CHAPTER 26

YARN – (noun) Spun thread used for knitting, weaving, or sewing.

Brown cloak billowing out behind her, Emma hurried along the pathway that led to the docks with a spring in her step and a smile on her face. Pausing a moment, she gazed out across the ocean and her heart leapt as she caught sight of The Swan in the distance cutting swiftly through the rippling waves leaving a trail of white foam in her wake.

It was early evening and Killian was finally back. He had been away negotiating a new trade deal with a more distant realm and had been absent for a little over two long, never ending weeks. Usually she would have gone with him but she'd been feeling under the weather on his planned departure day and had decided to remain at home instead.

Naturally he'd been concerned, had said that he would go the following week but she'd waved away his anxiety assuring him that the tiredness and lethargy was nothing more than a bad cold coming out.

She couldn't help the little laugh that escaped when she recalled what she'd thought. Talk about mistaken.

He'd eventually gone, albeit reluctantly, after her mother had stated that she would look after her and her father had reminded him that securing this trade route was vital to the kingdoms' welfare. Emma could tell he'd still wanted to object but his ingrained sense of duty and her continued insistence had eventually won out, especially considering that there wasn't actually anything obviously wrong with her that he could use as leverage.

"Everyone gets sick at some point, Killian," she'd said with a slight sniffle as she'd pulled him into a hug, "I'll be right as rain by the time you're back."

He'd held onto her a little tighter and a little longer than usual then given her a thorough kiss before boarding The Swan. His gaze had never left her as his newly appointed first mate, Benjamin Dawson, had taken the helm and sailed them away. Feeling oddly emotional, she'd stood on the docks until she could no longer see the ship before taking a slow walk back to the castle.

A week later no cold had appeared but she'd started to have some nausea. That's when she'd first begun to realise that there was another likely cause for her continuing ailment. It really hadn't been a surprise to her; they weren't exactly chaste nor had they ever used any protection.

Having been so caught up with their wedding just over three months previous followed by two lazy weeks of them sailing The Swan to wherever they felt like just talking and laughing and making love, she'd completely missed the fact that she'd not had her usual cycle.

She'd stared at herself in the mirror and had ran a hand over her still flat stomach, feeling the excitement of knowing the love she and Killian shared had created a new life. Calculating the dates in her head and going by her ever increasing symptoms, she'd guessed that it must have happened on their honeymoon. She'd been pleased about that, not only because it had been one of the most perfect times of her life but because it would put paid to anyone who tried to say that their marriage had been for any other reason than that they loved each other.

She'd kept her suspicions to herself, just in case something happened. Killian was due back when she'd be around twelve weeks and if everything was still okay then she'd tell him upon his return.

Her mother was more astute than she'd given her credit for, however. One morning during the second week of the pirate's absence, after she'd barely managed to eat much more than a slice of toast for the third day in a row, Snow had asked her outright.

Despite her cautiousness, Emma had been unable to hold back her happy smile. Snow had been delighted and had fussed over her ever since.

It had been a few days after that they'd received a message via a bird that Killian's trip had been successful and he was returning three days earlier than anticipated. Emma had been thrilled with the news and had spoken with her parents in order to procure a couple of things for when he arrived.

Had she been in Storybrooke, she would've surprised him with the little white stick that proclaimed her condition. Here in the Enchanted Forest, she'd had to be a little more creative.

Now with everything prepared, she reached the docks just as The Swan sailed in and dropped anchor with a resounding splash. The gangplank was swiftly placed and as she headed along the jetty to where the ship was berthed, Killian suddenly appeared at the rails. A huge grin graced his features upon seeing her then he alighted from his ship and met her at the bottom of the wooden plank where he pulled her unceremoniously into his arms and kissed her soundly.

"Gods but I've missed you, Emma," he groaned as he pulled back and stared avidly down at her.

"I've missed you, too," she replied a little breathlessly, "I can't believe you got back so quickly."

"I keep telling you, love, I'm a hell of a captain," he murmured with a cocky grin before capturing her lips again.

She kissed him back, her fingers threading through his hair as she lost herself in the sensations he never failed to evoke.

When they parted again, his gaze roamed intently over her face and his expression turned to one of mild concern.

"How are you feeling now?" he asked, "Are you quite well?"

"I am very well," she assured him before frowning slightly and tilting her head back to look at him properly. Noticing the dark circles under his eyes she added a little accusingly, "Unlike you. Haven't you been sleeping?"

"I wanted to get back here as fast as I could," he admitted ruefully, "Forfeiting a few hours slumber was nothing when I knew I'd be back here with you all the sooner."

She shook her head at him then wrapped an arm about his waist and turned so that they might start walking back to the castle. Killian looked back over his shoulder at Dawson then called out to him that he was in charge. The young man nodded and began to give out orders as the couple headed away.

On their way back Emma explained that she'd arranged for them to have supper alone together after he had spoken to Charming about the deal he'd made.

"I'll be waiting for you," she told him with a sultry smile as they prepared to part ways, "Don't be long."

Killian's eyes darkened at her tone and his own smile was as sinful as hers when he promised huskily, "Oh, I won't be, love. I didn't just sail across two realms like a bloody mad man to be thwarted in my attempts to spend time with my beautiful wife now. I'm happy to give your father a quick rundown of what I have arranged but he can wait until tomorrow for a full account."

With that he gave her a kiss that she felt down to her toes then released her abruptly and spun around to hurry off in the direction of Charming's study.

Emma quickly made her way to their room pleased to see that their food had already been set up by one of the maids. Knowing he was a man of his word and would be there soon, she then changed into a nightgown that she knew he particularly liked. The silky cream material complimented her golden hair and sun kissed skin and felt good against her body as she reclined back on their bed.

Ten minutes later Killian burst through the door and stopped in his tracks as he stared at the vision she made. Heart pounding, all the blood raced to his groin leaving him feeling slightly giddy as his gaze slowly ran down the length of her body and back up again to where she was nonchalantly twirling a lock of her hair with a seductive smile.

He shut the door with a quiet click then slipped off his coat and let it fall to the floor as he began to walk toward the bed, eyes never leaving hers. Tongue running along his bottom lip, his breathing sped up in anticipation as he deftly unbuttoned his leather waistcoat and shrugged out of that also. Without slowing his pace, he tugged his shirt over his head then tossed it aside just as he got to the bed and crawled onto it.

Emma reached for him as he came down on top of her and their lips met with passionate force, the supper completely forgotten as they satisfied their carnal appetites instead.

Killian awoke late the next morning, instinctually reaching out for Emma and letting out a grunt of disappointment when he realised that she wasn't there. Sitting up, he blinked sleepily and yawned widely as he ran a hand through his bed mussed hair ruffling it up even more. Looking around for his wife, his gaze fell upon the remains of the food from the night before and he smiled when he remembered that it had been well into the night before they'd finally gotten around to eating the fine repast.

He yawned again then flung back the covers and swung his legs out of bed stilling suddenly when he saw a note lying on the floor by his feet. 'Follow me,' he read, recognising Emma's bold handwriting and underneath it was the end of a long length of white yarn that disappeared around the bottom of the bed.

Wondering what she was up to, he bent and picked up the note and wool then started to follow the trail. Once he realised that it was heading out of the room, he quickly donned his trousers, boots and shirt then put on his brace and prosthetic hand. Opening the door, he wound the yarn loosely around his fake hand and headed along the corridor until he came to the next room.

Frowning slightly, he saw that the thin white trail turned and went under the door. Reaching out he twisted the handle and pushed it open to reveal a wooden rocking chair in the middle of the empty room with the wool leading up to it.

His frown turned to puzzlement as he went in and approached the chair. When he drew near, he saw that the yarn stopped at a pair of knitted baby bootees that lay on the seat. Arms dropping to his sides in shock, the loosely wound yarn fell from his prosthetic to the ground unnoticed as he drew in a sharp breath. Staring down at the bootees for a moment he swallowed hard against the ball of emotion that knotted in his throat when it hit home what the little woollen shoes meant.

Heart thudding, he reached out then tentatively picked up the tiny items of clothing and looked at them in wonderment.

"I thought this room would make a good nursery," Emma's soft voice unexpectedly came from behind.

He turned immediately, a huge smile instantly lighting up his face when he saw his wife standing in the doorway.

"You are with child?" he more stated than asked in a hushed tone as his gaze darted to her midriff then back to her face. He hardly dared to believe it but was unable to keep the hope from ringing clear in his voice and shining bright in his adoring eyes.

Emma found herself suddenly unable to speak as she stared at his unbelievably happy countenance and merely nodded furiously as she smiled tremulously, blinking back tears of joy.

"Oh, Emma, you've already given me so much and now this..." he breathed in awe, then he was across the room and she was suddenly engulfed in his tight embrace and lifted off her feet as he twirled her around in circles with a delighted laugh, making her head and stomach spin.

"I love you," he told her as he gently put her back on her feet then kissed her tenderly on the lips.

"I love you, too," she whispered when he drew back.

They looked at each other with soft smiles and misty eyes both acutely aware of just how far they'd come since their first adventure on top of the beanstalk. From enemies, although Killian would always deny that they were ever that, to friends and lovers. It had been a long and at times challenging journey but they both knew they wouldn't change any of it for the world because it had brought them to where they were now; on the verge of a new and even more exciting chapter of their lives. And they would face it as they always did...together.

Putting the bootees he still held into his trouser pocket, Killian took hold of her hand and glanced around him in appreciation before eyeing her with a grin.

"Now, love, tell me what plans you and your mother no doubt already have for this room."

Emma chuckled at his perceptiveness then, after placing a soft kiss against his cheek, she proceeded to do just that.

THE END

The story continues in 'No Quarter'.

Interludes for this fic can be found in 'More Glimpses of Love and Affection'.

If anyone has any prompts or letters they'd like me to tackle then fire away either on Tumblr or send me a message on here :)