Author's Note: I forgot to mention in the previous chapter that I 'll be writing a series of one-shots in this AU called "The Great Adventure" consisting of the group completing the bucket list before time runs out. Let me know what y'all want me to write about in the comments and I'll see what I can do. You can also find me on AO3 under the same username.

Chapter 9

It was absolutely perfect indeed. From the indoor skydiving to Comic Con in Vancouver. From David and Mary Margaret's wedding to the Phoenix and Swan ballet. From the various festivals in Storybrooke to the trips to New York. Heck, Killian asked for one of their out of town trips to be at a job fair at NYU. Nearly everyone found and filled out various job applications that day.

David, Graham, and Emma filled out forms for the NYPD. Mary Margaret filled out several different forms for different elementary schools around the Eastern Seaboard. August found some sort of booth that offered a role as a screenwriter, which might help with his story ideas. Regina already has a job arranged for her, curtesy of her mother, and manages to help Robin get a job near her at Upper Side East. Ruby and Lily are already working at Granny's Diner/Bed and Breakfast, and that was great for them. Both Belle and Will filled out forms for being a librarian and history teacher at a school in Portland.

All those moments and more lead up to this moment between Emma Swan and Killian Jones. He's being moved from his house to the hospital in a few hours, and requested for Emma to read to him the farewell letter that she promised to read at his funeral. With deep breaths, Emma read out loud,

"Killian,

I don't know where the best place is to start, so I'll start at the beginning. I used to think that you just worked through life and you've lived it. I thought that I'd never feel joy after the few times I felt it with people I knew. I thought that there wasn't much to an ordinary life. That all changed when I met you. You showed me that I am capable of finding joy in unexpected places. You taught me that all that is essential in life is invisible to the eye. You reminded me that I don't need my armor on with you because you have always been my safe haven, my sanctuary. You never expected me to be anyone except for myself. When the world wanted some sort of savior, you wanted Emma Swan. Above all else, you changed my life in a way that will last forevermore, and for that I am grateful. I love you, Killian Jones.

Always yours,

Emma Swan."

With that being said, Emma broke down in tears and sought out comfort from the one she was already mourning, which he wholeheartedly gave. Emma felt her shoulder grow damp and knew he was crying as well. In a choked up voice, Killian asked,

"Emma, I know I've made you promise many a things, but in the words of Victor Hugo, can you weep for me a little, but not too much? I truly don't want my death to be the great sorrow as well as the reason you stop living your life and put your walls up and your armor back on."

Emma smiled through the tears and affirmed the promise. Any promise she made him had been worth keeping, and this one was no exception. They stayed wrapped up in one another's embrace until they heard David's truck pull up, ready to take him to the hospital.

With heavy hearts, Emma and Killian took their time going down the stairs. They found Mary Margaret waiting at the front door while David was in the driver's seat. Killian turned to face Emma, and they uttered to each other in a broken whisper,

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

Since this was their last kiss, they poured out everything into it. A happy future with each other. A wonderful wedding. A family of their own. Growing old together. They saw all of this during this tearful farewell kiss. They held hands until Mary Margaret had to hold Emma back from following him. They still struggled with their grasp when Killian kissed the back of her left hand three times, rubbed her ring finger soothingly, and whispered, "It's okay," before letting go.

When the truck drove away, Emma broke down as silent sobs wracked her body, causing her to fall on her knees. Mary Margaret ran her fingers gently through her hair, whispering soothingly over and over again, "I'm so sorry, baby."

The next several days were tense for the group, despite the fact that they all had been accepted by their various jobs. It was on a quiet evening when the group had received a phone call from Tink, who said in a hoarse voice,

"I thought you all should know that Killian has gone to sleep, and he's not going to wake up."