I wish you a very merry Christmas!

Enjoy this chapter, dear readers! (:

There's always going to be bad stuff out there. But here's the amazing thing — light trumps darkness, every time. You stick a candle into the dark, but you can't stick the dark into the light ― Jodi Picoult

Emma Swan was never the type of woman who stood hours looking at her reflection in the mirror, seeing the way her clothes fit, until today.

The first time she was pregnant she never had the chance to see the changes on her body the way she was supposed to. There wasn't any mirror large enough in her cell to allow her to see her whole body change and even if it was she would probably refuse to look at it.

According to Killian's calendar she was fifteen weeks and four days pregnant. She had already started to show and some of her clothes didn't fit her anymore so she decided to follow her mother's advice and try another type of clothes – dresses. Yes, Emma Swan was replacing her jeans for dresses … at least for now.

She was wearing a light blue dress that didn't cover her knees and as much as she hated to admit it her mother was right – she felt comfortable wearing the dress and she looked beautiful. If Think was there she would say that she was actually glowing.

Emma was looking into the mirror when her eyes caught her pillow on the bed. She looked around the room, making sure that she was alone and picked the pillow from the bed. She put it underneath her dress and looked again into the mirror. Her eyes widened. She looked like she was nine months pregnant; it was so surreal.

She couldn't stop looking at her reflection in the mirror. She knew that her belly wasn't that size yet but it would be and she couldn't wait to make that vision real. It was like she was looking at her future – a happy one.

On one of the appointments Killian and she decided that they didn't want to know if the baby was a boy or a girl (actually she was the one who suggested that and Killian immediately agreed). It would be a surprise but now, looking at her reflection she kind of regretted that decision because now she really wanted to know if the baby was a boy or a girl.

She didn't tell anyone, but sometimes in her dreams she sees a little girl running on the beach. The girl is always smiling. Her hair is dark brown like Killian's and her eyes look exactly like Killian's eyes. Other times the dream changes and instead of a girl she sees a little boy looking at her with his big blue eyes. The boy's dark hair is always messed and he always carries with him a toy – a small ship with a pirate flag.

She always wakes up with a smile on her face. She can't quite explain it why but in her dreams the baby always looks like Killian and she loves it. She never sees the boy or the girl with blonde hair and green eyes. She doesn't know why but she loves the idea of their baby looking like Killian. It feels so natural, so right …

She put her hand over her fake belly and smiled as her hand caressed it gently.

Yap. He or she would be just like Killian.

"That was fast" – a voice startled her.

She took her eyes from her stomach and looked at the mirror immediately seeing Killian in the mirror as well. He was leaning against the door frame, smirking.

"I was just …" – Emma tried to say at the same time she pulled the pillow out from under her dress. She didn't even notice that Killian was now standing behind her.

"Put it back, please?" – Killian softly asked, touching Emma's hand gently. She was still holding the pillow.

"Killian …" – Emma tried to protest.

"Emma…" – Killian murmured in her ear in an irresistible way.

Emma put the pillow back under her dress. Killian lifted her right hand and placed it on her belly. His arms came around her and rest on top of hers, lacing their fingers together.

She looked at their hands and then at Killian's reflection. His eyes were fixed on their hands on her stomach.

"I know what we should name him" – Emma said, turning around so she could look at his deep blue eyes.

"Oh, do you?" – Killian said smiling as he raised his eyebrows – "It seems to me that the father should have some say in his so –" – suddenly he stopped talking and looked right into Emma's eyes – "Him? I thought…" – he asked confused before Emma interrupted him.

"No, no, no, no" – Emma quickly said, realizing what Killian was thinking – "I don't know if it's a boy … We agreed that it would be a surprise so …" – she added smiling.

"So …" – Killian said, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.

Emma looked at Killian's eyes. He was waiting for her to continue. She had been thinking about this for quite some time. She couldn't imagine a better name for their son.

"Liam … I think we should call him Liam" – she finally said, feeling her heart racing, fearing his reaction. He stood in silence for a few seconds.

"You want to name our son after my brother?" – Killian said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah ... but if you don't want to –" – Emma tried to say before Killian interrupted her with a kiss. Her body seemed to almost sigh with relief at Killian's reaction. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her even closer. An eternity later, she felt him release her very slowly – "I take that as a yes" – she said smiling.

"Thank you, love" – Killian softly said – "I … It's perfect" – he added and Emma could see his eyes shining.

"It's decided then" – Emma said, caressing his cheek – "I think it's a beautiful name. Just don't tell my dad about it. I'm almost sure that he will try to convince us to name him David" – Emma added – "What?" – she suddenly asked. Killian was uncharacteristically quiet.

"I was just thinking …" – Killian said, scratching behind his ear – "It may not be a boy"

Emma Swan raised her eyebrows.

"Killian Jones … You want it to be a girl" – she said, not even trying to hide the smile on her face.

"I want her or him to be strong and healthy and full of light like you" – Killian said, covering Emma's stomach with his hand.

"And you" – Emma immediately said, putting her hand over his – "I think Liam" – Killian couldn't help but smile – "or she" – she added, seeing Killian's reaction – "is going to look just like you" – she said, remembering her dreams.

"She will definitely look like you, Swan" – Killian said.

"See, you really want a girl!" – Emma stated, smiling.

"I just think we should be prepare for any possibility" – Killian explained.

Emma gave him the liar-detector look.

"Okay, fine but I don't like to call the baby it so from now on I will refer to the baby as a he" – she said.

"It makes sense since you already picked our son's name" – Killian teased her. Emma opened her mouth to protest but Killian was faster – "You know what? I just got a brilliant idea!" – he started to say – "From now on I will refer to the baby as a she, just in case…"

"Uh huh …" – Emma said, biting her lower lip, trying to disguise her smile –"You just can't admit it, can you, babe?"

Before Killian could reply Emma wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

David and Robin were at the sheriff station doing some paperwork when Will came in.

"Is the Sheriff here?" – he immediately asked – "I need to talk to her"

Robin looked at him with a suspicious look. He seemed nervous and that was an unusual look on Will.

"Why?" – Robin asked, approaching Will – "What did you do?"

"You really think that if I had done something I would be here?" – Will said, trying not to roll his eyes.

"Then why are you here, Will?" – Robin asked using his serious voice.

"I already told you! I need to talk with the Sheriff!" – Will said, passing by Robin.

He sat on Robin's chair trying to calm his nerves.

Robin was about to protest when David spoke:

"You can talk with us" – David said, as he walked towards Robin. The men were in front of Robin's desk looking at the thief – "I'm sure Robin and I can help you"

Will looked at David and Robin for a long time, trying to decide if he should tell them the reason why he was there. Both men had their arms crossed over their chests and were waiting for him to talk.

Will took a deep breath and then he spoke:

"I want to be a deputy" – he stated.

David tried not to laugh after hearing Will's words while Robin remained with a serious expression on his face.

"You're joking, right?" – Robin asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Do I look like I'm joking to you?" – Will said, leaning on the desk. David and Robin remained in silence looking at him – "Look, I need a job. A real job" – he added, rising from the chair.

"You do know what being a deputy means, right?" – Robin asked, not waiting for Will's answer – "Courage, commitment, responsibility" – he stated, emphasizing the last word.

"Oh, c'mon mate!" – Will suddenly said, sitting on the desk, making some papers and pens fall on the ground. Robin opened his mouth to protest but Will was so focused on his speech that he didn't even noticed the way Robin was looking at him – "You know I'm a good fighter and an excellent tracker and a people person! This job is perfect for me! Besides, it will allow me to grow as a human being and be a better person" – Will explained – "Just give me a chance to prove that I can do it. I won't fail you"

Robin shook his head.

"How long did you practice this speech?"

"This one just took me ten minutes. The one that I made for the Sheriff took me at least three hours" – Will simply said.

David and Robin shared a look, trying to decide what to do.

"Look, Emma will not be able to be here at full time and I'm pretty sure that neither will Hook" – Will tried to explained – "You will definitely need an extra help so why not me?"

"He's right. Emma will need rest" – David said, analyzing what Will had said – "Besides, she's also working on a way to unlink Killian so she already spends more time at home than here. We could really use an extra hand, especially now that Milah is around"

Robin could think about a million reasons why Will was the worse option for the job but at the same time he could also be a great help for them. He trusted Will and he knew that if Will really decides to take this job serious he could be a great help for them. There was a new villain in town and they needed all the help they could get.

"So, that means that I'm an employed man?" – Will enthusiastically asked after hearing David's words – "And who is this Milah person?" – he added.

"First we need to discuss this with Emma and Killian" – David said, ignoring Will's question about Milah.

"You better be one hundred per cent sure that you want this, Will!" – Robin added – "This job requires commitment and responsibility"

"Yes Robin, I heard you the first time" – Will said, unable to hide the smile from his face. He was an employed man … well, almost.

The whole family was at Regina's house. She had made her special lasagna so she decided to invite the Charmings for dinner. She thought that reuniting the family would be good to relax a little and forget about Milah for a few hours.

"So, did something relevant happen while I was gone?" – Emma asked after eating some of the food on her plate.

Robin froze, fork raised midway between plate and mouth. David drank some of his wine before clearing his throat.

"Actually there's something you need to know" – he said, looking at Emma.

Robin and David had been trying to find the right moment to tell Emma and Killian about Will but the moment never came.

All the people on the table remained in silence waiting for David to continue. They were afraid of his answering. Milah's name started to echo in their minds. After weeks of peace they all feared that she had returned and had started to cause any more trouble.

"It's about Will" – David finally said and almost unconsciously everyone sigh with relief.

"Of course" – Emma said, shaking her head – "What did he do this time?" – she asked, preparing herself for another story involving Will Scarlet.

"He didn't do anything" – David quickly said.

"But you did" – Robin murmured before eating some of his lasagna.

"What? I didn't say yes" – David protested, looking directly at Robin.

"Oh, please, you practically did" – Robin retorted – "Didn't you see his face? In his mind you said yes"

"But I didn't" – David said, raising his fork – "I said that first we needed to discuss it with Emma and Killian" – he tried to explain. Robin's words were now stuck in his mind – "Do you really think that he thinks that I said yes?" – David added.

"Trust me, he's already making plans" – Robin said eating some of his food.

"Guys!" – Emma spoke, trying to end the discussion, making both men look at her – "What is going on?"

"Will wants a job" – David said.

Emma narrowed her eyes, trying to understand David's words.

"At the sheriff's station … with us" – he continued to say – "He wants to be a deputy and according to Robin I may have said yes"

Emma raised her eyebrows in disbelief. Mary Margaret and Henry tried not to laugh.

"I didn't see that coming" – Regina murmured.

"So let me get this straight" – Emma started to say – "You're telling me that the guy that spends more time in the station's cell than in his own bed wants to become a deputy?"

"The guy wants to change, honey" – David said, after hearing his daughter – "Besides, this way we can keep him out of trouble, right?" – he added, trying to sound confident.

Emma rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the annoying optimism of her father and turned her attention to Robin.

"What do you think about this, Robin?" – Emma asked, trying to decide what to do.

"Honestly I don't know" – Robin said – "I've known Will for a very long time and it seemed that he really wanted the job but his lack of responsibility worries me" – he explained – "But David has a point. Perhaps this job it's what he needs to start acting like an adult. He can be a great help. He's a good fighter and a good tracker"

Emma's mind was full of doubts. They really needed an extra help but at same time she didn't know if turning Will into a deputy would be a blessing or a curse. The guy was always getting into trouble and now he wanted to be a deputy? She shook her head. Her gut was telling her that maybe she should give Will a chance but at the same time she had to be rational. She was the Sheriff. There was no room for mistakes. The protection of the town was her responsibility. She was more than the Sheriff, she was also the Savior.

She looked at Killian who had been in silence during the whole discussion. He seemed calm.

"What about you?" – she softly asked, touching his hand gently – "What do you think?"

"You're the Sheriff, love" – Killian said, caressing her hand with his thumb.

"Yeah but we are a team …" – Emma insisted, making Killian smile.

He remained in silence for a few seconds drawing circles on her hand with his thumb.

"If a former pirate can be a deputy so can he, don't you think?" – he smoothly said – "We should give him a chance, love"

"We could use the extra protection" – David insisted.

"Okay, fine" – Emma agreed –"Robin, please call Will and ask him to be at the sheriff's station tomorrow morning so I can talk to him about the job" – she said.

Robin nodded and rose from his seat so he could search for his phone and call Will. He was already anticipating an enthusiastic reaction from the thief.

Killian looked at the other side of the table and saw Roland and Henry. He remembered the time he had to babysit Roland and Neal and suddenly an idea invaded his mind. Roland looked at him like he had heard his thoughts.

Killian leaned his head so he could murmur something into Emma's ear.

"Swan, don't forget to ask Will if he knows how to swim" – he said.

Roland was about to open his mouth when Killian held a finger to his lips. The boy smiled and copied him. Emma noticed the exchange of looks between Killian and Roland and realized the double meaning of her boyfriend's words.

The next morning

When Will entered in the sheriff's station Emma was the only one in there. She was sitting at her desk. Will noticed that she was reading a book. He also noticed that she was chewing a pen and had some papers scattered on her desk. It seemed that she was doing some research.

He tried to close the door without making any sound but before he could take another step forward Emma spoke:

"You're early" – she said, closing the book and rising from her chair.

Will took a deep breath and approached her, trying to look calm.

"Good morning Sheriff" – Will said with his typical accent – "I must say that that dress looks good on you, boss" – he added.

Emma rolled her eyes.

You're lucky Killian isn't here – she said to herself, remembering the time Killian got jealous of his past self and his typical jokes about the flying monkey.

She was wearing a yellow floral dress – another gift from her mother. The dress was simple and comfortable.

"So, Will, David and Robin told me that you want to work here with us" – she said, facing Will – "I'd like to know why" – she crossed her arms over her chest. Will opened his mouth to speak but Emma interrupted him – "And I'd like to know the truth and not a three hours speech" – she added, remembering Robin's words about the speech Will had prepared for her.

The thief looked nervous. Emma turned on her liar detector and waited for Will's answer.

After a few seconds of silence he spoke:

"I want this job because I want to be taken serious" – Will said and Emma immediately knew that he was telling the truth – "I want to do something useful. I want to help people just like you and the rest of your family do" – he explained – "I know that this probably sounds strange to you –"

"Not really" – Emma said before Will started to babble – "You want people to see you different. You want to change things and become a better person" – she continued to say – "My family is the kind that believes that everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves so if you really want to be part of this team the job is yours"

As soon as Emma said those words Will let himself fall on the nearest chair.

"Bloody hell" – he murmured still trying to process Emma's words – "I did it … I got the job … I'm an employed man"

"Well, not exactly" – Emma said, trying not to laugh as Will continued to talk to himself like he had won the lottery – "There's still a thing that you need to do before you can be part of the team"

"A thing?" – Will asked confused – "Like a test?"

"You can call it that" – Emma said as she grabbed her jacket and her car's keys – "C'mon everybody is waiting for us"

Will followed her. Emma opened the car's door but before she could enter Will spoke again:

"I know what this is. You want to see what I'm willing to do to get the job, right? A ritual to be part of the team, I like it!" – Will enthusiastically said – "Just so you know if you guys are planning to make me run naked I have no problem with it"

"Yeah, that won't be happening, ever" – Emma said, getting in the car, trying to erase Will's words from her mind. She couldn't wait to get to the docks.

"Did you really had to bring the camera with you?" – Robin said as he helped Regina getting aboard.

They were at the docks waiting for Will and Emma. Killian, David and Roland were already on the boat, checking the plank.

They didn't know who the owner of the boat was. According to Killian, no one ever used the boat except him and the boys. It was probably just an old and abandoned boat created by Regina's curse.

"Of course!" – Regina said taking him a quick photo, making Robin blink his eyes because of the flash – "Did you really think I would let this opportunity pass?"

Before Robin could answer Regina approached Roland and took him a photo as he put the pirate flag on the mast with Killian's help.

"I still think he's spending too much time with you, pirate" – she said after she took the picture.

"If I didn't know you any better I'd say you're jealous" – Killian teased her as he put Roland on the ground. Regina was about to protest when David spoke:

"They're here" – he said, seeing Emma and Will making their way to the boat.

Will looked confused as Emma told him to get aboard but then he saw the wood sword on Roland's hand and the plank.

Bloody hell – he said to himself, realizing why the boy had asked him if he knew how to swim a few days ago.

Emma approached Killian. He immediately wrapped his good arm around her as she leaned her head to his shoulder.

"Can't I just run naked through the woods?" – Will suddenly asked, throwing his arms to the air – "I'm not a fan of water"

"Oh, please, not again" – Emma mumbled as she hid her face on Killian's shoulder. She had to listen Will talking about the naked run during their ride till the docks and she had to fight every impulse in her body to not shove him out of the car.

"Again?!" – Killian immediately asked, turning his head so he could look at Emma.

"Relax, Killian, I didn't see him naked" – Emma said before he could punch Will in the face.

"Let's just do this" – David said, pointing at the plank – "There's a lot of paperwork to do at the station"

Before Will could react Roland was behind him pushing him to the plank. He reluctantly walked forward but then he looked at the water and stopped.

"Keep moving, Will!" – Roland shouted behind him, rising his fake sword in his direction.

Will remained frozen.

"C'mon, Will, it's just a small jump" – Robin insisted – "It's perfectly safe"

The boat was still docked. They weren't even in the high sea. It was impossible for anyone to drown there, Will's head probably wouldn't even get wet.

"It doesn't look safe to me, mate" – Will retorted.

"Jump, Will!" – Roland said, making the plank tremble – "You said you knew how to swim!"

"And I know how to swim!" – Will shouted back – "I just don't like water, I told you that, little devil!" – he added

"If you don't jump my mom will turn you into a fish!" – the boy said, trying to make Will jump.

The sound of something falling to the ground caught Robin, David, Killian and Emma's attention. They immediately noticed Regina's camera on the boat floor.

Roland kept threatening Will as the thief continued to refuse to jump.

Time and space stopped for Regina. She looked like she was frozen.

Mom. She kept hearing that word in her mind.

Roland had just called her mom. She was sure that she had forgotten how to breathe after hearing Roland's words. He had always called her Regina but now, now he had called her mom. She could hear her own heart beating inside her chest.

She loved that boy like she loved Henry; like he was her son.

Roland never called her mom, he knew that she wasn't his mother and she was okay with it but after hearing him calling her mom she felt like he really saw her not just as a friend or his father's girlfriend; he saw her like a mom.

"It feels good doesn't it?" – a voice interrupted her thoughts. She took her eyes from Roland and saw Killian beside her.

Killian knew exactly what Regina was feeling. He would never forget the first time Henry called him dad; he would never forget how he felt after hearing that word.

Robin wrapped her arms around her and kissed her cheek and she released the air she didn't know was trapped in her lungs.

The sound of something falling to the water and a giggle caught their attention.

"Did you take a picture, mom?" – Roland enthusiastically asked, running towards them.

Regina's heart skipped a bit at Roland's words again.

"Sorry sweetie, I let the camera fall" – Regina finally said.

"That's okay, I think Will is still on the water" – Roland said, picking the camera from the floor and giving it to Regina

"Well, let's take him a picture then!" – Regina said, drawing a smile on Roland's face.

Robin watched as Regina and Roland ran till the bow of the boat

"Maybe we can ask Will to jump again" – he heard Roland saying and smiled, thinking how perfect his family was.

Belle was at the library organizing some books when she heard the sound of the front door opening. She looked between the shelves and saw a woman entering in the library.

The woman looked around the room like she was searching for someone. She didn't seem familiar. In fact, Belle was almost sure that she had never seen the woman before.

The woman kept looking around the room and that was when Belle realized that the woman hadn't seen her. She was so focused on the woman that she didn't even realize that she was behind the shelves, making impossible for anyone to see her.

The woman was about to leave when Belle stepped out of the books.

"I'm sorry, I was just organizing some books" – she said, making the woman turn her body to her – "Do you need my help with anything? – she asked, putting the books she was carrying on the counter – "If you're looking for a book I can help you find it"

"I thought there was no one at the library" – the woman said as she made her way to the counter.

"Next time just call for me" – Belle said extending her hand to her – "I'm Belle and I'm always here, well almost, sometimes I'm at the shop" – she added, holding the woman's hand.

"Shop?" – the woman asked confused.

"Gold's shop … it's my husband's shop" – Belle explained.

"Oh, so you're Mrs. Gold" – the woman shyly said.

"You can just call me Belle" – Belle said smiling – "I'm sorry to ask but you don't look familiar … are you new in town or …"

"Zelena's curse brought me to this town" – the woman stated – "I have a small house in the forest and I usually spend my time there, that's probably why you never saw me around" – she explained – "But today I decided that it was about time to check the library of this town and see if there was any book for me to read"

"What kind of book do you want to read?" – Belle immediately asked. She always gets excited when someone shows interest in books.

"I don't know … I was hoping you could help me" – the woman said as Belle approached one of the shelves.

"What about The old man and the sea?" – Belle said, reaching for the book.

"Did you read it?" – the woman asked with curiosity.

"Just four times" – Belle said smiling – "I think you will like it" – she added as she gave her the book.

"Alright, then I'll read it" – she said as she looked at the cover of the book – "Thank you for your help, Belle"

"You're welcome" – Belle said as the woman made her way to the door – "Can you just tell me your name so I can register it in the system?" – she added before the woman reached the door.

The woman remained in silence for a few seconds before turning her body to Belle.

"Caroline. My name is Caroline" – Milah lied.

Once she was out of the library she translocated herself to her ship. She threw the book against one of the captain's quarter's wall and looked at the hand that had touched Belle's skin. She wanted to kill her but she knew that it wasn't the right time, not yet.

She had spied Belle for a few weeks. She had taken a great risk today when she decided to visit the library but she needed to get close to Belle if she wanted her plan to work. She would have to learn her routine and only then she could strike.

Her death wasn't going to be in an empty library, it was going to be in the open; in the main street so everyone could see Rumpelstiltskin's wife die in pain and covered with blood.

"I just have to wait for the right moment" – and Milah was a very patient woman.

You better prepare your heart for the next chapters, no more fluff!