Mysterious Fathoms Below

by jdmusiclover

AU. Sequel to A Wish Your Heart Makes and Getting to I Do. Emma and Killian have finally gotten married, but their honeymoon is quickly interrupted by a new threat to the Enchanted Forest-a threat that it will take everyone on land and under sea to defeat. Can Regina find Robin Hood and Roland before it's too late? Will Killian survive a battle with an old foe out for revenge?

30. Epilogue

Epilogue

Storybrooke, present day

"Wow, you guys actually got to go to King Triton's kingdom?" Henry asked. "What was it like?"

"Wet," Roland answered simply.

Regina shared an amused look with her new husband and then they both laughed.

"Four burgers and fries coming up," Ruby said, placing platters of food before each of them.

"Wow," Roland said, unconsciously mimicking Henry. He picked up a French fry and examined it carefully. "What are these?"

Henry chuckled and turned to the boy. "Oh yeah, kid. I forgot you've never been here before. Let me show you how to enjoy a hamburger and French fries. And just wait till you try soft drinks!"

Regina smiled indulgently at her two boys and then chuckled when she saw the dubious way her man was eyeing his burger.

"You pick it up," she said, demonstrating, "and then you take a bite."

Robin did as she instructed and a pleased grin wreathed his face. "Your realm has many strange and perplexing things, my love, but it certainly can be commended on its food."

"Our realm," Regina corrected.

"Aye," he agreed with an indulgent smile, "our realm."

The love and utter adoration in his eyes was overwhelming, and Regina leaned over and kissed him.

"Ugh!" Henry said in disgust. "Not you guys too! It's bad enough already with my mom and Killian!"

"Papa and 'Gina do that all the time," Roland said with a grimace.

"Well, my lads," Robin said, draping an arm around Regina's shoulders, "I'm afraid it's something you must get used to. My Regina and I have six months to make up for."

The two boys shared a disgusted look. "Great!" Henry said folding his arms and rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, great!" Roland echoed, mirroring his step-brother's posture and expression. Regina smiled, feeling happiness bubble up within her. It seemed Roland already had a major case of hero worship on Henry, and Henry would love being a big brother. That is, once he knew he was a big brother. As yet she and Robin had told no one but Roland about their clandestine wedding. Regina was waiting for just the right moment to announce their big news.

Regina looked around. The diner was positively packed. Within minutes, it seemed, the whole town knew about their return to Storybrooke—thanks in large part to Storybrooke's own personal town crier.

"Wonderful news, everyone!" Leroy had hollered as he ran down Main Street. "They're back! Snow, Charming, Emma, Killian, Gold, Belle, Regina, Robin and Roland are back!"

The townsfolk had been so excited that they'd planned an impromptu welcome home party on the spot. Granny had invited everyone to her diner and was in such a festive mood, she offered free food and soft drinks.

Throughout the evening, a steady stream of people had made their way past the Hood/Mills booth and the Charming/Jones booth and the Gold/Cassidy booth expressing their delight at the travelers' safe return and asking for the particulars of what had happened. Regina felt like she'd told their story fifty times already.

It was really quite amazing how everything had turned out. Blackbeard—Edward Teach, actually, the man had chosen to go back to his given name—had made a full confession of his crimes with such eloquence and heartfelt sincerity that Snow and Charming had pardoned him on the spot. In fact, they'd gone a step farther than that. They'd offered him a position as captain of the Enchanted Forest royal navy as soon as he'd sufficiently healed from his wounds.

Of course, given the fact that the Enchanted Forest didn't yet even have a navy and Edward would have to build the organization from the ground up insured the man had his work cut out for him.

"So, since you were in the navy, Killian, are you going to give him some pointers?" Henry asked looking toward the booth behind him. "Hey, where is Killian?"

"No idea, kid," Emma said, popping a fry in her mouth. He went off about half an hour ago with Marco and some of the dwarfs. Said he has some sort of surprise for me."

Henry shrugged and went back to his dinner. The steady stream of Storybrooke well-wishers continued.

"So, Regina," Archie said, stopping by her booth. "You look happier than I've seen you in a good half a year."

"Regina smiled and laced her fingers with her husband's. "Yeah," she said with a tender smile in Robin's direction. "I am. I really am."

"I'm glad," Archie said, placing a hand on her shoulder, then he looked over at Robin and Roland. "And as for you two, I know Storybrooke can be an overwhelming place when you're not used to it. My door is always open if you need to talk."

Grumpy was their next visitor. He stood in between Regina's booth and Emma and the Charmings'. "So, guys, I have a question."

"What's that, Leroy?" Charming asked lounging back in his seat, his arm casually draped around his very-pregnant wife.

"With all of you here, who's running the Enchanted Forest?"

"When we got back," Snow said, "Philip and Aurora were in the castle. They'd come to check on our land."

"Yeah," Charming agreed, "but they'd been gone from their own land for far longer than was good for them, so we made some different provisions before we all came back here."

"Yeah?" Leroy asked. "What are those?"

"We appointed Little John and his men as stewards and caretakers in our absence," Charming answered. "They'll deal with the day to day business and keep peace within the realm."

"And we really can go back whenever we want?" Ruby asked, setting a mug of hot chocolate with cinnamon before Emma.

"Yeah," Emma said. "All we need to do is get in touch with Ariel, and she'll…"

Emma was interrupted by the return of her husband. He stepped before her and sketched a flamboyant bow.

"I've come to steal you away, Swan," he said with a devilish grin.

"Steal me away?" Emma asked with a grin. "What on earth are you talking about?"

"Just this, Mrs. Jones. We've been married for ten weeks and we've yet to have a proper honeymoon."

"Yeah, well, it's kind of hard to fit a honeymoon in around nasty villains and realm jumping."

"Aye," Killian said, "but as peace has been restored and we've been promised a way to cross realms whenever we choose, I must insist we take advantage of the opportunity before anything else untoward happens."

Emma shook her head in amusement. "But Killian, we just got back. How can you steal me away again already?"

He sent her an irreverent grin. "I, love, am a pirate," he said. "Thievery is my specialty."

"Oh go on, Emma," Regina said with a grin. "If there's one thing I've learned about that stubborn pirate of yours, it's that he'll get his way in the end."

"But…" Emma protested, "there's probably a ton of work piled up at the sheriff's station. I can't just leave my dad with all of that!"

Charming took Emma's hand. "Go on, honey," he said. "I can take care of whatever's going on at the sheriff's station. It'll be kind of nice to get back into the swing of things."

"Besides," Snow reasoned. "You don't take advantage now, you probably won't be able to get away for quite a while. There're only two weeks before this baby comes, and I'm sure I'll need all the help I can get."

Snow gave Killian a sharp look. "You are planning to return before the baby comes, aren't you?"

Killian bowed again and placed a kiss on his mother-in-law's hand. "We wouldn't miss the young prince's birth for the world."

"But…" Emma protested once more, but Regina heard the resolve in her voice crumbling.

"Oh, come on mom!" Henry said. "I'll keep Gram and Gramps company while you're away."

Emma looked around at all of them for another moment and then smiled, putting her hand in the one Killian held out to her. "Okay," she said. "I could definitely go for a week or so relaxing…alone…with my husband."

"Oh, we shall be alone, love," Killian said in a low growl, leaning down to capture her lips. "I've taken precautions to be sure no one knows where we're going. In the event any other ne'er-do-wells appear threatening Storybrooke or any of the realms, our friends and relatives must simply do without the savior. For the next week, you are my savior and my savior alone."

Regina smiled as she watched the Jones's walk hand in hand from the diner. With her heart so full of happiness, she could bask in that of those around her as well.

"Better finish up, folks," Granny said from her perch behind the bar. "Almost closing time."

Regina looked over at Roland who was yawning and blinking slowly. "Yes," she said, "and this little guy needs to get to bed."

Granny walked over to Robin. "You're welcome to one of my rooms if you want," she said. "I know you don't have any Storybrooke currency, but go ahead and take a room, and then pay me back whenever you can."

"Thank you for your generosity, my lady," Robin said with a twinkle in his eye, "but I'm afraid I must decline. Roland and I already have a place to live."

"Where?" Granny asked.

"The mayor's mansion, of course," Regina said with a grin.

There was silence in the diner. Finally Snow White spoke up. "You're…you're going to be living with Regina?" she asked carefully.

"But of course," Robin said, lacing his fingers with Regina's and smiling tenderly. "Where else would a husband live than with his wife?"

"Husband? Wife?" Snow asked. "Are you married?"

Regina nodded. "We kind of eloped late this afternoon."

The diner exploded with excitement and congratulations. Snow got to her feet with difficulty, waddled over and hugged Regina. "I'm so excited for you! I knew you two would end up together!"

"Absolutely," Tinkerbelle said smugly. "Fairy dust doesn't lie. Just think how much time you could have saved if you'd listened to me in the first place!"

Regina rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "I'll be sure to listen to you next time, fairy."

"Yes!" Henry said, pumping a fist in the air. "This is awesome. I have both Captain Hook and Robin Hood for step fathers!"

"Indeed, lad," Robin said with a grin. "Quite a notorious family you find yourself part of."

"Wait!" Roland said, forgetting his sleepiness in his excitement. "If Papa is your step-father, that means you're my brother!"

"Yeah," Henry said, ruffling the little boy's hair. "How will you like having the truest believer for a brother?"

"I'll love it!" Roland said, eyes shining.

"You two need to head out," Snow said with excitement. "It's your wedding night, after all. Henry and Roland can stay with us."

"I don't know," Regina said uncertainly. "It's Roland's first night in a new land, I hate to leave him."

"Don't worry, mom," Henry said with a grin. "Roland will be fine with us. He knows Gram and Gramps, and I've got lots to show him. Roland, how would you like to learn about video games and TV?"

"Yeah!" Roland said. Regina grinned. There was no way her little lad had any idea what Henry was talking about, but it was clear that in his eyes his step-brother hung the moon and stars. "Can I stay with Henry, Papa? Please?"

"If it's alright with the prince and princess."

"Of course it's alright," Charming said, coming to drape his arm around his wife.

"Well, then," Regina said, "Robin, it looks like our wedding night awaits."

The look he gave her sent heat coursing from her head clear to her toes.

"Shall I escort you home then?" he asked in a low, intimate tone.

"Absolutely," she said with a grin. "I only have one concern."

"What's that my darling?"

"What on earth are we going to do with ourselves in that big house all alone?"

His grin was positively sinful. "I'm an endlessly resourceful man, my love. I've no doubt I can think of plenty of activities to keep us occupied for the next several hours."

Regina blushed at the intensity in his eyes. Oh yes, she thought she would enjoy his resourcefulness.

"Yeah, go ahead, you guys," Henry said. As Regina walked arm in arm out the door with her husband, she overheard Henry saying something to Snow about something called "Operation Lion Heart," which, from what little she heard, sounded like a surprise wedding reception her son was starting to plan for her.

Regina thought she should pinch herself. How could so much joy be hers? Surely she was dreaming.

As soon as she and Robin stepped from the diner into the waiting darkness, he took her into his arms and showered her with kisses so full of passion, they would likely enflame the whole street pretty soon.

On second thought, she best avoid the pinching. If this was a dream, Regina never wanted to awaken.

….

Emma glanced quizzically at Killian as they walked to the gangplank. "Your big surprise was the Jolly Roger?" she asked. "I know this may come as a bit of a shock, but I was aware you own a ship."

He chuckled and leaned down to peck her on the lips. "It's not the Jolly herself that is my surprise, love. It's the fact that I've commissioned her to sail us on our honeymoon."

"So, where precisely is she taking us?"

Killian shrugged. "Wherever she chooses," he said. "My lovely lady is a marvel. She's capable of setting her own course and sailing herself. The destination is not the point anyway, darling. It is the time alone upon her that I eagerly anticipate."

Emma shot him a dubious glance. "Look, Killian," she said carefully, "I like your 'lovely lady' as much as the next person, but…well, I assume you want us to spend large amounts of time in your cabin…"

"Oh, most assuredly!" he said with a wicked grin.

"…and I've been on that bed of yours. That thing's barely big enough for one person, let alone two."

"Ah," he said with a grin. "That, darling, is the other part of my surprise. Come, let me show you the improvements I've made to the captain's quarters."

She let him take her hand and followed him below deck. She looked around and gasped. There, where his tiny bed once stood was the largest, most luxurious looking bed she'd ever seen. The headboard was intricately carved with a swan and an excellent replica of the Jolly Roger. It was positively breathtaking.

"I'll take it from the fact that your mouth is hanging open that you approve, love," he said with a smirk and a quick kiss to the nape of her neck. "As you said, I plan to spend long hours with you within this bed, so I wished it to comfortably accommodate us."

"When did you even have time to get this? How?" Emma asked, making an effort to close her gaping mouth."

"Just before the wedding, I commissioned Marco to make the bed for us," Killian said. "I knew that we would eventually wish to sail the realms together, and I wanted to be able to take you in comfort. And then tonight, Marco and the dwarfs helped me to move it in."

Emma turned and threw her arms around his neck. "How did I manage to get such a thoughtful husband who goes to such trouble to make sure I'm comfortable?"

He kissed her deeply. "It's the least I can do for the most bloody amazing woman in any of the realms."

She took his hand and started to lead him to their newest piece of furniture. "So sailor, how about it? Should we try that thing out, make sure it works?"

He grinned at her but held back. "Oh assuredly, soon enough darling, but not quite yet."

"Really?" she asked in surprise.

"Aye, 'really'," he answered tugging her back toward the stairs. "My favorite part of any voyage is the setting sail. I like to stand at the rail, let the salty sea breeze ruffle my hair, and watch as the shoreline slowly disappears from view. Would you…would you share the view with me?"

"Of course," she said.

They walked hand in hand toward the deck, and settled against the railing. Killian took her into his arms, and clasped together they watched as Storybrooke disappeared from view.

"I can see why you enjoy the sea so much," Emma said softly. "There is something peaceful and…I don't know…calming about standing on deck and feeling the gentle rocking of the waves."

"Aye," he said simply, playing with the ends of her hair. "It's been in my blood for as long as I can remember."

They fell into a peaceful silence, and Emma's mind flitted over the past two and a half months and all they had been through—both the beautiful moments and the tragically painful ones. She sighed deeply.

Killian pushed away from her enough to see her face in the bright moonlight. "Is aught the matter, love?"

"Not…really," she said carefully. "I'm happy to be back, glad we defeated Ursula and everything worked out, but I miss the baby. Despite how sick she made me, I loved her. I loved having her inside of me."

"Her?" Killian asked settling Emma back within his arms and rubbing her back in a soothing way.

"Yeah," Emma said with a shrug. "I know it was too soon to know yet, but I just have this…feeling that our baby was a little girl."

"I would have liked to have a daughter," Killian said, and Emma could hear the wistfulness in his voice.

"Yeah," Emma said, "me too."

"Maybe someday, love."

"Yeah." They fell into silence for another long moment. Emma enjoyed the rocking motion of the ship, her husband's gentle caresses, the love that radiated between them. "The worst part is this emptiness. This knowledge that I never got to know her; never even got to see her. What would she have been like?"

"I'd imagine she'd be just as fiery, just as breathtakingly beautiful, just as stubborn, just as much of a marvel as her mother."

Emma smiled and kissed Killian's chest. "Either that or she'd be as thoughtful and loving as her father."

"She'd be the best of both of us, lass," Killian said softly.

"Yeah."

"You know Emma," Killian said reflectively. "I've come to the conclusion that we never truly lose the ones we love. I'd like to think our little lass is waiting for us; that she'll be there to greet us when it's our own time to pass on."

"I like that thought," Emma said. "It makes everything a little easier to deal with."

"Aye," he agreed. "My mother lost a child in between Liam and me. She and my father named the little one. I think it comforted them. We could do the same."

"Hope," Emma said quickly. "I'd like to call her Hope."

"A beautiful name for a beautiful little life."

"So, I was thinking," Emma continued as the lights of Storybrooke became increasingly more and more faint. "Killian, I want to try again, give Hope a few little brothers or sisters. Maybe not right away; maybe after we get settled into our new house and life in Storybrooke, but I definitely want to try again. Would you be alright with that?"

He hugged her tightly. "Alright? Lass, I'd like nothing better."

"Good."

The last light from shore was swallowed by the darkness. Killian stepped from the railing and gave her the grin that was mischief incarnate. "Now darling, you made me a promise you know."

"Yeah?" she asked, arms crossed, smile on her face, "When was that?"

"Aye," he said, nodding in mock seriousness. "Just before our nuptials. You promised me that if I were to wear a tuxedo for the ceremony, you would see to it that I had no need to wear anything on our honeymoon."

"Oh yeah," she said. Her pulse began to race in a way that only he could elicit. "Well, I'm a woman of my word. How about we head below deck and get you a little more…comfortable?"

He began to grin in the way that sent shivers of anticipation throughout her body. "That, darling, is the best idea you've had all day."

The end!

Notes:

-And they all lived happily ever afterwards…at least until the next big, bad, power-hungry evil villain showed up in Storybrooke to attempt to destroy their lives. :-)

-With that, my AU trilogy of "A Wish Your Heart Makes", "Getting to I Do" and "Mysterious Fathoms Below" comes to an end.

-I originally planned to have Blackbeard get some sort of punishment for his crimes, but then I had originally planned on having him be much more ruthless and evil (for example; my original plan was for him to deliberately beat Emma with the express purpose of forcing Killian to watch him kill their unborn baby—kind of an eye for an eye sort of situation). It turns out that simply wasn't who my Blackbeard turned out to be. Besides that, pretty much no one (even Rumple who has been shown to be extremely ruthless) has been made to do any kind of jail time or anything like that to pay for their crimes, so why should Blackbeard?

-I wanted Killian and Emma to get a little closure with the baby situation, so that's what spawned their conversation on the deck of the Jolly Roger.

-I ended this story with Snow still pregnant mainly because I didn't want to try to come up with a name for the baby! Obviously with Neal still being alive in this version of events, having them name the baby Neal would just be weird. Actually, I thought it was weird even in the actual show with Neal dead. I get that they were trying to honor Neal for giving his life so they all had a chance to defeat Zelena, but….I mean, they named their son after their daughter's ex-lover. To me, that's just kind of… awkward.

-Incidentally, if you read "A Wish Your Heart Makes," you might remember that both Killian and Emma had dreams at one point or another about their children in the future. It wasn't absolutely clear in that story, but those dreams were prophetic. In my story world, Emma gets pregnant again about four months or so after "Mysterious Fathoms Below" ends. They end up having a little girl that they name Rose after Emma's foster mother. About three years later, they have a little boy that they name Liam for obvious reasons. They may have more children later, but that's as far as my imagination has taken them. Also, one other little detail: Sir Galahad (Emma's foster dad, known as Greg Smith in the Land Without Magic) comes back to our realm and seeks out his wife and son. His son, Tommy, has his own life and family in Boston, but his wife, Rose, accompanies him back to Camelot. If you want to know the fates of anyone else just ask! I may not have worked it out yet, but I'll come up with something for you.

-And that's the end of my fanfiction literary output for a while. These stories kind of take over my life, and I really need to focus on some things in real life for a while. I may have a one or two shot here or there throughout the beginning of season 4, but I probably won't write another long story until at least the winter hiatus.

-Finally, I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who's followed, favorited and/or reviewed this story! Your support really means a lot to me and motivates me!