Chapter 17

Emma still couldn't believe it. Twins, a boy and a girl. Killian was beside himself with excitement. They, along with Ruby, Tink, Mary Margaret, and David were having lunch at the Nolan's house to celebrate.

Killian's hand in hers brought Emma out of her daydream.

"Love, are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine."

"Emma…"

"Really, I am. It's just…I had just gotten used to the idea of one kid, and now-" Emma placed their hands on her belly.

"We've two. It just means that we're doubly blessed love."

"I love you."

"Aye, I love you too sweetheart." He kissed her lightly, putting his forehead to hers when he pulled away a little. When he sat back, throwing an arm around the back of her chair, he noticed a small wrinkle between her brows that she always got when she was pensive. He reached over to smooth it down. "What are you thinking about Swan?"

"We're having twins."

"I'm aware of that."

"Does it run in your family?"

Killian looked over at Tink and shook his head.

"Not that I'm aware of."

"I'm afraid that's your father's fault." Everyone turned to look at Mary Margaret. "Tell her David."

"Really, it was my grandfather's fault. It was Grandpa Henry and his brother Owen. Henry was my mother's father, your Grandma Ruth. Then came James and I and we were identical."

"I'm sorry mate, but were?" asked Killian.

"James died four years after Emma went missing", said David. Mary Margaret took his hand and held it tightly. "He had a rough time when we were in high school. Drank a lot, stole…God knows what else. Right around the time Mary Margaret and I met, he hit an all-time low. He adored your mother because she seemed to be '…such a beacon of hope and good that she could help change even the biggest screw-up David. I want to meet someone like her.' he said. Your mom knew some people that could help him so we did what we could and got him treatment. When he got out of rehab, he was there to stand as my best man and when you were born princess, he was the third person to ever hold you."

Mary Margaret stood and disappeared down the hall. A few minutes later, she returned with a big brown book in her arms.

"This is your baby album. You don't have to look at it now. Take it with you and look at it later."

"Thanks mom." Emma stood to hug her mother.

"Yes thank you milady", said Killian.

"Killian, please call me Mary Margaret. We're family."

There was a bit of a pregnant pause and awkward silence until Tink clapped her hands together, getting everyone's attention.

"So! I can't wait to see August and Graham's reactions to the double baby news! When are you going to tell them?"

"I can't wait either!" said Emma. "They're going to be on their honeymoon for another week, so I'll wait until then. I don't want to bother them right now."

"Sweetheart, I'm sure they won't mind. They both love you so much. In fact, I'm sure they'd be a little mad that you waited", said David.

"I'd have to agree love." Killian looked over at her and Emma smiled, looking around the table at her parents, Tink, and Ruby. "Fine. But what time is it over there? Let me Google." She pulled out her phone and tapped away. "Huh. Apparently, Boston and Cockburn Town in Turks and Caicos are the exact same time."

"Call 'em then! I want to know what they think", said Ruby.

"Alright, alright. Keep your pants on Red." Emma opened her contacts and tapped the FaceTime icon next to August's name. Low conversations continued around the table while the phone rang. After a few seconds, he picked up. He donned a straw fedora and sunglasses and appeared to be on the beach.

"Hey Em! How are you?"

"Spectacular. How are you two? I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" August turned the phone to his left to show Graham napping in his beach chair.

"No, we're just relaxing on the beach. In fact, this one fell asleep." August poked Graham in the ribs. "Wake up. Our sister is on FaceTime." Emma couldn't stop the smile that spread on her face from hearing August say that.

"Emma's on?" Graham faced the camera. "Emma! My darling, how are you feeling? How is my future niece or nephew?" By now, the table had gone quiet and was watching the conversation. Emma turned her phone to include Killian in the frame.

"That's what I was calling about."

"Em, is everything okay? You're worrying me." August scrunched up his eyebrows.

"Relax mate, we're calling with good news." Killian laughed as the look of worry melted off August and Graham's faces.

"Thank God."

"Emma! Would you tell the man!" She jerked her head over to where Ruby sat with an exasperated look on her face.

"Where are you anyways?" asked August.

"While you two are in Turks and Caicos, Killian and I are at my parent's house with Tink and Ruby to celebrate." Emma tapped the camera icon and it flipped to the back facing one and swept it around the table where everyone waved.

"What are you celebrating?" asked Graham as Emma tapped the icon to turn the camera back around.

"I'm glad you asked mate", said Killian. "We went to the doctor today and found out."

"You didn't! Well, tell us! Is the little one a niece or nephew?" asked Graham. Emma turned to Killian.

"Maybe we should wait until they get back. What do you think?"

"Don't you dare little sister!"

"Love, don't toy with the man."

"Fine. Well, I'm proud to announce that you will have a little niece to spoil."

"I knew it!" They saw Graham fist pump with excitement. "You owe me 30 Euro now husband!"

"I wouldn't get too excited Graham", said Killian. Graham froze mid-celebration.

"What?" asked Graham.

"You will both also have a little nephew to spoil as well."

"YES! Ha ha! I told you. Never bet against August W. Booth."

"Excuse me, did you two have a pool going as to what our baby was going to be?" Emma asked incredulously.

"Maybe?" August's scruff did nothing to hide the tinge of pink on his cheeks.

"How much did you win then?"

"I bet Graham 200 Euro that you'd be having twins, a boy and girl."

"You knew my dad was a twin, didn't you?"

"I did. One of the last times we were there, David told me about him. I told Graham about it and said that I bet you have twins. It's what started the pool really."

"I'll get you for making bets about my babies when you two get back. Take tons of pictures and I love you both."

"Congrats Emmalove!" said Graham

"I love you Em. We'll see you soon!" Emma hung up and turned back to her family. She and Killian enjoyed the rest of the afternoon with her parents, Tink, and Ruby discussing names and who might get chosen for godparent duty.

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That night, Killian sat in the hotel bed with the album Mary Margaret had given them as he waited for Emma. He heard the light in the bathroom click and looked to see her step into the room in a white body hugging tank top that enhanced her belly and small black sleep shorts (not what she'd worn to bed the night before).

"You look beautiful Swan."

"Nah. Is it just me or do I look bigger now?" Emma turned to the side and Killian laughed. He put the album on the nightstand and walked over to her.

"You have never looked more beautiful than you do now, carrying my children. You could get humongous and yet still look utterly gorgeous. Now, come to bed and let's look at you as a babe, shall we?"

"Okay." They sat side by side and flipped through the album. On the first page was an old semi-faded sonogram with Emma Ruth Nolan written on it in the corner. Underneath it was a picture of a smiling Mary Margaret in big eighties sunglasses cradling her belly. The next few pages showed David and Mary Margaret at a baby shower and holding up gifts. After that were pictures of a woman who looked like Ruth, David's mother, knitting a small white blanket.

"That looks familiar love", Killian said to Emma. She got up and went to her bag in the hotel closet and returned with her baby blanket (Mary Margaret had given it to her when she and David had been in Ireland).

"Grandma Ruth made it for me. I wish she was still around to make new ones for the babies."

"We'll make them new ones. Even if I have to learn how to knit meself."

"Okay, let's calm down. We'll figure something out so you don't have to knit."

"Oi, you don't think I can learn to knit?"

"I never said that. Can we just look at the rest of the pictures?" After the picture of Ruth, there were several of two men arguing over a crib that they appeared to be building. The more they looked at the pictures, it became obvious that the two men were David and James, so identical that Emma couldn't tell which one was her father. Until…

"That one love!" Killian pointed to the man on the left of one picture.

"How do you know?"

"Your father has a scar on his chin and this other man does not." After Killian's discovery, they went back through the pictures of the brothers to identify David. The pictures transitioned to ones of Ruth, David, James, and Mary Margaret in the hospital. Emma had been born by C-section so there were several shots of her mother being rolled into an OR. There were more of the doctors working and then finally one of a screaming baby rolled up in blankets.

"I look very not happy to be out in the world."

"You look pink and wrinkly, just like these two will", said Killian as he ran his hand over her belly. He turned the page and the picture was of David in scrubs pointing in the window of the hospital nursery with a huge smile on his face. The next few were of Mary Margaret not looking happy to see so many people in her hospital room so soon after her operation. The next five pictures were some of Emma's favorite: she was in her mother's arms and despite all the pain meds that were obviously going through her Mary Margaret looked like she couldn't be happier. Then Emma was being held by her father, who wasn't looking at the camera but at her and kissing her forehead. The picture of her and her Uncle James was funny because he had her held up next to his face and was smiling just as big as her father. Grandma Ruth held Emma wrapped up in the blanket she'd made for her. The last picture made both Emma and Killian laugh because James and David held newborn Emma between them as they kissed her temples.

"David. I want one of his names to be David", Emma said to Killian.

"Hmm. David will be most pleased, don't you think?" Killian asked with a quirk of his eyebrow. Emma could not get over the eyebrow game this man had.

"And Liam! We can't not name him after someone important to you too."

"Thank you Swan. That means a lot."

"Do you have any other ideas?"

"I've always liked the name Desmond."

"Like the guy from Lost?"

"You wound me Swan. Have you never listened to The Beatles?"

"Right. How about: Desmond Liam David Jones?"

"It's perfect my love. Have you any ideas for our little girl?"

"I'd like Ruth in there somewhere. What was your mother's name?"

"Molly. I think it should be: Molly Ruth Margaret Jones."

"My mother is going to love you for that."

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A couple of days later, when Killian woke up before Emma, he decided to surprise her with a shopping trip for the house. He grabbed his phone and went out to the balcony and dialed Smee.

"Good morning. What can I do for you sir?"

"I want to take Emma shopping for the new house but I don't think either of is ready to have the world know about the babes. Call the Ikea in Stoughton and see what it'd take to close it down for the family."

"Yes sir. Will do." After he hung up with Smee, Killian rung Mary Margaret.

"Is everything okay Killian?" She sounded a little worried.

"Yes, everything is fine Mary Margaret. I'm calling because I wanted to take Emma shopping for the new house and the babes. Would you and David like to join us?"

"You didn't even have to ask sweetheart, of course. When and where shall we meet you?"

"I've a plan in motion and will let you know within the hour. Don't tell Emma, I want it to be a surprise."

"Of course."

"I'll ring you later to update you."

"Good, we'll see you then."

"Bye." When the phone clicked off, he thought about who else to bring with them and decided on Ruby and Tink. He texted his sister who responded with an all-capitals OF COURSE I'LL BLOODY JOIN YOU…IDIOT. Ruby's text response seemed calmer.

Ruby: What time? Where are we going? I'm so excited!

Killian: I've got Smee working on where we're going and hopefully it'll be soon. I will let you all know.

Ruby: Thanks for including me Jones.

Ruby: And don't worry, I won't say a word.

When he finished letting everyone know of the situation, he slid back into the hotel room to find Emma sitting up in bed.

"And what were you up to this morning?"

"Taking care of some business my love." Killian got back in bed, kissing her soundly and then he went through his now morning ritual of slinking down until he was level with her belly so he could say hello to the babies. He lifted her sleep shirt over her bump that, while not really big, was showing more obviously now and kissed it.

"You going to do that every morning? It tickles!" Killian looked up at her with a smile.

"Shh, darling, I'm trying to talk to Desmond and Molly." It warmed her to her core when he referred to the babies by their newly chosen names. He looked back down at her belly. "Hello little loves, it's papa." He spent 15 minutes talking to her belly before his phone went off on the nightstand he'd placed it on. Emma grabbed it before he could and looked at the caller ID.

"Killian's phone, how can I help you Smee?"

"Good morning Miss Emma. How are you today?"

"Perfectly fine thanks. Do you need Killian?"

"Unfortunately yes, I apologize for bothering you two."

"It's no problem. One sec." Emma handed over the phone.

"Yes Smee?"

"It's all taken care of sir. It was surprisingly easy to get them to shut down. The store manager is a big fan. I also spoke with Regina and she said that you and Miss Emma will have to 'come clean to the world soon and promise Vanity Fair first dibs on baby pictures soon'." Killian ran a hand over his face and groaned.

"I'll have to talk to her about that. Thank you though, Smee, you've come through. I'm going to text you a short list and I'll need you to get a car to retrieve everything on said list and then come for us."

"Of course sir. I'd already gotten one squared away for you with the hotel."

"Thank you Mr. Smee." Killian hung up and texted Smee the names of the day's guests with a note to pick up the Nolan's first. When he finished, he looked up to find Emma with a smirk on her face and her arms crossed.

"What are you planning now?"

"A shopping trip of sorts."

"That's not it. What's wrong?"

"Smee said that Regina is urging us to announce the twin's impending birth and something about promising Vanity Fair exclusive photos."

"Do we have to decide on that now?"

"Of course not Swan, but Regina is right. We've got to make the announcement before the paps get wind of it on their own somehow."

"I know, it's just…I wanted to keep this bit of happiness to us for a little while longer. Give me a few days to think about it, okay?"

"Of course my darling." He kissed her soundly once more and then laughed when she whimpered as he pulled away. "We've got an agenda for the day love. It's time to get up."

Emma pouted some more and retreated to the bathroom to get cleaned up. Killian changed into jeans and navy blue button up with black Converse. He quickly made a group message and let the Nolan's, Ruby, and Tink know about the day's plan.

Dave: Shouldn't you two discuss paint colors before furniture?

Dave: Mary Margaret says she agrees with me.

Ruby: As long as one room is red…

Killian: Not everything has to have red Ruby.

Tink the Pixie: Green! Auntie Tink requires a green room if Ruby gets a red.

Killian: I believe it'd be up to us what the paint colors would be. Besides, Emma enjoys the original colors. We have discussed it.

Tink the Pixie: Hmph.

Dave: We'll see you all soon because the car is getting close to the hotel.

Tink the Pixie: Oh good. I'm already in the lobby. I see you! Hurry Killian!

Killian pushed his phone into his back pocket just as Emma stepped out of the bathroom in jeans and a gray t-shirt that said Keep Calm and Allons-y! with her favorite red Converse and leather jacket over it. He laughed at the influence his sister managed to get over Emma when she got her to watch Doctor Who.

"Who's blowing up your phone?"

"Don't worry about that love. We've a car waiting for us downstairs."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see." Killian grabbed his sunglasses as Emma grabbed her purse and they stepped out of the room and took the elevator downstairs. Making sure his sunglasses were secure, Killian took Emma's hand and maneuvered them through the lobby to the black limo sitting idle in the valet bay. One of the valet's sidled up to the back door and held it open. Emma slid in first and gasped in surprise when she saw her parents, Ruby, and Tink.

"Surprise!" everyone cried.

"I did not expect this. Killian, what's going on?" Killian slid in next to Emma as she got a hug from her mother.

"We're going shopping for our home love. I thought you'd like for some help." They spent the next 20 minutes chatting about ideas and when the car pulled up to the IKEA in Stoughton Emma, Mary Margaret, and Tink couldn't hide their excitement. David just grimaced.

"I hate this place."

"Why's that Dave?"

"I always leave with more meatballs and chocolate than furniture."