A/N: Here's the final holiday chapter- New Years. I hope you all like it and don't find it too cheesy. I really struggled with it because I have a hard time with New Years myself and am also dealing with some mental health issues that make writing difficult. I'm not sure when I'll be back but I do have plans so I will be back as soon as I feel up to it. So far I've got on my list- getting a puppy, a backyard wedding and as requested, a driving lesson. If you guys have any ideas let me know. Who knows, one might spark my creativity and get me writing? Thanks for all the support, it really helps me feel better! Let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: All aspects of Once Upon A Time belong to ABC and the show's creators.

Emma hadn't told her parents about the engagement until Christmas dinner, opting to spend the morning and afternoon alone with her son and fiancé. Fiancé. Despite her pleasure at the engagement she really wished she hadn't told her mother at supper either. It wasn't as if she didn't want to marry Killian. She couldn't wait to marry the man. But as soon as her mother heard she was already planning her wedding, a large, ostentatious thing that was the exact opposite to what she wanted. It was starting to scare Emma. She'd just gotten engaged and hadn't freaked out. Didn't she deserve a few days of peace before her old walls were pushed at again?

Mary Margaret had also quickly decided that they needed a party to announce the impending wedding. This family had parties for everything: welcome homes, ding dong the witch is dead shindigs and naming ceremonies. Of course they needed to have one for Emma, the crown princess's, engagement. With New Year's Eve coming up her mother quickly decided that would be the perfect time to celebrate and the cottage on Albatross Lane would be the perfect place. She'd managed to convince them of it by rolling the house warming and engagement party all into one- which meant one less party for Emma to deal with. Emma wouldn't argue with that logic.

The following days had been filled with planning, Emma reluctantly being dragged along. She could understand why Mary Margaret wanted this party- she'd already missed so much in Emma's life and this was a major milestone- but it didn't mean that she wanted to be involved in picking out which appetizers went best with which wine. Emma would have been fine with a few bottles of rum and a box of sausage rolls.

Killian didn't seem to mind the idea of the party so much. Food, drinking, merriment, showing off his lass- it was a pirate's dream. But Emma saw it for what it was- one more way for Killian to feel normal again. Despite his determination to hold a successful party, she could see the tentativeness Killian was hiding, the nerves that it would be too much to handle in one night. Emma felt it all too.

The couple had avoided any big groups for months, first because of Emma, then Killian. They still got their Granny's to go, skipping the family meals each week. Killian only ventured out with Emma, David or Henry, and never alone, even to the Jolly. Emma still had nightmares and would wake the entire house with her screams. Henry too. One morning Killian had woken to find Henry curled up with his blanket on the floor beside their bed, seeking comfort but too proud to ask. They were all a bit of a mess. But they were still getting better every day.

The engagement had been a big step to making their lives right again. It was as if the whole atmosphere of the cottage had changed, started improving faster. Those rings now decorating Emma's and Henry's hands served as visible reminders, just like Graham's shoelace or the swan pendant, but this time of good things. The metal bands were signs that life was going to- was getting- better. They were proof to the world that they were a family. This party was only going to help confirm that knowledge to the rest of Storybrooke.

And it seemed as nearly all of Storybrooke was invited to see the proof of their engagement. Emma wasn't sure she knew half the people coming but her mother did. When you're queen of the land you tend to know too many people so Emma was beginning to doubt her mother was a good judge on invitations. Killian seemed to agree and had made a few rules about who would be allowed in the house.

Smee was allowed to come should he see fit because he had been such a loyal first mate but none of the other crew members were allowed to even step foot through the doorway. While at face value that seemed rather harsh, it did make sense. Those pirates belonged to Killian's days as Captain Hook the villain, not the hero he so desperately had fought to be now. They didn't fit in the Albatross Lane cottage and Killian didn't trust them to not get out of hand without his brutal authority, something he refused to exhibit at his engagement party of all things. The biggest nix of an invitation was also the most obvious with Killian vehemently stating Gold was never to come on his property, practically growling out the words. Belle could come if she so chose but no Gold. Never Gold.

The morning of the party Mary Margaret marched into the cottage, arms laden with everything she'd deemed necessary for the party. As Emma watched the Christmas decorations disappear, packed away for next year, and replaced with silver and gold streamers and banners to herald in the New Year she started to feel excited. The house was bright and alive. A bar cart was set up in the hallway between the living room and kitchen, the kitchen counters and breakfast nook covered in the non-refrigerated finger foods. Emma was under strict instructions to lay the rest out ten minutes to eight so the cheeses and dips would have time to come up to temperature and not be so hard when the guests arrived. Emma didn't even know that was an issue but her mother was the one who knew how to throw a party so she set an alarm for 8:50 without question.

Despite her initial hesitance surrounding the party Emma the excitement grew, along with quite a few butterflies. Just like with Christmas, she'd always seen the parties on TV but never experienced it. They'd always hurt. Why celebrate bringing in a New Year when you were alone and abandoned? It just made everything worse. Sometimes when she was feeling really terrible about herself she'd watch the Ball drop and all the couples kiss at the stroke of midnight then drink herself to sleep. She hadn't celebrated with Neal, they hadn't been together long enough to reach Christmas, let alone New Years. Emma had memories of a New Year's in New York but she hadn't been with Walsh long enough to feel comfortable being with him on a holiday that had haunted her for so long. Not that their relationship had been real anyways. But tonight, tonight was real. Emma wanted to be with Killian for every New Year's she had left.

And not only was it her first New Year's party it was also her engagement party. For the last few days Emma had caught herself staring at her hand, watching the way the ring caught the light. It wasn't a traditional diamond ring but when had Emma been traditional? Emma could still hear Killian's words in Camelot when he first gave it to her, telling her it had kept him alive for years and would bring Emma, not the dark one, back to him. She hadn't realized the true magnitude of his words until he'd explained all his rings to her that night on the street. Liam's ring, his beloved brother, the one he so constantly battled to feel worthy of, now rested on her finger. Emma knew what it would have taken for him to give it up. It left her breathless to think about how much she must mean to Killian. And now she was going to get to celebrate that.

"Swan!" Killian shouted up the stairs, making Emma smile to herself. He'd been out for the day, working at finishing the winterizing of the Jolly with Henry who would be arriving later with Regina. "Why is this table filled with ridiculous liquor? Why does one need rum flavoured like coconut? Where is the good rum?"

Emma snorted, leaning back from where she'd been curling her hair in the mirror to shout out the door. "There's whiskey on the bar and David is bringing rum as a housewarming gift for you. In the meantime, your flask is up here."

Feet thumped up the stairs two at a time. There was just something magical about existing with someone else in a space that got to Emma. It was something she'd never imagined having, only ever living in a sparse and cheap apartment save for the year with Henry. It wasn't as if she was entertaining Killian, having just invited him to her space. This was theirs. They lived their own lives, intertwined but independent. Sometimes, when the memories got too much, they needed their space. Killian disappeared into the bedroom to be with some of the old bits off the Jolly or Emma would find herself wandering out to the deck to sit and stare at the front yard or water. Other times, they came together, holding each other through the night, attempting to cook and then admitting defeat and calling Granny's for onion rings and grilled cheeses, working towards finally finishing the renovation. It was only in the moments of peace and the moments of tension, all held within the house that Emma realized how much she had wanted the domesticity of her life with Killian.

Killian came around the corner of the bedroom. "Hello, love," he greeted, smiling through the open bathroom door.

"Welcome home. Are you going to change for the party? I expect Mary Margaret to bust through the door at any moment thinking I've torn everything down."

"Do you want to?" Killian asked then groaned as he stretched, sore from his day. While he moved around the bedroom Emma went back to finishing her hair.

"No, not anymore."

"So, explain this holiday to me one more time, please?"

Emma put down the curling iron and unplugged it. "It's a way to celebrate the New Year. People gather together and go to parties or eat Chinese takeout and when it's ten seconds to midnight everyone starts yelling and counting down. When the clock strikes midnight all the couples kiss." Emma placed one of the pearl earrings Killian had given her Christmas night, after their dinner, in her ear. They were from her mother's kingdom and when he'd found them on his ship he thought she should have them.

"And have you celebrated every year?" Killian asked, rummaging through the closet.

"No," Emma answered quietly. "It isn't fun to celebrate alone. I've never had a New Year's that was worth ringing in. First I was in foster care, then in jail in Phoenix after Neal, then alone for ten years. I didn't even celebrate with Walsh. The holiday's about celebrating what was before and what was to come. When did I ever have something to celebrate?" Emma didn't mean to sound bitter but it was hard not to.

Killian came into the bathroom, arms sliding around her waist. He placed his chin on her shoulder, watching them both in the mirror. "This year we've got lots to celebrate, love." Killian placed a quick kiss on her cheek. "This year we've travelled to Camelot and back. We've battled the darkness and we won. This year we began to share a heart after I died. We bought a house. We got engaged. I think we've got plenty to celebrate from this year. And next year we're getting married. Even if another damnable villain comes our way we'll get through it together. As a family. Maybe we'll even get a bloody dog."

Emma turned in his arms, kissing him soundly on the lips. Because Killian had never been more right. This year everything had changed. Yes, the years before when Henry had found her and she'd begun to figure out the role of mother had been life changing but this was the year she made herself a home with her son and her pirate. All the missing pieces were there, held snugly within the four walls of the cottage on Albatross Lane.

A loud trilling alarm broke them apart, Emma snorting out a breathless laugh. "Time to put the food out." She extricated herself from Killian's arms, stepping out of the bathroom. Killian followed but broke off to go to the bedside table.

Emma waited at the door, rolling her eyes when Killian held up his flask. "This is proper libations."

"Whatever you say." She waved Killian forward, hurrying him downstairs before her mother showed up and had her hide for not putting out the Gouda. She followed Killian down the stairs, appreciating the view the dark jeans washed to look like leather gave her. Emma reached out, unable to stop herself from touching his broad shoulders encased in a black cotton button up, no vest interrupting the strong line. Sometimes the man stole her breath.

Just as they got to the bottom of the stairs the front door opened, revealing Mary Margaret and David laden with bags and trays. Mary Margaret glanced in the kitchen, mouth opening to speak as soon as she noticed the missing dips.

"Mom, seriously?" Emma groused, feeling like a teenager who'd forgotten to thaw the chicken. David seemed to feel the same way, rolling his eyes and nudging Mary Margaret.

"It's fine, Snow. They were coming down the stairs now. Cheese that's two degrees too cold isn't going to ruin a party."

Mary Margaret sighed. "I know. But this is our daughter's engagement party."

"It's multiple things," Emma reminded. She moved past her parents to put out the food.

"I know," her mother answered. "Which is why it's even more special." The emotion in her voice kept Emma from responding, instead studying the dip she was carefully removing saran wrap from.

"Finally! Proper rum," Killian's victorious cry came from the hallway making both the women laugh, tension dissipating. Killian came into the kitchen, a bottle of dark rum grasped in his hand. Killian set it on the counter with the warming dips and went to find four shot glasses. He filled them then handed the glasses out. David raised an eyebrow but took the alcohol anyways.

"I thought we could have a proper toast before the hoard arrived and Grumpy tried to drink all the rum."

"What are we toasting?" Emma asked, fingering the glass.

Killian gave her a warm smile before turning to her parents. "Emma and I were talking upstairs. Neither one of us have had much to celebrate in our lives. We've both lost so much. We nearly lost each other so many times in the last few months alone. We both did absolutely horrible things. To others. To each other." Emma crossed the kitchen, hands shaking. It always hurt so much when the time as the dark ones came up. Images of when Killian told her why she was an orphan ripped through her. A tear streaked down her cheek. She could feel tremors going up her arm as if she was still holding Excalibur, killing the pirate. Killian slid his hooked arm around her, squeezing. "But we've come through it. I have to believe that. It's the only thing that keeps the nightmares at bay. Earlier Emma explained this holiday to me. And while I understand her hesitance I know we need this. My darling, Swan, this holiday is something we need to move on. I want to celebrate with you. Every day. In this house. So I propose a toast- that we drink to our future. To finding happiness. To Albatross Lane. I propose that we drink and then we crush the glasses so we can move on." Killian held up the glass, the other three following suit. Emma wasn't the only one crying now.

"Here, here!" David shouted. They all tossed back the burning liquid then, following Killian's lead, threw the glasses against the ground. The kitchen filled with the sound of glass shattering and the doorbell.

The sheer timing caused Emma to dissolve into tearful laughter. Mary Margaret wiped her eyes and led David to the door to welcome the guests. Emma glanced up at Killian. "That was beautiful."

Killian gave her that soft smile that warmed her right to her toes then brushed his thumb across her cheek, collecting her tears. "It was the truth." Emma leaned forward, capturing his lips as Henry's voice came from the hallway. Killian pulled away slowly, reluctantly, and gestured down to the floor. "If you're alright, why don't we get this mess cleaned up before the Queen steps on it?"

With a flick of her wrist the glass disappeared. "There."

"I love you, Swan."

"Love you too."

"Whoa, what's going on here? Is something wrong? Mom? Killian?" Henry stood just off the counter, watching their exchange. Emma knew her eyes would still be red rimmed, her foundation tear stained.

"Nothing, kid. We're just really happy." Emma gestured for Henry to come closer and wrapped him in a hug. Killian's arms came around them both, holding tight.

"I'm glad," Henry replied, voice muffled. Emma kissed the top of his head before they broke apart. Emma ran her fingers under her eyes, trying to clean up a bit as more people were ushered into the house by her parents.

Emma grabbed Killian's hand, entwining their fingers. She took a deep breath, expelling the last of the painful memories that had just haunted her. "Okay. Party time."

What followed was several hours of partying. The engagement had been announced right away to cheers and demands to see the ring. After that, alcohol had flowed freely and food eaten. It was at once both exciting and overwhelming. Too many people and just enough to remind her of the home she'd found in the town. Killian stuck with her at the beginning, holding her hand or running his hook down her arm, as they both got used to the people filling their home to the gunnels.

At a little after eleven Killian had disappeared off with her father and Robin, the bottle of rum suspiciously going missing at the same time. Emma didn't bother going looking for them. They were still in the house. How much trouble could they get into? Especially with Prince Charming in tow. Emma spent the time with her son who was getting very sleepy but was determined to make it to New Years. They sat at the breakfast nook, watching the guests, placing bets on who would kiss who at midnight using the Hershey Kisses that Belle had brought.

"It's time!" Leroy's very inebriated voice cut through the party. Henry sprang up, running into the living room where the countdown was on the TV. Emma followed, glancing around for Killian. Killian wasn't in the kitchen or in the living room. Seriously?

She was not missing her first New Year's Eve kiss because her fiancé got drunk with her father. Emma ran into the hallway.

"Killian Jones!" she bellowed. "If you don't get your ass over here right now I'll take your other hand!"

"Ten!"

"I'm sharpening my knife, Captain Soon-To-Be-Two-Hooks!"

"Nine!"

There was an uncoordinated thumping from upstairs then Killian popped around the corner, followed closely by her father and Robin, both who seemed drunker than the pirate. "Coming, love!" Killian rushed down the stairs, arms going wide to hug her. Emma shook her head. Her fiancé was so ridiculous.

"Eight!" Killian jumped the last few steps into her arms, Emma rocking back under the force.

"Seven!" The shouts were getting louder, excitement buzzing through the air.

"Six!" David and Robin dashed around them into the living room to find their respective partners in time.

"Ready, love?" Killian asked, cocking a brow.

"Ready." Emma grinned at him.

"Five!" They both shouted together.

"Four!" Killian pulled her tighter against him.

"Three!" They were practically yelling in each other's ears.

"Two!" Nearly there. Emma could practically taste their new beginning. It tasted like a pirate full of rum.

"One! Happy New Years!"

Emma and Killian lunged at the same time, crashing together with a force that had teeth clacking. Tongues danced as Emma grasped the collar of his shirt to her, Killian's arms sliding lower around her waist. Killian growled as Emma nipped at his bottom lip, sucking it into her mouth when Killian let up momentarily for a breath. It wasn't a fight for dominance but rather a show of determination for the future, to try their best at healing from the past, to forgive, to love. There was cheering around them which Emma initially thought was for the New Year but it seemed it wasn't as when they broke apart, all eyes were on the newly engaged couple.

Emma blushed and the tips of Killian's ears turned pink.

"Welcome to the New Year, love," Killian whispered in her ear before taking an ostentatious bow. Emma rolled her eyes at the antics.

"Welcome home," Emma murmured back. Killian didn't seem to hear but it didn't really matter. They both felt it.