ONCE One Shots

The Ring

A/N

I wrote this one shot a while ago and never posted it! I hope you enjoy. I'm glad I remembered about it.

           

Prompt: Emma finds an engagement ring as Killian is moving in.

The house was filled. Not necessarily with boxes full of stuff, but with people. Killian actually only had a single chest full of belongings to transfer over to the house. I was surprised that a man who's been alive for 300 years has so little. He was obviously keeping the Jolly Roger, and had some things harbored there, but he told me that what he brought was all he needed to start this new adventure.

My parents, mostly my father I presume, insisted on throwing a house warming party. Really it consisted of the normal gang, the dwarves, Blue, Granny and Ruby, as well as Aladdin and Jasmine. Everyone was mingling, well more like scheming against the Evil Queen. Killian was out in the yard with Henry, trying to teach him to sword fight, again. My father, Neal and now Killian have all tried teaching him. I'm starting to think the kid isn't cut out to wield a sword, his quill seems more his pace anyways.

I slip away from everyone and into our bedroom. That sounds nice. Our bedroom. Our house. Our future... well what's left of it. My hand starts shaking as I stress over my death. I try to control it, but the only thing that calms it is Killian. I walk into the room, and to the closet. I open it to an array of mostly leather jackets. His and mine. His long 'swashbuckling pirate' jacket catches my attention. Seeing it brings me back to where we started. We've come so far, but how much farther will we get to go? A death cloud hovering over us isn't helping anything. I look down and my hand is getting even worse. Dammit. I reach out, and take the jacket in my hands. We went to hell and back, yet it wasn't enough. The shaking makes me drop the jacket, I bend to pick it up, but something stumbles out onto the floor. It's a small black box. The kind that hold rings. I gasp. Could it really be an engagement ring? Is he really going to propose... or was he. I doubt he wants to marry someone with a nearing expiration date. I carefully reach down, and take hold of the box. With a deep breath, I open the lid. It's a ring alright, a really nice diamond ring.  I admire the ring for a second, and my opposite hand continues to spasm.

"Love?" I hear Killian's voice behind me. I shoot up, and turn to face him while simultaneously holding the box behind my back. "You alright, I noticed you weren't with the others."

"Yeah I'm ok," I tell him, but his eyes dart down to my trembling hand.

"No you're not. What's wrong Swan?" he ask, and swaggers closer.

"I umm," I'm not sure what to say, and just reveal the box. After spotting it he runs his fingers through his hair, and chuckles. "I wasn't searching your things or anything, it just fell out of your jacket, and,"

"Certainly you see the irony in this," he interrupts me, and flashes me his signature smirk.

"Irony?" This wasn't the reaction I would have expected.

"I'm a pirate, completely adapt at burying treasure. Yet I couldn't hide the most important piece of treasure I've ever had from my girlfriend for more than 24 hours," he enlightens me. I guess I do see the humor.

"So this is..."

"An engagement ring, aye. You weren't really supposed to find it though Swan," he says taking it gently out of my hand.

"When did you get it?" I ask.

"I inquired it from a jewelry shop off of Main Street the day after I was brought back from the Underworld."

"Oh, well that was before... you know. Don't feel the need to propose just because I found it. Things are different now."

"Well I was planning to do it tonight, once everyone left, but I guess now's a good a time as ever," he says, and kneels down. "Emma Swan, we've been through a lot together, different realms, different times, life, and death. I'm not letting this new scare waiver me. I love you Emma, that love was only further proven in the Underworld. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and if there was any way I could make that forever I would, and I'll continue to fight for that," My eyes tear, and I bring my hands up to cup my mouth. "So what do you say love, Marry me?" he asks, and cocks an eyebrow. I can't help but laugh at his gesture, then nod profusely.

"Yes, yes of course yes," I stammer. He smiles ear to ear, and stands up. As soon as he does I connect our lips. He happily kisses back, and runs his hand down my side as his hook rests on my hip. "Are you sure about this Killian, even knowing I'm going to... die?"

"I'm more than sure, and like I said, I'm fighting for us whatever that takes. I'll fight until your last breath."

"I want to be married before then. I want to be your wife for as long as I can."

"You're heart's desire Swan, when shall we have it?"

"How about tomorrow?" I smile widely.

"Tomorrow?" he repeats in shock, "I'm not widely knowledgeable about weddings in this world, but I've been told they can take quite a bit of time to plan."

"I don't care about big crowds, royal traditions, or centerpieces. We have magic on our side too," I say and poof him into a nice tux.

"Ah very... silky," he looks down at himself. I chuckle.

"Don't worry, I don't expect you to wear that. Wear you're leather jacket, maybe just put a tie on?" I suggest.

"Anything you'd like. What about you, the dress is a big deal isn't it?" He asks.

"I've already thought about that. There's this wedding dress that has been displayed across the road from Granny's that's had my eye for a while now. It's perfect."

"Sounds like everything's a go then. Ready to tell everyone?" he asks, and holds his hand out for me to take. I quickly return him to his normal attire, and take his hand.

~ ~ ~

The next Day...

"You're a beautiful bride Emma," my mom smiles at me in the mirror. "I'm glad you're doing this."

"You are, you don't think it's too impulsive?" I ask. She shakes her head.

"Of course not, when you know, you know. Your father is a bit in shock, but he does like Hook, he's really proven himself. I'm so happy that you are finally letting yourself have your happy ending," she says tearing up.

"I am too. I hope he likes the dress," I add as I look at my figure in the mirror. A fitted top, and flowy skirt. There's bead detailing throughout the whole bodes, and a sweetheart neckline that allows my swan necklace to show. It might be from Neal, and I's relationship, but that's not what it represents. It represents all the wall's I always had built up, and that I don't need them anymore.

"Ready Emma, the music is going to start soon," my mom urges me to my spot. My dad's walking me down the aisle, and Henry is ring bearer. Neither of us have groomsman or bridesmaids, we don't need them. We have our family as an audience and that's more than enough.

The music starts to play, and I lock my arm with my dad's before he leads the way down the aisle.

"You're beautiful Emma," he whispers to me quietly as the music plays behind us and we walk.

"Thanks dad. I love you,"

"I love you too, now go marry your true love," he says kindly, and kisses my cheek as we arrive at the front.

I take a deep breath, and admire Killian. He really is the best thing I could have asked for. Like Killian said when he proposed. We've been through life and death together.

I take the few steps to meet him, and we join hands. As soon as our hands join I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that we're going to change my fate, because my future is right here, with Killian and my family.