This is my original idea – I saved this one for when I had no impending requests. I wanted to write about when Liam David Jones became a possibility :)
Mandy and Zachary are the first names of the actors who voiced Rapunzel and Flynn in Tangled.
"Are you sure you'll be alright by yourself?" Emma asked as she grabbed her wallet, keys, and cell phone.
Killian mocked offense as he put his hand over his heart and said, "You wound me, Swan."
Emma rolled her eyes before she told him, "I'm serious, Killian."
"As am I, Swan. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of our seven-year-old and her bout with the stomach virus," Killian responded.
Emma sighed before she told him, "I know you are. I just worry about her, especially since she's even more stubborn she's sick. She hates it."
"Most children – and even some adults – don't handle being sick very well," Killian began, throwing a knowing look at his wife, to which she rolled her eyes again.
He then grinned at her as he continued, "You've spent the last three days with her because I was in the middle of working on a house. I couldn't take off until we were further along in the project. I know you won't admit it, but you deserve a break, love."
Emma smiled at him gratefully before she simply responded, "I know."
Emma's phone then rang, and she was greeted by an over-excited Mary Margaret.
"Are you ready, Emma? We have to get to the mall. I'm so glad that you decided to come with me!"
After all this time, Emma should be used to her sister-in-law's enthusiasm, but it still caught her off guard at times.
Emma then replied, "Yeah, I'm ready. I'm on my way out."
"Great! See you in a bit," Mary Margaret responded before she hung up the phone.
Just as Emma put the phone into her pocket, she and Killian both saw Anna Elizabeth making her way into the living room.
Killian bent down on her level and told her, "Love, you're supposed to be in bed," as he moved her curls off her forehead.
"I want to play outside, Uncle Killian," Anna Elizabeth complained.
"I know you do. But you're sick, Anna Elizabeth. That means staying inside and in bed, love. It's so you'll feel better," Killian answered.
Anna Elizabeth adorably huffed, but Emma and Killian couldn't help but feel sorry for their little girl.
She then asked him, "Can you and Aunt Emma have a tea party with me?"
Emma then bent down on her niece's level and explained, "I'd love to, kid. But I'm going shopping with Aunt Mary Margaret today."
Disappointment filled Anna Elizabeth's blue eyes, but Killian quickly added, "But I think that a tea party would be a marvelous idea, love."
The little girl's eyes lit up before she ran back into her room.
Killian and Emma both stood up straight before Killian said, "I think that's my cue, love."
"Yeah, if I don't leave soon, Mary Margaret will be calling again," Emma replied with a chuckle.
Killian smiled at her before giving her a sweet kiss, one that she happily returned. They exchanged goodbyes before Killian headed to Anna Elizabeth's room, and Emma headed for the front door.
Fifteen minutes later, Emma and Mary Margaret were on their way to the mall.
When Mary Margaret turned on the radio, Emma furrowed her brows.
"What are we listening to, Mary Margaret?" the blonde asked her sister-in-law.
The brunette noticed Emma's tone and responded, "You know, Emma, there are other genres besides the 80s."
Emma couldn't help but roll her eyes as she defended, "I didn't say anything."
She then pointed out, "You didn't answer my question."
"It's Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake," Mary Margaret answered.
"That's the one where she turns into a swan," Emma observed.
Mary Margaret nodded before she said wistfully, "It's a beautiful story."
"Yes, because death is the love story that everyone dreams of," Emma stated sarcastically.
It was Mary Margaret this time who rolled her eyes. She then told her, "You know, Emma, I really don't understand your aversion to love stories."
"Because they're always so sappy and unrealistic," Emma complained.
Mary Margaret only grinned in response. Emma noticed and asked, "What?"
"Come on, Emma. The story of falling in love with your best friend is so romantic, and it isn't just a story for you and Killian."
Emma sat there quietly because she couldn't protest. She then couldn't help but smile when she thought about when she admitted to Killian that she loved him and the amazing kiss that followed.
The blonde then heard Mary Margaret clear her throat next to her. As Emma turned to face her sister-in-law, Mary Margaret was looking at her with a knowing smile.
Emma couldn't help but smile back at her in response as she slightly blushed.
The blonde then asked, "Remind me what we're shopping for again?"
"Regina's birthday present, and a baby gift for Aurora," Mary Margaret answered.
"Shopping for Regina should be an adventure," Emma surmised.
Mary Margaret couldn't help but chuckle as she replied, "I don't think it'll be that bad, Emma."
"We'll see," Emma said, as Mary Margaret shook her head in response.
CSCSCSCSCSCSCS
Emma and Mary Margaret had left Kay's Jeweler's, each with a small shopping bag in their hand. One year for Regina's birthday, Emma and Mary Margaret had each pitched in to buy Regina a charm bracelet. Each year since then, they had each purchased her a new charm for that bracelet, and this year was no different.
In honor of Regina deciding to take on more pro bono work in helping children be placed in good foster homes, Emma had purchased a charm with a little boy and girl on it. Since this year made 25 years that Mary Margaret and Regina had known each other, Mary Margaret had gotten Regina a friendship charm. Though it had taken them over an hour to decide on what charms to buy, they knew that Regina would love them.
Mary Margaret and Emma then began making their way to the Children's Place. As soon as they walked in, the pixie-haired brunette gravitated toward the baby girl clothes.
She picked up a pink and white dress and reminisced, "Oh, I remember fawning over all of the baby clothes when I was pregnant with Jamie and Evie."
Emma smiled as she added, "Yeah, I remember how you would text me all of these pictures of everything you saw that you had bought. I wondered where David was going to put it all."
Mary Margaret couldn't help but smile at her sister-in-law's comment. She then placed the dress back on the rack and said, "I'm going to look around some more. I want to get something that will be perfect for little Grace."
Emma nodded before she asked, "Didn't you say you wanted to get diapers and wipes, too?"
"Oh, yes. Would you mind grabbing them for me?" Mary Margaret replied.
"Of course," Emma answered before walking to the back of the store. She grabbed what Mary Margaret wanted and then headed back to her sister-in-law.
As she was walking through the boys' section, a onesie caught her eye. She couldn't help but stop and pick it up.
It was a white onesie with gray writing. It had "Little Captain" written on it with an anchor in between the two words. She couldn't help the smile that began to form on her lips.
As her mind began to wander, she heard, "Earth to Emma."
Emma jumped at Mary Margaret's voice. As the blonde turned to face her sister-in-law, she saw the brunette wearing a knowing grin.
"What?" Emma asked.
"Oh, nothing," Mary Margaret replied, but Emma somehow knew that she hadn't heard the last of it.
Mary Margaret then held up two dresses to Emma and asked, "Which one?"
The blonde tilted her head for a moment as she roamed her eyes back and forth. She then replied, "I like the one with the ruffles."
Mary Margaret smiled as she responded, "I liked that one, too." Emma nodded satisfactorily before her sister-in-law turned to walk toward the counter.
As Emma began to follow her, the blonde realized that she was still holding the onesie in her hand. She couldn't help but look at it wistfully before she placed it back on the rack. She then headed to follow Mary Margaret.
Once the pixie-haired brunette had paid, she and Emma headed toward the food court to grab lunch.
As soon as the women sat down with their food, the blonde heard, "Emma, is that you?" As Emma turned around, she smiled when she realized the voice belonged to her high school friend, Mandy.
Mandy had moved to Storybrooke during Emma's junior year of high school after being reunited with her birth parents. Her bubbly personality couldn't help but be liked, and she soon became pretty good friends with Emma, Elsa, and Ruby.
Emma's smile grew as she told Mandy, "It's so good to see you!"
"You too, Emma!" Mandy began. She then continued, "I would hug you, but, as you can see, my hands are quite full," referring to the baby in her arms and the diaper bag over her shoulder.
"Oh, it's fine," Emma assured her. She then remembered the brunette sitting across from her, and said, "Mandy, I'd like you to meet my sister-in-law, Mary Margaret."
Mandy smiled widely as she addressed her, "It's great to meet you, Mary Margaret!"
Mary Margaret returned her smile as she responded, "It's nice meeting you as well, Mandy."
Just then, the baby in Mandy's arms began to fuss. She then said, "Oh, it looks like my little Max is hungry. I think it's time for your bottle."
Mandy then glanced at Emma, and it was if the blonde read her mind, "Go ahead and sit Mandy. I can't imagine that it's easy making a bottle standing up and with one hand."
"You are so right, Emma," Mandy responded as she sat down. As she began to reach into the diaper bag, Max only became more fussy. Mandy tried to comfort him, but it was to little avail because she was trying to fix his bottle.
"If you want, Mandy, I can hold him," Emma suggested.
"That would be a big help. Thanks, Emma!" Mandy responded jubilantly.
Emma simply nodded with a smile before Mandy passed the brown-haired boy to her. As Mandy prepared his bottle, Emma talked softly to him as she lightly bounced him.
"Hey, little guy. There's no need to cry – your mom almost has your bottle ready for you." As Emma continued to talk to him, he calmed down and looked at her with big brown eyes.
Mandy then announced, "Okay, Max, you ready to eat?"
As Emma placed the baby back in his mother's arms, Mandy observed, "You're a natural with him, Emma. Do you have kids?"
"I have one daughter, Anna Elizabeth. She's seven and is currently at home with my husband, Killian – she's recovering from the stomach virus."
"Poor little thing. I'm sure she hates being sick," Mandy began.
She then furrowed her brows as she observed, "Anna Elizabeth... why does that name sound familiar."
Emma took a breath before she told her, "Well, I'm sure you heard that Elsa had gotten married and had a little girl."
Mandy nodded before the realization struck her, "That's right. Her little girl was Anna Elizabeth."
A puzzled expression then took over the brunette's face. She then asked, "But wasn't Elsa's brother-in-law named as Anna Elizabeth's guardian?"
"Well, yes. But Killian moved to Storybrooke to help his brother with his business shortly after Elsa found out that she was pregnant. Killian and I became best friends, and we eventually realized it was more. We've been married for almost two years," Emma explained.
"Eventually being the key word here," Mary Margaret added.
Emma rolled her eyes as Mandy chuckled.
Mandy then smiled at her friend as she began, "Well, I'm glad that we both found someone special to spend our lives with."
Emma smiled brightly at her in response before Mandy continued, "And I can tell by the way you referred to Anna Elizabeth as your daughter that you love her like she is yours. I'm sure your husband feels the same way. I know that Elsa is happy about that."
"I think she would be, too," Emma agreed.
Mandy then turned her attention back to Max and realized that he was through with his bottle.
She placed the bottle on the table before grabbing the burp cloth from the diaper bag. Once Max was burped, Mandy adjusted him in her arms. Her cell phone then rang.
Just as she answered it, Max kept trying to grab it. Emma couldn't help but smile at the sight.
Mandy was clearly struggling talking to whom Emma assumed was her husband with the 8-month-old grabbing at her ear.
Emma decided to help out her old friend. She gave the baby boy her keys with which to play, and Mandy offered her a grateful smile and mouthed "thank you". Emma nodded in response before continuing to play with Max.
A couple of minutes later, Mandy hung up the phone. She then told them, "That was my husband, Zachary. He's waiting on me, so I'll have to be going."
Emma nodded before she replied, "It was great seeing you, Mandy."
"You too, Emma. And it was nice meeting you, Mary Margaret," Mandy told them. She then managed to get Emma's keys from Max and handed them to her.
The three women then exchanged goodbyes before Mandy stood up and went on her way.
When she was gone, Emma turned to Mary Margaret and observed, "Max is such a cute little guy."
Mary Margaret simply hummed in response before giving Emma that same knowing look that she had earlier.
"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" Emma asked her sister-in-law.
"You just seem a bit preoccupied with babies today," Mary Margaret replied, hoping that Emma would take the hint.
Emma ran her fingers through her hair - something she did when she was nervous or worried - and replied, "I know what you're implying, and I'm not sure I want to talk about it."
Mary Margaret decided not to push her sister-in-law and simply nodded in understanding.
Emma was internally grateful when Mary Margaret began discussing the plans for Regina's party - even though she had insisted that she didn't want one.
The women continued to talk until they were finished with their lunch. They then headed out of the mall to make their way back to Storybrooke.
CSCSCSCSCSCSCS
When Emma walked through the door as she returned home, she called out, "Killian! Anna Elizabeth! I'm home!"
She frowned for a moment when she didn't hear an answer. She then started looking around for them.
When she found them, her heart swelled from happiness.
Both Killian and Anna Elizabeth were sound asleep on her bed. Anna Elizabeth was curled into his chest, and he had both of his arms wrapped around her. A book was opened and laying on Killian's stomach. Emma knew that the bed was much too small for her husband, and she knew he couldn't be comfortable, but she also knew that he was content to have his daughter in his arms.
Her mind then began to wander, much like it had when she was holding the onesie. She already knew that Killian was an amazing father, and he would be great with a child of his own.
She paused as she began to consider it seriously. Today wasn't exactly the first time she had thought about having a baby. She loved being a mother, and there's nothing she would want more than to add to their family with a beautiful child of their own.
But then, those little seeds of doubt began creeping into her mind. What if Killian didn't want any more kids? What if she had problems getting pregnant? Emma sighed just as she noticed Killian had begun to stir. She would worry about this tomorrow.
Killian slowly opened those blue eyes and saw his wife standing at the door. He smiled at her before placing the book on the bedside table. He then carefully moved Anna Elizabeth off him.
She groaned for a moment before she rolled over to go back to sleep. Killian softly kissed her forehead before going to greet his wife.
He kissed her on her cheek before he asked, "How was shopping with Mary Margaret, love?"
"I had a great time with her. I really enjoyed it. I even ran into an old friend from high school," Emma answered with a smile.
Killian returned her smile as he replied, "Well, I'm glad, Swan," as he moved a piece of blonde hair over her shoulder.
Emma then asked, "And how was your day?"
"Interesting," Killian began. At Emma's raised eyebrow, he continued, "After our tea party, Anna Elizabeth began playing with her dolls on her bed while I went to go get her medicine. Just as I was returning to her room, I heard her crying. When I arrived, I saw that she had thrown up all over her bed, and it had gotten on her clothes."
"And she was crying because she couldn't make it to the bathroom," Emma surmised.
"Aye, and because she had made a mess. It took some persuasion to convince her that it wasn't her fault. She then wanted to take a bubble bath. While she was in the tub, I washed her clothes and her comforter.
After she got out of the tub, we both ate lunch from Granny's, and she then insisted on helping to put the clothes in the dryer. After they were done, she wanted to read a story. I suppose that we both fell asleep," Killian finished.
Emma took in his words before she nodded. Despite her earlier thought, she asked, "So, um, how do you feel about all of that?"
Killian thought it was a strange question, but he answered, "Truthfully, love, I'm bloody exhausted. It's times like these that remind me how much work it is being a parent."
In her mind, Emma knew that Killian didn't mean anything by his words, but her heart sank in her chest.
"Yeah, I guess it can be," Emma replied.
Killian raised a brow at her as he studied her for a few minutes. He then asked, "Are you alright, Emma?"
Emma plastered on a smile as she replied, "Of course, Killian. I'm fine."
Before he had the chance to read her, she quickly changed the subject, "How about we relax with a movie? I'll fix us some popcorn."
Killian wanted to press her but decided to leave it alone. He smiled at her as he replied, "That sounds lovely, Swan." Emma nodded at him before she headed into the kitchen.
That night, Emma placed her toothbrush back into the cup before grabbing her bottled water on the bathroom counter.
She opened the cabinet and grabbed the small box of birth control. As she pulled the plastic pill holder from the box, her eyes slightly widened at what she saw.
"Damn it!" she cursed out loud.
She heard Killian's quick footsteps behind her. He was immediately by her side as he worriedly asked, "Emma, what's wrong?"
"Oh, um, I'm out of birth control," Emma said sheepishly, feeling bad that she made him worry.
Killian breathed a sigh of relief as he began, "Is that all, love?"
He then continued, "I'm sure you can go get it refilled. And until you do, we'll just be careful."
Emma's heart sank once again at his words. She simply threw the box away - more forcefully than she intended - and made her way into the bedroom.
She climbed into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin, facing her nightstand. She was going to just go to sleep when she felt an arm wrap around her waist.
She then heard Killian's voice in her ear, "Emma, love, please tell me what's wrong."
Emma knew that was no point in trying to avoid the subject. Killian could read her like an open book.
Instead of telling him directly, she rolled over to face him and asked, "Do you remember Elsa and Liam telling us about the first time that Anna Elizabeth was sick?"
Killian assumed that he knew what she talking about, so he smiled as she answered, "Aye, love. She was six months old, and the little lass had some sort of cold. No matter what they did, she wouldn't go to sleep. She just kept crying.
Elsa finally suggested that they brought her to their room. Liam agreed. When they had made their way to bed, Liam placed her on his chest. Elsa sang softly to their baby, and she eventually fell asleep."
Emma smiled as she softly ran her hand up and down his arm. She then took a deep breath before she asked, "How would you feel about, you know…" trailing off.
"What, love?" Killian asked, as he looked at his wife with a curious expression.
"Trying for a baby?" she finished.
"Really, love?" Killian gently asked.
Emma nodded before she elaborated, "When we were engaged, we talked about that maybe one day we would. I think that one day has come."
Killian considered her words before he spoke, "May I ask what brought this on?"
"I've thought about it a few times, but going shopping with Mary Margaret today made me think about it seriously. Besides picking out Regina's birthday present, you know that I was helping pick out something for a baby shower for Aurora. I happened upon one outfit that read 'Little Captain' and had an anchor on it. I couldn't but wonder what if?
And then that friend I told you about had her baby with her, and I held him and played with him some. Despite Mary Margaret's implications, I didn't want to talk about it. But it's all I thought about on the way home. I just want that to be us, Killian," Emma admitted.
In response, Killian leaned in and kissed Emma softly. As they pulled away, they rested their forehead against each other's.
Killian then told her, "Well, love, I suppose there's no need to refill your birth control," with a grin.
"Really?" Emma asked with a wide smile.
Killian then reached up to caress her cheek as he answered, "I know that you love being a mother as much as I love being father. The fact that I get to do with you makes me the happiest man alive, Emma. We're already a family with Anna Elizabeth, and I think it would be wonderful to add a little lad or lass to that. I would love nothing more than to have a baby with you, love."
Emma smiled brightly at him as she responded, "I love Anna Elizabeth, and she is every bit yours and mine. But I can't wait to have one of our own – a little piece of you and me."
Killian kissed her once again in response.
As they pulled away, that same doubt from earlier then began creeping into her mind, and she couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure that really you want this, Killian? I don't want you feel pressured because of me."
Killian moved his hand from her cheek to grasp her hand as he genuinely told her, "Emma, there is nothing I want more. I really do want to expand our family."
Emma smiled at him once more as she nodded in response. Killian then asked, "Why were you so unsure, love?"
Emma sighed as she admitted, "It's just that earlier, you talked about how exhausted you were from taking care of Anna Elizabeth. Maybe I wasn't thinking clearly, but I took that to mean that you didn't want any more kids to deal with. And then when I told you that I was out of birth control, you seemed adamant about being careful."
Killian squeezed her hand as he pointed out, "It can be exhausting being a parent, but it's the best job in the world. I wouldn't trade it for anything. And since you seemed so upset about being out of birth control, I didn't think you would appreciate us being together until you were sure you couldn't get pregnant."
"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have reacted like that – I guess I was kind of upset with you. But I now know I had no reason to be because you didn't know anything was wrong. And I blew you off earlier when you tried to talk to me. I'm really sorry, Killian," Emma apologized.
"There's nothing to forgive, love – I understand perfectly," Killian assured her. Emma nodded and smiled at him in response.
Just then, they saw their door open and Anna Elizabeth make her way inside their room. She complained, "I threw up again." She then added, "But I got to the bathroom this time, Uncle Killian."
"It's alright, love. You'll be all better in a couple more days," Killian assured her.
Anna Elizabeth nodded before she asked, "Can I sleep with you and Aunt Emma?"
Killian exchanged a look with his wife before Emma responded, "Absolutely, kid. Come here."
Anna Elizabeth offered a small smile before she closed the door. She then began making her way to Killian and Emma's bed. She climbed on it and crawled to settle in between Emma and Killian. Before they could even tell her good night, she was sound asleep.
As Emma and Killian both watched her sleep, with him stroking the little girl's hair, they both thought about there were few things as perfect as the moment before them. And both of them were dreaming of how it could be a little more perfect.
Two weeks later, on Emma and Killian's second anniversary, their dream started to become reality. Nine months later, a dark-haired, blue-eyed baby boy came into the world. He weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. and was 19 and a half inches long.
Liam David Jones was every bit the dream come true that his parents had wanted.
I hope you guys enjoyed this one! I just thought it would be a cute little fic.
I wanted to let you guys know that I will be starting on "Ready, Set, Don't Go" (aka the fic where Anna Elizabeth gets married) THIS weekend. I really need all of you guys' suggestions BEFORE I start writing. So, please, if you have any, send them to me. There are more specifics in the chapter before this one. Thanks, y'all!