Killian had just pulled into the garage after a long day at work. He got out of his truck and walked around to the front door.
When he walked inside, he went over to his wife and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.
"Hello, love. How was everything at the police station?"
Emma smiled at him before she replied, "The usual – piles of paperwork."
Killian hummed in response just as they heard, "Liam spit up!"
Emma began to move from her place setting the table when Killian told her, "I got it, love."
He then moved into the living room and scooped up his six-month old son from his playpen. He asked Anna Elizabeth, "Will you hand me that cloth, love?"
Anna Elizabeth nodded before reaching into the playpen and grabbing the cloth. She then handed it to Killian.
Killian wiped Liam's face before taking off his bib and carrying it to the laundry room, where he also changed his son's onesie.
"There you go, little lad," Killian told Liam, who had taken to playing with the ring around Killian's neck.
Just as Killian began walking back into the kitchen, his phone rang in his jeans pocket. He placed Liam in his high chair before he answered it.
"Hello, mate," Killian began. He listened for a few minutes before he said, "Thank you for letting me know. Talk to you later."
As he slipped the phone back into his pocket, Emma asked, "Who was that?"
"My future brother-in-law. He had some news," Killian answered.
"I can tell by the look on your face that it wasn't good news," Emma supplied.
Killian sighed before he told her, "Belle is having surgery the day after tomorrow to have her gallbladder removed. I knew she'd been having problems with it, but I didn't know it was that serious."
"Aunt Belle needs surgery?" Anna Elizabeth piped up worriedly.
"She'll be fine, kid. Don't worry about it," Emma told her as she ran her hand through those blonde curls before casting a look over to her husband, offering him the same assurance.
She then asked him, "Do you want to go to New York?"
"Love, I can't just leave you and the kids," Killian started. He took a deep breath and continued, "Besides, Belle has August – her fiancé. She doesn't need me there."
"You're right, she does have him. However, I know from experience that a girl always needs her big brother," Emma replied with a smile.
She then added, "And I also know that you it'll drive you crazy if you don't go see her."
Killian smiled back at her before he questioned, "How is it that you're always right, Swan?"
"It's a gift," Emma told him with a smirk.
Killian chuckled before he became more serious and said, "Thank you, love. I'll leave first thing in the morning."
Emma simply nodded in response.
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When Belle heard a knock at her door and went to answer it, she was a little surprised to see her brother standing on the other side.
"Killian, you're here?"
"Aye, love. August called me," Killian answered before his sister nodded and ushered him inside.
He then surmised, "I'm still trying to figure out why you didn't call me," as he raised an eyebrow.
"You have enough on your plate with your work and my niece and nephew. I knew you would drive up here, and I also didn't want you to worry," Belle told him.
"I appreciate your concern, love, but it's a bit late for that now," Killian replied.
Belle only smiled and shook her head in response.
She then asked, "Do you want some hot tea?"
"I would love some, but shouldn't you be resting or sleeping?" Killian pointed out.
Belle rolled her eyes before she reminded him, "I don't have to be on complete bed rest, Killian."
"But you are having surgery tomorrow, sis," Killian told her.
"Between you and August both being overprotective and his hovering, I know what Emma felt like when she was pregnant," Belle said.
"I believe I can speak for both of us when I say that we're only trying to help, love," Killian replied.
Belle sighed before she smiled at him and said, "I know. And I love you both for it."
She then asked, "How about that tea?"
Killian returned her smile and nodded in response.
A few minutes later, Belle joined Killian at the kitchen table with a bottled water for herself and handed her brother his tea.
She then asked, "How is my nephew doing?" with a wide smile.
"Crawling around everywhere and fascinated by everything," Killian answered, returning her smile.
"And I know that Anna Elizabeth loves being a big sister," Belle surmised.
"Aye, that she does. She stubbornly insists on reading to him every night," Killian said.
"Well, we both know you have Liam to thank for the stubbornness," Belle told him with a grin.
Killian returned her grin as he reminded her, "You know, sis, you could be rather stubborn as well."
"How else was I supposed to put up with two older brothers?" Belle pointed out.
"Hmm, as I recall, you made Liam and I feel bad with those blasted puppy dog eyes," Killian told her.
"Well, I learned from the best," Belle said before she giggled.
Killian only rolled his eyes in response.
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The next day, in the late morning, Killian and August were awaiting news in the waiting room of Bellevue Hospital.
Just then, they heard the doctor's voice, "Family of Belle Jones?"
Both men stood up and made their way over to the scrub-clad man.
"How is she?" August immediately asked.
"She's fine," the doctor, Ben Rayburn, began.
"Why do I feel a but coming on?" Killian questioned.
"Miss Jones suffered some significant blood loss. It could be fatal if she doesn't have a transfusion," Dr. Rayburn explained.
Killian and August's eyes widened with worry and panic before the former sighed and ran his hand over his face before moving to his hair. He then said, "It'll take a bloody miracle for her to get the blood that she needs."
"I'm assuming that means you know that she has a rare blood type and can only accept the same kind," Dr. Rayburn surmised.
"Yes, I do. My sister's appendix ruptured when she was a child. She had to have a transfusion then as well, but it wasn't a problem then because our father happened to have the same blood type. But he passed away quite a long time ago," Killian told him.
"I truly am sorry. We've had a great number of emergency surgeries today, and we've nearly depleted our O- supply – we'll have to see if we can find a donor," Dr. Rayburn explained.
"How long will that take?" Killian asked, slightly frustrated.
"I'm not sure. But I'll let you both know as soon as possible," Dr. Rayburn said.
Just before he turned to leave, August added, "Wait. Did you say she's O-negative?"
"Yes. Do you know someone who is as well?" Dr. Rayburn questioned.
"I am," August simply answered.
"Mate, are you serious?" Killian questioned with wide eyes.
"Very much so," August told him.
"Would you be willing to be Belle's donor?" Dr. Rayburn asked.
"She's my fiancé – you don't even have to ask," August told him.
Dr. Rayburn nodded before he said, "If you can follow me, I'll let one of the nurses know, and we'll get started right away."
August nodded before moving to follow the doctor. However, he was stopped by Killian, who placed a hand on his shoulder and offered him a quick but grateful look. August nodded once again before following Dr. Rayburn.
Half an hour later, August returned to waiting room and sat down beside Killian.
August then told the dark-haired man, "They're giving Belle the blood right now. Dr. Rayburn is one-hundred percent confident that she will be alright. We'll be able to visit her shortly."
Killian let out the breath he had been holding before he began, "I'm so relieved to hear that."
He then turned to face August fully as he told him, "And it's all thanks to you, mate."
August waved off Killian's words when he said, "You don't have to thank me, Killian. She's my family now, too. I'd do anything for her – we may not be married yet, but I'm going to be there for her in sickness and in health and for better or worse."
"I know you will. It's why I gave you my blessing two months ago – I couldn't be happier that my sister has found someone who will be there for her no matter what," Killian told him with a smile.
August nodded and returned his smile. A few minutes later, the nurse came and informed them that Belle was ready for visitors.
When they arrived at her room, Killian told August, "You go on in, mate. I'm going to call Emma and let her know what's going on. Besides, you and my sister need some time to yourselves."
"Thanks, Killian," August replied before opening the door.
August quickly moved to Belle's side and placed a kiss on her forehead before he sat down in the chair beside the bed.
He took her hand in his and told her, "I can't tell you how happy I am that you'll be alright."
Belle smiled at him as she said, "The nurse told me that you're the reason for that."
August replied, "Yeah, it was lucky that I have the same blood type as you."
"You know I don't believe in luck, August," Belle reminded him.
"Well, be it fate or destiny, I'm just glad that I still get to marry you in a few months," August told her with a genuine smile.
Belle took her free hand to caress his cheek as she told him, "I can't wait to be your wife." She then closed the distance between them for a sweet and gentle kiss.
As they pulled away, August told her, "I love you, Belle."
Belle smiled at him sweetly as she said, "I love you, too, August."
There was comfortable silence for a few minutes before Belle stated, "Thank you, August, for being my blood donor. And for calling my brother – I really am glad he's here."
"You don't have to thank me for the transfusion, but you are more than welcome. And as far as Killian goes, that was a no-brainer," August replied.
Just then, Dr. Rayburn came through the door.
"How's the patient?" he asked.
"I feel really great," Belle told him.
"That's a good sign. I came to tell you that I want to keep you here for a couple days to ensure that your body responds well not only to the surgery, but to the transfusion. You'll have to take it easy for a few days once you go home, but then you'll be good as new," Dr. Rayburn explained.
Belle nodded in understanding before she said, "Thank you, Dr. Rayburn for everything."
"Of course, Miss Jones. I'll be back to check on you later," he replied before making his way to exit the room just as Killian was entering it.
"Glad to see you're alright, sis. You had me worried."
"Well, now you don't have to," Belle told him with a grin.
Killian returned it before he crossed the room and handed Belle his phone. She looked up at him confusedly, so he explained, "There's someone else who's been worried about you."
He then pressed the accept button on FaceTime, and Anna Elizabeth's face appeared on the screen.
As soon as she saw Belle, she practically yelled, "Are you okay, Aunt Belle?"
"You can talk normally, Anna Elizabeth. I can hear you just fine," Belle explained before she answered her niece, "And I promise I'll be okay. Thank you for checking on me."
Anna Elizabeth nodded before she asked, "Is August going to take care of you while you get better?"
"Yes, he is. I'm so happy to have him," Belle replied.
"I'm glad you're happy, Aunt Belle," Anna Elizabeth said.
Belle smiled in response before they talked for a couple more minutes. She then told her niece, "Well, Anna Elizabeth, I'm going to have to go now. I'm sure that Emma wants her phone back."
"Are you sure you have to go?" Anna Elizabeth asked disappointedly.
"Yes, I am. But don't be sad – I'll see you at my wedding in a few months," Belle reassured her.
The eight-year-old's eyes immediately lit up in excitement as she exclaimed, "Where I'll get to be your flower girl!"
Belle nodded before she said, "That's right. I'm so excited. I'll talk to you later, Anna Elizabeth. Goodbye."
Anna Elizabeth waved at the camera before she said, "Bye, Aunt Belle!" The screen then went black, and Belle returned the phone to her brother.
"You've done a really great job with her, Killian," August told his soon to be brother-in-law.
"Thanks, mate, but I cannot take all the credit. Emma has always helped me with her," Killian admitted.
"Perhaps. But Liam knew exactly what he was doing when he picked you to raise her should anything happen to him and Elsa," Belle added.
Killian smiled at her in response before he asked, "What about you two? Can I expect any nieces or nephews?"
"Not anytime soon, but one day for sure," August answered.
"Well, I know for a fact that you two will be great parents. Anna Elizabeth constantly says how much she adores the both of you. And if Liam could talk, he'd probably say the same thing," Killian told them.
Belle smiled at him as she supplied, "Well, for now, I'm going to focus on being a great fiancé and soon to be wife."
"As far as I'm concerned, you're already there," August told her.
Belle turned to look at him as she lovingly squeezed his hand. Killian then said, "And on that note, I'm going to go rest up a bit before driving back tomorrow."
"And relax from all the worrying you were doing," Belle added.
"Well, love, you are my only sister," Killian told her before pulling her in for a hug.
As they pulled away, he shook August's hand before expressing his goodbyes and heading toward the door.
As he rode the elevator down to the lobby and began to exit the hospital, he began to think on how odd it was that August did have Belle's rare O-negative blood type, and how much of a saving grace that it was.
Perhaps fate played a part in their lives after all.
