an: I am so glad you guys are excited about the direction of this story! Because I'm heading on a road trip tomorrow, I decided to post this chapter tonight in lieu of thinking about it all day tomorrow haha so I hope you like it and let me know all of your feelings so I have loads to read by the end of the day tomorrow ;)
eleven.
month twenty-three. tour bus, NYC.
"He's kicking like crazy. Look." Emma turns the camera to her belly and he watches, fascinated, as his son presses against his mother with reckless abandon.
Killian laughs. "Charlie, what on Earth are you up to?"
Emma giggles as she strokes over her middle. "Charlie, Mommy's trying to talk to Daddy. Let me breathe for a minute."
After a second, the movement slows, and Emma sighs. She returns the camera to her face and sighs. "Okay. That's better. So you just got to New York."
He hums and glances out the window behind him. "Aye. And we'll be spending a few days here, I think. Back-to-back final shows."
Emma nods. "Yep." She moves, throwing something into a pile on the bed. "I'll drive down tomorrow with the girls. They're all really excited."
Killian beams at her. "Aye. Well, so are the lads. They've been jittery this whole week."
His heart aches, though, because as much as he's happy that she'll be coming to him soon, he wishes she'd come sooner.
Over the past month, things have been rough, but they've been smoother than they had been before. With Emma agreeing to rest and to manage only certain aspects of the band, while handing off some work to Ruby, Belle, and Regina, she's been much happier than she was before.
He loves seeing how she glows, even in just the camera of her phone or computer. Sometimes he calls her up just to tell her that before a show and she just rolls her eyes at him.
Once or twice, they'd had a full date by talking on the phone, and they both had themselves some macaroni and cheese with hot chocolate while talking about the baby's room and the latest gossip around town.
And it's not impossible, after all, this long distance relationship. It hurts, often at night when he's trying to sleep and all he can think of is how Emma's hair smells right before bed when she's curled up under his arm. And sometimes he catches a fleeting glimpse of blonde at shows and thinks it's her, only to be reminded with a harsh sting to his chest that she is at home and he's on the road.
But it's nearly over and they'll be together again in less than forty-eight hours. He can hardly wait to hold her in his arms and to kiss her senseless, to press his palm over her growing belly and murmur greetings to Charlie, to remind him that he's here and he's not running away from him.
Emma's wearing her glasses today and her hair is up. She nibbles on her lip as she stands there, looking beyond him, clearly worrying over her to-do list.
"Tomorrow's our anniversary," he says. "Did you know that?"
Emma returns her eyes to him and she laughs. "Yeah. It's kind of hard to forget, babe."
"Well," Killian raises his eyebrows. "It's been a chaotic few months."
Emma exhales and she sits on the bed, frowning a little. "We were supposed to get married again."
Killian's heart squeezes and he nods. "I know." He swallows. "But, you know, it'll be better to do it when Charlie's born. That way, you can wear whichever dress you want and he'll even be there to see it."
Emma smiles a little at the idea. "He could wear a little suit and match you."
Killian chuckles. "We'll both be dashingly handsome."
Emma laughs with him. "Yeah. I'm sure you will." She gazes at him for a few moments. "Well, I need to go. I'm supposed to watch Rosie and Leo for Mary Margaret."
"Okay," Killian sighs. "I so wish you were here tonight. We could go to Coney Island and eat junk food and play games. The guys want to head over there around five."
Emma smiles, a bittersweet thing. "That does sound like fun. You should go. Have fun."
Killian nods. "Alright. I won't enjoy it as much as I would if you were here."
His wife rolls her eyes. "You know you don't have to pretend I make everything better. I'd probably get tired and cranky."
He laughs. "Emma Swan, I don't think you know me if you think I don't love everything about you. Even your faults."
Her eyelashes flutter against her rosy cheeks and she speechlessly shakes her head.
"Well, I look forward to seeing you when you come." Killian says. "Give Charlie a kiss for me."
Emma laughs and he sees her eyes flit downward. "Okay. I love you."
"I love you too, Swan." Killian smiles.
He watches Emma for a second longer before the feed cuts out and he sets his phone down on the couch beside him, his heart feeling equally light and heavy all at once. He stares out the window at the city and he can hear the guys being rowdy outside.
"Jones! Get your arse out here!" Will calls as he opens the door. "We're playing basketball with Jeff's hat and Robin's silly socks Regina sent."
Killian rolls his eyes and gets up from his stupor, heading out as quickly as he can.
/
month twenty-three. hotel, NYC.
Emma smiles excitedly to herself as she walks up to the hotel the guys are staying at for their temporary stay in the city.
She had to pull a lot of strings to make this happen, but she'd wanted to do this because she misses her husband with everything in her and not getting to see him though they were hours apart was like torturing herself.
It had been hard, yes, mostly because she's had to let go of a lot in order to make it to this point. She had to give up duties as manager, and she kind of likes how they have it all delegated out now. Things have run smoothly and she's been able to focus on everything she absolutely must, in addition to sleeping in and reading up on all things baby.
She has a much rounder belly now and Killian hasn't seen it in person since he left the house a month ago. It's one of the many changes she's been witness to over the past few weeks.
Emma places her sunglasses over her head as she enters the lobby and she's glad the sun's still shining, because it means she and Killian have so much time to be together today.
Emma asks the clerk at the desk for Killian's room number and she's given it after she explains that she's his wife and the manager of his band, something that makes the man's eyes widen.
"I watched you on the show! You look so different now. Congratulations on the baby. I had no idea."
Emma laughs, a blush filling her cheeks. "Thank you."
She rides the elevator with an expectant feeling bubbling up in her and she can't stop smiling, because the tour is finally coming to a close, and she's finally going to have Killian Jones all to herself for as long as she needs.
Instead of giving himself repeatedly, day in and day out, to the crowds and the glory of being on tour, he'll be at home with her and they'll make a place for Charlie to live and grow.
When she stands in front of Killian's door, Emma doesn't hesitate to knock, and then she moves out of the way of the peephole, knowing full well that he'll check.
It takes a few moments, but he opens the door, a curious look on his face, and the second he turns to look at her, his expression changes to surprise and elation all at once.
She laughs when he steps out of his room, first propping it open with the lock latch, and he examines her with his mouth and eyes wide.
"Swan, I-" he shakes his head. "You're here."
Emma nods. Killian wraps his arms around her and he holds her as close as he can, and she feels his lips against the side of her head before he moves so he can kiss her hello.
Then, he drops to his knees and settles his hands on either side of her bump, grinning up at her as soon as he does it. "He's grown so much."
She hums. "He's moving a lot more too."
Killian kisses her bellybutton and laughs when their son starts to move. "Hey, Charlie, it's Daddy. It's your papa."
Emma reaches down to run her fingers through Killian's hair, brushing it out of his eyes. It's gotten so long and she wants to cut it, but at the same time, she loves the way it's become so wild and untamed.
Killian stands again and shakes his head. "I cannot believe you came."
"I had to." Emma says. "You were only a few hours away and I waited a whole month to see you."
Her husband hums. "Aye. I suppose that does merit the surprise visit." He tips his head toward his room. "I was about to head out for Coney Island with the guys but I think they'll forgive me for wanting to spend my evening with you."
/
It's a decision they come to as they're sitting on the big comfy bed with the curtains pulled wide open and sunlight pouring in.
Killian's gazing at his wife as she talks about everything in Storybrooke, about all of the gossip her friends have subjected her to during their time apart, and when she's in the middle of talking about little Leopold, she stops and gets a blush in her cheeks.
"What are you looking at me like that for?"
He grins, unable to keep himself from doing so. "Because you're beautiful and you're mine."
Emma sighs. She looks down at her middle and rubs a soothing circle over her bump.
"We should tell the fans," Killian says. She meets his eyes. "You're well over halfway there. I think it's safe to say they'll find out sooner or later. And I just want to show you off."
Emma contemplates his proposition and nods. "Yeah. We should tell them."
Killian acts quickly. He grabs his phone and opens the camera. "You're glowing so beautifully, my love."
She sighs, a soft, contented smile on her lips, and she settles one hand over her bump and gazes downward. He snaps the picture.
Killian posts it on his Instagram with the caption: She is the sun.
/
month twenty-four. hotel, NYC.
Her body arches and he watches her bite down on her lower lip as she holds back her laughter.
She rests her hands over her middle and continues giggling in spite of how hard she's trying to keep it in, and he finds that in the morning glow, she's absolutely breathtaking against the pale white sheets.
"Charlie," she gasps, pressing her fingers against her bare bump, propping her head up against the headboard as she leans back.
Killian, from his position sitting up beside her with his head against the headboard as well, can't help but smile as he gazes lovingly at his wife.
She's glowing, absolutely glowing, with her hair curling down her shoulders and her smile spread so wide. He imagines she hasn't had half as much joy in the time they've been apart, and he's thrilled that he gets to witness her early morning laughter.
"Does he do this often? Kick you awake?" Killian asks lightly. He puts his hand over the place where he can see Charlie's movement and chuckles.
"He does. But today it's especially bad." Emma says. She presses her hands over her face as Killian strokes her bump.
"Charlie Jones," he says in his best authoritative tone. "Are you quite done?"
Emma giggles breathily and she sinks back against the headboard, her gaze on him even though he isn't looking at her. He turns his attention to her as Charlie's motion slows and he smirks at her.
"I think it's because he knows you're here," she tells him, her tone lifting as she speaks. She lifts an eyebrow and so does he, shifting close to his wife.
"Yeah?" he asks. "Do you think he knows my voice?"
Emma shrugs. "He might." She smiles at him and drags her teeth along her lower lip as she studies his face. "I might play him your music and our parts of the show sometimes before I go to bed."
Killian's heart stutters and lifts. He shakes his head as tears burn at his eyes. "You do that?"
She nods. "Sometimes."
Killian drops his cheek to her shoulder and Emma sets her head over his. He stares down at her bump and swallows a lump in his throat.
He pulls himself upright again and smiles gently at her. "Happy anniversary, Emma."
Emma smiles in kind. "Happy anniversary, Killian."
"Two years," he shakes his head in disbelief. "We've made it two whole years and you haven't left me for another wild science experiment."
His wife laughs. "I don't know. Maybe I'm waiting for the right one to come along." She gives him a teasing look. "Maybe I'm just a gold digger who's here for your goods."
He barks a laugh and Emma just chuckles as she moves to straddle his lap, her arms around his neck as she kisses him.
"Well," he says between kisses, "I don't know that I could blame you. I do have an amazing body."
Emma bites on his lip in fits of laughter and throws her head back. Killian's laughter joins hers and he happily skims his hands up and down her sides gently as she braces her hands on his chest.
Her fingers find his hair and she gives him a generous tug before leaning her forehead against his when her laughter dies out. "I love you."
"And I love you. Quite a bit."
Emma hums. "Take me out to breakfast and we'll see about that."
Killian chuckles lowly. She awards him with another kiss and their eyes meet with joy in them.
They've made it two years. And to think he'd once thought they may not last a month.
/
month twenty-four. venue, NYC.
"Tonight there's a representative with a label here to listen to you guys," Emma says to the band as they're standing together backstage. "I think it's about time you guys signed onto something. I get messages almost everyday from people wanting to sign you."
The guys all nod.
Emma smiles at them. She feels tears behind her eyes, and it's ridiculous because she's sick and tired of these hormones.
"You guys have killed it this tour. I'm really proud of you and I'm proud to have been your manager."
Robin reaches out and squeezes her arm. "Thank you, Emma. You've been an amazing part of this tour. Even though you haven't always been here." He smiles knowingly. "We, as a band, actually have a little something to say thank you."
Emma furrows her brow as Robin turns around to grab something from his bag. He returns to the circle and holds up a onesie that bears the Jolly Roger symbol on it. On the back, when Robin turns it around, it reads: Honorary Pirate.
She laughs happily and so does Killian. She reaches out for it and stares at it for a moment. "Thank you, guys."
Emma holds the onesie against her chest as she reaches out with her free arm to hug Robin. She moves along the line, hugging each of the guys, and then steps back with tears in her eyes.
She can't help but cry just a little when these men mean so much to her, and they're all so kind and thoughtful.
"I'm sure Charlie will love it." She says absentmindedly as she studies the piece of clothing.
"Charlie?" Robin asks.
"Ah," Killian steps in, his cheeks getting red. "It's a boy. We've named him Charlie."
The guys all excitedly cheer.
"I was right." Jefferson says, bouncing on the balls of his feet. He and Will laugh and Whale and Robin just grin.
"I'm excited for you." Whale says. "He's going to have the best uncles in the world."
Emma rolls her eyes as Killian's arm comes around her back. "We'll see."
/
Emma stands in the front and center and everything about her makes his heart want to go flying.
She's glowing and she's swaying, and she occasionally will put her hand over the baby bump, smiling so sweetly at him.
It's been what feels like an eternity since she's been at one of his shows and he can hardly believe that she's here again.
Killian plays better than he has in weeks, and it's all because Emma is standing there with her smile so warm and her bump so precious.
"We've been on tour for a few months. Have been for nearly three now, aye, Robin?"
"Ah, yes, I believe that's right." Robin says into his microphone. "We're at the end. Last two shows."
Killian hums. "Yeah. And you lot have been incredible so far. Absolutely fantastic."
Killian smiles and searches the room. He finds all of his friends from Storybrooke standing right around Emma in the front and then he starts picking his guitar in a new pattern.
"So to celebrate, I was hoping you'd be okay with hearing a new song."
Everyone in the room erupts and he grins against his microphone. "I wrote this a little while ago, for someone I haven't met just yet. It's a lullaby for my son."
He winks at Emma and steps back to really play.
Tears form in his eyes as he sings, because he starts to envision the little boy that they're about to bring into the world, with ten fingers and toes, with big bright eyes and a future before him.
And he can't wait, suddenly, to teach him every single thing he knows, to hold him and kiss him, to promise him that he'll be here for him with each breath he breathes.
Killian closes his eyes as he reaches the chorus one last time and he sees the boy in his mind, one with soft blonde hair and bright blue eyes, with sweet laughter, chubby cheeks, and a heart of innocence.
When he opens his eyes again at the end, Emma has a wobbly smile on her lips and tear trails run down her cheeks. She wipes at her eyes and her lips read, "I love you," when she claps for him.
He follows up the lullaby with one he wrote for Emma, a far more upbeat tune that has the room bouncing, and he chuckles when it's over, because Emma's smiling brightly and she's dancing, and there's nothing but joy in her features.
"So, two years ago, I got married to this beautiful woman in the front row," Killian says, holding his arm out. The room cheers excitedly. He grins. "And I was wondering if you could help me finish this incredible night off by singing her favorite song from the record."
/
Emma heads backstage after the show is finished with her friends all on her heels.
She's the first one into the room the guys are standing in and immediately, she goes to her husband and grabs his hand to yank him to her for a kiss. Killian chuckles against her lips and she laughs, too, because she loves him and he's hers, and the feeling permeates within her chest, suddenly real again.
It has been far too long since she's been at a show, since she's gotten to kiss him and be in his arms afterwards, and tonight has been exceptional.
The song he'd played for Charlie was incredible and she doesn't know how to tell him that she loved it as much as she does, so she throws everything she can into their kiss.
After their lips break from each other, she falls back onto her feet and releases a heavy breath. "It was so beautiful. And the show was amazing and-"
Killian silences her with another kiss and she hums, giving him all he wants and then some as he wraps his arms around her. "You and I are leaving this place as soon as we can."
Emma smiles happily. "We had a pretty great anniversary. I'm glad we decided to hold off on the wedding."
He nods. "Me too. We'll take our time."
She just smiles.
Behind them, the guys are with their ladies, and when she turns to check, they're all pretty well occupied. Killian's arm goes around her back and he holds her as close as he can to him.
"I want to spend half an hour with the fans after we talk with the rep, if that's alright," he murmurs. "But after that, I'm all yours."
Emma delights in the way he kisses the side of her head, her heart warm when he seems to linger for too long, and she smiles at him when he pulls away from her reluctantly.
"Okay," she says.
He takes her hand to squeeze it, then as he starts to move away, he comes back to her, making her laugh when he pulls her lips between his. She swats at his arms and clings to him, swaying with him until he sets his forehead against hers.
"You're my favorite fan," he tells her lowly. "Do you know that?"
Emma smiles warmly at him as he pulls away. "I'm always yours." She squeezes his hand and then lets him go, nodding. "I'll be here, babe. Do your thing."
/
month twenty-four. hotel, NYC.
"Grilled cheese and onion rings for you, Mrs. Jones," Killian says, setting the bag down in her lap as she sits on the bed.
She scrunches her nose up at him and he toes out of his shoes, eager to join her and munch on some of her onion rings if she'll let him.
As she eats, Killian busily contemplates the label representative that had come to them backstage. He twists his wedding ring as he does it, thinking of his future and how it'll change when Charlie arrives.
"The rep was nice," Emma says casually.
He hums. She tips her bag of onion rings toward him and he takes one. They both chew in silence.
"I think it's a good deal." Emma tells him. She shifts so she's looking at him and he sighs.
"Aye. Me too."
Emma stops eating and presses her hands together over her baby bump. "Why don't you want to take it?"
Killian grimaces. "Because we're about to have a baby and I want to be there for you and for Charlie." He studies her. "And with a record deal comes recording and then more touring."
She nods. "I know." Emma takes a deep breath. "And I also knew that when I became your manager. And I knew it when you told me you were in a band on our wedding day. It's not a surprise."
Killian's heart feels heavy and he turns his gaze from his wife to the windows. "No, that's not a surprise, but I don't think you could've known that we'd become this popular."
"I think I knew that when I started listening to the band." She smiles a little when he turns back to her. Emma slides close to him and sets her chin on his shoulder. "And I know we've talked about it before, but I want you to do what makes you happy. I know the band makes you happy. Music makes you happy."
"But at what cost?" he wonders aloud. Emma's fingers wrap around his arm and her cheek presses against his shoulder. "I don't want to be like my father. I don't want my son to hate me for the rest of his life because I was hardly there or not there at all."
Emma is quiet for a few moments. "Charlie and I will come to every show we can." Her voice is a low murmur. "When he's born it'll be different, but it'll be like when we got married. It's just something new we'll have to figure out together."
"Aye," he replies, feeling his heart lift substantially within his chest.
Emma removes herself from his shoulder and he leans forward to kiss her forehead.
"House Hunters before bed, then?"
She laughs. "As long as you give me a foot rub."
Killian sighs, faking exhaustion. He tilts his head to the side playfully. "Well. It is our anniversary, so I suppose that can be afforded."
Emma takes him by the back of his neck and plants a kiss to his lips so vibrant he's not sure what his name is any longer by the time they come back to breathe. Their foreheads touch as their breathing lingers, and he smiles a little.
"Happy anniversary, my love," he whispers.
"Happy anniversary, Killian."