"Emma, what are you saying?"
"I don't-I can't watch Leia go through, well," she looked up and down at herself, "This."
"You can't actually be serious?"
"Killian," she pleaded, her bottom lip trembling.
He let go of her arm, "She's destined to become the Savior. Just like you were. Why would you ever want to take that away from her?"
"You really think being the Savior is so great?! You think it's been easy for me?! You haven't been through it, you don't know what it's actually like! Sure, lots of good things have come from it, but what about all the bad? Being the Savior meant putting everyone's life before my own, putting myself in danger for the town, fighting battles I didn't know if I would survive. Killian, being the Savior meant not getting my happy beginning and a certain death wish until just a few years ago. I would never stop being the Savior, but that's because I didn't have a choice and I still don't - it was too late when I found out. Too many lives depended on me taking up this role. But Leia? It's not too late for her. She can have a normal life. A life that doesn't involve magic, and villains, and final battles. She can have a life where she doesn't have to worry about fighting for other's happiness, just her own. I don't want my daughter to live in fear of whether she'll lose her life during her next battle or not," Emma's last few words were barely audible over her sobs.
Killian did not have to say much for Emma to know that what she had just said had hurt him, "How dare you say that I haven't been through it?"His voice cracked, "Bloody hell, Swan. Yes, I'm not a Savior, nowhere near one, actually, but I've been by your side through it all. The villains, the battles, the magic...it's affected your life just as much as it has mine. You wanna know why, Emma? Because you are my life. How do you think it felt having to stand on the sidelines while you got impaled to death? How do you think I felt knowing how broken you were when being the Savior meant not getting your happy ending?" Killian was now shouting between cries, his cheeks stained with tears, "Every time you felt hurt, broken, or scared about facing the reality that came along with being the Savior, I wanted nothing more than to take your place just so you didn't ever have to feel that pain again. You're the reason I live and breathe, Em, you and the kids. So, don't ever say that I haven't been through it again."
"I'm sorry," was all Emma could manage to say, "I didn't mean it like that." They both knew each other far too well to know that fighting about it was not going to get them anywhere.
"I know," Killian sighed, wiping his tears away with the back of his hand, "C'mere," he whispered and pulled Emma into a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around her small frame. Emma had always considered Killian to be her home so there was no better way to comfort her than to be wrapped in his arms. The smell of his sweet, woody cologne always soothed her beyond belief; so much so that, on nights when she needed a pick me up and her husband was not around for whatever reason, she would fall asleep wearing one of his many oversize shirts he kept around just for her, which all smelled just like him.
Emma curled up into his embrace, holding her hands closed to her core, allowing him to rock her back and forth. Killian rested his chin on her head and combed his fingers through her hair.
"I'm getting your shirt wet," Emma said, knowing that her thick tears were staining his shirt.
Killian let out a relieved chuckle and picked her chin up just enough so they could make eye contact, "I love you. And I'm sorry."
Emma sighed, "Me too. And I love you more."
"Not possible," Killian cupped her face with his hand and gently brushed his thumb over her cheek.
She got on her tippy toes to place a soft peck on his lips. These were the moments that made every obstacle they had ever faced in their relationship worth it. Just being in each other's arms, soaking up every bit of each other's presence, and pretending like whatever was outside of their perfect, little bubble ceased to exist was enough to keep them going.
After a few minutes of simply just standing there, holding one another, Killian pulled back, "Swan," he said, "Can I say one thing?"
Emma nodded, "Anything."
"Just listen to what I have to say, okay? No interruptions. Not until I'm done," he gave her a look that implied this was a warning, "Promise?"
She playfully rolled her eyes knowing that no matter what she said, he was going to say whatever was on his mind anyway - they were both equally alike in that way, "Promise."
"Leia is our daughter. This decision is ours to make, not just yours. I wish we could somehow consider both of our choices and make something of it, but unfortunately, considering the circumstances, it's one or the other. I know you don't agree, but please believe every word I'm about to say. I love every part of you. Including the Savior part. Being the Savior is not just what you do, it's who you are. It's as much a part of you as those beautiful green eyes I love so much are," he smiled down at her, "And if that's Leia's destiny, then that means it's also just as much a part of her. But," he paused before continuing, "You and the kids' happiness and safety will forever be my priority. No matter how badly I think Leia deserves to make this decision herself and how unfair it would be to take this opportunity from her, if you think it's what we need to do to keep her safe, then that's what we'll do. I'll put my differences aside and support whatever decision you make because, after all, you were right...no one knows more about the sacrifices that come along with being a Savior than the Savior herself."
Emma was suddenly overcome with emotions. On one hand, she felt such indescribable love and appreciation for her husband; he never thought twice about putting her happiness before his own. Truly, they were both utterly selfless towards each other and would do anything to make one another smile. Knowing she had someone like Killian in her life gave her a certain internal comfort that she found hard to explain. On the other hand, even if taking away their daughter's destiny of being the next Savior was not the most perfectly laid out plan, Emma knew, in her heart, that this was the right decision. If Leia was in danger because she was destined to be the Savior and fight in a battle that was sure to end in someone's death, why not put an end to it before it even starts?
"Thank you," she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears again.
Killian offered her an understanding look and kissed her forehead before grabbing her hand and pulling her back to the dining room table where only one book remained: the one covered in symbols; Belle had taken the one with the prophecy back to the library with her to continue doing research.
"So, how do you plan on doing this?"
Emma shrugged her shoulders and looked down, avoiding eye contact, "You know how," she sat down at the table, rubbing her neck to try and relieve some of the built up tension.
"Wait," Killian sat down across from her, "Tell me you're joking."
"It's the only way I know how."
"Emma, the shears are gone. Lost in the sea years ago."
"We're just gonna have to get them back."
"Oh, and how do you plan on doing that exactly?"
She shrugged her shoulders again, "Use my magic, find a spell, I don't know - something. Unless someone else has any other ideas."
"That's not our only problem, luv. I don't think we have much time."
The next handful of days passed by agonizingly slow, yet Emma and Killian did not seem to mind as they wanted to stay as far away from the supposed final battle as possible.
Henry had made it to Storybrooke for the weekend and although he too was having a difficult time processing all of the new information, he had never been as determined to help out before. He had spent every waking moment in the library with Belle, Gideon, and David, searching for any more possible clues along with helping them translate the complex text. Snow and David were over the moon excited to have the whole family back in town, even if it was just for a little while, and convinced Emma to let them throw a get-together; it did not take much to convince Killian though, he was down with the idea from the start. At first, Emma thought that stopping in the midst of all this insanity to have a party seemed like a ridiculous way to waste time and she wanted nothing more than to continue pouring all of her efforts and energy into helping Leia, but with the help from one of Snow's famous speeches about how "life is short" and how "everyone should stop every once in a while and smell the roses," she agreed to let them throw it, under one condition: they had to let her put a protection spell over her parents' property for the entirety of the party. With so many people going in and out, it was going to be nearly impossible to keep track of everyone and Emma was not going to take any chances. No matter how many times Killian, or anyone, tried to convince her that everything was going to be okay because no one would let anything happen to Leia, she was still in full on protective mom mode. Killian knew how much Emma needed this, to let out some steam and perhaps even enjoy the party a bit, and everyone involved needed it just as much because no one had stopped working since the news about Leia's fate got around town. They agreed that, for the sake of everyone's mental stability, including Emma and Killian's, they would let her cast the spell.
"Here, go with mummy," Killian encouraged, placing Leia in Emma's arms, "Daddy's gotta help grandpa David with the food."
Leia had been playing nonstop in the bouncy castle her grandparents had surprised her with, leaving her exhausted, jumping back and forth between her parents' arms; she laid her head on Emma's shoulder while she balanced her on her hip.
"You gonna be okay?" Killian asked, resting his hook on Emma's free hip, pulling her close.
"Yeah," she said low enough where only he could hear, "Just gonna go show this baby girl off," she smiled up at him as he leaned down to give her a quick kiss.
Emma made her way through the crowd, struggling at times to hold Leia up, "When did you get so heavy, sweet girl?" She asked, earning a giggle from Leia in response; she wrapped her arms tighter around her mom's neck. They eventually made their way to several groups of people - Granny and Geppetto's hearts melted over Leia's witty remarks and they caught Emma up on all the Storybrooke gossip, including who was dating who; Belle and Emma managed to stay off the Savior topic, to Emma's relief, and were able to have an actual pleasant conversation - Belle told her all about how her relationship with Gold was better than ever and about how well Gideon was doing in school, which did not surprise Emma considering how well-read and intelligent his mother was; Ashley and her managed to have a heart-to-heart where Ashley expressed her gratitude, yet again, for how much Emma and Killian had helped her all those years ago, and told Emma all about how glad she was her and Killian had found the happiness they so badly deserved - she genuinely believed Leia would be okay; Emma was even able to fit in a little catch up with Violet, who Emma had not seen since she had left for college around the same time Henry did.
"Hey mom," Henry gestured towards where he was sitting alongside Regina, her husband Mark, and Zelena, who was rocking a sleeping Robyn on her lap.
"Hi," Emma said as she took the empty seat in between Henry and Zelena, adjusting Leia so she sat on her lap comfortably.
"She's so big, Emma," Zelena exclaimed.
"Don't even remind me, it's crazy how fast they grow," Emma replied, a certain sadness taking over. Leia had grown way too fast. Sure, she was small in stature and had inherited her mother's small frame, but with each passing day, she became so much more independent and smart - it was both fascinating and heartbreaking to witness. "And look at your little one! God, I'm gone a few months and Robyn looks like a totally different kid. She's gorgeous," Zelena smiled at Emma's compliment. Much like Leia was Emma's carbon copy, Robyn was Zelena's; messy, red curls framed her chubby freckled cheeks and piercing blue eyes.
"Regina, can you hold her for a second while I go use the washroom?"
"Of course," Regina exclaimed and held Robyn in her arms as the young girl continued to sleep peacefully.
Leia extended her arms towards Henry and he pulled her into his lap, giving Emma a much needed break.
"So, what the hell is going on with Leia?" Regina asked.
Emma sighed, "Henry, honey, can you take your sister for a walk?"
Henry nodded, understanding the hint, and gently threw Leia on his back for a piggyback ride; Emma smiled to herself when she heard Leia's soft giggles while Henry walked away.
"Didn't Belle tell you? I was sure the whole town knew by now."
"She did, but I just don't get it."
"We're on the same boat then," Emma said, anxiously fidgeting with her wedding rings.
"But I thought you were the Savior," Mark added.
"Not for much longer, I guess."
"What are you planning to do? You know we're here to help, right?"
Emma offered them both a weak smile, "Thanks. Um," she pondered whether she should tell them or not but knew they would find out from Snow and David sooner rather than later, "I want to figure out a way to keep her from becoming the Savior."
Mark and Regina, knowing just how serious this had just become, interchanged questionable stares, "You want to take away her magic?" Regina seemed confused.
"It's the only way," Emma bit her bottom lip in an attempt to hold back the tears. She had no intentions to cry in front of anyone else that day, let alone Regina.
Regina scoffed, "You know it's not. Emma, you know what the consequences of taking away Leia's magic would be, right? She would never, ever be able to get it back."
Emma nodded her head slowly, "Trust me. I know."
"Then why are you even considering that as an option?"
"Because she's my daughter, Regina. And I plan to do whatever it takes to keep her safe."
Emma was thankful when night finally came; she was emotionally and physically drained. Her and Killian had helped her parents clean up the yard and house, and her and Snow had just finished washing the last of the dishes while David and Killian took out the trash and put away the grill.
"I don't think I can keep my eyes open for much longer," Emma yawned while she slumped down on the couch, cuddling next to Killian, who hugged her close; David joined them in the living room, making Henry, who was playing a video game from the other couch, scoot over.
"I'm so glad Leia went to bed without any complaints," Killian said, "That would have been a long night," he kissed the top of Emma's head.
"Yeah," she agreed.
Just as Emma's eyes were beginning to shut close, Snow, who had previously gone off to take a shower, came rushing down the stairs in a panic, "Emma! Killian!"
They both immediately shot up to a sitting position; it took Emma a few seconds to wake up enough to make sense of the scene around her.
"What's going on?!" Killian asked, making his way over to the stairs to meet Snow.
"Mom, are you okay?"
"Snow...," David was just as confused as everyone else.
"Leia," Snow breathed out, instantly causing Emma's heart to drop to the pit of her stomach, "She's gone."
Yay! Another chapter in the bag. How did you guys like it? I'm aware that this one was much more slow paced than the last three, but that was done on purpose. As this is a multi-chapter fic, it's ought to have both action packed and slower paced chapters. I wanted to take a break from all the craziness and let the characters breathe for a second. I also wanted to get a bit into the lives of other Storybrooke residents because I thought it'd be interesting to see what they have been up to in my specific story, so I hope this did it justice. You'll surely see some familiar characters pop up here and there, and I'll make sure to tell you a little more about their lives in my version of OUAT. Also, we're back to the Savior-insanity next chapter, so look forward to that. For now, let me know your thoughts on the story so far. Feedback always makes my day :)