A Moment Of Silence ✓

Chapter 34: The End

4 Years Later...

"I can't believe it," Killian said. "It's been four years. Remember when we were graduating high school?"

"Now we're graduating college," Emma said.

So much had happened over the past four years. Emma and Killian got an apartment near the campus together. Emma got a job as a barista and Killian had a job at the harbour. Emma majored in criminal justice, while Killian studied biochemistry.

They had been through a lot through the years together. That was the most important part: together.

After the graduation ceremony, Emma's parents hosted another small congratulatory party. It was the same venue as the one four years prior.

Emma was standing outside, looking at the garden. It looked the same as it did four years ago.

Emma looked down and twisted her promise ring around her finger. She thought about what happened when she was at college.

"Swan, you've got to stop doing this," Killian said.

"No, I swear it wasn't my fault this time," Emma said. "I'm only petsitting her."

This was the fourth time in the past month Emma had brought home a pet.

The first time it was a hamster. Emma claimed she always wanted one when she was a kid but she never had one. They spent a few days with Oreo before giving it away to a family friend of Mary Margaret's. She knew someone who wanted a hamster. It turns out after the first five days, the excitement wears off.

The second time it was a bunny. Emma said she found it on the side of the road. It was hurt. She named the bunny Carrots. She wrapped up Carrots' leg and then gave it to her old roommate.

The third time it was a dog. A pug, to be precise. The pug was very playful, and apparently was a stray. She named the pug Chandler, after Chandler Bing. They still have Chandler.

This time Killian came home to Emma playing with a corgi. "It's not mine. I'm only petsitting."

"For how long?"

"Well, until the owner decides to show up," Emma said. "It was just wandering around. It's the middle of winter Killian, what did you expect?"

"What did you name this one?" Killian asked.

"What do you think?"

"Monica?"

"Yeah! Now they match!" Emma smiled. Killian rolled his eyes playfully as he watched Emma play with Monica and Chandler.

So now, they have two dogs, and a petsitter for when they're not home. It's their ten year old neighbor named Henry. He always likes playing with the dogs. Emma thought about what their life was like pre-dogs.

"I'm sorry I ruined our night," Emma said, laying down.

"You didn't," Killian said. "It's not your fault you got sick."

"Yeah, but you planned a whole huge thing," Emma said.

"A picnic wasn't that difficult," Killian said. "We can do it a different time. I promise. You should try to sleep."

"I can't," Emma shook her head.

"Okay, fine. Here, I'm going to go make some soup," he told her. He came back ten minutes later but she was already asleep. He put the soup down on the nightstand and carefully laid down next to her.