A Happy Beginning
"Henry, can you make sure that Hope has her sun hat, I don't want her to get burned on the water."
"Sun hat, sun hat, want sun hat henny." The little girl came bounding through the back door, a trail of dust flying behind her as the small puppy jumped up and down with muddy paws against the teetering toddler.
"Hope, what did you get into?" Emma exclaimed. The girl's face was covered in dirt, her white dress stained with paw prints across the front.
"Found cheasure." She beamed.
"Hope, your dress is ruined." She groaned and the little girl frowned.
"Got daddy cheasure." She whined, holding up a small bottle, dirt adhering to the edges of it as her wet fingers clung to the bottle as if it were the most priceless item she had ever owned.
"I see that, but I told you not to get dirty in your dress." Emma scolded as Killian returned through the front of the house.
"Daddy." The little girl's face brightened as she wrestled out of Emma's grasp, advancing on Killian, and jumping up into his outstretched arms.
"There's my girl. What have you got there? Is that treasure?" The girl nodded excitedly, pushing the bottle into his hands. "For me? It's amazing little one, I'll cherish it forever."
Emma rolled her eyes as she stood, the sight of her husband and their daughter easing her frustration. "She won't be able to wear her dress today."
"Daddy didn't like this dress anyway." He whispered against the little girls' golden curls. "I think she'd look better in the blue one."
"But we picked out the white one especially for today."
He walked toward her, leaning over, and kissing her cheek as he cradled the toddler against his side. "And I told you that I don't care what she wears, so long as you are all there, so it's going to be fine. Besides, the blue one will match her eyes."
"Don't use the pretty blue eyes thing against me. I know how you work."
"Do you now, love?" His own ocean blue eyes glinted in the light, a playful smile crossing his lips. He brushed them against her own, heat splaying across her cheeks.
"Cheater." She whispered against his mouth.
"Pirate." He responded with a smirk.
"Daddy piwate." Hope giggled between them.
"Eww, are you two kissing again?" They turned to see Henry enter the room with Hope's hat in his hand, two small boys following closely behind him.
Killian stepped away from her, Hope still on his hip. "One day you'll understand why, son." Killian winked at the older boy, then tousled the small boy's hair beside him. "You want to help me find the blue dress for Hope?"
"Do I have to wear this jacket?" The boy fussed.
Killian glanced over his shoulder and Emma narrowed her eyes. "Only until the ceremony is done, Leo, then I promise you can put it in the back of the truck and never wear it again." He whispered the last part and Emma rolled her eyes. The boy hollered in excitement and followed Killian to the back of the cabin.
"You both ready to go?" Emma watched as Henry snapped the last button on Roland's jacket.
"Everything is ship shape, Mom." Henry replied. "You worry too much; you know that right?"
"Who said I'm worried?"
He chuckled. "I've known you for over four years now, any time you worry about something, you bite your lip, and your eyebrows do that thing."
"What thing?" She laughed, reaching up to touch her eyebrow.
"The wavy thing where you look like you've been thinking too long."
"I'm not nervous, I'm just anxious. I want everything to go right today. This is a big deal for your dad and the family today."
"I know and everything is going to be fine."
She wrapped an arm around the boy's shoulder and pulled him to her as he groaned when she planted kisses against his cheek and forehead. "Come on Mom, no more kisses. I'm too old for that"
"You're never too old for my kisses."
"I want kisses!" The smaller boy whined, and Emma scooped Roland into her arms and planted her lips on his cheek.
"Hey now, why am I missing out on all this family love?" Killian entered the room, their daughter skipping happily beside him in her favorite blue dress, Leo following quietly behind.
"No more kissing." Henry demanded as he pulled away, scooping Hope into his arms, and stepping out of the family circle. "We're going to be late if we don't get out of here anyway."
Emma smoothed down her dress and brushed the strands of her hair behind her ears. Looking over her family, she surveyed each of them to ensure they were all ready to leave. Her heart swelled with happiness as she watched her husband standing there, their children gathered around him at his feet. They had been blessed beyond comparison when Henry arrived on their doorstep. After Hope was born, Henry helped change diapers, fed her bottles, read her stories, and quickly became part of the family.
After they found out who his stepmother was, the woman he had run away from the night he came to live with them, Emma knew they could never let him go back to the life he tried to escape. Marco's Home for Lost Boys was reinstated, and Killian and Emma began their quest to honor the man who had saved them both by continuing his legacy.
A couple years later, Leo turned up in the neighboring town while Leroy was on a fishing expedition. He knew immediately that the boy would find a home with the Jones family and before they knew it, their family had grown again.
Six months later, Roland was turned in to the police station in the middle of the night with just a note stating that the parents were unable to take care of the boy and knew that there was a family that would take in lost children in town. Emma had a full home and a husband who was determined to ensure that every child that stayed with them felt like they were loved just as much as Marco had loved them.
"Ok, I think we look presentable." She said with a grin. "We'd better go before David starts texting us asking where we are."
Killian glanced at his phone. "You're about ten minutes too late for that."
Emma laughed and pushed her family out the door toward their truck, buckling the kids into their seats as Henry jumped in between her and Killian in the front.
"Who's ready for a new adventure?" Killian announced as he started the truck.
"Daddy piwate venture." Hope cheered.
"Yes, Daddy is taking us on a Pirate adventure." Emma glanced at her husband who smiled in her direction. The man was a marvel to look at even after all their years together. He was the only man she had known who could make her stomach flutter with butterflies and her knees weak with anticipation simply from a glance or a smile. The sunlight was shining on his face, flecks of grey were sprinkled throughout the hair on his chin. He was older, more mature, yet still the same fierce man who had protected her from harm all those years ago.
"What's in that head of yours?" He questioned as he pulled her from the truck twenty minutes later. "You were quiet on the drive over."
The corners of her mouth turned upward, "Was just thinking about how sexy you look with all that grey hair coming in." She ran her fingers through his soft hair.
"Even with all the years, I've still maintained my youthful glow." He winked.
"You still turn me on." She whispered as he closed the door. He turned toward her quickly, a glimpse of longing in his eyes.
"Do I now? Perhaps tonight you can show me exactly how much." She started to walk away when he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her back against his chest and nuzzling his nose into her neck. "Did I mention you look gorgeous in this dress?"
"You did not, but I am very glad you noticed." She giggled.
"Mommy, Roland won't stop hitting me." Leo tugged on her dress and Emma bent down and scooped the boy into her arms.
"Did you tell him that wasn't nice?"
"No, I kicked him." Emma narrowed her eyes, trying not to laugh.
"Well, that's not how we solve things, Leo."
Killian patted the boy on the head. "Next time, try asking nicely first. If he doesn't stop, then come get one of us." The boy nodded and Killian reached into the truck and pulled Hope to his side and Emma stepped toward the harbor to join the rest of the boys.
"There you are! Dave's been going on for ten minutes about how late the two of you are for everything." Will approached them, reaching out and pulling Leo from her arms. "Go, before he drives everyone insane."
Emma chuckled and rushed forward with Killian and Hope, making their way to the bottom of the pier. David saw them as soon as they turned the corner and darted toward them. "It's about time, you weren't making more children were you."
"Wouldn't you like to know." Killian teased and Emma smacked him lightly on the shoulder.
"You know it takes a while to get all these kids ready to do anything."
"The press is already here. Graham is on board, August, Arthur, and Robin are already in place on deck."
"Alright, Will is bringing all the kids down now." She turned and watched as Will skipped and ran with the boys, laughing as they made their way down the pier.
"Alright, I'll see you guys up there." David turned and walked up the plank to the ship. She turned toward Killian and reached out to take her daughter from him.
"Are you ready for this?"
He bit his lip, looking up at his ship docked at the pier in front of him. "I couldn't have done any of this without you." His eyes were back on hers and it caused her heart to skip at the emotion she saw there.
"We're a team, right?"
"Aye, I love you."
She leaned up, planting her lips on his. "I love you too."
He reached out and took her hand once Will had retreated up the plank with the boys. They walked up the plank together, overwhelmed by the amount of people already standing on the deck when they reached the top. There were cameras everywhere, and they were ushered to the bow of the ship. Emma stood off to the side when Graham gestured for Killian to join him.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it appears our guest of honor has arrived." Graham announced and the cameras turned toward them, and the crowd began to hush. "We are here today as Killian Jones takes on a new role in the town of Storybrooke." He gestured to Killian who stepped up to the mic, putting his hand on the bible in front of him.
"I do solemnly swear that I am duly qualified, according to the constitution of this state, to exercise the duties of the office to which I have been elected and that I will, to the best of my ability, discharge the duties thereof, and preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of this state and of the United States.
As Mayor of the City of Storybrooke, I will equally, fairly, and impartially, to the best of my ability, and skill, exercise the trust reposed in me, and will use my best endeavor to preserve the peace and carry into effect according to law, the purposes for which I have been elected, So help me God."
Emma clapped loudly as he finished his line, Hope bouncing excitedly on her hip. "Daddy." The girl squealed. Emma was so proud of her husband. He had come so far in the last few years, doing everything he could to put his past behind him and ensure that everything he did going forward would make his family proud.
Killian shook the Sheriff's hand and turned back toward the cameras. "I wanted to take a few moments today, to recognize the reason I'm here today. None of this would have been possible without one man. Marco meant a lot to many of the people here today. Without his love, compassion, and guidance so many of us wouldn't have had a home, or a family…" He paused and looked at her. "So many of us would have been lost, never finding the love we deserved."
He turned away, and she wiped the tears from her eyes. "My wife, Emma and I took over the home that took us in so long ago, and we've welcomed many lost boys since those doors opened. My father would be proud to know that his legacy still lives on. Because of Marco, I have a family, a wife, children, and hope."
Her daughter squealed upon hearing her name and Emma quieted the girl on her hip.
"We stand today at the helm of my newest ship, The Jolly Roger, a ship by the same name once held memories of a very dark time in my life, but today, I hope it will bring light to all who board her. Today, we are opening our doors to a new adventure, a ship where children young and old can come and have their own pirate adventure, learn to sail, search for treasure, and find their happy ending."
He gestured to Will who pulled Belle with him to stand beside his brother. "My brother Will and his wife Belle have signed on to Captain this vessel. I know they will do our father proud as they bring happiness and joy to the children who come seeking adventure."
Killian gestured to David on the other side of the deck. "In partnership with Marco's Childhood Adventures run by my brother David and his wife Mary Margaret, they will be covering the cost of the adventure for needy children near and far."
Cheers erupted all around them and Killian once again shook the hand of the Sherriff.
"Most of all, I couldn't have accomplished any of this without my beautiful wife, and my first mate, Emma Jones. Without her, this ship is just a few planks of wood, but with her by my side, we have created a life that is worth living, and worth sharing with others." He stepped back toward her. "Congratulations Mayor Jones." She grinned as Hope lunged toward her father.
"Want daddy." She cried and Killian pulled her into his arms.
"Then daddy you shall have little one." Emma felt her heart flutter again as she watched the two of them on the deck of the ship, Hope taking shaky steps as she held her father's hand and they walked along the planks of the ship. Emma was reminded of her childhood when Killian held her hand and walked her out of the shipping crate he had found her in. She had been scared and unsure of who to trust, but Killian had enough trust for them both.
Just as he stood with his daughter, their hands intertwined as he pointed out at the ocean in front of them, she could see the boy she fell in love with. The boy who never stopped believing in her, who always protected and loved her. The man who had become her world.
"So, did you tell him yet?"
Emma jumped as Will approached her, putting an arm around her shoulder. "Tell him what?"
He rolled his eyes and pulled her closer. "That he needs to buy a new truck." Emma elbowed him in his side, and he pulled away from her with a laugh.
"No. Today is his day. I want it to be about him and Marco."
"Emma, you've known for two weeks now. What are you waiting for?"
"I don't know. I mean, so much is going on. He's Mayor now, and the ship is finally taking off, and good Lord Will, we already have four kids at home." She bit her lip with worry.
"Sis, it's Killian, the two of you love children. He's going to be bloody ecstatic with the news."
"You really think so?"
"If he didn't want any more kids, he'd stop doing that thing that causes them."
"Very funny!" Emma chided. "I could say the same for you. Belle was positively glowing during the press conference."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. We don't behave in that way." He said with a wink as he wandered back toward his wife, his hand absentmindedly resting against her slightly swelling stomach.
Emma pressed a hand to her own, feeling a bit queasy on the bow of the ship. She didn't know why she hadn't told Killian yet that she was expecting. It had been quite the shock to her when the doctor told her the news. She had thought she had a bit of the stomach flu when she went in to see Dr. Whale. Finding out she was pregnant was a bit overwhelming with everything else that was going on. There would be five kids in their home. Five truly loved children, of course, but it was still five children.
"Mom, I think we are going to Granny's for dinner…" Henry paused as he watched her. "Are you alright?"
Emma leaned against the ship to steady herself. "Yeah, I'm fine, just not feeling my sea legs today." She joked. "Perhaps you could help me back down the ramp." Henry held out his arm and she walked beside him down the plank until she was back on solid ground and her head stopped swimming.
"You sure you're alright, Mom? I know it's been a busy day. You seem tired. Do you want me to tell dad we need to go home?"
"No, I just need to eat something." They walked quietly toward the car. "Henry…" She paused. "You're happy here right? I mean, when we took you in, it was just us and now we have Roland and Leo and…"
"Mom, I have the best life anyone could ever have. I never had a family before I met you. Now I get to play on a pirate ship and be a big brother to three exuberant but happy kids, and I have a dad who would do absolutely anything for me, and a mom who never lets me forget that I'm loved. I wouldn't change anything about my life."
Emma smiled softly, "I'm so happy you found us, Henry."
"Me too, mom."
Once they got to Granny's, Emma made her way around the room, interacting with the people who had come to celebrate. She caught up with August and Arthur, who had returned for the swearing in, reminding them that they needed to visit more often. She approached Robin, turning toward his wife Regina. "How does it feel to be retired?"
The woman laughed. "I'll miss the job, but I think Killian will do a better job than I did."
"So, what now?"
"I'm putting her to work at the bar." Robin announced and Regina only giggled.
"I told him I would do it, if I got free drinks."
"I don't think she realizes how good a deal I got out of this." As they kissed, her attention was drawn to the booth in the corner where Killian was sitting with their daughter. He had a pile of whipped cream on his nose, his tongue sticking out of his mouth as he teased Hope beside him. She excused herself and made her way toward the man, watching as his daughter grabbed ahold of the cream, slipping the mess into her mouth, and sucking the cream from her fingers.
"What's going on over here?" She said as she sat down across from them.
"Daddy silly, I ticky."
"Yes I see this." She reached across the table and wiped the rest of the whipped cream from his nose.
"Ticky daddy, wash."
"Are your hands sticky, love?" He took her hands in his and wet the cloth in front of him, wiping her hands clean. "All better, beautiful?"
"Daddy hero." She beamed; her face glowing as she stared up at her father.
"Did you ever think this would be our life?" Emma asked suddenly.
Killian turned toward her, his smile still on his face from looking at his daughter. "Did I ever think that my daughter would call me her hero while my beautiful wife looked on adoringly? Not in a million lifetimes."
"Do you regret any of it?"
"Never. If we didn't go through what we did, we might never have gotten to where we are."
She reached across the table and held his hand, watching as his daughter played with the prosthetic on his other wrist. Killian never let his handicap stop him from accomplishing anything. He had never wallowed in self pity when they came out of the nightmare that caused it. He had faced everything with her as a challenge to overcome. And they had overcome everything together.
"Remember what happened after Henry's softball game a couple of months ago?"
Killian pushed a mouthful of food into Hope's mouth. "Not particularly, you know how excited I get at those things. I always get worked up at the umpires."
"Right, but remember when Henry hit that home run and you kept telling everyone that it was your boy that won the game?"
"Of course, crowning achievement of the year. I was very proud."
"And very excited." She whispered. "If you remember…" She leaned forward, "Under the bleachers."
He held his hand over his daughters' ears. "Not in front of the lass, love." She laughed and he removed his hands before he smirked. "But of course, I remember that day. It had been a while since I remember you cursing like that, pretty sure I accomplished a record that day…" he held up three fingers and Emma remembered that he was able to bring her to orgasm three times in such a small span of time as the two of them raced like children tearing off just enough clothes to allow him to enter her in the small space under the bleachers.
"Yes, you did." She said, feeling her cheeks warm. He still made her feel like a teenager, no matter how old they got.
"Not that I'm complaining, but what brought on that trip down memory lane, love?"
Hope giggled beside him and Killian leaned over to blow a kiss against the girl's neck which elicited a loud squeal. "Marco would be proud of you." She said with a smile which caused him to sit up and stare at her.
"You think?"
"I know. You're an amazing father, you're going to be the best Mayor this town has ever had, you make me happier than I ever could have hoped, and you are carrying on his legacy."
"I'm only being the man I know how to be, the man he raised me to be."
"Even if it means that our house is full, and we never get alone time?" She laughed.
"I prefer to think of it as a challenge." He winked.
"It's about to get a lot more challenging." She said with a serious sigh.
"Emma, we have three boys and a toddler running around the house, how could it ever get more challenging than that?" She bit her lip and he paused. "Wait…are you saying…" She closed her eyes and scrunched her nose. "You're…" When she opened her eyes, his were as big as saucers. "Emma, are you pregnant?"
She nodded nervously as she held his eye contact. "I didn't want to ruin the celebration for you, but…"
"A baby." He said softly, sitting back against the seat.
"Baby." Hope announced loudly. "Momma baby."
Emma lunged forward to push another spoon of food into the girl's mouth as people were starting to stare in their direction.
"Are you ok?"
"I'm more than ok, I mean, we're gonna need to get one of those ridiculous minivan's or something because we aren't all going to fit in the truck anymore but…"
Emma snorted and he looked at her in confusion. "I'm sorry, but I'm just picturing you driving a minivan."
"I beg your pardon; I'll have you know that I'll be the sexiest dad at the school drop off you've ever seen."
"Baby. I, baby." Hope squealed.
"Yes, love, you're the baby." Killian teased his daughter, tugging at her curly blonde locks before turning back to face her. "Are you ok with this?" He asked her seriously.
She nodded. "I am, I love our children, all of them, and I love you more than I've loved anyone in my entire life."
"You know Henry and I were going to build a tree house in the back yard this summer. Might be a fun project to get all the kids out of the house for a bit."
"The boys will love that."
"I want tee house too." Hope complained.
"Of course, love, when you are bigger."
"I am big." She pouted.
"You are, but you need to watch over mommy, you're going to be a big sister now."
"Mommy baby." The little girl repeated while clapping her hands.
"Do you think the boys are going to be upset that there's going to be another baby in the house?" Emma asked with concern.
"I think the boys are going to love the baby as much as they love you, as much as I love you." He smiled, reaching out and taking her hand.
As they made their way back to the cabin that evening, thoughts, and excitement running through her brain, she tucked her children in to each of their beds, kissed their heads, and shut the door to their rooms. When Killian closed the door opposite her to Hope's room, they met in the middle, his arms wrapping around her.
"We're going to need to build onto this house if we keep growing this family." He chuckled.
"I know, the boys are going to want their own rooms eventually."
"Thankfully, we have a lot of brothers in town who are good for some free labor."
"Did you know Henry has started writing?" Emma looked back at the door behind her. "I found a notebook on his bed while he was showering."
"Aye, I think he has a crush on a girl at his school which has inspired his tale."
"What? Who?"
"Violet." Emma's eyes grew large. "Don't tell him I told you, it was not a mom discussion." She reached up and pretended to press a key to her lips.
"Secret is safe with me. How is he getting so old already?" She followed him to their bedroom as they both began to undress for bed.
"The lad is growing like a weed." He turned to face her, his hand resting on her stomach. "Perhaps it's another lass?"
"Maybe, or a dashing pirate like his father."
"I am dashing, aren't I?" He teased, pushing her back toward the bed.
"You already got me pregnant, Mister." She cooed as she scooted up on the bed, his body resting over hers as his mouth brushed against her jaw.
"We should make sure, can't hurt to practice." His hand ran up her thigh. "I remember last time you were pregnant that you really enjoyed it when I…"
"Oh…" She moaned softly when his hand hit the spot she needed him to touch. "I suppose it would be a good idea to practice, it has been a while since I was pregnant." She chuckled as her hand fisted in the sheets.
"I'm honored to assist you in any way that I can." He breathed against her thigh.
"I have such a talented husband." She grunted when he hit the spot that had her biting her tongue, his name flowing from her mouth, she could feel him smirk as the scruff on his chin grazed her sensitive skin. "How did I get so lucky?"
He sat up on his elbows and placed a kiss on her stomach. "How did a lost boy and a little lost girl end up finding a happy ending together?"
"That's not what this is, it's something else."
"What, then?" She pulled her husband toward her, his lips grazing hers as she murmured against his skin.
"A happy beginning."