The Wait Is Over

It took them weeks to settle everything in the nursery. The crib was put together (it turned out Killian could assemble the crib single-handedly, with little assistance from Henry), the stroller was already sitting in the corner of the living room, baby onesies were neatly piled inside the dresser. But one thing was still missing—the baby. Emma was four days past her due date, but Miss Baby was a bit too shy and wanted to wait a little longer before making her debut.

Because of her extremely rotund and heavy stomach, Emma wasn't interested in any activities that required standing on her feet or walking. She didn't even bother to cook or go out for meals, she would have Killian go buy take-outs from Granny's if she really craved a grilled cheese. But Killian was more than wonderful and understanding. He would comply with her every request, even if those requests meant extra trouble. For the past four days she had been lying either on the couch or the bed, hoping the baby would arrive soon. But perhaps God didn't hear her prayers. Annoyingly, nothing happened. Her doctor had said something about inducing labor when she's seven days past due date. All she wanted was to have this baby sooner. She was tired of the wait. Both of them were.

It was another night that they spent cuddling on the couch, watching Emma's favorite show. "Still feeling nothing?" Killian asked, while caressing her stomach. "I always thought we could meet her earlier, rather than sit and wait for so long."

"So did I. But she's just not ready to meet the world. What could we have done?" She let out a wry smile. "And I feel like an overstuffed turkey," she made a self-mocking remark. "I have to carry an eight-pound belly around every day," she sounded somewhat deflated. Killian held back a chuckle, not wanting to harm her ego. "Speaking of which, I'm carrying these eight pounds on my way to the bathroom. Drank too much water this afternoon." She rose from the couch and waddled along the hallway leading to the bathroom. Amused at the sight of her gait as she disappeared into the bathroom, Killian wondered when they could finally meet their baby girl. He thought about how it would feel when he held his daughter in his arms. It's not that often that he held a newborn baby (except the occasional help-me-hold-Neal-for-a-few-minutes requests from David and Mary Margret). And there weren't many chances of coming across babies as a pirate. She would be small and fragile, he imagined.

The click of the bathroom door dragged him out of his reverie.

"Feels good to have my bladder emptied." She re-entered the living room. "And time to hit the sack, I'm super tired. Being pregnant wears me out. A lot." She stretched her arms and yawned. She then went into the bedroom, Killian followed behind her. She slipped into one of her maternity nightgowns and prepared herself for bedtime.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't sleep. She glanced at Killian, well at least one of them was getting some sleep. His light snoring was a tease of her current predicament. Staring at the ceiling for nearly two hours, she just couldn't fall asleep. An unexpected growl came from her stomach. Miss Baby really chose her moments well. Not only could she not get any sleep, but she had to get up from the comfortable bed and feed the baby.

She rummaged around in the kitchen, looking for a quick snack. She finally set her eyes on the plate of chocolate brownies that was in the fridge. As she was savoring the delicious dessert, she felt a sudden tightening in her lower abdomen. She immediately knew—this was no Braxton-Hicks. She dropped her brownie on the plate and slowly made her way to the bedroom to fetch Killian. She shook Killian awake—in a not-so-gentle manner—and he knew exactly what happened when he looked her in the eyes. Panic and apprehension sparkled in their eyes. He randomly put on a grey shirt and a pair of jeans before grabbing her hospital bag in the closet. He helped her put on some more comfortable clothes and led her to the couch so she could sit while he called the Charmings.

Sitting at the back of David's truck on their way to the hospital. Killian was worried sick. Her breathing was ragged, sweat fell down her already-ashen cheeks and her palms were damp. Pain written all over her face. He wiped the quickly-forming sweat on her forehead, when she squeezed his hand hard as another wave of pain hit her. "That must really hurt, love, but hang in there. We're almost there," his voice husky because of nervousness. "You can brave this storm, love." Although he was panicking as she was, he tried to be a reassuring partner for her.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the hospital. David grabbed one of those wheelchairs at the entrance of the hospital and Killian wheeled her to the maternity ward as fast as he could. Mary Margret, Henry and Regina were already waiting for them there.

Not long later Emma was hooked to different machines and monitors as doctors and nurses prepared for her labor. Mind-searing pains kept hitting her like a fierce storm in the sea. As she was lost in the sensation of pain, one of the masked nurses informed her that her water had broken and she'd have the baby soon. Another nurse checked her dilation and told her they would be getting her to the delivery room within the next half hour.

Killian stood at her bedside as the medical personnel scurried around to fetch necessary supplies for the delivery. Again Emma clutched his hand as she experienced another wave of contraction. The contractions were getting closer and closer together. It's about time to have this baby, Emma thought to herself.


After hours of deep breathing and pushing, Emma's forehead was glistening with sweat. A nurse cleaned up the baby and put the pink bundle in the tired mom's arms. She was so soft and peaceful-looking. Emma held her for a few minutes before the nurse took her for further examination. Killian's face was awestruck when he witnessed the birth of their daughter and even more amazed when he got to touch her little pinkish face. He's now a father. That fact astonished him.

The nurse left the room with the baby, leaving time and space for the new parents.

"How are you feeling, love?" He brushed the stray strands of hair away from her forehead, and planted a light kiss on it.

"Fine. But tired. Very tired. But it was worth it, bringing another human being into the world." Oddly she didn't feel the same the last time she had Henry. But anyway she was glad that she had him. Her life was completed by having Henry, Killian, Lucia and her parents with her.

Another hour passed. The baby was returned to Emma's room when she'd been thoroughly checked and cleaned. The nurse deposited the baby in Emma's arm. Now she was wrapped in a pink blanket and wore a matching hat. Everyone in the room studied the baby. She's now having her sweet dreams so everyone kept their voice down.

"What's my baby sister's name, mom?" Henry asked curiously. "My friends kept asking me her name." Being overjoyed at the birth of his little sister, Henry couldn't take his eyes off the little bundle in his mother's arms. Although he's fourteen years older than her, he was sure that they would get along really well. He was her big brother. He'd protect her from every possible danger. Because that's what big brothers do.

Emma looked at Killian before making the announcement. "Meet our daughter—Lucia Amarelle Jones." The name was immediately loved by her visitors. "Killian came up with the name. Who knew he was good with names?" She credited him for the nice name he came up for the baby. As the group was busy chatting with one another, the nurse came back to drive the visitors out. The mother needs to rest, the nurse said. So everyone besides Killian reluctantly exited the room.

Killian kissed Emma on the forehead. "I love you, Emma Swan. From the bottom of my heart. And thank you for giving me a family."