A/N: Post Dark Swan. No specifics from the Dark Swan period, just her reunion with her loved ones after the darkness is expelled.

"Don't you ever do that again," Killian pleaded, his voice muffled by Emma's hair as he held her so tightly she could feel herself fighting to find her breath. "I can't lose you."

Emma's arms were wrapped around Killian's neck as her right hand smoothed over the back of his head, landing at the soft curls at the nape of his neck.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered into his ear, her breath tickling the tiny hairs there. Emma kept repeating the words over and over again like she couldn't think of anything adequate to say.

They were standing, huddled together in the middle of the street in Storybrooke after they had finally defeated the darkness that had consumed Emma. Her parents were somewhere near, along with Henry and Regina, but Killian was her only focus.

"What were you thinking," Killian asked, finally loosening his grip on Emma, giving her enough room to pull back and look into his eyes. THe fact that Emma's green eyes finally looked full of life for the first time in months didn't escape him.

"I don't know," Emma whispered, closing her eyes and shaking her head as she tried to push thoughts of the darkness out of her mind. "Regina was in trouble and she had worked so hard to become a better person. I couldn't let that be in vain."

"Damn you and your savior ways." Emma revealed the hint of a smile at his words. "I thought I lost you."

"But you didn't lose me." Emma assured him, brushing a stray strand of hair from his forehead. "I'm here. We're together and we're all safe. That's all that matters."

Killian nodded, letting out a sigh and resting his forehead against hers. Their bobies swayed gently as they held each other and Emma could sense her parents and the rest of her family itching to have their own reunions with her, but not wanting to interrupt the intimate moment she was sharing with her pirate. Emma had ran straight for Killian the moment she felt the darkness was lifted.

Finally, Killian released Emma from his embrace and her mother and father swarmed her. Emma was consumed by love and praise as her parents thanked every higher being in every realm for bringing their savior, daughter, and friend back to them. Next was Henry, who held on to her for a long period of time, like he was afraid she would float away if he let go. After all of her family was reunited, Killian slipped back to Emma's side, sliding his arm around her waist and pulling her against his side.

Emma dropped her head onto Killian's shoulder with a sigh, noticing how content and at peace she felt, possibly for the first time ever. Turning her head up to meet Killian's eyes, she said, "Let's go home."

Killian smiled, pressing his lips to her forehead as he dropped his arm from her waist and laced their fingers together as they all started walking toward the loft. Before they entered the apartment building, Emma tugged on Killian's hand, pulling him to a stop.

"What's wrong, love," Killian asked as the king and queen, along with the young prince made their way up to the loft.

"Nothing," EMma whispered, shaking her head. "I just wanted to be alone for a minute without prying eyes." Killian nodded as Emma pulled him into the alley next to the apartment building, his suggestive smirk firmly in place. "I missed you."

"Oh, I missed you, so much, my darling," Killian whispered into Emma's hair as he pulled her into his arms.

"Thank you for saving me." Emma rested her cheek against his chest and she could feel his heart beat through his shirt. "You're my hero."

Killian chuckled as he said, "I'm nothing but a dirty pirate."

"Yeah, but you're my pirate and I wouldn't have you any other way."

She smiled up at him and he brought his lips to hers for the first time since they had reunited. Emma brought her hand up to cup his cheek as she deepened the kiss and realized how much she had missed his kisses. Her palms were tickled by his scratchy stubble as she melted into him and leaned back against the brick wall behind her.

When they finally pulled apart, Emma whispered against his lips, "I love you, so much."

"I have always loved you, Emma Swan," Killian admitted with a genuine mile, not a smirk. "But, I must admit it's nice to have my feelings reciprocated."

"They were always reciprocated," Emma chuckled as she ran her fingers through his silky strands of hair. "I was just too afraid to admit it, but you not knowing how I feel about you is the most terrifying thought. So, you will always know how I feel. I will never hide my feelings for you again."

"Well, that's good to know, because I plan on doing the same." Killian smirked and kissed the tip of her nose. "I plan on showing you just how much I love you for the rest of my life."

Emma nodded, her face pained at the thought of ever denying herself Killian's love. "I just want to move on and put these past couple of months behind us." Killian pushed Emma's hair behind her ear, letting the golden strands slide through his fingers. "And I want to move forward with you."

"I would love nothing more, Emma." Killian's eyes were bright and he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his chest since he had his Swan in his arms again. "What do you propose you do?"

"I say, first thing tomorrow, we start looking for a place of our own." Killian raised a skeptical brow at her bold suggestion. "I'm tired of living with my parents and not having my own space. I want to be with you in every sense of the word. I want to go to sleep with you every night and wake up with you every morning. I want to have a home for our little family, because that's what we are. You, Henry, and I are a family, however unconventional we may be. I want to make you breakfast in the morning and fight ridiculous monsters with you. You're a hero. You're my hero and I don't want to spend another minute of my life without you."

Killian's eyes were wide and his smile bright as he listened to Emma's speech. She had never been so open with her feelings, only short, little expressions of affection that he held onto, but this was different. He could feel the walls she had built around her heart crumbling down, finally willing to let him completely in to her heart.

"That sounds lovely, darling," Killian beamed as Emma rose up on her toes to touch her lips lightly to Killian's. He whispered against her lips, "I have lived for centuries, enchanted with eternal youth, but I want to grow old with you. I want a live with you, forever."

Emma jumped up and Killian caught her around the waist as her feet dangled off the ground and she kissed him passionately. The kiss held all of the love that could be shared between two people and the promise of a life spent with your soul's counterpart.

"We should probably go inside, love," Killian panted when he finally decided to detach himself from his love. "We have the rest of our lives to be together, but for now, I'm sure your family would like to spend some time with you."

"I suppose you're right," Emma conceded, slightly indignant. "I guess the rest of our lives can start tomorrow."

"Correction." Killian held up a finger to make a point and Emma raised an eyebrow as he smirked. "Our happy ending can begin tomorrow."

Thanks for reading! The wait is almost over and I can't wait to watch our favorite characters through another season of adventures! Please let me know what you think and leave a review! :)