AN - A short epilogue. Inspiration struck. More notes below.

A little over a year later

"Lay back. I have a new massage technique I want to try on you."

"What's this, Swan? Where have you been learning these techniques?"

Killian chuckled to himself as he and Emma laid in bed, lazing in the rays of sunshine that were peaking through their curtains on a Saturday morning. These mornings where he and Emma could cloister themselves in their own little world were the new highlight of his week. No rehearsals. No late nights at the office. Just the two of them in their apartment, together alone.

"The Internet."

Killian rolled his eyes. "You've been looking up massage techniques on the Internet? You know, you have a pretty good teacher lying right here. I'd be quite happy to teach you."

"Mmmm." Emma made a low groaning noise. "Not for this. Now lie down, on your back."

He did as she asked, putting his hands beneath his head and closing his eyes, to enjoy whatever Emma had in store for him. Scooting down to the end of the bed, Emma started on his feet, massaging the arch, then the heel and the ball of his foot, remembering everything he'd ever taught her. She then started up his legs, and in due time her hands started working his inner thigh.

Killian arched an eyebrow and opened just one eye to peer down at his girlfriend.

"You're moving in to dangerous territory there, Swan. Just what kind of tutorial were you reading?"

"Oh hush, you'll like this," Emma said as she giggled. That had become another one of Killian's favorite things over the last year. Not just her laugh, but an actual giggle. He pulled her up to meet him and planted a long kiss on her lips.

"I know what you're up to, and I'm not complaining. I'd just rather have us on equal ground right now, love." He enveloped her in his arms, and Emma would be lying if she said she didn't love that Killian knew how to make every inch of her respond to him. It was something she'd been working at learning how to reciprocate for him. But every time she tried, he'd take over like he'd done this morning. Every time it would leave them both sated, sweaty and and even more in love with each other than before.

After, Emma tucked herself in to Killian's side with her head on his chest. She loved this time right now, when it was them, and nothing was standing between them emotionally or physically. It had taken her a long time to get here, and she was grateful that Killian had waited. She could let herself be vulnerable around him without feeling weak. She could always be truthful to herself and with him. She inhaled deeply, and snuggled down further into his chest, relishing the perfection of her life. As she did, she felt Killian's arms tighten, and a gentle kiss planted in her hair.

Emma thinks she might have drifted off, because she was startled when Killian broke the silence.

"Do you want to do anything tonight, love? Or shall we stay in? I'm fine either way. I can get something to cook."

Emma looked up at him slightly ashamed. "Did I forget to tell you? Mary Margaret and David are bringing Neal over for us to babysit. David has some sort of work event, and Mary Margaret doesn't trust Neal to a regular sitter yet."

"And she trusts us with him? I'm honored. I'm guessing that means I'm cooking in tonight. Should I grab anything for him while I'm at the store?"

"You don't mind that I forgot to tell you? And you're okay with the fact that we've got a 3 month old to watch for the evening?"

"Love, this hardly ruins any grand plans I had for this evening. And I have to admit, I like seeing you with a baby in your arms. It makes me think of our future."

Emma grew quiet at this admission as Killian knew she would. As he also knew, it was best to give Emma space as she processed what she just heard. He simply lay there with her in his arms, not speaking as her mind ran.

Finally she sat up in bed and looked at him with more intensity than he'd ever seen. "You think about us having children?"

"Aye. Children. Marriage. A dog. A house. We can have all of that. I want all of that. With you. I know that's a lot for you to take in all at once. But I want it. Not tomorrow, but some day." Emma looked at him awhile longer, and he just smiled with his hand resting on her knee, gently rubbing his thumb back and forth, hoping his touch calmed her. He knew her better than anyone, and knew her mind was spinning. There was nothing he could say at this point that would argue his case better than just giving her time to think. Eventually she settled back down in bed, laying down with him again for awhile before the two decided it was time for food.

Later that night when the doorbell rang, both Killan and Emma went to answer it. They had both loved David as soon as Mary Margaret introduced them to her boyfriend, and when the relationship went from boyfriend to husband to baby on the way all in the course of a few months, Emma and Killian couldn't have been more pleased. You couldn't have imagined a couple more suited to each other than the two. As soon as they opened the door, David passed the baby over to Emma. "Here you go, Neal. Go drool on your Aunt Emma for awhile," he said with a teasing smile, as he pulled her in for a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Killian hugged Mary Margaret and asked if they had a moment to step inside for a glass of wine before heading out to the event.

"No, we're running late as it is. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to get ready with a baby who wants your attention. You didn't want to let go of Mommy, now did you?" She kissed her son and kissed Emma and the couple practically dashed out the door, yelling that there were bottles in the bag.

As soon as the door closed, Emma hugged Neal close and smelled his head, dropping a kiss on top of his wispy, baby fine curls. As she did, something in her heart tugged and she realized she could do this. And she wanted it all with Killian. A baby to share and raise with him. Their mornings together would no longer be the two of them, it would be the three of them, and she wanted that. She saw a dog in a yard. Teaching the kid to ride a bike, and sending him or her off to their first day of school. All of the sudden the picture was clear.

As she looked up at Killian, she smiled. He knew from the look in her eyes that he was going to get everything he ever wanted. It would be on Emma's timetable, but they would be a family.

Author's Note -

I am just now recovering from a brain tumor (today is 6 weeks post op) and for some reason the diagnosis and removal had killed all inspiration. Until today. There was a tiny tug of inspiration for this one, which was never meant to be continued, but here you go.

What I really want to say is thank you to all the CS writers out there. Reading your stories has kept me going since my diagnosis. I've been stressed out and needed a distraction, and it has been provided. And then some. And with actual quality stories. We have some amazing writers in our fandom, and we should all be so grateful for that.