A/N: This week in 'Wedded Bliss and Asterisks' I am happy to bring us all to an event I have been eagerly waiting for: Jasmine and Aladdin's wedding. I thought it would be a fun situation to through CS and the other into, and I promise there will be lots of cuteness and humor and fluff to go around. Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoy!

"Okay I'll admit... this actually hasn't been half bad," Emma said as she took her seat in the grand ballroom where the wedding reception they were attending today was located.

"Here, here!" Ruby toasted with her flute of champagne as Elsa matched her, clinking her glass across the table.

"I'll drink to that," they're baking friend said before sipping at her drink as Emma and Ruby did the same.

Emma took in their surroundings again, internally musing about what a fantastic job Mary Margaret had done. Of course Emma's work was also clearly on display with Jasmine donning her dress and Elsa's was as well with that towering white cake done to perfection. Even Ruby's hard efforts could be felt here, because there was an understanding that this was a once in a lifetime kind of affair. But it was their most romantic friend who did all this heavy lifting. Mary Margaret might have started with a limitless budget and a venue to die for, but the details and the delicate ambiance that had been created was simultaneously timeless and new, walking a tightrope Emma had to admire.

"You all say that like you're surprised, love," Killian joked and Emma shook her head, glancing back at her seriously handsome date with a grin.

"Not surprised per se, it's just different to see it in person. We've gotten a lot of pictures sent our way on past weddings, and of course there's the Mary Margaret retellings, which are always instant classics, but today was different. It was nice."

Maybe that description wouldn't make sense to people who weren't in the thick of this like Emma and her friends, but not every wedding was fun to attend. Some were tacky even when Mary Margaret put her best foot forward thanks to terrible selections by a bride and groom. Others might look nice but feel tense (hello, shot gun wedding anybody?). But there was none of that here for Jasmine or Aladdin, and even the dynamics they'd all heard about regarding Jasmine's father's reluctance had been overcome. The small, round, jovial man was currently standing in the greeting line looking happy as a clam and bubbling on and on about his favorite (and only) daughter and her new husband.

"And it isn't low key," continued Elsa, waving her hand around at the lavish display of wealth that this room currently boasted, which normally she would hate, "But it's still real and authentic. You'd be surprised how rare that is. A lot of things have to click into place for a wedding to be like this."

Emma had been invited to so many ceremonies at this point that it was impossible for her to accept all of the invitations, but this one was special, and the friends had all agreed that for Jasmine and Aladdin they would make an exception to their usual rules of avoiding client weddings. Usually they left this to Mary Margaret, but today a whole table was filled with Emma's friends and their plus ones. The only one who hadn't brought her date was Mary Margaret since she was still very much on duty, but Emma knew her friend's hustle and bustle in this moment would be paying off later when she saw David again after a long day apart.

"They really are something, Swan," Killian said nodding towards the bride and groom who were caught up in their haze of happy.

It was impossible not to look at them and smile, but where many people in this room might feel jealous of what Jasmine and Aladdin had found, Emma didn't. This was right for them, but with her hand in Killian's and her body pressed close to his, Emma knew it never could have made her happy. She was perfectly content with her story as is and any wedding of hers wouldn't have nearly this much going on.

"And what do you think of the dress?" Ruby asked, no doubt digging for a compliment on Emma's behalf. Not that she needed to. Killian was always handing them out to her off the cuff and completely spontaneously in that cute, thoughtful way of his.

"It's truly superb," Killian confirmed and Emma smiled, but a thrill went through her when he leaned in closer to whisper so only she could here. "But forgive me for saying this love, I think I still prefer the one I found on the train that day."

Emma's eyes flew back up to Killian's and she wondered if he knew how special that dress was to her too. He had that way of reading her mind so easily, maybe he'd seen that little piece of her heart she was still holding back, along with the increasingly vivid fantasies she kept having a potential future with him and the three little words that she still so desperately wanted to say.

"There's just something about a wedding," Elsa's plus one and childhood friend Kristoff said, pulling Emma and Killian from the moment. Emma and her friends immediately groaned at the phrasing, pulling a laugh from Killian and Graham (who was Ruby's plus one this evening) and leaving Kristoff perplexed. "What is it? What did I say?"

"That is easily the most overused line in the history of the wedding biz," Ruby filled in, her eyes moving from Kristoff to Graham and changing from unimpressed to sultry in a split second.

Ruby had extended that invitation without so much as a hint to the others that she would be doing so, and based on the way Graham was hooked on her every word and leaning closer to her in a flirtatious way, Emma had to wonder if asking him on this date was as far as they'd gone, or if some more of the interest between them had been explored in the process. Whatever had transpired, a sure sign that Ruby was really interested in Graham was the fact that she hadn't run her mouth about being with him or where things stood. For Ruby to be guarded in any way meant she cared, and though it was difficult, Emma was doing her best to respect that.

"So what are the best parts then?" Graham asked, extending his question to all of them.

"You mean besides the cake I slaved away on all week and the dress Emma designed with help from the Gods?" Elsa asked jokingly.

"Yeah, besides that," Graham quipped.

"Hmm, I'm tempted to say the open bar… but I think it's actually the first dance," Elsa decided.

"Oh that's a good one," Ruby agreed. "You can practically measure exact levels of love when that dance comes. The people who make it forget any of us are watching and it's cheesy, but it's sweet."

"Sometimes cheesy isn't so bad," Killian said and Emma smiled at him, knowing he was thinking of some of the lines he'd floated her way. Those cute ones that she secretly loved but that were just a little over the top.

"How about you, Ruby?" Kristoff asked. "What's the best part of the wedding?"

"Well from an entertainment standpoint it's the toasts. There's always someone who makes it weird or totally bombs. But they're also the best parts too because you get a chance to see two people's worlds colliding and coming together. There are stories from the past and wishes for the future and that's always nice."

"And for you, love?" Killian asked Emma quietly.

"For me it's the vows. I like the promises people make when they really mean it. Even when it wouldn't be easy, even though life isn't always going to be as picturesque as the wedding day itself, they're choosing each other and they say more with their looks and expression than all the words can."

Killian's gaze took on a more heated quality when Emma made her admission, but before she could explore it, or he could whisper more words that would no doubt steal her breath away, Mary Margaret appeared looking truly relieved to see them. Emma wished the moment hadn't been broken, but she also knew there would be more and turned her attention to her friend.

"Oh thank God you're all here and in one piece. I swear getting everyone from the ceremony to here was a nightmare. You'd think it would be easy enough to shuttle people three blocks, but half of Jasmine's extended family got sent to the Sheraton. The Sheraton!" Mary Margaret practically yelled that last part as she slipped into the seat beside Emma and hastily accepted the glass a passing waiter brought with more champagne.

"But I bet you totally handled it," Emma said, trying to comfort her friend who smiled proudly.

"Damn right I did. And I only had to bribe three people with extra Elsa treats to get it done," Mary Margaret quipped with a laugh as Elsa merely shrugged, totally fine with her services being used to barter with.

"So are you done for the night now?" Kristoff asked and Mary Margaret more yelped than laughed at the idea. Ruby then moved to fill him in on the wedding planner's reality.

"Mary Margaret won't be done until the last person has left this building and Jasmine and Aladdin are on that jet to paradise. She'll find something to needlessly worry about until the wee hours of the morning."

"Hey!" Mary Margaret protested good-naturedly.

"But the pay off of all that worrying is throwing the best weddings in New York. Those don't come without a little effort," Emma said, complimenting her friend who smiled at her with such appreciation.

Emma knew those kind words of encouragement would keep her friend going all night and if she could help in any way that didn't involve over thinking the dinner presentation and the bouquet toss she'd be glad to do it. Luckily for her and for the others, Mary Margaret worked best as the sole leader on days like this and she had a carefully cultivated staff that was always there to help. One of them actually popped up a few seconds later discretely pulling Mary Margaret back into the fray of the festivities with all of them watching after her.

"I think that woman deserves a toast," Graham said, clearly in awe of her stamina and Ruby agreed, waving over another of the waiters and securing another round. When the table raised their glasses though, it was a slightly more comprehensive toast than just to Mary Margaret's capabilities.

"To Mary Margaret and the whole team of you making a day like this possible," Killian offered kindly and Emma smiled before adding her own thoughts.

"And to Jasmine and Aladdin, who made it easy to dream big for."

"Amen," Ruby agreed as Elsa chimed in with a "Hallelujah." This made everyone laugh again and then they clinked glasses, all of them enjoying the top-shelf refreshments as the food was distributed.

As Emma expected, everything went seamlessly. The meal was flawlessly catered, the ambiance in the room with the warm lighting and the grand chandelier totally tasteful and gorgeous, and the conversation was flowing, not just at their table, but everywhere. It was a truly comfortable night, and Emma found herself laughing and enjoying herself immensely. A few times though, her thoughts shifted from the beauty of another couple's love story to her own. More than once she found Killian's eyes on hers, taking her in and hiding none of his appraisal. He always looked at her like she was precious, but tonight that same heat she recognized was there too.

It was nice to know that her choice in dress hadn't been for nothing, and Emma also knew that thanks to it being her design and cut to fit her perfectly, she looked fantastic in it. It was a rich emerald green color and it was purposefully designed to accentuate her curves and draw attention to her eyes that Killian was always claiming to get lost in. Every time she felt his gaze on her (which was more times than not) Emma counted it as a victory, and by the meal's end she was feeling the effects of all the attention and the gentle touches he'd bestowed throughout the dinner.

"I know I've said it already, Swan, but you look truly spectacular tonight," Killian whispered to her when the plates were all being cleared and no one was paying them any mind. Emma flicked her glance up to his and saw his eyes were on her lips and she wet them absentmindedly causing him to fidget in a telling way.

"You think?" Emma asked, totally toying with him and he nodded, completely aware of her fishing for more and obliging her all the same.

"I know, Emma. I'm easily the luckiest man in here because I get to call you mine, and that fact isn't lost on me," he replied completely truthfully.

Killian's sincerity always tilted her a little off balance, but here and now Emma had to give in somehow and she pressed a kiss to his lips lightly, living for this moment when she turned the tables. Pulling back after the briefest of tastes and seeing him a little flustered made her heart soar. God she wanted to do that forever. Emma couldn't help smiling and biting her lip which then set Killian into a soft growl.

"How late do these things typically run, love?" He asked and Emma shrugged nonchalantly.

"That all depends," she said.

"On?" Killian asked, his hand running up her thigh beneath the table and sending a zing of pleasure through Emma.

"On how long we can last before booking it home," Emma said and Killian grinned at that, promising to make it very difficult for her to resist him.

"I'm going to go show Graham the rest of this place," Ruby announced, cutting into their moment. But the interruption also prompted another smile from Emma. That was totally code for Ruby's sneaking off into the coat closet or some other dark corner and making out with her hot bartender. Emma made a mental note to keep that option open for her and Killian later if they couldn't actually depart on the early side.

"Make sure to check out the art in the next room," Emma offered, providing Ruby with a good cover should anyone ask later and a really worthy destination. She'd happened to see it earlier today when a last minute concern with the dress (that was easily fixed) popped up. There was a whole 'gallery' in an adjoining room filled with pieces either inspired by or directly starring Jasmine and they were all fantastic and specifically crafted by Aladdin for his bride on their wedding day.

With Ruby and Graham heading out, it left just Emma and Killian and Elsa and Kristoff at the table, and while that wouldn't normally be an issue, Emma noticed her other friend frowning at her phone and looking rather pale. Emma was going to ask her what was wrong when Elsa hastily excused herself, making up something about needing to see the cake.

"I'll hold down the fort, love," Killian promised without Emma even having to ask and she took his hand and offered him a thankful smile and a slight squeeze before going after Elsa.

Her friend did indeed head for the cake in the back of the room, but Emma saw immediately that Elsa's attention was elsewhere and that her friend was back to looking at her phone with a hurt expression. Emma's instinct was to help her friend in whatever way she could. No one should be upset today, least of all Elsa who had created a magnificent piece of edible art to share with everyone that was being heralded by the whole guest list as truly incredible.

"Everything alright?" Emma asked and her friend's gaze shot up. Elsa hesitated a second, signaling to Emma that something really was wrong but finally her friend sighed and passed her phone. There on the screen were a number of texts all from one Liam Jones. "You've been talking to Liam?"

"He didn't really give me a choice," Elsa joked. "You saw how many flowers popped up yesterday at the office. My apartment has even more of them and finally I had to text him to tell him to stop."

"But you didn't stop texting him," Emma noted, hoping to get a better of understanding of the real dynamics behind these interactions.

"No, I didn't. I should have though." The tone Elsa used was one of resignation and disappointment, not just in whatever was happening but in herself. Emma recognized it well though she thankfully hadn't had to use it recently.

"Elsa I know you don't want to talk about it, and I know Mary Margaret and Ruby already broached the subject but it can't really all be about the money right?" Elsa shook her head. "So what is it then?"

Elsa responded by taking a sweeping glance of the room to make sure no one was around before pulling Emma into the hall that was quieter and less easily overheard. Now Emma watched as the tension that was in her friend's shoulders gave way and the dam of emotions broke.

"It's everything. He's just so hard to understand! One second he's throwing his wealth around and being all 'demanding CEO,' the next he's sweet and sincere. I can't figure him out completely, but sometimes – okay a lot of the time - he makes me forget about the other stuff. He actually had me reconsidering everything."

"In what way?" Emma asked, hoping to see exactly what her friend was up against.

"You know in Killian's article when he asked me how I found my love of baking?" Elsa asked and Emma nodded.

"Yeah and you mentioned your grandmother who always supported you even when no one else understood your dream."

"Well there was this tiny part about a cookbook she gave me that I lost in the move from school to my current place. Liam found that book. There were like a hundred in print max. It was a super obscure indie publisher and a special addition and he found one for me and got it signed by the author who's easily a hundred with a message saying the exact same thing my Grandma's did. It looks just like the one I lost. It's perfect."

"Wow, sounds really thoughtful," Emma said, still a little stunned that Liam had not only found a way to use his money for good in Elsa's life, but also to give her such a great gift. "So what's with the look?"

At Emma's question, Elsa flicked her fingers across her phone screen once more and handed it over. This time there was an article in a local gossip column about 'shipping magnate' Liam Jones getting cozy with more than one woman this week, both of them from good family's and with overly ritzy names. Neither of the women held a candle to Elsa in Emma's opinion, and though there wasn't an excessive level of closeness between Liam and either woman in the pictures, it was concerning.

"I don't know what his deal is!" Elsa admitted a little louder than she should, but she collected herself to keep going. "I know the press can be misleading, my family used to get write ups all the time that were just plain wrong, but I can't help but feel like there's something there. Maybe he's a player. Maybe it is just a game to him."

"Look Els, if you want my honest opinion I think the rags in this city are usually full of shit," Emma said and Elsa looked a little more hopeful. "But there's also nothing saying you have to rush into anything. Maybe it's a sign you need to take a step back. Figure out what you want and then go from there. If you want to give him a chance – a real chance – then do that. But starting off with doubts isn't what you want to do."

"You're right," Elsa finally conceded. "I think I just need some space to clear my head. Kristoff mentioned maybe going out after this to this place on 8th Street…"

"Wow," Emma said actually surprised that Kristoff had picked up on Elsa's need for some kind of distraction. He wasn't usually the most perceptive guy.

"What?" Elsa asked and Emma shook her head.

"Nothing. I just can't believe he had the time between all the not so casual mentions of Anna." Emma's comment about her plus one's obvious feelings for Elsa's little sister made Elsa laugh.

"Yeah, he's got it bad, he has since we were kids. But I figured I'd throw him a bone and invite her too. I keep trying to tell him that all he has to do is ask her out and she'll say yes but you know him," Elsa admonished, waving her hand and giving an eye roll as if to say 'what can you do?'

Emma smiled, thinking how good it was of Elsa to still be trying to make other people happy even in her moment of pain. It wasn't easy putting on a brave face, but it took a truly special kind of person to put others first in times of trouble, and that was a testament to Elsa's character in every way.

"You know if you guys wanted more company, I'm sure I could convince Killian to -," Emma's potential offer was cut off by Elsa's vigorously shaking her head and making sounds of disagreement.

"Uh uh, no way. I am not hijacking your night with your guy. And don't try to say I wouldn't be. You two think you're so sly with the whispered words and 'subtle' glances but I can see how eager you both are to get out of here. No. You two are going to go be adorably in love somewhere else and then you can tell me all about it so I can work on finding a guy like that for me."

Emma could have feigned surprise but there was really no point. Elsa was right after all and if given the choice Emma would definitely want to leave here with Killian and have a night alone with him. Even the thought that that was where the night was heading lit her up inside, and Elsa totally knew it too, wrapping their arms together and offering a final thought.

"And that right there is how I know you two will make it. And how I know I'll win the bet I made with Anna about the next wedding we all go to."

Emma didn't dare ask Elsa to clarify because she could see from the mirth in her friend's expression that she was hinting at Emma and Killian having a wedding of their own. And though Emma wasn't explicitly opposed to the thought, she tamped it down and led her friend back to their table in the hopes of enjoying the rest of the night in the company of her friends and the special guy who made dreams like that even possible.

….

Constant temptation – that was what Killian was currently faced with as he escorted Emma to this wedding tonight. He'd thought it since the moment he picked her up earlier and that belief had never waivered, not in the most sincere moments of the ceremony or in the times Killian noted Emma's professional triumphs throughout the day. He'd felt a great many things (like pride for Emma's achievements and happiness to hold her hand in his all through these festivities), but there was always that underlying hum of need just below the surface that never faded away.

"You're doing it again," Emma murmured, bringing a smile to Killian's lips. She was in the midst of talking to her friends and while he'd managed to pay attention for a while, his mind meandered back to just her as it always did.

"Doing what, love?" Killian asked, knowing full well what she meant. Still the moment her soft green eyes turned his way filled with that humorous light, he was glad for his playing dumb.

"You're staring at me," Emma claimed, not shying away from his actions or giving any hint that she didn't appreciate his looks.

"To avoid doing so would be impossible. Don't ask me not to," he pleaded and Emma blushed slightly as his thumb moved across her wrist with the slightest pressure.

"Wasn't gonna. Just thought I'd let you know," Emma joked but her tone was undercut slightly by a hint of breathiness. Good, she was affected too. It always did Killian's heart good to know he wasn't in this alone.

As far as Killian could tell he had three choices in this moment. The first was to divert his attentions back to the table around them and to try and engage with the others when all he really wanted was to focus on Emma. The second was to convince her that now might be the time to steal away and return to his place as she'd mentioned before. But it was the third that struck his fancy most of all, and as the band played on the other side of the room with a smooth mixture of string instruments and old-style crooning, Killian rose to his feet holding out his hand to the woman he loved as she watched him carefully.

"I'd never forgive myself if I didn't get at least one dance with you tonight, Swan," he said, knowing he hadn't actually asked but hoping Emma would appease him all the same.

"Then by all means lead the way," Emma replied accepting his hand and moving out onto the dance floor with him.

The chance to pull Emma closer, even out here in front of all these people, was one that Killian appreciated. They'd never been particularly far from each other tonight, but there was something so much more intimate about dancing. The swaying of their two bodies when pressed together and the warmth of this miraculous woman as he held her in his arms was intoxicating outpacing any of that expensive champagne or the richness of the meal before. The whole room was filled with the ambient hum of a world around them and the festivities that were going on, but all Killian sensed was Emma and the gentle melody serenading them right now.

It was clear to Killian that Emma felt the same relief and simultaneous tension in dancing together like this. The closeness was liberating even as lines were drawn about what could be proper in a setting like this, and Killian lived for that moment when Emma truly melted against him. He felt powerful this way, being useful to her and a source of peace for her too. Lord knew she was such a source for him, but it still blew his mind to think that things between them could be equal and that Emma could feel as he did.

"Something on your mind, Swan?" Killian asked when he caught Emma looking back at their table with a look of slight deflation.

"It's Elsa. You know how Liam's been reaching out to her?" Emma asked, knowing that Killian had heard both her stories about the influx of flowers at the shop the day before and some things from Liam as well. They'd both been rather open with the unexpected connection between two people who mattered so much to them, but the mention of that newfound spark now made Killian wary.

"Aye, I do."

"Well there was this article in the press about him and some other women and it really upset Elsa. Do you know anything about that?"

Oh bloody hell, Killian thought to himself, fear gripping him in a way that it likely shouldn't. This wasn't really the time or place for this discussion, but he'd never lie to Emma, and he'd never mislead her for the sake of his own comfort. Instead he admitted the truth of what he knew.

"I have my suspicions. You know how I told you that Liam's been looking to settle down, love?" Killian asked and Emma nodded. "Well he was doubtful that love would come organically into his life and he decided to take a different path."

"A different path?" Emma asked, not following.

"He consulted with a matchmaker." There, it was out there now, and Killian watched as Emma's jaw dropped in surprise.

"He… wow. I don't even know what to say to that," Emma started, clearly surprised at the admission.

"I didn't either, love, and trust me it's not the kind of situation that makes more sense the longer you think on it." Killian's words managed to pull a small smile from Emma, but she was still caught in the thick of this new twist.

"So when did this happen?" Emma asked, probably trying to figure out how far along in the process Liam was.

"The dates – if you could even call them that – happened right when he got back I believe. But my brother came to me about this plan of his just before he left for London. He said it was time for the both of us to be looking towards the future and he'd hammered out all the research. This matchmaker was apparently very professional with a good pool of potential partners and for Liam that was enough, at least he thought it was."

The truth was Killian had seen a shift in his brother's opinions on the whole thing since meeting Elsa, and though Killian hadn't directly brought it up, he assumed that Liam's thoughts of using a consultant to find a bride were over. Now though he wished he'd been direct with his brother. Killian didn't want Emma to think that he didn't value her friend's honor, and he never would have encouraged Liam at all if he suspected even for a moment that his brother had less than worthy intentions.

"Wait, he wanted you to do this too?" Emma asked, looking a little more worried now.

"Aye, but I never considered it, Emma. Not for a second. I told Liam to count me out of it and he did, because he knew I'd already found what I wanted with someone else." His words prompted her to nod, but her hold on him was still a little tighter than it had been, almost like she was subconsciously afraid he was still susceptible to the foolhardy plan.

"But if this happened before he left then…" Emma trailed off, the pieces fitting together in her mind as Killian confirmed her suspicions.

"I might not have found the courage to approach you yet, Emma, but I did know there would be no joy for me in such a plan. Maybe it's crazy, but I was already yours Emma. There could be nothing else for me with you in the world. I just needed a little more time to make you see it – to make you see me."

Emma's eyes flew back to his in that moment and the swirling emotions that he saw there felt paralyzing. What was she going to do? Was she angry? Was she okay? He needed answers so he could figure out what to say or how to act but suddenly there were tears in her eyes and Killian found himself fearing the worst. He rushed to try and make her see that he hadn't meant anything by keeping this from her. He'd never meant to hurt her in any way.

"I thought about telling you all of this, Emma, and when everything happened the other day with Liam and Elsa the opportunity presented itself but I don't know I couldn't bring myself to say it aloud. Just the thought of such a scheme is abhorrent to me and I was hoping Liam and I could leave it in the past where it belongs. It was my brother's folly, but I see now that I should have told you. I should have -,"

Mercifully Emma didn't give him the chance to second guess himself anymore, instead stopping their sway back and forth to the music and bringing him down for a kiss right there on the dance floor. Immediately all thoughts of modestly and their being in public were gone, and the only thing on Killian's mind was feeling Emma and securing that passion between them again. For a few moments there he'd worried that he'd ruined things, but he hadn't. Thank God he hadn't!

"I have to be sure, love. I have to be sure that we're okay. Tell me everything's the same as before. Tell me nothing's changed," he pleaded as his forehead pressed against hers.

"It isn't the same," Emma said softly but before panic could creep back in she smiled. "How could it be when you did something so sweet? I bet you got all angry about it too, fighting with your big brother for a girl you hadn't so much as talked to. I can totally see you doing that."

Emma was right on in her assumptions and Killian bit his lip, giving himself away, but the action prompted Emma to pull him down for another kiss. This time there was nothing even remotely like worry between them. Instead there was a barely restrained feeling of need and the promise of so much more for them if only they gave in.

"Remember when you asked when we could go?" Emma asked after pulling back from the kiss, only far enough away to be just out of reach. Killian nodded, his eyes never wavering from her. "How do you feel about now?"

"Thank God," Killian murmured before pulling Emma off the dance floor and leading her to say goodbye to all her friends. There were more than a few knowing looks in their direction, but Killian didn't mind. All that mattered was the moment they were out of that swanky hotel and in a cab headed back to his place. They weren't far, but every second felt torturously long. Luckily one of them had the good sense to fill these moments with rational thought.

"I know we should probably confront Liam about what exactly is going on…" Emma began, "but I think it can wait for tonight. I trust him to have his heart in the right place."

"As do I, love," Killian attested and she smiled.

"So let's just do us, okay? Let's forget everything else and focus on this."

"As you wish," Killian agreed.

Thankfully the drive was swift, and they managed to get from the busy streets of New York up to Killian's apartment at a staggering pace, but it still wasn't enough, and no sooner was his front door bolted shut behind them than Emma and Killian were both trying to remove the layers between them. Killian set about stripping away the dress that had driven him mad all evening, careful not to ruin it when it had no doubt taken great effort and skill on Emma's part to craft.

"This is so much better," Emma said, her thought only half formed and pulling a smile from Killian.

"What is love?" Killian asked, watching the dress pool around her feet and feeling his heart hammer in his chest at the sight of her nearly bare before him.

"Being here with you over being at that wedding," she replied.

"It wasn't so bad was it?" Killian asked, feeling the tautness of his voice as Emma made quick work of his jacket and his shirt.

"No, but it wasn't enough either," Emma whispered, packing a punch with her heated glance and warm smile. Those damn hands of hers were the real culprits of his slowly losing his mind, however, and when they ran lower across his bared skin, Killian nearly lost control all together. "I don't think it will ever be enough."

Emma's words caused a growl to rumble from Killian's chest, and he used her momentary distraction at the sound to his advantage, sweeping her up in his arms and heading towards his bedroom. They'd need the space tonight for he had every intention of making the most of this time and tasting every bit of pleasure Emma had to offer him slowly and with tantalizing detail.

"Everything off, Swan. I want to see you as you are with nothing hidden from me."

It was a self-induced torture and yet also the highest form of satisfaction to watch Emma submit to that request. She slowly pulled away the strapless bra and matching lace she'd worn, standing there gloriously nude and bringing his every fantasy to life. She knew it too, but she blended this mix of siren and sweetness so perfectly. Emma knew her power but she needed him too, and it fed this unquenchable desire in Killian to have her as tangled up in him as he was in her.

"God your perfect," Killian whispered and the words propelled Emma forward. She pulled him down to her, kissing him with all kinds of passion before her mouth moved to his jaw and then his neck. She was turning the tables and stripping off the last of his clothes to reveal everything about him as he'd just done with her.

"Please, Killian. Don't make me wait."

That was it – the final straw and Killian had her on the bed, climbing over her and watching that flush that spread across her creamy skin. He set to work getting what he wanted while also trying to satisfy Emma and he nipped at the sensitive spots that he knew always got her flustered, feeling her pleading, thready groan wash over him as she let her honest reactions come out. Nothing could make him feel as infallible as the sound of Emma telling him what she wanted. She gave him everything so willingly and he was set on delivering every last drop of what Emma wanted to her and reminding her that all of this only happened when the two of them were one.

Killian moved his mouth from her neck down her collar bone and lower to her breasts. The gasp that Emma let free at the contact when he bit just above her aching bud was music to his ears and it was made all the sweeter by the way she cried out as he sucked a nipple into his mouth. His hand tended to her other breast and made sure neither went wanting and that they got equal attention. He attended to them with a mixture of rough and achingly gentle touches until Emma began to writhe under him.

He knew she'd asked for speed and that she was growing impatient, but Killian couldn't help himself. He knew his Swan, and though her mind was crying out for faster and harder and the sweet release of instant gratification, she also craved the feeling of his loving her. This wasn't a quick fuck, but a testimony to his every want for her. Killian needed to see Emma fall apart more than once, and he needed her to realize how much he loved her even if he hadn't said the words.

Yet even if he needed the slow and languid, it was far from easy to deny Emma. Her frenzied panting and sighs of sexual frustration clawed at him and Killian's muscles clenched tight with a need to give her more. One of his hands moved down her body, and as if she realized that she'd won, Emma's legs opened wider and she sighed happily. His thumb found her clit pulling a hum of gratification from her chest and her eyes closed but Killian didn't want that. Killian needed Emma with him when she fell apart.

"Eyes on me, love." Her eyes popped back open and Emma smiled, a renewed blush clinging to her as she did and her lips parting ever so slightly.

That look of trust in her eyes was enough for Killian and he worked to play her desires to perfection. Soon enough he reveled in the moment where her whole body tensed up and then crashed into climax. It was breathtaking, and damn if she didn't make for the most serenely beautiful sight he'd ever seen. Emma revived him in a way nothing else ever could, and he needed to taste more of that and linger in that pleasure just a little while longer.

Killian kissed down her body, anticipating exactly what Emma needed to get riled back up again. He mapped out the gentle slopes and curves of her body and he delighted in the moment he pressed a kiss to her still sensitive flesh. He barely made contact with her sex and she was groaning again, her hands coming to run through his hair and take what she wanted. Emma was mindless with her passion, and Killian felt the glory of giving her that. He was so hard himself, aching for release, but he persisted nonetheless, and made sure that Emma succumbed to another shattering climax by his tongue before crawling back over her to slide on home.

When his eyes found Emma's again, it was impossible to deny that she looked happy and sated, and maybe it was the high of seeing her so blissed out, or perhaps it was the fact that he couldn't fight it anymore, but Killian had to give her all of him in that moment. He had to say the words he'd been desperate to give her for so long. So without any further thought about whether it was right or not, he gently moved a strand of her blonde hair out of her face and spoke from his heart.

"I love you, Emma."

A moment passed where nothing was said, and the split seconds of silence felt like an eternity, but then Emma smiled and there was nothing but light in Killian's life. He knew, even without her words, that she felt the same, but hearing his feelings reciprocated was the best thing he'd ever experienced.

"I love you too," Emma admitted, happy tears forming in her eyes as she did. "Just… be careful with me, okay? I'm giving you my whole heart. I've never done that before."

Killian's hand ran across her cheek and he took in every tiny detail that made up this incredible woman, willing himself to memorize every facet of this moment. This was what perfection felt like, and this was what he would always strive to give Emma. He silently vowed to never give her cause to worry again. Her heart was safe with him and he'd never let her down. Not if he could help it.

"That makes two of us, Swan. But we'll learn together, I promise you that."

"Together," Emma agreed.

They sealed this new understanding between them with more kisses and a more frantic pace. It was a mutual chase for bliss that culminated in a more all-consuming release than either of them had ever known, and all of it was possible because this love between them was just right. It wasn't ordinary or simple, but something beyond comprehension on both of their parts. And all Killian really could say as he lay there with Emma, wrapped up in their shared joy, was that this was the closest to heaven he'd ever been, and he had no intention of ever letting this feeling or this woman slip away.

Post-Note: As most of you know by now, I love writing a wedding, and while this one wasn't as detailed or as others have been, there is at least one more wedding coming in this fic, and it's going to be way more involved. There are quite a few chapters separating us from that point but I'm thinking there will be around twenty or so in total. There's a lot of potential fluff for me to explore with this AU and this chapter allowed for that by bringing the first 'I love yous'. Anyway thank you all so much for the support and I hope you all have a great rest of your day!