A/N: I'm sorry. That was ust how it had to end. I tried writing it with Henry surviving, and… It didn't feel right with the story. I wish it could have ended with him living, but it was better this way.
Anyways, I hope you all have enjoyed this story with me. I truly did love writing it, and making some of the decisions that went into this story were hard. But, I loved all of your support and love that you sent as wrote this! You all are the best readers I could ever, ever ask for.
And, for this final chapter, I listened to, of course, 'Blackbird'. Enjoy.
"There. We are finally and officially moved in." Killian smiled as he pulled out the last of his books from a box. Emma turned from where she was starting dinner with a smile.
"It looks good."
"I think this is just the right fit." Killian smiled, sauntering over to Emma and snaking his arms around her waist.
"I think so, too." Emma sighed.
Killian pressed a kiss to her cheek, then set his chin on her shoulder.
"Killian?"
"Yes, love?"
"I need to tell you something." Emma said, turning around in his arms with a smile.
"Yes?"
"I may or may not have done something a bit drastic today when you were at work." Emma spoke nervously.
"Drastic? Did you take a job in the NYPD?" Killian teased.
"No, no, there's still nothing on the job front yet." She shook her head.
"Then, what could you possibly be keeping from me?" Killian chuckled.
Emma slipped out of his arms and tugged her tank over her head, revealing the plastic just under her bra. She smoothed it out so Killian could see the fresh tattoo.
"You got a tattoo?" He smiled, bending down a little to read it better.
"Yeah. I told you I've been thinking about it, so today, I just.. Took a leap of faith and did it." Emma explained, wringing her fingers as Killian examined it with care.
"You took a line from 'Blackbird'." Killian smiled, "The first song Henry learned to play."
"Yeah, I... I wanted to remember." Emma said, pulling her tank back over her head.
"Love, you will always remember Henry." Killian assured her, "No matter what."
Emma adjusted her tank before leaning into Killian's arms.
"So, you like it?"
"Of course. I love it." Killian whispered, carding his fingers through her hair, "Perhaps I'll consider getting one."
"Really?" Emma smiled, "I thought you didn't like needles."
"No, I don't, but... Perhaps I could make an exception." Killian shrugged.
"You'd do that?"
"Anything for you, Emma. You know that." He spoke softly, "On an entirely unrelated note, whatever you're making smells delicious."
Emma giggled into his warm chest, tugging away enough to see his face.
"It's a surprise." Emma grinned, setting her hands on his chest as he tried peeking behind her, "You should recognize it."
"Mac and cheese?" Killian grinned, "I should have known."
"Not just mac and cheese-grilled chicken, too." Emma smiled.
"Well, would you like help?"
"If you're willing to." Emma giggled as Killian pressed a kiss to her lips, then her cheek.
"Of course I am."
After their dinner, Killian went to take a shower, just like Emma hoped he would. She snuck to the fridge and pulled out the small box she'd picked up earlier.
Emma brought it to the counter and opened it with a smile, taking out the cupcake and setting it on the bar, licking the chocolate icing off her fingers as she turned to the cabinets. She opened one to find the candles, pulling one of the leftover star ones from the previous year from its box. Along with it, she grabbed a lighter.
Emma brought it back to the small chocolate cupcake, sticking it into the icing and folding her arms on the cool, marble counter. She lit the cupcake and set her chin on her arms.
"I hope you've earned your wings, kid." Emma spoke softly, closing her eyes and blowing out the candle.
Little did she know, Killian was watching her from the archway of the hall-until he spoke up.
"I'm sure he has, Swan." Killian said, causing Emma to open her eyes and stand up a bit straighter.
She offered a sad smile as Killian sauntered over.
"I was wondering if you'd do something for him." Killian admitted, "But, I never doubted that you would."
"He and I always had cupcakes on his birthday. He hated cake." Emma spoke with a choked laugh, tears starting to fall from her eyes.
Killian sucked in a deep breath, walking around the counter and hugging her tight.
"Shh... It's okay, love. He's safe now, remember?" Killian asked, making Emma nod against his chest.
"I just miss him." Emma cried as Kilian gently ran his fingers up and down her spine.
"I know, love. I do, too." Killian whispered.
The two stood in silence for only a few minutes before Emma tugged away and wiped away her tears.
She offered a smile and a small laugh, shaking her head.
"He wouldn't want me to cry. He would want me to celebrate his birthday." Emma spoke with a sniffle. Killian offered a sincere smile, cupping her cheeks in his hands.
"I'm sure he's having his own cupcake as we speak." Killian smiled, "He's probably celebrating with John Lennon."
Emma giggled at that, hugging him tight.
"I didn't ever tell you about the first week I brought Henry home, did I?" Emma asked.
"No, I don't think you have." Killian smiled, "Why don't we go sit on the couch, and you can tell me."
The two moved to the couch, with Emma tucked into Killian's side, his arm draped over her shoulder.
"I thought he hated me the first few days I had him. He was so upset, all of the time, and I knew I was doing something wrong." Emma started.
Henry wouldn't stop crying. He cried every moment of every day, no matter what. Emma knew she couldn't do this. Hell, she was only eighteen-what the hell did she know about being a parent?
"Mary, I can't do this!" Emma exclaimed into the phone as Henry cried and cried, "He sounds like he's in pain."
"Emma, just breathe, okay? I'll be over in a few minutes." Mary spoke sweetly, "Seriously, don't fret, okay? You're new at this, he's new at this-just breathe."
"Okay." Emma sighed.
"I'll be there in a few."
Emma hung up and walked to Henry's small crib across the room of their tiny studio, their home, and looked down at him.
"Henry, please stop crying." She pleaded, "I know I'm not good at this, but you don't have to rub it in my face."
Henry only continued crying, and Emma tried her best to keep her own tears in.
"Henry, please." Emma whispered, gently lifting him from his crib and cradling him against her chest. She still wasn't really sure how to hold him, but she tried mimicking what the doctors had showed her.
Henry's cries became less and less, but still persistent.
"Is he okay?" Mary's voice asked as the door opened, "Are you okay?"
Emma turned at her voice, offering her a shrug and a teary smile.
"I can't do this, Mary." She whimpered, "He hates me."
She sighed and handed him to Mary, who cradled him.
"Emma, I think maybe he can tell you're nervous." Mary suggested.
Emma scoffed at that, wiping a few tears.
"I'm afraid I'll fail him." Emma admitted.
"You don't have to do this, you know." Mary spoke softly, but firmly.
"What?" Emma sniffed.
"You could give him up, Emma. If this is too much, you don't have to keep him." Mary explained, still holding Henry close.
"That's not fair to me-"
"Emma, it wouldn't be fair to him, either." Mary reminded her, "You have to give him his best chance."
Emma covered her face with her hands, finally letting tears fall.
"What if his best chance isn't with me?" Emma whimpered.
"His best chance is you, Emma." Mary assured her, "He needs his mother."
Mary walked over to her and held Henry out to her, causing Emma to sniffle. She gently took Henry from Mary's arms, cradling him against her chest.
Emma couldn't help but smile at him as he gurgled. She may not have known it then, but his best chance was always going to be with her.
"He loved you, Emma. Henry looked up to you-I saw it in his eyes." Killian whispered, pressing a kiss to the side of her head, "I saw it every day."
"I wish he could have had a longer life."
"I do too, love, but he wouldn't want us to sit and wish." Killian replied, "Henry would want us to go out and live."
Emma smiled, nodding as she wiped her tears.
"He always loved the idea of living life to the fullest, even before he was diagnosed." Emma sniffled, "I'll try to do the same."
"And, you won't be alone. We'll do this together, alright? I'll always be right by your side, Emma." Killian spoke softly, "I'm so sorry I couldn't help him enough, Emma. I tried."
Emma shook her head and tugged away to face him fully.
"Killian, you gave Henry and I so much more time than we would have had." Emma sniffed.
"I promised you-"
"I knew they were genuine. You did do everything you could." Emma spoke softly, "I am so grateful to have met you, Killian. And I know Henry was, too."
Killian's lips twitched up before they flattened again. He set his hand on Emma's cheek, gently brushing away her tears with his thumb.
"What do you say I grab us two glasses of wine?" Killian spoke, finally smiling.
"I would love that." Emma spoke with a teary giggle. Killian slipped his hand under her jaw and tugged her close enough for a kiss.
"Red?" Killian asked, rising to his feet.
"Actually, maybe white." Emma replied, making Killian smile.
"White it is." He chuckled.
Emma waited patiently, listening to Killian pour the wine into the glasses and bring them over.
"Here, love." Killian smiled as he padded over to the couch.
"Thank you." Emma said, taking the glass from his hand.
Killian sat beside her, tucking one leg under the other with a smile.
"To Henry." Killian smiled, holding his glass up.
To Henry's constant smile, to his positivity, to his genuine kindness, to his honesty, to his endless love, to his lovely guitar playing, to his incredible courage, to his restless fight-
"To Henry."