Short chapter, but hope you all enjoy! Thanks for reading and as always, I love reading comments and seeing faves/follows. Disclaimer: apologies for grammar errors or my lack of pregnancy knowledge!
Emma stares at her computer screen, but she can't get herself to do the actual work. She has her first doctor's appointment today. As soon as she walks through that door, the whole town will found out the news. Whale isn't one to keep secrets and walking into the hospital for an ultrasound is as obvious as it gets.
"You okay?" David asks her, leaning against the door to her office.
Emma looks up from her computer. Sighing, she leans back in her chair. "When you found out Mom was pregnant…well for the short time you had your memories, did you feel, um, hesitant?"
David regards Emma with curiosity. "It was scary, Emma. We didn't get to raise you so knowing we would have this baby who we had to raise was terrifying. Everyone gets scared when they're expecting a baby. Knowing you and Hook, the kid will grow up in good hands."
"You believe that?" Emma doesn't dwell on the fact that her dad actually paid Hook a compliment. With their rocky past, her dad hasn't been especially vocal with praising him. Even though they've put aside their differences for the sake of her.
"We both know I'm not one to hand out praise to Hook. So, yeah, I do believe it. Emma, you're the one who saved us all. Without you, we would still be cursed. You helped us find our way back, and I have no doubts you'll be a wonderful mother to this baby. Just like you have for Henry."
A tear slides down Emma's face. She's never been much of a crier-the pregnancy seems to be making her quite the crier though. David walks over to her, putting his hand on her shoulder. She grabs his hand in hers. Sometimes she wonders what it would have been like had she been cared for by David and Mary Margaret as a child. She wonders if she had the example of her parents, if she would be having these doubts about becoming a mother.
"Thanks, Dad."
David kisses Emma on top of her head. "Now go on and get to the hospital. Hook'll be waiting."
Emma gives her dad a hug before going outside to her bug. Sitting in the car for a moment, she finally turns the ignition. There's no going back now. She's having a baby. With Hook-her true love. She's broken a curse, slayed a dragon, defeated the Queens of Darkness, overcame darkness and went to Hell and back. A baby would be no problem. She could do this, and she wouldn't be doing it alone. Hook made it clear that he would be with her along the way of the pregnancy.
When she arrives at the hospital, she sees Hook sitting on the bench outside. She gives him a warm smile and he embraces her.
"Ready, Swan?"
Nodding, they walk hand-in-hand into the waiting room. Emma checks in at the front desk with the nurse. Glancing around the lobby, Emma is relieved to see nobody she knows in the waiting room. Until the front door whooshes open and in walks Will Scarlet. Great, the town's loud drunk. Hook looks just as annoyed as Emma as he reads through another pregnancy pamphlet. Also great; like Hook needs to read another pamphlet about what Emma can or cannot consume during her pregnancy.
"Emma! Hook!" Will says drunkenly.
Hook stands up to face Will. Emma decides to scurry over to them before a fight breaks out between the two men. They're not the best of friends. In fact, Emma's not sure who hates who more. She guesses it's an even tie.
"Will," Emma stands with her hands on her hips. "What are you doing here?"
"I could be asking the same of Hook and you. Here together. Hmmm could there be a baby cooking in your oven? Or whatever that bloody saying is."
Hook's jaw ticks and he clenches his hand. "Careful, mate or you might end up with another black eye."
Emma rolls her eyes. "I asked you a question first. Now, you'll either answer me or I send your ass to jail for public intoxication."
The smirk that was on Will's face is quickly gone as he starts to turn away.
"Will Scarlet?" The nurse calls out. He stills and looks sheepishly at the nurse before following after her into the examination room.
Emma and Hook watch him leave the waiting room, annoyance on their faces. Hook is the first to speak. "Your hormones kicking in, love?"
Emma jabs him in the gut with her elbow. "I swear of you say another word, I will-"
"There's the future mommy," Whale interrupts them with his goofy smile.
Emma resists the urge to elbow Whale in the gut as well. Hook isn't wrong though; her hormones seem to be taking on the tone of rage. She would much rather prefer to be crying over a morning talk show like she did the other morning. Next thing she knows, she'll be yelling at a poor little puppy.
Once they're settled in the room, Whale asks Emma to lift her shirt up so he can rub the gel on her stomach to better read the ultrasound. The gel is cool against Emma's stomach and she resist the urge to pull her shirt down and refuse more gel on her body. Hook's at her side, jaw ticking again.
"So former Dark One-" Whale starts but Hook cuts him off.
"You're one word away from getting a hook through you," he bites.
Emma rolls her eyes again. As much as she loves Hook, he uses the hook as a threat way too often. "Can we just get this over with without words of threat or of darkness?"
Whale complies with her demand for the rest of the appointment. She's now nine weeks pregnant and in a few weeks, they'll be able to tell the sex of their baby. Hook's face lights up like a Christmas tree upon seeing the baby moving around on the ultrasound. Emma remembers seeing her ultrasound of Henry, but this time is different. This time she's giving her baby its best chance with her. And Hook. She's not alone this time. All her rage dissolves from her as she looks at her baby on the screen.
"That's ours," Hook says with disbelief in his voice. She can tell he doesn't quite believe it still.
Emma extends her hand for him to take. Squeezing her hand in his, Whale shuts off the screen and tells them to make an appointment for 3 weeks from them. It'll be the end of her first trimester. They walk outside into the cool June air of Storybrooke.
"Where would you like to go?" Hook asks Emma as they walk up to her bug.
Emma wraps her arms around his neck. Kissing him gently on the neck. Her lips continue to travel, but Hook pulls back from her, quirking an eyebrow at her.
"Swan?"
Emma's eyes flash with mischief. "Bring me home, Captain."
"Hormones?" Hook asks with a chuckle.
This time Emma kisses him hungrily on the lips in answer.