YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHERE I AM AGAIN: THAT'S RIGHT, THE HOSPITAL! SO I APOLOGIZE IF THIS CHAPTER TAKES A WHILE TO GET UP.
DON'T OWN IT.
By the time Emma found her way back to the castle, Snow was already cooking dinner. James, Henry, and Graham looked up from their Uno game.
"I was about to send out a search party." The king said. "Where'd you go?"
"I have friends." Emma said defensively, already knowing where the conversation was heading.
"Name five." Graham smiled. They all knew they were joking.
"August, Red, Archie… Granny." The blonde held up four fingers. "Mm, something smells good. What's for dinner?"
"Steak with parmesan sauce." Snow answered.
"And for your information, something good came out of my walk." She plopped down next to Henry on the floor. "I got August and Gepetto talking again. Actually, it was a mushy re-reunion."
"Wait, you went to see August?" Graham had to admit he was a little jealous.
"I needed a friend." Emma said evenly. "My parents aren't my friends, you're my husband, and Henry's my son. Who else was I supposed to go to?"
"Uh, your husband." He suggested. "You know, it's what spouses do. If not me, then your parents. That's what they're for, too."
"Well excuse me for not knowing how a family works." Emma huffed. "Is dinner ready yet?"
"Five minutes, Sweetheart."
"You mad at me?" Graham asked as he stroked his wife's slightly bulging stomach.
"Why would I be mad?"
"Cause I'm the one who mentioned the Henry thing." He answered.
"No. Look, it had to be said sooner or later. I'm just glad it was you."
"I'm glad. I've been worried all day cause you've been in such a good mood and then that happened."
"Babe, next time just talk to me. I promise I don't bite."
"I know." He chuckled. His hand came to a rest, his palm cupping the baby bump. They laid in silence for a few minutes.
"What about Giavana?" Emma asked, her voice soft.
"I –what?" He was taken by surprise.
"You know, our daughter. We have to name her." She explained.
"Right. I just, yeah. That's pretty. I wasn't expecting that."
"Well, I guess I'm full of surprises." She rolled on top and straddled him.
"Hayleigh?"
"I miss you." Emma whispered, stroking his bare chest.
"Six more months. Then we can, I promise."
"I'm so excited." She grinned. "Six months and we get to meet her. I can almost picture it, Graham. Our daughter."
"I'm glad you're not terrified anymore." He smiled, playing with one of her curls.
"I feel good. Thinking back to when I was a kid, all I wanted was love. As long as I give her love, that's all she needs. Besides, there are four adults and a fifteen year old. I think we can manage."
"The sad thing is that Henry's probably the most equipped to deal with her." Graham agreed.
"Eh, I don't think so." She rolled off and fell onto her back. "Snow and James probably are. I mean, they put up and deal with my temper tantrums, and I'm their twenty eight year old daughter." It was Graham's turn to roll, this time onto his side to pull her close.
"Goodnight, Ems. Love you."
"Love you too, my koala bear." For a moment, he was confused. Was the woman laying next to him Emma Swan, his wife? Then he realized that her wall was completely down. He fell asleep with a smile on his face.
"She's not pushing people away." Snow said in an excited but hushed voice from her spot by the window in their bedroom. "Can you believe it? Our baby girl is letting her wall down. I never thought this would happen. I mean, I hoped, but some part of me looked at her and thought, 'maybe she won't.' Charming, I'm so happy."
"I know, Snow." James smiled, his tone the same as hers. The brunette sat on the bed next to him. "She's the wonderful human being we created. I feel… light."
"Now I feel like we can seriously talk about having another child."
"Yeah." He said wistfully. "You really think it could happen?"
"As long as Emma's okay with it and it's something we want, I don't see why not." Snow responded after a moment.
"I think… I think I do."
"Now?" She sputtered.
"Dear Gods, no. I don't think we can deal with two newborns. Let Emma and Graham settle with their baby, then we can talk more about it. I really wish they'd start talking about names. I'm used to knowing what ours is named." He winked at her. "I'd say that should be the number one weirdest way to find out the name of your unborn child."
"I already apologized a few times for that." Snow huffed, flipping over onto her other side.
"I'm not looking for an apology, Love." He did the same and held her. "I was just commenting."
"I know." James could picture her smile. "Goodnight, Charming."
A low growling woke Graham up. He'd never been a deep sleeper, and he still hadn't learned to be one from Emma. With a sigh, he sat up and looked toward the sound. Boston was sitting next to the bed.
"Oh, hey boy." He reached down and pet the dog's head. "I see Emma forgot to put you to bed. Well, it's okay. You can just sleep up here with us." As a precaution, Graham moved Emma's baby blanket from the end of the bed and got up. He put it high up on a shelf. "If you eat that, she'll kill you. I'm not kidding." He climbed back into bed, careful not to shake it too much. He smiled as Boston curled up in between them. "Emma loves you. I know she gets frustrated, but it's her way of showing it. Just cooperate with her, okay?"
"Mm, Graham, who're you talking to?" The blonde slurred.
"The baby." He lied to soothe her. He hated to do so, but the little white lie would calm her and lull her back to sleep. "It's okay, Babe."
"Just shut up, I'm tired." Emma mumbled.
"Okay." He draped his arm over her and Boston. Someday, he thought, he'd be doing this very same thing with their child.
AGAIN, SORRY FOR BEING SO LATE. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!