I'm so glad you all liked the first chapter. And I know I disappeared the past few days, I came back to 2,000 notifications lol, I've been on a school trip! And I hated it. 😒

Anyway, enjoy!!!
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After searching for Rumplestiltskin for several hours, it was dark and cold and everyone figured he couldn't do much more damage, with Belle being in possession of the dagger, though when she tried to summon him, he never appeared.

In that time, Emma didn't let Killian out of her sight once.

Emma felt so much more connected to Killian now, like their lives were attached to one another's. Which, in most ways, they were.

Mere minutes after coming back from the dead, the pirate had found out a way to communicate with Emma without saying anything at all. It obviously had something to do with the fact that they now shared a heart, but when Killian's voice was suddenly in Emma's head, it startled her quite a bit.

It wasn't too late, so Emma's parents invited Regina, Belle and Killian to join them for a family dinner at the loft.

All three happily obliged, and that's where Emma sat, leaning on Killian's chest, listening to the steady beat of the heart in his chest. Well, the half heart in his chest. Because, oh right, he died a few hours ago. And Emma wanted to be mad at him for it, but the fact that he was alive and here, with his strong arms around her almost made her not want to get angry at him.

Killian leaned down and pressed a kiss to Emma's forehead, smiling at her lovingly.

Regina groaned and Henry laughed.

Emma chuckled and stood up, reaching for Killian's hand.

He happily obliged and the two walked over to the kitchen, where Mary Margaret was stirring a pot of vegetables and David held the baby, having a conversation through babbles with him.

"Need any help?" Emma asked.

Mary Margaret shook her head.

"We're just about ready to eat. Are you two feeling okay?" She asked.

"What? Yeah, of course," Emma laughed.

"Just making sure. I remember when I woke up after casting the curse I had a bit of a sore chest, but I figured it was the pregnancy that seemingly happened over night because I'd forgotten about the whole splitting of hearts thing," she explained.

Emma nodded. "I mean, yeah, I'm a bit sore, but it's not something that's preventing me from doing anything."

Killian nodded. "Aye, I am experiencing the same thing. Soreness, but I'll be fine," he assured Emma's mother.

David smiled at Killian.

"You figure out how to talk to her yet? Through you heart, I mean," he asked.

Emma smiled as Killian nodded.

"Yes, that I have. It's quite convenient, I must say," he grinned, glancing at Emma.

David chuckled and patted Killian on the back.

"Well, you know, I guess I can't disapprove of you anymore, so I'll allow you to sit beside my daughter while we eat, pirate," David teased as Emma went over to set the table.

Killian smiled and walked over to help Emma.
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After eating, they decided to call it a night. Emma managed to get out of the loft by glancing at her mother, who simply smiled and nodded.

She drove Killian back to Granny's and walked with him, into his room.

They sat down on the bed and Killian sighed.

"Emma, I wanted to thank you again. Obviously, for risking your life to save mine, but also for giving me a light in my life. For making me a better man. And I truly meant it when I said I love you. You may be the saviour of everyone here, but for me, you did more than save me. You protected me, you loved me, you made me feel whole again. Something I haven't felt in centuries. I love you more than you could possible know," Killian hugged her.

"I love you too. And I know that sometimes, I play us off... but this," she gestured between them, "Is one of the most important things in my life. And the decision I made today is something I promise I will never regret. We've always been a team, but now? Now, we're more. We're one. And I couldn't be happier," she said.

"I'm tired, we can talk more in the morning, okay?" Emma added.

Killian nodded and sank into the bed.

Emma rested her head on his chest, arms going around his waist.

They quickly fell asleep like that. Peacefully, happily and comfortably.

They both treasured that night dearly later, because at the time, they had no idea that things were about to change forever.