A/N: Okay, this is it, and it is a LONG one. I contemplated a sadder ending, but decided to go out of my comfort zone and go for fluffy. If people are interested, I can do an alternate ending. Thank you all for sticking with this. I have another story in the works, so stay tuned! Love the reviews…they're like hugs!

December 2017…

Emma glanced at the stick in her hand with shock. She and Killian had decided that, as it was still peaceful in Storybrooke, if they were going to try to start adding to their family, they wanted to do it soon. They had started trying as soon as the wedding had ended. They weren't necessarily young anymore, and realized that they were ready. But, after a few months with no results, they had grown the slightest bit concerned that it may not be possible for them. Emma and Killian had both been through quite a bit of physical trauma in their pasts, and with Killian's age and times in Neverland, the Enchanted Forest, etc, they didn't know what ramifications that would have.

And then it happened. A week ago Emma woke up feeling not quite herself. She reached out towards Killian, and realized he was not beside her. She had gotten up, and left the first floor bedroom, when she was confronted by the smell of bacon. Killian had cooked breakfast. At first, her stomach growled with the thought of the crispy bacon, and as quickly as she craved it, she was repulsed by it. She sprinted into the bathroom just in time, slamming the door behind her. A few moments later, she heard a knock on the door and Killian's voice had called out to her. She had forced him to stay away, convinced she had caught a stomach bug that had been going around.

But the sickness hadn't gone away. Finally, today, Emma had bit the bullet. While Killian was at the station catching up on some paperwork so Emma could have a day off, she had snuck down to the pharmacy and bought three different types of pregnancy tests. She knew the news would go around quickly but she had pleaded to have her being there kept a secret.

And the answer was now in front of her, and she felt herself become excited and terrified, all at the same time. Yes, she was ecstatic that the one thing that would make their little family even more complete was finally going to happen, but, she also realized that this time would be different. When she was expecting Henry, she was in the worst of places, both physically, and in her life. This time, she had no excuse if she screwed up. She was surrounded by family, a man who loves her, and had a whole town, who, while they loved her, would be waiting to see how she was with her baby.

She let out a shaky breath and picked up her phone, dialing Killian at the station.

"Hello?" Killian's husky voice answered. She took another deep breath.

"Hey, Killian," she said quickly. The phone remained silent for a few seconds before Killian broke the tension.

"Emma, love? Is something wrong? Are you hurt?" Emma shook her head at herself. She was being nervous for no reason. They had wanted this very thing to happen for so long.

"No, I'm…fine. Look, I was wondering if you wanted to come home for lunch today? I'll make your favorite." She could hear him laughing on the other end.

"Swan, you don't have to bribe me with cooking. I'll be home around noon. I'll see if David can transport me so I don't have to walk." Killian was met with more silence. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah," Emma said quickly, unconvincingly. "I'll see you soon."

Two hours later, Killian came through the door of their cottage, cane in one hand and a tray of hot chocolates in another.

"Swan! I'm home!" He shouted in greeting. "I brought some hot chocolate." He received no reply. "Emma?" Still nothing. He walked into the kitchen, and saw the makings of sandwiches and soup out, but nothing put together. He next moved through the dining room, still calling out her name. She did not appear. He walked back through the kitchen and checked his (their) bedroom, and it was exactly as they had left it that morning. Once back in the living room, he noticed a tray of sandwiches and two bowls of soup sitting on the coffee table, hidden originally from view by the sofa. He set the hot chocolates down next to the food, and called her name again. He glanced up the staircase to the second floor and bit his lip slightly. He had yet to master the stairs all the way.

It was another goal he was working towards. He could now walk the entire length of walkway from their house to the water, he could even travel to town if the weather was decent. The winter proved to be harder on his leg, and he found the brutally cold and damp days to be almost unbearable. It was those rare days that he would pull out the crutches, and once or twice, the wheelchair. It was those occasions when Emma wouldn't let him out of her sight. She would normally invite the family over for dinner, under the pretense of "catching up". But he knew better. On his not-so-good days, Emma liked having Henry or David (or both if possible) at the house to help her. He still hated showing weakness, but, in a way, the love he felt from being cared for by his family was overwhelming. He was lucky.

He looked up the stairs, and set his jaw, ready to give it a try. She had acted so weird on the phone and he needed to make sure she was okay. He took a deep breath and took a step. Very slowly he took it one stair at a time, calling Emma's name softly up the stairs. As he neared the halfway mark, breathing heavily, he heard sounds coming from down the upstairs hallway. He leaned against the arm rail for a moment, catching his breath, and then willed himself to keep going.

At the top of the steps, he fell upon a bench in the hall. He rubbed his leg tiredly, trying to stem the pain radiating through it. He smiled slightly as he looked down into the first floor foyer. He had made it. He had no idea how he was going to get back down, but he made it up. He shakily stood back up, hearing more sounds coming from the end of the hall. He continued in that direction, pausing once to zip up the sweater he had on. It was freezing up here. Downstairs was kept really warm, especially in the winter months, as his tolerance to the cold had been greatly impacted by the stroke. It made sense then to have the upstairs cooler. Henry preferred it cold, and Emma hardly slept upstairs anyway.

The door to his side revealed a green bedroom, messy and cluttered, and Killian immediately knew it was Henry's. He walked by a bathroom as well. It was just as messy, and knew that there had to be another for Emma. He saw a light on in the room at the end of the hall and made his way toward it. The door was partially closed, but he pushed it open the rest of the way, and lost himself for a moment in looking at Emma's room.

It was a pity really. The room was beautiful, and Emma never got to use it. He knew that she probably did sometimes when he was at the station, or took Henry sailing for the weekend, but they had become quite content with their much smaller bedroom downstairs. He looked around and saw the nautical motif running through the room. The bedspread with the anchors, the old paintings on the wall. The furniture that looked as though it was handed down from Mary Margaret and David. It was a large room, and he noticed the curtains pulled over what he assumed were windows. He walked shakily to them and opened them, mouth opening as he saw the view of the ocean from the windows. He noticed that there was a glass door, and, even though it was covered with snow, he could tell that a decking of some sort was there.

He heard more sounds coming from a closed door on the opposite side of the room. Was Emma sick again? He slowly made his way to the door and rapped on it softly.

"Emma? Love, are you in there?" he called out to her.

Emma, who had been trying so hard to make a decent lunch and prepare what she was going to say to Killian when he got home, had become overcome with sickness again. She had rushed to the upstairs bathroom, so as not to take up Killian's in case he got home before she was finished and needed to use it. She hadn't remembered being this sick with Henry. She was just about to rinse her mouth out, finally feeling better, when she heard a soft knock at the door, and a voice calling her name.

But surely Killian couldn't have made it up the stairs, could he have? She knew that he had been trying, but he had never made it more than halfway, and especially not in the cold weather. She opened the door to find a very worried, very pale, and very shaky Killian on the other side.

"Are you okay, Love? You gave me quite the scare," Killian said quietly, his eyes trained on her. Emma tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"I'm-I'm fine," she stuttered out. She looked just as closely at him, still not believing that he had tackled the stairs. "Come," she said, taking his arm and leading him to the edge of her seldom-used bed. He sat down with a sigh, and Emma sat down beside him, rubbing his leg in what she hoped was a comforting way.

"So, care to tell me how you made it up here?" Emma asked, a smile upon her face.

"I came home and couldn't find you. Only explanation was that you were up here. I decided to give it a go, see if I could do it," Killian explained. Emma laced her hand through his.

"I'm proud of you, you know?" Emma commented, looking at their hands. "Do I tell you that enough?"

"Aye, love, you do." He looked at her face. "Now, may I ask a question?" Emma nodded, knowing what was coming, and knowing that her intention was not to tell him in this way. She had had it all planned out. But she knew after his trek upstairs, it would be a while before he was rested up enough to go back down.

"Are you still ill? Should I be taking you to Dr. Whale?" His features were etched with concern and a small degree of fear. Emma gave a small smile and ran a hand through her tangled hair.

"This wasn't how I imagined telling you this." She took a deep breath as Killian's face fell even more. "Yes, I am still ill, and will be ill for a while. And, I will need to start seeing Dr. Whale soon." She knew she was being mean, but she wanted to have a little fun in telling him.

"Swan, whatever it is, we'll get through it, together. Please, just tell me." Emma stood up and walked towards the old trunk on the other side of the room.

"I was going to wait until Christmas, but I can't wait that long. Close your eyes." When she was sure Killian's eyes were closed, she reached into the trunk and pulled out the delicate glass unicorn mobile, careful to not make any noise. She had originally wanted David to hang it in the office, but something had told her to set it aside. She crossed back over to Killian, laying it gently in his hands, and taking her seat next to him once again.

"Okay, open them," she instructed. His eyes opened and a look of confusion crossed his face.

"Emma, what is this?"

"It's my unicorn mobile," she stated. He rolled his eyes.

"I know that, I've seen the story. But, what does it mean in regards to you?" Emma couldn't stop her mouth splitting into a wide grin. Her husband really could be daft.

"Killian, what is the purpose of a mobile? Where do you normally put one?" she prompted. Killian knew she was toying with him.

"You put it over a bloody crib. Swan, what is going on?" he was getting agitated. He knew part of his frustration was from his trek upstairs, but he seriously didn't know what she was getting at. Emma likewise was getting annoyed that he wasn't getting it.

"I'm pregnant, Killian!" she nearly shouted in response to his cluelessness. As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted the way in which she said them. She looked quickly at her husband, scared of his reaction. A look of confusion crossed his face for a brief moment as he processed. Then, a small half-smirk began to emerge.

"You're, you're w-with child?" he asked, his w's slurring slightly as they still did with exhaustion. She laced her hand tightly through his after moving the mobile off his lap and placing it on the bed.

"Yes. Are you happy?" she asked, the unsure question leaving her lips. Fact was, Killian was overjoyed. He was convinced that he was the problem in their inability to conceive before now. His years in Neverland, the constant trauma he always appeared to be affected by. The adrenalin at being told this news surged through him powerfully. He stood up quickly, tugging Emma with him. With his excitement, he was able to pick her up and spin her around once before unsteadily setting her back down.

"I'm thrilled, Emma!" Her features relaxed visibly.

"Yeah?" He leaned in and captured her lips with his before sinking back down onto the bed, the rush of the news leaving him now.

"It's w-wonderful news, Swan. How long?" She sat down beside him.

"Not sure. Next step is to make an appointment with Dr. Whale. But I wanted to tell you first. Merry Christmas," she said, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"I'm going to be a father," he said, wonder in his voice. He kissed the top of her head and looked down at her. "Merry Christmas, Loves."

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April 2017…

"You ready?" Dr. Whale asked the two parents, the ultrasound machine whirring to life. Emma grasped Killian's hand, smiling up at him.

"We're ready," Emma said, as she let go of her husband's hand long enough to lift her sweater up part way. She wasn't particularly huge yet, but she was definitely starting to show. It had seemed to happen overnight to Emma. Two weeks ago, the one morning she could wear her favorite loose-jeans (albeit a little snugly), and the next morning, it was a complete no-go.

"Any changes or concerns?" Dr. Whale asked.

"Do overprotective in-laws count?" Killian half-joked, half-groaned. Emma slapped his arm playfully. Dr. Whale smiled.

"They're not that bad," Emma amended, but rolling her eyes. "They missed out on the process with Henry, so they feel the need to make up for it now." Dr. Whale nodded.

"Well, let's see what's going on with the little one today." He took the gel, layering it as gently as he could on Emma, as she jerked a little at its coldness. He gave her an apologetic look as he proceeded to move the transducer probe across her stomach. Killian and Emma both knew when Dr. Whale had centered on their baby. The heartbeat was strong and steady, the picture of the baby looking more like an actual human being than the last time they had had an ultrasound done.

"Well, there it is," Dr. Whale pointed out to the monitor. "Everything sounds and looks good. Heartbeat is steady." Emma looked at Killian, a grin on her face, and he nodded to her.

"Dr. Whale, is it possible to determine the sex of the baby?" she asked. Dr. Whale moved the probe around to try to get a better angle.

"Usually, at 20 weeks, it is, but this little one is not quite cooperating. If I had to wager a guess, right now, I would say it's a little girl. But the baby is a little contorted, and hiding, see?"

"A girl," Killian breathed almost silently. Emma looked up at him once more, and saw the largest half-smile yet on his face, his eyes brimmed with tears. She squeezed his hand tightly, her own face splitting into a grin.

"Now, again, I don't know for sure, it's just a guess," Dr. Whale insisted.

They left the hospital that day with a new bounce in their steps. Emma's arm looped through Killian's left as they walked to Granny's, cane in hand, but steps pretty strong in the spring air. Life was good.

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June 2017…

Emma woke up with a start, gasping in pain, looking around in the darkness of their upstairs bedroom. She propped herself up on her elbows, moving to lean against the headboard of their bed. She was used to the odd aches and pains now, and always remained awake for a few minutes after feeling something new, just to be sure. The room was shadowed in darkness, Killian sleeping deeply beside her. She rubbed her much larger abdomen absent-mindedly as she gazed around. The moon was shining brightly through the windows and she could make out distinct shapes of the items in their room.

They had moved upstairs two months before, a week or two after their ultrasound. Killian could make the climb up and down the stairs fairly easily, and they wanted to be able to sleep on the same floor as their baby would in a few months. She noted the bassinet that had been placed in the corner, the unicorn mobile hung above it for the time being. Mary Margaret had insisted that they should keep the baby in their room until it could sleep through the night and not wake Henry. Killian's walking cane rested by the door. He was practicing walking without it, short distances, mainly at night when getting prepared for bed. She was still so proud of the progress he had made the past couple years, especially when they had originally been told that he would never be able to walk again. But, that was her pirate. He could do whatever he wanted if he focused enough and worked hard enough. She listened to his easy, steady breathing, and looked at his face. Sleep softened the harshness many years of pain and hard times had etched into his features. She marveled at how much she loved the little touches, little signs that he was aging. The slick silver peeking through in a small handful of spots, the small crinkles near his eyes. She felt her eyes slowly drift closed again and allowed them to, utterly and blissfully happy.

Moments later, a pain ripped through her that she had never felt before. She cried out as her hand grasped at her abdomen, tears coming forth. Then, she felt something else, something familiar, and something very unwelcome-her water breaking. She was about to shake Killian awake, fear gripping her heart, when she felt the intense pain stab her again. It wasn't as strong as the initial one, and it felt more familiar than the first one had. Emma shook her head, tears still in her eyes. It was too soon. She was only just seven months along. She pulled the blankets back and turned the light on. Her pale face drained of the only color she had left. Where she expected to see wet sheets from her water breaking, was actually blood. She doubled over again.

"Killian!" she called out weakly, reaching for him. She finally grasped his shoulder. And shook it. "Killian!" Finally, his eyes opened lazily, still overcome with sleep. All it took though was one look at the sheets next to him, and his wife with panic in her eyes to shock him awake.

"Emma, what's wrong? What's happening?" Killian asked quickly, urgently.

"We have to get to the hospital-" Emma was cut off by another contraction. "Something's not right. It's too early. And these-" another one, "are coming too closely together." Killian jumped into action, trying to be as brave as possible for his wife who he could see was crumbling.

"Call Dr. Whale," he prompted. "I'm calling your father to get us. You know how the ambulances are here."

They both made their phone calls, both also trying to hear what was happening on each other's conversations. Killian could hear Emma's panicking voice, and nothing Dr. Whale appeared to tell her was comforting as he saw her lose more and more control of her emotions. She hung up the phone and began, between contractions, to pack a small bag. She could hear Killian in the bathroom, on the phone with David. She was holding her own until she heard his voice breaking, and the sheer desperation in his tone. The tears came fast, and she realized she was struggling to breathe between her sobs. Killian came out and threw on a shirt over his pajama bottoms. He saw his wife leaning against the bed, gasping for breath. He rushed over and pulled her to him tightly.

"Your father is on his way, he'll only be a few minutes. He was on duty tonight, so he has the cruiser. He's going to call your mother and have her get Neal together, and then pick up Henry from Regina's."

"Killian?" Emma whispered, nuzzling her face into his neck quickly.

"Yes?" he answered hoarsely.

"I'm scared." He fought to keep his own tears at bay as he held his shaking wife. He was interrupted as another contraction hit her, and she gripped his arm tightly as she struggled to breathe through it. When it was over, she bent down gingerly again to throw things into a bag. Killian reached over to help her.

"Emma, why don't I-" but Emma shook her head.

"Killian. The door is locked downstairs. I need to get this bag together quickly. If you start heading down now, you can unlock it before Dad gets here."

"But you-"

"I'll be okay. He'll be here any minute. Just send him upstairs when he gets here, okay?" Killian nodded and headed toward the door, grabbing his cane and making his way to the stairs.

She could hear him taking each stair as quickly, but also as cautiously as he could. She slumped onto the bed during another contraction. She knew she was bleeding, so she disappeared into the bathroom and changed her clothes. She could hear a car coming up the drive and she breathed a sigh of relief. Hearing her parents' voices in her head telling her to have hope, she returned to the bedroom and grabbed her bag and cell phone, and began to head to the stairs.

Killian had just managed to pull open the door as David came running up the sidewalk. He was just as pale as Emma and Killian were, slightly out of breath.

"Where is she?" David wasted no time in asking.

"Upstairs." It was all Killian could get out before David began to jog up the stairs.

"Head to the car!" David called out to Killian before he disappeared from sight. Killian did as he was told. He knew that David was more than capable of getting his own daughter downstairs, and he didn't want Emma to have to wait to get to the hospital because Killian wasn't moving fast enough to the cruiser. He grabbed his house key from the key tray and walked as quickly as he could to the car.

David took the stairs two at a time and when he reached the top, saw Emma hunched over, leaning against the wall, trying to breathe evenly. She looked up as she heard him coming and his heart broke at the look in her eyes. He made his way to her and without a word slung her bag over his shoulder before wrapping his arm around her. He squeezed her shoulder briefly for comfort.

"Come on," he said quietly, helping her towards and down the stairs. In reality, Emma was beginning to get dizzy, she assumed from blood loss. She leaned more heavily against her father, and he in turn adjusted his position to bear more of her weight. He was able to get her to the first floor fairly quickly and he only paused once on the way to the cruiser, to close the front door behind them.

Killian was, as he expected, sitting in the back, and David eased Emma into the back next to him before opening the driver's side door. He threw Emma's bag in the seat next to him, started the cruiser and turned the siren lights on.

David broke every speed limit posted in their town getting his daughter to the hospital. He glanced back every few seconds to check on her. She was white as a sheet, and she looked as though she was going to faint. He could see her gripping Killian's hand tightly every minute or so as contractions hit her. It worried him that she reacted less and less to them, her eyes struggling to stay open. He could hear Killian muttering into her ear, trying to keep her awake, the pirate's eyes red-rimmed and tears threatening to spill any second. David kept his own eyes dry for the time being. He was her father, and she needed him to be strong, they both did.

He pulled into the Emergency Lot, parking right in front of the doors. Killian let go of Emma's hand as he grabbed his walking stick and got out of the car as quickly as he could. Dr. Whale and a team of nurses ran a gurney out to them, settling Emma onto it as Killian made his way around the car to them. She reached out in her semi-consciousness for both her husband and father. Everything seemed far away, noises and sights echoing in her mind. She knew there was no hope and she needed her husband and father to be her anchors.

Killian and David noticed her outstretching both her hands as the gurney was carefully maneuvered up the curb. Killian dropped his walking stick and grasped her hand instead. David took her other as the gurney began to move. Dr. Whale was shouting instructions to the team assembled around them. One nurse placed an oxygen mask on Emma, another hooking up a monitor to her finger. When the heart monitor began to beep, Dr. Whale and the nurses began to jog, moving Emma quickly down the hall. David began running alongside them as well. Killian felt Emma's hand being pulled from his as the group's speed began to exceed his. He refused to lose her. He pushed through the pain in his leg, using his fear, anger, and desperation to fuel him and he felt his right leg able to keep up with his left, and he realized he was jogging right alongside the rest of them, Emma's hand still in his own. David looked over to his son-in-law, a grim and small smile on his face. A momentous occasion, and no one but him to see it. At the end of the hall, at the Emergency surgical rooms, Dr. Whale briefly paused as Emma was yanked away from David and Killian and moved into surgery.

"I'm sorry. You can't go any further than this. I'm going to do the best I can, Killian," he said as he saw the look of anguish on the man's face. He turned away and ran after them before David or Killian could say anything more. Killian's face finally crumpled as he realized that he didn't say anything to Emma before she was so brutally taken away from him. After his run alongside her, the pain and energy from it caught up with him and he felt his leg buckle. He reached for his cane, only to realize he didn't have it. He felt himself falling to the ground, but was caught by a pair of strong arms.

"I've got you," David said gruffly, helping Killian back to his feet. David threw Killian's arm over his shoulder and led him unsteadily to the chairs in the waiting room. "Where's your cane?" he asked him, as they sat down on the hard plastic chairs. Killian waved his arm away.

"Outside," Killian answered quietly, bitterly. David just nodded. He knew that Killian had no interest in having it returned to him at that moment. He gripped the former pirate's shoulder tightly.

"Quite the accomplishment you had just now," David said, a strain of pride coming through his attempt to lighten the situation, even the smallest bit.

"I guess," Killian sighed. He looked around the waiting room, now, for the first time realizing how Emma must have felt when he was in the emergency room after his stroke. To be fully aware of the dangers and severity of your loved one, and able to do absolutely nothing. He ran his hand down his face, his fingers shaking.

"She's going to be okay," David said, reassuring his son-in-law. "She's a fighter. She's going to be okay." Killian finally lost control as the tears he had been trying to hold back finally fell. It was only when he tried to put his head in his hands, that he realized that he didn't have his hook, or wooden hand on. His face grew red as he realized that David had seen him without it. But David didn't seem to even notice. He just continued to pat Killian's back, his own eyes shining. Having the hook off proved to be a blessing, however, as he probably would have cut up his face at the force he hid his head in his arms.

After 10 minutes went by, the ER doors flew open as Henry sprinted to the two men, Killian's cane in one hand. Mary Margaret jogged slightly slower behind, a sleeping child in her arms, and a heavy bag on her shoulder.

"How is she? What's happening?" Henry asked the men as Mary Margaret sat in a chair next to David, resting Neal across her lap. Henry sat on the other side of Killian, looking at his stepfather, face falling as he saw the desperation on Killian's.

"We, we don't know, Lad," Killian said, his voice thick. "She woke me up, saying the baby was coming. And there was blood, and-" he stopped as he saw the look on his stepson's face. "Sorry," he apologized, realizing it was probably more information than the boy needed to know. Though Henry was not so much a boy anymore. He was graduating soon, in only a couple weeks, and would be heading to New York for what they called "college" in this land. All Killian knew was that mentions of Henry moving brought his wife to tears, and that boxes were beginning to stack in Henry's room.

"Killian, have hope. Emma will get through this," Mary Margaret said comfortingly. Killian was sick of hearing that. He knew Emma would get through it. She was strong, and stubborn, and powerful. What he didn't know, was whether or not his, their, unborn child would make it.

"What about the baby," Killian snapped. "Everyone keeps saying how strong Emma is, and I know that!" Killian's body was shaking with all the panic he had been trying to stem. "What about our child? Our child isn't strong, isn't grown, isn't powerful. Is no one else worried about that?!" Henry laid his head on the man's shoulder as Mary Margaret and David looked at him, shock and tears in their eyes.

"Of course," Mary Margaret said softly. "Of course, we care about the baby, Killian. We're sorry." She didn't know what else to say. The four of them sat in a tense and awkward silence for another half hour. It was the longest half hour of Killian's life.

Finally, Dr. Whale came out of the ER doors, looking shaken, but not morbid. Instantly, Killian felt a little more at ease. Surely, if something tragic had happened, Dr. Whale's face would be a lot grimmer, especially when the life of the Savior was at stake. David stood up quickly, Mary Margaret looking up, with a sleeping Neal still on her lap. Killian struggled to stand up, Henry helping him to his feet and keeping him steady.

"Well?" Killian asked, swallowing with difficulty. Dr. Whale gave a very small smile.

"Emma's going to be fine with time. She had what's called a placental abruption. But, we caught it in time. She did lose a bit of blood, and she lost consciousness, but she'll recover fully." The whole group let out a shaky breath of relief.

"And-and the baby?" Killian was afraid to ask, but questioned nonetheless. Dr. Whale's face fell slightly.

"We had to do an emergency c-section," he began, and Killian's face fell. He knew what that meant, having heard Emma and her mother talking about it the past few months. "When we pulled her out, she wasn't breathing, but, we were able to resuscitate her, and we now have her in the neonatal intensive care unit. She has a lot of growing still to do. If she's anything like her mother, she'll survive. But, it's a little unsure right now, with how early she had to be delivered." Killian tried to process all that he was told. She was going to be okay, Killian knew it. Their baby was a mix of princess, savior, and pirate. She. That piece finally sank in.

"Wait, I have a daughter?" he asked, his eyes bright. Dr. Whale smiled.

"Yes, you have a daughter."

"So, can we see Emma?" David asked.

"And the baby?" Mary Margaret added.

"Yes," Dr. Whale said. I'll come back to get you once we get Emma settled into a room, and the baby situated in the NICU as well." Dr. Whale disappeared through the doors once more, leaving the family to process what they had just heard. The group settled back into the uncomfortable chairs, breathing sighs of relief.

"Congratulations, Killian," David said, clapping a hand on Killian's shoulder. While there was still fear in his eyes for his wife and daughter, Killian allowed himself to smile.

"Thank you," he responded. The group talked for what seemed like forever, discussing baby names, care for Emma, and how long they thought the baby would be stuck in the hospital.

An hour later, Willow greeted the family with embraces and smiles, and told the family that Dr. Whale only wanted one visitor for the baby, and for Emma at a time.

"Is Emma awake?" Killian asked.

"No," Willow answered. "She should be waking up soon, but she'll probably be pretty out of it today. She's been through quite a bit." Killian looked conflicted.

"How about you go check on your daughter, Killian," Mary Margaret decided for him, "and Henry can go sit with Emma. Take some pictures of the baby, and then when you check on Emma, we can take turns seeing our new addition." Killian nodded and got to his feet, Henry joining him. Henry hugged his grandparents tightly, being mindful of his sleeping uncle still on Mary Margaret's lap.

"Give the girls our love for us," David said, smiling. Willow then led the two men through the doors.

The trio stopped first at Emma's room, and Killian could see that she was still sleeping. He did however wait until Henry sat down and took Emma's hand to see if she awoke. She didn't, so he didn't feel quite so bad about seeing his daughter first. Willow continued to walk with him down the NICU.

"How is she?" Killian asked of his daughter again. Willow looked at him as she slowed her steps seeing that Killian was slowing slightly, her eyes kind.

"She's small, but if she's even a bit of the fighter both her parents are, she'll make it," Willow answered. She eyed him closely, pride in her eyes. He had come a long way from the sickly man brought in a few years before. She knew it was the blonde-haired woman recovering only a short distance away who had a large part in making that happen.

"You know, you're moving pretty well, there, Captain," Willow complimented, seeing the tiredness, but steadiness that Killian was exhibiting on their walk. Killian beamed at her.

"I'm getting there." Once at the NICU, Willow helped him into a gown and showed him the proper protocols. Inside, she led him to an incubator of sorts and his eyes widened. Inside was a tiny baby, wrapped in a blanket, a hat on her head. Willow instructed him on how he can place his hand through a special sleeve to touch his daughter.

"She's beautiful," he breathed, looking at her sleeping face. He longed for her to wake up enough to see her eyes. But he knew there would be time for that later. "How much does she weigh?"

"She weighed in at 2lbs 6oz. She's got a lot of growing to do, and her lungs need a little work, but she looks strong."

"Can I take pictures? For Emma? You know, until she can come down here herself," Killian asked. Willow laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Of course, Killian. Of course you can. And talk to her. Also, when you and Emma decide on a name, let us know. I'll leave you to it. Press that button over there if you need anything." She gave his shoulder a squeeze and left the room. Right now, he and his daughter were the only two beings in the room. Cautiously, he placed his good arm through the sleeve, and lightly brushed his glove-clad fingertips across his daughter's cheek.

"Hey, Lass," he breathed softly, in wonder at the little girl in front of him. He remained there for the better part of an hour, speaking quietly to her and taking a few pictures with his phone. Hesitantly, he whispered a watery goodbye to her, and headed out the door to check on Emma.

When he arrived at her room, Henry looked up, and Killian realized that Emma hadn't yet woken up. He walked over to the boy and sat beside him.

"How is she?" Killian asked, looking at her face.

"She hasn't woken up," Henry answered. "But, she was fidgeting a few minutes ago, so maybe she will soon." Killian nodded at the information. "How's my sister?"

"She's perfect," Killian answered. "Incredibly small, but beautiful." Killian looked at his stepson. "Thank you, Henry, for staying with Emma. You've grown up into a fine young man." He couldn't help his eyes get shiny with unshed emotion.

"I want you to know, that, you're still my first mate, okay? I mean, I know you're just about an adult now, but this, the baby, doesn't change anything." Henry smiled.

"You know, had I been told as a kid that my mom, my birthmom, was going to marry Captain Hook, I would have passed out. But, I wouldn't trade this for anything. You are so good for Mom, and for me. Thanks, Killian, for always staying by us."

The two then grew awkwardly silent, slightly embarrassed at their heart-to-heart. Finally, Henry stood up.

"I guess I should probably get Grandma and Grandpa. They're probably losing their minds. Plus, if Dr. Whale comes in and sees both of us in here after his 'one visitor at a time rule', we'll be in for it."

"Aye, he would. Stop and see your sister first, if you want. Once Mary Margaret and Dave get there, your chance will probably be gone. Make a left, then a right, all the way down. She's the only one in the NICU," Killian's face fell slightly, reminding himself that while his wife would recover fairly quickly, his little girl still had a long fight ahead of her. He felt a hand on his shoulder.

"She won't be here long, Dad," Killian's face twitched into a smile quickly before disappearing again. Henry was only recently, in the past year or so, referring to him as 'Dad'. It was infrequent, but every time he heard it, he felt his soul lift a little. He was blessed, he knew, to have someone like Henry in his life. Someone who, like his mother, always saw the best in people.

"Dad?" Henry asked again. Killian shook his head briefly.

"Yeah, Henry, I know. She's a fighter. But, you should go, Lad. Go see her." Henry nodded and left the room.

Killian remained in the hospital room with Emma for a good half hour before he sensed her stirring at last. He gripped her hand firmly in his, and he could feel her squeezing lightly back. Her eyes flickered open slowly, before shutting again, blocking out the morning light filtering through the room. Killian let go of her hand for a moment and reached behind him, closing the blinds, limiting the bright light. He then returned his hand to Emma's as she tried to open her eyes again.

"Killian," she breathed, looking blearily into his face.

"Welcome back, Love," he answered, a small smile on his face. With her free hand, Emma ran her hand across her face and eyes, willing to become more alert. She felt oddly out of sorts, almost floating. She was there, yet not there. She felt a tightness around her abdomen and pieces from the night before came back to her mind, as her eyes filled with tears.

"Killian? What happened? Where's the baby?" She said quietly, her voice wavering. Killian took a deep breath.

"It's going to be okay, Swan," Killian began softly. That did nothing to calm Emma.

"Where's the baby?" she demanded louder, tears now spilling down her face. The sight nearly killed Killian, and his voice broke.

"You, you had a placental abruption, Emma. Do you know what that is?" Emma nodded, her eyes growing wide. She had read about that as a possibility in one of the many pregnancy books she had bought the past few months.

"After Dr. Whale took you into surgery, he performed a c-section to get the baby out. She wasn't breathing at first, but now she's in the NICU. She's got a fight ahead of her, but, if you ask me, she'll make it." He waited for the recognition to set in. First, he saw Emma rub her hand along her stomach, finally understanding the tightness and feeling the stitches. She winced a bit when she accidentally pushed down too hard.

"Easy there, Swan," Killian said, resting his wrist on her free hand. She then noticed that he didn't have his brace on, and was still wearing his pajamas. With her mind now off her stitches, she went back to what he had told her.

"Wait…" she began. Killian raised his eyebrow, a faint smile gracing his tired face.

"Yes, love?"

"Did you say, 'she'?" Emma asked, her mouth opening in surprise. She looking into his eyes to find them shining.

"Aye. We have a little girl." More tears fell from Emma's eyes as the weight of that revelation hit her.

"And, she's going to be okay?" Killian's small smile faded.

"She's tiny, Emma. Only a little more than two pounds. And her lungs are underdeveloped. But, she's beautiful. And she's in good hands here. If she's anything like us, I think she'll end up being just fine."

"I wish I could see her. How long am I stuck here?" Emma said, shifting uncomfortably on the bed.

"I'm not certain. I haven't spoken much to Dr. Whale. But, I can show you these." Killian pulled his phone from his pajama pocket, suppressing a shiver. The hospital room was air conditioned, and he was freezing. He fumbled with the screens until he located the file where his pictures were. Smiling, he passed the phone to Emma. Her eyes softened as she looked at her new daughter, and a small grin graced her face.

"She's beautiful," Emma whispered.

The next day, Dr. Whale, allowed Emma to begin moving and she begged him to allow her to walk down to visit her daughter. He grudgingly agreed, only if David was there to help her. She waited for Killian (who had gone home with Henry-who was currently driving Emma's bug to help out with errands-to change clothes and grab a few things for his "girls") to return, and her father to arrive.

She couldn't wait to see her daughter herself. She was still incredibly sore, even with pain medication, but it didn't really bother her much. She was filled with such happiness, and a small degree of fear.

"Emma!" Mary Margaret came in, her Dad and Killian in tow.

"Hey," she greeted back, moving to push the blankets off of her. David helped her to her feet and into the bathroom, where Mary Margaret took over, helping her to change into a pair of loose-fitting pajamas. She also brushed her daughter's hair, relishing in the opportunity to do so. These little moments were things that Mary Margaret was happy she could still have with Emma. When she was finished, Emma felt a lot more like herself and took a few cautious steps on her own, without anyone's help. She and her mother left the bathroom and joined Killian and David.

"Ready?" David asked, extending his arm to her. Emma smiled.

"Yes."

The quartet made their way towards the NICU, Killian walking next to Emma, cane in hand, but walking much more steadily than the day before. David had his one arm wrapped around Emma, helping her along, and his free hand clutching his wife's.

"Have you guys thought of any names?" Mary Margaret asked on their walk.

"Not really," Emma began. "We thought we had more time. I guess we'll have to start now. See what she's like first." Killian just nodded.

They found themselves at the NICU in fairly short order as the three veterans helped Emma with the proper procedures. They entered the room, and Emma's breath caught. There she was. Her little miracle, fast asleep, protected from the harsh outside world. Killian seemed to know exactly what to do as he leaned his cane against the wall and slipped his hand through the sleeve, brushing his fingers against his daughter.

"Good Morning, little one," he began, and Emma was taken aback at the tenderness in his voice and eyes. "I brought a surprise for you today. I brought your mom." The tears were glistening in Emma's eyes now, both in response to Killian's exchange with their child, and the tidal wave of hormones coursing through her. She took a step forward and placed her arm in the sleeve across from Killian.

It felt odd, not being able to touch her daughter for real, but for now, this would have to do. She lightly graced her fingers along her daughter's cheek, and the baby scrunched her nose for just a moment.

"Hey, sweetheart," Emma said in a whisper. "I am so, so glad that you're here." Killian looked at her and smiled. David looked at his wife and they nodded to each other.

"We're going to give you two a few moments," Mary Margaret announced kindly.

"We'll be right out here if you need us for anything," David added, putting his arm around his wife and leading her out of the room.

"She's beautiful," Emma remarked quietly, in awe of her daughter.

"Aye, she is," Killian agreed, just as softly. Just then, the baby gave a yawn and opened her eyes. Killian and Emma both grinned when they saw that she possessed Killian's bright blue eyes.

"We need to think of a name for her," Emma said, looking distastefully at the "Baby Girl Jones" card posted on the incubator. Her eyes were then drawn back to the blue irises of her daughter staring intently at her.

"Killian, who did you get your eyes from? Did Liam have them too?" Emma realized that she had never asked him that question. And it reminded her of how little she knew about her husband. Killian raised his gaze to meet hers and thought for a moment.

"Liam's eyes were blue also, but they were a little more on the gray side. I don't know about my father since he left us when we were small children. But I know my mother had similar eyes to mine. I guess I never really thought about it." Emma was struck with an idea. She knew that Killian's mother had done the best she could to raise her two sons, alone, in a time when doing so was near impossible. It was because of those sacrifices, that she became ill to begin with, and never recovered. She had been a fighter, a fierce spirit who lasted longer than she probably should have.

"What was your mother's name?" she asked him, glancing back down at their baby. Killian's eyes grew wide.

"Elizabeth," he answered simply, his voice wavering slightly. He had not thought of his mother in a long time. How brave she was, how determined she had been to find ways to provide her sons with what they needed. She had been the kind sort of mother, the one who told stories, sang songs, and tried not to badmouth her husband for leaving them in front of her children.

Emma hummed for a moment.

"Elizabeth. I like it. She looks like an Elizabeth. Elizabeth Jones. What do you think?" Killian's eyes were filled with tears. She reluctantly removed her hand from the incubator and cautiously walked towards him. She pulled him gently into her arms.

"It's wonderful, Emma. You're right. The name suits her. On one condition."

"Yeah?" Emma prodded.

"Her middle name should be 'Swan'," Killian finished. "If she's going to get through this, she's going to need to pull from two fighters. I know my mother was one, but you are the strongest woman I know." Emma kissed him gently. She placed her hand on his cheek and he nuzzled into it. She looked at him carefully and realized that he had not slept much the past 36 hours.

"You look exhausted. Did you sleep at all last night?" Emma asked, concern in her eyes. He smiled.

"Not really. The chair next to your bed was not very comfortable. I don't know how you did that night after night when I was in here."

"Well, if we've decided on Elizabeth, we should call in my parents and Willow and make it official."

10 minutes later, everyone back in the NICU, Willow began writing down "Baby Girl Jones"' new name.

"Alright, just sign here, and then 'Elizabeth Swan Jones' she will be," Willow announced. Killian picked up the pen to sign.

"Wait!" Emma interrupted. The group looked at her. "I want to make a change."

"Emma…" David began. Emma shook her head.

"No, not with the name, but with the spelling. I want it to be 'Swann', with two 'n's."

"But why?" Killian asked, confused. Why would the spelling matter? Emma took Killian's hand in her own, avoiding her parents' gazes.

"Because 'Swan' was the last name given to me by a family who didn't want me once they had a child of their own. Elizabeth is going to be loved forever. She is like me in that she's a fighter, and the spelling change won't affect the name's sound. But I will feel better knowing that she is not going to be associated with the family who abandoned her mother." Mary Margaret and David looked forlorn as they were once again reminded of all their daughter had been put through.

"Okay," Killian agreed. The change was made, and they both signed, smiles on their faces.

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July 2017…

"Looks like you're all set to go," Dr. Whale said with a smile as final pieces of paperwork were signed. "Just give us a call if you have any questions or need anything. But I think Elizabeth here is going to be just fine." The new parents beamed.

It had been a long month of not being able to bring their daughter home. Emma and Killian made their way to the hospital every day since Emma had been discharged, and they couldn't wait to finally bring their little girl home.

"Thank you, Dr. Whale, truly," Killian added, sincerely. "Alright, Lizzie, are you ready to go?" Emma rolled her eyes.

"Killian, we are not going to call her Lizzie," Emma said sternly. All Killian did in response was smile and wink at his sleeping daughter in her car seat. Emma was going to reach for the car seat, when she saw Killian outstretch his hand first. With the way he was beaming, she didn't mind not being the one to carry her daughter out of the hospital at last. They walked to their new car, a family-friendly SUV (Emma had reluctantly given the keys to the bug to Henry), and Killian and Emma worked together to fasten Elizabeth in.

"I can't wait to get her home," Emma said on their drive home, her eyes glancing back in the mirror every few minutes, even though she knew she wouldn't be able to see Elizabeth in the rear-facing car seat.

"I know, she's perfect."

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October 2022…

"Daddy! Catch me!" a little voice yelled. Emma rolled her eyes as she looked out the kitchen window to the beach in the back of their house. Elizabeth was standing on the top of a boulder jumping off of it and into Killian's arms.

"Me too, me too!" another voice chimed in. Liam, now 3, tried to get up on the boulder also, but was too short. Killian whisked him up in his arms, swinging him around. Emma smiled as she continued to wash the dishes, glancing at the clock, growing impatient. She heard the door open a few minutes later and glanced through the dining room through to the foyer.

"Is he back yet?" a rushed Regina asked, Robin and Roland in tow, Robin carrying a sleeping infant in his arms. Her cheeks were flushed with the same excitement Emma felt.

"No," Emma sighed, smiling at Regina when Regina grabbed a towel to start drying the dishes Emma was washing. The two women, now in a comfortable silence, were watching their husbands and children playing in the sand. While there was a definite chill in the air, they knew it would be one of the last fairly warm days to play by the waves before winter hit.

"Hello!" Another familiar sound called out. Mary Margaret, David, Neal, and little Marie ran into the kitchen.

"Hi, Charmings," Regina answered.

"He's not here yet," David asked, looking at the clock.

"No, he should be here soon though, I think," Emma added. Mary Margaret shooed her kids and husband out to join the rest as she started unloading groceries from a large bag. The dishes finished, Regina began getting the dining room ready, and Emma started pulling out cutting boards, pots and pans, and utensils, lining them on the counter. Opening the pantry door, she put on an apron hanging from a hook, and handed another one to her mother.

Mother and daughter began to cook alongside each other, watching their families playing. Once the table was set, Regina joined the other two, reveling in how much had changed.

"Daddy!" Elizabeth screeched as she ran to her father, arms outstretched, her sailor outfit covered in sand. He picked her up, laughing, and swung her around once before carefully setting her back down, where she began to run in circles with her brother, Neal, and Marie, Robin pushing the baby in the swing Killian and David built years ago. Killian looked around him and couldn't contain his joy. He could play with his kids. His cane was in the kitchen, just in case, as he did tire easily, and the cooler weather still caused more problems in his leg.

His kids had been told early on that their father was not only a fierce pirate (okay, that was always Killian's doing), but that he did have a hard time walking sometimes. Liam, with his blond hair and blue eyes, had a harder time understanding at his young age, but Elizabeth was very protective of Killian and could usually, when paying attention, tell when her father needed to take a break.

He rubbed his leg absentmindedly as he looked towards the house and saw no new arrivals. His leg was beginning to pain him, and he looked at David who was playing down the beach with Liam and Neal.

"Five more minutes," David shouted to all the children on the beach. Killian nodded appreciatively as the kids groaned. He began to get the toys together and placed in their storage bench further up the walkway to the house.

"Daddy!" he heard squealed behind him. He turned around as quickly as he could to see a wave of dark curls sprinting towards him. Before he could react, she leaped up at him, falling short a couple feet. In an effort to catch her lest she fall and hurt herself, he moved too quickly, and his leg buckled beneath him. He caught Elizabeth but a split second later they were both in a heap, skidding along the wooden walkway.

"No," Emma said, dropping her knife onto the cutting board and running out the door, completely forgetting Killian's cane.

David and Robin couldn't get there as quickly as Emma. Emma ran to her husband and daughter as the other men gathered up the rest of the children to herd them inside. Emma dropped to her knees and looked at the damage. Elizabeth's eyes were filled with tears, but she would not let them fall. Her knee was cut up and bloody, and her toes scraped.

"Elizabeth, are you okay?" Emma asked, gathering her daughter in her arms, and pulling her off of Killian. She gave Killian a sad look, not at all placing blame on him. Accidents happen, and aside from some cuts and scrapes, Elizabeth appeared okay. The look on Killian's face broke her heart. She could see that he blamed himself for not being strong enough.

"I am so sorry, Lizzie," Killian apologized, his own eyes shining. He felt a small hand brush a tear from his cheek.

"It's okay, Daddy," Elizabeth said quietly, smiling at him. "I ran too fast. You are tired. I can tell. I'm not hurt bad. Are you hurt?" Emma and Killian couldn't believe their ears. Their little miracle was wise beyond her years. He hugged his daughter tightly, kissing her curls.

"I will be just fine, my little pirate. Once I get up." He couldn't get up on his own, so Emma bent down to help him. At the same time, Elizabeth moved to stand up, but had twisted her ankle in the fall and she fell back down. She whimpered, but still did not cry. Emma looked between her daughter and her husband, both needing help.

"Get Lizzie up to the house, and you can send one of the guys to get me. I'm alright here for a minute or two."

"Or," a new voice added as it approached. "I can carry my little sister to the house like the knight in shining armor that I am."

"HENRY!" Elizabeth screeched, lifting her arms. Henry bent down and scooped his sister into his arms, bouncing her a little bit to make her laugh.

"Henry!" Emma greeted excitedly, awkwardly hugging him with Elizabeth in his arms. "When did you get here?" She gazed at her son, now 22, and how grown up he was. He smiled, the dimples in his cheek wide.

"A few minutes ago. Mom said you were out here, that something had happened. So I came down to help. Here-" He handed Elizabeth temporarily to his mother. He bent down and grabbed Killian's good arm and heaved him up.

"Hey, Dad," Henry said. Killian smiled, a little embarrassed, and pulled his stepson in for a hug.

"Hi, Henry. Glad you're back. We've missed you." Emma returned her daughter to Henry, Elizabeth's pout immediately wiped away once back in her brother's arms. Emma then began to help Killian up the walkway.

When the family that night gathered around the dining room for dinner, Henry talking about his adventures abroad, meeting Regina and Robin's newest addition, Alice, and the children filling the adults in on their many adventures, everything at that moment seemed perfect.

Emma's eyes connected with her mother and father's and they smiled back at her, understanding what she was thinking exactly. She felt a hand slide into hers and she glanced at her husband. The man who almost gave up. The man who since then had tried every day to fight whatever challenge he could. She had wonderful children, a family, everything she had always wanted but never thought she could have.

"Happy, Swan?" Killian whispered in her ear, and as always, he had read her like an open book.

"Absolutely happy," she answered, knowing that she could never express it well enough.

"Me too."