Chapter Six
The moment the trio stepped from the gangplank, they were engulfed in what seemed like half the town as everyone surrounded them. They were all talking over one another, wanting to know what had happened, who had taken Hope and how they had found her.
Henry and Snow pushed their way to the front. "Blue let everyone know where you were and that you had found Hope." Henry explained.
"Is she okay?" Snow asked as she fussed around them.
"Hi Gwandma," Hope smiled shyly, not enjoying the crowd so much.
"Hi honey. I'm so glad you're safe. We've all been so worried about you," she told her before leaning forward to kiss her grandchild's forehead and smooth down her curls. "Are you all right sweetheart?"
"Sore knee," Hope mumbled in reply and lay her head on her daddy's shoulder.
"Hey squirt," Henry grinned, using his favourite nickname for his baby sister. He playfully tugged on her hair.
"Henwy!" Hope grinned. "Look, I got Mr Bunnykins!" she told him excitedly, shoving the toy in his face before holding her arms out towards her big brother whom she idolised. Killian reluctantly let her go to him and she settled happily in her brother's arms.
"So, who had her? What happened? How did you find her?" Snow wanted to know, looking towards the Jolly Roger. "What is David doing?" she wondered, seeing him and August throw a rope over board.
Between them they began to explain to her and the crowd who were listening about Blackbeard and why he had taken their daughter in ransom for the Jolly Roger. They told them how they had finally located her, after a long chase, with Blue's help. And they made sure to thank everyone who had helped search for their little girl in any way.
"But, I don't understand," Henry began, watching his Grandfather and August pull the bedraggled older pirate from the water. "If he wanted your ship so bad, why didn't he just take it? Why go to all these theatrics and scare Hope?"
"Because," Killian smiled proudly towards Emma, wrapping his arm around her, "your mother cast a spell on the Jolly Roger some years ago, so that only myself or someone with my permission if I'm on board can sail her."
"Oh, good thinking Mom," Henry beamed.
"Thanks kid," she smiled and ruffled his hair, ignoring the fact he was no longer a kid and was in fact a 23 year old man now.
"Well, I'm just glad you found her and she's safe. That's all that matters." Snow smiled and tickled Hope. "Shall we go to Granny's to celebrate?" she suggested as the crowds began to thin.
Emma looked towards her husband and then Hope who was chittering with Henry and then shook her head. "No, I don't think so, at least not right now. Hope has been through a lot, we just want to take her home."
Snow nodded. "That's perfectly understandable. You get her home and settled again. I'm sure she's hungry and exhausted."
"As are her parents," she smiled, laying her head against Killian. "Please make sure everyone knows how much we appreciate their help and support. And depending on how Hope is doing, we can celebrate with everyone tomorrow or something," Emma told her.
"That sounds nice, I'll arrange something. And I will be sure to let everyone know. So, we'll see you tomorrow, okay honey?" Snow kissed her granddaughter again. Hope nodded. "You have a good night at home, I'm sure Mommy and Daddy are ready to spoil you rotten!" she shared a giggle with the little girl.
"Blue," Emma smiled, seeing the fairy walking back towards them. "Thank you so much for all your help. I don't know if we'd ever have found her without you."
"You're very welcome. I'm just glad that little Hope is all right," she smiled at the child still in Henry's arms, bouncing her toy bunny on his head.
"I's gotta sore knee," Hope told her. "Chwistina okay?" she asked about the other fairy.
"She will be soon. She's a little tired, but she'll be fine after some rest. I took her back to the convent and left her in the care of the other sisters."
"Glad to hear she's okay. Please thank her too for keeping Hope safe." Emma requested.
"I will," Blue nodded. "I'll let you get this little one home now," she smiled and chucked the little girl under the chin.
The townsfolk had mostly dispersed from the docks, all tired after the long search and heading off to have their own celebrations no doubt. Snow hugged and kissed the three of them farewell again before going to see if David needed any help in escorting the old pirate to the cells.
"Are you ready to go home my little cygnet?" Killian asked Hope.
Hope nodded eagerly and reached out for her daddy again. "I's very hungry!" she whimpered as Killian took her from Henry and bounced her lightly on his hip.
"Well you can have anything you want to eat," Emma promised her. "Do you want to come back with us?" she thought to ask Henry.
"Oh, I'd love to, but I should really get back to the loft and relieve Ella. She's been watching Neal all this time and she'll be desperate to hear what's been going on and that Hope is safe now."
"Okay. Why don't you both come by tomorrow. We can have brunch or something?" she suggested.
"Will do Mom. I'm so glad my little sister is safe again," he added, giving his mother a hug and then kissing Hope goodbye. "See you tomorrow, squirt," he teased.
"You's a squirt!" she teased him back and giggled. Henry ruffled her hair, waved to his Mom and Step-Dad and headed off.
"So, what would you like to eat?" Emma asked Hope as the three of them happily began to make their way home.
"Erm...pizza? And cookies?" she asked, her eyes lighting up.
Emma smiled and nodded. "And...chocolate ice cream?" she suggested, knowing that was another favourite of their daughter's.
Hope grinned and clapped her hands. "Yay!" she squealed as her parents laughed happily, so relieved to hear her happy chatter again.
Killian called for pizza as soon as they got back, ordering Hope's favourite of ham and extra cheese. Whilst Emma took her upstairs to get her out of her dirty and torn clothing and into the bathtub. She carefully washed her minor wounds and once she was dry, dressed them with antiseptic cream and band aids.
Once she was dressed in her favourite, unicorn print fleecy pajamas they returned downstairs to enjoy their feast whilst they watched her requested current favourite movie, 'The Little Mermaid'.
Hope sat, happily snuggled up between her parents on the sofa, enjoying her pizza, shortly followed by special mini ice cream sandwiches that Killian made for her with her favourite cookies.
They were surprised that she was still going later that evening. They had all been through a lot with little to no sleep in the last 24 hours and Emma knew by 7pm that she was ready for bed herself. But Hope didn't want to sleep, instead she requested hot chocolate and subjected her parents to watching 'Frozen' again for possibly the millionth time. But they were just so happy to have her home safely that they gave in to anything she wanted that night.
Eventually she began to snooze on the sofa and they both took her up to bed, unable to take their eyes off her. She woke as they tucked her into her own bed and protested the fact so much that Emma climbed in with her. Hope then happily snuggled up against her Mom and was soon asleep again. Emma ran her fingers gently through Hope's hair, coiling her curls around her fingers as she gazed gratefully at her little girl safe and warm in her arms, knowing this could have all ended in a tragedy.
"She looks so sweet and peaceful," Emma commented, laying against the pillows with Hope sprawled across her chest.
"Aye, she does," Killian replied, perching beside them on the bed.
"We could have lost her, you know," Emma whispered softly. The thought of how close it was terrified her and probably would for a long time.
Killian nodded mutely and then got to his feet, pacing the child's bedroom. "I could kill that bastard for taking her," he seethed. "Why scare a little kid like that? If I find out he did anything else to her..." he faded off, a look of murder clouding his face. "When...when you gave her a bath, did you see...do you think he did anything...to her?" he asked, afraid of her answer.
"No," she pulled on his arm, getting him to sit back down with them. "There was no sign of anything like that, babe," she said, stroking his arm to calm him. "Just the grazes on her knee and elbow and a couple of bruises on her leg, I doubt very much that he...touched her."
He nodded and breathed a sigh of relief as he gazed at his sleeping baby girl. Reaching out he tenderly rubbed her back and tucked the blanket around her more.
"By the way," Emma began, speaking softly so as not to wake her, "I hate that Blackbeard scum just as much. He made me feel like I let her down. We're her parents, we're supposed to protect her and keep her safe. But, we have her home and she's safe and that's the important thing now. That's what we have to focus on."
"Aye. You're right." He let go of his anger, knowing his daughter was the most important factor here. He smiled, just watching them, until an unexpected yawn crept up on him.
It proved contagious as Emma yawned next, laughing softly as she did. "I guess we're all tired."
"Bloody exhausted," Killian grumbled and rubbed his face. He stood then. "Are you all right with her here if I go take a quick shower?" he asked.
Emma nodded. "We're fine. I got her," she assured him and kissed the top of their daughter's head.
Hope slept peacefully for a short while longer as Emma fought her own eyes from closing. But the child's dreams proved to be less than peaceful as she started whimpering and fidgeting in her sleep, until she woke with a scream.
"Hey baby," Emma whispered, cuddling her and stroking her cheek. "It's okay, you're safe at home. Mommy's right here and Daddy is just in the shower," she reassured her.
"Bad dweam," Hope sniffed as she buried her face in her mom's chest.
"I know my sweet little girl. You had a really nasty time," she sympathised as she stroked her blond curls back from her sweaty face.
"Bad man chased me," she said, her voice rather muffled.
Emma kissed the top of her head and sat up with her, feeling bad for her sweet girl and hating what had happened to her. Right now she never intended to let her out of her sight ever again! "Do you want to sleep in bed with Mommy and Daddy tonight?" she asked her then.
Hope nodded and whimpered softly.
"Okay baby." Emma struggled from the bed with her and carried her across the hallway to their room.
Killian was just pulling on a t-shirt with his pajama pants when she opened the door. "Do we have a little visitor?" he asked.
"She had a bad dream and woke herself," Emma explained. "I don't want to leave her on her own, so I said she could sleep with us tonight."
Killian nodded his agreement as he pulled the blankets on their bed down for her. Emma settled her in as he lay down beside her, rolling onto his side. "Would you like me to tell you a story, lass?" he asked.
Hope nodded as she snuggled under the blankets. "'bout mermaids," she requested.
"Okay, mermaids..." he nodded to himself as he thought for a moment, trying to remember a tale suitable to enchant her with.
"I'm going to take a quick shower," Emma whispered and crept away.
Emma emerged from the bathroom just as Killian was wrapping up his story. She smiled at the sight of them as she wandered to the dresser. He was laid on his side, with his hand resting comfortingly on their daughter's back as she lay burrowed in their bed, breathing softly.
"Is she asleep?" she asked, sitting on the bottom of the bed to drop her towel and pull her pajamas on.
"Aye," he sighed. "Missed the end of my fabulous story, she did," he added as though it was an insult.
Emma chuckled, took her towel back to the bathroom, switched off the main light, leaving them with the cosy bedside lamps and crawled into bed with two of her very favourite people in the world.
"Do you think she'll be all right?" Killian asked, gazing down at Hope lying between them.
Emma brushed some hair from their child's face. "I think we'll probably be dealing with nightmares for awhile. And she might be a bit clingy with us for the next few weeks. But, yes, I think eventually she will be okay. We'll just keep reassuring her and giving her loads of love and attention."
"I hate to think of this affecting her in the long term, she doesn't deserve that." He looked up at Emma with watery eyes and it was obvious how much he loved and cared for his little girl.
"I know," she nodded in agreement. "I decided I'm going to take this next week off work. I'm sure my Dad will cover for me given the circumstances. And I'll give her at least a week off from going to nursery. That way we can spend some quality, family time together."
"A grand idea," he smiled at her. "I only have one charter booked for next week, but I'll cancel it."
"Good," Emma smiled. "Because I was thinking it might be nice to take a trip somewhere. Just the three of us."
"That sounds delightful. Where do you propose we go?" he wondered.
Emma shrugged. "I don't know yet, but I'll think of somewhere. Maybe ask Hope where she would like to go?"
"We could take her to that..." he twirled his hand in the air as he tried to recall what it was called, "that Disney place with all those characters she watches," he suggested.
"Disney World?" Emma asked, surprised.
"Aye, that's the one. Since she loves those movies so much. She might like it."
"She might, but it might also be a bit overwhelming for a three year old, and for you. It's such a crowded, busy place. Not to mention it costs a damn fortune," she chuckled softly, not wanting to wake the sleeping child.
Killian smiled and looked down at Hope again. "If she wants to go, the cost is not a concern, nor is my comfort level. I'd do anything for her."
"I know you would," Emma took hold of his hand. "I know you would do anything to protect both of us. And...I'm sorry I snapped at you early this morning, that we fought. It wasn't fair of me to blame you. None of this was your fault."
He shrugged. "It's fine, Swan," he waved it away.
"No, it's not. I shouldn't have said those things. I know they're not true."
Killian inhaled deeply. "We were both exhausted, anxious and worried. It's understandable we got a little snappy and I know you didn't mean it."
"I'm glad," she whispered and laced her fingers through his.
"If anything had happened to her..." he faded off.
"I know," she said softly and looked down at their sleeping child. "It doesn't bear thinking about."
"No," he murmured and shifted slightly in the bed, pulling the duvet up more to cover Hope. "Being a parent is bloody terrifying at times. And I know you always had faith in me, Swan, but I honestly didn't know what kind of father I would make. And yet, becoming a father and having Hope in our lives is one of my greatest joys and one of the best things that's happened to me."
"That's good to know," she smiled.
"I'm not really sure how a man such as meself got so lucky to have not one, but two wonderful blessings in his life. You and our daughter," he said, giving her a smile and reaching out to brush his fingers against her cheek.
Emma smiled slyly. "How about a third blessing?" she asked.
He frowned. "A third?" he asked, confused.
"Killian," she began, taking hold of his hand again and toying with his wedding band as she often liked to do. "I'm pregnant," she told him with soft smile.
"WHAT?" he almost shouted and then grimaced when the noise disturbed Hope. The parents waited with baited breath as she stirred slightly, snuffled and rolled over. Killian gently patted her back in the rhythmic way which had helped to lull her to sleep since she was tiny. As she gave a little snore again, they each breathed a sigh of relief. "You are?" he asked then, whispering again now.
She nodded. "I only found out yesterday. I had a doctors appointment and when she asked if there was any chance I could be pregnant, I realised I was late. She insisted on doing a pregnancy test right there and...it was positive."
Killian had a huge grin on his face. "Why didn't you tell me you were going to see a doctor?" he asked, not in an accusing way, just that he was concerned.
"It was just a routine appointment, women stuff," she shrugged. "I hadn't a clue that I might be pregnant until she did the test."
"We only discussed trying for another baby a few weeks ago," he commented, still unable to wipe the happy, proud grin off his face.
"I know," she smirked. "I guess our bodies remember what to do now," she added with a soft chuckle. "I must have fallen pregnant this time on one of our first tries. I'm sorry I didn't tell you until now, but with everything that happened, it didn't seem like the right time."
He nodded and then he carefully leant over Hope, cupped Emma's cheek in his hand and softly claimed her lips in a loving kiss. "You are an amazing woman, Emma Swan. I love you," he told her, peppering her lips and face in kisses.
Emma giggled and backed away from him slightly. "Okay, okay...I get it. And I love you too," she told him, giving him a single lingering kiss. "I take it that you're happy with the news?" she asked, teasingly.
"I'm bloody delighted, love." His hand went to her flat belly as they shared a tender, loving smile, both of them thinking about the new life they had created between them and the new addition to their family.
It was a sweet, affectionate moment, until Emma broke into a huge yawn all of a sudden. "I'm sorry," she apologised as she slapped her hand over her mouth, looking embarrassed.
Killian smiled and smoothed her hair down. "We need to get some sleep. You especially need your rest," he added as he reached over and switched his bedside lamp off.
Emma groaned and shuffled down in the bed, mindful of their sleeping daughter between them. "You're going to go right into over protective mode again, aren't you?" she asked, feeling for and finding his hand in the dark.
"Well," he muttered, getting comfortable himself, "like I said, I'll do anything for my girls." He squeezed her fingers.
Emma smiled to herself and then yawned again before the parents finally joined their daughter in blissful slumber, safe and sound together in their loving home.