Summary: Emma falls in love with a certain pirate and gets an unexpected surprise. Before she knows it, her pirate is facing several charges and is due for execution… by her own parents.

My father took me into his arms and spun me around the dancefloor as my first dance as a fully grown woman. We are celebrating my eighteenth birthday and my parents are hoping for me to find my future husband tonight. Since I am getting older, they want me to marry for convenience rather than true love as our kingdom is slowly but surely becoming bankrupt.

After our dance, my father took my hand and we stood in front of our thrones in front of all of our guests. "My wife and I are honored all of you could be present to celebrate our lovely daughter's birthday. This evening, every eligible suitor in this ballroom will share a dance with our darling Princess Emma," my father announced. "Happy birthday, Emma. I hope you find your happiness tonight."

"Thank you, Father." I hugged him and my mother before strolling onto the dancefloor where Prince Neal met me.

"Hello, Princess," he said before bowing to me, reaching a hand out. I touched my palm to his and curtsied, allowing him to then lead me into a waltz. He talked about himself and his kingdom nonstop. He must have been at least ten years older than me.

I danced with several other suitors, none of whom I felt any sort of connection with. My father then announced that it was the last dance of the night. A man who looked to be just a few years older than me approached. He had jet black hair and crystal blue eyes that looked to be the color of the ocean. He had just enough scruff on his chin to make him look ruggedly handsome.

"Would the Princess perhaps like to share her last dance of the evening with me?" he asked, bowing slightly. He had a slight accent that made him even more attractive.

"I would be honored," I replied, curtsying, resting my right hand in his left. The fingers were far too stiff to be real under the glove. Once I saw that his other hand wasn't gloved, it confirmed my suspicions that his left hand was fake. As he twirled me around the floor, I asked, "May I ask who you are?"

"You can call me Killian, Your Highness."

"And you can call me Emma. I hate my formal title." I looked him up and down. He doesn't look like a royal. "You are not a royal."

"No, I am not." He pulled me close and I heard something jingle from his pockets.

"Are you stealing from our castle?" He looked at me, stunned. "You're a pirate, aren't you?"

"I am sorry, Your Highness. I will return these things immediately and leave. My crew and I are bankrupt. We cannot afford food or medicine. It is surprisingly harder to steal food than to steal jewels from royals."

"Keep them." He once again looked at me in shock. "All I ask for in return is that you call me Emma."

"I cannot thank you enough, Emma."

"Meet me tomorrow night in the garden I will give you supplies for your ship."

"You are far too kind to this pirate, Emma. They do refer to me as the most ruthless pirate to ever set sail. I do not deserve this kindness."

"I've heard of you, Captain Hook." He gave me a smug smirk.

"I told you to call me Killian." The song came to an end and I couldn't hide the disappointment I felt.

Later that night, I was sitting in the library, painting, when my parents walked in. "That is a lovely color, dear," my mother commented.

I had tried to make the exact shade of Killian's eyes. I couldn't stop thinking about him. I didn't want my parents to know this so I used this color to paint the sea on the canvas. "Thank you, Mother."

Both of my parents sat on the sofa across from me. "Did any of the suitors pique your interest tonight?" my father asked eagerly.

"No, Father. Many of them were very superficial. Do I have to choose one of those men from tonight?" The only man I would choose from tonight is someone my parents would never approve.

"No, darling. I want you to find true love," my mother said. "These suitors were just here to show you what's out there. I am confident you will find true love like your father and I have."

"I wouldn't marry for anything less, Mother."

The next night, I took a large baguette from the kitchen along with an extra bottle of medicine and bandages from the medicine cupboard. I put everything in a basket and I even put a diamond necklace I never wear in the bottom. I slipped on my mother's old cloak she wore in her bandit days and snuck out into the garden. Hiding behind one of the pillars was Killian. "You didn't have to do any of this, Emma. This is too much."

"I am happy to do it." We sat down on one of the benches and ate the extra cupcakes I brought for the two of us. We talked for hours and I couldn't stop smiling. We were sitting very close to each other with the basket sitting on the floor. I looked into his bright blue eyes and couldn't stop myself from lightly pressing my lips to his. "I am so sorry, Killian," I said, jumping back. "That was totally uncalled for."

He just smiled and leaned forward again, kissing me softly. "I'll see you tomorrow, Emma," he whispered, running away with the basket. His words didn't fully register until he was out of sight.

"Ahem," I heard from behind me. I turned around to see my godmother, Red. She had her arms crossed over the red cloak she always wore with a smug smile on her face.

"Red, what are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same thing, Emma. But I have a feeling it has something to do with the handsome man you were kissing."

"Please, don't tell my parents. I just met this man yesterday and I really like him. I don't want my father chasing him away because he's not a royal." I looked down at my shoes.

"You should know by now your parents won't be mad because you fell for a man who isn't royalty." She walked up to me, gently placing a hand on my shoulder.

"He's a pirate," I said truthfully.

"Ah, yes. Your father won't approve of that."

For the next month, Killian and I kept meeting up secretly every night, stealing kisses in the garden. He has gotten used to wearing his hook around me. It isn't as intimidating as one would think. "Emma, I have enjoyed spending this past month with you. I wanted to tell you something." I listened eagerly, hanging on his every word, hoping he would say the three words I have been dying to hear. "I love you, Emma."

I grinned brightly and kissed him deeply before whispering, "I love you, too." He smiled and kissed me again. "We need to tell my parents soon. I'm tired of sneaking around. I know you are my true love, Killian, even though I haven't known you long."

We continued sneaking around, knowing that my father would never be as understanding as my mother. A month after we declared our love, I told my parents I was going on a walk with Red, who has been helping Killian and I. Instead of going out with Red, I met up with Killian who took me to his ship. I met his crew who were all surprisingly very nice. I know that they are only considered ruthless pirates when it comes to their enemies. After a night of laughing, drinking, and sword fighting with the crew, Killian took me to his cabin to rest. Although we really didn't end up resting that much…

That was the night I gave Killian my virtue.

A month later, Doc was giving me my monthly medical exam when he asked how I was feeling. "I've been feeling a bit faint. And for some reason, I'm not liking foods I used to love."

After performing a couple more tests, Doc said, "Princess, it may be a mistake, but it seems to me that you're pregnant."

It was then that I remembered I hadn't bled in the past month. I was due two weeks ago. Doc could tell from the look on my face that it was no mistake. I'm pregnant. With Killian's child. "Please, do not mention this to my parents. I will tell when I am ready."

"Yes, Your Highness," he said, bowing his head slightly before exiting my room.

"Darling, are you okay?" my mother asked me later that night.

"Yes, Mother, I am fine. It's just a stomach bug."

"Killian, it's time to tell my parents," I told him the next night, my fingers lightly running over the curve of his hook.

"Is everything all right, love? You have been acting strange for a while."

"I'm pregnant," I whispered, a tear trickling down my cheek. "I'm sorry."

"Love, why are you apologizing? This is excellent news. Now, we just need to tell your parents."

"Easier said than done," I said, thinking about my father. "I'll try telling him tomorrow. I have to get ready for bed." He smiled and kissed my forehead, resting his hand on my stomach.

"I love you, Swan." He has taken to calling me Swan for a few weeks since I told him it was my favorite animal. He even got a tattoo of a Swan with my name under it over his heart.

"I love you, too, Killian. Good night." I kissed his cheek before heading up to my room.

The next day, I went up to my father to talk to him about Killian to see that he was in the middle of an unscheduled council meeting. "Father, what is going on here?"

"Emma, go back to your room. We are having a vote about a prisoner."

"What kind of vote?"

"A pirate has been arrested after alluding our soldiers for months. He has killed innocent people and stolen from royals. He is the most ruthless pirate to ever set sail. Go up to your room. I don't want a pirate to lay eyes on my daughter."

"But, Father-," I started, but I was interrupted by Graham, our head soldier.

"Your Majesty, here is the pirate you requested." Soldiers came into the room, with Killian in shackles. My eyes widened and Killian subtly shook his head, silently telling me not to openly react. "He is ready to hear your sentence."

"The council has taken a vote. Killian Jones, also known as Captain Hook, you are to be sentenced to death at high noon in the courtyard tomorrow."

"No!" I yelled without thinking. The torches along the walls flickered violently, a couple snuffing out.

"Emma, I know you hate the thought of execution much like your mother, but sometimes it just needs to be done. And as part of the royal family, you will be expected to be present."

Later that night, I was crying on my bed when Red walked in. "Are you okay, honey?"

"No. Killian is going to be executed at noon tomorrow." She sat next to me and held me in her arms. "My child is going to grow up without a father." Red froze.

"You're with child?" I just nodded into her shoulder.

"Everything will be okay, Emma."

"Red, there is something I need to talk to you about." She looked at me intently. "When I yelled out at the meeting, the torches on the walls flickered and a few of them snuffed themselves out. How is that possible? There wasn't a draft or anything."

"I was afraid this was going to happen. Emma, I think it's time you knew the truth. Your parents didn't want to talk about this. You are the product of true love. That means you have magic. In a couple months, when your powers are more developed, the Blue Fairy will help you learn to control them." We talked about it a little more before falling asleep.

I got dressed and followed my parents into the courtyard after breakfast. Silent tears ran down my face. Killian was brought into the center at noon exactly. The guard made him kneel in front of the guillotine. Killian looked at me and mouthed, "I love you." He rested his neck on the wooden frame and closed his eyes.

My father began to count down. "Five…" I can't let this happen. "Four…" My heart was hammering in my chest. "Three…" Red's hand wrapped around mine. "Two…" He's my true love. "One..."

Right as the blade was released, I cried out, "Stop!" No one could have stopped it. But before the blade could make contact with his skin, the blade turned into water, splashing over Killian's head. I sighed out of relief.

"Emma?" my mother asked. "Did you do that?"

"I think I did."

"Emma, I know you hate this, but sometimes it needs to be done for the greater good."

"No, Father. This isn't just about some execution. This is about him. I'm in love with him." My parents just stared at me in shock.

"You can't be with him," my father stated.

I took a deep breath and asked, "Would you let a child grow up without a father?"

"No…" he said, not knowing where I was going with this.

"Father, I'm pregnant. Killian is the father. We have been seeing each other since my birthday ball." I ran down to the guillotine and snatched the keys from the guard, unlocking Killian's shackles. He stood up and took me into his arms, burying his soaked head into my hair. I pulled back a little to kiss him firmly on the lips. When we pulled away, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see it belonged to my mother.

"He wouldn't be my first choice. But I'm glad you have found true happiness. I can tell that this child will be loved."

"Thank you, Mother."

"Thank you, Milady," Killian said.

"Father?"

My father walked over to Killian and shook his hand while I held onto his hook. I could tell that my father's grip was hurting him. "Never hurt my daughter. If you do, I will kill you."

Later that night, after everyone has eaten, my father announced that Killian could stay in one of the spare bedrooms. Killian pulled my father into another room for a few minutes. When he came back out, he led me to the bench in the garden where we had our first kiss. "Emma, I knew from the moment I first saw you that you were going to be my true love. I can't wait to be a father to our child. I promise I will love you and our family until the day I die." He got up from the bench and got down on one knee. A tear slipped down my cheek. "Emma, my Swan. Will you marry me?" I couldn't find the words so I just nodded excitedly. I pulled him into me and kissed him deeply. He slipped the ring on my finger. I recognized it as the ring he said had once belonged to his mother.

We got married a month later before I started showing. My parents gave Killian's crew shelter and they even ate with us at all meals since they all lived about five minutes away from the castle.

Seven months after the wedding, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy that we named Liam David Jones. I thought of naming him Liam after Killian's dearly departed brother who I know he truly missed. Killian thought to name him after my father to try to get closer to him. My father finally accepted Killian into the family once he named our son's middle name after my father. A couple years later, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Faith Hope Jones.

And they all lived happily ever after…

I was half asleep while writing this so I'm sorry for any mistakes. 💤

Also, if you have any ideas for a one shot I can add to this collection, please leave me a prompt and I'll try my best.

Thank you.