Nightmares

Old Fears

It had been months since they had found Emma and brought her home. She fought endlessly to keep the darkness at bay. Her family sought out Merlin, and begged of him to free her from the burden of being the Dark One. He was finally able to do it some weeks ago, but Emma still had traces of darkness in her. It would slowly fade, Merlin had assured her. But it was not quick enough.

She hid herself away most of the time, afraid of herself and the power she had in her time as the Dark One. Killian would usually find her, and stay with her until she was ready to face the world again. He did not push her. Instead, he listened and did whatever she asked of him. He would do whatever he could to keep her happy and comfortable.

They now shared a house together. Them and Henry. Emma tried her hardest to return to her previous self, for her son and her love. But they both knew the truth, Emma would never be the same, and they were okay with that.

Hook finally had the nerve to propose to Emma. He had known since their time in Neverland that he would never be this happy with another. The first time he'd laid eyes on her, he knew he felt something and it had terrified him. When she kissed him for the first time, all of his walls came crashing down. From that point onward, he knew he would follow her anywhere. And he had, even through time.

He saved every bit of money he had and visited the local jewelry store. He picked one that the salesman told him was "princess cut." He thought that one would suit her best, considering she was to be a princess until she was sent to this land.

He approached her parents while Emma was working one day, asking for their blessing. Snow cried tears of joy and embraced him. David shook his hand and hugged him as well, welcoming him into their family. They invited everyone to Granny's that night, calling it a pot luck dinner. Something to bring the town together, just for fun. But the three of them knew that Emma was in for the surprise of her life.

Hook sought out Henry after school was out, and took him to his ship to go sailing. Once they were out on the water, he approached him. If he wished to marry the lad's mother, it only seemed fit that he ask for his blessing as well.

"Henry, you do know I love your mother." Hook said to the teenager.

"Yea, you make her happy. I'm glad she has you." Henry responded with a smile.

"I'm glad you feel that way, lad."

"Why?" Henry said, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Because I want to take her hand in marriage, and I want to make sure you're okay with that. What say you?" Hook inquired.

Henry nearly jumped for joy and hugged the man who would soon be his step-father.

"I'll take that as a yes." Hook said with a laugh.

The two boys went straight to Granny's after arriving at the dock. Hook scanned the room for his love and found her with her parents in a booth. Snow gave him a knowing smile as he and Henry sat down with them.

Hook spent nearly three hours impatiently waiting for the right moment. He found it when things were winding down. The food was nearly gone, and there was a buzz of idle conversation.

He stood up and called for everyone's attention. Nervous as hell, he took Emma's hand and pulled her up to stand. Her cheeks turned red at the idea of all eyes on her.

"Emma, I do love you so. You've been at my side, even when I was at my worst moments. You never gave up on me." He began. Emma nodded with a smile on her face.

He continued on. "Revenge was my only reason to live for a very long time. I didn't realize just how miserable of an existence it was. Until I met you. I didn't think I was worthy of your affections, I got myself into a few tight spots trying to be that man for you, a man fit for a princess. But now I never want to let you go."

And with that, he dropped to a kneeling position, plucking the small ring from his pocket. Emma's jaw dropped, and she looked to her parents and her son, who nodded in encouragement.

"Emma Swan, will you marry me?"

Emma crouched down so that she was level with his face and nodded. With tears in her eyes she embraced him and they stood up together. He slid the ring onto her left finger and kissed her.

The town erupted into applause and cheers. Men slapped Hook on the back, while the women embraced Emma, all trying to examine the delicate diamond ring she now wore.

That night, the couple returned home with an exhausted Henry in tow. He hugged his mom and her fiancé before happily retiring to his bed.

Emma was spent as well, and Hook followed her into the bedroom. They both changed into their pajamas and settled in for the night. Emma wrapped him in her arms and entangled her legs with his, two beings molded into one.

Late into the night, Hook awoke to her stirring and mumbling. He sighed, the nightmares would never end.

"Emma." He said, knowing if he spoke her name it would wake her up. It always had.

Sure enough, her eyes opened immediately. Strangely, she was calm as she spoke.

"Please, Killian." She begged of him.

"What is it, love?" he asked.

"Don't go." She simply said.

Hook was confused for a second, but then he understood. He knew that look, he had worn it. Emma had changed so much, she had succumbed to darkness once, and now she was afraid of reverting and losing him in the process.

"Never." He assured her, kissing her forehead.