A/N: So here it is, the last chapter. I hope you all think it's okay. I'm not sure how to feel about it- I've lost steam with this story so I'm glad the plan I had to end it coincided with that. If you like my writing, my next multi-chapter AU, In The Key of G, will be out in a few weeks. I've already got 5 chapters written and I'm in love with it. Thank you all for your support with this story, especially since it was a different type of fic than I usually do. I really appreciate it. All the favourites and follows and views were great and kept me writing but the reviews made my day! So, thanks. Let me know what you think of the end of Operation Albatross. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: All aspects of Once Upon A Time belong to ABC and the show's creators, Adam and Eddie!
No matter what Mary Margaret had told him, nothing could have prepared Killian for being woken up by a panicked yell from downstairs a week before the due date. Blood instantly running cold and expecting the worst, like a new villain having appeared in the kitchen or Emma finally killing Grumpy for not leaving her alone for her maternity leave, Killian vaulted out of bed, hook left behind on the bedside table in his haste. He sprinted down the stairs, Rapi on his heels to find Emma in the kitchen, cereal bowl in her hands and staring at the floor.
"What is it?" Killian asked, gasping for breath.
"The baby. I- I thought the pain was just hunger since I haven't had much of an appetite but-"
"What's wrong with Liam?" Killian interrupted, falling to his knees in front of her, only stopping when his knees touched moisture. His mind whirled, trying to place what was going on. And then it clicked. "Emma?"
She nodded, grinning. "It's time."
Killian jumped up, hooting, Rapi giving a surprised bark at the noise. "It's time," he shouted before bending to Emma's stomach. "It's time, Liam!"
Emma gave a laugh before pushing him away. "Go get dressed. I'll grab the bag and call Mom to come get us." They had a plan for labour and Emma seemed much better at remembering it than Killian, whose mind was focused only on the baby coming.
With a nod Killian rushed back up the stairs, pulling on the first pair of jeans and shirt that he could find. Killian grabbed his hook, debating for a moment whether he should put it on. The hook would be useful for driving and the baby books had said they might be in for a long day so his mobility might be important. But on the other hand did he want to be wearing his hook the first time he held the baby?
A cry of pain from Emma made the decision for him, Killian snapping the hook back into place as he hurried to find her in the baby nursery doubled over in pain, the dog running circles around her feet. Killian swatted Rapi away before easing his arm around Emma's shoulders.
"What is it? A contraction?"
Emma nodded, breathing hard, hand clenched around Killian's arm. A few more seconds passed before Emma gave a sigh of relief and stood. "We have to get to the hospital. Now."
"Hospital. Okay. Come on, love." Killian grabbed the baby bag from where Emma had dropped it before once again slinging his arm around his wife. "Did you call your mother?" They started down the stairs, wobbling a bit as Emma's balance was thrown off by her large belly.
"I tried. She's at work already. So is Dad. But don't worry, the contractions should be far enough apart for me to drive." Despite the practice Killian had had with driving he still wasn't confident. Emma knew that and they had agreed that if they left during the early part of the labour they would be able to make it to the hospital around the contractions. Killian had suggested poofing themselves there but that idea had been tossed out quickly because they didn't want Emma to use too much of her energy before the labour.
They were at the bottom of the stairs when Emma cursed and bent again, leaning heavily on Killian. Contractions weren't supposed to be this close this early according to the books Belle had given him.
"Swan, why are they coming so fast?"
"This isn't my first child," Emma answered, panting through the contraction. "It happens faster the second time around and this child may just be in a hurry." Emma stood again, leaning her whole weight on Killian now. "Shit, Killian. I don't think I can drive." There was a slight hysterical note to her voice.
Killian bit his tongue to keep from cursing. He needed to stay calm. For Emma and for Liam. "It's alright, love. I can do it." With a slight grunt Killian pulled Emma into his arms and walked them towards the door. A quick wave of her wrist and the door opened before them. "Hold on, Swan," he whispered, starting down the deck stairs and across the lawn to the car.
Killian set Emma on the passenger seat before hurrying around the front of the car and getting in. Drawing in a deep breath, Killian realized he was going to reverse out of the driveway- something he'd never done before.
Killian started the car, drawing in another slow breath in the time it took for the car to warm up. Killian shifted into reverse, letting out the clutch. Emma groaned, pushing back in her seat at the same time the Bug stalled. Killian cursed, feeling sweat starting to bead on his forehead.
"It was supposed to go to neutral first," Emma told him, patience wearing thin already. "You know what? Drive over the lawn, I'll fix it later."
Killian nodded, knowing better than to question her. Going forward was something he could do. Killian shifted to drive and swung around, accelerating over the lawn and onto the pavement. He kept going up Albatross Lane.
"Shift up gears. We need to go faster." Killian wanted to look over at Emma but he was terrified of taking his eyes off the road. He eased into the clutch like Mary Margaret had taught him, feeling it catch, then shifted up to second. The speedometer inched up to twenty then twenty five.
"Brake!" Emma shouted a minute later, reminding Killian to slow just in time to skid around the corner. Only his years as a captain made his hand agile enough on the wheel, spinning it sharply, the leather sliding under his hook until they'd made it onto Main Street. The engine whirred unhappily at the speed, the brakes grating, but they had once again reached a straight stretch of road.
"If we make it to the hospital, remind me to never let you drive again."
"Gladly," Killian huffed out, knuckles white as he scanned the street for people, hoping he wasn't about to go bowling with the Seven Dwarves. Thankfully people saw the speed, or Killian behind the wheel, and stayed to the sidewalk.
Killian kept driving, zipping along past the police station. As he did a siren blared and Emma looked behind them. Killian was too focused on staying between the lines to do the same.
"It's Dad," Emma told him, hand going down to her belly as another contraction hit.
"Well this is one way to tell him the baby's coming," Killian answered, not slowing down. David kept following them. Emma's phone began to buzz. She grabbed it, still bent over moaning with the contraction and hit speaker phone.
"What in the world are you doing Emma?" David's voice rang out. "As sheriff I'd hope you know the speeding laws."
"Not Emma, mate," Killian called.
"Killian?" There was a long pause. Killian waited, turning onto the street with the hospital. "Liam's coming?"
"I knew you'd get there eventually," Killian replied. Despite the stress he was unable to keep the joy from his voice.
"I do not appreciate your entertainment at my expense," Emma growled.
"Sorry sweetie," David replied. "I'll follow you to the hospital and call Snow to let her know. Do not crash Killian. If you do I will arrest you."
"Will do." The phone clicked off from David's end but he stayed right on their tail.
"Nearly there, love." The hospital was just ahead of them.
"Good."
Killian downshifted, the car jolting with the poor clutch catch, so they could slow down. They entered the parking lot and Killian downshifted once more before throwing the car into neutral and shutting it down near the main door. David pulled in behind them as Killian got out and rushed around to Emma. On the way Killian tossed David the keys to the Bug.
"Park the car would you mate? I've got a son to meet." David rolled his eyes but nodded, giving Emma a kiss on the cheek before getting into the driver's side of Emma's Bug. "We'll see you inside."
Like back at the cottage Killian swept Emma up into his arms and carried her into the hospital, the hospital bag nestled against Emma's baby belly. She laid her head on his chest, the sweat on her forehead dampening his shirt. Killian felt a pang go through him. If he could take the pain from her he would. If he could Killian would protect her, and the little boy she carried, from any hurt in the world. But he couldn't. All he could do was stay beside her and help when he could.
"How are you carrying me like this?" Emma asked, staring up at him as they moved to the front desk. "You better hope this adrenaline continues until they get me a bed."
"I'll carry you forever if you need me to."
A nurse rushed over with a wheelchair. The wheelchair looked uncomfortable to Killian, causing him to debate whether he should just keep Emma in his own arms, but Emma, sensing his thoughts, wiggled out of his arms. Just as they got Emma settled and breathing through another contraction David showed up. The two men followed Emma and the nurse up to the maternity ward.
Emma climbed up onto the hospital bed and the nurse turned to Killian and David. "I'm just going to give Emma a checkup and see how far along she is. Why don't you two just step out for a moment?"
David nodded and turned, leaving the room quickly. Once again Killian hesitated. What if something happened when Emma was out of his sight? What if she needed something that only he could provide?
"Killian, I'll be fine," Emma said in a soft voice, trying to give him a reassuring smile.
"I promise I'll come get you Daddy when we're done," the nurse added. It was strange to hear someone refer to him as Daddy, especially this nurse that he didn't know. But Killian wasn't going to complain.
From behind, a hand grabbed Killian's arm, pulling him out of the room and into the hallway. Killian turned around to see David's understanding smile.
"It's okay, Killian. This is the process."
"But, Emma, she's in pain." Killian glanced back at the door that was now closed. "And who is that nurse anyways? Are we sure she's not a villain?"
David laughed. "That nurse's name is Jane. She is not a villain. Her daughter is in Mary Margaret's class. She's the maternity ward nurse and Emma's in good hands." Once again David took Killian's arm and guided him towards the chairs just down the hall. David sat but Killian couldn't, too much nervous energy coursing through him. "The nerves are natural. This is the final step before you get to hold your little boy."
"I don't know what I'm doing, Dave." Killian scraped his hand through his hair, yanking at it.
"Neither did I."
"But you're Prince Charming!"
There was no comparison. David exemplified everything good from the Enchanted Forest. He was noble and kind and brave and a bloody prince. David knew what he was doing. Had the ability to be a good father. But what about Killian? What did he have to match that?
"And you're Killian Jones." David was staying so calm but Killian wanted to run back to the room and bust in. The distance between him and his wife was starting to irritate Killian. He just wanted to see Emma. "Killian, I don't know how I can make you see this, but you're ready. Or as ready as anyone is to have a baby. You aren't a villain, you're a hero, you're not a pirate, you're a father. You've kept Henry level as he's matured. When you think about it, you've had far more experience as a father than I had when Neal arrived. Emma was an adult and didn't want us to parent for a while." David's words reminded Killian of what Mary Margaret had told him during their driving lesson. "I was terrified when Neal was born, not only because of Zelena but because I'd already been such a failure of a parent. You've never failed Henry. You're not going to fail Liam either."
"What if Liam doesn't like me?"
"Did the dashing and charming pirate just ask that? Don't you always tell us that about yourself?" Killian rolled his eyes at David's teasing.
"I'm being serious."
"Killian, your son will love you. You just have to be the good man I already know you are. You're not your father. You won't leave Liam and you already love him, that much is obvious. That's all Liam will need from you. You'll be okay."
And there it was, David had hit the reason Killian was feeling such a nervous fear crawling up into him. There was no father figure for Killian to follow other than David who he'd seen as an impossible standard. But maybe David wasn't? Maybe Killian could be a good father? Killian would never leave his son except for if he had to die for him. Killian would give that little boy the two realms, the whole sea and his entire heart. Whatever he asked because this son was a blessing he still wasn't sure he deserved.
Eventually Killian gave David a nod. "Thanks."
The nurse appeared in the hallway and waved them up. Killian practically ran to her. "All is well, Daddy. Will only be a couple of hours. Try to help Emma rest and relax for now, until the contractions get too bad. She can have some ice chips if she wants but that's all. I'll be back in a little while to give her an epidural."
Killian rushed into the hospital room, figuring David could talk to the nurse about anything else. It wasn't like his frazzled mind could remember the checklist of things to ask that was in the last baby book he'd borrowed from Belle. Emma was wearing a hospital gown and sitting up in bed, a contraption Killian didn't recognize strapped to her belly.
"How are you, love?"
"I'll be better when they give me the epidural," she pouted, reaching out for Killian. He took her hand, allowing her to pull him up on the bed with her. Emma rested her back against Killian's chest and he wrapped his arm around her.
"How's the pain now?"
"Not great. But it will be worth it."
"Aye, love. It will." Killian pressed a kiss to the crown of her head.
About twenty minutes later Mary Margaret arrived with Henry. She fussed around Emma until David, noticing his daughter's irritation, pulled her away to go get coffee. Granny showed up about ten minutes later. Killian was about to ask her to leave as Emma was still feeling annoyed when he noticed what was in her hands; a baby blanket to match the one that Emma had kept through all her time in the system. Instead of purple ribbon as decoration it was blue, the name Liam embroidered into the knit with care. Emma took the white blanket after thanking Granny who brushed it off with bravado, pretending that she didn't just give Emma the most precious gift she could.
The epidural procedure nearly made Killian faint. Killian had seen a lot in his three hundred years, tortured many people with his own hand but he'd never seen something as frighteningly nasty as that long needle piercing Emma's back. He'd held her hand, only her tight squeezing keeping him grounded. Afterwards, Emma, despite the worsening contractions, was able to relax a bit and got a twenty minute nap.
Before Killian could process it the doctor and nurse were both in the room and it was time for Emma to push. Killian stayed near Emma's sweaty head, wiping her brow and whispering sweet nothings to her about how much he loved her and what a good job she was doing. The doctor guided her feet into stirrups, Killian watching it all with a dawning realization that the books hadn't prepared him for this.
Nowhere in the baby books did it say watch out for flying glass because your wife's out of control magic made the lightbulbs explode. Nowhere did it prepare him for the anguished screams and curses she flung at him. Nowhere did it prepare him for the dizzying adrenaline that filled him to the point where he felt as if he could float away. And certainly nowhere did it prepare him for the sound of Liam's first cry.
"It's a boy," the doctor shouted, holding up a rather small bundle. The nurse whisked the crying baby away, Killian ready to chase after her and steal the baby back. "She'll come back Daddy," the doctor said when he noticed the way Killian's hook was twitching. "She just has to weigh and measure the boy. For now, focus on Mommy." The words broke Killian out of his revere and he bent to Emma while the doctor finished up with Emma behind the sheet they'd had to put up to protect from the flying objects.
"You did brilliant, love," he whispered, voice cracking with emotion but trying to cover it with a kiss to her sweaty cheek. Their baby boy was now in the world.
"I couldn't have done it without you," she replied, head lolling against Killian's arm. "Though sorry I nearly impaled you."
Killian chuckled. "A small price to pay to be a father."
The nurse returned with a still fussing Liam. "Who wants to hold the baby?"
Emma nodded to Killian. "You first, my arms are feeling a little like jelly." Killian knew the feeling now that the adrenaline was fading away. But he'd never say no to holding his boy.
The nurse put the baby into his arms, Killian adjusting it just like Mary Margaret had taught him. Liam quieted immediately when he was against his father's chest, giving a little baby yawn that melted Killian right there. There was no Captain Hook toughness when he held that baby smaller than a loaf of bread. It was all soft Killian Jones, the man who had lived before his brother's death. It was as if Liam being born had returned Killian to the state he'd been in before the older Liam's death. The baby had a tuft of feather like black hair and the blue eyes all babies were born with. Liam had Emma's chin but there was an unmistakable likeness to his father. And even to his uncle with the rounder features.
"Hello, little lad. Welcome to the world." Liam snuggled further into the blanket wrapped around him. "I'm your Daddy and that beautiful woman right there," Killian gestured with his chin to Emma on the bed who was watching them with a soft smile, "is your Mommy. She's the most wonderful person in the world. Along with you of course." Killian bounced up and down a few times, smiling down at Liam. It wasn't until a tear drop hit the blanket that Killian realized he was crying.
A few moments later Killian reluctantly handed the baby to Emma, knowing how important seeing her newborn would be after having to send Henry away immediately. While Emma situated the baby in her arms Killian once again slid in behind her.
"He's so beautiful," Emma whispered, tears filling her eyes as well. "Thank you for giving me this Killian."
Before Killian could respond that she had given him this gift Henry hurried into the room, the calls from the hallway telling Killian that he may have busted into the room without permission. Henry rushed over to the bed. "Hi Mom, Dad," Henry said hurriedly. Killian heart filled as it always did when Henry let that name slip out when talking to him. Henry leaned over the bed to look into the bundle in Emma's arm. "And hello Liam."
Henry sat down next to Emma's legs and Emma immediately handed the baby over so Henry could meet his brother officially. Watching Henry hold Liam was something Killian hadn't expected to hit him as hard as it did. The three people sitting on the bed with him were his family. Despite all the evil things Killian had done in his life he'd been able to fight back and now he had a renovated cottage by the sea, a beautiful wife and two sons- three if one counted the dog. It was more than he could have ever dreamed of asking for. It was everything.