CS Short Stories

by owlwayssandforever

So there's a daily CS writing challenge that I've been doing, and so far I've been posting each piece individually, but some are pretty short, so I've decided to post them together instead. So this is sort of an amalgamation of a bunch of little one shots, like a collection of short stories. Note: the ones that I've already posted will be left up, but in future I'll post here.

6. Sleep

Sleeping Arrangements

Emma tosses and turns, trying to find a comfortable position to get to sleep. It's difficult most nights lately, but tonight is apparently the hottest night of the year, and nothing makes pregnancy more unbearable than heat. Even her light camisole and shorts feel stifling as she shifts back and forth, switching from her side to her back and back again, trying to find the right ratio of blanket coverage and exposed skin.

"Emma, love, is something wrong?" Killian's voice floats over from beside her as she flips over again.

"I'm sorry, I just can't seem to get comfortable." She feels him shift next to her and then he's pressing a kiss into the space between her shoulder blades.

"Not to worry, darling. Is there anything I can do to be of assistance?"

"No," Emma groans, turning onto her back to look at him, "not unless you can get this baby out."

Killian smiles kindly, rubbing his hand over her belly and feeling the baby kick at it.

"I have an idea, love, if you're up for it?"

"Getting the baby out? I think it's a little early for that," Emma looks at him in alarm, but the lack of sleep must be fogging her brain because he just chuckles.

"For getting you comfortable, darling," he grins, swinging his feet over the edge of the bed and standing up, heading for the bathroom. A minute later, he returns, offering her his hook and a cheerful smile, "Up you get, my love."

Emma groans as she takes his hook, sitting up getting more and more difficult seemingly each minute, but he pulls her to her feet, leading her to the bathroom where a nice warm bath is drawn in their spacious tub. He helps her climb in first and get settled before clambering in behind her, allowing her to lean back into his chest.

"I read something about water births being easier on the mother, I thought maybe the concept would apply to the pregnancy as well." He presses a kiss to the curve of her neck and scrunches her camisole up above her belly so he can give her a gentle massage, kneading his thumb into her lower back to try to ease some of the soreness.

"Mmm, that feels good," Emma whispers, leaning her head back on his shoulder.

"I'm glad," he answers, kissing her neck again, this time right along the line of her jaw. "Here, lean forward a moment," he tells her, and she complies, Killian moving his hand up to massage her shoulders. Carefully, his fingers work through the tension in her shoulders, slowing inching down her spine as she leans into his hand, her own fingers playing idly with his hook, running over the surface, looping in and out. As he works his way back toward her tailbone, she leans into him, head resting against him and he watches as her eyes flicker shut, a small smile on her face. He waits as her breathing evens out and her body relaxes, Emma slipping off to sleep at last. When he's sure she's asleep, he leans back himself, his hand resting on Emma's stomach, fingers idly tracing patterns on her skin until he drifts off himself.

Emma wakes first in the morning, feeling very refreshed and like she's gotten a full night's sleep for the first time in ages (which is pretty much true). She stretches and climbs out, trading her soaked garments for a fresh, dry t-shirt and shorts, and heading to the kitchen to cook up some pancakes for breakfast. Killian awakes feeling a little less refreshed and a little more sore, but he never complains, happily repeating the ritual every time Emma has trouble sleeping.