A/N: Hi again, friends! So I know it was only a few days ago that I updated this fic, but I have decided that instead of staggering the last chapter (and then epilogue) of this AU over the next three weeks, I'm writing it all before I leave on my vacation/hiatus. This chapter is smuffy and sweet, and a little shorter than the average, but next weeks epilogue will make up for it. Hope you like it and thanks so much for reading!

She was dreaming of warm sunlight, an ocean breeze, and her handsome captain tonight. It was a beautiful fantasy, one that Emma had dabbled with in sleep a few times before, but this time there was one key difference. In the dream it wasn't just Emma and Killian out there on their ship. There were kids, their kids, together with them out there too. With them came laughter and questions and child-like exuberance that was contagious. In her dream she couldn't stop smiling, and if she'd been aware of her actual self in that moment, she'd see that there was the hint of one on her face as she slept too.

As it was, Emma would never know because one second she was immersed in that beautiful, golden-tinted world of could-be possibility and the next she was back in her bed. She had one moment of alarm where Emma worried she'd be alone, but she breathed out a sigh of relief when she saw that Killian was right beside her, holding her close as he did every night. Then Emma realized what had pulled her from her sound sleep.

It was the blaring of the phone beside her that had disturbed her happy dreaming, and as Emma looked at the clock beside the phone she groaned. Three in the morning, beautiful. What a fantastic time to be awake. But only after the fog of sleep began to fade did she realize calls at this time meant something big was happening. She answered quickly.

"Hello?"

"Baby!"

That was it, one word yelled into the speaker by Liam and Emma held the phone away from her ear as she winced at how loud it was. A few seconds later the dial-tone returned. She'd been hung up on. Killian chuckled beside her as he pressed a kiss to her cheek and moved out of bed.

"I take it you heard that," Emma said with a smile as she mirrored his motions, getting up and dressed as quickly as her still fatigued state would allow.

"My brother certainly has a way with words." Emma ran a hand through her hair before pulling it up. Messy was fine today, babies didn't need her dressed to the nines by any means.

"You think he's safe to drive her? His loss of verbal function probably won't impair his driving right?" Killian smirked.

"There isn't a person alive who will take greater care with getting Elsa to that hospital than, Liam." Emma knew that was true. Liam was nothing if not protective, and he and Elsa only lived a few minutes from the hospital anyway.

In a flurry of surprisingly synchronized movements, Emma and Killian got ready the rest of the way, and within a half an hour they were at the hospital searching for Liam and Elsa. Instead they found David and Mary Margaret, the latter of whom was about to be admitted too. In what was yet another coincidental twist of fate, these two highly anticipated new additions to this larger family were coming at the same time.

"What are the odds, love?" Emma shook her head not knowing after promising Mary Margaret that she'd call Ruby and Belle so they'd come down too.

"I was never very good at math, but I'm going to say slim to none."

The new development, however unexpected it was, provided an interesting system of support and through the course of the morning and into the afternoon Emma had seen more of the Storybrooke maternity ward than any one person outside the medical profession needed to. By the time she had her own kids she'd know this place backwards and forwards. Emma just couldn't tell if that was a useful skill set to have or not.

Emma spent most of her time with Elsa as any good sister would, but there were moments where she snuck out to check on Mary Margaret who had been set up in the room next door. Elsa was very concerned that she was missing her best friend's baby, and Mary Margaret was driven by the same kind of thinking, so their little game of telephone made for a lot of movement on the part of everyone else.

By midday, Killian put his foot down. There was no need for Emma to be scurrying about every which way. He would be the messenger, or better yet they could use their phones. The last thing they needed was Emma over doing it when they had a baby on the way as well. Emma conceded and as the hours ticked on Killian also hashed out ways to keep her comfortable. Food found its way to her and all the others, as did water and better seating. Killian was like magic, finding a way to make the hospital, a largely unpleasant place, more bearable.

Over the course of the day there were also instances when Emma was given a signal from Elsa. A raised brow from her sister meant it was time for Emma to hand off Liam to Killian in what Elsa was fondly calling 'Daddy Breaks.' Liam had no interest in leaving her side, but he was also starting to lose it a little bit when he saw his wife in pain. Since Elsa's contractions were coming closer and closer together, that made for a very worried Liam.

"The doctor said there is still a while to go. Go get some coffee and stretch your legs. The last thing we need is you passing out when things actually happen." Liam grumbled under his breath about how if staying in there was good enough for Elsa it was good enough for him, but Killian stood from his seat in the waiting room and handled his brother beautifully.

"There's no doubt of that, Liam. But think, you can do something for Elsa in the meantime. If I remember correctly she likes daisies right? I saw some in the gift shop downstairs." Emma mouthed a 'thank you' to her incredible husband who winked at her as Liam regained some sense of purpose and Emma slipped back into the delivery room.

"Is he gone?" Elsa asked and Emma nodded.

"Oh thank God," Anna's profession made Emma laugh.

"He's doing his best."

"Right, but this is why they didn't let the cavemen do this with their wives. All that protectiveness is driving him crazy which in turn is driving me crazy."

Emma looked from Anna who wasn't really wrong in her assessment back over to Elsa who smiled. As quickly as it appeared though, the smile turned to a wince from another contraction. Emma moved forward, taking her sister's hand in Liam's stead. When the worst of the pain had passed Elsa commented on Anna's thoughts.

"I love him. I really do. But every time I have a contraction I can practically feel his heart rate leaping up. He's making himself sick over all of this." Emma removed her hand and looked at it critically hoping her own fingers weren't broken from how tightly Elsa had just squeezed it.

"Well right now Killian's got him on a mission." Elsa asked her what that mission was but Emma shook her head. "Not telling. It's better as a surprise."

"I don't know how many more surprises I can take, Ems. The baby is two weeks early, the same day as Mary Margaret's, and we didn't find out the sex. I have a yellow nursery and no names chosen. Just tell me where he's going." Emma considered for a moment before seeing the truth behind her sister's blue stare.

"You are so full of it! You love that it's a surprise." Elsa grinned.

"Okay, maybe. Liam always has the best surprises." Anna sighed, pulling both Elsa and Emma's attention her way.

"Don't mind me. Just lamenting the fact that you two married brothers who excel at thoughtful surprises, and my husband brought home an injured Barn Owl last week thinking I'd like it as a pet."

"He did what?!" Elsa's inflection went sharp with another contraction but Anna continued on, no doubt trying to distract her.

"Oh yeah. They didn't have the room at the rescue, so he came home with it. He had it in his head that he would build a pen and do the rehab in his down time in the backyard."

"You told him no right?" Emma asked.

"Didn't have to. Lena took one look at it hacking up its little pellet thing and promptly freaked out. That was enough proof for him that maybe an owl wasn't his best idea." Why anyone would think an owl would be a good gift for someone was beyond Emma, but then again this was Kristoff they were talking about. He had a track record of similarly faulty reasoning.

"It's better than the time when you were engaged and he pitched moving to Peru because you mentioned finding a llama cute at the Founder's Day festival." Anna grinned at Emma's reply, because even if she found Kristoff to be bizarre at times, she loved that about him.

"So Elsa married a modern-day, socially decent caveman, I married the crazy animal guy and Emma married wonder boy." Emma laughed aloud at Anna's characterization of Killian.

"Excuse me?"

"You know what I mean. He's talented and cute and funny. He's got Liam's charm without the preachy tendencies..."

"Hey! I like my slightly preachy husband!" Anna patted Elsa's shoulder.

"Good to hear since you're about to have his baby." That seemed to comfort Elsa enough so that Anna could go on. "Killian shows up out of nowhere, turns out to be your perfect guy, and tears down all your walls. He's a super hero - a wonder boy."

At that moment a knock sounded at the door and both Liam and Killian appeared. In his arms, Liam had what appeared to be every daisy that the hospital, and potentially the town florist had in stock. He was a big man, and he could barely handle the sheer volume of them. It took all of five seconds for Elsa to break down crying.

"Oh, Liam." Emma and Anna took as many of the flowers as they could from Liam so he could go see Elsa.

He seemed calmer now as he kissed her lightly. They whispered between themselves, no doubt about their endless love for each other and Emma felt her heart warm at the sight. They were going to be okay, even if both of them were a little bit terrified at everything knocking at their door right now.

In her peripheral vision, Emma saw Killian offer Anna a carnation, which was her sister's favorite kind of flower and Anna's eyes widened as she thanked him. She hadn't expected it, but Emma did. That was just Killian's way. Then he turned back to Emma and offered her a single rose. She barely held off a wistful sigh at his problematically attractive thoughtfulness.

"For you, love."

Emma grinned at her adorable husband, but as she moved to kiss him she heard Anna muttering 'wonder boy' again.

"Do I want to know what she's on about, Swan?" Emma shook her head and beamed up at him just as the doctors all came in and told Elsa it was time to get going. Emma, Killian, and Anna stepped out of the room to wait with the others but they told Elsa that they were right down the hall if she needed them.

Things went quickly from there, and within a few hours, everyone met the babies including Lena and Garrett who were brought to the hospital when it was time. Mary Margaret and David were blessed with a son who they named Neal and Elsa and Liam's little surprise ended up being a girl who they named Skyler. Both of the newborns were healthy and as happy as brand new babies could be, and they were quickly growing accustomed to the big presence they'd always have around them when it came to these friends and this family.

There was celebration and merriment, and it felt like the blink of an eye from when Emma found out she was officially an aunt to when she saw that night had descended through the window outside. The day was done now, but what a good day it had been. As if he could sense that she was ready to say goodbye, Killian reached for her hand and pulled her gaze back to him.

"Home, Swan?"

Emma agreed, and with one last bit of congratulations to both couples they left, heading back to the happy little quiet that awaited them back at the house.

…

After a full day spent in the hospital, and after having the great pleasure of meeting his new niece and David's new son, Killian had to admit he was glad to be home again. Today felt like taking a glimpse into the future. He saw parts of what lay in store for him and Emma when their son or daughter arrived in a few more months, but until then he needed to see Emma safe and healthy.

He knew he'd never convince her to leave until she was good and ready, but Killian had to admit that for much of the day he worried that she was straining too much and putting herself at risk in the hospital itself. If anyone could handle it, it would be his Emma, but just because she could didn't mean that she had to. Emma was strong and gracious and more than capable of taking care of herself, but Killian could help shoulder any burdens or responsibilities of hers proudly because they were a team.

"So you're kind of a worrier. Did you know that? It's not as pronounced as Liam's but it's been right here all day." Emma's teasing words as they walked into the front door and she motioned to her own brow made Killian smile as he helped her out of her jacket and then slipped out of his own.

"I do worry Emma, but only when it comes to you and our family."

Emma smiled and ran her hand across his cheek as she stepped into his arms. He felt the faintest presence of her where her body was curving from the baby between them and it kicked up his awareness of her. She'd only recently begun to show, but Killian knew that in a few weeks' time it would be hard to hold her exactly this way. He also knew that she was going to be just as beautiful to him then as always and that there was no chance he'd keep his distance.

Because they'd been gone much of the day in what could be called an exhaustive show of familial support, Killian anticipated a purely restful night, but he could see that Emma had things on her mind other than sleep. The light in those jade colored eyes of hers sparkled and her lips parted ever so slightly. The small indications of her desire for him were enough to have him aching for her, but he had one last thing he planned to show her tonight before he took her back to bed, hopefully for a night without interruption.

"I didn't get a chance to show you before, Swan, but I finished something last night." Emma's eyes grew wide with excitement.

"The crib?" He nodded and Emma grabbed his hand before pulling him upstairs. He chuckled as he followed close behind, but the real magic of the moment came when Emma saw the finished product.

"What do you think, my love?"

Killian saw Emma's eyes welling with tears as she smiled. It wasn't like Elsa in the hospital, but to see even the trace of emotion with Emma always meant so much more. Emma might not be guarded as she once was, but she would always hold more back than her sister. It was simply her nature.

She stepped forward towards the finished wooden piece, her fingers running over the smooth oak. Her eyes traced every curve and dip that Killian had worked to get just right and fit together in the way that would keep their child safest. Finally Emma gave a shaky nod and her eyes flashed back up to lock with his.

"It's beautiful." Killian's chest filled with pride at her compliment, and then Emma found the most important part. When she did, the first of the tears began to fall and Killian moved to wrap her up from behind. Even if they were happy tears, he wanted to comfort her and to remind Emma that whenever she was with him she was safe and loved.

At the head of the crib, Killian included one main carving that stood out from the more delicate details he'd included elsewhere. It was a replicated image of Emma's compass, the one that had already seen this family through its most critical moments. Underneath he etched in the words 'I love you' twice, once in an exact replica of his handwriting and once in Emma's from an ordinary note she'd left him a few weeks ago about being home soon.

He'd taken this detail from Emma's gifting him his mother's picture. Killian liked the idea that their children would hear and know they were loved every day, but would have the words close by when Emma and Killian couldn't be right there. Any child they had should know at every moment that they belonged right here with him and Emma and the bigger family they shared.

"This room is nearly perfect." Killian chuckled at Emma's words as he pressed a kiss to her temple.

"Only nearly, love?" She smiled and moved out of his arms for one moment, imploring him to stay as she left the room. A minute passed and then another, but when Emma returned she had something in her arms that stole his breath away.

"I thought that since you were making something for the baby, I should make something too." She handed Killian the intricate mobile she's made and he took every portion of it in.

Killian knew by now of Emma's many talents. Her creativity and ingenuity never ceased to amaze him, but this was something else. She'd seamlessly interwoven a series of pictures in this mobile. In them were all the members of their family and their closest friends, including the two new additions that they'd seen come into the world today. Killian noticed Emma taking a few pictures before, but how she'd printed them this fast he'd never know.

Amongst the images, Killian also saw the picture of his mother and him, as well as one of Emma when she was with Anna and Elsa as a girl. But in the center was a picture of Killian and Emma together, smiling straight to the camera angled so their baby would always see them there. Emma was right; she'd figured out the missing piece that this room needed to make it the best possible space for their baby.

"We had the same idea, about making sure they have us with them." Emma squeezed Killian's hand.

"Always."

With her confirmation echoing in his head, Killian put the mobile down gently on a side table and pulled Emma into his arms for a kiss. It spoke on both their parts of their love, and what started as slow and steady moved to more. Their gentle, lovely promises for the near future burned into something more consuming and passionate until Killian broke the kiss to lead Emma with him back into their bedroom. He noticed her surprise when he skipped the bed itself and moved into the master bath and so he filled her in on his plan for the evening.

"We've had a very long day, love and I gather we would both like this before I proceed to ravish you."

Emma's eyes flared with wanting at that, and without a word they both started peeling off the clothes. Piece by piece came away and he took more and more of her beautiful body in, but the part that drove Killian craziest was when she let her hair down from her tie, shaking the strands loose as she smiled at him. He froze in place, forgetting his objective even though he still had his jeans on and Emma moved closer to him but stopping before they touched so as to leave him nearly desperate.

"I love you, Killian." Damn if that wasn't the single best string of words he'd ever heard. It didn't matter how many times he heard them from her, they always meant just as much.

"And I love you, Emma. More than anything." Emma's smile turned a little wicked.

"Prove it."

She moved around him, stepping into their shower, but he could see her in the glass through the steam that was coming from the hot water. For another second he stood there taking her in, but then he realized every second he stood there was a second wasted where he could be holding her and rising to Emma's challenge. She wanted proof? He'd give her the bloody proof over and over and over again.

He started slow because if Killian had learned anything about his Swan, it was that she liked a little anticipation. He trailed his hands up and down her body as he washed her, feeling her shiver and arch closer to him when he moved over the most erogenous zones he'd mapped out months ago, but eventually the slow perusal wasn't enough for either of them. Emma's pleas for more were something he couldn't deny. He pulled her back against him and heard the little moan that came when she felt his hard length against her.

Moving her legs wider, Killian brought one of his hands to her sex as the other came to her breast. She was vibrating by the time his thumb swirled against her clit, but when two of his fingers joined in, filling her, Emma shook with how much more she wanted.

"Let go, love." The command was met with exactly what they both wanted, as Killian bit down on her shoulder but he was hardly finished. Moving her back against the wall, he knelt down in front of her, angling her up so that his mouth was at her already wet slit.

Making Emma fall apart always came with a rush, but Killian had to admit that this might be one of his favorite places to have Emma's passion. The sight she made here with the droplets of water that cascaded down her bare skin as he pleasured her sex with his mouth was unparalleled.

When he'd drawn her so tight that she was about to crash, her fingers threaded through his hair and tugged. She was completely lost to what he was doing to her and it stoked his need further. There was nothing like this, but it was also slightly too risky for him to let himself fully go. Emma wanted proof, but he wouldn't claim her as he normally would until they were back in bed.

Killian moved Emma as quickly as he could without risking the baby back to their bedroom and had another moment where he had to simply admire Emma. His wife looked up from where she was laying out on the bed with that rosy flush against her skin and the satisfied sheen in her emerald eyes that shot straight to Killian's cock while making his heart skip a beat.

"You just going to look all night or…?" Killian growled at the words. She was trying to rush him and if it weren't so damn intoxicating how badly she wanted more of him, he'd fault her for it. As it was, Killian wanted to remind her how good he'd just made her felt.

"A man can admire his wife if he so chooses, Swan." Killian's hand came to her breast and since she was so much more sensitive than she had been before Emma moaned. "Unless you disagree with my methods of making love to you."

"Nope. You got this."

Killian chuckled, watching Emma squirm underneath him from the lightest of touches. He kissed her knowing that as he did she'd taste herself on his tongue but then broke away kissing down her neck and lower to her breasts. Emma keened that she needed something more, that she needed him inside her, but still Killian resisted her trying to speed this up. He kissed down lower to curve of her abdomen where she held their child and whispered promises to her about he was going to be the best father to their children because it was what they and Emma deserved.

She thought he would return at that but he didn't stop until he was between her open legs again and he could hear her panting, clearly needing this again. With a little maneuvering, he had her revealed to him and gave a long swipe, reveling in the way she cursed and called out his name. He wanted more of that, a litany of her loving this, and he got it as he continued on.

With deliberate precision and special attention to every reaction, Killian made sure to exploit the spots with flicks and sucks and nips that always had her melting beneath him. He worked to give her another crash into bliss, succeeding at a staggering rate.

"You are really good at that." Killian grinned as he came back above her.

"Is that right love? And how about this." He thrust into her in one hard drive and Emma moaned.

"Fuck, so good! Better than good!"

Yeah that sounded about right, and he continued to show her just how good they were together until he felt her tensing up around him, clawing on as another orgasm hit. This time he followed her but Killian made a silent vow that the demonstration of his love for her wasn't over. They'd sleep a while first, but soon enough he was showing her again.

Until then though he'd dream, and in those dreams Killian knew two things would await him – Emma and the family they were destined to have together with just a bit more time.

Post-Note: So there we have it everyone! I have decided not to include a chapter about Emma and Killian having the first baby, but don't worry, the epilogue will have a flash forward so you get a glimpse into their life down the line. I am really excited to write it and get it out there, and even though it's bittersweet to see this story ending, it's been such a delight. Hope you'll continue to join me for the last installment, and thanks again for reading!