Chapter 1

Emma lay in bed willing herself to fall asleep. In the past two weeks, she had gotten little over three hours before she was awoken by her daughter, Hope, who had just hit those terrible twos.

On the nights when Hope did sleep soundly, Emma tossed and turned in the bed she shared with her pirate, Killian, who was off on business as he had been every month since David got him the job. Emma was happy for Killian, but these recent months left her feeling empty and lonely when he was away and not to mention exhausted from having to take care of Hope all by herself.

Her mother would come by some days and help out and Henry was the best big brother, always wanting to play with Hope and watch her, but he was back in school and the majority of Hope's tantrums and tending to occurred in the mornings when Emma was left to fend for herself.

Emma must have fallen asleep, because she was awoken by soft cries from over the baby monitor alerting her that Hope was indeed awake. She unraveled herself from the covers she had entangled herself in from all the tossing and turning and headed for Hope's room.

She must have lost track of the days, as this morning as she wrestled a struggling and screaming Hope into her high chair for breakfast she failed to hear the front door open and Killian come in.

He dropped his bags in the front hall and followed the sound of his little princess along with Emma's soft coos, which were an attempt to soothe the restless child.

Emma didn't hear Killian approach from behind her and sighed contently when she finally got Hope seated and belted in to her high chair. She stood up straight and turned around only to walk straight into Killian who was silently watching the scene unnoticed.

"Oh! …Killian!" Emma exclaimed surprised and relieved at the same time. He chuckled at her tone.

"Hello love, have you missed me?" Killian asked, flashing Emma a smile that always made her knees weak.

"Yes, yes! Oh, I'm so happy you are home. I've missed you terribly." Emma said as she melted into his warm embrace. "Please don't leave for so long net time." Killian began to pull away from Emma but she held him tighter. "No, please." It was a desperate plea. "Please, I need you."

"Ah, lass, as much as I too need you as well, I believe there is a little lass who is hungry." Emma loosened her grip on her husband and turned to her daughter who had surprisingly been almost silent for the past few minutes.

"Of course, how could I forget you, my little monster," Emma cooed at her baby girl. The exhaustion was etched on her face and as she moved to grab a jar of baby food from the cabinet, Killian caught sight of her features and cupped his good hand on her cheek.

"Emma, love, you don't look well. Are you feeling alright?" Worry colored his face and his brow creased as he brushed his thumb along her lower lip. She leaned into his touch. She craved it these past two weeks and wanted nothing more than to feel his hands caressing every inch of her body. "Emma? Emma!" She broke out of her daydream as his hand slipped away from her face. "Emma, have you been sleeping? You look positively exhausted."

"I'm fine," Emma lied as she opened the lid of the baby food, grabbed a spoon, and turned towards her once again, fussing daughter. Killian's hand found her arm just as she spooned a glob of mashed carrots into Hope's mouth.

"Darling, let me do that." The concern on his face scared her. Did she really look that exhausted? "Please," he continued, smiling at her with such love and care, "go take a rest, I'll take care of Hope."

"But, I'm fine I—" Emma began to protest, but Killian interrupted, his voice was stern, yet soothing.

"Emma, please. You'll become ill if you don't rest. I'm sure you've been on the go non-stop since I left, please, let me be a good father and husband and take care of my queen and princess." He smiled softly and caressed Emma's cheek again before gently nudging her out of the kitchen.

Emma reluctantly, but also extremely gratefully, walked towards the bedroom and collapsed on the bed. When her head hit the pillow she had just enough time to smile at how very lucky she was to have Killian and Hope before she fell asleep.