Here it is, the sequel to Little Swan exploring Emma's and Killian's first shot at parenting. I'm so excited to be writing in this universe again, I hadn't realised how much I'd been writing and how much I'd miss it after I finished Little Swan. I hope you enjoy this story as much I enjoyed writing both Little Swan and Little Jones!
WELCOMING LITTLE JONES
13th October at 13:43
"Killian!" Emma called from the top of the staircase. The pirate was somewhere in this house of theirs.
"Aye, Swan?" Killian replied from somewhere below her feet.
"Come here!" Emma told him. She heard his footsteps along the bare floorboards of their living room. His footsteps were muffled for a few seconds, presumably as he walked across the rug before they began echoing through the house once more, closer this time. Killian appeared from the living room and began climbing the stairs to Emma, taking them two at a time.
"What is it?" Killian asked in a loving tone as he noticed the pain on etched on Emma's features.
"I think it's starting," Emma told him. A pained expression crossed her face. She squeezed her eyes closed, scrunched her nose, pursed her lips and bowed her head. Once it was over, she lifted her head and let out a long breath, "scratch that. I know it's starting."
14:02
From the living room, Emma heard the door to her house opening and the rush of footsteps coming towards her. She sat on the pale grey sofa in the living room where she had been waiting for her Mom to arrive. Much to Emma's dismay, her Mom had decided to bring Regina and Belle along with her. The reason why was unknown to her.
"Emma," Mary-Margaret breathed.
"Where's the pirate?" Regina asked.
"Upstairs," Emma managed to stuttered before she felt the cramping sensation again. They were getting stronger and more frequent, she'd have to leave for the hospital soon, "I think this kid is trying to break his way out. Through my spine!"
"Just breathe," Belle instructed.
"Yes, thank you for that wonderful advice Belle!" Emma snapped, "did you get that from a book?"
"Emma!" Mary-Margaret gasped.
"Sorry," Emma apologised, realising that Belle was only trying to help and that getting worked up would help nobody in this situation, especially her. Belle offered a small smile, a sign of forgiveness on her part.
A small crash sounded from above their heads. The four women looked up to the ceiling and breathed a sigh of exasperation in unison.
"You never can trust a man to do anything!" Regina sighed, "especially a man with one hand."
"He's getting the bag," Emma replied as Mary-Margaret sat down next to her and began rubbing her lower back in hope of relieving some of her daughter's pain.
"I'll go have a word," Regina said, shaking her head.
Killian heard the familiar clicking of heels on wood long before Regina reached the top of the stairs. He had the bag ready to go but he was beginning to freak out a little bit now. During his pacing, he'd turned and knocked a vase off of the dresser accidently.
"Killian," Regina said, appearing in the doorway to the bedroom that Killian and Emma shared. Killian stopped his pacing and turned to look at the Mayor, "Emma needs to go."
"I know," Killian nodded. He picked the bag up off of the bed with his hook and made for the door as quickly as possible. As he was about to pass Regina, she held a hand up to stop him. Killian complied and halted mid-step before stepping back a few paces so that Regina could say her peace.
"It's okay to be scared," Regina told the pirate, her tone was surprisingly calm given her the usual tone that she took with him.
"I'm not scared," Killian insisted.
"Please, it's all over your face," Regina scoffed, "what's making you freak out? You've been calm this entire time."
Killian took a deep breathe, closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was the last person he thought that he would be having this particular conversation with but, although he would never admit it to Emma right now, he was scared. In actual fact, he was bloody terrified. His palms was sweating, he stomach was in knots and a familiar feeling of nausea was distracting him.
"I've never even held a baby," Killian whispered.
"What about Neal?" Regina asked.
"Perhaps the Charmings never trusted the safety of their son to a pirate," Killian replied. A flash of realisation sparked within Regina's mind, it was as if a lightbulb had suddenly flicked on.
"Emma trusts you," Regina assured him.
"Aye but she is a grown woman," Killian argued, "Liam will be a baby."
"You were so good with him when he was here," Regina said. She was beginning to feel sorry for Killian now as she had this sickening feeling that he'd been keeping this in for the past nine months or even longer, "you're going to tell me it's different because he was a teenage, and that is true. But think of the time you've had to prepare for this Killian. I know I haven't been your biggest fan in the past, but you will make an amazing father Killian. If you love your children half as much as you love Emma, then you will be an amazing father."
"I bloody hope so," Killian sighed, running his hand through his free hair, "thank you, Regina."
"I mean it," Regina assured Killian, offering him a comforting smile. Which he returned thankfully, "Emma really does need to go."
"Aye," Killian mumbled and rushed past Regina, she laughed as he almost broke into a run as reached the staircase. She had a funny vision of him sliding down the bannister just to get to Emma fast. It seemed like the sort of thing that Captain Killian Jones would do. But instead, he elected for the safer option of walking down the stairs- so disappointing.
23:37
The pain in Emma's face was breaking Killian's heart. He wished that he could take it all from her and go through this pain himself, but the nature of human anatomy meant that that obviously couldn't happen.
Emma had an iron grip on the wrist of Killian's 'hook' arm. With his good hand, Killian held a cold, damp, cloth to Emma's forehead.
"That's it Emma," Dr Whale encouraged as Emma let out a huge sigh of relief. Her head fell back against the pillows and the grip on Killian's wrist loosened slightly, but not by much.
The hospital room, after nine hours, was filled with the distressed cries of Killian and Emma's new-born. Emma seemed to visibly relax into the bed and she let out a noise that was somewhere between a laugh and a sob.
"You did it, Swan," Killian whispered, removing the damp cloth from her forehead and replacing it with his lips as he pressed a soft kiss to her head.
Emma's eyes were fixed on the nurses in front of her. There were two of them and they both had their backs to her, shielding Emma's view of her son. Emma craned her neck to try and catch a glimpse of the wailing baby. Much to Emma's relief, one of the nurses turned around with a bundle of white blankets in her arms. The nurse was looking down at the blankets with an expression of adoration on her face, despite the babies cries. Even the nurses knew what the child had done for their town.
The nurse offered the bundle of blankets to Emma as she got to her bedside. Emma reached out and took her baby in her arms. The crying ceased as soon as baby Liam was nestled in his Mom's arms.
"He's beautiful," Emma whispered.
"Course he is," Killian replied, "look at his Mother."
"Please," Emma laughed, "he looks nothing like me. He's all you, poor kid."
"Hey! I'm-"
"Devilishly handsome, I know," Emma replied without taking her eyes off of her son. With one finger, she stroked her son's cheek gently. The baby blinked and opened his eyes, fighting the bright lights of the hospital, "he's even got your eyes."
"We already knew all of this Swan," Killian laughed.
"I know, but I cant believe how much he looks like you even though he's a baby," Emma sighed.
"He's quite the treasure, eh?" Killian smiled, pacing another kiss on Emma's head, letting his lips linger there for a moment longer than they had previously. Emma smiled and nestled her head into Killian as she continued to gaze lovingly at her little boy.
"Hi Liam," Emma smiled, stroking his cheek again, "I'm your Mommy."
Killian cleared his throat jokingly, reminding Emma to not leave him out.
"And that goof is your Daddy," Emma laughed. Killian laughed too and cradled Liam's head in his hand before placing a gentle kiss on his forehead.
"That would be me," Killian informed his son.
"Welcome to the world, Liam David Jones."
