CHARMING POV
He couldn't believe that the beauty on the dance floor was his daughter. She was He recalled like it was yesterday when he first found out that Snow was pregnant. He never thought he could feel that happy again, and he knew now that he was wrong. In this moment, he was happier than he'd been in his entire life. She was happy, and she was his daughter.
He'd been approached by many suitors, regarding Emma's hand in marriage. They'd been coming since she was barely a teenager. Though she didn't know about many of them. As her father, he felt that it was his job to weed through those who only wanted her for her title and the throne that she was heir to. He was skilled at knowing who was false with the proclamations, and not one of those who had asked for his daughters hand had succeeded in convincing him that they wanted her for love.
Except one.
It was not too long after her 14th birthday when Graham came up to him. He was walking through the gardens when he heard footsteps coming up behind him, "Hello your majesty, I was just looking for you." He said coming to a stop and not meeting his eyes.
"Yes, Graham. What is it?" he asked.
"There is something that I wish to tell you. It is something that I should have spoken of long ago, but you see, with all the others that have come to ask for the hand of the princess, I didn't feel as if it were my place to inform you of the feelings that I have for Princess Emma. I have feelings for her that a man in my position should not have."
"A man in your position? What do you mean?" the news that he had feelings for Emma had really come to no shock to him. He was not blind. He'd noticed the fondness in his eyes when he was around Emma or any time her name was mentioned.
"I mean that I am much older than her, and I consider myself a trusted friend of yourself and the queen," he looked up at him, "I don't feel that it is right for me to have such feelings. I care for her greatly."
"Of course you do, she's becoming an amazing young woman."
"Yes, your majesty, she is. I can't help but think that she doesn't think of me in that way."
"Emma is her own person," he said placing a hand on his shoulder, "I have never wanted to promise my daughter to any man. I just happen to know her very well, and feel as if I know when someone is actually coming to me to tell me they want to be a king… or to convince me that they love her."
"so, you're not upset with me for feeling the way I do?" Graham asked him skeptically, "I have seen you with others… I don't think some of them will ever want to return."
"A trusted friend of the family has feelings for my only daughter, the same man who saved my wife, when his own death was almost certain. How could I be angry? I'm not the least bit angry with you. I'm happy you said something. I know you would protect her and do anything for her, and she will always need that, because of who she is, and who our enemies are."
"I would do anything to protect her, or your family." He promised.
He looked at the other man and tried to imagine him married to his daughter. And smiled.
"I cannot promise you to Emma. It is up to her whom she shall love and marry. It is in my power, however, to make more time available for you to spend with her, to see if feelings develop." He would never make his only daughter marry someone that she wouldn't be happy with. Knowing what it felt like to have his true love in his life made him want the same thing for his daughter.
He thought Show hated him when they first met, considering they met after she robbed him, who could blame him, but over a series of events, he fell deeply in love with her and knew that he wanted to be with her always. He would do whatever he could to be sure that Emma married her True Love, whoever that may be.
GRAHAM POV
She was 16 now, and an absolute beauty. Grace of her mother and stubbornness of her father made for a hell of a combination in the young princess. He stood at the back of the crowd watching as she danced with Killian Jones. He has his hands in his pockets and his fingers wrapped around the simple silver ring he had purchased just today. Silver with a single diamond, surrounded by black diamonds. He was going to ask her after their next dance.
They'd spent so much time together over the past few months, he was nervous and excited and scared all at the same time. He loved her. He'd only told Snow and Charming about his feelings, and he hadn't even told them he loved her.
As the song ended and everyone applauded the band, he headed towards her.
"Excuse me, may I cut in and finish our dance your highness?" he asked smiling at her and kissing her hand. He was aware of the eyes of Killian on his back, but he was only focused on his princess.
"Of course." Killian said.
She watched Killian go, then placed her arms around Graham's neck.
"My feet hurt." She said laughing, "I feel like I've been dancing for hours."
"You have your highness. But you look marvelous while you do it. Not a single fry eye while you danced with your father."
"Including mine." She sighed, "So 16, I don't feel any different. Tomorrow will be the same as yesterday."
"You never know your highness. Tonight, something amazing might happen."
They danced for the rest of the song and when it ended, he took her by the hand, "Come out to the gardens for some fresh air with me?"
"That sounds amazing."
He led her through the crowd, through the curtains, and out the door. They could still hear the murmurs of the crowd along with the crickets, and the blinking flied were out giving them a light show.
"Are you enjoying your party, your highness?" he asked sitting on a bench.
"Yes, I've had a great time, but my feet really do hurt." She said rubbing her ankles and sitting beside him.
"it would be our secret if you wanted to take off your shoes."
"Done." She said and they were off before he could blink.
He picked one up, "How on earth do you walk in these? I could walk with a peg leg easier than with these."
"I've just grown accustomed to them," she shrugged, "it's a beautiful night, isn't it?"
"Yes, very beautiful." He answered looking at her. He started fishing in his pocket, and the butterflies in his stomach intensified, "Emma? I've know you your entire life. I swore to your parents I'd always watch over you and protect you. As the years went by, you became more and more unique. I've never met anyone quite like you, especially a princess. You have the most generous heart, you're brave, and kind, and intelligent, you have the same respects from your people to your parents. You treat everyone as though they were important. And that is why you are such an amazing, beautiful woman. So I want to ask you… Emma… will you marry me?" he got down on his knee and produced the ring. She took in a startled breath and looked at the ring and then at him.
EMMA POV
"Emma…. Will you marry me?" he asked getting down on his knee. When she saw the ring, she was shocked. It was beautiful. Then she looked at Graham and saw nothing but love reflecting back in his eyes.
She did love him….. in a way. She knew he would always be there for her, protect her, and love her. She was happy when they spent time together and could spend a lot of time with him and always be happy. She looked at the room where they had just left and saw her parents trying to hide, but watching. So they knew?
When she looked back to Graham she saw his face starting to fall. So she just answered, "yes graham, I'll marry you." And she smiled holding out her left hand.
He let out a sigh of relief and smiled and laughed, placing the ring upon her finger, and she held it out to look at it. it felt odd having a ring on her hand. He took her by the chin, and moved in slowly, and kissed her gently. It was their first kiss, and a nice kiss at that. But as soon as she did it, one thing popped into her head.
Killian's face.
