For all intents and purposes, the castles in my story have running water and all that entails (i.e. toilets and taps), but not electricity. Let's just say that at some point, Regina did a little magic and could only choose one. (I, being Iamshenanigan's Beta, have to make an edit to this. There was running water as far back as Roman times and flushing toilets in pre-electric Victorian England. That isn't to say that the plumbing isn't helped along a little by magic. **Sometimes I forget my history...thank you for pointing that out!**)
The Commander and a Baby
"Mom!" Henry yelled from the docks. Emma ran down the gangplank of the Jolly Roger into Henry's arms.
"Hey kid. I've missed you!"
David gave her a smile as he passed his daughter and grandson so he could greet his son-in-law.
"How are you?" asked Emma to the young Prince.
"Awesome!" he replied. "I've been at Mom's to help out with Roland and Dani. Dad's been helping me with Archery. The other Merry Men and Grandpa have been training me with swords. I've decided I'm going to be a Knight."
Killian smirked at his stepson. "A good knight may excel at swords and his skill with a bow," said Killian as he followed David down onto the docks, "but a great knight knows how to sail as well."
Henry pulled himself from Emma's arms and jogged over to Killian to give him a hug. Killian arched an eyebrow at Emma over Henry's shoulder and smiled at him when Henry let go."I missed you!" said Henry. "Now that you've got the Jolly Roger back, do you think we can go sailing?"
"Of course lad. As long as your mothers say it is fine. Just no plundering." Henry looked over to Emma.
"I'm good, as long as you listen to everything he says." Killian and Henry headed towards the castle, with Henry talking non-stop about his sailing lessons. Emma was smiling, and feeling happier than she ever had when she felt her father walk up next to her. He offered his arm and they followed after Killian and Henry.
"Did you have a good time?" David asked.
"It was great. We spent most of the time on the water, docking only when we needed supplies. We explored small islands and he even taught me to sail." replied Emma.
"He did, did he?"
"Yeah." she replied as they trudged up the stone steps leading to the castle. "I thought learning to drive stick shift in the Bug was hard, but learning to sail a ship and all those terms. I got seasick too."
"I thought you didn't get seasick?" said David.
"Well, you should've seen the choppy seas we were going through."
"Aye, the waters were pretty rough because there was a storm coming. Luckily, we were close to the Kingdom of Éire and we came into port for a couple of days." Killian shot back as they walked into the castle.
"Éire?" asked David.
"It's where I was born." said Killian.
"Well, we'll have to set up some trade with them." decided David. "I can send you to speak on my behalf to the King and Queen."
The party of four went upstairs to the living quarters and were met by Snow and Neal in the family sitting room. "Emma! I missed you!" she cried as she pulled her daughter into a hug.
"Hey mom." Snow let go of Emma and pulled Killian into a hug, causing his eyebrows to shoot up to his hairline.
"Killian."
"Your Majesty."
"Not that I'm complaining, but what's with the enthusiasm?" asked Emma.
"I've got a surprise for you two!" Snow grabbed hold of Killian's arm and pulled him from the room, motioning for the rest to follow as Emma took David's arm again. Snow led them up a few floors and to one of the tower residences that had been completely empty.
"Where are we?" asked Emma when they all walked into beautifully decorated bedroom. The furniture was all dark wood and it had a four poster bed with white sheets that had small swan and ship patterns embroidered onto them in blue thread. The balcony faced the docks where they could see the Jolly moored. All of the windows opened to a view of the castle lake. There were paintings of seascapes and such hung on the walls. A large and beautiful painting of Killian and Emma having their first dance at their wedding reception was set above the mantle of a small fireplace surrounded by a small couch and chaise lounge.
"Surprise!" cried Snow. "This is your new bedroom. Just down the hall to the left and two doors down is a small library with a study for Killian and through that door over there is your foyer." Emma went to look at the foyer which beautiful as well: more dark wood furniture with a few shelves of books against a wall. It had a wrap-around balcony with a couple of chaise lounges. Above the grand fireplace was a portrait of Emma and Killian dancing, the picture of them from Henry's storybook.
"Mom…" breathed Emma. "This…this is amazing. Thank you so much."
"Lady Snow, this is perfect." said Killian.
"Just wait until you see your library." Snow said with a wink as she hugged Emma.
"In that case," he said with a bow, "If you all will excuse me." Killian left the sitting room and headed to the library. He pushed open the door and walked in and was immediately dumbfounded. Like all the other rooms of the castle, this one was also stone. Like David's library below, there was a big window with a cushioned seat where Killian imagined Emma sitting and reading like he'd seen her do before. There were several blue couches positioned about as well. The bookshelves were all the same dark wood of their new bedroom and the walls were lined with paintings of ships and the ocean and over the fireplace was another painting of the Jolly Roger. Below that on the mantle, encased in a glass shadow box, was the compass that he and Emma had been after on their trip up the beanstalk.
"What do you think?" he heard Emma asked as she walked in behind him.
"I love it."
"Let's see your study." They went to the back of the room and Killian stopped in his tracks. "What is it?" asked Emma. She followed her husband's gaze to the painting on the wall behind the desk: two men stood on the deck of the Jewel of the Realm in blue and white Royal Navy uniforms.
"Where…? How…?" he asked in a whisper.
"You'd be surprised at the pictures that have appeared in Henry's book." said Snow. Neither Emma nor Killian had noticed she'd joined them.
"He and Liam are in the book?" asked Emma.
"Ever since the wedding, their story started appearing…in bits and pieces. We don't know why, and I'm not going to question it."
"I do not know how to express my gratitude." breathed Killian.
"You don't need to, Killian." said Snow, her voice raising in pitch. "You are a part of this family now, even though you've technically been a part of it for much longer."
Killian noticed a small cabinet to the side of the ship's desk that had glass decanters in it. "Allow me to toast you then, Your Majesty." He walked over to the cabinet and opened a decanter to sniff its contents and pulled it, along with three highball glasses, out of the cabinet and set them on his desk. He poured a small bit of rum into each glass and handed them to Emma and Snow, as he held up his glass. "To two of the kindest and greatest women I know. I'm happy to call you both family."
"To family." said Snow.
"To family." repeated Emma. They clinked their glasses and drank.
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Life was good. Emma was happier than she'd ever been. She had her son who she willingly shared with his other mother and grandfather, her parents, her baby brother, and a man who loved her and looked at her like she was his sun and stars. Despite her happiness, a small part of her felt like something was missing. She knew Killian loved Henry like he was his own, but she also knew that he dreamed of having his own child. So they tried, without really trying. She told him that it would happen when it was meant to.
Three months went by and it seemed like it wasn't going to happen; Emma appeared to get discouraged and she seemed more down after they all went to spend a week at the castle of Lord Moe French to celebrate Belle and Rumplestiltskin's anniversary. Belle and Rumple simultaneously announced that they were expecting a baby, although it was fairly obvious. The strategic dresses were noted.
On top of that, Victor took the opportunity to propose to Ruby and she asked Snow to be her Maid of Honor, with Belle as a bridesmaid. The wedding was planned for the following month because Belle was already four months along and she didn't want to be too big for travel.
Killian could tell that everything was starting to take a toll on his wife when they returned home. She spent a lot of time in the couple's new library, sitting in the window with a book or taking walks by the lake or spending time in the gardens. He'd try to get her to talk to him, but she would assure him that nothing was wrong and she was perfectly fine.
"You're not fine, Swan!" he cried in frustration one night as they were getting ready for bed and he'd asked how she was. "You've not spent any time with Lady Red in preparation for her wedding, you haven't been training with Christopher, and you haven't trained with your mother either. And besides, you forget that you're an open book."
"Ugh…can we just not right now, Killian?" said Emma. "I'm not feeling well: I've got a headache, my back hurts, and I feel like I'm going to throw up…" she gulped and lifted a hand to her mouth "Excuse me a minute." She hopped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. Killian called Emilie, who was picking up in their sitting room.
"Emilie!"
"Yes sir?"
"Bring me Dr. Frankenstein and Doc", he said. "The princess is not well. Do not alert anyone else, just those two. I'll inform the King and Queen once we know more." Emilie curtsied and went off. Killian returned to Emma who was leaning with her back against the wall in their washroom. He ran a cloth under the tap – the wonders of enchanted plumbing – and when it was soaked through with cold water, he placed it on Emma's forehead. He used another to wipe her face.
"I must look like crap right now." said Emma frankly.
"You look beautiful, Love." replied Killian. He helped her stand, "Feeling better?"
She nodded shakily, wobbling. Killian carried her to their bed. He was adjusting the blankets when there was a small knock.
"Dr. Frankenstein and Doc, Your Highnesses", said Emilie, causing Killian to flinch a little. He was still getting used being referred to in that way. David had pulled him aside close to the wedding and explained that as Emma's husband, he was now a royal by marriage; a 'Prince Consort'. He wouldn't be King when the time came, and he didn't want to be, but he'd still be her equal.
"Victor, Doc…thank you for coming." he said as he shook hands with the two men.
"Of course Jones." said Victor. "What's wrong?"
Emma spoke up before Killian could answer. "Killian, could you go ask Granny to make me one of her special hot chocolates?" she asked and Killian arched an eyebrow.
"Can't I just get Emilie to do it? I'd like to be here with you."
Emma smiled at him. "What is it that you once said to me? 'Try something new darling, it's called trust.' Trust me now, Killian."
"As you wish." He gave her a quick kiss before leaving, "I can never deny you anything."
"Granny should still be in the kitchens." said Victor to Killian's retreating form, "Red said she was going to be there for a while."
"Thanks mate!" he called. When Emma was sure he was gone, she turned to the doctors.
"Before you say anything, I know what's wrong with me: I'm pregnant." Victor and Doc's eyes widened almost comically before Victor snapped into doctor-mode.
"When was your last-?" he tried to ask.
"Three months." replied Emma before he could finish the question. "I'm around 10 weeks."
"Emma!" cried Victor as Doc shook his head. "You should've told us as soon as you realized you were late. Do you have any idea what could've happened?"
"I agree with Dr. Frankenstein Princess." said Doc. "Certain precautions must be taken."
"I've been through one of these before you guys", said Emma. "When I was sure, I switched to a maternity corset, I stopped drinking wine…"
"I saw you drink some at dinner tonight." said Victor.
"Grape juice." she firmly asserted.
"Why didn't you tell us? Doc or myself?"
Emma fidgeted from her place on the bed, biting her bottom lip. Both men looked at her expectantly. "I was scared." she replied. "After I miscarried last year…I didn't want a bunch of stress while in my condition. But I've been careful."
"How are you certain?" asked Doc. Victor nodded in agreement.
"I spoke with Regina and she gave me a spell to make sure. She said it was the one she used when she was pregnant with Dani. I'll be telling Killian tonight, so don't say anything when he gets back." Before they could continue their conversation, the bedroom door creaked open and Killian appeared with the hot chocolate. "Thanks for everything Victor, Doc." They each gave a small bow as they left. Killian set the mug on her bedside table.
"Well?" he asked as he sat down on the bed next to her. "Are you going to tell me Swan?"
"I don't know if I should." said Emma with a coy smile.
"Swaaaan!"
"Are you...whining?" Emma's brow shot up.
"No." Emma just laughed. "Yes."
"You can be adorable you know."
Killian stood from his spot on the bed in a huff. "Excuse me? I'll have you know that Captain Hook is not adorable! I am dashing, handsome, and a bloody Pirate! Killian Jones is not adorable."
"If you say so Hook." Emma stood and took his hand and sat him back down on the edge of the bed. A thought popped into her mind. "What month is it again?"
"June I believe." replied Killian, "It just began."
That means Father's Day is soon! Emma said to herself. I know what I'm going to do. She put on her robe from where she'd dropped it on a chair near the bed. "Can you do me a favor?" she asked her husband and he nodded. "Wait here. I'll be right back, five minutes and everything will make sense." She kissed him quickly and went to the library and dug around his desk for a piece of parchment and a quill. She went about her project and when she finished, she smiled at her finished product…he was going to love it.
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Killian was pacing in their foyer when she returned. He stopped in his tracks when Emma sauntered back in to their room.
"So, Love, what is going on?" Emma took a good look at him. His hair was all disheveled like he'd been running his hands through it. He started again. "I'm worried about you. And what is that behind your back?"
"It's for you." she said with a smile. "Do you remember that holiday we celebrated for Snow where I gave her a card from my brother and me? And Henry gave me one too?"
"Aye. I believe you called it 'Mother's Day'."
"Did I ever tell you there is the same holiday only for fathers?" Killian shook his head and Emma could practically see the gears working in his brain, trying to work out what she was getting at. "Here, I made you a card." On the front it said I've Got a Little Secret for You Pirate in the neatest script she could do. Killian arched an eyebrow and looked down to open the folded parchment and read the inside: Happy Father's Day.
"I don't understand." he said as he took it from her.
Emma laughed to herself. "You should put that on a shirt."
"What?"
"Never mind."
"What are you trying to tell me Swan?" She couldn't help but laugh at her adorable clueless husband. "Swan."
"Well, like you said once before, I've got a little pirate in me." She gave him a big smile as he stared at her before she saw it click behind his eyes.
"Does this mean…you're…" Killian stuttered. He took a breath and tried again, "Emma, are you pregnant?"
"Yes," she replied with a grin. Killian staggered backwards and fell sitting onto their 'coffee' table. Emma saw his eyes glaze over and tears started pooling in them before he looked back down on the floor.
"How long?" he asked in a barely audible whisper and she knew what he was really asking.
"Two and a half months at least. I remember them telling me when I was pregnant with Henry that 10 weeks was the safe point, no chance of miscarriage after then."
He finally lifted his head to look at her and she saw the tear tracks on his cheeks. "I'm to be a father. Do you realize what you've done for me, Emma? How happy you've just made me? I'm happier than the day you agreed to marry me, the day we got married, or even the day I found you in New York after the missing year." He wiped the tears from his face and stood, pulling Emma to him and kissing her like he never had before. As suddenly as he began the kiss, he stopped it and dropped to his knees, level with Emma's stomach.
"Killian Jones, what are you doing?" she asked. "The baby's barely the size of a date or bean, I don't think it will understand you."
"Shh, darling, I'm trying to speak to our child." He undid the belt of her robe and pushed it open, placing both hands on her still flat stomach and kissed it lightly. "Hello there, little love. I'm your papa. I can't wait to meet you. Whatever you are, I'm going to teach you how to sail and fight with swords and ride horses. Everything a future prince or princess needs to know."
"Would you like to find out?" she asked.
"Would you?" he asked looking up at her.
"Maybe. It'd make choosing a name easier." Emma yawned wide.
"I need to get you to bed, so you can rest and keep our orange safe and sound." Killian swept his wife up in his arms and carried her to bed. She turned to face the open window as he doused the lamps in the room and climbed in, settling himself behind her. He put an arm over her waist and let his hand fall and splay over her stomach.
"Tomorrow, we'll talk to my parents. They've got an amulet that used to belong to my grandmother Ruth, David's mother, that is said to be able to tell the sex of your first born." said Emma as she placed her hand over Killian's. He kissed her shoulder lightly.
"It wouldn't work darling. This child is not your first born." he said.
"Maybe not, but it's yours."
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When Emma woke up the next morning, she didn't feel Killian against her. She blinked her eyes open to find herself on her back and Killian's head on her chest and his hand on her stomach. Emma couldn't help smiling. She ran her hands through his hair and he scooted closer to her. She was enjoying this quiet time with him when there was a small knock at the bedroom door and Emilie came in. Emma held a finger up to her lips to signal shh. She took Killian's hand off and pushed him lightly off her so she could get up. Emilie picked up her robe and held it open for her. They went out to the foyer, letting Killian sleep.
"Good morning Princess." said Emilie. "Would you like to have breakfast here, in your room with the Prince?"
Before Emma could respond, the bedroom door creaked open and Killian leaned against the doorway, hair all disheveled and blinking the sleep from his eyes. "No, we'll dine with the family, Emilie." he said,his accent thick with sleep, "We've got news for them."
"I just know they'll be overjoyed." said Emilie. "We best get you dressed Princess. Breakfast will be served soon." They retreated to the bedroom and Emilie helped Emma dress behind the folding screen. When she emerged, Emma was wearing another of what she called her 'Renaissance faire' dresses; today's was a light blue. Emma was sitting at her vanity, letting Emilie do up her hair when Killian emerged from the closet, dressed in his usual breeches, knee high boots, white pirate shirt, and the vest of the day, this time blue. Emilie finished and curtsied before she left the room.
"And how is our orange doing this morning?" Killian asked as he strode over to Emma. He put a hand on her stomach as he leaned down to give her a quick kiss.
"Just f-" Another round of throwing up, standard for a two and half months pregnant woman. She cleaned up when she was done and sat down on the edge of their bed.
"Are you sure Swan?" asked Killian.
"The throwing up thing? Perfectly normal. If I remember correctly, should be gone by the third month." said Emma. "Despite that little act there, I'm really hungry. Can we head to breakfast now?"
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"You two look positively giddy about something." said Snow as they ate breakfast. It caused Emma to snort in her cup of orange juice – the coincidence was not lost on her.
"What? What are you talking about?" she asked innocently.
"You're hiding something." said David.
"No we're not." Emma realized all too soon that she'd answered too quickly.
"Mo-om." said Henry. "You're lying. It's like Killian always says, you may be able to spot a liar, but you're not good at it yourself."
"Spot on, lad." said Killian with a smile and he ruffled Henry's hair. Emma rolled her eyes.
"We actually did have something we wanted to talk to you about." she said. "Mom, do you still have Grandma Ruth's amulet?" A few things happened simultaneously: David snorted into his cup of whatever he was drinking which caused him to choke on it a little, Snow's fork fell to her plate with a clatter, herself suddenly and completely motionless, and Henry just stared at her.
"Emma." David finally spoke, after coughing a little. "Are you saying…"
"Yeah mate." responded Killian. "I'm to be a father."
"When did you find out?" asked Snow.
"That's the thing." said Emma. "I'm about 10 weeks."
"Why didn't you say anything?!" cried Henry, looking between his mother and step-father.
"I didn't know until last night either my boy." said Killian.
"After last year, I was scared." said Emma. "I just wanted to get to the safe point before I said anything. Don't worry, Victor and Doc already read me the riot act."
"Even they didn't know?" asked David and Emma shook her head. "Did anyone know?"
"Emilie, Ruby because she could smell the hormones on me, and Regina because she gave me a spell to determine if I was and how long." said Emma. "Can we just let it go? They know now and we're all good."
"She's right." said Snow. "Let's finish breakfast and we'll go get the amulet after we're done."
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Emma sat in her parent's sitting room with Killian, Henry, and David while Snow looked through her things for Ruth's amulet. Emma sighed as the boys discussed names.
"I think he'll need a good, strong name." said David. "Like…David!" Henry and Killian laughed.
"And why could we not name him for his father? Hmm?" asked Killian.
"How about names for girls?" asked Henry.
"I think your grandmother would love it if she was named Ava or Mary or Margaret." said David.
"Oi!" cried Killian. "No offense to the Queen Snow, but no, I'm not naming my child Ava." Emma laughed to herself and he looked at her. "Oh, do you have better ideas then?"
"Of course I do." she replied. "If it's a girl, Isabella Ruth and if it's a boy, I think I'd like Liam David. What do you think?"
Killian thought about it for a moment. "I think those are perfect, Love." said Killian as he took her hand and kissed it. David nodded in agreement.
Snow emerged from the bedroom, the amulet swinging in her grasp. She went over to Killian and handed it to him.
"Hold it over her stomach and it will swing." she said.
"How do we know Grandma?" asked Henry.
Snow went and stood next to him. "If it swings North to South, then it's a boy. But if it swings East to West, then it's a girl."
Killian knelt before where his wife sat and held the amulet over her stomach. At first nothing happened, and then it slowly began to swing. Killian stared at it and then looked at Emma with a big grin. He placed a kiss to her as of yet non-existent baby bump and whispered,"I can't wait to meet you Liam."