Arrival
A OUAT Fanfic
When he woke, he wasn't certain what had caused him to leave dreams behind. Weeks of devotion to the Jolly Roger's maintenance had left him both physically and mentally exhausted. She was beginning to show her age, much as he hated to admit it but hopefully, with his careful tending, she would last another 300 years.
Rubbing his eyes with the back of his braceless arm, his remaining palm searched for his wife. He found her side of the mattress empty; the fact alone didn't surprise him. For months, Emma had escaped the warmth of their bedchamber numerous times to satisfy late night cravings from the large cold box. Her latest desire had been a twist on her usual guilty pleasure- ice cream sprinkled with cinnamon. Most likely, another nocturnal hunger had driven her to go downstairs.
He padded down the hallway and began down the stairs. He loved their home at this time; peaceful, quiet except for the ticking of the living room clock. A window was always left open so the sound of the waves lapping against the dock added a touch of the sea to the house.
He saw the half eaten bowl of melted ice cream on the kitchen counter and frowned. He'd never known the lass to leave even a spoonful behind.
Almost as if sensing his concern, his love appeared in the doorframe. She wore a pair of sleep shorts and one of his much loved open collar shirts. He had gladly given her use of them after her seeing the way the fabric enveloped her womanly figure. The tanks she had normally reserved for bedtime, no matter how large, didn't quite fit anymore. His "pirate shirts" had become her only night garments in the last several months as another curve swelled her belly.
"Hey sailor."
Her voice was soft but he could sense the smile behind it.
"You've left the iced confection to melt love. Is everything alright?"
She strolled over to where he stood and placed her hand to his cheek. "You don't need to worry babe. I wouldn't waste good ice cream for no reason. Actually, I was just coming to get you because..."
The remainder of her sentence was swallowed by a sharp intake of breath while her palms cupped her pregnant belly. "Hold on," she grimaced. Killian's hand immediately rubbed at her back as she regained her stolen breath. "I thought they were just Braxton Hicks."
"You mean?" At his anxious look, Emma nodded. "I'm glad you were able to sleep pirate because we might have a long night in front of us."
She watched his Adam's apple bob, acknowledging what she said. Then calm resolve, his eyes bright with anticipation. "Aye. I'm ready to help love. Let's get you settled shall we?"
He led her to the bay window sofa, his eyes watching for any further sign of an approaching pain.
"This is really happening..." Emma laughed nervously. "Wow."
Her husband chuckled with her as his mind too accepted what the evening would hold for both of them. His lips kissed hers. "I'm not going anywhere Swan."
Bringing his hand to join hers at the spot where their baby sat, she grinned. "Good."
