"Now what did you say this fop's name was?"
"Killian, that's Christopher Columbus… he discovered America and he had three ships and…"
"Well he did a bloody awful job then! Three ships and couldn't even find gold!"
Before Killian could start ranting, the door swung open and Emma waddled in, preceded by her growing belly. Henry launched himself at his mother, wrapped his arms around her and rested his head against her stomach.
"Hey kiddo, what are you still doing up?" Emma ruffled his hair while eyeing the man walking towards her. Killian gave her a quick kiss and a smirk while Henry ran back to the table, tossing his school books into his backpack.
"Just getting Killian to check my homework, Grandma wouldn't be too happy if it was wrong, don't you think?"
"Yeah, because I'm sure that Killian is your best bet for history. Nice try!"
Henry giggled and shot a look at his soon-to-be stepfather, who jerked his head towards the hallway leading to the boy's bedroom.
"If you're both quite finished mocking my knowledge of your ridiculous explorers, I think it's time to let your mum rest and for you to go to bed, lad."
Emma chuckled as Henry hugged her once more and shuffled down the hall, followed by Killian, who turned around to wink and wiggle his eyebrows suggestively. He definitely couldn't miss the side-eye she gave him.
While she struggled to lie on the couch, Emma decided that she definitely felt 8 months pregnant; she was exhausted. David had put her on desk duty months ago and while she welcomed the relief of not being on her feet all day at the moment, the uncomfortable desk chair was wreaking havoc on her back and if she saw one more complaint form she would probably scream. And tonight didn't help, with some of the dwarves getting in a drunken fist fight at the Rabbit Hole, then trying to go at it again once they were in the tank. Obviously David took care of the rough stuff, but it was Emma that needed to process them and fill out the appropriate paperwork, which was why she was in so late.
She hated not getting to be with Henry, but knew he was in great hands with Killian. It turns out that the pirate was excellent father material, which she had noticed almost immediately after they had rescued her son from Neverland. The days spent on the waters during the journey home were filled with steering the beloved ship and learning to read maps, as well as sword-fighting lessons (until David stepped in and roughed Killian up for "cheating").
Emma couldn't say when she stopped calling him Hook, but it was probably around the same time she realized they weren't just friends. They were always together in Storybrooke, taking Henry sailing on the Roger or meeting for lunch at Granny's or watching movies on the "magic picture box". The day Killian showed up in modern clothes was probably the straw that broke the camel's back. He had been angry that she continued to be blind towards their chemistry and all she had been able to do was stare at him before kissing him like her life depended on it. They had tried to keep their relationship a secret for a while, but that went south quickly. Her parents, Henry and Regina (it had been her night with him), Granny, Ruby and the dwarves had shown up at the apartment to surprise Emma on her birthday and found Killian in boxers making pancakes. She had been mortified and he had been slightly terrified of David, but no one seemed to be surprised at the fact they were together.
Now, Emma had everything she could have ever dreamed of: amazing and supportive parents, her True Love who happened to adore her son, a little cottage for the three of them near the sea, a ring on her finger and a baby on the way. The pregnancy had come as a surprise, but Emma and Killian were overjoyed. Snow was ecstatic (if not a little reluctant to put off the wedding, since the dress was already made and Emma was definitely not fitting into it now) while her father nearly had an aneurysm and continued to moan about being "too young" for one, let alone two grandchildren. And Henry, of course, was so excited to be a big brother that it became one of his only topics of conversation, other than school, knight lessons with David and sailing with Killian.
Emma closed her eyes and sighed with contentment, not noticing that Killian had returned from Henry's room. He made her jump slightly when he put his head against her swollen stomach and started singing softly.
"What are you doing?"
"Giving Little Jones some attention. You've kept us apart for so long."
"I'm sorry I'm late again, but I don't get much of a choice in all the work I need to do. All of that paperwork needs to be finished before 'Little Jones' makes their appearance."
"Of course, love. But if those midgets and nosy townsfolk don't stop causing you trouble, which in turn keeps you from me; I might have to teach them a lesson."
"Be nice. Besides, you know it's only for a little bit longer. David is bound and determined to have me on bed rest by the end of the week at this point."
"For once, your father and I agree on something…"
Emma couldn't help but smile and run her fingers through his hair. He turned his head towards her, his sea blue eyes filled with love and adoration. If he had any aversion to becoming a husband and father, he didn't show it.
"Henry and I were talking about names again at dinner. He seems very opposed to naming his future sibling David."
"Because he knows everyone will call him Davy! Honestly though, Davy Jones! He's terrified that his brother would have tentacles on his face!"
"Is he going on about that sodding pirate film again? I don't see why you let him watch that bloody garbage. And that slob was a piss poor excuse of a pirate captain…"
"It's a movie Killian. It's fiction…"
"Well, aren't I technically a work of fiction as well, according to your land's stories? Or do you need a reminder of how real I am?" He added another eyebrow wiggle as his hand slipped toward her backside, which she slapped away.
"If I didn't think you were real, I would have a lot of explaining to do about this baby! And not tonight, I'm totally wiped."
"A man can't help but try… speaking of the baby, have you found a name for our son?"
"How do you know that it's a boy? I thought we wanted a surprise?"
"A father just knows, no magical contraptions required. Also, your mother stopped by earlier. She thinks that Colin would work for a boy. Colin David Jones…"
"Hmmm… not bad… still not my favorite though. We'll put it on the list."
"You and your bloody list! Why are you making this so hard? The poor child will be out of nappies before we name him at this rate!"
"Oh hush, we'll have a name in time. What did Henry suggest?"
"He's convinced he's getting a little sister at the moment. He said Charlotte, but wants to call her Charlie. Is that not a lad's name?"
"I think it's cute… Henry and Charlie… but I can imagine people will think it's a boy. Lottie sounds like a better nickname."
"Why must there always be a nickname with you two? Just call the child by its name and get on with it. My name is Killian and your name is Emma and I don't change it…"
"This coming from Captain Hook! And you call me love all the time, by the way."
"Term of endearment lass, not a nickname. I'm sure if Little Jones were a girl, I would call her love as well."
Emma just rolled her eyes and pushed him gently off the couch. When he shot her a look, she held out her hands so that he would help her up. They walked to their bedroom, arms wrapped around each other. Boy or girl, Emma thought as they got ready for bed and cuddled together, we're definitely getting our happily ever after.