It's a different experience, being on this side of the settlement. Fifteen years ago, she was the one writhing in pain and heartache, chained to a hospital bed somewhere in a prison infirmary. But now, Emma sits next to the love of her life across from an empty desk, awaiting their daughter.

Their daughter.

It's been a long time coming. Her picture's been hanging on the fridge for weeks now – taken hours after she was born, a hospital-issued beanie on her head and little fists curled up and over her head. But matters of paperwork have finally come to an end, and the little girl they'd waited months to be born was in the building.

Killian's hand is comforting in hers, a familiar weight grounding her in reality as it hangs between the armrests. Since the day they first brought up kids, adoption had been the first and foremost option. Having their own child proved to be a little more challenging than they thought and they were having difficulties – though not for lack of trying.

"Besides," she reasoned, one night late in bed, watching Killian come out of the bathroom, "I think it would be good karma."

"Good karma?" he repeated. Flipping the light switch off, Killian quickly crawled his way up into her embrace. He pressed a kiss to her cheek, his scruff scratching at her nose.

Emma pushed him away with a grunt. "You know what karma is, old man." She fidgeted for a second, settling into the warmth his body offered and contemplating her next words carefully. "I was just thinking: I grew up in the system. You were raised by Liam and then on your own. Regina adopted Henry." She shrugged. "We could make some kid's life much better than ours was."

Silence simmers between them, augmented by the wordless innuendo and sexuality Killian naturally exuded while next to her. Around her. She might have been a tiny bit aroused reminiscing on the subject. But when he finally speaks, it's on a deep exhale.

"Have I ever told you how blindingly brilliant you are?"

Giggling, Emma curled into his shoulder to muffle it.

"It's going to be fine, Swan darling," he says in the present. His fingers pulse around hers. "We're ready for this."

Emma rolls her eyes. "We are so far from ready of this, don't try and lie to me." Jabbing Killian in the chest, she scoffs. "You were the one freaking out this morning over the number of diapers we have."

"A very plausible concern, if you ask me," he grumbles.

She sighs, a nervous smile crossing her lips. "We've had months to prepare for her, just like if she was conceived during one of our many late-night trysts."

Killian laughs emphatically. It breaks the tension that had been in the room since Mother Superior left to retrieve the baby from the nursery down the hall. "Swan, my love, I believe we've spent too much time together if you're using language like that."

"Thought I might as well use the word while we still have them."

He's sure to have a signature sassy remark on the tip of his tongue, but holds it in for the Blue Fairy, who returns to the office as acting social work with a baby buggy in one hand and a folder in the other. All they can do is sit there and watch as she places it on the floor between their feet and they get the first look at their daughter in person.

And she's perfect: ten little fingers, ten little toes, and bundled up in a blanket. She's got wispy blonde hair like Emma's framing her peacefully sleeping face. Carefully, as she did with Neal after he was first born, Emma leans forward and gently scoops the baby into her arms.

"Ohh my god," Emma murmurs, "you've gotten so big, haven't you?"

"My darling little lass," Killian croons, his finger stroking at her cheek. "You are incredibly gorgeous."

"Her vitals were good at her last check-up," Mother Superior says, looking at their daughter's file. "Growing big and strong at a steady rate. All we need is a name and then you two can go introduce Henry to his little sister."

"The little lass is called Audrey," Killian says, his gaze still intent on her. "A noble name for a princess."

Emma chuckles, glancing up at the nun. "And a name off-putting enough for her to get away with whatever piracy she dares to dream up," she jokes.

In her sleep, Audrey whimpers and Emma's heart stutters. She brings her daughter up to her shoulder and shushes her. Her hand rests on Audrey, softly rubbing at her back. Killian looks at the two of them. His eyes are soft, and Emma's sure the smile on her face mimics the same feeling.

Blood has never been the determining factor of family – she of all people knows that. But this little girl – their little girl – is her flesh and bone and absolutely everything she could ever ask for in a chapter of life coming to a close. She doesn't think her heart could grow any larger – filled to the brim with love for Killian, Henry, and their little daughter, Emma's heart cavity is close to bursting.

As fate is keen on doing, she's about to be happily proven wrong.

0000

His daughter is the most beautiful being he's ever had the fortune to look upon. It's hard to take his eyes off the scene Swan and Audrey make.

But he does, briefly glancing up. Killian catches a glimpse of auburn by the door. Upon further investigation, he realizes its hair: curly auburn hair surrounding a cherubic face. Deep blue eyes stare in on them, taking in the joyful family scene through a sad haze.

This little girl is breaking his heart. So as not to alarm her, Killian gestures at her, beckoning the lass into the room. He watches her fingers turn white where they're curled around the door frame.

"Don't worry, dear," he croons. "We won't hurt you, come here."

At his words, Emma looks up from Audrey, cradling her close to her breast. Killian sees the moment his love falls in love with the little girl. She's shuffling across the carpet of the office, her eyes never straying from the baby in Emma's hold. Her thumb finds its way between her little lips as she comes to a halt at Killian's side.

"What's your name, darling?" he asks, resting his hand gently on her upper arm.

The girl flinches away from him. She takes her thumb away from her mouth to softly answer, "Matilda." Noticing her response to Killian's touch, Emma takes the lead, focusing all of her attention on the little girl.

"It's nice to meet you, Matilda." Her voice is gentle and her smile genuine. "I'm Emma and this is Killian." He gives a small wave and a wink in greeting, but the lass's eyes remain on Audrey. "How old are you are you?"

She holds up two fingers. And then, seeming to gain courage, the lass strongly says, "Why're you takin' sissy?"

Emma's green eyes flick up and meet his before shifting Audrey around in her arms until she can show the baby to Matilda. "Is this your sister?" she asks.

Matilda nods enthusiastically. "Mama told me make sissy okay. Can' do that 'cause Ms. Blue says you take her 'way."

She's Liam. Her looks even mimic his – the curls, the baby blues – and the ferocity toward his new daughter. Killian's heart breaks because this little girl just wants to keep her younger sister safe. These two are the only family they have and here he and Emma come to tear them apart.

He can't let that happen. Won't let that happen. History will not repeat this aspect of his life.

One glimpse at Emma tells him all he needs to know: she's not going home without this girl.

Carefully, Emma moves to give him Audrey. A quiet squeak interrupt her movement: Matilda has her hands in the air between their seats, as if preparing to catch the babe. Killian takes his daughter, nestled in the crook of his hooked arm, and watches Emma crouch to Matilda's level.

"Matilda, we're taking your sister home with us," she explains. "Ms. Blue says we're her new mama and daddy." The girl's expression falters and then crumples. She begins to snuffle, but no tears fall. Hesitant at first, Emma then gathers Matilda in her arms and soothes her.

"But I'm s'posed to keep her," she mumbles into Emma's shoulder. "Mama said. My mama," she corrects.

"I know, honey," Emma says calmly, "I know."

In Killian's arm, Audrey wakes and begins to fuss. He's at a loss, never really having been entrusted with a babe as small and new as her. But Matilda's mood completely transforms at Audrey's whimpers: her sobs subside, her face peeks out from Emma's shoulder, and her body inhabits that of a fearsome captain.

She approaches Killian and points at her sister's tiny body. "Firs' you got hug her and then food," Matilda commands.

"She's hungry?" Killian asks in confirmation. Matilda nods. "Aye aye, cap'n."

"But hug firs'," Matilda reminds him. As he's nodding, an idea sparks in his mind.

Standing up cautiously, Killian tilts his head to his vacated chair. "Matilda, I don't know how to hug Audrey properly," he says. "Can you show me?"

A bright grin crosses her face as she nods. Emma sweeps the toddler up and deposits her in the chair with a playful noise. Matilda giggles, but quickly sobers up when Killian bends to place Audrey across her lap.

"Like dis," she instructs, easing her upper body down over Audrey's body. Her fingers arch over the babe's head and move back and forth as she sits back up.

Emma's head weighs on his shoulder, her arm threading through his with a content sigh.

"We're leaving here with two little girls, aren't we?" he whispers to her. Killian feels her nod into his shoulder – "We're going to try." – and he sighs.

"The lad's in for a real surprise."

0000

The second Emma first saw Matilda, half hidden behind the doorframe, she saw herself: three years old and newly returned to the orphanage, watching all the other kids go to loving homes when she knew that no one – even the family she thought would always love her – loved her.

And the way Matilda strays from Killian's hand breaks her heart even further. She was like that: adverse to physical touch, especially that of a man, because one went and ruined the entire gender for her.

But then she met Henry, found her parents, fell for Killian…And if the broken lost girl could be rehabilitated over time, then so could Matilda.

"Her life will be so much better than ours," she mumbles into Killian's shoulder. And she knows it could be. Will be.

She really hopes that both of these girls can be theirs.