A/N: Enjoy this week's chapter. :) Some light fluff to get you through your week.
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon A Time, ABC or any of its characters. Just Aria.
I woke the next morning to an ever-attentive Killian, serving me breakfast in bed and rubbing my feet. I joked that I would need it more towards the end of the pregnancy, but he was happy to do it. We left the cottage, with plans to come back around Amaya's birthday. Dropping by the house to grab our daughter, we took her for ice cream so she didn't feel forgotten in all of the festivities. She didn't mind, but contently chomped away at her Rocky Road.
"Well, we should be heading back to the Diner, don't you think love?" Killian said as I finished my large ice cream cone.
"I'm starving anyways," I said, and Killian laughed.
"No morning sickness yet?" He said softly after we had stepped out of the ice cream parlor.
"No. I went through a horrible spell with Amaya in the first two months. Couldn't keep anything down. Now I believe that I'm going to eat us out of house and home every day." I said, as Amaya rode on Killian's shoulders.
"Killian, did you find your brother?" I asked him as we walked under the archway in front of Granny's.
"Aye. He is well, with a family my father was close to." Killian said sadly.
"Henry won't be using his room anymore, as he has one at Emma's, one at Neal's, and one at Regina's. How about we see if he'd like to be with us."
"I haven't introduced myself to him yet," He said sadly.
"We'll do it together," I smiled.
"Thank you," He smiled, kissing my lips softly.
"For what?" I asked, confused.
"Being so open and understanding about my past, and why I feel I must do this." Killian said.
"Killian, I would gladly open our home to any of your family. Liam will be welcome too." I smiled as we opened the door.
"We should find him later," I said as I spotted my mother and father.
"We're so glad you made it," My Dad smiled, hugging me tightly.
"Well it's not everyday you hear the name of your baby brother for the first time," I teased.
"Did you tell him?" My mother whispered, and I said, "A little louder, I don't think Granny heard you in the kitchen. And yes, I did."
"Tell him what?" Dad asked, confused.
"The surprise I have in mind for her birthday," I said, pointing at Amaya.
"I want a Frozen party!" she said clueing in, and I sighed.
"Sure thing pumpkin." I said, shrugging at Killian.
"So have we got any leads on Anna?" I asked as Ruby set down a hot chocolate for me and Amaya, and a cup of coffee for Killian.
"Regina said she'd make a dream catcher for Elsa, but we're unsure of what we are gonna find out from it." Emma said.
"How'd taking down the ice wall go?" Killian asked Emma as she, Elsa and Neal slid into a seat in or on the end of, the booth.
"It didn't." Elsa said, sounding anxious.
"We think there might be someone else with Elsa's powers in town, keeping it up," Neal said as Ruby caught his look up at the bar.
"Well, how about we just celebrate today and worry later. My girls have this handled." Mom said, before my Dad cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.
"Thank you all for coming. We wanted to share this moment with you all, as it is one of the most important things to celebrate. When new life comes to any family, it is a momentous occasion, and should be treasured. And instead of the usual fanfare that we would see in the Enchanted Forest, we wanted something small. Our son should be surrounded by friends and family today."
"We didn't get this for our daughters, Emma and Aria, but we would like to make this about all three of our children."
"We formally announce our children, Princess Emma, Princess Aria, and our newest addition, Prince Oliver Leopold."
"Ollie!" I said, smiling at my baby brother.
"It's perfect." Emma said, smirking at him.
"We wanted to name him Adam, but we thought it might be hard for you." My mom said, sadly.
"It would have been fine Mom," I smiled, asking to hold Ollie.
"Now that the suspense is over, shall we eat?" Killian said, looking down on my baby brother fondly. I knew he was excited to be a father, as he had been talking about it all morning, covertly around Amaya of course though.
Finding Liam was not hard, as Killian had snuck off when we first got back to town and located him again. He was still with the neighbors he had in the Enchanted Forest. No, the hardest part, was explaining to this boy who we were. Inviting him over for a visit later that day, Killian sat down and explained his history as I made us hot chocolate and snacks. Amaya colored at the dinning room table as he went in depth. He told Liam about their older brother, how his death and their father's abandonment shaped him, drew him to the dark side, and how he wished he could have been redeemed before the Evil Queen asked him to carry out a dark task.
"Killian, that might be too much for today," I said gently, "We don't want to overload him in one day."
"No, I need to tell him." Killian said, eye pleading with me.
"Gently." I said, taking his hand.
"I was tasked with killing the Queen's mother, by the Queen herself. But before she believed I was able to do so properly. She made me kill a man. That man had abandoned me over 200 years before on a ship, sold into servitude so he could escape justice. But I was hesitant, because that man, was our father."
"You… you said that he left me." Liam said, remembering that night.
"Aye, and I wish now, more than ever I could take it back. I was hurt and angry, but that did not justify my actions that night. You and he would have been given safe passage out of the realm, if not for my hatred. I killed my father, our father, and there won't be anything I can do to make up for that. I only hope to stop the cycle, by telling you the truth, and doing everything I can to make it up to you." He said, watching Liam very carefully.
"Killian, why don't you take Amaya downstairs?" I suggested after a minute of silence. He looked at me and nodded, taking Amaya to the playroom downstairs.
"You don't have to hold it all in Liam," I said softly.
"How can you even look at him?" The boy asked me, tears in his eyes.
"The same way I always have. I see the good in him, the part that wants to change, to be a hero. He hasn't been a villain for a long time, and he's doing everything he can to show the world he can be trusted. My father, Prince Charming, and my mother, Snow White, wouldn't have let him marry me if they didn't believe he is good."
"But he's killed so many people."
"I never said he was perfect. But he is trying."
"When my first husband died, I was angry. Angry that I didn't have anyone to grieve with. My sister and I weren't speaking, and I had no parents at that time. I was alone, and I couldn't grieve properly because I was so focused on our daughter, and making sure she was happy."
"I thought she was Killian's daughter," He said, confused.
"Now she is. I wouldn't trust him with her, if he hadn't shown me his heart, and his will to change."
"I want to be so angry at him." Liam said, fists clenched.
"Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. I wanted to be angry at the world for making me an orphan, but it wouldn't do anyone any good. It would only bring me pain. I'm not saying you don't have a right to be angry, and you don't have to trust Killian right away. But we want you in our lives, Killian wants you in his life. He wants to make up for his mistakes by inviting you to live with us."
"Here?" He asked, looking around.
"You'd be with family. You wouldn't be alone again," I said, telling him what he needed to hear.
"Can I think about it?" He asked.
"Of course. You don't have to decide right away." I said softly, rubbing his back.
"Would you be like my mom then?" He asked with an amused smile.
"No," I laughed, "The big sister you need."
"I have to get home, but I'll think about it."
"Just remember, you aren't alone." I said as I walked him to the door. He nodded and left, shutting the door softly. I sighed and went downstairs to find Killian sitting at his desk, crying quietly as Amaya played.
"He hates me." Killian said, not looking at me.
"No. He's hurt, and confused. Give him some time." I said rubbing his back.
"For now, let's focus on something positive. I picked out some colors for the nursery," I said, showing him my color choices.
"We don't know if it will be…" He paused to make sure Amaya wasn't listening, "A boy or a girl."
"So, neutral tones. I was thinking a soft green or even a dark beige with crème accents." I said, showing him my choices.
"I like that better," He smiled, pulling me to sit in his lap.
"We better start planning," I said, laying my cheek against his forehead.
"We have a whole nine months," he laughed nervously.
"I meant Amaya's party," I teased, knowing he was still digesting all this information. It was new to him, and I would have to remember that. He would want to be a part of everything, so I had to be patient with him.
"So, how does this work in this world?" He asked, resting a hand tentatively on my stomach.
"We confirm things at the hospital, and then it's check ups, eating right, and getting enough sleep. Meaning no alcohol, raw fish, uncooked cookie dough. Protein, carbs, veggies, and the potential of morning sickness. When I was pregnant with Amaya, I couldn't even go to work because everything set me off." I said, as I got up at the sound of a knock upstairs.
"I'll go see who it is," I smiled, walking up the stairs. As I opened the door, I was surprised to see Neal there.
"What can I do for you?" I said, inviting him into the foyer.
"I was hoping you could help me plan a date for Emma and I. I want to do this right, and up until this point, my track record with her leaves a lot to be desired."
"A nice dinner out. Emma likes simple, doesn't like grand displays. Ask her to move in, make it official, that you won't disappear again."
"I shouldn't make a big deal about it?" He asked confused.
"It is a big deal, but don't beat around the bush with it. If you do, she might hesitate. Show her you mean it," I said, rubbing my forehead as Killian and Amaya came barreling up the stairs. She was shrieking in joy as Killian chased her, Purdy hot on his heels. Neal smiled as Killian passed by, and said, "He seems good for you."
"Don't make me regret helping you. I'll cook the meal, Emma's favorite."
"Pizza?" He asked, amused.
"Nope. You'll like it, trust me."
"Well, I need to go pick up Henry from school," He smiled, "Thank you."
"Be good to her. She's had enough assholes in her life," I said seriously.
"As I was one of them, I promise." He said, waving slightly and closing the door as he left. Sighing, I went to see what Killian was up to when I noticed him from the kitchen window, twirling Amaya around in the backyard. She had her head back, laughing as Purdy barked in excitement. I smiled, lightly rubbing my stomach, "Maybe I get one after all."