Disclaimer: Adam and Eddy own OUAT, not me. I would if I could but I can't so I shan't.
Starlight000 asked: "I wonder who Regina's going to try make friends with. Pray tell- Robin? I so want him to come into the mix."
Patience. Robin still won't be here for a while. But you'll see who Regina tries to befriend.
"Are David and Mary Margaret going to punch Neal when they meet him, or Killian?"
Well they certainly won't be happy to see him.
Guest asked: "Plus, it will help avoid the awkwardness of naming the Charming kid Neal, and help things make more sense when Neal shows up (which I presume will be soon...?)"
Just four more filler chapters. Then we will get into the Neal arc.
Ruby Pen said: "I did want to point out a flaw in your math though, if MM was 28 when she had Emma, and it took another 28 years to break the curse, that's 56, not 46"
Actually Mary Margaret is technically 56. But it had only been 46 years, because if it was 56, then Mary Margaret would've been a baby when the Daniel stuff went down. 28 +28 = 56. But she was 10, meaning that the curse was cast 18 years later when she was 28 years old. 18+28 = 46. So Regina has held a grudge for 46 years, but Mary Margaret herself is 56.
Thank you for checking though, because that made me double check, and check again. But yeah, we're both right. :)
luxinthetux asked: "First, since I just started reading a few days ago, how often do you update? it's so I can remember when there's a new chapter, eventhough I follow your story."
First, welcome to the BSMH world. Glad to have you here. :) I used to update once a week at least, but sometimes life gets in the way or I get writers block, but I always try to update within two weeks of the last update.
"Furthermore, is Killian going to be in Manhattan when they meet Neal?"
No, he'll be in Storybrooke.
"How will he react to realising Neal is Bae?"
He will be surprised, just like everyone else. He'll also wonder how Bae changed so drastically, because, well for me, I see Bae and Neal as two separate characters and I don't even know how a likable character like Bae turned into Neal. So it will be strange for him to see Bae all grown up into this stranger.
"How will Henry react to having two dads? Will he stop thinking of Killian as a father?"
Henry will...well kind of spoilers here. But Killian will always be his dad.
"and will Neal be okay with his son thinking of another man as his father?"
No, he won't be, but that's not up for him to really decide since Emma, Killian, and Regina are Henry's parents.
"Also, will Emma be pregnant when they go to Neverland? How many weeks along is she?"
Yes she will be. Spoilers...maybe.
"Who will do the shooting at the town line if not Killian?"
This may or may not happen. I haven't decided if Belle will keep her memories or not. And Killian won't be shooting her at all.
"Sorry for bombarding you with questions, I'm just so anxious to know what's coming next."
Never be sorry. I love getting questions. The more the merrier.
Sidenote: I tend to put Author comments in a scene as I'm writing it to make sure I know where to take it. I realized that in the Rumbelle scene in "Much Needed Conversations" I put in a note about the dagger and Cora and it was first person. No one seemed to notice it, so I guess I got away with it. Anyway, I didn't realize it until I was looking at the scene again. I updated the chapter so it should be gone now. So sorry about that.
Also, if you guys notice anything that is to be first person or seems out of place in the chapter, then I probably did it again, so please tell me so that I can correct it. Thank you. :)
Sidenote 2: Anyone here on tumblr? I'm considering creating a sideblog for all things BSMH. Chapters, Author's notes, questions answered, BSMH Drabbles (such as the one I wrote in Swan Confessions), Mild spoilers for those who want them (placed under the cut of course), just some place on tumblr I can organize everything. So if anyone's on tumblr, would you guys be interested in having that around, just let me know.
Also, I was talking to captain swan otp about the CS scene in here when they're at the docks, and I came up with a brot3 name that's going to be a thing: Captain Baby Swan. Even when CS baby is all grown up, I will forever refer to the three of them as Captain Baby Swan.
Enjoy my lovelies!
Chapter 50: All About Baby
Emma had told Killian the truth after their promise. He'd been angry at Neal all over again, of course, but the anger was quickly banished when Emma kissed him, leading to less thoughts of Neal, and more concentration on more enjoyable activities.
The next five weeks were relatively normal.
Yes, Storybrooke had actually become normal for once.
Currently, Emma and David were at the station, it being Jefferson's day off, and Killian on patrol.
Emma munched on a box of bear claws as she looked over a noise complaint filed by a Mr. Balthazar. Apparently his neighbor Naveen played music at all hours and he was none to happy about it.
David chuckling caught her attention.
She looked up to find him smiling at her. "What?"
"You're tearing into those bear claws."
Emma huffed, but a smile pulled at her lips. "Yeah, well, I'm eating for two."
David smiled even wider, his eyes shining with pride and happiness. "Yeah, you are. Speaking of, have you guys talked about whether you want to find out the baby's sex yet?"
"Um, no." Emma said. "We kind of talked about it, but we still have a lot of time, you know? I mean, I'm not even four months along yet."
"So I guess you haven't talked about names yet either?"
"Not really." Emma shrugged. "Why? Were you hoping we'd go for David, or Davina perhaps?" Killian may have mentioned David's name suggestions to her before.
David chuckled again at the teasing in her tone. "Those are perfectly good name suggestions."
"Yeah, but Davy Jones. Really?"
"David Jones. You don't have to call him Davy." David huffed, amusement in his eyes.
"Then how would we tell the difference?" Emma asked.
"You could call him by a middle name." David said.
Emma laughed. "Then what's the point of giving him your name if we're not going to call him that." She shook her head. "Sorry David, we love you, but we're not naming our kid the same name as the grim reaper of the ocean."
"Well, there is still Davina."
Emma tore into another bear claw. "Nice try."
David pouted.
After another moment of silence. "Nolan?"
Emma shot him a faux exasperated look. "Tell you what, Killian and I will keep it in mind."
"That's all I ask." David nodded in approval.
She laughed again.
David smiled. "You know, I wanted you to be a boy."
Emma snorted. "Gee, thanks."
"Hear me out." David said. "My mother, she had this amulet, a family heirloom that was spelled by a gypsy. It predicted the sex of a woman's firstborn. When we used it, your mother knew you were going to be a girl, but she didn't tell me. She wanted it to be a surprise."
"Why did you want a boy?"
"I think that was just me being a man of my time." David shrugged. "First, I never really thought about children. Second, my father had only sons, his father had only sons, and so on. So, I was a little hesitant to want a girl. I wouldn't know the first thing about raising a girl. But then, when I found out you were going to be a girl, I knew that it didn't matter. Snow and I would raise you how we saw fit." David smiled. "Even if that meant giving you sword and archery lessons over etiquette lessons."
Emma smirked. "I can tell you, I certainly would've preferred it that way. I was a tomboy growing up."
"I can tell." David chuckled.
Emma rolled her eyes. She looked at David, with his smile so much like her own. She could see so much of herself in him. "I would've been a complete daddy's girl you know." She told him softly.
David's eyes grew wistful. "I know. And I would've spoiled you rotten and let you get away with everything."
"Except when it came to boys." Emma said. "You would've scared them all away."
"Damn straight." David nodded. "No boy would've been good enough for you."
"Is Killian good enough?"
David paused, seeming to consider it. "I suppose he'll do."
Another laugh escaped her, and David loved the sound. Even though Emma was happier and their lives were all getting some semblance of normalcy, her laughter and smiles were still rare unless it was for Henry or Killian.
"You know, your mom still has the amulet somewhere." David told her.
"But you said it only works for a firstborn." Emma said.
"It's supposed to, but, when we did it for you, I was holding it." David explained. "Maybe it works for guys too. It is Killian's first child after all."
"You think it will work?" Emma asked.
"Maybe." David shrugged.
"Well, not like it matters." She said. "We have ultrasounds here you know."
"Yeah, but this is a family heirloom." David said. "It's tradition. Besides, with the amulet, you can find out sooner instead of waiting another five weeks. It's magic isn't wrong."
Emma considered it. "Maybe. I'll talk to Killian about it."
Accepting that answer, David nodded. "And if you do, do it, maybe, you could tell your mom and me the result."
"You just really want us to name it after you, don't you?"
"Is that so wrong?" David chuckled.
No, it wasn't. In fact, the fact that David wanted his name connected to her child warmed her heart. It meant more than she could ever say.
"How's the project coming?" Belle asked when she entered the upstairs room of the library, a glass of milk and a plate of cookies in hand.
Henry smiled at her, gratefully accepting the snack. "It's going. I have all of the parts painted. I just have to put them all together and make sure they stay together."
"Need any help?"
"Sure."
Belle sat across from them and they got to work tying little strings of rope to the smaller pieces of the mobile. "So do you think the baby will be a boy or a girl?"
"I don't know." Henry said. "Mom says it's still too early to really know for sure. I think I want a brother, you know. I mean, I wouldn't mind a sister, I just think it would be easier to have a brother just because I can do more things with a brother. Like sword fighting or something. I don't know about all that girl stuff, like dolls and tea parties."
"While I understand that, a girl can like boy stuff just as much as she can like girl stuff." Belle told him. "In fact, considering who your parents are, I would be surprised if your sister wasn't a complete tomboy."
"You think so?"
"Maybe, but what's important to remember, Henry, is that, it doesn't matter if you have a brother or a sister." She began. "And it doesn't matter what they like, or if they like traditionally girl stuff, or boy stuff. What matters is that you have a good relationship with them. That you're there for them, that you advise them, and that they know their big brother is someone they can turn to."
Henry considered her words. "I guess you're right. I mean, this mobile isn't really girly, is it? And if the baby's a girl, well, she won't even realize what it is until she's older, but she'll still like it."
"Exactly." Belle agreed. "And you know why, boy or girl, your sibling will like it even more when they're older? Because they'll know that their big brother made it for them."
A light blush rose on his cheeks. He never really thought about that, and he hoped that Belle was right.
After a few minutes, Henry's thoughts turned to other matters that had been concerning him lately, and he had to ask. "Belle, do you really believe that Mr. Gold has changed?"
Belle paused to think about it. "I believe that he's trying to, but it's hard for him. Magic has been his crutch for centuries; he's been the Dark One for centuries. It can't be easy coming back from that. Why do you ask?"
"Because Regina is trying to change." Henry said. "Or she said she is. She told me she's in therapy. But, the thing is, that's exactly what she did before Cora showed up, and she didn't stick with it."
"And you're not sure if she'll stay committed to her decision?"
"I want to believe that she will, but...I don't know." Henry shrugged. "It's just hard to. I mean, she's spent decades trying to kill my grandmother and destroy happy endings."
Belle could understand that. She herself was still bitter over being locked up for thirty years. And it's not like Regina has done anything to get on her good side. Well, killing Cora was one thing, but as far as Belle was concerned, Regina had yet to do anything to earn her forgiveness.
Still, Belle was the biggest believer of people being able to change and second chances.
"Maybe, she will, maybe she won't." Belle finally said. "But Henry, I don't think that that is necessarily your problem. I don't want to offend you, but you are still a child Henry. Regina's issues are not yours to deal with. I know she's your mum, but she's also an adult. Her problems are hers to worry about and fix."
"I know." Henry sighed. "But, I'm still worried that she'll come after my parents and grandparents. She could even go after the baby."
"Oh Henry, it will be all right." Belle reassured him. "You just have to hope for the best, and maybe Regina really will stay on track. If anything, she does love you. She knows how much your parents, grandparents, and sibling mean to you."
"I hope you're right." He said. "I want my mom to get better, I do, but I don't want my family hurt either."
"As I said, Regina's the adult. It's up to her to change her life." Belle gave him a smile, holding up the pieces that she tied, hoping to change the subject to make him feel better. "So, are these sailor worthy knots?"
Henry chuckled. "They'll do."
"I don't think it's necessary to do this right now." Killian said, looking over the lists of things to do before a baby comes. Printed out and organized courtesy of David and Mary Margaret.
"Of course it is." David told him. "Six months goes by faster than you think. We need to start baby proofing the apartment now."
"I don't know." Emma huffed. "Doesn't it make more sense to wait until it's closer to my due date to do all of this?"
"Exactly." Killian nodded.
"And what happens if you guys don't have time to do this?" David asked. "This is Storybrooke after. You'll probably get sidetracked with the next villain of the week."
Emma rolled her eyes just as Mary Margaret snorted in amusement.
"Why the apartment though?" Emma asked. "According to Marco, the house should be ready by the time the baby gets here."
"What if he gets behind schedule?" David asked.
"Mate, the baby won't be able to do much when it gets here." Killian sighed. "It'll either be sleeping or be in someone's arms. It won't get into anything."
"You forget, your kid has magic." David countered. "It more than likely can and will get into everything."
The baby was disgruntled by the comment.
"Your grandchild disagrees." Emma told him.
David shot her a look that Emma could only describe as a bitch face.
"I still think that we should go ahead and do things now." David continued. "Think about it? What if the baby's premature? What if you guys get caught up in something? What if a storm happens and tears the house down before it's finished? Anything could happen."
"Well, now you're just being ridiculous." Killian shook his head.
"I am not." David protested.
"Yes, you are." Killian argued.
As the men continued to argue, Mary Margaret pulled Emma into her room.
"Remind me again why our True Loves are such children." Emma chuckled.
"Because they're men." Mary Margaret said, busy rifling through her jewelry box. She pulled out a silver, circular amulet.
"What's that?" Emma asked.
"This is your grandmother's amulet." Mary Margaret said. "The one David told you about the other day. He and I were talking about it, and he wondered if it would work if Killian held it since this is Killian's first child."
"Do you think it will?"
"Honestly, I don't know." Mary Margaret shrugged, handing the amulet over to Emma. "But it's worth a try."
"How does it work?" Emma asked. "Killian holds it and it swings?"
"It's a little more than that. He has to hold it in front of your stomach." Mary Margaret smiled. "If it swings North to South, it's a boy. East to West, it's a girl."
"So just be sure about what direction it's going and that's it?"
"Pretty much."
Emma tucked the amulet into her jeans, frown on her face.
"Is something wrong?" Mary Margaret asked, brow creased.
"No." Emma sighed. "Well, I don't know. Maybe David's right. There's a lot to talk about and a lot to do, and Killian and I haven't done anything. When he came back from the Enchanted Forest, our concern was Cora and getting things back to normal. Then everything with Henry happened. Finally, this past month has been normal, and what if it's just like a calm before the storm or something? What if David's right about us losing track of things and becoming more focused on being heroes than parents? I mean, where's the balance? How are we going to be both?"
Mary Margaret gave her a sympathetic look before leading her over to the end of the bed to sit. "Honestly, I have no idea. Your dad and I never got the chance to do that. We were always just...whoever we were at the moment bandit, princess, shepherd, knight. So many things, but we never got to be parents. We never had to balance between protecting our people and our kingdom and raising you."
Emma's shoulders slumped. "Then how are we supposed to do this?"
"The only thing I can tell you, Emma, is to trust your instincts." Mary Margaret put her arm around her daughter. "When it comes to the good of the town, you know you're not alone in protecting it. Killian, your dad, and I, we're all here for you. And that goes for the baby too. And if you and Killian have to deal with a situation, your dad and I can watch the baby or, if you'd rather have the day off, then you can, and we can take care of Storybrooke. You are not alone in this Emma. We're a family. We're here to lean on each other and support each other. Understand?"
"I...I've just never had that before." Emma whispered, eyes misty. "Having a family is just so new, and I...I have no idea what to do."
"Don't worry about it so much." Mary Margaret hugged her. "You don't need to do anything other than be yourself. We love you no matter what."
Emma nodded. "I...I love you, too."
"Bloody hell Dave!" Killian's raised voice broke the moment between mother and daughter. "We are not padding the walls! This is an apartment, not an asylum!"
"Oh lord." Mary Margaret stood, shaking her head. "Your father seems to be going a bit overboard..."
"Maybe, it's like you said." Emma said. "He never got to do any of the normal stuff with me. He probably just wants to be there for his grandkid." She sighed, a realization hitting her. "Which is probably why he wants us to name the kid after him."
"David wants you to name the baby after him?"
"Yep."
Mary Margaret pouted. "What about me?"
"Oh not you too." Emma whined heading back out to the living room.
"Why not?" Mary Margaret laughed. "Mary and Margaret are wonderful names for a girl. And I'm sure we can come up with a related boy's name."
Emma gave her a begrudging look. "We'll think about it."
It was hard to resist magic, to not use it every day.
It always had been for him, but he had promised Belle that he would try to use magic less.
She truly did believe that if he did, if he remained committed to changing for the better, for her and Bae, then he would indeed become a better man. The Dark One's powers would have less influence over him.
Rumple sighed. He wanted to find Bae. Finding him was the whole reason he created the Dark Curse to begin with.
He'd spent hours over his work table, finally finishing the potion that would temporarily protect him from losing his memories if he crossed the town line.
He stared at the vial of blueish liquid.
All that was left to do was locate Bae.
But was he ready? Was he ready to face what he had done? He let Bae go through the portal alone and angry. Calling him a coward.
Yes, he was afraid of losing his power. He was finally on top, feared by many.
But that portal, that swirling green light...it had brought back so many bad memories. His father was still a sore subject after all these centuries.
From what he had learned from Hook, Bae was still angry at him too...though, perhaps he was no longer angry. It had been years since Neverland for Hook, it could've been the same for Bae.
But if not, if Bae still felt like he had abandoned him, if he was still angry with him, Rumple had no idea how he was going to face Bae, and convince him that he had changed, plead to rebuild their relationship, when he himself wasn't even sure if he could ever change.
The door to the shop chimed.
Rumple took the potion and put it in a drawer, shutting it away just as Belle appeared in the back room.
"Belle, what a pleasant surprise."
Belle smiled at him. "I was just about to head to Granny's for some lunch. Care to join me?"
He hesitated, his doubts springing to the surface.
"Rumple, what's wrong?" Belle asked, stepping closer to him, expression full of concern.
"Nothing." Rumple said. "Let me just finish up here, and I shall meet you at the diner."
Belle considered him for a moment. "Please, Rumple, talk to me. I'm your friend, and I'm here for you. Whatever is bothering you, you need to talk about it."
He wasn't much for opening up. He had isolated himself for centuries, from the time he lost Bae until he had gotten Belle. Living alone, spending all of his time searching for a way to find Bae, making deals to get something out of people or for his own amusement. Even when Belle came along and opened his heart ever so little, he could never talk to her or confide in her.
Perhaps, if he started to, then maybe it would help him change. Opening up to her might just be the first step.
"I'm not entirely certain that I should find Bae."
"Why not?" Belle asked, trying not to show her surprise.
"I haven't changed, Belle." Rumple sighed. "I still use magic, and I don't think that I can stop. Bae, he left because of my magic. I was...not at my best. How can I go find him, ask him to come back here with me, ask for a second chance, when I don't deserve it."
Belle's features turned sympathetic. She hugged him.
He hesitantly returned her hug.
"Maybe you should stop." Belle pulled away, "Looking for Bae, I mean. Just for now. If you aren't sure how he will react to seeing you again, and if you're having these doubts, then I don't think you're ready to do this." She gave him a reassuring smile. "Just give yourself some more time. I know you've been waiting for centuries to be reunited with Bae, but what's a few more days, or even weeks, or months."
"Perhaps, you're right."
"Come on, let's go get some lunch." Belle took his hand, pulling him with her. "We can talk more about this at the diner, over a burger with extra pickles."
Rumple chuckled.
Belle very well might be right.
A little more time to think things over just might be what he needed.
Emma sighed, partially relieved, partially worried, when she found him on the docks, sitting on a bench overlooking the water.
After their doctor's appointment, he up and disappeared without a word when they had been at Granny's with her mother.
She was relieved because she found him, but the docks...that's where he went to think about things that were troubling him. Well, that or the Jolly. And considering they just had another appointment with Dr. Sapienti, she figured that he had to be thinking about the baby. Which meant that he might be having doubts again.
When she reached the bench, she noticed their second sonogram in his lap, and his compass (the one she'd given him) in his hand.
He didn't look at her as she sat down.
"So, do I need to worry?" She finally asked.
He chuckled lightly, turning to her with a small smile. "No, love, I'm not doubting myself again. I was just thinking about some things."
Emma arched a brow. "Mind sharing?"
His left arm came around her, pulling her into his side. "You know when I was in the Enchanted Forest, at least, when my fever broke and I was well enough to function, I looked at this every day." Killian told her, holding the compass out to her.
Her fingers gently traced the compass face.
"Every time, I thought of you, of Henry, and I became even more determined to come home." Killian said. "Compasses always lead you home. When Anton and I were using the portal, I had the compass in my hand, I was thinking of home, of you, and the needle started spinning. I thought perhaps it was the affects of the portal, but then it stopped and pointed, and I knew that I needed to steer the Jolly in that direction. And when we docked here, the needle kept pointing in the direction I needed to go." His eyes met hers. "It guided me to you."
Emma swallowed, her eyes glassy from his story, because he had just admitted to thinking about her and Henry as much as they had thought about him, and he had been so determined to get back to them. She cleared her throat. "So...do you think it's magic? Like the compass Cora and I used?"
"I don't know." Killian shrugged. "I suppose it's possible. I just...I know that it lead me to where I desired to be, more than anything."
Leaning in, she kissed him deeply, not caring who could see, needing to just feel his lips against hers.
Killian broke the kiss first. "Bloody hell, lass. That was quite affectionate."
"Shut up." She smiled.
He laughed lightly, nose brushing up against her cheek. "The Jolly is just a little ways away, if you're interested in moving this to a more private location."
"Is that all you think about?" She teased.
"It's your fault, love." Killian said. "I just can't get enough of you."
"How is that my fault?"
"Because you're...you."
Emma laughed. "That doesn't make any sense."
"It makes perfect sense."
She shook her head. "You're an idiot."
He smiled. "Ah, but I'm your idiot."
He was. And she absolutely loved it. Leaning against his shoulder, snuggling the rest over her body close to his, she changed the subject. "David's been asking about names again. And if we want to know what the baby's going to be."
"He's a little overboard on this baby stuff." Killian huffed.
"Yeah, but I think he just wants to make up for not being there for me." Emma said. "It's actually really sweet that he wants to be involved."
Killian sighed. "I supposed you're right. I just never thought about it."
"You mean you felt like David was trying to encroach on you're territory?"
"Well, it is our child." He said. "I love Dave, I do, but we're the parents, and we can handle this. He's the grandfather. He's not supposed to worry about all of this. He's just supposed to spoil our child rotten."
Emma snorted. "Please, like you wouldn't spoil our kid."
He chuckled.
She did indeed have a point.
"So are we discussing names then?" Emma asked.
"I guess so." He shrugged. "Have you thought of any?"
Emma hesitated.
"Yes, love?" Killian prompted.
"I've thought of a few." She said. "David would be a good middle name, but for a first name, I was thinking we could honor one of your brothers. Liam and Graham."
Killian inhaled sharply, touched by the gesture. "I...are you sure?"
"Of course I am." Emma told him. "Graham meant a lot to both of us, and Liam meant the world to you."
"Thank you."
"Now we just have to pick which name we want. Liam Jones or Graham Jones?"
Killian shrugged. "We could just use all three."
"We are not hyphenating our child's name."
"We don't have to hyphenate." Killian said. "We can just give him two middle names."
"So, Liam Graham David Jones?" Emma asked.
"Something like that." He nodded. "But that doesn't sound quite right."
"Graham Liam David Jones?"
He shook his head. "No, not that either." He canted his head in thought. "Liam David Graham Jones?"
"Liam David Graham Jones." Emma spoke the name carefully. "Liam David Graham Jones. Huh, that's actually pretty perfect."
"Aye, it is."
"Now we just have to get the girl name." Emma said. "Since we used David in case it's a boy, do you want to use Mary or Margaret for a girl?"
"You don't want to use both?" Killian teased. "Mary Margaret Jones."
Emma rolled her eyes. "I love Mary Margaret, but I'm not giving one daughter both names. And we're not switching it around either. Margaret Mary just doesn't have a ring to it."
"Well, if we are going to use one, personally, I like Margaret." Killian said.
"Me too." Emma agreed. "So Margaret for a middle name."
"Middle?"
"Well, it is only fair to David since his name will be our son's middle name." She explained.
"I suppose."
"So, you have any girl names in mind?"
He scratched the back of his ear. "Not particularly."
"Liar." She teased. "Come on, I know you've been thinking about this. And I pretty much monopolized the naming, so it's only fair you have one name that was your suggestion."
"I just don't think you'll go for it." Killian told her. "I mean, you have a problem with your parents names being Snow White and Prince Charming. The name I have in mind is just as...flowery?"
"Flowery?"
"Hippie?" Killian shrugged.
Emma scoffed. "Just tell me."
"Fine." He huffed. "Hope."
"Hope?" Emma raised a brow.
"I know it's not particularly to your taste." Killian said. "It's just, you gave me hope, Emma. It seems only fitting that our daughter's name would be that."
Her lips twitched. "I gave you hope?"
"Aye." Killian nodded. "I was so lonely during the curse, you know. Never dated anyone, never tried to have a relationship. There was an emptiness in my heart, and I didn't think that it would ever be filled. I didn't believe that I could ever be happy. That is, until I met you. Meeting you...it was like I was seeing the world for the first time. Everything was clearer, brighter. You brought light into my life Emma, you saved me. Not just from my revenge and myself, but from my despair and emptiness. I was alone for so long, and so incredibly lost, but you became my anchor. You gave me hope that I could have a happy ending, and now I do. I have you, Henry, the baby. I have a family, and I finally feel as though I'm a part of something great. I haven't felt that way since before Liam died." He brushed away her tears. "So yes, my love, you gave me hope, and so, so much more."
"Okay." She sniffled, voice cracking. "Hope Margaret Jones it is."
Killian smiled. "Is that all you have to say?"
"No." Emma moved in her seat to better face him. She never was one for sappy, poetic declarations. That just wasn't her, but damn her pirate, he brought it out in her. It was always a trade with them; always had been. He opened up to her, she opened up to him. It was a give and take; an equal partnership. And he deserved to hear what he meant to her. "I love you. More than I ever thought it was possible to love someone. After Neal, I just...I didn't think I was someone who deserved love. You think I gave you hope? Well, you gave me hope too. You and Henry both. You believe in me when I don't, you push me when I need it, you stand by my side, and you never hurt me. No one has ever done any of that for me. No one has ever put me first. So you're right, it is only fitting to name her Hope, because if it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have any. I would be alone with my walls and my job, but nothing else. You gave me love and a home, Killian, and that means more to me than I can say."
"I'll always put you first." Killian said.
"No, you won't." Emma chuckled. "If you had to, you'd choose Henry or the baby over me. But that's fine. I'd do the same to you."
"Well, you're not wrong." He agreed. "But you and I both know that we'd try to save our kids and each other before even thinking of making that choice."
"True." Emma nodded. "You know, there is something else we have to discuss."
"Oh?"
"Do we want to know if we're having a Liam or a Hope?" Emma asked.
"I don't care which we have." Killian grinned. "I'm just glad we're having one."
She rolled her eyes again, smile pulling at her lips. "Do you want to know or not?"
"Love, if you want to know, then that's fine." He leaned back, left arm going over the back of the bench. "You still have five weeks to decide."
"Actually, we can find out now." She said, pulling her grandmother's amulet from her pocket, having tucked it into her jeans before their doctor's appointment earlier, but having left it alone due to her uncertainty about whether or not she wanted to know. But now that they had decided on names, she wanted to know. She held the amulet out for him to see. "This amulet was my grandmother's, David's mother. A gypsy put a spell on it so that it can tell the sex of a women's firstborn."
"But you already had your firstborn."
"I know, but my parents think that maybe it can work for a guy too." Emma shrugged. "My dad was the one holding it when they used it, so maybe...unless you have a secret kid that I don't know about?"
Killian smirked. "I may have had a wild past, Swan, but no, to my knowledge, this will be my first child. How does it work?"
"Well, you hold it in front of my stomach and it swings." Emma told him. "Whichever direction it goes tells us the sex."
He took the amulet and held it out in front of her.
For a moment it stayed completely still. Then it swung.
"It worked?" Killian said, uncertain.
But Emma was too focused on the direction. She looked around her, silently reassuring herself which way was North and which way East. When she realized which way it was going, a bright smile graced her face, her eyes watering once again.
Killian's breath caught when she smiled. He had seen her smile many times, seen her at her happiest, but that smile was so bright and happy, Emma glowed. He blinked. "So, are we having a little Hope or a little Liam?"
She bit her lip, a teasing glint in her eyes, wondering if she should tell him or not. "It's a surprise."
Killian chuckled, just happy that she was happy. "As you wish."
Emma stood, holding her hand out to him. "Come on, we should get home before they worry and think something's gone wrong."
He took her hand, kissing her knuckles, before standing himself.
She tried not to blush, but failed miserably.
As they walked down the docks towards her parked bug, Emma was reminded of another issue that they needed to discuss. "We need a new car."
"We do?"
"Yeah, I mean, we have one car that barely holds three of us, but we're about to have another kid." Emma explained. "The bug is just too small."
"Marco still has my old Jeep Cherokee." Killian told her. "He drives it from time to time so it isn't just sitting around falling apart, but he has his own truck, he doesn't need it."
"Can you even drive with the hook?" Emma asked.
"I can learn." He laughed.
"Fine, as long as you practice in David's truck." She said. "That thing's a tank."
"If you insist."
"So we can get the jeep, and sell the bug." Emma nodded.
Killian stopped, pulling her with him. "Sell the bug?"
"Yeah." Emma said, ignoring the twinge in her stomach at the thought. But she wanted to move on with her life, she was moving on with her life, she needed to let go of the past. The bug was a part of that past.
"Are you certain that you're ready for that?" Killian asked.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Emma, that bug is a part of you." Killian said. "I know that it holds a lot of memories of Neal, but you kept it for ten years. It's been a constant in your life."
"I want to move on." Emma sighed. "I want to put all of that behind me."
"I know that, sweetheart, but are you ready to let go of the closest thing you had to home?" Killian asked. "If you want to sell the bug, that's perfectly fine. I just...I don't want you to regret letting go of something that meant a lot to you. Besides," He put his arm around her, pulling her close, "we very well may need two cars. Not every place in Storybrooke is walking distance, and we won't be together all the time."
Emma considered his words, and she knew that he was right. She may want to move on and let go of her past ties to Neal, but was she ready to let go of everything? She had given Killian the swan necklace, and that was significant for her. The bug was a bit more than that though. Like Killian said, it had been a constant in her life, the closest thing to a home that she ever had before Storybrooke.
"Okay, we keep the bug." Emma agreed. "For now."
Killian nodded, opening the driver side door for her. "I'll call Marco tomorrow about the Jeep."
"Just don't let David teach you." Emma said.
"I know how to drive, love." Killian huffed. "I just have to adjust for the hook. And I taught David how to drive."
Emma patted his cheek. "Yeah, you did."
Killian pouted. "He's gotten better."
"Of course he has." Emma laughed as she slid inside the car.
Killian shut the door for her before going over to the passenger side. When he got inside, he leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Smartarse."
She giggled as she started up the car. "You love it."
Regina entered Gold's shop as he was polishing some silver items that needed tending to.
"I've been expecting you." Gold said. "Though I thought you would be here sooner. Cora's been dead a month now."
"And I'm sure you haven't been losing much sleep over it." Regina glared.
"None whatsoever." He smirked. "Now, how can I help you, Madame Mayor?"
"You were planning to kill her, weren't you?" Regina asked. "If the pirate hadn't come along."
"Cora was a menace. She had to be dealt with." Rumple told her. "I had to protect myself."
"Is that why you gave Belle a fake dagger?" She scoffed. "I find it interesting that you'd put yourself before the woman that you claim to love. Cora could've killed her. You're lucky that she didn't. Actually, you're lucky that Snow White was there, and that my mother wanted to hurt her over harming Belle."
Rumple shot her an icy look. "Am I supposed to be grateful for that?"
"I'd be more grateful that Belle is still unaware of your manipulation."
"And you're here to use that information against me?" Gold asked. "Blackmail me for whatever you want?"
"No." Regina said. "I won't. For now. All I want to know is your history with my mother. Why you chose to apprentice her. What exactly was your relationship."
"We were teacher and apprentice." He sneered. "And I didn't choose her. She made a deal with me, to save her skin."
"There was more than that, wasn't there?"
"Dearie, all you need to know about Cora," Rumple growled, "is that even if she had her heart, she would never have put you first. She was always selfish. Her entire life, all she wanted was power and all she ever did was try and find more ways to get it. She had you solely for that reason."
"My mother would've loved me." Regina argued.
Rumple smirked, remembering the sister that Regina knew nothing about and how Cora simply gave her away because her pregnancy ruined Cora's chance at being queen. "Oh believe me, you were her chance at being royalty. Nothing more. If your father hadn't been a prince, she would've gotten rid of you the first chance she had."
"That's what you think."
"That's what I know." Gold said. "Now, if that is all, then I suggest that you be on your merry way."
Wanting to say more, but knowing that she wasn't going to get anymore information from him, she turned on her heel and left the shop.
Rumple returned to his polishing, wondering if Cora's past would indeed come back to haunt Regina someday.
Emma was walking to Dave's Fish & Chips to pick up lunch for Killian, Marco, and the dwarves as they were spending the Saturday working away at the house.
Emma had decided to spend the day helping them out since Henry was with Grace and Jefferson, Mary Margaret was running around town to complete errands (though Emma volunteered to help her, Mary Margaret told her it was unnecessary), and David was taking over the shift until tonight when it would be Killian's turn.
When she reached the little shanty on the docks, she paused.
Will was there, sitting on one of the benches munching on some fries.
She remembered her fight with Killian all those weeks ago. How he said that his and Will's relationship was complicated. How Will was the one who didn't want people to know that he and Killian were related. She wondered if maybe she should talk to him. Killian had looked upset when he talked about Will, and Emma had the feeling that he wanted to make up for whatever he had done.
She headed to the window to place the ten lunch orders before she headed over to Will's table to talk with him while she waited.
He looked like a deer caught in headlights when she sat down.
"I haven't broken any laws recently." Will told her.
"Recently?" Emma couldn't help but feel amused. She wondered if Will was indeed a thief like the Will Scarlet from this world's Robin Hood tales.
Will just shrugged. "As far as I know."
Emma smirked. "That's just what Killian would say."
His eyes darkened.
Obviously he didn't like being compared to his uncle.
"You remind me of him." Emma continued, whether Will liked it or not. "But I guess spending three hundred years with him in Neverland does that you."
"Ya got a point here, Savior?" Will huffed.
"Nothing, other than holding grudges is a Jones trait."
"I ain't a Jones." Will snapped. "Never was."
Emma's brow quirked. "You seem pretty Jones like to me."
"I was a bastard." Will said. "Me mum never gave me the Jones name. Even after me stepfather died. I never took it when I was old enough to either."
"Jones name or not, you're a Jones." Emma said. "Which means you're stubborn and a pain in the ass."
He couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Well, you're not wrong."
"I know it might be hard, but can you ever forgive him?" Emma asked.
Will wasn't sure how to answer that.
"Look, I know what it's like to want to protect yourself." She spoke. "Look out for yourself and you won't get hurt, right? Well, having those walls, keeping yourself from being hurt, that only ends up sucking for you. I didn't trust anyone for ten years after someone I thought loved me hurt and betrayed me. So I was alone. But then Killian and my son Henry, they showed me that it was okay to trust people again. So whatever Killian did to you, was it truly all that bad that he can never be forgiven?"
He sighed, leaning back, arms crossing over his chest. "I suppose not."
"So you'll think about maybe forgiving him?"
"Maybe."
Emma smiled. "Thank you. I know it will mean a lot to Killian. It will be good for both of you."
When her order was called, Emma stood, giving him a nod before leaving.
Will sighed. Bloody Savior. She had a point. Even if he didn't like it.
He supposed he had some thinking to do over the matter.
August looked around the corner of the abandoned warehouse, watching the construction on the Jones house, keeping an eye out for Marco. He was careful to stay out of sight of any passersby.
He didn't want anyone to see him like this. That's why he had hidden in the woods for so long.
But he wanted to see his father. He missed him, and he wanted to return home. But how could he? How could he face his father like this? He was wooden again. He had broken his promise to his father, he had left Emma, he had done selfish, selfish, things in his life.
Not to mention Emma. He couldn't face her either after all that he did in wronging her.
And he didn't want to risk running into Killian and David. They were more likely to still be angry with him and still very likely to start a physical altercation.
He saw Emma return, her arms full of bags of food for the workers.
Killian hurried over to help her, Marco not far behind him.
The three of them were all laughs and smiles.
August felt a pang of jealousy as he watched Marco and Killian together.
Marco clapped Killian on the back, laughing at something he had said.
It wasn't fair. Marco was his father, not Killian's.
But there they were, as close as any father and son could be.
Angrily turning away, August stalked off back towards his motorcycle. It was harder to ride now that he was...stiffer, but it was manageable.
He just had to get away. Back to the woods, where it was safe. Where nobody came and where he could be alone to wallow in his misery.
It was what he deserved after all.
And there's our little peek at August. I think that's the only one for a while. Then there will be a chapter centered on him.
Mr. Balthazar is the name of the butler from the Aristocats and Naveen is indeed the Naveen from The Princess and the Frog.
Sorry I couldn't describe Ruth's amulet in full detail. I searched for it but I could only find grainy pics...nothing detailed or close up.
I had to make Rumple decide to not find Bae right away, because I need to get Emma further along in her pregnancy first.
Captain Baby Swan scene was my absolute favorite scene to write. I hope you guys like my naming choices, because I for one firmly believe that Emma and Killian are that sentimental.
Mentions of Zelena there. Still not bringing her in earlier. I just like little things like that to put in the story to hint at the future.
Since Emma talked to Will, I wonder if he'll forgive Killian, and Alice for that matter. We'll see how that relationship grows. Maybe not soon, but eventually.
I hope you guys enjoyed it!
Please review!
