Emma stayed curled up against him, listening to Mary Margaret tell a story to prevent an awkward silence. When there was a knock on the door, Emma startled a little. She helped Killian up and took him to answer the door. Before they got there, Liam had the door open and was coming through.
Liam shook his head, stopping when he saw his little brother standing there. "Killian."
Emma let go of Killian's hand as the two brothers wrapped each other in a tight hug. Liam clapped Killian on the back, holding his little brother to him for a long moment.
"Bloody hell, I can't believe you're here, Killian." Liam shook his head.
Killian nodded, and pulled back. Before he could do anything else, he felt a pair of slim arms wrap around his torso. He held Elsa tightly, pressing a kiss to her hair.
"KJ.." She reached up to cup his cheeks in her hands. "Look at you.." She had tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Hey, El.." Killian brushed the tears away. "It's so good to see you. And you, Liam.. I believed you'd been killed with the rest of the crew.." He glanced up at his brother.
"We'd believed you'd been killed as well, like most of the crew.. I barely survived myself." Liam sighed, wrapping his arms around his wife.
"The doctors said I'll likely have some gaps in my memory, and when they first rescued me I didn't really know who or where I was.." Killian started as they all settled in the living room.
Emma held his hand between hers, trying to show him comfort through this difficult conversation. She snuggled against his side, wanting to stay close to him.
"Why don't you tell us what you know, and if there's any gaps, that's alright? I don't want to push you, Killian, if it's too hard, don't feel like you have to say anything." Emma said softly.
Killian nodded. "So, you know we left a year ago on deployment. Everything was fine until we were unexpectedly ambushed.. I don't know how long ago that was, but, as you probably know from Liam, we hadn't had contact with anyone for about a month before the attack." He took a deep breath, he had trouble piecing everything together.
"Um, well all I remember after that is waking up in a dark room, missing my hand.. I was a prisoner of war, I'm not sure how long I was there, but they told me I've been gone a year and they hadn't heard from me in about six months?" He shrugged.
Emma squeezed his hand gently. "They tortured you.." She whispered.
Killian nodded. "I was rescued about a week ago, but I had lost my ID so they didn't know who I was until I woke up, and even then I was still confused, that's why no one called you."
Emma nodded, pressing a kiss to the back of his hand. "I understand, Babe. I'm just glad you're here now."
He gave her a small smile, he was happy to be home with his family, but he had been through so much, he was still having trouble processing everything.
"Um, I have three broken ribs, more bruised ribs, a concussion, you already know about my hand.. And a bunch of other bruises and cuts. And I'm supposed to meet with a therapist at least once a week. They reluctantly agreed to let me come home, since I hadn't had any surgery or anything.."
Emma bit her lip, she hated seeing him in pain. "We can take you back to the base, or to the hospital if you need to be under the care of a doctor. I don't mind. I'll stay with you wherever you are.."
"I have some pain meds, and I'm supposed to go first thing tomorrow. I have an appointment to start with a prosthetic, and with my therapist."
She nodded. "Alright, I want to go with you. I want to be with you through all of this, I'll call a babysitter, or I'll bring Lottie with us." She bit her bottom lip.
Emma had been so focused on Killian she forgot their brothers were there. They couldn't believe how much Killian had been through, but were glad he was still fighting.
"Oh, Killian." Mary Margaret shook her head. "That's all awful, but we're glad you're home, we missed you."
Killian looked up at her. "Thank you, Lass. I missed you all as well, I think the thought of my daughter and my wife, all of my family, is what kept me alive so long.." He shrugged.
"Elsa and I can help with Charlotte whenever you need. I'm still not working so I have plenty of free time to watch her, don't call a babysitter. As much as I'd like to be with you as well, I know Charlotte would rather be with people she knows, and it's important you don't have to worry about her through this.." Liam assured Emma.
"And if you want her to be with you, I'll come with you both. We need to do what's best for Killian and for her.." Liam shrugged.
He loved his niece, and knew Killian needed his wife with him more than he needed his brother. It was going to be hard enough for Emma and Killian to get him used to doing everything with one hand, they didn't need to also stress about who was watching their child.
Emma smiled a little. "I know she'd love that, Liam.. Thank you, it's sweet of you to offer. We can talk about that later."
Killian sighed softly, resting his head against Emma's. "Love.. Can you get me my pain meds? I left them on the dresser.."
"Of course." She kissed his forehead as she got up. She grabbed the medication and a glass of water for him.
Killian was listening to Liam talk about what he'd been through since they were separated. He took the medicine Emma offered, and she went to check on Charlotte. Emma needed a moment to process everything Killian had told her, it was difficult for her to think about Killian in that much pain.
Charlotte was still asleep, clutching to her stuffed animal. Emma watched her sleep for a moment, taking deep breaths to calm herself. She then moved to her bedroom so she could have a moment alone. She was lost in her thoughts, tears on her cheeks as she stared blankly at the wall when she felt the bed dip and a hand against the small of her back.
"Love?" Killian spoke softly. "Are you alright?" He kissed her temple.
She nodded, turning to look at him. "I'm fine, Babe.. I guess I'm a little overwhelmed, I mean.. I thought you were dead."
He wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb and brushed her hair from her face, making it a point to keep his stump from touching her. "I understand, it's a lot.. And I know you're worried about me, Swan, but you need to take care of yourself through this as well."
Emma nodded, resting her head against his chest, she hadn't realized she'd been crying. "I'll try, Killian, I promise. I just feel guilty for feeling like this, you were a P.O.W. You were tortured. I went to work and took care of a baby, and I had help.. I don't have any right to feel like this," She listened to his heartbeat for a while before she looked up at him.
Killian leaned in and kissed her softly since they were alone. "None of that makes your feelings any less valid, Emma. You went through your own kind of hell since I left. You spent a year raising a baby alone. And I know you love her, but that doesn't mean you didn't struggle." He assured her softly.
Emma shook her head in disbelief, she was always in awe of him. She leaned in and kissed him again, putting all of her pent up feelings into it. She rested her hand on his cheek as they kissed, she missed the way he made her feel. She pulled back for a moment when she felt him pull her closer.
"Babe.. I really want to keep kissing you like this, because, fuck have I missed it, but my brother.. And your brother." She breathed, they had been in their room for a long time and she knew they could be caught at any second. "And I should probably get Charlotte up or she won't sleep well tonight.."
Killian pressed a kiss to her jaw. "Aye, of course.. Can I come with you to get Lottie? I know she doesn't really know me, but.. I want to be close to my little lass as much as she'll let me right now."
Emma got up from the bed. "Of course, I think she'll quickly latch onto you.. She was a daddy's girl the day she was born, and I don't think that has changed." She took his hand and moved them to the nursery.
Charlotte was half-asleep in her crib, rubbing her eyes tiredly. Emma moved to the side of the crib and rubbed her back gently.
"Good morning, Baby.." Emma spoke softly as she lifted Charlotte into her arms.
"Mama.." She whimpered softly. "Dada?" She looked around for Killian.
"I'm here, Lottie." Killian moved so she could see him, giving her a soft smile.
Emma kissed her head. "Do you want Daddy to hold you? I bet he'd like some cuddles from his princess."
Charlotte nodded, reaching towards Killian. He took her into his arms, it took some adjusting without one of his hands, but he held her against him despite the pain he was feeling. Charlotte clutched at his shirt as Killian moved to leave the room.
"Duckie." Charlotte called, looking up at Killian.
He nodded, giving Emma a slightly confused look. Emma grabbed the duck for her. "Her favorite toy is that little duck you bought after I told you I was pregnant. She doesn't go anywhere without knowing exactly where it is."
Killian smiled a little, it comforted him to hear that even though he hadn't physically been here, Emma and Charlotte had that reminder of him with them always. Killian carried her back to the living room and settled onto the couch. Emma kissed his temple.
"Charlotte, will you be okay with Daddy for a minute? I'm going to get you some juice.."
Charlotte nodded. "Yeah." She was messing with the button on Killian's shirt.
Killian kissed the top of her head gently. "So, Little Love.. Do you want to show me your toys?" He asked her softly. "Or are you still sleepy?"
She rubbed her eyes, thinking as seriously as a toddler could. "Um.. Play?"
Killian nodded and moved them to the floor, settling with his back against the couch. Charlotte let him hold her duck while she went to get a couple toys Emma kept within her reach in the living room. She put them in front of him and sat back down.
Charlotte showed him the toys and babbled about them all. Killian nodded along, conversing like he knew exactly what she was saying. When Emma came back she settled next to Killian's other side, pressing a kiss to his shoulder.
He smiled a little. "Hello, Love.. Miss Lottie was just telling me about her dolls, and showing me how to play with them."
Emma nodded. "She must really like you if she let you hold Duckie while she plays. She usually has it in one hand and the toy in her other. Even I don't always get to hold him.." She smiled at him, she was so happy that Charlotte had taken to him again so quickly. "Our family is getting dinner for us, they're in the kitchen."
Killian played with Charlotte for a while, Emma eventually moving to the kitchen to talk with David, Mary Margaret, Liam and Elsa. They were all talking at the kitchen table, they had wanted to give Emma and Killian some privacy.
"Em, dinner will be here soon. We ordered some things from the place you and Killian used to get all the time.." David smiled at her when she came into the room.
She smiled. "Thanks, David.." She leaned against the counter. "Killian seems to be doing well, I think Charlotte taking to him so easily made him happy today."
"Of course, he loves his daughter more than anything. Has since the moment he found out you were having a baby. He deserves to be happy about something, I'm worried he has PTSD.." Elsa spoke softly.
Elsa was a psychiatrist, and she knew that Killian would likely have difficulties assimilating back into his life. Emma bit her lip, she was worried about Killian herself.
"I know, but he said he was meeting with a therapist tomorrow, and I trust he'll go see them regularly. And I know he'd talk to you if he really needed it, El. He trusts you. And I just want him to have someone to talk to, if he feels like he can't tell me." Emma shrugged.
Killian came into the kitchen with Charlotte balanced on his hip. Despite recently losing his hand, he seemed to still be a natural father, easily adjusting to care for his little girl. Emma glanced at them, unable to keep the smile from her face.
"Is she hungry? It's about the time when I usually feed her." Emma asked softly.
Killian nodded. "Aye, Lottie has requested something to eat. Can I sit her on the counter for a moment?"
"Of course, just make sure she doesn't fall off. She's a squirmer." Emma smiled, tickling Charlotte's side gently.
Charlotte giggled, squirming against Killian as he moved to set her down. Emma got her some goldfish crackers from the cabinet to tide her over until she could get her dinner ready. Killian held the container for her as she munched on the snack happily.
Emma made Charlotte's dinner, while David paid the delivery person for their dinners. Killian helped Emma settle her into her highchair and sat with her while she ate. He didn't want to be far from his little girl if he could at all avoid it.
The rest of the group settled around the table with them. Emma sat close to Killian in case he or Charlotte needed anything. She knew he was still getting used to doing things without his left hand.
"Mamamamama." Charlotte babbled, a smile on her face. "Done!"
Emma smiled, and wiped off her little hands. "Alrighty, Baby, you did good today. Will you sit with Mommy while we finish eating?" Charlotte eagerly went to her mother.
Emma had been lucky, Charlotte was an easy baby. She had Killian's temperament, rarely cried, and always ate whatever Emma gave her. Emma loved cuddling with her baby and happily held her while she finished eating.
Once their trash had been cleaned up, their family started gathering their coats. Elsa was the first to wrap Killian in another hug.
"You take care of yourself, and if you need to talk to anyone, you know I'm always here for you?" She patted his cheek gently.
He nodded. "Aye, I will, Lass, thank you." He hugged her. "Thank you for everything you did for my girls while I was gone. I really appreciate it."
She nodded and let Liam hug him next. "We would do anything for them, Killian. They're Joneses." He assured Killian.
"I know, but I still appreciate it. It's clear to me that Charlotte has everything she could ever need and all the love in the world. And that's all I've ever wanted for her." Killian's voice was soft.
Emma came and hugged Liam as well. "I'll call you this week, if I need help with Charlotte or anything. Maybe tomorrow, you could come with us? It's not that I don't trust you, I just want her close while Killian is in the hospital.." She admitted. "And I'll let you know about our usual dinner, I want to see how everyone is doing by then."
Liam agreed and bent to kiss Charlotte's cheek. Killian thanked David and Mary Margaret as well before they all left.