Break The Cycle

Chapter 45:

"Right this way." The hostess showed us to a table. Killian pulled my chair out for me and grinned. He was definitely up to something.

We ordered our food and it was absolutely amazing. Of course he insisted I order a glass or two of wine and that he would drive.

"So, love." He said as we ate out dinner. "I was thinking, it's a cool night and we can go to that little cafe after this. How does a little hot chocolate sound?"

"Wine and hot chocolate. That sounds like an amazing mix." I said as I took a sip.

"I concur." I reached for my hand. I eyed him suspiciously but kept my thoughts to myself.

Sure enough, after having dinner he drove to the little cafe we first met in. We got our drinks and walked to the nearby docks. I loved coming over here and admiring the water and the sky on a clear night. And tonight happened to be a full moon, it was beautiful.

I was staring up, when I felt like I was being watched. Sure enough, I looked over at Killian and he was staring at me like I had hung that moon above us. I blushed and looked anywhere but at him. He reached out and touched my cheek.

"Why do you do that?" He asked me with a grin.

"What?" I replied.

"You shy away from me."

"I'm just not used to it."

"Emma," he moved closer and took my hand, "I know you don't expect it and you're not used to it, but you don't have to be nervous around me. I look at you that way because I love you."

I had no words. He knew what was on my mind, he knew I had a low opinion of myself. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine anyone like Killian coming into my life and loving me this much.

"I love you too. Thank you for understanding me." I leaned in and kissed him once. He took me in his arms.

"I have all the patience in the world for you." He said into my ear.

Our cups discarded, he suggested we walk on the beach. I took my heels off and dangled them by the straps from my hand, the other held by Killian. Before long, I linked my arm through his and leaned my head on his shoulder.

"It's so pretty out here." I pointed out. The beach was beautiful. The waves made the most calming sounds right now.

"Aye, it's a lovely night." He agreed with me.

Then he stopped us and turned so he could look out.

"One day, I'd like to buy a boat and take you sailing along the coast." He said, admiring the view.

"That sounds nice." I imagined days of just me and Killian, wrapped up in each other. Then maybe a whole new vacation with Henry too. He would love it.

"Emma, I love you, more than you know. I know exactly what's on your mind, that no one will ever love you, everyone leaves. I'd like to change that mindset for you." He turned to me with a smile on his face.

"Killian, I-"

Then he hit his knee. Damn it.

"Emma Swan, will you do me the greatest honor in being my wife?"

There it was. I expected the urge to run, but it didn't come. Instead, I just stood there with my mouth open like an idiot. He stood up and took my hand.

"Please don't be scared. I love you, and I love Henry. I don't ever want to be apart from either of you. You don't have to answer me right now, I'll wait until we're old and gray if that's what you want. I just want to be with you."

I felt the tears run down my face and I still couldn't form words so he took me in his arms, rubbing my back with his hand and wringing his fingers in my hair.

When I finally stopped acting so hysterical, I pulled away and looked at him. I knew he was telling the truth. My mind was just still automatically asking why the hell he wanted me so badly.

I stared into his eyes to try to calculate him.

"I'm not leaving you. Everyone who has doesn't know what they've lost." He took my chin between his thumb and finger. "They don't see how bloody amazing you are."

I leapt into his arms and kissed his cheek. He laughed.

"I would love to marry you." I said when I pulled away.

His smile could have broken his face in half. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box and showed it to me. I gasped when I saw the ring. It was beautiful, simply designed and absolutely perfect. How in the hell is one man so perfect?

Then I saw something on the inside. Next to a tiny swan that had been engraved were the words My Swan.

The tears filled my eyes again and I looked up at him. He'd put so much thought into this one moment, probably the whole night. He took the ring from my hand and slid it on my left finger. It felt so right and I couldn't believe it. Someone wanted to be around me for the rest of their life. Someone loved my son enough to accept him as their own. Finally.