I wrote this a while back, but have postponed posting it for a while because I wasn't entirely happy with it. However, I don't know how I would change it, so I decided to just post it. Couldn't hurt, right?

Anyway, this is based after 6x09, "Changelings," the episode Belle has her baby.

Thanks for all the follows, favorites, and reviews!

Love

Emma had been acting strange from the moment her and Killian had gotten back home. After helping Belle home, they had a quiet ride back to their house, Killian throwing anxious looks at Emma every other minute.

When they arrived, they walked inside hand in hand, but in silence. Emma was lost in thought it appeared.

As they prepared dinner, Emma barely said a word, only answering Killian's questions with as little words possible. Every failed attempt at conversation made Killian even more nervous. What was going through her head?

Dinner was silent. Since Henry was at Regina's, there was no third party to converse with. Killian needed to figure out what was going on with Emma. He offered to clean up dinner while she showered, which she quickly accepted and ran up the stairs.

When dinner was cleaned up, Killian made a slow ascent up the stairs, wanting to give Emma as much time as she needed. The bathroom door was locked when he attempted to open it. No water was running, but there was a muffled noise. After a moment of listening, Killian realized it was Emma. She was taking deep breaths and sniffling.

"Emma, love, what's wrong?" He rattled the door handle, hoping it would open. His heart pounded. Was she hurt?

There was no response.

"Sweetheart, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Still, no response.

"Let me in, Emma. Please." His voice broke.

He heard something move and the next moment, the door swung open. Emma stood on the other side, hair completely dry. She wore her usual pajamas—sweatpants and a loose shirt. Despite her hair not having a drop of water on it, her face was dripping in tears.

Killian's heart clenched. "Oh, darling. What's wrong?" He caressed her face.

Emma launched forward, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest. Sobs overtook her, shaking her body.

Killian held her close, but kept quiet. He knew she needed to get this out of her system before she could talk about it. His hand ran down her spine, slowly relaxing her. Her sobs gradually softened until she was only breathing unevenly. Killian picked her up and pulled her into his arms, walking over to their bed and sitting down, holding her.

Emma hid her face in his neck, one of her hands messing with the hair on the back of his head.

"Emma." Killian kept his voice a whisper. "Emma, darling, what has made you so upset?"

She didn't respond at first, but after a few minutes, she dropped her hand to Killian's chest and said, in a low voice, "I was all alone when I had Henry. I was so scared. Seeing Belle go through the same thing…I just…I don't know." She deflated, letting out a breath.

Killian pressed his lips against her hair. "Belle wasn't alone, love. She had you. You were with her the entire time."

Emma shook her head. "She was so scared, I could tell. She knew she was going to give him up. That kind of decision is so terrifying."

Killian knew the situation Emma had been in when she had Henry. He knew Baelfire had left her to go to jail because August had convinced him it was the best. Perhaps it had been, but he still couldn't fathom anyone leaving Emma to such a fate. "You are so strong, Emma. So strong."

"They had my ankle handcuffed so I couldn't run. Neal…he wasn't there to hold my hand, no one was."

Killian moved his hand to grasp one of Emma's. "You will never be alone, Emma. Not while I'm still alive."

Emma leaned back far enough to search Killian's face. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"You're the amazing one, love." He rested his forehead on hers. "Not me."

Emma's heart swelled. She moved forward and kissed him, her lips lingering for a moment. "I love you."

The smile on Killian's face seemed to take up his entire being, filling him with warmth. "I love you, too."

Emma rested her head on his chest, breathing softly. Her mind whirred with things she wanted to say. Killian was amazing. He was supportive and kind and patient. He could brighten up any room he entered.

A memory entered her mind: Killian distracting Alexandra while Ashley read Henry's book. A warm feeling filled her as she imagined him as a father—

Her thoughts froze. When had she started picturing their future together in such detail? After Henry, she never thought about having more kids, but she had just gotten her heart broken. Then she met Killian. Opening her heart up to him was one of the best decisions she'd ever made. She found herself imagining their future on a daily basis.

His lips on her forehead drew her out of her thoughts. "What's on your mind, love?"

Emma felt herself blush. "I, uh, was just thinking."

He hummed. "Is that so?"

Emma nodded. She wanted to ask him so badly, but she was too frightened of what his reaction would be. "Yep."

"Care to share what you were thinking about?"

Emma shook her head, keeping her eyes down. "Nope."

A hand pushed her chin up, turning it to face Killian. His eyes were full of love. "What's troubling you, Emma?"

"Nothing's troubling me. I'm fine." She ducked her head down again, her fingers toying with the necklace around his neck.

Killian sighed. "Emma…."

Emma deflated. She didn't want to keep her thoughts to herself, especially when they were so important to her. "I was just thinking about how amazing you are."

Killian chuckled. "That's all, huh?"

She hesitated.

Killian pushed her chin up again. "Emma, you can tell me anything. What's on your mind?"

She searched his eyes. For what, she wasn't sure. The man in front of her was the only person she ever wanted to share a life with. She could tell him her thoughts. She knew she could, but that didn't make admitting them any less terrifying.

"Did you—? Have you—?" She bit her lip.

Killian gave her a reassuring smile.

She gave a small smile back, but it didn't last very long. "You're great with Henry. So, I guess, I was just wondering…. Well, I was wondering if you… if you've ever thought about having, um, kids." Her voice grew smaller and smaller, but she kept her eyes on him. She needed to know.

Killian's eyes grew wide and his loving expression was replaced by one of surprise.

Emma cringed and averted her eyes. "It's fine if you haven't. I mean, I never really thought about it after Henry. I never thought I'd ever want to, you know? I never thought I'd be with someone who I wanted to raise…kids with. We've never really talked about it, so I was just wondering. If you don't want—" She was cut off by Killian's lips capturing her own in a soft kiss. Emma's eyes widened for a second befores she relaxed and caressed his cheek.

The smile on Killian's face when he pulled away was contagious. It drew a smile from Emma. He kissed her again. "Emma, love, of course I want children one day."

Emma's grin grew. "Really?"

He nodded. "Aye, really."

Emma pushed herself up so her back was straight. "Not now, of course. Everything's crazy and we're not… you know." She took a breath. "But one day."

Killian smiled. He suspected she had almost said married. His heart soared. Marriage was something she wanted. He thought of the small black box that was waiting rather impatiently in his sea chest.

He rested his forehead on hers. "One day."

Sorry this chapter was shorter than normal! I hope you enjoyed it!