The closed mahogany door seemed to be the thickest barrier in the world to the trio outside it. Silence filled the entry way to the brim, slipping into the people. It seemed a very breath could set the atmosphere into chaos. The torches hanging on the walls cast long flickering shadows across them and enhancing the already forbidding aura about the place.
The one moving figure kept the unspoken rule, his feet curiously muffled on the stone floor. He was cutting a wide berth as he paced, his hand twitching restlessly on the jeweled hilt of his crown resting at his graying temples kept catching the light with each footstep; everything about him screamed impatience. He glanced at the door each time he passed, his blue gray eyes burning with questions that he dared not speak aloud.
Standing almost in the doorway was the lone woman of the small party. Her posture was inclined forward, her boot-clad feet planted firmly shoulder-width apart into an authoritative stance. Control emanated from her being, until her eyes were seen. Jarringly green, they held more than a lifetime's worth of knowledge in the harsh ways of the world. The fear that shone from the depths warned that one break would do her in.
The third figure was crouched against the wall, his face hidden by his folded arms. The light shone off of his black hair and his entire body was curled into itself. Darkness radiated from him in tangible waves, crashing over and over again before returning to the source.
Suddenly the door opened and every eye locked on the blue light shimmering towards them as the door closed quietly behind her. The fairy hovered in the center, her face unreadable.
"How is she?" Charming demanded, his voice only giving off the slightest hint of unsteadiness. Snow stepped forward, clasping her hands together until they went white at the knuckles. Blue pursed her lips together, weighing her words carefully.
"She is malnourished and weak; her time locked in the Queen's castle has taken a heavy toll on her. However, she will recover in time and be healthy with the proper care," the fairy informed before giving them a brief tiny smile to let them know that the worst of their fears would not come to pass. Snow let out a shaky laugh, pressing her hand to her chest while tears ran down her cheeks. Charming took her other hand and squeezed it comfortingly.
"And… and the baby?" he asked, his voice curling up at the end in worry. A small noise came from behind them, but no one seemed to have heard.
The fairy smiled. "The baby will be fine. Emma's magic sustained the child completely and then used whatever remained for her." He nodded and Snow tilted her head slightly, her eyebrows furrowing.
"How far along is she?" the queen asked.
"Four months," Hook said quietly, covering his eyes shakily with his hand. Wide, shocked stares bored into him and the tension became immediate. The prince's jaw had dropped and he took a menacing step towards the pirate when the door opened.
"Your majesties?" Doc asked and they turned to the dwarf instantly. He rubbed the side of his face, looking puzzled. "She's awake. She's, uh, asking for someone named Killian?"
Snow and Charming shared an alarmed look, thinking their daughter must be delusional; they had never heard of anyone named Killian.
Behind them, a shock ran through the pirate's body and he sprang to his feet, hands visibly trembling. His bright blue eyes were full of emotion and he asked shakily, sounding very small, "She's asking for me?"
Snow's eyes whipped to him, clearly startled and she looked at Blue questioningly; she merely gave her an imperceptible shake of the head. The dwarf blinked, hesitating before giving him a nod. Killian slowly walked through the royals and past the dwarf.
"What the hell is going on?" Charming hissed quietly as the door closed. The fairy smiled softly in turn, but it was his wife that answered.
"They're true loves," she said in awe, her eyes gleaming. Blue nodded, looking back at the closed door.
"Indeed they are. The magic in Emma is also doubled because she is carrying a child of true love. If not for their baby, she would not have survived," the fairy explained and the King and Queen were silent as they tried to process the new knowledge.
Killian approached Emma haltingly, his heart twisting with guilt as he took in her sunken cheekbones and frail body underneath the blankets. Her eyes were closed and her breathing slightly faster than normal. He reached the side of the bed and gently sat down, his eyes tracing the swell over her belly. Tears welled up in his eyes and flowed over as he blinked, the lump in his throat growing. Then he felt her hand on his face and he opened his eyes to see her smiling softly at him, her green eyes iridescent.
"I guess the cat's out of the bag then, huh?" she asked, her voice rough from sleep. Killian choked out a laugh, taking her hand and kissing it.
"You never were able to keep a good secret, darling," he replied, cradling her hand to his cheek. She chuckled, shaking her head.
"You don't know half of my secrets, Killian," she bantered before pausing, watching his face. It had fallen instantly at the sound of his own name and he was reminded of just how long it had taken her to use it and the last time he had heard her say it. He buried his head on her chest, hot tears soaking through her nightgown.
"I am so sorry, Emma," he gasped and she ran her fingers through his hair soothingly for a moment before pulling his face up to her level.
"You saved me and you came back. That's all that matters," she told him seriously. He quickly pressed his lips to hers, softly stroking her golden curls. It was gentle and passionate and needy all at once and they couldn't get enough. Their lips moved together as they had not done in four months. She pulled him to her and he soon felt tears on his face but he couldn't tell whose they were. The kiss slowed and softened before they broke it, foreheads resting against each other.
A small jolt caused them to move apart in surprise. Emma broke into a breathtaking smile, quickly grabbing his hand and placing it to her stomach. The baby kicked again and Killian looked at her with wide eyes, a smile spreading across his face. Tears of joy streaked down her cheeks and she murmured, "He knows his father."
He could hardly swallow past the lump in his throat and he replied huskily, "Who says it's a boy?"