Warning: possible Daddy!Hook feels ahead. Don't say I never gave you anything.
"Emma, are you almost ready?" Snow called up the stairs, placing a grey hat on her head. Her daughter came rushing down, shrugging on a light sweater as she went.
"I'm so happy not to have to lug around that heavy coat anymore," Emma mentioned with a relieved sigh, glancing out the window at the warming weather.
"I don't know," Snow mused, a secretive smile creeping on her face, "I thought it fit you well." Emma cocked a confused eyebrow at her.
"What's that suppose to mean?" she inquired warily.
"Oh, nothing," Snow quickly replied with a look Emma knew wasn't as innocent as it seemed. The brunette quickly changed the subject. "Ella should be here in just a few minutes."
"Yeah, great," she said carefully. "What is this meeting about anyways? I haven't seen her around much since the baby and this seemed a little out of nowhere." Snow shrugged just as there was a knock at the door.
"Well I guess we're about to find out," she said, opening the door for Ella, who seemed much less frazzled than the nineteen year old single mother from less than a year ago.
"Hi," she breathed out around a smile, navigating the baby stroller into the doorway. Emma and Mary Margaret quickly made their way over to coo at Alexandria, not being able to resist the happy baby. All babies were adorable but Alexandria had an almost elegance about her features, easy to believe given her exceptional genes. Soft, dark blonde ringlets framed her oval face, gentle blue eyes lighting up as she giggled at the new people.
"Oh, you are just so beautiful," Snow sung to her, reaching out a finger for her to grasp as Emma smiled next to her. "She's getting so big, Ella," Snow said, directing it at the new mother this time.
"I know," Ella agreed, sounding the combination of pride and dread that only a mom was capable of. They spent a few more moments practically falling over the small girl before they decided to finally leave.
Locking up the apartment, they made their way downstairs and began a casual stroll down the sidewalk that led to town. They were heading towards the park for a nice spring walk that Ella had invited them on, saying she had something to share.
"So Ella," Snow began, looping her arm with her good friend, "What is this amazing news you have?"
"Thomas and I are getting married," she announced, stopping to beam at the both of them. The mother and daughter immediately congratulated her.
"That's great," Emma breathed out as she hugged the girl she used to think reminded her of herself. "But," she pulled back, "haven't you already covered that?" she asked in a teasing manner as she nodded to Alex. Ella laughed and Emma marveled at how happy the princess was, how her life had truly became a fairytale in both worlds. The odds were against her no matter what but she got her freedom, husband, and beautiful baby girl. If Emma didn't admire the woman so much, she might have been jealous.
"Yes, you're right. But Thomas and I, we want to mark how much we have gone through since before the curse. We're at a point where we know everything, about my past life and the deal I made. And then while in our lives here we still found each other, against all the odds. We just want to vow our love again at this new stage," she explained elegantly as they began walking again. "I mean, he already bought me the ring," she added and they all chuckled, admiring the small ring Thomas had bought when he was still a poor teenager who was only sure of the woman he loved and the baby they shared.
"Well that is wonderful, Ella," Snow concluded. "And I bet this one will be just as magnificent as the first."
"That's what I wanted to speak to you both about actually," Ella told them. They had made it to the small park and found a bench all three could rest on, the stroller parked next to them as Alex played with a doll dressed in a blue gown. Emma and Mary Margaret looked at her expectantly. "You see, we'd like to have a ceremony more fitting for this world this time and for that I would love if you two would be my bridesmaids." Both were shocked for a moment before Snow squealed.
"Of course!" she told her, grabbing her in fierce hug around the shoulders. They parted and Ella looked at Emma hopefully. Shock was clear on her face as her mouth gaped for a moment. No one had ever asked her to be apart of something so meaningful, probably because she never let herself get close to someone until Storybrooke, and it stunned her to even be considered.
"Are you sure?" she asked, looking at her anxiously and Ella's face dropped slightly. "No! I mean, it's a huge honor and I can't believe you would trust me that much," she hurried to explain, "but you've only known me a few months. Are you positive-" Ella cut her off with a wave of her hand that could only be perfected by a true princess.
"Emma, you gave me hope in a time when I didn't know who I was anymore," Ella told her, face serious. "You are the only reason I had the strength to fight for my baby. I would be honored if you accepted." Voice earnest as she kept her eyes on Emma. After a moment of making sure she was positive, eyes flipping between the two princesses in front of her, she nodded, a huge smile breaking across her face.
"Then, of course, I would be happy to." It was Ella's turn to squeal, embracing her. Emma wondered when her world started to involve so much hugging. At that moment, Alex began to start fussing, sick of being stuck in the constricting carrier. Ella picked her up with maternal ease, cradling her in her arms as they discussed wedding plans, telling them that Ruby already knew and was the maid of honor.
"Your Highnesses," a voice greeted the trio and they looked up to see Hook standing in front of them, seemingly heading towards the dock which were a couple blocks away. To Emma's surprise, Ella greeted him first.
"Captain," she nodded with a kind smile, bouncing Ella on her knee.
"Good to see you, Princess Ella," he bowed his head and Emma wondered if this was the gentleman side he liked to talk about.
"You two know each other?" Emma asked in surprise, looking between them.
"Aye, I fought her prince once when I was confiscating his ship," he told her, pride in his voice. Ella smiled as if there was more to the story but kept her mouth shut.
"Jeez, have you committed a crime against everyone in this town?" Emma asked rhetorically, giving him a look of disbelief. He grinned at her, shaking his head slightly.
"He returned my Thomas to me though and has been a loyal ally ever since," Ella finished and Emma raised her eyebrows at the pirate who mimicked her face, challenging her to ask. Ok, so definitely more to the story. She decided to let it go, but only for the moment. Ella spoke up once more. "Speaking of, Captain, Thomas and I plan to renew our vows soon. You of course are invited to attend."
"Much thanks, Your Majesty," he bowed his head again. "I would be happy to give my best wishes on your joyful day." Emma watched him under curious eyes, interested in this politer version of himself. He really knew how to lay on the charm.
"Speaking of," Snow intervened for the first time since the pirate showed up, "Ella, there's a shop just around the corner with most beautiful stationery for the invitations. We can stop by there right now to get some ideas." The two shared a look for a moment before Ella perked up.
"Yes! Yes, of course! That's a wonderful idea," she said hurriedly. The both stood and Ella seemed to remember Alexandria in her arms. "Oh! Emma, would you mind staying here with Alex for a moment. We shouldn't be more than a few minutes," she assured her.
"Yeah, no problem," Emma told her bemusedly, looking up at her with wide eyes as she handed her the baby and walked off before she could properly react. The pair watched their figures shrink the farther they got.
"You royals think you're so discrete," Hook said, still facing where Ella and Snow had disappeared. Emma ignored him.
"So you just let Thomas go?" she asked, speaking the questions that were nagging at her but knew he wouldn't want her to ask in front of her mother and friend. He looked over at her, taking in her sitting position with Alexandria in her lap who was clapping her hands together in wonder. Emma took the moment to notice he didn't have his leather jacket on, only a loose black shirt and matching vest covering his chest. It reminded her of their time on the beanstalk. Pushing those thoughts away, she caught a ghost of smile appeared on his face before he answered her.
"Aye," he relented.
"What'd he bribe you with to get that?" she asked flatly, giving him an unamused stare under her eyelashes.
"Oi!" he exclaimed, looking offended. "How do you know I didn't let him go because of the kindness in my heart?" he asked and Emma rolled her eyes, subconsciously beginning to bounce Alex as she began to squirm.
"Because you seem more like the 'leave no prisoners' type," she replied, smirk appearing on her face.
"Well I didn't off you, did I?" he challenged. Emma gave him an incredulous look.
"That's because I knocked you out," she retorted. "Twice." A frown covered his face and Emma noted how he looked like a petulant child. He was so dramatic all the time but she surprised herself when she had stop a grin from taking over her mouth. "Now tell." Killian sighed heavily, moving to sit next to her on the bench.
"He gave some sob story about a pregnant true love back home, how he had searched the whole kingdom to find her, only having a shoe as any sort of clue," he explained in a bored voice. "I felt bad for the lad, so hopelessly in love. He wasn't directly in my way of vengeance so I let him go." He finished with a shrug, glancing at Emma. Seeing the hint of soft smile about to grace her face, he distracted himself with the baby in her lap. "I suppose you should be thanking me, lass," he said to small girl, lowering his head forward to look into her wide eyes. She babbled something incoherent in response. He smiled down at her, not even the mighty Captain Hook being able to resist the young princess. She reached out a tiny hand and made a grab for his earring but he ducked out of the way just in time. "Going in straight for the kill, hm, love." Emma laughed at the interaction, hugging Alexandria closer to her chest.
"I see Alex and I agree about your ridiculous jewelry," she teased, tickling the girl's stomach, making her giggle as if they were partners in crime.
"Bite your tongue, Swan," he replied, looking appalled.
"Oh please, I think you wear more bling for one outfit than I have in my entire jewelry box," she retorted, smirking at him with a challenging brow. He smiled at her in response, entertained by their easy banter.
"Oh," the both startled as the sound of another voice and saw an older woman had stopped to admire Alexandria. "What a lovely little girl. How old is she?" she asked, looking up at Emma.
"About eight months," she told her with a polite grin, looking down at Alex who groped for her nose.
"Oh, how darling," she cooed before backing away, glancing at them once more. "You all make a charming family," she told them and was walking away before Emma could deny her comment. She was left gaping at the woman's retreating figure as Hook burst out laughing. She looked over at him in horror.
"It's not funny!" she practically screeched, pushing his shoulder with her hand in frustration, always mindful of Alex.
"Oh, what's the matter, love?" he goaded, scooching over slightly to lean into her personal space. "Afraid she might be right?" His voice was only full of teasing but Emma's heart stopped at his words. "You must admit, between your beauty, my irresistible charm, and our impressive combat skills, any children coming from us would be a force to be reckoned with." Choosing to ignore the compliment hiding in there, she focused on the moe conceited part of his sentence.
"Not to mention your modesty," she added, giving him a dull look. He grinned back cheekily, eyes sparkling.
"And your spirit," he added and this started to feel too much like something more. Because she was Emma and because this was Hook she did what she did best and pulled back.
"Keep dreaming," she told him but it didn't come out as harsh as she'd like. It looked as if he were going to reply. She didn't know if she could handle anymore of the dangerous game they were playing, daring themselves to dance around the invisible line they had created, seeing who would slip first. "We should probably get going," she murmured, glancing down at Alex. "I don't know what's taking them so long."
"Aye," he agreed and Emma was sure she imagined the reluctance in his eyes. "Wouldn't want to keep the girl from her mother for too long."
She nodded, standing to place the baby in the stroller. But Alex refused to cooperate, gripping her neck as she began to whine. They spent a few minutes standing there as Emma tried to persuade her without success.
"Everything alright, love?" Hook asked from the bench and she could hear the smile in his voice as she gave up with a sigh.
"It seems I'll be carrying her," she stated, sounding tired just at the thought of holding the young girl and maneuvering the stroller. She heard rustling and turned to see Hook stand up. She watched in confusion as he unlatched his silver hook, stashing it in a pocket hiding in his vest before holding out his arms.
"Hand over the lass," he ordered.
"What?" she asked in shock, holding Alex closer to her chest. "No!"
"Emma," he said slowly, lowering his head to look her in the eyes, much as he had when tending to her cut palm. "Let me help you." He waved his hands towards him in the universal 'give me' gesture before she relented and handed over Alex who had seemed to become heavier and heavier as time passed.
"Thanks," she grumbled begrudgingly and he nodded in response. The walk to the store was without consequence, almost serene if Emma was being generous. She pushed the stroller, thankful for the break her arms were getting as Killian chatted away to Alex about his adventures on the seas and in Neverland. Alexandria obviously didn't understand him but that didn't deter the pirate as he continued talking, unknowingly having Emma's full attention despite her gaze being trained forward. Whenever he was too wrapped up talking to the young girl, she would peek glances, watching one of the more deadlier men she'd ever known cradle Alex as if she were priceless and each time it would make her heart stutter despite herself. He would point out things on their path, maybe a toy in a window or frog hopping across the sidewalk, completely at ease when Alexandria would place a hand on his cheek or spit would soak into the collar of his shirt. Emma had never experienced something quite so domestic, her life with her parents and son being anything but conventional. She wondered if this was what it felt like to be a normal family. Taking a short walk through your small, quaint town with your husband and child while the gentle spring breeze ruffled your hair.
Before she could berate herself on the ridiculousness of that thought (this is Hook she is talking about!), they arrived at the shop, Ella and Snow exiting just as they stopped.
Hook left quickly after that, handing Alexandria to her mother and making a polite farewell. The rest of the walk Snow and Ella talked over color schemes while Emma battled images of babies with more golden of hair and brighter blue eyes.
I literally could not resist. Tell me just how many feels you get from Hook taking care of Alexandria in your reviews!