Thank you all for your comments and kudos. I love this story so much. As is the case many times with my writing, real life seems to seep into it. As some of you know, I work at a nonprofit that provides a safe place for abused youth, runaways, and homeless children. This time of year is hard for them and hard to watch as a bystander. So my work has found a way into this story. It's an AU so I have that liberty, but I couldn't help myself.

The Rabbit Hole very rarely saw so many acts performing, leaving dressing room space at a premium. While Elsa was not exactly taking the stage in full costumes, hair, and makeup, she was in need of a place that would provide her a chance to freshen up after all the hugs and drinks she was sharing with her friends to celebrate Emma's birthday. Most of the other acts were men so they took up the larger storage room and backstage unisex restroom. Liam had offered his office to her, allowing her a bit more privacy.

"I'm sure you're going to be terrific," Emma said, accepting a quick hug that was totally out of character for her. Maybe it was the sweet cocktails that had softened her a bit or the fact that was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and friendship that she had received, but she had been more demonstrative with her friends than she had been in the past. "Sure you don't need anything?"

It was not that the butterflies that she felt taking the stage had disappeared. However, Elsa did not want to rip her friend and manager away from the other celebrants to combat a case of nerves she felt should be over by now. Brushing away the offer with a swipe of her hand, Elsa smiled brightly. "You are the birthday girl. You shouldn't be doing anything more than snuggling up to that fiancé of yours and enjoying the show. If I can't perform in front of all of you, I shouldn't be on stage at all."

Liam and Killian had been having a friendly discussion about Manchester United, the two brothers' accents stronger in their argument. Sliding out of the booth where he had been demonstrating his best reenactment skills with condiment bottles and jars, Liam nuzzled Elsa's thick hair before turning toward Emma. "I got this one," he told her. "Besides, you need to keep reminding that brother of mine that he owes me 10 for guessing his little secret."

Wagging her finger at her soon to be brother-in-law, she laughed. "That's between the two of you. And I'm on to you. I think you want to break me and Killian up so you can move back into the house. Now that's it's been renovated you're thinking it's more appealing than sleeping on the couch."

With Emma pulled into his side, Killian agreed. "Aye, my brother never does anything without an ulterior motive. But don't give him any ideas, love. I am optimistic that this lovely lass may keep him around for a few years at least."

"At least," Elsa echoed, placing her palm against Liam's cheek and turning her toward him so that she might kiss him to distraction. Pulling back away, she patted his cheek. "Now can you boys get along while I go freshen up. I don't want to hear about any brawls out here."

Liam threw his hand up in a mock version of a salute. "On my honor, milady."

She knew that they would be back to teasing each other before she even used the key in her pocket to unlock the office door. That was the way they were, constantly ribbing each other. However, she also knew that the love they shared was deep and real, as was hers with Anna. It made her feel happy and warm that he had someone he cared for as deeply as she did, feeling comforted by the closeness that was likely to last.

One of the only suggestions she had for her sister regarding the growing family was that this baby not be an only child. She couldn't imagine life without her little sister, even when she was annoying her with constant chatter, questions, and theories. Even now, she removed herself from an in-depth discussion about prenatal yoga with Mary Margaret and followed her sister to help her get ready.

"Are you sure you don't want to perform?" Elsa asked, blindly reaching out in search of the light switch. "I would feel much more comfortable."

Anna shook her head. "I don't think it's a good idea. I told Regina no performing until after the baby's here. And I don't want to look like I'm willing to negotiate on that. I perform with you tonight and next thing you know I'm on a 60 city tour until my 37th week. I don't want my water to break on stage and that to end up on YouTube or something."

"Got it," Elsa said, refraining from saying that a simple no thank you would have sufficed. Finally, her hand came into contact with the switch. The overhead light flickered to life with an unflattering glow and revealed the cramped and slightly disorganized space. There on his desk was a photo of him and Killian. Next to it in a double frame was a photo of she and him at Mary Margaret's wedding and a solo shot of her from the summer. Usually there were even more photos flashing by on his computer's screensaver, but the screen was obscured by a giant arrangement of white roses. Elsa gasped at the display, stepping forward to see her own name scrawled on the card.

"Wow!" Anna said, leaning to see around her sister. "Those are beautiful. Liam must have spent a fortune. He does realize today's not your birthday, right? I mean there was the whole mix up on the pregnancy thing. So he does seem to…what's the right word?"

"Transfer," Elsa said, holding the card between two fingers. "Something like that." The quote on the card was from one of her favorite books, a line from Pride and Prejudice. While the scrawl was not familiar, she smiled thinking that only he could have arranged that for her. There were two keys to his office. One was held by him and now in her temporary possession. The other was held by Zelena. She knew that Zelena wouldn't give them to her. "I should thank him. This was so sweet of him."

"You don't have time," Anna said, suddenly being the voice of reason. Sit down. I need to get your hair back to normal. And you need a bit of color on your face. Those stage lights will wash you out. You'll look like a ghost. A beautiful ghost, but still a dead person come back from the grave."

***AAA***

David laughed at Will's victory dance when he won another round of pool against Jefferson, the lanky British man kicking his legs up high and shimmying. Leaning languidly against the bar where his now wife was drinking a bit of seltzer water after two fruity nonalcoholic drinks, he cast a glance her way with the expectation that she would be laughing too. "What's wrong?" he asked, suddenly concerned by her pensive expression. "Are you feeling sick? We can get out of here. It's warm. Maybe we should get you and the baby some fresh air."

She gripped his wrist as he reached for her drink to carry it out for her. "No, I'm fine," she said, offering a hesitant smile as reassurance. "Did Emma and Killian leave yet? I didn't get to say goodbye."

David returned to his seat, twisting to face her. "No, they are over there still enjoying Liam's company. Why don't we join them?" His normally sociable wife seemed distant and almost melancholy with her vacant stare and listless dragging of her finger through some of the spilled salt. "Or we could talk just us?"

"I'm not much of a party guest, am I?" she asked, again feigning a smile. "Sorry about that." She squared off her shoulders and took a long sip from the glass in her right hand. "I'll do better."

A sigh from David said it all, as most everyone had noticed the teacher's quietness over the past couple of days. Even Killian had asked her if everything was alright at least four times that night. "You know that you can tell me anything, right? I know we're married and we're both working some odd schedules lately."

"I know. That's really part of this." She let her left hand floated near her more noticeable bulge, smiling as she always did when she thought of the baby growing there. "I spoke to the administration about my upcoming leave. I know. I know. It's too soon for me to know exactly when. But I like to be prepared."

"Like already picking out the paint and furniture for the baby?" he teased, hoping to bring that smile out more naturally. "That's one of the things I love about you."

"I thought that you love that I'm an optimist."

One of the guitar players from a backup band stepped on stage with the grace of a bull, knocking one of the microphones down in the process. Feedback crackled through the air and most people covered their ears. "Among other things," he said fondly when things quieted. "Your smile, your good heart, your quick wit, your sweet voice when you think nobody can hear you…should I continue?"

"Maybe later. The thing is that Mr. Gold talked to me about my leave. He's not that thrilled about the idea I had for cutting back my hours. And he's…well, he's implementing some changes to keep things up academically. I didn't realize how many changes he meant until he handed over some schedules. It's a big change, David. I won't really have any say so in the curriculum for my classes any more. It's more about teaching to tests and making sure that our kids have ivy league aspirations even at the youngest levels. It's against everything I believe about education, David."

David nodded, knowing how seriously his wife had always taken education, even when they first started dating. She had stood up for her students in every way that she could. "And you don't think he wants to listen to your ideas?"

"Clearly not. He's already talking about hiring tutors so that each student is testing at higher than grade level. He's not talking about education, David. He's talking about indoctrination. He wants to do away with everything that might actually make our students well rounded. Everything except sports. It's just insane. I don't know…I don't know if I can work in a school that does that. I want to help my students. I don't want to hurt them."

"You don't have to work there or anywhere if you don't want to," David offered, hoping that would make her smile. "I mean there are other schools. Or maybe we should look at you concentrating on the baby for a while. But if you want to stay there then we can look at options too. Maybe work with some of the other teachers and lodge a complaint or raise the issue formally. Maybe he doesn't think anyone will mind the change or that they will cheer for it."

She looked down at her left hand, the wedding band not seeming out of place at all. "What if…" She trailed off, cheeks flushing without ever saying what she wanted to say.

"What if what?"

"What if I took the money from my family and opened a school. I mean I can't commit to something as large as Stroybrooke Academy, but maybe just a grade or two to start. We could expand by one level every year." She scrunched her face. "It's silly, right? I'm having a baby. I don't need to take this on. And I can't believe I'm discussing this with you at a bar."

"Well, Graham has been giving you the eye since you're the designated driver for us and all, but I think we're fine. And as for your idea, I think it's pretty great. If you want to start something, I'm all in." Her reaction of crying surprised him, making him think he'd somehow offended her. While he was likely to blame the pregnancy hormones, he knew that she was sensitive and often cried over it. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"

Her lips thinned as she tried to avoid outright bawling. At least she managed to nod furiously.

"Oh come here," he said, pulling her tight. "I love you. But maybe you should find someone else to do the recruiting. The tears might turn off potential coworkers."

***AAA***

Elsa could feel Liam's breath on her neck even before he spoke, his strong arms wrapping around her from behind. "You're going to be brilliant, darling. And if you're not, don't worry. Most of our friends are too drunk to even notice."

"I'm not sure that's encouragement." Her hands closed over where his were around her middle. "But you do know how to make me feel loved."

"Glad to hear it." He saw the drummer for her band give them a nod that the intro notes were about to start, welcoming her on stage. "They're ready for you."

She gave a short nod, breathing in as deeply as she could. "You have to tell me where you found those by the way. They are beautiful."

He looked at her quizzically, but the music's loud crescendo and the lights flashing even in that small venue were too much competition for conversation. She twisted her head to share a quick kiss before she pulled away and took the two steps up onto the stage. He watched her take the three breaths before opening her eyes to audience, a technique Emma had taught her that seemed to work. "That's a good lass," he murmured to himself. Waiting until she had launched into her first song, he ducked back out into the smallish crowd and took his seat next to his brother.

Emma leaned across Killian and grabbed his hand. "She looks great. And she sounds even better."

His pride in her was evident as he moved along with the steady beat of the pop like song. "Aye, brilliant," Killian agreed, giving his brother a slight slug to the shoulder. "I have to wonder why she's with a sod like you."

She sang only four songs, each showing a little more confidence than the last. A ballad and then three more up tempo songs that couldn't exactly be called dance tracks had even those in the audience who had heard them a million times cheering her on. She met the familiar eyes of those she cared about as she performed, including Emma who smiled and gave her a thumbs up when she reached her most powerful note.

The ballad provided more options for making connections. She saw Mary Margaret and David swaying to the music, a private moment between the two of them at the recognition of the lyrics. Anna was holding up her phone and either taking pictures or video. It was probably the latter since she kept shooing Kris away from her as she did.

The applause was still ringing in her ears as she left the stage, her breath short and face flushed from the rush of performing. Liam was waiting for her there, lifting her off the ground and spinning her twice before crashing his mouth against hers. "How's that for positive reinforcement, darling?"

"You're on a roll between the kiss and the flowers. I may have to talk to Emma and Regina about taking you on the road with me." Her arms were still tight around his shoulders and she gazed up at him with the same adoration she had felt from the stage when their eyes had met. However, he was not mirroring the expression back.

"Flowers?"

"Yes," she said, not catching on that he was unaware and therefore not responsible for the lovely gift. "The white roses in your office that were for me. They are beautiful, Liam. And so many! You are spoiling me when it's Emma's birthday!"

He lowered her to the ground slowly, his grip around her waist loosening but not letting her go yet. "Darling, I didn't buy you roses."

She let out a short laugh, perplexed by his reaction. "What do you mean? They are roses. Winter whites if I remember correctly. But they are definitely roses. I love them."

The burgundy sweater he wore was light weight and soft under her fingers, giving him a casual and approachable appearance. While her dress was more subdued than her normal stage outfits, it was a deep purple that draped beautifully over her willowy form. They did not look quite like they matched as they stood in the darkened hallway next to the stage, occasionally knocked or bumped by someone switching out equipment on stage for the next performance.

"Wait, if you didn't…"

"They are in my office?" he questioned, not willing to let his mind go to where it could be a dark explanation. "Show me?"

She grabbed her coat from the chair where she had left it while performing and dug the key out. "I don't understand," she said more to herself as they scooted out of the way of a guy carrying two guitars and an amp. "The office has been locked."

"Show me."

She unlocked the door, not bothering to point to the abundant display of flowers that had filled the room with not only their beauty but the heady scent that threatened to make Liam cough. He was close at her heels, reaching around to lift the card. His lips moved in silent reading of the message that he flipped over and back again before replacing it on the plastic holder. "That's all there was, darling? No other message."

"No," she said, worry crossing her face as she stared frightfully at the roses. "Who would have sent them? I thought…"

"I wish I had thought of it, but it wasn't me. They were sitting here when you and Anna came in, right?"

"Yes, they were just there. How? I mean, I have your key. I don't think that Zelena would…"

He gripped her wrist tightly, pulling her back to the hallway. "Let's go talk to her. Perhaps she can shed some light on this mystery."

***AAA***

"You realize this isn't the way backstage, right?" Emma asked, her jacket dipping off one shoulder since he had barely given her enough time to grab it before whisking her out of the fray of the crowd. "Where are we going?"

"Your birthday isn't the appropriate time to ask questions, love," he had teased, his grip around her hand tight as they ducked outside and headed for his jeep. After Regina had hijacked his plans for Emma to have a quiet evening surrounded by those she loved and who loved her, he had secretly planned something else to help her understand just what she meant to him. The temperature was still a bit brisk, but thankfully was not the plummeting temperatures they had experienced over the past few days.

"I don't like surprises." For a woman known for her investigative skills and ability to track down talent, Emma had not seemed to notice that her stack of gifts had already been confiscated to Mary Margaret's SUV or that her friends had seemed a bit final in their hugs a few minutes before. "It feels a bit too much like people talking about me behind my back."

He stopped short, yanking her toward him and making their bodies crash into one another. "It's a lovely surprise that I hope you will like," he said before lowering his lips to hers for a kiss cut short by the fact they were standing in the parking lot's only lane of traffic.

"It doesn't involve embarrassing hats or wait staff singing to me?"

"Oi! Give me some credit. I'm a bit more original than that." Despite her protest, he lifted her up to the passenger seat in his jeep and ran to the other side, winking at her through the windshield. Her keen observation skills made a return as she noted their overnight bags in his backseat and a red rose with a matching bow on the dash.

"Compromise," he said after cranking the vehicle and fiddling with the dials to make sure the heat would warm them soon. "I had first thought of a private celebration with just us in a secluded cabin, some champagne and a few rose petals scattered about…"

"And then you realized that wasn't a very original plan?" she teased, breathing in the heady scent of the flower she had placed just an inch or two from her nose. "Not that I would complain."

"Of course not, but I wanted you to see that Henry and I are not the only ones who wish to celebrate the day of your birth." He had yet to put the jeep into gear, stealing a moment to pull her cold, free hand over and brush his mouth against her knuckles. The engagement ring on her left hand sparkled back at him as if in approval. "But I have no wish to share you for every moment of the day."

It had been a quiet birthday that after thinking their home was under siege by robbers was just the sort of thing Emma loved. Breakfast in bed had been perfect with her son showing off culinary skills that she didn't know he had. When she admitted honestly that his pancakes were better than even Killian's, he had sheepishly admitted to learning David's secrets for taste and texture during an overnight stay with Mary Margaret a few weeks earlier. Though Killian had acted offended at the idea that he had extra help, Emma had enjoyed the banter between all of them.

Even the party was not too overwhelming. Liam had sectioned off an area just for them and kept things light and friendly. It was Killian who kept Regina at bay, reminding her that Emma was the celebrant and not the worker that night. Whatever he said to her worked, as she sent over a bottle of overpriced champagne so that the birthday toasts could continue. There were plenty of jokes about the two mommy's to be partying in a bar, but both women took it in stride and sipped their fruit juice with tropical umbrellas proudly.

"You aren't telling me where we're going?" Emma asked, her voice sounding on the verge of a pout as he pulled out into the light traffic and took the familiar route home. "No clues?"

"You're the type to shake the gifts at Christmas, aren't you?" he asked back, knowing that she would guess when he pulled the jeep back in at home. The luggage was merely a ploy, as he could have run in to get it. "Love, relax. Enjoy the surprise."

She folded her arms over her chest and let her eyes scan the road ahead. "So we aren't going far," she surmised. "The interstate's in the opposite direction and you don't have much gas. Please don't tell me we're going to the bed and breakfast. It was fun having Granny stop in at the party, but her knowing what we do at night is TMI. And I'm already going to have to face up to Regina Monday knowing we snuck out on her big event."

He chuckled, slowing as the car in front of them turned. "I assure you that where we are headed is quite private and without check out times. And you don't want to know what I think of Regina's plans being ruined because you aren't there to be at her beck and call."

"You're not taking me camping, are you? Because as much as I love you, I don't want to spend all night in long underwear in a tent."

"No tents." The crunch of the gravel was drowned out by the frustrated groan of his fiancé. "And I'm not going to take the bait about long underwear. I assure you that you will be comfortable and warm, even in those moments you find yourself not in my arms."

She mulled that information over a bit as he cut off the jeep and grabbed their bags before helping her down. It was one of the few gentlemanly behaviors she rarely afforded him, as she hated feeling helpless around him. Lips parted to ask him for another hint, she stopped short as her vision caught a glimpse of one of the sailboats in the nearby slip. Its mast and railings were lit with what seemed like hundreds if not thousands of white lights.

"Killian," she half said and half breathed. "Did you?"

"Aye, it's a bit late in the season, but the channels are clear and the tide's high enough for a nice turn about before we dock her for the winter. I know it's not that impressive of a getaway, but I thought it a quiet little adventure for us. So what do you say, love? Sail away with me?" Her hand was resting in the crook of his left arm as he held the duffel he had packed and her rolling bag with his right.

"I'd love to," she answered, keeping her response simple in comparison.

Being at the shore made the breeze a little worse, but Emma felt none of that as he led her on board the vessel that had been barely seaworthy a few months before. Robin and Liam had both helped with repairs, even bringing on specialized help like Marco for some of the wood finishes and custom work. She was far from finished, Killian told her as they stored their bags in the cabin below, but he could honestly describe her as serviceable, safe, and comfortable. Her eyes couldn't help but note the overwhelming presence of the massive bed in the "captain's quarters" that took up nearly two thirds of the room. "Happy birthday, my love," he whispered, letting her take in the view of the improvements.

Reaching for him instinctively, she was soon wrapped in his embrace, lips, tongues, and teeth playing off each other in lazy fashion. More than any of the gifts he and the others had given her that day, the gift of feeling like time was standing still was far and away her favorite. She could almost imagine that they could stay wrapped up in each other forever, never being missed or missing anything. She didn't want to think otherwise yet.

It wasn't the type of kissing that left them breathless, the softness of the moment more like melting than combat. When he pulled away, his eyes bright and shining as he stared at her in a way that said he wanted to study and know her rather than possess, he laughed slightly. "As lovely as this is, my love, I would be remiss if I didn't prepare us to set sail."

"Autopilot's not working?" she teased, hands sliding from his hair and hip to his chest where she rested them ready to push back.

"Aye, but it shouldn't take too long. Rest here if you like. I'll call down to you when we are underway."

She cocked her head to the side, making a thoughtful expression. "And miss the view? No way!"

***AAA***

"Mr. French himself dropped them off about 5 or so," the ginger haired beauty said from her perch. She was seated at a table with Regina and Robin and some man who Liam didn't know. "I put them in your office, but hadn't thought about them. They are lovely."

"Did Mr. French say who sent them?" Elsa asked, her curiosity over the flowers overshadowing the way that the woman was dressed so provocatively and trailing a hand along the deep v of her dress to draw Liam's attention to her cleavage.

"No, I didn't think it was my business to ask. There was a card, wasn't there? I'm sorry if there was a problem, but I really don't see any issue here." She tilted her head and smiled brightly. "I say just enjoy them and thank the sender." Done with the question and conversation, she turned back to the man that must have been her date. With a sparkling laugh, she asked him some inane question and left Elsa and Liam standing awkwardly. It was Regina who said something about their performances to them and then summarily dismissed them.

"We can call the florist in the morning," Liam told her as they made their way back to the other people there for Emma. "I'm sure it's just some clerical error."

"It's strange though. That's a pretty large and expensive arrangement."

"Aye, but not much we can do other than have a chin wag with Graham on the topic. But that seems a bit much for something like an unknown sender of flowers. I would think it is probably just an overzealous fan of some sort." He was continuing to walk as she stood still, stopping only when she caught him by the waist of his jeans. "Elsa?"

"Let's just forget it for right now. I don't want to ruin Emma's party with what could be a clerical error as you put it."

"If that's what you wish, darling, that's fine. But we will get to the bottom of it. I don't like leaving things up in the air." He wrapped his arm over her shoulder. "And you shouldn't worry. Killian snuck Emma out after your last song."

"They are really cute together. I think they are happy."

"Aye, my brother and I both lucked out when the Widow Lucas decided to interfere with our love lives."

***AAA***

The morning sun over the water made for soft colors that would rival any artist's brush, at least that was what Killian told her from the cabin where they were both cuddled up together. Emma had laughed heartily, her hair a tangled mess on the pillow and face clear of the makeup she usually wore. "How would you know? We haven't been above deck since you anchored us," she lifted up to look over his shoulder at the alarm clock. Suddenly the idea of counting backwards to do the math seemed overkill. "Well, anyway for hours. How do you know what it looks like out there?"

His slow smile was of a man with no stress or deadlines at all. "Experience and imagination," he answered, his eyes never leaving her slightly parted lips.

"Do we really have to go back? I kind of get the whole rocking of the ocean being soothing." She gave him her best pout, which he promptly kissed and pulled her bottom lip between his teeth.

"I'm afraid so, love. We have responsibilities and I promised Henry that we'd get a bit of piano practice in this afternoon." While he spoke of their agenda for the day, he made no moves to actually extricate himself from the bed. Even when she pushed him to his back and covered his chest with her upper body, he made no attempt to stop her. The tangled golden waves of hair spilled onto his chest and his hand momentarily lost itself in the mass of it.

"I like it here," she said firmly. "Thank you for a wonderful birthday."

"I didn't do it alone."

"No, and I'll thank Henry and our friends too, but you deserve special thanks. I always hated my birthday. When I was a kid I knew that it meant another year closer to having to fend for myself. I never knew if anyone would acknowledge it. And if they did, it was usually just an afterthought. You know some cheap dollar store gift that was collecting dust. But it was also a reminder that my parents didn't want me. It wasn't just the anniversary of my birth. It was the day they left me…gave me away. I get the idea of adoption. I really do, but when you're a kid it's hard to feel anything but abandoned."

His hand had trailed to her bare back, tracing circles and lines along the skin there. "I hope you know that despite your beginnings, you are loved and cherished now. It's not just me who loves you."

"That's why I feel so selfish about hating birthdays. You all did so much to make me realize that I'm not that little girl any more." She sounded nearly tearful, eyes dropping from the intensity of his own stare. "I am grateful, Killian. And I do love everything you did for me."

"I may not have had the hellish childhood you had, but I do know a bit about feeling abandoned and alone. And I promise it is my goal to make sure you never feel that way again. If it takes the rest of my life, I plan to show you every day just how happy you make me and how you are the answer to every wish and prayer I ever made."

"Every wish and prayer?" she asked, her tone lighter. "That might be an overstatement." She pinched his side, trying to tickle him. While he didn't break into a fit of giggles, he did squirm a little. "This probably isn't the right time, but I have been thinking…"

"Always dangerous," he said after he had settled back against the dark sheets. "And when have we ever been slaves to the clock or a calendar?"

She rolled her eyes and stopped herself from making a comment about his dramatic statements. "So we're getting married…"

"I've heard such rumors. Then there is that ring on your finger. Plus I think there's a wedding planning guide in your loot from the party. No doubt a gift from Mary Margaret."

"You're a dork," she accused, scooting farther up his chest so that her chin was just at his heart. "I was thinking more about after the wedding. And before you chime in with thoughts on the honeymoon, I'm thinking after that too. I know it's not really in our plans, but I was thinking that maybe…God, I shouldn't be thinking this. You probably have your own ideas about things. And we should just enjoy being together and not worrying about adding…" She stopped at that word, letting it hang in the air. It was clear that he thought she was speaking of getting pregnant by the stunned expression washing over his face.

"I wasn't aware you were thinking that way," he said somewhat haltingly. "I am not opposed to the idea. Not by a long shot. But if this is something you want, I could be persuaded. Plus we can spend a bit of time practicing." His fingers trailed down her spine suggestively as she squirmed and pressed her lips together with a disapproving reaction.

"I was not talking about getting pregnant. I'm not…well, I am not sure that is a good idea. I think it is, but you might not. I mean…Ok…I was thinking that maybe we could consider adoption. I know that there are babies out there who will go to good homes. Everyone who considers adoption wants a baby or at least a toddler. I was thinking maybe an older child. I know it's silly, but I was thinking that maybe we could provide a home for a child who wouldn't otherwise have one. You think that's crazy, right?"

His fingers continued their movements on her spine, the pad of each dancing delicately along. He watched as a bit of her hair fell in front of her eyes and she blew it out of the way without lifting a single hand. "You've thought about this?"

"I…I always said I would do this," she admitted, biting at her bottom lip and trying to decide if he was willing to consider this. She knew he would probably agree to anything that made her happy. That was the kind of man he was after all. But this was a big decision and commitment. He had said on a few occasions that he would like to have children with her. And while that had been meant in a conventional sense, she wondered if he would be able to accept a child who was not their own flesh and blood. In a flash she remembered Henry was not his biologically either. Yet he had taken to the duties of fatherhood faster than most. "And I guess I was just thinking that if I do it now that you will…"

"We're a team, Swan," he reminded her, his chin down to his chest as he met her eyes. "And I do think it is a brilliant idea. I don't know much about the process, but I think that we could provide a child a lovely home. So if this is something you wish, I say we take the necessary steps. I would assume it would be easier to be approved once we are married."

She let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "It'll take a while even after that. Some couples have to wait for more than a year before they even finish all the steps in the approval process. The training, psych tests, interviews, etc. are pretty lengthy. I was hoping we could apply to work with a child on a long term placement, hopefully leading to adoption. I don't know that I could do the shorter term ones where the child would be sent away again soon after he or she arrived."

"Aye, that does seem best. You have given this a fair amount of thought and research?"

"Yeah," she admitted shyly. "I really do want to do this. There are so many kids in foster care or group homes who never…who will never have parents or a normal life. They will be shuffled around with their belongings in a bag rather than a suitcase. They'll never know a home. I want to be that for a child."

"You don't have to convince me," Killian said fondly, knowing that this might just open those final walls she held about abandonment. "And our renovations to the house will make it easier. Perhaps Henry would prefer to move upstairs and the child could have that room. Or the other way around. We have the room and I know we can love this child. We'll make sure he or she feels safe, wanted, and loved. That's what matters."

"I knew I loved you for a reason," she said, boldly launching herself fully on top of him. "And this doesn't mean that we can't…I mean in the future…"

"One step at a time, love. You find out the process and let's get this started. The sooner we start and get married, the sooner we'll be bringing the lad or lass home."

I hope that you have a merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, or whatever you choose to celebrate. Whether you are surrounded by loved ones, joined by a few, or alone, I hope that you take time to appreciate the beauty of the season and experience the happiness that can be found.