"Thanks, Ruby, we'll call you when everything's settled and you can bring her back home."

Ruby gives him a slow wink before turning to give him access to the tiny head of blonde curls resting on her shoulder, the muffled snores he hears as he leans in for a kiss blossoming deep in his heart. Hope doesn't stir at the brush of his lips to her forehead, his daughter even less of a morning person than the beautiful woman she takes after still sleeping soundly down the hall in their bedroom.

Closing the door quietly behind Ruby, he takes a moment to look around, knowing in a few hours this home will be forever changed (for the better). Narrowly avoiding snapping the ladder off of Hope's favorite fire truck with his foot, he maneuvers around the chaos to stand before their bookshelf and gaze upon the photos of his life, his family, his everything.

The majority of the frames are filled with Hope, all dimpled cheeks and blonde ringlets, blue eyes and alabaster skin, this tiny person who somehow managed to get all the best parts of them both (but mostly Emma). It was just over two and a half years ago that Emma had called him into the bathroom, the pregnancy test trembling in her fingers and tiny smile upon her lips, telling him through her tears that he was going to be a father. His happiness since that day has only grown exponentially, each moment with Emma and Hope teaching him that his capacity to love is boundless, always expanding and open for more.

His fingers trace Emma's smile, wide and bright and so full of love shining back at him from the photo in the middle. They're posed in front of the Court House, both dressed in jeans and leather jackets with a single rose as her bouquet. Hope is at sitting at their feet, tiny hands latched to his legs, a Daddy's girl through and through. Marriage was something they had both wanted, but hadn't prioritized; content to be the family they were while knowing that someday the time would be right. The social worker telling them that married couples have an easier time working the system changed everything and three hours later they were hitched, their friends cheering them on from the benches with Hope resting on Emma's hip. It wasn't grand, or planned, but it was perfect.

Reaching up, he pulls the wrapped package he's been hiding at the top of the bookcase and as quietly as possible removes it from the tissue paper. It takes him a few moments to rearrange, but finds the perfect place for this new addition, right in the center where it belongs.

Done with the last of his tasks for the morning, he makes his way back to Emma, planning to wake her with his plans for their morning alone. From the golden hair in disarray upon her pillow down to her long leg peeking out from the blankets, he can't help the deep pull in his belly as he takes her in, this beautiful creature who's blessed every moment she's been in his life. He loves her more today than yesterday and will love her even more tomorrow.

Crawling back beneath the covers, he leans on his side facing her, content to wake her slowly with his fingertips as they brush along the curve of her breast. The material of her tank top is thin enough for him to see her nipples tightening, the taught buds blossoming beneath in response to his touch. Her lips fall open as his hand slides beneath the fabric, the first pinch of his fingers prompting her eyelashes to flutter as slumber begins to fade. Wanting her to wake to the feel of his mouth, he captures her nipple between his lips, her skin sleep warm and soft against his tongue pulling a groan from deep in his throat that vibrates against her breast. Sliding his hand beneath her back, he holds her close as her body comes to life, her hands finding their way into his hair as her chest rises in welcome to his worship.

"Killian…"

He will never tire of hearing his name spoken on a moan from this woman's lips, the heavy breaths that follow urging him forward as he moves to kiss his way up, slowly suckling her skin until his mouth is hovering just over hers.

"Good morning, Swan."

Her eyes open at his words, desire and the last edges of sleep evident as she smiles, her hands still tangled in his hair pulling him down until her lips are firmly molded to his. It's one of those kisses that immediately fogs his brain, each determined curl of her tongue and the tiny sounds she releases when they break to breathe all shifting the power until she's in complete control. His body aches to connect, and he's suddenly all hands and legs, gripping fiercely at her waist as he begins to rock his arousal against her thigh. When her ankle curves around his knee, he rolls until he's settled firmly atop her, reluctantly releasing her mouth so he can focus on removing her tank.

She's flushed and dewy with sweat as she looks up at him, the pink tip of her tongue peeking out to run along her lower lip as her fingernails dance along his back. The words she whispers barely audible as he pulls the fabric over her head.

"Do we have time?"

Keeping his eyes locked on hers, he presses his chest against her bared breasts, answering her question as he runs his hands up her arms to link his fingers through hers above her head.

"Aye, Ruby picked up Hope a few minutes ago. I thought I'd surprise you with a morning alone before our big afternoon."

Groaning loudly as her legs suddenly wrap around his hips, he grinds his erection hard against her center as she arches her back in an apparent show of her approval. Their hands tighten as the chase for friction begins, each grind of his hips and nip of his teeth against her jaw pulling desperate noises from the back of her throat. Reveling in their ability to not hold back, no little ears on the other side of their too thin walls, he does all he can to keep her vocal. Releasing one of her hands, he rakes his fingers down her side until his palm brushes against the satin of her panties, the red ones she had tortured him with as she had crawled into bed the night before. Shifting his body until he's straddling her thigh, he runs the pads of his fingers just beneath the waistband, teasing until he can feel the muscles of her abdomen begin to flex in frustration.

The cry she expels when he finally seeks out her center is all he was hoping for, allowing him to finally reclaim her mouth as she writhes against his hand. He nips at her lips as his fingers curl and stroke, her arousal warm and welcoming as he brings her to the edge and back again.

"Fuck, you're so wet for me, so intoxicating..."

Her free hand seeks out his hip, pushing with earnest at the waistband of his pajama pants keeping him from being bare to her.

"Pants off…now!"

Chuckling against her lips, he circles her with his thumb once more before shifting to his knees so he can slide her panties down her legs. It's a blur of legs and hands as she wrestles for control, with her finally relieving him from the offending flannel and him settled back between her thighs. Their laughs turn to moans as he presses against her center, her readiness helping as he slides deep, her inner walls tightening around him. They don't hold back in their lovemaking, each thrust of his hips meeting the rise of her own, lips and hands seeking and claiming until he's panting against her throat. As his control begins to slip he follows the urging pull of her hands on his waist and flips them so she's straddling his hips, leaving himself at her mercy as her ride brings her to completion. He holds her waist to keep himself sheathed as he pumps his hips upwards, chasing his release until he collapses against the mattress, her body and his melting into a sweaty, sated tangle of limbs.

The lie there together for a while longer, with Emma's head resting on her hands on his chest and his fingers toying with the hair falling over her shoulder. Her eyes meet his and he smiles, happy they could have this time together but even happier to see the excitement on her face for what's to come. They'd battled her worries with Hope, nights of silence as her fears took over until she broke and sought out the comfort of his arms and the truth from his lips. Together, they got her through it. And she's been bloody brilliant, a natural. He knows she ready to do it again, even with the knowledge that it may be more challenging than before.

"Good thinking this morning, Captain."

"My intentions were less than honorable, I assure you."

"I noticed."

His laugh jolts her hips against his and she lets out a small whine, their still joined bodies too worn out for a second round. Giving his chest a small kiss, he feels the loss of her warmth as she gently lifts herself from his waist and shimmies to the edge of the bed. She pulls on his hand as she steps off the mattress, mumbling something about their shower as she walks across the room. His legs still feel somewhat like jelly as he stands, but he follows her to the bathroom, more than happy to prolong their lazy morning as long as she will allow.

"Stop primping, you look fine."

"I'm not primping, love, merely refining, there's a difference."

Giving himself one last look in the mirror, he takes a deep breath, suddenly nervous for the first time today. He can't help but wish for Liam to see him like this, all grown up and responsible, a father and a husband. Imaging his large hand patting him on the back and the huge grin that would take over his face, he knows in his heart that his brother would be proud and so incredibly happy to see the man that he has become. He looks forward to the day that he can tell his children all about their Uncle, the man who taught him everything he knows.

Stepping out of the bathroom and into the living room, he spies Emma standing over by the bookshelf. Her eyes meet his and he sees the tears threatening to fall, her hand reaching in silent request for him to join her. He crosses to her side and threads his fingers through hers, bringing their joined hands to his lips as she turns to face him.

"I thought it might be nice to get a new frame…for a new family portrait."

"I love you, Killian Jones, so much."

"And I, you, Emma Swan."

They both turn at the sound, three solid knocks on their door signaling the beginning of the next phase of their life. He lets Emma lead, knowing the importance of this day for her, a closing of a chapter for her as she continues to write her own story.

He stands behind her as she opens the door, meeting the welcoming smile of their social worker first and then, the bushy brown head of the boy standing in front of her.

Emma kneels until they're face to face; slowly reaching out her hand with what he can only imagine is her most beautiful smile.

"Welcome home, Henry."

A/N - Thanks again for your amazing responses to this fic from the beginning. I would love to hear your thoughts on the end!