The sun rose on another spring day over a large meadow covered in sunflowers, beginning to bloom with new life. A rustic old farmhouse with a large garage already housing a motorcycle sat at the edge of the meadow by a dirt road. Killian Jones walked along the porch and through the open doorway with two large cardboard boxes labelled miscellaneous in his arms. He once again donned the signature leather jacket with his gang's insignia and name on the back, he smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes, saddened by his past, as he stepped into his new life.

Straining while he placed the hefty boxes onto the floor, the unpacking process was almost complete, and it was beginning to feel more like 'his' home. Still requiring a few finishing touches, those precious sentimental items, were always the last to find their place. Beside the television on the bookshelf seemed like the best place for now, Killian turned back to the box he had just placed on the floor, carefully opening it up. With a sombre expression he gently rifled through its contents, everything in it held a certain reverence for him, bringing a smile to his face as he reminisced quietly for a moment. Killian eventually moved on, standing up and placing the items on the top shelf, it was some old books and journals that belonged to Liam, each one placed with care and purpose, he stood back musing. It was then that his grief surfaced once more, mixed in with joy from treasured memories he'd shared with his brother. He reached down into the box again, picking up a framed picture of Emma and him, taken just after their paintball match and he placed it next to the one of Liam. Unable to hold back tears, they began to cascade down his cheeks as he stared at the photo of him and Emma smiling together. So lost in grief for a moment, Killian didn't notice the sounds of someone, struggling to make their way through the doorway behind him until they were right next to him.

"Emma, what are you doing?" he said.

"I can carry a few boxes, Killian"

"The doctor instructed you, to take it easy" he said exasperated, taking the boxes from her grasp quickly.

It was then Emma looked up into his eyes and she felt guilt sweep over her, he had the same expression on his face now that he did at the hospital, after Emma finally awoke and was able to breathe on her own again, loving but anguished. It wasn't surprising the last few months had been especially hard for Killian, sometimes there days were sombre like Robin's funeral or when they picked up what was salvaged from the Raiders clubhouse. Other times were almost euphoric, like the day Liam's and Robins Killer finally faced justice, or when Emma told Killian she loved him. However happy or sad, they were both realising it was always good to cry, learning how to express themselves better all the anger and fear that was once consuming them, was slowly fading away to a manageable level, they were becoming those blissfully happy people Emma always envied.

"Your crying?" Emma stated, reaching her hand out wiping his tears her hand lingering on his cheek, she stroked it with her thumb.

"I'm ok, just unpacking, it's a… more emotional, than I thought it would be"

"Let's see what you got so far" Emma said taking Killians hand in hers, walking over to the bookshelf and looking at how it was set so far with admiration when she noticed the photo of her and Killian the one that made Killian tear up "Where did this photo come from?" She asked.

"Robin, he took this picture of us, that day of the BBQ, at Adventure farmlands"

"He had a good eye that's for sure, it's a beautiful candid shot"

"I miss him".

"He was a great friend" Emma said her hand now on his back.

"Yeah, he really captured your yearning looks" Mary Margaret said as she entered with Henry closely behind.

"I don't yearn" Killian countered.

"Sure, not one single yearning look, while you sat by Emma's hospital bed either"

"I think there are some more boxes in the car" Killian replied.

Killian walked back outside to Mary Margaret's car, that was packed to the brim with boxes of Emma, Henry and Killians belongings taking them inside one by one. Henry was helping unpack before he began daydreaming, looking over at Emma and Mary Margaret as they went through the rest of the boxes talking and reminiscing together.

"Ok, I can't believe you still have these CD's" Mary Margret said as she stacked them onto the shelves.

"Why, there great albums"

"Do you even have a CD player?"

"Hey, I had to leave the bug behind, but I could at least keep the memories, these are about all I have left of my childhood"

"That's true, it is good to hold onto the good parts".

"Always" Emma said purposely placing her hand on Mary Margaret's.

"Also, I was going to wait until dinner to tell you but… the bugs running again just picked it up from the mechanic this morning"

"That's great!"

Killian came back into the house then with the last box placing it next to them before joining in the process, Henry watched the three of them interact, like a family supporting and embracing each other for all they were. With a look of excitement and resolution he left the room heading over to his, Moments after Mary Margret walked back out to the car to get the toolbox, Killian took Emma's hand in his as soon as he finished placing more items on the shelf, gently shepherding her into what was now their bedroom, and closing the door.

"What are you doing?"

"Making sure no one is going to burst in on this moment"

"I think were safe"

"Don't jinx it"

They kissed for the first time in there knew home, it was somewhat desperate, ripe with passion, trying to get the most out of this moment together, not knowing when they'd be interrupted by Henry, Mary Margaret or a call from the Sheriff's office. They just couldn't get enough of each other, taking any private moment they could to embrace, after all they waited long enough, granted it was only their own self loathing destructive self's that caused this pause, on their ever-growing connection. After about five minutes it became clear they wouldn't be interrupted, and they stopped kissing, standing still, just inches apart.

"Were home"

"Yeah, can't believe it, I'm just…. Happy"

"Well, it was you that got us here"

"You're the one who carried me through the flames, Killian"

"My Emma, is the one who thought to set recording equipment, that got Gold convicted"

"Yeah well, that was quite the stroke of luck"

"Never sell yourself short love, you're a great detective"

"I think Graham was more excited with what he heard between us, at the beginning of the recording then the evidence against Gold"

"I must confess myself; I thought the only thing that mattered was making him pay, but I'm much more excited about us and our future together"

"I know it sounds crazy but it's as if everything just fell into place once we..."

"Let ourselves be happy"

"Yeah, even the custody case was dropped and things at work are slowly getting better, I have more time for the people in my life"

"I only wish we had seen the error of our way sooner"

"Timing is everything, I guess"

Emma hand slowly crept her hand under Killians shirt and up his chest, it was warm, and this warmth was only increasing, her heart pounding as her hand softly grazed his chest hair and he pushed himself against her, his breath hot on her check as they started kissing again. While slowly crouching downwards towards the bed, but this movement was much to slow eventually Emma pulled him forwards and they fell onto their bed, which was at this stage was just a mattress on the floor, surrounded by the disassembled bed frame. This didn't stop them though, to enthralled in each other to give much attention to their surroundings only the next touch mattered, the next breath. They only got about ten minutes or so of this time with each other before they heard a loud crash and bang, Killian was almost positive this ruckus was purposely created by Mary Margaret to distract them, nevertheless the pair unentangled buttoning back up their shirts and sitting up on their mattress.

"Maybe we should get out there and help?" he said.

"After all it is our house… home"

"I can't wait to make waffles tomorrow morning, oh and to fix that porch railing out back"

Killian said before standing up and walking off, he couldn't help but look back at her with that signature smoulder, bringing her back to the day they met.

"Love you" she said.

"A casual declaration of your feelings, growth"

"Apparently all the well-adjusted couples do it"

"Love you too" he said, Kissing her one last time quickly, before walking out to their yard, to assess if anything else that needed fixing.

Emma excitedly skipped over to Henrys room to see if he needed any help unpacking his belongings, but paused as she got to the doorway, noticing Henry focusing with care, on the laptop screen in front of him. Looking over proudly as he thoughtfully finished off the last couple of sentences of the story he'd been writing for the last year. Emma had almost forgotten about it, between all the mayhem in the last few months, it seemed as if he'd stopped writing altogether, but Henry had finally found the inspiration for an ending. After a minute he let out a relieved sigh, before getting up from his knew desk and walking over to Emma smiling.

"So how did it end?"

"They all lived happily ever after, of course"

"Come on, tell me the truth"

"It's true, I realised it's not as corny as one would think, but a much more realistic ending for the characters, they can overcome their trauma and just take it day by day, together"

"I think your right kid"

Emma reflected back on how everything in her life had seemingly wrapped up perfectly, just like the end of a story and how much happiness she had in her life. Now completely foreign to the women who used to sit on the steps of her home and watch the smiley happy people. Now she was one.