A/N: Hey guys! Enjoy this week's chapter :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon A Time, ABC or any of its characters.
Song used in this chapter is A Thousand Years (Breaking Dawn Part II) by Christina Perri.
As I finished putting the dress on for the second time that day, and Regina fixed my hair up again, I looked out the bedroom window to see the backyard sparkling with the fairy lights we had strung earlier in the week, and Mr. Gold had molded an archway out of branches to give the ceremony a touch of home for everyone. He and Belle were to be married in the month, as his time with Zelena had shown him not to waste his time.
My mother, father and sister were all dressed and waiting for me to tear my eyes away from the scene below me. Amaya was sitting downstairs with Ruby, waiting for her cue to walk down before me. I saw Killian standing at the end of the small aisle, with Neal as his best man, looking nervous. Mr. Smee was on the other side of Neal, looking at his Captain proudly.
"He looks about as nervous as I feel," I joked, turning to see my mother crying silently.
"Mom, we talked about this." I teased gently.
"You just look so beautiful," She sobbed as she held our little brother, "You both do."
"I'm hardly the belle of the ball here," Emma joked, as she played with the skirt of her dress. She and Regina would be my bridesmaids, with Emma being my Maid of Honor. I knew only 10 people would be in attendance at our wedding, but I would only have eyes for one man.
"But you are both beautiful," My Dad said proudly, smiling at us both warmly.
"Now, let's get you married," Regina smiled, as she led the way downstairs. I walked slowly, savoring the moments that led me to this point. A song started playing, one that I asked Emma to choose as my walk down song, and I was immediately touched. I was sure Killian would find the sentiment in it as well.
The day we met,
Frozen I held my breath
Right from the start
I knew that I'd found a home for my heart...
... beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
"Get ready," Emma said softly as Regina walked out the front door and around the house, towards the aisle.
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
"See you up there. Amaya, follow behind me," Emma smiled before she followed Regina's lead and walked down the steps with my daughter. My mother stood proudly by my side, taking my arm in the crook of hers, and my father does the same.
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more...
I'll love you for a thousand more...
"Don't let me fall," I whispered as we walked down the stairs.
"Never," My father said, looking at me proudly. We rounded the corner and I saw Killian, and my heart stopped. The music continued as we walked, but all I could see was him. Killian looked like he was either going to keel over or run for it, but the awestruck smile and the way his eyes seemed glued to me, looked to be keeping him in one place. For now.
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
Look at how handsome he looks, I thought.
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
He will be mine, and I will be his.
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I love him.
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
"Princess Aria comes here today of her own free will, to marry Captain Killian Jones. Who gives this woman to be wed?" Archie said, smiling wide at my parents.
"Her mother and I do." My father said, taking my hand and placing it in Killian's open one. He must have felt the electric shock that I did, because his smile softened and our grips tightened as our fingers intertwined.
"We are here today to celebrate the union of Princess Aria and Captain Jones. If there be any among us that see reason these two should not be together, speak now, or forever hold your peace."
The deafening silence made me smile, as Killian's thumb rubbed over the back of my hand. Archie continued into his speech about love and marriage, but I was looking deep into Killian's eyes, memorizing the joy and love dancing in them.
"And the couple has decided to write their own vows. Killian," Archie prompted and we both snapped out of our locked gaze to smile nervously and listen to each others vows.
"From the moment I saw you standing up to the drunk Sheriff of Nottingham, I saw a fire in you that I had not seen in anyone I had ever met. You fiercely protected your daughter from the harshness of the world around her, after all that you lost. You stood up to a pirate that had less than honest intentions, at first. You, Princess, are the light of my life. My morning star, guiding me when I'm lost. Your eyes call to me like the sea to a sailor, and I will forever answer that call. I vow to protect you, love you and honor you, all the days of my life." He said, before bending down on one knee and crooking a finger at Amaya. She walked forward, after Emma gave her a little nudge and stood in front of Killian.
"Amaya, little love," Killian said as Neal handed him a flat jewelry box, "I promise you, that I will love you as my own, but I will never replace your father. You and your mother are a team, and I would very much like to be part of that team, with your permission. I already love you so much, and I would very much love to be your Daddy." He opened the box to reveal a necklace, with a crystal heart charm. She smiled and said, "Yes please."
After Killian clasped the necklace on Amaya, he picked her up so she was facing the audience. I smiled, kissing my little girls cheek as I tried not to cry.
"Aria," Archie prompted.
"From the moment you came to my rescue, even when I had it handled," I said, making everyone chuckle.
"-I knew you would be trouble for my heart. Not to break it, but because I was still healing, still hurt. But even when you wouldn't take no for an answer, you managed to break down my shell, and make me see that I could be open with you. Our first date, when you showed me the place you go to be alone, showing me your vulnerable side, and that you could be so much more than the pirate everyone else saw, I felt my walls crumble."
"And while it scared me at first, I'm not scared anymore. I will charge forward into the unknown, as long as I have you by my side. I promise to care for you when you are sick or injured, make your favorite meal on your birthday, and any time you want in between. I am yours, and you are mine, from this day until my last."
"The rings please," Archie said as I finished.
"With this ring, I thee wed," Killian said, slipping the band onto my finger.
"With this ring, I thee wed," I said, looking deep into his eyes as I slipped it onto his left hand.
"I now pronounce you, man and wife." Archie said, and in the next second I was pulled against Killian's chest and he kissed me deeply, as Amaya cheered in our ears.
"Now, we party!" I said, throwing my bouquet in the direction of Emma and Regina. Regina caught it though, surprised, and blushed shyly at Robin.
We ate a potluck of food, enjoyed each other's company, and laughed in the face of all we had been through in the last year. I was held into my husbands' side all night, and even as Amaya passed out in our arms, we just enjoyed the peacefulness that came with the celebration. Elsa was happy to join in for a time, but started to distance herself after awhile. My father asked her to join back in, because she wasn't alone.
After putting Amaya to bed and grabbing my small bag of clothes for the night, I joined Killian downstairs, as everyone was saying goodbye to us for the evening. My parents said that we shouldn't be late to the party tomorrow night at Granny's, but I was very clear that we wouldn't be there long the next day, as I still have a daughter to take care of. Regina was watching her for the night, and Emma had Henry for the night at Neal's place. My father caught that little fact and I promptly left Emma to fend for herself.
"Oh, Killian, it's beautiful," I said as he opened the door to our cottage rental and flicked on the lights.
"Well, Mrs. Jones, you deserve the finest of accommodations for our wedding night."
"It's perfect," I said, turning to Killian and seeing him smile softly at me.
"I know that look," I chuckled.
"Shall we adjourn to the bedroom my wife?" He asked, as he picked me up bridal style and carried me down a small hall. I laughed, "Well, we're already on our way there."
"Killian," I giggled as he gently set me down on my feet.
"Love, there's something on your mind. I can see you've been hiding it from me all week. Now, what has gotten in the way of us enjoying our night together?"
"I do have something to tell you," I smiled.
"Is it good?" He asked sitting down on the edge of the bed, with me following suit.
"Inconceivably good." I punned.
"I'm waiting," He laughed, as I just kept smiling at him. Softening my smile I whispered, "We will have a visitor in our home, in about 8 and a half months."
"Is it a friend of yours? Or are you planning on getting another… dog." He stopped after he finished his sentence and watched my face carefully.
"I'm… I'm to be a father?" He said, sinking to the floor to face my belly. I nodded, "And a wonderful father at that."
"Aria," He said, looking up at me with tears glistening.
"The best father there ever was." I smiled, as he gently touched my stomach with his fingertips.
"This is most wonderful news," He said; as I leaned down to kiss his forehead.
"I love you," He said, before kissing me fiercely. As he released my lips, his travelled down my jawline to my neck.
"I love you too. Now, Captain, I believe you owe me a wedding night I'll never forget," I said softly as I slipped his jacket off his shoulders.
"As you wish Princess," He breathed against my skin.