I hope you all enjoy this final installment! I think this was my favorite chapter to write, because I love the idea of Killian being a father. Thank you all!
Chapter Four
She's pregnant.
There's no way Regina can tell if it's a boy or a girl this early, but she's definitely pregnant. Regina claimed she'd had her suspicions for a few weeks now but hadn't bothered to mention anything, and when Emma thinks about it, she figures she's nearly two months in.
Their things are already packed and in the carriage by the time Emma and Killian leave Regina's room. Snow assures Emma she'll take good care of the kingdom for the next few weeks, and David smiles and congratulates his daughter on "everything" but Emma knows him well enough to know he's talking about the baby.
Liam is there too, and he's speaking with Killian in the corner while Emma says goodbye to her siblings. She sees Killian speak and then she watches as Liam smiles and Killian blushes, the two brothers sharing an embrace. Liam pulls away and approaches Emma, pulling his new sister-in-law into his arms and whispering in her ear, "If it's a boy, I expect at least one of his names to be mine."
Emma chuckles, glad that Killian's told his brother. It's still early, yes, but practically everyone in her family knows, and it would be unfair for Liam not to know. "I'll speak to your brother about it," she responds. "But I'm sure it won't take much convincing."
Her brother-in-law smiles at her when he pulls back, and Killian comes over at that moment to wrap an arm around her waist. "Take good care of her, little brother. And that little niece or nephew of mine."
Killian smiles, "Will do, big brother. And it would be nice if you would suck it up and finally propose to that wonderful girlfriend of yours. You know, before your little brother is married with a baby?"
Liam blushes, and Emma rolls her eyes at her husband. "Alright, you two, say your goodbyes. If we ever want to get out of here, we should leave now." Emma instructs.
They leave after Killian gives his brother one last hug and Emma hugs her parents again, climbing into the carriage and heading to their parents' summer palace. Although Emma had suggested spending their honeymoon at sea, her stomach had guaranteed otherwise and her mother had changed their plans at the last minute.
Emma makes them stop the carriage nearly twice because of motion sickness, and Killian fusses over her both times and insists that they should head back, but Emma's determined to have a honeymoon, nausea or not.
The summer palace is beautiful. Her parents spent their honeymoon there (ew) and so had her grandparents (double ew) but she'd been assured that the rooms had been cleaned. Besides, it's been nearly twenty years since her parents got married, and she's excited to spend two weeks there.
Killian doesn't let her help bring their things in or pick things up, no matter how much she persists that she's pregnant, not dying. He cleans off a couch and instructs her to sit down and she watches while he cleans, the staff helping to bring bags in. It takes a few hours but then it's just them, lying on the couch she hasn't moved from in forever, and he's talking to her stomach like the crazy man he is.
"...then there's Leo. You two will probably be good friends. He'll be around your age. That's crazy, isn't it? That your uncle is only a few years older than you? Your grandparents wanted lots of kids, and they got it. Speaking of, your grandparents are going to be the best grandparents in the world. They already love you so much, and we all just found out about you this morning. We all love you already. Isn't that right, mommy?"
Emma laughs. "Yeah, daddy. That's right."
They're sitting in their bedroom a few months later, both of them exhausted from a long day. Killian had been crowned king a month after they got back from their honeymoon, and now one's saying anything to them about the fact that Emma's showing far too early for the baby to have been conceived on the honeymoon. And she's definitely showing, there's no way around it. Despite making the announcement as early as possible, she'd been showing nearly a day after it.
"You know, we really should think about names." Emma states while Killian has his hand on her stomach. Her pink nightgown is very thin and allows for him to feel the baby kick, which he hasn't done in a while.
(Yes, Emma thinks it's a boy. Killian insists girl, but she's not so sure).
Killian shrugs in response. "We could always wait to meet her."
"Yes, but when he arrives and doesn't have a name, you're going to feel bad." Emma teases. Her hand goes to her stomach as the baby kicks and Killian smiles, clearly taking it as a sign.
"See, Love, she doesn't like you calling her a boy." He smirks.
Emma rolls her eyes. "I still think we should talk about names. Boy or girl."
He nods. "Alright. Have you put any thought into it?"
"I've always thought I would have my father's name in there somewhere. And now your brother's. But not as first names." Emma tells him.
"Still going on and on about a boy, huh?" Killian chuckles. "What about a first name?"
Emma shrugs. "I don't know. Middle names are as far as I got."
"Well, I guess it doesn't matter, since it's a girl." He gasps again as the baby kicks his hand. "See?"
Emma shakes her head. "Did you ever think maybe he's kicking you because he's angry you keep calling him a girl? I do have a name for a daughter, though."
"Really?" Killian lifts an eyebrow. "Maybe you do secretly want a girl, Love. Tell me, what are you thinking?"
"Well, the order is interchangeable, really." Emma hesitates before responding, "Eliza Eva."
Killian's blue eyes widen. "After my mother?" He didn't remember his mother well, but he'd been told her name countless times: Elizabeth. Liam can remember their father calling her Eliza, and Emma's loved the name ever since she heard it the first time. Eva's her grandmother's name, and she thinks the combination of names is perfect.
"Yes, after your mother." Emma smiles.
His face seems to melt and he places his other hand on her stomach, eyes watering. "I love it, Emma. I love you." He responds, kissing her lightly.
They both take to calling the baby Eliza, after that, because Killian's somehow convinced her it's a girl. She talks to the baby often, just because she wants her to hear her mother's voice. Although they're trying to keep names secret (they'd decided on Charles David for a boy, but they're both convinced they won't need to use it), Snow accidentally overhears her say the baby's name, and she thinks it's perfect. She's sworn to secrecy, but when David accidentally says, "hi Eliza," after he greets Emma, she's clear on how poorly her mother can keep a secret.
("I couldn't not tell my husband, Emma!" Snow had responded. "He practically begged me to tell him!"
Emma had rolled her eyes, not angry but not impressed either).
Emma's mother insists on having a baby shower, and she invites some of Emma closest friends and family. Elsa and Anna come, and the surprise is one of Emma's favorite gifts. Even some of the people bring gifts, excited for the new royal baby and therefore the new heir to the throne.
Despite being convinced the baby's a girl, everyone gets her gender neutral gifts. Bae and Tink come from their home in Rumplestiltskin's kingdom (he hadn't been happy about the marriage, but Bae was his son, and he folded eventually) with their son, and they bring her a few outfits. Elsa and Anna give her a stuffed snowman (which Emma loves and might keep for herself). Aurora and Philip give her a bassinet, and Belle gives her a few children's books. Emma's final present is from her mother and father, who make her walk (more like waddle) up the stairs. She finds herself in front of her old room, just down the hall from their new one.
"Mom, what are we doing here? Walking is not my favorite thing right now." Emma complains, hand rubbing her stomach to calm Eliza's kicking.
Snow smiles. "Emma, you're going to love this, I promise!"
David smiles too, opening the door to her old room, and Emma gasps. It had been changed to accommodate Emma as she grew up, but it's been changed back now. It's not the same as Emma's was as a baby (for one, the wardrobe is gone; bad memories), but it's still just as beautiful. There's toys all over the room, and her old mobile is above the crib. There's a rocking chair across from it and a carriage is on the balcony.
The gesture brings tears to Emma's eyes, and she curses her hormones while she hugs both of her parents tight.
"Thank you guys so much," Emma cries, pulling away to look around the room.
Snow smiles. "You should thank Killian. This was his idea. He figured the baby would enjoy a room that used to be yours. Plus, Regina made a hallway that connects your room to the baby's room."
Emma turned around to smile at Regina, who was lingering at the door to the room, unsure if she should come in. Ignoring the woman's reluctance, Emma walked over to hug Regina gratefully. Regina smiled at her when she pulled away, asking, "You're still sure you don't want to know the baby's gender?"
She nodded. "Killian and I agreed. Besides, they'll be here soon enough. We don't have to wait that much longer."
Snow side-eyed Emma; her daughter had been calling the baby a girl for so long, she had assumed she knew. David look confused too, but Emma didn't say anything to them.
"What do you think, Love?" Emma smiled at the sound of Killian's voice in the doorway, happy to see her husband.
"I love it. Killian, it's perfect." She responded, grabbing his hand and dragging him into the room.
Emma could feel her mother's gaze on the two of them, grateful when she said, "We'll leave you two alone."
Killian watched her as she sat down in the rocking chair, white dress falling down on the floor. She was exhausted, the busy day taking a toll on her, and she still had a meeting to attend.
"How are you feeling?" He asked her, looking on the shelves to examine the toys there.
Emma sighed. "I'm exhausted. My feet and back are killing me. And Eliza won't stop moving and I can't sleep." At Killian's raised brow, Emma added, "But I love the room. It's perfect. And I can't wait until she's sleeping in here instead of inside of me."
He chuckled. "Well, it's only a matter of time, Darling. And you could always try to take a nap now. I'll talk to her, try to calm her down."
It was a tempting offer, but Emma shook her head. "We have that meeting in a half hour, and we can't be late. And if I do fall asleep, I won't ever want to wake up."
"Alright, well, I'll be glad to talk to her until you fall asleep tonight, Love. I'll gladly sacrifice a night of sleep if that means you get some sleep." Emma nodded, thankful that she would finally (hopefully) get some sleep.
"I appreciate it, Kill." She thanked. "Now, you wanna help me get up, because it'll probably take that whole half hour just to get to the meeting hall."
Killian laughed and took her arm to help her up, which takes a moment. She takes the arm he offers her and walks out of the room with her King, where she finds Robin running around the halls with Roland and Leo.
"Your highnesses," Robin greets, and Leo runs happily over to Killian, who lifts him up into his arms.
Emma smiles. "Hi, Robin. Roland,"
Roland shyly smiles and hides behind his father. No matter how long he's lived in the castle, he's never really warmed up to most of the people. He loves Henry, and Regina, but isn't too keen on anyone else.
"How are you feeling, Emma?" Robin asks, patting Roland's head.
She shrugs. "Very pregnant. Eager to meet my baby."
Robin nods. "I understand that. I was very eager to meet Roland when Marion was…" He trails off. Despite being hopelessly in love with Regina, his late wife was still a sore subject. "Meeting your baby's going to be one of the best moments of your life. I'm happy for you guys."
Emma and Killian both nod. "We're excited," Killian admits. Leo smiles happily at Killian as he plays with the man's hair, and he smiles and starts to turn to the child when Emma's grip on his hand tightens and she gasps, her other hand flying to her stomach.
"Emma," Killian immediately turns back to her, concern crossing his features. "What is it?"
She winces, and Robin runs to her other side. "What do you think, Killian? All this talk about the baby, she's ready to come and visit," she just finishes her sentence before she gasps again, grabbing Robin's arm without thinking.
"Gods," Killian hisses, meeting eyes with Robin. "Okay, Robin, can you take Leo to his parents and tell them to get to the bedroom across the hall from the nursery? And tell them to get the midwife,"
Robin nods, taking Leo from Killian's arms and grabbing Roland's hand, the three of them making their way down the stairs.
"Alright, Emma, I'm going to take you into the guest room, okay?" Killian asked.
"Killian, I'm in labor, not a toddler. I get it." She snapped. "Don't talk to me like I'm stupid."
Killian nodded. "Okay, so we're gonna yell at each other already."
Emma scowled at him as he helped her onto the bed, brushing some hair out of her face. Face softening, he smiled and asked, "Are you ready to meet our daughter, Love?"
Through her pain, Emma managed a smile. "Never been more ready."
Eliza Eva Jones is born eight hours later, with ten fingers and ten toes, with dark hair on her head and blue eyes. She's got her mother's nose and chin, though, and she's absolutely perfect.
She's in her father's arms and he's looking down at her with so much love in his eyes. Killian's got Eliza's snowman in his other hand, and she's grabbing at it with her small hands. Emma's determined to make the snowman her favorite toy, since it's already Emma's. Emma's lying on the bed resting, and her family is sitting around the bed talking quietly. Liam's there too, his now-wife by his side. He'd cried when Killian had told him the baby's name, thanking Emma profusely.
Emma's close to drifting off when the door opens, and Granny walks in. She's got a blanket in her arm and Emma smiles, because she must've made a blanket for the baby.
"Hey, Granny." Emma greets. Killian sits down on the bed next to her, Eliza fussing slightly but not crying.
Granny smiles. "Hello, girly. I've got a present for you and that lovely daughter of yours."
She sits down in the chair next to the bed and hands her the blanket. Much to Emma's surprise, it's similar to hers. The same white material is used, but the color on the border is teal rather than purple, and the name Eliza is engraved in the side.
The sight makes her eyes water, and she's not even surprised, because she's cried nearly five times since her daughter was born. "Thank you, Granny. But how did you know her name?"
Granny shrugged. "Your mother may have ran to me the second she heard you murmuring to the baby a few months ago."
"But how did you know she was going to be a girl?" Emma questioned, looking to her mother.
Snow shrugged, glancing at the floor. "I may or may not have asked Regina for confirmation."
"You knew and you didn't tell me?" Emma's not angry, she's just surprised that her mother was able to keep a secret for so long.
"Would you rather I'd told you?" Snow retorted, and Emma shook her head. She was honestly happy at the surprise, even though she knew most of the time she'd have a daughter.
"Here, why don't you give her to me? I'll change her blanket," Emma says to Killian, who nods before smiling down at his daughter one last time and handing her to her mother, who wrapped Eliza into her new blanket. The baby opened her eyes again, but didn't cry, thankfully. She cooed happily at the new blanket. Emma looks up and smiles at Granny. "Thank you, Granny. She loves it."
Granny smiles, standing up to look down at the baby. She smiles at her, saying, "Oh, Emma, Killian, she's absolutely gorgeous. You're going to have your hands full with her one day."
Emma laughs and Killian's jaw clenches, clearly not ready to deal with the reality that she's going to grow up one day just hours after his daughter is born.
Liam chuckles at the expression on his brother's face, teasing, "You know Killian, your precious baby is going to grow up one day. Just imagine how David feels right now."
Killian looks over at David, who smirks. "Yep, get ready for it, son."
Emma laughs at the terrified look on his face.
Then she yawns, and her mother notices, so she suggests that everyone give the two of them some time to be with their daughter. Snow kisses her forehead quickly and runs a hand over Eliza's foot before leaving. David bids his daughter a goodnight and then jokes about being too young to be a grandfather, just like her mother had. Her siblings follow their parents with quick goodbyes to Emma, Killian and their new niece. Liam claps his brother on the shoulder and congratulates Emma before kissing his niece on the forehead.
Then they're alone.
Emma's exhausted and so is Killian, and since Eliza's finally asleep, it makes sense for the two of them to sleep. But they don't. Eliza lies on the bed between them as they lie on their sides, watching her breath.
"She's perfect." Killian states, playing with her toes. She's already a heavy sleeper, but there's no way she'll sleep through the night.
Emma nods, agreeing with Killian's words. "She's finally here."
"Thank you," Killian says, confusing Emma.
"What did I do?" She asks.
Killian smirks. "You gave me her. That's more than I could've ever asked for."
"You know…" Emma teases. "If I remember correctly, you did have a part in it."
He blushes. After seven months, they'd finally been able to figure out the night (or the one they thought was the night) they'd conceived. And well….it was a memorable one.
"Maybe I did." He relents. "But you're the one who carried her around for nine months. Dealt with the nausea and the sleepless nights and my constant hovering."
She smiled, reaching across the baby to brush his hair out of his eyes. "It was worth it. I already love her more than anything. Besides, now, you get to deal with the diapers and the sleepless nights and the crying and screaming."
"I'm happy to, Love." Killian kisses her hand. "Now, get some sleep. You've earned it."
Emma smiles gratefully. With her eyes closed, she muttered, "I love you. Both of you."
She feels Killian brush some hair out of her eyes. "I love you too, Darling. Forever."
Forever turns out to be pretty good.
Charles, or Charlie as they take to calling him, arrives six years after Eliza, and then comes Liam, and then Hope. Her and Killian rule for twenty two years, when Eliza marries Rowan (a blacksmith, not an arranged marriage) and takes over as queen. And after that, it's them and their family, and they don't have to worry about ruling a country anymore. They love each other and their kids and eventually, their grandchildren.
Forever turns out to be their happily ever after.
It's really sappy, I know. But I fell in love with all of these characters while I was writing this and I might go back to it just because I love Daddy Killian and I can already tell I'm going to love little Eliza (please don't hate me for the name, I couldn't just leave her nameless). I hope you all enjoyed, and maybe I'll finish something again sometime soon! Again, thank you all!