A week later, the castle was busy with preparations for the first ball they had thrown in ages. Emma was staring out the window of her room. She figured she would have gotten used to sleeping in her own bed, but she was still adjusting. She was also still adjusting to the fact that she would actually get to go to a ball. It was all so surreal.

Just then, Emma heard her door opening. She turned around to see her mother standing at the door. Snow was already ready for the ball with a sleeveless purple ball gown that had sparkles covering the bodice and her long raven hair was in an elegant up-do. She was also wearing purple gloves that rose to her elbow.

"Hey, sweetheart. I thought I would help you get ready for the ball," Snow told her daughter.

"Of course," Emma replied as she smiled at her mother. The princess had actually been hoping for as much. Emma then walked over and picked up the dress that was on her bed.

"I wanted to wear this one," Emma said.

Snow smiled as she said, "I think it's perfect. You'll be absolutely beautiful."

Within thirty minutes, Snow was putting the finishing touches on Emma's hair. The princess' blonde locks were in a bun much like how she had worn it at the ball in Seabrooke, except it was loose. Emma rose from her vanity to look in her full length mirror. The short-sleeve silver dress had sparkles covering the skirt. The intricate raised rose pattern that ran in a diagonal line across the bodice also adorned the neckline.

From behind her in the mirror, Emma could see that her mother had something on her mind. So, Emma turned around and asked, "What is it, Mom?"

"I was just thinking," Snow answered.

"About what?" Emma questioned.

"I remember my first ball. I was eight years old when my mother said I was finally old enough to go. It was magical. All of the lights, the music. And I remember thinking: I can't wait to someday share all of this with a daughter of my own. But then, I had to give you away to protect you. Even after you found your father and I, it was only for a few years before you were cursed. I thought I would never have the chance to share this with you again," Snow finished as she began to tear up.

Emma pulled her in for a hug, as she said, "I'm so glad that I get to share this again with you too, Mom," fighting back tears.

When they pulled away and were able to compose themselves, Snow asked, "Are you ready to go?"

Emma nodded, and they both began making their way out of the princess' door and down the stairs.

When they arrived downstairs and walked into the ballroom, both of their names were announced. Shortly after, the music began to play. Charming came and met Snow, and Emma began searching the ballroom for Killian. Within a few minutes, the princess locked eyes with his blue ones.

When he walked over to her, he asked, "Care to dance, love?"

"Of course, Killian," Emma answered as she grabbed his outstretched hand.

They bowed before moving out onto the floor, and Killian wrapped his free arm around Emma. He pulled her close as Emma rested her hand on his shoulder.

"You know, Emma, I have to say, you look…" Killian began but Emma cut him off with,

"I know," as she offered a teasing smile.

Killian couldn't help but roll his eyes in response.

As the princess' green eyes lit up with laughter, Killian remembered that day on deck when they had first met. He had been so caught up in the memory that he didn't notice that Emma had stopped laughing until he heard her ask, "Something on your mind, Killian?"

"What? Oh, I was thinking about the day we met," Killian answered.

"What about?" Emma asked.

"Well," Killian began. Even after how far he and Emma had come, she still had the ability to make him a nervous wreck – especially when it came to admitting his feelings. He took a breath and continued, "Truthfully, love, I had to catch my breath when I first saw you."

Emma's smile widened as she asked, "Really?"

He nodded before he said, "I also remember that I thought your eyes were absolutely enchanting." He then added, "I still think that, actually."

Killian couldn't help but notice the blush that made its way on Emma's face as she replied, "Thank you, Killian." She then asked, "Did you know how I felt about you?"

"Honestly? I had an idea, love. You're not very subtle," Killian answered as he smiled at her.

"So I've been told," Emma replied, smiling back at him. Both of them then started laughing.

As Killian and Emma danced song after song, she remembered how she thought the ball at Seabrooke had been just about perfect. But this was perfect. She just knew that Killian's ear to ear smile was matched by one of her own.

Just as the song ended, Emma heard the familiar voice of her father ask, "May I cut in, Lieutenant?"

"Of course, Your Majesty," Killian replied.

As Charming and Emma began dancing, he commented, "You know, it's been a while since I've seen you this happy."

"I am really happy – I still can't believe my curse is broken," Emma said.

"I never would have thought the recently released pirate that your mother and I allowed into the navy would steal my daughter's heart," David said as he smiled, and Emma couldn't help but roll her eyes at his joke.

He then became more serious as he said, "You have your mother's gracefulness."

Emma smiled as she answered, "That may be true, but you're the one who taught me to dance before my first ball."

Charming smiled back at her as said, "I remember you saying you felt more like a princess after that."

"Even though I didn't always act like it – and I still don't," Emma admitted.

"You know your mother and I don't mind that. It doesn't seem like Lieutenant Jones does either," Charming said.

Emma smiled as she began, "Well, I think he knew what was he getting." She was still smiling, but she became more serious as she continued, "He makes me really happy, Dad."

"That's all I ever wanted for you. I had always hoped you would find happiness in true love after Neal died. I'm so glad that you did," Charming said.

Emma only smiled in response as they continued dancing.

When the song was finished Charming said, "I'm assuming you want to go back to Lieutenant Jones now."

"Maybe the next song. I think I'll take a break," Emma replied. Charming nodded before he began making his way back over to Snow.

The princess took her break by one of the large windows. Just as she had sat down on the window seat, she heard, "Princess Emma?" She turned and rose from the seat and was met with Liam.

"Yes, Captain Jones?" Emma questioned.

"I believe I owe you an apology, Your Highness," Liam said.

"It's okay, Liam. I understand," Emma told him.

"I appreciate that, but I know I wasn't the most gracious to you – especially that conversation we had shortly after the ball. I didn't think you had my brother's best interests at heart, but now I see that I was wrong. And I'm sorry," Liam said, taking a deep breath once he finished.

"I accept your apology," Emma said as she smiled.

"Thank you, Emma – I hope you don't mind if I call you that," Liam said.

"Of course not, Liam. I think I told you to call me that when we first officially met. And now, well, your brother is my true love," Emma said. Liam only smiled and nodded in response before he glanced back and saw Killian making his way over.

"Speaking of my brother, I believe he wants to dance with his princess some more," Liam said before he began making his way across the ballroom.

As Killian approached her, he questioned, "I was informed by your mother that you and I would share some sort of spotlight dance?"

"Yeah, well, her and Dad want to announce that Rumplestiltskin is no longer a threat and that my curse was broken," Emma answered.

"And you and I broke the curse," Killian supplied as he smiled shyly at her – he was still trying to wrap his head around being someone's true love. Something then occurred to him, "Didn't you tell me that Regina and Cora were able to capture Zelena and lock her up with her father?"

"Yes, but my parents didn't want that news getting out. As far as anyone knows, she was defeated at mine and Neal's engagement ball," Emma told him.

"Ah, I see," Killian replied.

"And about this dance, I know you don't like being the center of attention any more than I do, and I tried to get out of it, but my parents really wanted to celebrate this. And I couldn't say no," Emma said.

"It's quite alright, love," Killian answered.

Just then, Killian and Emma turned their attention to the front of the ballroom on a raised platform where Snow and Charming were making their announcement.

Applause followed as the nobles began to move aside to allow the princess and her lieutenant to share in their dance. They were both nervous, but as soon as they started dancing, the nerves faded. Their love was clearly evident to all the eyes that were on them. Once again, they were the only two people in the room. In fact, Emma and Killian were so wrapped up in each other that they didn't even notice when the song had ended and the next one had begun. It was only when Killian happened to glance over Emma's shoulder that he noticed they were no longer alone on the dance floor.

"It seems our spotlight dance has ended, love," Killian pointed out to Emma. The princess looked around and saw that he was right.

"I guess it has," Emma agreed. Killian then saw a certain glint in her eye, and he could practically read her mind before she even said anything.

He smiled as he heard her request, "I'm still not sure why my parents decided to throw this ball when it's still light outside, but if we go right now, we should be able to watch the sunset."

Killian offered her a bright smile as he said, "I'd love to, Emma."

He then began teasing her, "But love, I'm not sure how you plan to sneak out of here."

Emma only rolled her eyes in response.

As soon as the song was finished, she grabbed Killian's hand and managed to move inconspicuously through the various nobles filling the ballroom and into the foyer. When they reached the door and made their way outside, Emma entwined her fingers with Killian's as she led him to the palace garden. The flowers were in full bloom around a beautiful white gazebo.

Emma never let go of Killian's hand as she walked over to the gazebo and leaned against the opening – the perfect spot for watching the sunset. She had been unable to do so the past week because she had been helping her mother prepare for the ball. She wasn't even trying to fight the smile that made its way on her face. For the first time in seven years, she was able to watch the sunset and take in the true beauty of it as opposed to seeing it as a burden. And it was all thanks to a certain dark-haired, blue-eyed lieutenant that she never planned on falling in love with.

Just then, she felt that lieutenant squeeze her hand tighter to get her attention and heard him say, "Emma?"

When she turned to face him and gazed into those mesmerizing eyes that were full of love, she asked, "Yes, Killian?"

"Well, love, I wanted to tell you something when we're not facing the infamous Dark One or either of us is in immediate danger needing to be rescued. When everything is just normal."

"And what's that, Killian?" Emma questioned – her heartbeat quickening as to what she thought was the answer.

Killian let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding before he said, "I love you, Emma."

Emma smiled her bright smile as she said, "I love you too, Killian."

She then closed the distance between them and placed her lips on his. While this kiss still had the same passion as their first kiss, it was different because it was more tender and full of love.

Emma wrapped her arms around Killian's neck as he wrapped his around her waist. As she titled her head to deepen the kiss, Emma tightened her grip around him. She felt him lift her up without ever breaking the kiss. When they finally pulled away, they rested their foreheads against each other, and Killian placed Emma back on the ground – even though she felt as though she were walking on air.

For Killian, however, he felt that his knees would buckle out from underneath him at any second – he was still amazed that Emma made him feel this way, especially after being guarded for so long. As he pulled away slightly to be able to look into her eyes, he decided to take a page from her book and wear his heart on his sleeve as he said, "Thank you, Emma."

"For what, Killian?"

"You did what I thought was impossible – you made me believe in love again," he answered.

Emma – who was a bit overwhelmed – smiled as she answered, "You're welcome, Killian." She then reached up to cup his face with one of her hands as she said, "You made me believe in it again, too."

Killian planted a short but sweet and tender kiss on her in response before he said, "Perhaps we should get back to the ball, love."

"I think you're right," she agreed.

As they walked back to the castle, each holding the hand of their true love, they felt that this was only the beginning of their happily ever after.