So after posting the first chapter, it seems like there's some confusion over how this fits in relation to my other stories. Basically it's set in the Only A Matter of Time Universe, but the events in Hold Onto Hope never happened. Instead Emma had a pretty standard pregnancy with no complications (for once!). I hope that clears up any questions you may have - if not, feel free to drop them in a review or a message and I'll do my best to answer them. Hope you enjoy this next installment :)
Christmas had always been a greatly celebrated time in the Jones household. Killian had vowed to make every holiday better than the last for Emma, to make up for the lack of celebrations during her childhood; Henry, David and Snow agreed heartily with the idea.
"So, how's Operation Holiday Swan going this year?" Henry asked Killian as they waited for their takeout order from Granny's.
"Not as good as I had hoped, lad." Killian lifted his hand to massage his temples. "Your mother is feeling quite uncomfortable as of late, and that combined with hormones and lack of sleep are making her...slightly irritable."
"To be fair, it must suck." Henry could see that his stepfather was also sleep deprived.
"Aye, I don't envy women that's for sure." Killian handed over the money to the waitress in exchange for their lunch. "Let's just hope the baby comes today."
"Maybe it will be born on Christmas Day. That'd be pretty cool." Henry mused as they left the diner.
"That's what your sister said. She thinks the baby's her special gift from Santa." Killian smiled the smile which always arrived when Hope was the topic of conversation. "However I don't think your mother, and by extension myself, will survive another 5 days." Henry chuckled lightly at Killian's statement; knowing he was only half-joking.
"Ok, so what are we going to do to get Operation Holiday Swan back on track?" Henry returned to the reason he had agreed to accompany Killian to Granny's. They needed to discuss their next move.
"I have a few ideas." Killian winked at the boy whom he had long considered a son. "Starting with her favourite food."
#
Killian left Henry to unpack the bags and went in search of his girls. He found Hope playing with those demon Lego blocks in the playroom.
"Hi princess." Killian squatted down to be level with his daughter.
"Hi Daddy." Hope replied distractedly. Her tongue was stuck out of the corner of her mouth in concentration at her task. She looked so much like Emma in that moment, Killian's heart melted.
"What are you building here?' Killian already knew the probable answer.
"Castle." Hope supplied what her dad already knew.
"Ah of course." Killian watched his toddler play for a while longer. It was quiet moments like this that he had fought so hard for. "Hope, where's mommy?"
"She got hot." Hope frowned up at him. It was clear that she was as worried about Emma as Killian was.
"Okay, I'll go find her." Killian leant forward and pressed a kiss to his daughter's forehead, successfully easing the creases. "Why don't you go help Henry with lunch? I think there's a grilled cheese sandwich with your name on it."
"Yes!" Hope jumped up, only narrowly managing not to send her structure tumbling to the floor. She went to run out of the room, then seemed to remember something. The toddler turned back to her father and kissed him on the forehead, in identical fashion to his previous kiss. "Thank you." Before he could reply, blonde curls were disappearing around the corner.
Killian knew where his wife would be. He wandered out onto the back porch, where the cold winter wind struck his face. "Emma?"
"Killian." Emma breathed out in surprise as she whipped her head around to face him. Killian tried not to wince at the redness of her cheeks and nose, or the blue tinge to her lips.
"Swan..." Killian watched his wife walk towards him. She was dressed in nothing more than a t-shirt and leggings. He reached out and grabbed her hand in his own, unable to hide his flinch at how cold her skin was. "How long have you been out here for?"
"Not long." Emma shrugged, but the guilt was clear in her eyes. Her husband raised a sceptical eyebrow at the answer. "You're back early."
"No this is when I said we'd be back. We even stopped off to get lunch from Granny's." Killian clenched his fist, trying not to let his frustration show.
"I'm sure you said you'd be back…" Emma trailed off as she checked the time on her phone. She really hadn't realised how long she'd been out in the cold. "Oh…I…Granny's?"
"Aye, love." Killian sighed at his wife's clumsy subject change.
"Well we better go before our kids decide to pilfer all the onion rings." Emma's laugh was slightly forced, and so was Killian's responding one. Still they entered the house to join their family for lunch without another word.
"Hi mom." Henry smiled from his post of trying to get his little sister to wait before eating her grilled cheese. He noted the distance between his parents with a frown. "Everything ok?"
"Fine." Emma shrugged as her overactive senses led her towards her favourite food. "It will be even better once I've got some food in me."
"Henwy say onion rings for the baby." Hope held out a couple of bags stuffed full of the delicious treat.
"Ah well thank you." Emma winked at her son as she took a seat next to her daughter. "You can have some though, the baby won't mind."
"I don't wanna upset baby." Hope lovingly patted her mother's protruding stomach.
"Sweetie you couldn't upset the baby, I promise." Emma ruffled the little girl's blonde curls. "They love you already."
"They do?!" Hope's eyes lit up, making all of the adults chuckle. Killian already felt lighter from being with his little girl.
Henry and Killian started up a conversation about the work the former had been set over the Christmas Holidays. Emma listened absent-mindedly as she watched Hope diligently split the onion rings into three equal piles; hers, her mother's and of course her unborn sibling's.
#
The next day, Killian drove his wife to the hospital for a check-up. They were both secretly hoping that she would go into labour whilst there. Although Emma thought it unlikely.
"So, four days late. You must be getting a little uncomfortable." The midwife mused as she squeezed the gel on Emma's stomach.
"Just a tad." Emma's deadpan response contradicted her actual feelings on the matter. Killian's snort earned him a death glare from his wife. The pirate gulped hard and averted his gaze.
"If you're feeling anxious, there are some things that could help move things along." The woman moved the wand over Emma's abdomen.
"Do them." The eagerness in Emma's voice betrayed just how fed up she was with being pregnant. The clear picture of their baby appeared on the ultrasound screen, making everyone momentarily halt the conversation. As he stared at his unborn child, clearly in no state of distress at still being in Emma's womb, Killian knew that he would always keep them safe and happy. And if they were happy staying where they were for the meantime, then he wasn't going to rush them.
"Um it's actually stuff you can do. Home remedies that, in my time, I have found to be quite effective." The midwife turned off the ultrasound machine before reaching for a piece of paper on the desk. "The ones which are seen as most successful are written down here, if you're interested?"
"Thank you." Emma grabbed the sheet and went to hand it to her husband. Killian made no move to take it.
After a few awkward moments, in which Emma was just confused by her husband's blatant shunning of the list, the midwife excused herself. "I'll give you two a minute." The woman made a hasting retreat from the room.
"Why won't you take the damn paper?" Emma waved the object in question in Killian's direction.
"Let's just go home, aye?" Killian collected their coats from the side of the room. When he went to hand Emma hers, she just shook her head. Killian growled in frustration. "Will you just take your bloody coat, Emma."
"I could say the same to you about this." Emma spat as she went to propel her weighted body off the bed. Killian went to assist her, but was stopped by the look in her eyes. So he was forced to watch his heavily pregnant wife struggle for minutes due to her stubbornness. This only increased his frustration.
"For God's sake Emma, do you always have to be so bloody stubborn?" Killian put Emma's coat beside her, with a little more force than strictly necessary, before shrugging on his own.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Emma yelled as she finally managed to stand up.
"Nothing." Killian ran a hand over his face in an effort to calm himself down. "Look let's just go pick Hope up from your parents, and go home yes?" Emma continued to stand and glare at her husband. After a few moments where neither said anything, Emma shrugged on her coat.
The drive to the Charming's Farm was tense to say the least. Killian's hand gripped the steering wheel tightly as he clenched his jaw. Emma stared daggers at her husband's profile the entire ride.
Killian knew better than to offer his wife assistance. He waited on his side of the car for Emma to lift herself from the passenger seat. It took four whole minutes.
"Emma..." Killian attempted to build some bridges with his wife before seeing his in-laws. However, the Saviour simply walked towards the house without any response to her husband.
"Hi honey, how was the doctors?" Snow asks from the kitchen, where she's packing up freshly baked cookies into Tupperware boxes.
"Fine." Emma huffed as she waddled over to take a seat at the table her mother was using. She was really over being this tired after climbing a few steps. Her mother gave her a sceptical look, but didn't press her daughter; Killian wasn't the only one feeling the wrath of Emma's hormones lately.
"What's that?" Snow nodded to the piece of paper still clutched in Emma's hand.
"Oh just some ideas the doctor gave us." Emma passed the page to the other woman just as Killian came into view. "You know, to evict this one."
"That's good of her." Snow smiled as she read through the list of homemade options. Killian audibly scoffed, causing Emma's head to whip round.
"You know what, until you tell me what your problem is, you're not included in this discussion." Emma waved her hand in a motion of clear dismissal to her husband.
"What's going on?" Snow placed the sheet on the table, realising too late that it was clearly a source of conflict for the couple.
"It's nothing." Killian mumbled as he turned to leave the room.
"Yeah, apart from the fact that my husband doesn't want to even consider any of those suggestions." Emma snapped at his retreating back. "He wants me to stay in this misery. He likes that I'm basically forced to be barefoot and pregnant right now, and wants it to stay that way. To keep me as his little helpless housewife while he-"
"That's not true!" The volume of Killian's yell even surprised himself. At the tears that suddenly appeared in his true love's eyes, Killian walked out of the house; not wanting to cause his wife or his unborn child any more grief.
#
David loved the time he got to spend with his granddaughter, especially how eager she always was to 'help out' in the stables.
Hope looked up from the horse she'd been chatting to, delighted to see her father for the first time that day.
"Daddy!" The young girl runs at Killian, who easily catches her in his arms.
"Princess." Killian breathes in his daughter's soft blonde curls. "Have you had a good day?"
"Uh-huh." Hope nodded her head vigorously. "Made cookies, and paper swowflakes, and cared for horsies."
"Wow, that does sound like a good day." Killian smiled as his daughter's excited waffling continued.
"Thought I heard trouble." David walked into the stable with two bales of hay in his arms. Killian put down Hope so that he could assist him. "Cheers, mate. That whole field was a piece of cake, but these last few feet is where it's really tricky." The prince's chuckles died when his son-in-law didn't even snigger, let alone voice a sassy comeback. "Hope, why don't you go see Mommy? I'm sure she'd love to hear about your day."
"Umm..." Hope looked sorrowfully at the horse she was in a deep conversation with.
"I'm sure your and Grandma's cookies are ready to eat now." David knew that he'd been successful when Hope's eyes widened happily. The young girl said a quick goodbye to her animal friends, before legging it towards the house and the prospect of a treat.
"She's definitely inherited her mother's sweet tooth." Killian shakes his head with a smile on his face.
"And I'm pretty certain that Emma got hers from me." David laughed lightly at memories of the sweet pastries available at his castle. He then turned a more serious look to his best mate. "Now, you wanna tell me what's going on?"
"Oh you know, it's just been a tough few days is all." Killian cast his eyes away from his perceptive companion.
"No that's not it." David refuted immediately. "Did something happen at the doctors?"
"Let's just say some of those doctors need to learn to stick to medicine and mind their own bloody business." Killian growled and rubbed his hand down his face in frustration. At David's raised eyebrow, the pirate continued. "The midwife gave Emma a bunch of home remedies that are prophesied to bring on labour."
"Well she is four days late, and I don't need to tell you how uncomfortable Emma is."
"I know, I know." Killian grumbled, raking his hand through his hair. "It's just...we saw the babe today...and they seemed perfectly content with staying where they are."
"Killian, I'm sure the doctor wouldn't be recommending anything which wasn't completely safe." David could hear the fear in Killian's voice, a look on his face that he hadn't seen for a couple of years.
"I just can't stop thinking about what could go wrong." Killian's voice is almost too quiet for David to hear. "I can't go through anything like that again."
"You need to talk to Emma about this." The prince laid a comforting hand on his mate's shoulder. Killian nodded his head reluctantly. He knew he had to tell Emma about his fears. The reasons behind his reluctance to try to induce labour. He just wasn't sure how.
Killian re-entered the house hesitantly, not sure how he would find his wife after effectively walking away from her. He was pleased to see a smile on her face as she chatted away to Hope, who was perched on the table in front of her.
"Ladies." Killian ducked his head when he approached his family. Emma looked up at the sound of his voice. To the pirate's pleasant surprise, her smile remained on her features.
"Sweetie, why don't you give Daddy one of your cookies?" Emma helped her toddler onto the floor. Hope skipped over to her father with a gingerbread man in her sticky fingers.
"Thank you." Killian accepted the treat from his daughter, but kept his eyes on Emma. His gratitude was truly for his wife.
#
That night, once Hope was asleep, the couple snuggled together on the sofa.
"I'm sorry." Emma took the words right out of Killian's mouth. He blinked at her in shock, not sure why she felt like she should apologise. "I know I've been...slightly difficult-"
"Emma..." Killian tried to refute her claim. However true the statement might be.
"Don't argue it." Emma snapped slightly and Killian chuckled. The blonde couldn't help but snigger as well. "See what I mean?"
"Alright, you could say that you've been more prickly as of late." Killian played with the ends of Emma's hair with his hook. "But you have every reason to be."
"Yeah well I'm still going to try to be better." Emma twisted in her husband's arms so that she was looking up at his face. "Now, talk to me about what's been going on with you today. I know you told Dad."
"What?...I..." Killian grimaced at his bumbling answer.
"I could tell by the looks on your faces. No secrets can hide from the bromance." Emma teased lightly. Killian's body vibrated them both with his laughter. The baby gave a series of disgruntled kicks at the movement. Emma winced, the lack of room making numerous bones prod her insides.
"My apologies, little one." Killian rubbed Emma's stomach soothingly in an attempt to calm the baby inside. After seemingly no time at all the kicks subsided.
"I wonder if they'll listen to you this well when they're finally here." Emma entwined her hand with Killian's over her stomach.
"I know you're anxious for the baby to be here, love. And I am too, believe me. I can't wait to see their beautiful face staring up at me. To be the father to a tiny new-born again." Killian turned his face into Emma's hair, breathing in the scent of cinnamon shampoo to reassure him. "It's just... I'm terrified of the repercussions if we summon them here before they are ready."
"Killian, it'll be fine. The doctors wouldn't suggest anything-"
"Yes, your father said the same." Killian squeezed his eyes closed to help him organise his thoughts. "And I know that that's correct. But it doesn't stop me from imagining up a thousand scenarios in my head every single night of everything that could've gone wrong last time, that still could go wrong this time." Emma's heart broke at the tear that slipped from her husband's closed lashes. She had absolutely no idea that he felt this way. She should have noticed.
"Oh, Killian." The blonde brought their joint hands up to her lips, pressing kisses to his shaking palm. "How come you've never said anything?"
"Because I daren't think about it, let alone speak about it." Killian whispers quickly, afraid that if he doesn't speak now then he'll lose his nerve. "Emma, Hope's birth was one of the worst times of my life. The only reasons that it's not top is because we got our darling, perfect princess at the end of it. I genuinely thought that I was going to lose you both. That's something that I know I wouldn't have recovered from." Killian opened his eyes to Emma's tears rolling silently down her cheeks. "If it were to happen this time, I doubt I would be strong enough. I fear Hope and Henry would lose me also."
"Killian listen to me." Emma shook her head to rid her vision of tears, knowing that her husband needed her. "You are the strongest person I know, and the most committed father I have ever heard of. To Hope and Henry. I stand by my view that nothing is going to go wrong but, even if it did, I know you would stand with our children. That's why I'm able to be this certain about the outcome, because I trust you completely. Now I need you to have that faith in me."
"Of course I do love, with all that I am I believe in you." Killian leaned down to press his lips gently to his wife's.
"Good." Emma smiled as she re-arranged herself to be lying against her pirate's chest.
#
A few days passed and the moods definitely improved in the Swan-Jones household.
Emma agreed to always let Killian know when her internal body heat had gotten too much for her; when she needed to go outside to cool down. They both would set timers for 15 minutes, as that was as long as Killian felt comfortable with. During these times, more often than not, he would join his wife on their back porch.
There was no more talk about ways to induce labour. Emma was happy to suffer through this prolonged discomfort for her true love's peace of mind.
Killian attempted to ease such discomfort with holiday themed activities. Baking with her mother and Hope, taking their little girl to see 'Santa', continuing Killian's movication – the Christmas addition – with Henry. Although Emma couldn't do much or for very long, these moments were clearly having a positive effect. Honestly just seeing the lengths that her husband would go to to make her smile, warmed Emma's heart more than anything.
#
The 24th December came and that meant Granny's annual Christmas Eve party. Although Emma had an aversion to large gatherings in general, she'd always enjoyed this particular event. But this year she was pretty much dreading it.
"We don't have to go, love." Killian massaged his wife's shoulders as she stared at her ginormous reflection. "I'm sure everyone will understand." Emma tilted her head in thought. It was tempting to just blow the whole thing off.
"I-" The saviour turned to face her husband, seriously considering accepting his offer. Suddenly a whirlwind of blonde curls and red sparkles ran into the room.
"Mommy, do my hair?" Hope held her hairbrush in one hand, with a cluster of hairbands and clips in the other.
"Would you mind if I did it for you, princess?" Killian stretched his hand out to take the brush from his daughter. He knew how much effort it took Emma to get up from sitting in her condition, so he tried to limit the number of times she had to move from one position to the other.
"No." Hope scrunched up her nose at her father's offer. At his raised eyebrow the little girl added "thank you."
"Come here, sweetie." Emma lowered herself slowly down onto her bed. Hope ran to stand in front of her mother, eagerly thrusting the hairbrush into her hand. Emma tried to brush her daughter's curls, but it was proving difficult as she couldn't stand still. "Hope, sweetie, I can't do your hair if you keep moving."
"Sorry, Mommy, I ek-ited." Hope's eyes sparkled, making Killian smile at her childish glee.
"And why would that be, I wonder?" Killian feigned ignorance and crouched down in front of his girls.
"Daaaddyyyy." Hope rolled her eyes in a clear Emma gesture. "The party to-ight and Chwistmas!" The toddler clapped her hands. Emma laid a kiss to her blonde curls before continuing to brush out the knots. There was no way Emma could back out of going now.
#
The party had been in full swing for a couple of hours. Practically the entire town was in attendance, merrily drinking Granny's famous mulled wine. Killian still favoured his rum, not that he was really drinking tonight anyway. Seeing as Emma couldn't, he always thought it fair to cut back his alcohol intake during her pregnancies. He also needed to be sober enough to drive to the hospital in the event of his wife going into labour. Speaking of Emma, Killian hadn't seen her for some time now. He bid his exit from the conversation with Marco and August, in favour of finding his wife.
The pirate found Emma slumped in a booth with a slight scowl on her face.
"Everything alright, Swan?" Killian slid into the booth next to her.
"I swear if one more person touches my stomach without asking or gives me advice on getting this baby out, I'm gonna scream." Emma huffed as she leant into her husband's side. "People in this town really need to learn to mind their own business. And respect for personal space."
"Anything I can do to help?" Killian presses a kiss to his wife's forehead.
"No, I..." Emma trailed off with a yawn.
"Should we make our leave, love?" Killian used his hook to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Emma's eyes fell on Hope who was laughing and playing with the other children.
"No, it's fine." Emma shook her head lightly. "Granny said I could go lie down in a bed upstairs if I needed it."
"Are you certain?" Killian stood from the booth and held out his hand to assist her.
"Yeah, I just need a nap is all." Emma kissed her caring husband sweetly on the lips. "Come get me in an hour?"
"Aye love." Killian rubbed his hand over the baby bump, before watching his wife walk away.
"Where Mommy gone?" Hope walks over clutching Henry's hand in her small one.
"She's just gone upstairs to get some rest, princess. Nothing to worry about." Killian picks his daughter up in his arms.
"Oh ok." Hope visibly deflates at her mother's absence. The toddler was still worried about her mom. She didn't like how tired she'd been recently. And Hope couldn't wait to have a younger sibling to play with.
"Hey Hope, didn't you have something to ask your dad?" Henry lightly pinches his sister's side, wanting to see her smile come back.
"Oh and what was this grand request?" Killian nuzzles Hope's cheek, his insides warming at the giggle he receives in response.
"Can me and Henwy more cupcakes?" Hope flutters her eyes lashes and lets her lip fall out in a pout. Emma always teases him about how easily his daughter can get around him with just one look; incidentally the same look Emma uses on him when she wants something. "I not twied Rudol and Henwy not Santa."
"Is that so?" Killian looks to his stepson who nods his head with a wink. "Well that must be rectified immediately." Hope claps gleefully and wiggles out of her father's arms. Henry laughs, saluting his stepdad before chasing after the toddler. Killian shakes his head and goes to find David.
#
Emma awoke to the feeling of being wet. For a moment she thought it was just her mind playing tricks on her, not fully woken up from her dream of a family outing on the Jolly Roger. Then a pain emanated from her stomach, causing Emma's eyes to snap open. The duvet and sheets underneath her were soaked, as well as the bottom of her dress.
"Killian?" Emma sat up slowly, keeping her hand pressed to her abdomen. She suddenly remembered that she was in the B 'n' B. Alone. Reaching for her phone, which she had left on the nightstand, Emma went to dial Killian's number. A contraction starts, causing Emma to drop her phone on the floor. Cursing inwardly, she takes deep breaths through the pain. "Killian!" Emma shouts, hoping to be heard over the music and chatter downstairs. She refuses to have this baby on her own.
In the diner, Killian is in conversation with the dwarves over their next poker game. The pirate doesn't think he'll make it for a few months, due to the demands of having a new-born in the house. Suddenly his ears prick up slightly and the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He looks around for the source of his unease, but comes up empty.
Henry's walking back from the toilet when he hears a loud noise. It's not unusual to hear during a party, but this was like it was coming from above. Living in Storybrooke has taught Henry not to ignore anything out of sorts. He walks towards the jukebox and pauses the album of Christmas songs, which has been on repeat all evening.
The guests inside the diner begin to stop their conversations and look around, wondering why the cheery background tunes have ceased. After more than a few grumbles Henry is about ready to turn it back on.
"KILLIAN!" The scream makes Killian's heart lurch in his chest. He puts down his drink and hastily makes his way towards the source. His wife.
"Watch your sister." Killian yells over his shoulder at Henry, only now noticing that David and Snow are hot on his heels. He takes the stairs two at a time, bursting into the room his wife's cries were coming from.
"KILLIAN!" Emma's eyes are screwed shut as she attempts to make it through another contraction. They were already pretty close together, and she was trying not to panic.
"I'm here, Emma, I'm here." Killian rushes to sit next to his wife. Emma instinctively grasps his hook. "Is it time?" At Emma's nod, Killian's eyes grow wide and he looks over at Snow.
"Alright David, go get Whale from the party. Tell him Emma's in labour and, by the looks of it, we don't have long." Snow straightens up into her 'ruler stance' with the voice that brokers no arguments. David has the same fearful expression as his son-in-law, but complies to his orders and rushes from the room. "Emma, honey, can you tell me how long it is between contractions?"
"Not long." Emma slumps back against Killian, who has moved to sit directly behind her. "A few minutes...at best."
"Alright, Emma, we need to get your knickers off." Snow moved closer to the end of the bed.
"I can't have this baby here. I can't." Emma shook her head resolutely, the crack in her voice proving that she was scared. At that Killian pushed his own fear aside and grasped Emma's free hand in his own.
"Emma, baby, it's going to be ok." Snow dropped her Queen-mode, favouring her role as a mother. She perched on the edge of the bed and stroked her daughter's leg reassuringly. The blonde's eyes remained closed. "Look at me, please. I need you to trust me." Emma forced herself to look into her mother's eyes. She searched Snow's gaze, allowing the hope and love there to wash over her. Slowly Emma nodded, a tight-lipped smile on her face. "Good girl."
David ran into the room, with Whale right behind him., just as Snow got Emma's underwear down her legs.
"Right, let's see what the situation is here then." Whale opened the first aid kit that Granny had shoved into his arms. He pulled on the latex gloves before going to examine his patient. Emma squeezed her eyes closed at the uncomfortable sight of Doctor Frankenstein between her legs. Killian's jaw ticked as he watched the man carefully, not exactly pleased that the creep was exploring his wife's private parts. Whale straightened back up with a furrowed brow. "Looks like the baby is definitely coming."
"You think?" Killian snapped as Emma moaned through another contraction.
"Yes, in fact, I do." Whale retorted once the saviour had made it through the pain. "I was also going to say that now that they've decided it is time, they're obviously in a hurry to get here. As you know, a quicker labour than the first is not uncommon with subsequent babies. Even more so when that child is late. When was your due date again?"
"17th." Emma breathes out as Killian lifts their joint hands to brush some hair away from her face.
"Ah yes, so that makes you a week late. From what I can see, Emma, we certainly don't have time to go to the hospital." Whale grimaced apologetically, knowing the relief that modern medicine can provide. Emma groaned at the confirmation of what she had already expected. "It may help to look at the silver lining. At least I'm here."
"Some silver lining." Killian growled, about ready to start on the doctor; it had been a while since he'd laid hands on the man. Before he could even think of any offensive action, however, Emma's grip on his hand tightened due to the upcoming contraction. This one was more painful than the last, and she couldn't help but cry out as it crested.
#
The majority of the guests left once it became clear that the Saviour was in labour. The only ones who stayed were Henry, Hope, Regina and a few of the dwarves who insisted that they'd stay to wet the baby's head.
"Why don't we play a game? Like hide and seek, you love hide and seek!" Henry was trying to distract his sister, who was practically shaking with worry.
"That's a great idea!" Regina slides in next to Henry, handing out the hot chocolates around the table. "You could hide with Henry and I could try to find you. No cheating with magic, I promise." Henry laughs politely at his mother's attempts with the toddler. Hope simply stares at her hot chocolate.
The noises from upstairs cut through their conversation. Hope squeezes her eyes closed and she actually does start shaking. A flurry of snow manifests itself above her head.
"Hey trouble, mom's going to be fine. I promise." Henry reached over to grasp his little sister's hand. He was worried about Emma too, but right now he was more concerned about the girl sitting across from him.
A scream, which was muffled but clearly from Emma, sounded through the diner. Hope let out a cry and her eyes flew open.
"Ow!" Henry ripped his hand back as the burn of magic shoots through his hand. Hope's eyes fill with tears and she scrambles from the booth. Henry immediately feels guilty. "Hope wait it's alright."
"What happened?" Regina whispers as they both stand to follow the little girl.
"She must have gotten really upset cause she accidentally hurt me with her magic." Henry approached his sister, who had curled up in a ball behind the counter.
"Hope, sweetheart, you need to calm down for me, ok?" Regina raised her hands in a placating gesture. It was clear that Hope's magic was controlled strongly by her emotions, the same as Emma's.
"M-mo-mommy." Hope sobbed and squeezed her eyes shut once more. An ice-cold wind began to whip through the diner, building in ferocity.
"Hope, I'm ok. You didn't hurt me. It's fine. Come here, munchkin. Let me give you a hug, yeah?" Henry inched closer to Hope, wary but trying not to show it.
"Henry." Regina raised her voice as the snow mixed with the tornado to form a blizzard. "Go get Killian." Henry nodded, glancing once more at his sister before rushing to retrieve his stepdad.
#
David put his arms around his wife as she continued to shiver. The temperature in the room had suddenly dropped. The prince could almost see his own breath.
Henry burst into the room, causing everyone to look at him.
"Lad, is everthin-" Killian removed himself from behind Emma, keeping his hand entwined in hers.
"You need to come with me. It's Hope." Henry panted, wincing at the worry that appeared on his parents faces.
"What's wrong with Hope?" Emma squeezes her husband's hand tighter.
"She was getting really upset that you'd gone, which got worse when we could hear..." Henry trailed off, not wanting his mom to feel any sort of blame over this. Emma's eyes filled with tears as the realisation sunk in. She should have told Henry to take Hope to Regina's, or sent her to the loft with her parents. "Now there's a blizzard in the diner."
"Her magic." Emma breathes out, tears falling at the thought of her poor baby. Another wave of pain courses through her, causing her to squeeze her eyes shut. Killian instantly crouches down next to her, holding out his hook for her free hand. Emma bites her lip in an effort not to even moan, not wanting to cause Hope any more distress.
Killian gives his wife praise whilst she battles through this contraction. The pain was getting worse and lasting for longer.
"Go to her, Killian." Emma opens her eyes after it subsides. "Our daughter needs you."
"I don't want to leave you. I don't want to miss this." Killian presses a kiss to his true love's lips. He knew he had to go see to Hope. His baby girl was in distress. And he would be there for her. He wanted to be there for her. He just wasn't sure what good he could do. It should be Emma.
"I know." Emma stroked her husband's stubble. "But Hope needs her daddy. We'll be fine."
"Aye, Swan. We all will be." Killian unclicks his hook from his brace to offer to Emma. She takes it gratefully, happy to have some part of her husband with her during this.
"We really need to go." Henry notices that the temperature has dropped once again. David bends down next to the fireplace, intent to start a fire to warm the room; a freezing environment was not good for a new-born.
"Of course, lad, let's go." Killian gives Emma one last kiss on the forehead before following his stepson from the room.
"Right, Emma, by the looks of things we're ready. I want you to start pushing on your next contraction, ok?" Whale looks up at his patient. Emma takes a deep breath and nods. She grasps Killian's hook tightly in her hand. She could totally do this.
Killian could hear the rage of the blizzard as he came down the stairs. The air is bitterly cold, and he spares a thought to his child about to be born in these conditions. He needed to help Hope before this got even worse.
"Mom!" Henry shouted as they rounded the corner into the diner. All that could be seen was white. The snow whipping around the room at a fierce rate. Regina offered no reply to his call. She probably didn't hear him at all.
"Henry, stay here." Killian pushed his stepson behind him.
"No, I can help." Henry shrugged off his stepfather's arm, readying himself to enter the storm.
"Henry, please." Killian grasped the boy's shoulders so that their eyes met. "This isn't in any way me doubting your abilities. But I can't have you in there with me. I'm already worrying for Hope and the babe, I need to know that at least one of my children is safe."
Henry looked into the man's eyes, the man who had been the best father figure he could ask for. He swallowed thickly and nodded. Killian gave him a quick hug before stepping into the blizzard.
"Hope!" He shouted his daughter's name continuously as he held his arm out in front of him. Being a pirate captain for so many years meant that he was skilled at keeping his bearings. "Princess?" Killian grabbed onto the edge of the counter and slowly walked alongside it. There were fallen stools scattered across his path and, more than once, the father tripped almost losing his footing.
"D-Daddy?" Hope's voice cried out.
"Yes, princess, I'm here." Killian followed his daughter's voice, struggling against the strong winds. It was like sailing into the eye of the storm. Something which Killian would gladly do for his little girl.
"W-want m-mommy." Hope's sobs broke Killian's heart. He understood completely. He wanted Emma too.
"I know, darling, I know. But Mommy is bringing the baby into the world. So I need you to trust me, ok?" Killian got to end of the counter and crouched down where Henry had said Hope was. He could hear her cries in his ear. "Mommy is going to be fine, I promise. And so are you." Blinking quickly against the snow, Killian could see a tiny figure in front of him. He reached a hand out towards his daughter. "Take my hand, princess."
"I c-can't." Hope stuttered and the blizzard increased. "I hurt H-henwy."
"Henry's completely fine, Hope, I promise." Killian wanted to bring his little girl into his arms. However he knew that she had to come to him. "I know you're scared, princess, but it's going to be okay. Just hold my hand. I promise you won't hurt me."
Hope tentatively reached out her hand to find her father's. She wished for nothing more than to be in his arms. As soon as she felt the rougher texture of his fingers, Hope grasped on tightly.
Suddenly the air went still. The wind stopped completely, leaving the snow suspended around them.
"Princess." Killian wasted no time in getting to his daughter. He gathered the little girl's shaking body into his arms.
"S-s-sorry." Hope sobbed into his neck.
"Hey none of that. There's no need to apologise." Killian shushed his daughter softly, swaying her slightly in his hold.
"How is she?" Regina walked over rubbing her back. The queen had a gash on her forehead which was dripping blood.
"She'll be ok." Killian laid his cheek on his daughter's curls. "Are you alright?"
"Oh this?" Regina gestured to her head, she could tell that it was bleeding. "I'll live." She shrugged just as Henry approached them.
"Mom, you okay?" Henry whispered, not wishing to upset his sister again. Regina brushed off her son's concern. She definitely wasn't the one they needed to worry about right now.
"S-sorry Henwy." Hope sniffled, turning her head so that her face was visible.
"Don't worry about it, munchkin. My mom can fix it right up." Henry winked at his sister and held his injured hand up to Regina. The queen smiled softly, calling upon her magic to heal him. "See, all better."
"Like I said, little love, no harm done." Killian bopped the toddler on her nose. Hope giggled softly and nuzzled her father's cheek.
#
Warmth started to return to the room, making David smile. The howling winds had ceased. That meant his granddaughter was ok.
"One last push, Emma." Whale had blocked out the commotion downstairs so that he could focus solely on his patient.
"Come on, sweetheart, you can do this. You're doing so well." Snow squeezed her daughter's hand as Emma hunched forward. The blonde screamed through the pain, bearing down one final time. She collapsed back against the pillows and panted heavily. Suddenly the sound of crying filled the room.
"Congratulations, Emma, it's a girl." Whale held up the wailing child so that Emma could see her.
"Can I hold her?" Emma sat up immediately, ignoring the pain that the movement caused.
"Of course, we just need to clean her up first." The doctor cut the umbilical cord as David brought over the pre-prepared bowl of water and towels.
"I don't care about any of that. I just want to hold her." The new mother's tears started to fall when Whale turned to take her daughter away.
"It will only take a few mo-"
"Just let me hold my baby!" Emma's shout startles everyone in the room. She leans back into her pillows and begins to sob.
"Sweetheart, it's alright." Snow soothes her daughter by carding her fingers through her blonde waves. She had an inkling as to what was upsetting her daughter. Emma had never held Henry as an infant, and had had to wait to hold Hope until they were both well enough. The new mother didn't want to waste any seconds this time around. "No-one is going to take her, I promise nothing will happen to her. She's just going to get cleaned and wrapped up, then you can hold her for as long as you wish to." Emma looks at her mother and gives a watery smile. Some years ago, it would have scared her to have someone read her that well. Now she takes comfort in the strong bond she and her mother share.
David mouths to his wife that he's going to get Killian, before slipping out of the room once more.
"Here you go, Emma." Whale carefully transfers the bundle into the eager mother's arms.
"Hi, baby." Emma tries to blink the tears away from her vision, not wanting anything to disturb the view of her new child. The blue towel that she's wrapped in is definitely larger than the standard baby blanket, dwarfing the tiny figure within. "I'm your mommy. I have been waiting a long time to meet you." The girl's face scrunches up before her eyes open wide and stare up at her mother.
"She's got your eyes." Snow gasps as she leans in for a closer look at her youngest grandchild. It's true that most babies are born with blue eyes to start with, but her green emeralds are as clear as day.
"No." Emma shakes her head slightly, running her finger over the baby's rosy cheek. "Hers are much more beautiful." Due to being born so late, a tuft of dark hair already exists on the girl's head. "Oh just you wait until your Daddy sees you."
#
Killian keeps Hope in his lap as he waits for her to fully calm. Another scream from upstairs caused her to start crying again, burying her face into her father's neck. Killian soothed her as best he could. And, although Hope's tears dissipated into the odd sniffle, he knew that she still needed Emma.
"How's my darling princess?" David asks when he enters the diner, taking note of the carnage around them.
"Stronger than ever." Killian momentarily places Hope on the floor, so he can stand, before gathering her back into his arms. "Isn't that right, little lass?" The blonde curls nod as Hope shyly eyes her grandfather.
"Well that's good, because there's someone who wants to meet you." David tickles the toddler under her chin, relishing the giggle she emits. Killian's grin widens at the realisation that his new child has been born. "What d'you say to coming to see your new sister?"
"It's a girl." Killian breathes out as the young girl in his arms claps in excitement. David nods, giving his son-in-law a clap on the back before leading the way up to Emma's room.
Emma is so completely entranced with the small beauty in her arms, that she doesn't register the door opening.
"Emma." Killian smiles at the radiant look on his wife's face. Her eyes were locked on to the bundle she was holding.
"Mommy!" Hope cries out in glee and attempts to wiggle down from her father's arms. Killian keeps a tight grip on her, however, as he makes his way over to Emma.
"Hey, guys." Emma's voice is hoarse from the strain and emotion of giving birth. Her smile shines brightly though.
"You're amazing, Emma." Killian sits on the bed next to his wife and bestows a lingering kiss to her forehead. He finally looks at the new-born Emma is cradling. His heart just about stops. Hope stands on her father's thighs so that she can peer at her sister. Killian keeps her steady with his left arm, using his right hand to caress the baby's head. "Bloody amazing."
"Killian Jones meet your new daughter." Emma watches as the baby's eyes seek out this newcomer.
"She has your eyes." Killian beams, glancing up at his wife before returning his gaze to his new child.
"So I've heard." Emma laughs gently and searches for her mother. It is then that she notices that her parents and Whale have left; obviously wanting to give them some privacy.
"And everything's ok? With you and the wee lass?" Killian tries to mask the tremble in his voice. His wife just gave birth with next to no assistance from modern medicine, more like the process back in the Enchanted Forest where the mortality rates for both mother and baby were much higher.
"Everything's perfect." Emma reassured her husband, lovingly caressing his hook before clicking it back into his brace. "Whale said we can go and get checked out at the hospital if we want to, but he doesn't think it's necessary. He's set up an appointment for the 27th, to give us time to enjoy Christmas as a family." Killian's breathing got easier with the news that his family were going to be ok. He would still be watching them both like a hawk for the foreseeable future. Emma would expect nothing less. "And how are you, sweetie?"
"Mo-mommy." Hope begins to sob. She wants to go to her mom. She wants to get hugs and kisses and to feel all better. But she also knows that this new baby needs her mommy too. And that she has to be careful around her cause she's fragile.
"Oh, baby." Emma blinks away tears at seeing her daughter so upset and yearning for her. Killian draws Hope in closer as the girl continues to cry for her mother once again. Emma shifts herself up slightly and gently nudges her husband's shoulder with her own. "Fancy a trade, Captain?"
"Aye, Swan." Killian looks between his wife and their new baby with awe, his fingers twitching to hold her. With a bit of manoeuvring, Emma manages to transfer the bundle into her husband's arms.
"Come here, baby." Emma opens her arms in invitation to her oldest daughter. Hope hastens to throw herself into her mother's embrace. Emma winces uncomfortably but doesn't loosen her hold on her daughter. "I'm so glad you're ok, sweetie, I was so worried about you."
"I'm s-sorry." Hope cries into her mother's chest.
"Hey, you don't need to say sorry." Emma presses multiple kisses to her daughter's head and cards her fingers through her curls. She frowns at the coldness that lingers on Hope's skin. "I'm sure Daddy already told you that this wasn't your fault." Hope nods and grips her mother's dress tighter. "Daddy's good at taking care of us girls, isn't he?" Emma looks down when she receives no response. Hope's eyes are closed and her breathing is steady; her exhausted body finally giving in to sleep.
"It's my pleasure, love." Killian's eyes shine with unshed tears. At Emma's held tilt, Killian scoots closer. "To take care of my girls is a blessing." Emma softly brushes her lips against his, mindful of the two sleeping children in their arms.
"I can't believe we have another daughter." Emma sighs as she fights to keep her eyes open, her body craving rest after going through labour without any pain relief.
"It seems to be my luck in life to be surrounded by beautiful women." Killian winks at Emma, the adoration clear in his voice.
"We will be ever thankful for that." Emma smiles softly before her expression grows serious once more. "Is Hope truly ok? She's still cold to touch."
"Aye love. The lass is strong like her mother." Killian reaches out his stump to stroke Emma's cheek. The blonde leans into her husband's comforting caress. "We always knew that it was a possibility that she would inherit your magical abilities. What with her being second generation true love, as well as the Saviour's daughter. We've even suspected it during the last year or so."
"I know, it's just… now we know for sure. And she's powerful, to create a storm like that at her age." Emma felt tears of worry build up once more. Killian caught the few that fell with his stump.
"She'll be ok, Emma, I promise. Better than, even. She'll be bloody amazing." Killian couldn't keep the pride from his voice as he looked at their toddler. He knew that Hope would grow to use her light magic for truly wonderful things. "And we'll be there with her every step of the way. As we are there for all of our children. Together." The pirate raised his eyes to see if his wife had calmed at his words. He got his desired answer. Emma's eyes were closed, her eyelids fluttering in sleep. "We really do make quite a team." Killian muses softly as he looks over his three sleeping angels. He then falls silent, content in listening to his family's soft breathing.
The chimes of the clock tower ring through the room, announcing that it is now Christmas Day. Thankfully none of the girls even stir at the sound. Killian gazes down at the new-born in his arms. Maybe Henry and Hope were right after all. Because this is the best gift he could have ever received.