On Stranger Tides

Chapter 21

The sky is clear, stars are twinkling and Killian Jones looks to the woman standing next to him in awe, a true beauty, a true heroine. Anything she sets her mind to she can accomplish, she has proven that so many times in the time he has known her. He knows for sure that after everything they've fought for together, he never wants to lose her again. Killian hopes more than anything that she wants this life, as a pirate, for her future.

He had thought many times about marriage-especially when he was with Milah but something felt different now, with Emma. The more he thinks about it the more he realizes that a glittering gem is not enough for this beauty-this princess standing next to him. Killian knows himself and his heart well enough to know what he truly wants, but there are still parts of Emma that are a mystery to him. She had built a wall around herself as protection from her parents and others, not wanting to be let down again. During their time together, he has noticed that wall starting to crumble and her true self starting to shine through. While some of that wall remains, he hopes that Emma wants to continue letting that barrier down for him.

Killian turns to face Emma, his emotions are about to burst from him. It is hard to be open but with her, he wants to be.

"Take my hand," he says as her eyes suddenly take notice of his staring and land on his own.

"Why?" Emma asked, confused at the sudden change in the atmosphere between them.

"I'm trying to ask you to marry me, so take my damn hand." He laughs. Emma slowly smiles and places her delicate hand within his. "I know this is soon, especially after escaping your last wedding ceremony. I know that there is so much more that we need to learn about each other. I know, wholeheartedly that I want to spend the rest of my days adventuring with you. With you, everything feels right. Marry me. It doesn't have to be now, next month, or in the next ten years. Just promise that this is the life that you want, promise that you too will want to spend your life with me." Killian proposed.

"How could I possibly say no to that. Of course, Killian, I want this. A future of adventure but more importantly one full of love. You've given me more in the short amount of time I've known you than I've received in the last eighteen years as a princess. Yes, I want this. I want this new lifelong adventure with you." Emma replied before leaning in and kissing Killian deeply under the moonlit sky. The stars that watched over Emma for many years sparkled in response.

~

Terror. Disgust. She didn't really know. It is kind of a toss-up when you're soaked with blood. Henry cried in her wet arms as she contemplated what had to be done next.

Rumplestiltskin had sent a swarm of people right to her door. They were, of course, furious to learn that the Evil Queen was still alive and living nearby. It was really easy for Regina to fall back into her old was of handling situations that didn't go her way. She had terrorized every single one of them, ripping out hearts and even showing off her new skills with a sword. She slaughtered them all. 

However, this was exactly what Rumple wanted, to get under her skin, and he was doing a damn well job at it. Regina was furious, she now had to leave Arendelle and find the young princess who was her enemy's daughter and her son's biological mother. Her world was falling apart once again and she had to act fast if she wanted to get her revenge before that Snow's daughter decided to get in her way and steal her happiness.

As she trekked through the dense forest in the mountains of Arendelle with her crying son, leaving behind her mother and a mess of bodies, she was planning. She had planned and planned for over twenty years only for each one of them to fail, but this plan she was concocting, wouldn't.

~

The king's black leather boots clicked against the marble floors of his castle. He was rushing rather fast to make it into the ballroom to meet his wife and all their guests who were waiting for a wedding that would never happen, as long as he could help it. The guards opened the large ballroom door and instantly everyone faced the king awaiting an answer.