Emma gave birth to a beautiful and healthy little girl, who looked so much like her father. The moment Killian laid eyes on her, he knew that they had chosen the perfect name for their daughter.
It took a lot of adjusting and many sleepless nights, but they fell into their roles as parents. Emma still struggled with being a mom, but it was obvious to everyone that saw her with her baby that she was a natural.
Alice was born a couple weeks early, so they didn't have the chance to get to the courthouse to sign a marriage license like they'd planned, and Alice was six months old before they were finally able to get to the courthouse.
Emma stood with a fussing Alice in her arms as the judge tried to perform the ceremony. Killian could tell she was getting frustrated, so he took the baby from her, whispering soothing words softly. Alice eventually settled, laying her head on Killian's shoulder and holding tightly to the lapel of his jacket.
The judge gave them a gentle smile, and simply continued; within a few minutes, Emma was pressing up on her toes to kiss Killian. They signed the paperwork, and Killian hugged Emma tightly. He kept repeating how much he loved her over and over in her ear.
The three of them left the courthouse, and went to get lunch at their favorite little diner. Alice stayed cuddled against Killian's chest, refusing to let go of him the entire meal. Emma rubbed her back gently.
"Thank you for today, Killian.. I know it took us a lot longer than we wanted to get to this point again, but.. I'm glad we finally did it." She gave him a small smile.
Killian kissed her forehead. "Of course, Emma. I love you so much, and I'm glad I get to actually be your husband." He adjusted Alice so he could wrap his other arm around her. "You look absolutely beautiful, and I think I'm the luckiest lad.."
Emma messed with her rings, she couldn't believe that she was finally married to the love of her life for real. "I'm the lucky one.. You could've had anyone, man or woman, but you chose me.. And you're an absolutely amazing father, I don't deserve you."
He shook his head. "I'm the one who doesn't deserve you, Emma. You're bloody brilliant, and our little lass here is the luckiest little one to have you has her mum.." He took a breath. "I know I can't wear my ring on the right finger.."
"I don't care about that, Killian. Our relationship, our marriage.. It isn't about being able to wear a wedding ring, that doesn't matter to me. I know you're my husband, and the father of my baby girl.. Okay?"
"Aye, Swan, it doesn't matter." He sighed softly. "Alice, Love.. Can you let Mummy feed you? I know you're hungry.."
Alice whimpered. "Dada.." She clung to him, babbling softly.
"I packed a bottle, you can try giving her that.. If she won't take it, then I'll take her. Let me get Granny to warm it up for us.." She kissed his cheek and left him at the table.
Ruby's grandmother owned the diner, and had easily taken to Emma when she became friends with Ruby. She wiped her hands on her apron when she noticed Emma at the counter.
"Everything alright, Sweetheart?" Granny asked.
"Oh, yeah.. We're good, Granny, could you heat up a bottle for Alice? Just a little while in the microwave is fine.."
"Of course, I'll bring it to you once it's ready." She took the bottle from Emma and shooed her back to the table with Killian.
Granny brought the bottle and a mug of hot chocolate for Emma. "Here you go, let's get that little one fed."
Emma thanked her as Killian tried to feed Alice, but she only took a little bit of the bottle before she protested. She started to cry, frustrated and still hungry but not wanting the bottle, Killian did what he could to soothe her until Emma was ready.
Emma took her and fed her easily. Killian wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple.
"I'm sorry that this is the way we're starting our marriage, Love.. A fussy baby, and this super romantic dinner.. And I have to go speak at that conference this weekend.." He sighed, running his fingers through his hair.
Emma leaned against him. "Dealing with a fussy baby comes with having a daughter who is barely six months old, and I think this dinner is romantic. I'm with you, and our family is together.." She shrugged. "I am a little upset about you having to leave, but I know if you didn't have to speak, you'd have stayed with me.. I don't blame you." She assured him.
"Aye, Swan, I would have. I'm just glad that we were able to get married before I had to leave.." He laid his cheek against her hair. "Maybe we can ask David and Mary Margaret to keep Alice in a couple weeks and we can have our own version of a honeymoon?"
She smiled. "I'd love that, Killian.. I think that's something that would be really good for us, for our relationship.." She leaned further into him. "We haven't really had any alone time since before she was born.."
"Aye, and I apologize for not making more of an effort to have time just the two of us. To take you out on dates.." He apologized, messing with Alice's dress.
"Hey, it's not your fault. I know I'd often rather be with both of you, and not give up time with our baby girl.." Emma shrugged, rubbing Alice's back as she burped her. "I love our daughter, and I love you. I'm happy, I don't need anything special."
"I know you don't, Swan, and I know you adore Alice.. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't go on dates regularly. I want to change that, now that we're married, I want us to have a night alone at least once every few weeks.." He kissed her temple.
Emma glanced up at him. "You're a good man, and I'd love that. I know Ruby and Dorothy would be willing to watch her for us.. Or David.. Maybe we can start after we get our honeymoon?"
He nodded. "Aye, Love, that sounds perfect. And when I get back we'll start thinking about that honeymoon, I promise."
They eventually got their honeymoon a few weeks later, and it was exactly what the two of them needed. They relaxed and enjoyed spending a couple of days together without a baby attached to them, but by the end they both couldn't wait to have Alice back in their arms.
So this is kind of like a mini epilogue, and there will be another epilogue to round out the story soon. I hope y'all like it!
