruby, Elsa, Mandy, and I had all gone to the fair in Mist Haven one weekend. It was during the summer following our junior year. It was quite the squeeze for all of us to fit into Elsa's Camaro."
Killian chuckled at that before he observed, "I'd imagine it was an interesting hour drive."
Emma nodded with a grin before she elaborated, "Especially since Ruby and Mandy were, like, twins separated at birth or something. They both have super bubbly personalities made evident by all their giggling and loud singing. Looking back now, it's kind of amazing that I'd even be friends with people like them. I'm surprised I didn't push them away."
"To be fair, love, Mary Margaret was already practically your sister when you first came to live with David and Ruth," Killian began teasingly. His expression then became reflective as he continued, "Perhaps you needed friends like that, Swan. Someone who, frankly, refused to let you be forlorn for even a second."
Emma smiled as she added, "Yeah - someone to help break down those walls." She then looked up at him with a meaningful expression. He smiled at her before he kissed her head.
He squeezed her hand as he told her, "It was well-worth it. If I had to do it again, I still would have come after you - in fact, I probably would have come sooner."
"Would you now?" the blonde asked teasingly, but the sincerity of her words was thinly veiled.
"Do you have to ask?" Killian prodded as he held up his left hand.
Emma giggled before she spoke, "I guess not." She then stopped in front of him and said, "I know I've told you this - several times in fact - but the life I have now is so far beyond what I would have once pictured for myself. It's so much better, and I have you thank for a lot of it. I thought I loved you when I first told you in the park all those years ago. But, we've been through so much since then - and now, I am just hopelessly in love with you."
As a response, Killian pulled her to him by her waist and gave her a searing kiss. She didn't hesitate to respond as she tilted her head and clutched the collar of his shirt.
They received looks that varied from the fond "oh, how sweet," to the glaring "get a room!" but they truthfully didn't care.
When they finally pulled away, Emma took in their surroundings and observed, "I'm pretty positive we just made a scene," before giggling.
Killian only shrugged as he pointed out, "If they knew how you kiss, I think they'd understand, love."
The blonde laughed at that before she took hold of his hand and tugged him toward the Ferris wheel. She then told him, "Come on, Casanova, we have a ride to get to."
"You started it, Swan," Killian reminded her before pecking her cheek. She only shook her head before the two of them continued toward the ride.
Just before they reached the gate, they saw two familiar faces walking toward them - the old couple who they were renting the cabin from, Noah and Allie Calhoun.
"You two caused quite the stir with that kiss," Noah teased with a good-natured grin.
Emma couldn't help but blush rather profusely while Killian scratched behind his ear. The blonde then admitted, "I guess we got a little carried away," before she chuckled.
"It actually isn't the first time, and it probably won't be the last. We're not exactly subtle when it comes to expressing affection, even in public," Killian added with a grin towards his wife.
The older couple smiled fondly before Allie told them, "Think nothing of it. It's wonderful to still be so in love after so many years," before linking her arm through Noah's.
He smiled at her before he placed his hand on hers in the crook of his arm. He then added, "Especially after fifty years. I was crazy about her when I first saw her at this fair as a teenager, and that hasn't changed."
"You guys met here?" Emma curiously asked.
They both nodded before Allie elaborated, "I don't know that it was quite as love at first sight for me, but it didn't take very long for the two of us to become inseparable."
Killian kissed the side of Emma's head before he offered, "I think we know a little about that, eh, love?"
Emma only chuckled at that in response. Noah then told them, "I think we'll let you kids get back to your anniversary. I hope you two enjoy the fair."
Killian and Emma both nodded before the blonde spoke, "I hope you guys enjoy it, too," with a smile. She then paused and said, "You guys probably won't even believe this, but I've never considered myself to be a "hopeless romantic" type, but I do find it really sweet that you guys still come to the fair where you guys met decades ago."
Noah and Allie smiled lovingly at each other before turning their attention to the younger couple. The older man then spoke, "Well, it wasn't easy getting to the altar, and it hasn't always been easy since, but…"
Allie then picked it up: "We believe our love can do anything we want it to," with an endearing smile toward her husband. He smiled back in response.
He then turned his attention back to Emma and Killian and told them, "We really will be going now. You two have fun."
Emma and Killian both smiled and nodded in response before the old couple strolled away. The blonde couldn't but fondly watch them for a few moments.
She then turned to Killian and spoke, "We have a Ferris wheel to ride." "Indeed we do, Swan," he replied before squeezing her hand. The two of them then made their way through the gate.
As soon as they were in their seat, Killian placed an arm around Emma, and she snuggled into his side.
As the Ferris wheel started going around, Killian moved his hand from Emma's waist to run his fingers through her hair.
He couldn't help but turn his gaze on his wife, and he took in her smile. A smile that radiated happiness.
A moment later, he began chuckling. Emma turned to him with a raised eyebrow and incredulously questioned, "What's so funny?"
"Well, darling, I was thinking about how you told Noah and Allie that you aren't much of a hopeless romantic," he began. He then grinned and told her, "You may just have to rethink that claim, Swan. You truly are a romantic at heart."
Emma leveled him with a look that screamed exasperation. She then argued, "I am not."
The dark-haired man rolled his eyes before he spoke, "Really, Swan?"
She sighed before she thought for a few minutes. She then relented, "I guess maybe I can be." A moment later, she added, "It's all your fault, though."
"Is it now?" Killian asked with a lopsided grin.
"Yes," Emma emphatically stated, "With you chasing after me in Boston, your romantic declarations, and your thoughtfulness. And, you know, just being you."
Killian smiled as he told her, "I'll take that as a compliment."
With a shake of her head, Emma replied, "Of course you would. Your ego has never suffered from needing a boost."
"I am rather dashing, love. You've said so yourself," Killian teasingly spoke.
The blonde couldn't help but laugh out loud at that, and she buried her face in his chest.
When she looked up, she told him, "You really are dashing, Killian. In a little rough around the edges sort of way."
"But I believe you like my rough edges," Killian told her as he moved his hand to cup her cheek.
Emma smiled as she agreed, "Yeah, I do," leaning into his touch. She then added, "As much as you like mine."
"Every stubborn, headstrong, and infuriating bit of you," he responded as he returned her smile. She only chuckled because she knew how true that was.
She then laid her head on his shoulder, and they settled into a comfortable silence as they took in the view around them.
Just then, Killian's phone rung in his jeans pocket. He quickly grabbed the device and read the notification. He then announced, "Well, Swan, it seems as though those tickets for the Mets game has come through."
Emma nodded against his shoulder before she looked up and told him, "While I love you for wanting to celebrate Liam's team winning the championship game, I thought you were a little presumptuous since you ordered them before they even played the game," with a raised eyebrow.
Killian shrugged with the one shoulder before he defended, "Let's just say I had a good feeling about the game. Call it intuition."
"I'd call it a combination of luck, coaching skills, and talented players. None of which have to do with you," Emma pointed out.
Killian rolled his eyes at the comment, He then told her, "And that's why you're infuriating, Swan."
"You're only saying that because you know I'm right," she stated. She then began poking his sides. She groaned when his expression didn't waver.
"You know I'm not ticklish, love. I don't know why you even bother."
"Because everyone has a tickle spot. And I will find yours."
The dark-haired man shook his head before he reasoned, "You haven't been able to do so in 20 years. I don't see how you could now."
"Don't underestimate me, Jones. You know I don't give up that easily," Emma defiantly pointed out, her arms crossed.
Killian adopted a look of genuine shock as he questioned, "Really, love?" He then sarcastically added, "I had no idea."
The blonde rolled her eyes before she swatted her husband in the arm. She then told him, "Thank you, by the way, for passing your sarcasm down to Liam and for rubbing off on Anna Elizabeth," as she narrowed her eyes at him.
He only shrugged before he pointed out, "That isn't really my fault. I wasn't in control of what traits were passed down to our children."
With a mischievous grin, he then added, "If you recall, love, Liam inherited his stubbornness from you. At times, he's even more headstrong than you are."
Emma only sighed before she conceded, "I know he is. Sometimes, it really makes me wonder how Ruth managed to put up with me."
Killian looked thoughtful for a few moments before he spoke, "Well, darling, from what you, David, and Mary Margaret have told me, she was very close to being a saint."
The blonde smiled at that as she said, "She really was an amazing mother. I still miss her sometimes," her smile becoming one that was far away.
Killian ran a soothing hand up and down up and down her side before he kissed the side of her head. He then spoke, "I still miss my mum as well. She would have been particularly fond of this fair."
He then chuckled before he continued, "I'm fairly certain she would have challenged my dad to one of these games by now. She would try to make him feel bad for beating her, only to pick the next game to her favor."
Emma laughed at that before she commented, "So, that's where that mischievous streak of yours comes from."
"Perhaps it is," Killian answered innocently with a grin. He received a head shake and an eye-roll in response.
The two of them then noticed that the Ferris wheel was beginning to slow down. They soon felt it stop and saw people getting off below them.
Emma rested her chin on her hand before she told him, "You know, playing some games would be really fun."
"I believe it would, Swan," Killian agreed with a smile. He then smirked and playfully warned her, "I'm not gonna easy on you."
The blonde feigned being aghast before she spoke, "You wouldn't let your sweet little wife win?" as she batted her eyelashes.
She couldn't help the laugh that came out at her own ridiculousness a moment later. Killian couldn't help but chuckle at her before he kissed her cheek.
When he pulled back, he told her, "You really are something else, Swan," as he pushed the hair off her shoulder.
She smiled at him as she admitted, "I know I can be a bit much sometimes, but you never made it seem that way."
He only shrugged it off before he sincerely told her, "You're the love of my life. I'm fairly certain I started falling for you after we went to that World Series baseball game. Just the two of us."
Emma tilted her head as she thought for a moment. She then smiled as she spoke, "I remember that. You lent me your baseball cap because I didn't bring a ponytail, and it was windy."
"Aye, love. And then it started raining as soon as we left the stadium - I tripped trying to run to my truck," Killian began.
The blonde then supplied, "And then I fell trying to help you up. We quickly got up and managed to get to the truck - we were both shivering and soaking wet."
With a chuckle, Killian continued, "It was quite an interesting afternoon, love." "Yeah, it was," Emma agreed.
She then turned slightly in her seat and rested her arm on his shoulder. She then told him, "You know, I think started falling for you then, too."
"Really, love?" he asked, a curious expression on his face.
She took a deep breath before he answered, "As you know, it wasn't exactly easy for me to get over Neal. Looking back now, I think that was the first time I thought about what it would be like to go on a date - with you," pausing to look at him.
He smiled before he sweetly kissed her forehead. He then curiously asked, "Why then?"
Emma simply shrugged before she answered, "I guess I just thought that it was great hanging out with you, and it'd be nice to, like, date you." She then tilted her head and added, "But I would have never been able to admit it - to myself or anyone else. I wasn't even really aware of it."
"Still, Swan, it's nice to know that I had such an effect on you. Even back then," Killian teased with a grin. He then moved to take one of her hands in his; he kissed the top of it before he sincerely told her, "I rather like how things turned out for us though."
She smiled as she replied, "So am I. I do love being married to my best friend. It means we can still hang out at a baseball game or during a Pirates of the Caribbean marathon, but we're doing so with the person we love."
Killian smiled brightly in response as he told her, "I couldn't have said it better myself, my darling." He then began leaning in, and she met him halfway for a sweet and tender kiss, using her hand to cup his face.
They pulled away and looked into each other's eyes, a smile on both their faces. Emma ran one of her hands through her husband's dark locks as she told him, "If you don't get tired of me saying so, I love you so much, Killian."
He smiled at her as he assured her, "I will never get tired of hearing you say that, Swan." She smiled as well before he spoke, "And I love you, Emma."
She planted a sweet kiss on him before the Ferris wheel came to stop. The two them got off before they entwined their fingers and headed toward the ring toss.
I hope you guys have enjoyed "Just the Two of Us." As it was getting too long, I decided to make this fic have 3 parts instead of two. I'm not sure when the next update will be, but I will tell you that the final part will feature a romantic dinner date :) Until next time!
P.S. As I writing this fic, the boat ride and the fair both made me think of one of my favorite romance movies, The Notebook. And so, when I had decided that Emma & Killian would see their renters at the fair, I couldn't help but name the old couple Noah & Allie Calhoun, and I also pulled a few details and a quote from the movie :)