Author's note: So I'd like to say thank you very much for all your support, it really means a lot! I've noticed in the comments, I keep getting asked about another part – so just a heads up, I'm gunna do six parts to this! I hope you like it, let me know what you think!

When Emma told Killian she was having a baby, he was ecstatic. She's never seen his face light up as much as it did. He picked her up, and spun her around, unable to contain his joy. When he set her down, he held her so tightly to him, his hand pressed firmly against the back of her head. She had to remind him to let her breathe for a moment.

At first, she was worried. Terrified, even. She sat on the cold bathroom floor a whole hour, her head in her hands, tears spilling from her eyes. All she could think about was Belle and her baby, and the suffering she must be going through.

But amidst that terror was an undeniable happiness, something she can't push away even if she tries. Walls can't keep out something that's already a part of you.

At least that's what she tells Killian as they sit on the sofa, curled around each other. Her head rests in the crook of his neck, two pairs of legs splayed out over the sofa. He holds her carefully, as if the lightest of touches might break her. His finger tips curl around her pale gold strands, as they usually do.

"When are we going to tell the others?" He murmurs into her hair. His voice is a soft rumble. There's a peace in it she's never noticed before, like the calm before a storm. She hopes that this time it's the calm without the storm.

"I don't know."

The thought fills her with butterflies. Mary Margaret's face swims in front of her, and she has to bite her lip to stop a smile. Her mother will be not just over the moon, but so far above the moon, she won't be able to see the moon.

And David? What will her dad be like? After their last encounter, Emma isn't entirely sure. He might try and break Killian right on the spot.

"How do we tell the others?" she continues after a moment.

"Well love, that's easy. We just come out with it."

"Just come out with it?"

She hasn't thought about that. She's thought about telling them with a big, grand gesture. She could bake them a cake and write it in frosting on the golden sponge. She could… she could… Well, she's not entirely sure. The thing is, big, grand gestures aren't really for her. They never have been. That's why she told Killian straight away without any fuss.

Not to mention telling them will make it real. It doesn't feel real yet. Apart from a missed period, she hasn't had any other symptoms or any signs to prove to her there's something inside her. It's almost as if there isn't a baby at all.

Of course she's being silly. There is a baby. She's already been to an appointment with one of the doctors and has had it confirmed. She deliberately chose a day she knew Whale wasn't working so the rest of Storybrooke wouldn't find out. So far they haven't. She hasn't heard a peep out of them, except the odd comment about why she's not drinking.

Still, she would like to see some proof soon, even if that means all the horrible stuff like nausea and dizziness.

Noticing her sudden stillness, Killian moves to peer into her face. "What're you thinking?"

"I'm thinking it all seems too simple."

"Aye." His lips twitch. "That it does."

She snuggles closer into him, sighing a little. Maybe it's supposed to be simple. Maybe just this once. God knows she deserves simplicity.

"We should keep it quiet for a while," she tells him after a moment of silence.

"If that's what you wish."

"That's what I wish."

…

They manage to keep it quiet for all of five minutes. Thanks to Killian's over-excitement, he almost lets it slip a few times, and so they decide it will be better to get it over and done with with. Rip the band-aid off quickly, as it were.

She knows Killian thinks they're silly for waiting to tell them. He's asked Emma why she's so afraid and honestly, she's not entirely sure. She thinks it has something to do with how she's the Saviour. Her job is supposed to be protecting people, not playing happy families. She's said it before, the price of the Saviour is never getting a day off. What if people don't think she's doing her job properly by having a baby?

It's a warm day when they decide to tell her parents. Sun streams from a cloudless sky, heating their backs as they walk along the path. Emma feels a little warmer than she should, and moths gnaw at her insides.

Killian strolls next to her, arms swinging loosely at his side, shoulders relaxed. He notices her wide, shining eyes and throws her an easy grin, something she can't quite return. Her shoulders remain rigid and her eyes fix on the dusty concrete as they walk. She doesn't want to think about how close the door to Granny's is, or her parents and Henry waiting eagerly inside.

When they reach the door, she pauses, hand frozen on the handle.

"... Swan?" comes Killian's voice.

She doesn't say anything. She doesn't need to. His eyes soften upon seeing her expression and a soft sigh escapes his lips. A moment of silence passes between them, where she stares up into his face and he stares back.

And then he breaks the silence, voice careful. "Do you know what struck me about you when I met you?"

She places her hands on her hips, regarding him with narrowed eyes. "What, we're reminiscing now?"

His own face is completely serious. "It was your courage. And the defiance in your eyes when we fought at that portal."

"Don't tell me that makes you hot."

He pulls her closer. "Part of me knew at that portal."

"Knew what?" She studies his face. "...Have you been on the rum again?"

"That I was already yours. Hell, part of me even knew when we climbed that bloody beanstalk together."

A pink tinge rises to her cheeks as she tries to stop a small, embarrassed smile. "You're being oddly cryptic. What's your point?"

"That's what made you stand out for me, Emma." He tilts his head. "Really stand out."

"When we were fighting at the portal?"

"When you didn't let anything best you." When he speaks again, his voice is softer. "You've fought snow queens and damned wicked witches and demons of all shapes and sizes. I didn't think telling your parents we're having a child would bring down Emma Swan."

"I'm not brought down. Try a little nervous."

He analyses her face for a moment, trying to work out whether she's telling the truth. She gives him a smile, trying to reassure him. When he's satisfied, he holds out a hand. "If that's all, let's go."

She takes his hand. "Let's go."

She pushes the door open. She swears she sees him inhale, and it causes a little relief. Ha! As much as he likes to pretend, she's not the only one who's nervous.

Emma expects her family to be sat there, waiting patiently, but what she doesn't expect is to have the whole of Storybrooke waiting too. That's exactly the sight they're greeted with.

It takes all Emma's strength not to turn around and go back outside.

"Emma! Killian!" Mary Margaret calls from the bar. She's sat with David, Henry and Regina.

Emma hisses out a breath. She'd only invited her parents and Henry. They must have invited Regina. Regina invited Robin. Someone must have invited Grumpy and she knows for a fact that he's the reason the rest of the town has turned up. Damn dwarves.

Her eyes flicker over to Killian. He runs a hand over his face and she swears she hears him mutter a "bloody hell" under his breath.

"Emma," Regina greets her with her usual cat-like smile. "This is quite the party you've thrown."

It's not a party. It was supposed to be an intimate gathering, Emma wants to say. Instead she gives a shrug, a light smile and says, "Yeah well."

Regina raises her eyebrows and opens her mouth to speak but before she can, Henry appears beside her, as if from thin air.

"Mom!"

"Hey kid." She instantly brightens, pulling him into a tight hug. "How are you doing?"

"Good," he says once she's released him. His eyes are curious. "Grandma said you've got some news."

For a moment, Emma doesn't know what to say. She has got some news but she certainly doesn't want to say it in front of all these people, especially the likes of the dwarves.

It's Killian who comes to her rescue. He releases her hand to rest it on her shoulder. "Aye, lad," he says. "That we do."

She doesn't miss the slight alarm on her son's face. "We?"

"You'll find out soon enough." Then he leans down to Emma's ear, breath warm on her neck as he whispers, "No point beating around the bush. Am I right, love?"

She turns towards him. "But telling all these people? I'm not sure if I can."

Killian shifts his hand to rub down her arm. "They'll all find out eventually, love. Surely it's better they hear it from us?"

She knows that he's right. She gives him a small smile in response.

"Emma!"

She whirls around to see David, watching her with a smile like melted honey. He must have forgotten about their last encounter. She notices Killian visibly deflate with relief out the corner of her eyes.

"Dad," she says before turning to Mary Margaret. "Mom. How are you doing?"

"Just fine, Emma. Just fine," she smiles. "So tell me, why have you gathered us all here? What's your news?"

"I think some drinks are in order first," Killian is quick to cut in. He gestures over to Granny with an affectionate smile.

"I like your thinking," comes David's voice. It holds nothing but warmth.

As Granny makes her way over to them, Emma tells Killian to order her a cola or a lemonade or something. She then casts her eyes around the diner, making note of who's there and who isn't.

Grumpy and the rest of the dwarves sit at one table. Of course, she hears Grumpy before she sees him, as he laughs and jokes with his friends. They seem to be doing shots, throwing back the little glasses every few minutes, Grumpy especially.

Distantly, she can hear Killian's voice: "A glass of your finest rum, if you will!"

Gold sits at a booth looking like he would rather be anywhere else, lips pressed together in a tight line, eyes resembling slits. Henry must have asked him to come, she realises. There's no sight of Belle anywhere. It's unlike her to miss a gathering, especially if Gold's there. An ache in Emma's chest makes itself known.

Even Whale's here. He sits at a table, his hand loosely clasped around his whiskey glass. He chats to one of the fairies, who's sipping what looks like cola. The other fairies are dispersed around the room.

The more Emma thinks about all these people, the bigger the lump gets in her throat. She reaches for Killian's hand again, and intertwines their fingers.

He gives her hand a gentle squeeze and she looks over at him. He releases her to pick up a tall glass of lemonade and hands it over. She takes a sip and the liquid is cold and refreshing, soothing her desert dry mouth.

"So Emma," Mary Margaret says, taking a sip of her own drink. "Why are we here? What's your news?"

"Please don't tell me there's another wicked witch," says David. He's laughing, but Emma notes the seriousness behind his eyes.

"No nothing like that. Maybe a bit more scary but not really life threatening."

Killian drapes his arm with the hook around her shoulders. He uses his free hand to pick up his rum. "Something life changing, perhaps."

David narrows his eyes. "What's going on?"

Emma's mouth falls open like a goldfish. She's floundering again. She glances over at Killian for help, but he doesn't have a chance to say anything before they hear the chilling sound of metal hitting against glass. They all spin round to see Grumpy stood, a shot glass in his hand. He bangs his spoon violently against the glass.

"EVERYONE, EVERYONE," he shouts in his rough, boastful voice.

Emma winces a little. She notes how he sways on the spot. He must have had a lot to drink. She has to stop herself from slapping on her sheriff badge and escorting him out.

"I have an announcement!"

She resists rolling her eyes. Seriously?

"Well actually," He pauses. He sniggers. "Emma has an announcement. That's why she's dragged us here, isn't it? And I for one am sick of waiting." He raises his glass in Emma's direction. "Over to you, sister."

Emma's mouth goes dry. Suddenly there are about twenty pairs of eyes, all trained on her. What the hell, Grumpy? she thinks. She doesn't want to be put on the spot like this. She was already psyching herself up to tell them, but she was sure she wasn't going to tell anyone straight away.

Now she definitely knows she's going to arrest Grumpy.

"W-well, um. Uh." A pause. She tries to swallow. "Well, actually it's about. We're… we are… we, uh…"

"Swan and I, we're having a baby," Killian announces, saving her from her floundering. His voice is all confidence, his grin glowing.

First, they're met with a hair-raising silence that makes Emma want to run from the room (dragging Grumpy out, kicking and screaming with her). And then, as the shock wears off, the diner slowly comes back to life. Noise builds up and people are running up to them, congratulating them. Mary Margaret gets to her first, wrapping her arms tightly around her. "Congratulations Emma," she whispers in her ear.

Emma pulls back to look her in the face. Her eyes are all sparkly and within seconds, the tears are falling down her face.

"Oh, here I go," she mutters, laughing, wiping the tears away. Emma hands her mother a napkin from the counter. She dabs at her eyes.

When she turns to Killian, the tears make a reappearance. She pulls him into a hug a little too violently. He winks at Emma over her shoulder as he pats her back.

They break apart when David approaches, arms folded. Killian and her father stare at each other for a moment, tension all around. And then his face breaks out into a big fatherly smile, and he opens his arms as wide as he can, almost accidentally hitting Henry in the face.

"Come here, mate."

They embrace and David mutters incoherent ramblings as he smacks Killian on the back.

With a sigh of relief, Emma turns towards Henry, who's watching her with a smile on his face. "This is great news, Mom," he says. "I'm gunna be a big brother."

She ruffles his hair. "You're gunna be the best big brother ever."

She hugs him (even though it feels like like all she's done is hug since she arrived), full of relief, love and warmth. They're still hugging when Regina approaches.

"Well well well. I suppose congratulations are in order."

"Thank you Regina," Emma says, but gives her a look.

"I look forward to being the favourite Godmother."

Emma's about to argue but Regina saunters off, throwing a wide smile over her shoulder.

Emma gulps down some of her lemonade, wishing she could have something stronger to take the edge off. She glances over at Killian, who seems to be enjoying all the attention. The dwarves, David and Mary Margaret surround him, and he chats happily. When he catches her watching him, he winks at her again.

She's only allowed one moment of peace before there's a tap on her shoulder. She turns around to see Doctor Whale waiting with a smirk.

"Emma Swan," he greets, his expression growing. He raises his glass to her and then to his lips.

"Whale," she says, folding her arms.

"Congratulations. For both you and Hook."

"Thanks."

"You know, I think it's time for you to book an appointment with me." He leans against the counter, oozing arrogance.

"Yeah."

The thing is, Emma knows she needs to book an appointment with him as soon as possible, but she's not sure she wants to. Isn't he Frankenstein? The mad scientist who created a monster? Part of her recoils at the thought of him being her doctor.

"Just give me a ring tomorrow morning and we can sort something out. Book your first sonogram, things like that."

"Sounds good." She watches him as he sips whisky like they're the waters of heaven.

"I will provide only the best for the Saviour." He pauses and purses his lips. "Hopefully no one will steal the baby this time."

Emma can't help a small laugh at that. Poor Whale. He doesn't have the best track record when it comes to delivering babies. "Trust me, no-one's going to steal my baby." She would kick their ass, just like she's done everyone else's.

"Glad to hear it. I'll see you soon, Emma." He raises his glass to her once more before departing.

She's barely alone a moment before Killian's voice is whispering in her ear, his hand resting on her waist. "Your father seems rather intent on asking me how good I am with children."

She turns to face him, a smile on her lips. "He's just being a dad. I'm sure he thinks you'll make a great father."

His grin drops, replacing the light in his eyes with seriousness. "Is that what you think, Swan?"

"That's what I know."

The night goes on much like that. There is laughter, a few tears (mostly from her mother) and many jokes at the expense of Hook trying to change a baby with one hand. After a while, the knot in Emma's chest loosens and she wonders why she was even worried in the first place. Everyone is happy for them, and they're greeted with nothing but smiles.

A few hours in, David calls for quiet. The room falls silent. He takes his glass and raises it towards them. "To Emma and Hook," he says, with one of those smiles that could kill all the evil in the world.

"To Emma and Hook," everyone murmurs at the same time.

Emma thinks that's it and he's going to sit down, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Instead he remains standing, though barely. The pink in his cheeks tell her he's a little more than merry.

"Y'know, at first I didn't like Hook," he announces in a slur. "I didn't like you mate, did I?"

Killian is nothing but smiles. "You didn't, mate. You didn't."

"I thought he was a good for nothing pirate who was only after one thing. Emma's-"

"DAVID," Comes Mary Margaret's voice. Laughter echoes around the room.

"And our happiness. And our legacy. And all our money. Actually, that's three things. I mean four." He shakes his head. "Anyway, that's not the point. The point is you proved me wrong, Pirate."

Killian leans against the counter, raising one eyebrow. "Did I?"

"I don't think I've ever been more wrong in my whole life. And now… you're my mate. You're my mate, Hook." Liquid topples over the side of the glass as he raises it again, high above his head. "TO EMMA AND HOOK."

Mary Margaret is at his side in an instant. "You've already said that, dear," she says as she takes his drink from him and steers him to one of the booths. There's a round of applause as she pushes him down. The crowd starts to pick up again.

"I think we should go before I have to arrest my own father," says Emma, turning away from her parents.

Killian's expression is amused. "Aye, I agree. Do you think we can slip out without anyone noticing?"

"Maybe." She smiles as she takes his hand. "But maybe we should say goodbyes. It's the right thing to do."

And they do say their goodbyes, making it as fleeting as possible. Killian steers Emma out, waving with his Hook, mumbling some rubbish about being dreadfully tired.

It's only when they're out in the cool night air does Emma realise Gold hadn't been there the whole time. He must have left shortly after their announcement. She tries not to let that trouble her as they make their way back to their house.

…

Killians kisses are light, and they cover her skin like soft little raindrops. He's usually gentle, but he's being gentler than usual. They're laid on the bed, but he's hardly touching her, barely grazing his fingertips over her skin.

"You're not going to hurt the baby, Killian," she tells him as she catches his hand. He brings hers up to his lips and presses a soft kiss against her palm.

"I know, love," he says. "I can't help it."

Maybe he's not being gentle because he's afraid to hurt their child. Perhaps he's being gentle because it's more loving, more intimate. He's been even more affectionate than usual since she told him.

His fingertips trace along her side, up until they're creeping along the hem of her pyjama top. "May I?" he asks, always the gentleman.

"Knock yourself out."

He places his hand just under the material, on her flat stomach. He hasn't taken his rings off yet and she wriggles a little at the cold, but she soon gets used to it. His eyes burn into hers.

"I never believed I was truly deserving of this," he admits, eyes leaving hers for the briefest second. "All the things I've done…" He shakes his head. "My happy ending felt like a distant dream. Like I was sailing towards it, but not getting any closer."

"You deserve your happy ending as much as any hero," she says.

"Aye. I think I'm finally starting to believe it." He traces his fingertips over the skin of her stomach. "I promise to be the father this little sailor deserves. And I will love no-one else more than she."

Emma smiles, warmth filling her body. All she can think is that there will be no child loved more. Then his words finally sink in. "Hang on… she?"

"I have a feeling."

"You think they're a she?"

"Well, Swan, it's a fifty fifty chance, no?"

"Yeah." She frowns. "But why do you think she's a she?"

"Instinct," he smiles. "Just instinct."

She can't help but notice the light in his eyes. She hasn't seen him happier. Not ever. After all they've been through, they're finally getting their piece of perfection. Just two lost souls who have finally found happiness. There's an unspoken agreement that their child will never suffer like they have. Never.

They drift off to sleep like that, Emma curled up to Killian, his hand resting against the smooth skin of her stomach. In the end, he forgets to take off his rings but she doesn't mind, especially when he pulls her closer as he dreams. For the first time in a while, sleep claims Emma while she has a smile on her face.

…

One day Emma runs into Belle. She's whirling up the path to Granny's, in desperate need of a grilled cheese and onion rings, when she collides with her walking out the door.

"Gosh, sorry!" comes Belle's voice, and they both collect their bearings.

"Belle," Emma says in surprise. She hasn't seen her in a long time, not since she heard the news from Mary Margaret.

She's as lovely as ever. Long, chestnut hair falls over her shoulders in glossy waves. Belle always reminds Emma of a doll, but not in a bad way. It's that pretty porcelain face, always smiling, no matter what she's going through. She smiles now, but Emma doesn't miss the dark bruises under her eyes.

"Emma," Belle says, equally in surprise. A soft smile crosses her face. "I suppose congratulations are in order."

"How do you-"

"Rumple told me," she says quickly. "I'm happy for you. Really." She gives another one of those smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "Anyway, must be off. I'm supposed to be minding the shop."

She steps around Emma and begins to make her way down the path. Emma watches her for a moment before she calls after her. "Hey, Belle."

The woman turns, mouth falling open a little. "Yes?"

A few strides and Emma is in front of her again. "I'm sorry for your loss," she says rapidly. It should have been the first thing she said, and there's guilt ebbing away at her soul.

Belle's smile is a little sad this time. "Thank you. That means a lot to me. And Rumple, I'm sure."

"After everything you've been through, you didn't deserve this."

"The world works in mysterious ways," Belle says. Emma's embarrassed to see the other woman's eyes glassing over, filling with unshed tears. "It's still sore, but I'll be fine. We both will."

"You will," Emma says, firmly. She too has known loss, terrible loss. She has watched so many people die, and not been able to do anything about it, but time heals. As cliche as it sounds, time heals almost anything.

"I wish you," she says suddenly, taking Emma's hands in both of her own. "Every happiness with this child." Her voice has a steely quality.

Emma blinks, taken back. "Thank you." Her hands are limp in Belle's.

As quickly as her grasp was there, it's gone, and she's putting distance between them. "I'll see you around, Emma. Let me know how everything's going, okay?"

"Okay," she says, a little weakly. This time she watches Belle walk down the path and doesn't stop her. She walks into Granny's in a daze.