For Ahoycaptainswxn

079:"The baby's kicks are keeping me up at night."

Years and years at sea, first as a naval lieutenant and then as a pirate captain, meant that Killian was always alert to any possible danger...even in his sleep.

So when he was suddenly startled awake in the middle of the night, his first thought was that there must be an intruder in the house.

Lying perfectly still, he listened intently for a few seconds but apart from Emma's even breathing beside him, he couldn't hear a thing. Slowly, he began to relax and that's when he felt it...a gentle tap against his abdomen.

Eyes widening, he looked down and a small smile lifted his lips as he realised that it wasn't something he'd heard that had awoken him, it was something he'd felt.

Easing way from Emma slightly, he took his arm from around her waist and placed his hand against her rounded stomach where their unborn child was very persistantly making their presence known.

"Hush, little one," he whispered tenderly as he felt a hard kick against his palm, "Time to settle otherwise you'll wake your mother."

As if hearing his voice, the baby gave one last little knock of acknowledgement then quietened. After a few moments, Killian's smile widened in satisfaction. He knew his wife had had a few restless nights due to the baby being more active during the nocturnal hours and he was infinitely pleased with himself that for this night, at least, she would not be disturbed.

He slid his arm back around Emma's waist and snuggled in closer to her once more. Just as he closed his eyes, however, all his endeavour seemed for nought when she suddenly stirred against him and mumbled sleepily, "You and your magic touch."

Killian couldn't help but let out a low laugh at her words. It was a standing joke between them that whenever he placed his hand on her stomach to feel their baby kicking the movement would invariably stop. At first he'd been disappointed not to be able to share those moments with Emma, but now it was proving to be quite the gift.

"You know it's just one of the many, many things you love about me, Swan," he murmured softly in reply.

He sensed rather than saw her smile, then she moved and found his lips with unerring accuracy. It was a languid, tender kiss that left him just as breathless as any of their more passionate encounters.

"Mmmm," Emma hummed appreciatively when they parted. Voice still thick with sleep she added, "And that's another."

Killian chuckled quietly again.

"Aye, that's also one of the many, many, many things I love about you, too. And as tempted as I am to extol all your virtues tonight, I fear it will take a while and you, my love, need your rest."

As he spoke, he began to rub his hand slowly up and down her back, hoping that his 'magic touch' would work just as well on her as it did their child.

"S'okay, you can tell me tomorrow," Emma mumbled drowsily.

She tucked her head under his chin and let out a soft sigh, relaxing completely against him. Moments later, her breathing evened out as his gentle ministrations lulled her back into slumber.

"Aye, tomorrow," Killian agreed on a whisper as he closed his eyes and held his wife just a little bit tighter, "and the rest of our lives."