Today

"How is my daughter doing?" Ruth asked on her weekly phone call.

Killian glanced toward the bedroom where he knew Emma was taking a nap. "Exhausted. The baby didn't let her get much sleep last night, so she's trying to get some rest at the moment."

"My poor girl," Ruth remarked, her voice filled with warmth. "You're taking good care of her?"

"Always," he promised.

Even though he couldn't see her, he knew that Ruth was smiling. "How is the search for a new apartment going?"

Killian sighed. "We're still searching. We've got an appointment to look at another one tomorrow. Maybe that one will be it."

"I hope so. You still have quite a few things to prepare yet and it would help if you could at least cross that off your list." She paused. "I was thinking of coming to visit next weekend. We could go and get some shopping for my granddaughter done."

"Sounds like a good idea. I'll ask Emma later what she thinks about that, but I don't believe she has any other plans yet."

They talked a little longer until Ruth had to get back to work, leaving Killian once again alone with his thoughts. And as it had been for the entire last week they returned to Emma kissing him. If she hadn't completely taken him by surprise in that examination room, he probably wouldn't have simply let it end the way it had.

But now days had passed and they hadn't even mentioned it. Emma was acting like nothing had happened and Killian was beginning to believe that she was regretting it, that it had only happened because of the circumstances and because the moment overwhelmed her.

He went along with not talking about the kiss though, but he was far from regretting it. On the contrary, if Emma only gave him the tiniest sign that she wanted it, he'd kiss her again without any hesitation. Now that he knew what it felt like to kiss her, and not just the mere feeling of her lips pressed against his but the way it let him forget everything else and made his heart race, he wanted more.

And even though he had no idea what to do about that, considering Emma's behavior the last few days, he knew that there was something else he should do.

He heard the sound of Emma's footsteps and turned his head in her direction. "Are you feeling better?"

"Not much," she answered and sat down on the sofa as well, keeping some distance between them. Her hands moved toward her belly, gently stroking it. Since their visit to the doctor's they finally knew how far along she actually was and the idea that in about fourteen weeks she'd be able to hold her daughter was both terrifying and exciting. But Killian knew that Emma would be brilliant in her new role.

He didn't think about it, when he moved just a little bit closer to her and laid his arm around her shoulders. He gently pulled her toward him, until her head was resting on his shoulder and even though she seemed tense at first, she quickly relaxed.

"If you want me to stay at home with you tonight, you only have to say it," he offered quietly. "We could order some food and watch a movie."

He felt her shake her head. "You can't cancel your plans again because of me. Just go out and have some fun with your girlfriend, I can handle a few hours on my own."

Killian didn't answer right away. He didn't actually consider the conversation he was intending to have with Milah 'fun'.

Three hours later though he was on the way to her apartment, still trying to figure out how to say what he needed to say.

It just wouldn't be fair if he kept stringing her along, when he knew that they weren't destined to be together in the long run. When he knew that he was in love with someone else.

He parked further away from her apartment than necessary, grateful for the extra time it bought him until he had to face her, but finally he reached the front door and just a moment later he was upstairs, entering her apartment. He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek instead of the usual kiss on the lips and then walked with her into her living room to sit on her couch.

"Milah," he started, but then didn't know how to continue. He scratched the back of his head, struggling to find the right words.

When he looked at her, he was surprised to see her smiling. "It's about time."

"What?"

"You're finally coming to your senses and realizing that you don't want to be in a relationship with me any longer."

"I'm sorry." Killian swallowed. "How did you know?"

"Killian, one would have to be deprived of all senses to not notice that you're in love with Emma. And I guess even then they'd notice it sooner than the two of you."

He chuckled nervously. "That bad?"

Milah laughed. "Well, I've only seen the two of you together twice, but it was enough to notice that you only have eyes for her when she's around. It wasn't exactly flattering for me, I admit that. But I really do like you and want you to be happy. And I'm not the one who will make you happy. At least not when your heart's already taken."

"I'm sorry, Milah," he repeated. But then he wondered: "Why didn't you say anything?"

She looked at him with a grin. "One, we've barely seen each other since Emma has moved in with you and this isn't a conversation to be had on the phone. And two, I was really wondering how long it would take you to figure it out on your own." She gently nudged his shoulder. "But don't worry, if you hadn't come to your senses by now I would have given you the push in the right direction pretty soon."

They talked a little longer, their conversation quickly turning into a relaxed exchange now that Killian didn't feel as tense as he had felt when he had first arrived. Now that he was no longer dating anyone, he could only blame himself if he didn't at least try to be with Emma.

He only hoped that she did care for him the same way.

It was still quite early when he returned home and he found Emma in the bedroom, reading. For a moment he only watched her. Her hair was up in a loose bun, some strands framing her face and she was wearing a usually loose fitting t-shirt that was stretching just a little bit over her belly. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of her.

"You're home early," Emma greeted him, when she noticed his presence. She marked her spot and lay the book aside.

Killian walked over to her and after kicking off his shoes joined her in bed, though staying above the covers. "I didn't feel like being gone for too long," he lied.

Emma looked at him questioningly and he knew that she didn't truly believe him. But luckily she didn't ask more.

"What have you been reading?"

With a grin she held up his worn copy of Peter Pan and Killian laughed. They both had read the story so many times that they could recite almost every line and Killian remembered times when they had spent entire afternoons or evenings reading passages over and over again.

"Want to join?" she asked.

"What kind of question is that?" he replied, taking the book from her. They both got into more comfortable positions.

Killian started reading aloud, Emma sometimes speaking along to some of her favorite passages. It didn't take long until her head was resting on his shoulder and it was costing Killian quite a bit of effort to continue reading and not be distracted by her being so close. He couldn't stop himself from laying his arm around her shoulders though to keep her near.

After some time Emma remained quiet and a little later Killian put the book aside when her even breathing indicated that Emma was asleep.

For just a moment he considered to slip out of bed, but he couldn't bring himself to leave, telling himself that he didn't want to risk waking her.

With his free hand he stroked a lock of her hair out of her face and then leaned toward her and kissed her temple.

"Goodnight, love," he said quietly before reaching over to turn off the light on the bedside table and trying to get comfortable enough in his position to sleep.

When he woke up the next morning, he was alone in bed.

Killian got up and left the bedroom to find Emma sitting on the sofa in the living room, her attention focused on his old laptop.

"Morning," he said, when he approached her.

"Hey, I hope you slept well?"

Killian smiled at her. "Best night's sleep I've had in a long time."

Emma only rolled her eyes in response.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm just looking at the photos of the apartment again. I really hope these are more accurate than the ones of the last place."

Killian leaned over the back of the sofa and looked at the screen. The apartment they were visiting today was the most promising one they had found so far and it had been obvious by her immediate reaction, that Emma liked it a lot. If the reality was even close to the photos, they might have found their new home.

"I'm sure this time we'll be lucky," he told her and turned his head to kiss the top of hers. He just couldn't stop himself from being close to her, from showing his affection. Then he straightened up again. "I'll just go and take a quick shower. How long until we're supposed to be there?"

"About two hours."

"Great, that gives us enough time for a quick breakfast as well. I'll be right back."

They left about an hour later and Killian could tell how nervous Emma was about seeing the apartment she had been looking forward to so much. Without thinking about it, he reached over to her with his right hand, taking her left in his, while keeping his eyes on the street, even though he knew she was watching him.

The apartment turned out to be holding up to the promising pictures they had seen and a quick glance at Emma told him that she wasn't disappointed. It wasn't much bigger than their current place, but the layout allowed to better accommodate three people. He took over the talking, letting Emma wander through the rooms and make up her mind if this was going to be their new home.

After finishing the tour he joined Emma in what was supposed to be the nursery. He stepped beside her as she was looking out of the window, her hands gently stroking her rounded belly.

"I think she likes it," Emma said quietly. "She's practically celebrating in there."

Killian laughed. "And what about you?" he asked, unable to take his eyes off her.

She turned toward him and smiled, giving him all the answer he needed.

"I guess we should take care of the paperwork then and with a little luck, we'll soon have a new home," he suggested, before reaching for her hand.