Emma regarded the castle impassively, hoping for a rush of warmth or affection and feeling none. The moon shone brightly above it, illuminating the large lake and white walls. What damage there had been when they arrived in Misthaven had been fixed with all the time that Emma had been away and the castle was picture perfect, like it had been in Henry's book.

With a sigh and a glance at her husband - finding him watching her with beady eyes - Emma encouraged her horse to ride on. Though she held no true affection for the castle in which she had been born, at least one of her sons was certainly inside, with her parents. The sound of a second set of hooves followed her.

They were greeted at the gate and allowed to pass through swiftly. Emma ignored the interested looks that the guards gave them, though especially Killian. A pirate who married a princess, an eternal curiosity and beacon of hope to the poor and downtrodden. This discovery, of Killian's renown and the good feeling that was growing within the people towards him, had been very recent, during the short few days that they had ridden from the coast to the castle, leaving the Jolly in solid hands with their crew.

The doors swung open the very moment they dismounted their horses and stablehands rushed from the sides to take them away to be brushed and cleaned. Emma sighed at the sight of her parents. It was past midnight and neither of them were generally night owls.

"Have you had birds spying on us?" Emma asked, more weary than irritated.

Snow smiled. "I only wanted to know how long until you would be home, so that we could see you straight away." Emma smiled. "We sent the nursemaid to get Liam. They'll be here in a moment. How was your trip?"

"Good," Emma replied. "We can update you properly in the morning. We've been riding all day." Snow nodded, understanding in her eyes. Emma's father greeted her with a kiss to her head and Emma leaned into his simple and soothing embrace.

The sound of footsteps made Emma pull away. Glancing at Killian behind her and sharing a grin, a sudden burst of energy filled her. She dashed across the hallway, hearing the doors finally close away the night, and took her son into her arms, pressing her face into his hair and running her hands soothingly across his back. He was bigger, so much bigger that tears pricked Emma's eyes. She felt Killian's arms enclose them both and she sighed into him, pressing her cheek against the bone of his shoulder.

"We'll let you sleep," David said quietly. "Your chambers are ready for you. There's some food in there if you are hungry. We'll see you at breakfast tomorrow." Emma's only response was a nod and then she heard them leave.

"Let's go to bed, love," Killian murmured. Emma nodded, feeling a yawn approaching. "I'll just get the trunk."

Emma leaned her forehead against the cold stone wall, her arms protesting at holding Liam. He really was heavier. "What do you think about a new baby sibling?" she cooed. Liam cocked his head and Emma smiled at him, brushing an eyelash off his cheek. "I'm so sorry we were gone so long, baby. We're here now and we're not going anywhere."

"I kind of assumed that."

Emma spun around, clutching Liam to her chest with one hand and the other going for the cutlass at her waist, eyes wide. She had pulled the cutlass from its slot on her belt and had it pointed between the eyes of the speaker when she realised that it was Neal, approaching in the dark, and not an enemy or danger. Breathing rapidly, she sheathed her cutlass and let out a huff.

"What the hell, Neal?" she demanded in whisper tones. Her panic was clearing. "What are you even doing here?"

Neal gave her a half-smile. "I came to see you, of course."

Emma narrowed her eyes. "Why the hell- It's late, Neal. Can we do whatever this is tomorrow?"

Neal shook his head. "No, I want this to be over with and clear."

"There is nothing between us to be over with, Neal. This was all over a long time ago."

Neal sighed. "I know that. I just assumed you would get bored of this, of Hook. I assumed he'd fuck up."

"Please don't swear in front of Liam," Emma said quietly and appreciated the apologetic look on Neal's face. "I told you when we came back to Storybrooke that I was going to be with Killian. We're married now and we have Liam and-" Emma cut herself off before she could reveal the baby growing inside of her. She shook her head. "I'm not bored of Killian and I'm never going to be bored of Killian. I'm in love with him."

Emma felt something akin to relief as Neal's face turned to sadness rather than anger. "The thing is, Emma, I'm never going to be over you." Emma closed her eyes, turning her face away. "So, I'll be here, waiting, if you ever change your mind."

And with that he strode away. "I won't," Emma called after him, gritting her teeth at his presumption. Finally, the doors swung open and Killian stepped in with their trunk.

"Did I hear voices?" he asked, his breath slightly caught. Emma groaned.

"I'll tell you when we're in bed." Killian smiled and nodded at the door for her to open, leading to their bedchamber.

XXX

A week later, Emma and Killian were moving into their very own palace, half incredulous and half exasperated by the sheer size of the Summer Palace. Though smaller than her parents' permanent palace, the home that Snow's parents had kept as a holiday home had twenty bedrooms and a ballroom the size of Storybrooke Park. They'd chosen to occupy this palace, rather than any of the other smaller homes that her parents' three kingdoms (her grandfather Leopold's, her grandmother Ava's and Midas') allowed them, because it was the closest to the coast. In fact, it was hardly a ten minutes' ride on horseback to reach where they had docked the Jolly Roger, having sailed along the coast to reach their new home. A day's ride, their journey on the Jolly had been hardly an hour.

The entrance hall was picturesque, it had to be said. The whole palace was built with a greyish-white stone that made it look like a cloud. Emma found her eyes drawn to the painting on the left wall, occupying almost all of the centre of it. The woman was almost a picture of her mother, though with a slimmer face and different eyes, green eyes, Emma's eyes. The man was taller than the woman who Emma identified as Ava, her grandmother. Leopold was stately, though balding and with a weak chin. The picture showed him to be a king, though he wore no crown. It was the posture her father held, too.

"Which room shall we choose, love?" Killian's voice interrupted her. She turned to find him, leaning on the post at the end of the grand staircase.

"For what?" Emma asked absent-mindedly, her eyes drifting back to the picture. Killian tutted and approached her, placing his hook on her cheek. The cold metal drew her back fully into the present. She smiled.

"I was asking which room you would like to fuck most often in, love," he asked. Emma pursed her lips to unsuccessfully hide her smile.

"It's our palace; we can fuck in whichever room we like," Emma said with a grin. Killian dragged the flat edge of his hook along her cheekbone and Emma's stomach fluttered in response.

"Come and look at these chambers, Swan. I think we should have these."

By the time Emma and her husband reached the chambers that Killian had selected, Emma was panting. "We can't have these, Killian. We have literally climbed all the stairs."

"Look, look, though, Swan," he said, dragging her into the room, its door open already. The room was big and the bed looked exceptionally comfortable. There was even a room adjoining with a bath big enough for two. Emma glanced back at the stairs she had climbed and was still recovering from. Perhaps it was time to consider building up some leg muscle.

Smiling, she followed Killian over to the window, where he pointed out at the distance. There, of course, was the ocean. She held out her hand for Killian's telescope and, lo and behold, when she looked through it, she saw the Jolly. With a sigh, Emma said, "When I'm five months pregnant until five months after I've given birth, we are using a different room, but, otherwise, yes, we can have these."

"Agreed," Killian said, his smirk wide as he leaned over to cup her cheek and bring their lips together.

"Where's Liam?" Emma asked as Killian brought his hook to the top of her skirts. "And do not dare rip this. All my clothes are five floors away."

Killian rolled his eyes and moved his hand to the lacing on her skirt instead. He worked at it as he said, "The nursemaid took him to the nursery to have a nap." Emma hummed appreciatively. If ever it was good that Liam did not enjoy ship journeys, it was now.

"Okay then, captain," Emma said with a grin, finishing his work on her skirts and stepping out of them. In only her corset and underwear, Emma walked backwards to the bed, grinning as Killian hurried over to meet her.

XXX

Her parents barely left it a week before they came for a visit. A day's ride was nothing, really, in the Enchanted Forest, as Snow had cheerily informed Emma when they were packing her meagre things to move. Emma had not imagined that they would take advantage of the short distance quite so soon.

"And, besides," Snow said as she strode through the entrance hall upon arrival, "We've not been here since our honeymoon." Killian wrinkled his nose, which made Emma snort. "How are you finding being here? Isn't the location lovely?"

"It is," Emma said, turning left into the dining hall, where the cook and servants had laid a luncheon. The final maid curtseyed on her way out. "Still not used to that," Emma muttered to Killian as they took their seats at one end of the table, where all four places were set. Emma refused to use the whole table, when it put them all so far apart, though she was aware it was not traditional in Misthaven.

"Have you been to the beach yet?"

"Of course," Emma said, picking up her wine glass and sipping at it. The wine in Misthaven - especially the expensive stuff that princesses could afford - was almost worth the relocation.

"Are you already drinking?" her mother asked and Emma almost felt like she was in a movie. That was what all the judgemental moms said when their daughters drank at lunchtime.

"I'm a princess," Emma reminded her. "I can do whatever I want." Killian smirked. "And, yes, we did go to the beach, on our first day here. Liam loved it."

Snow smiled widely. "Where is he?"

"Asleep. We went sailing yesterday and it tuckered him out."

"You went sailing?" her father said, his tone impressed. "On the Jolly Roger? Did Hook let you sail, Emma?"

Emma scowled at her husband who was smirking. "We did not go on the Jolly. We went on a little sailboat."

"And you nearly crashed it," Killian reminded her, pointing his hook at her accusingly. Emma quirked an eyebrow. "Imagine if that had been the Jolly. I want our marriage to last, Swan."

"Are you saying you'd leave me if I crashed the Jolly?" Emma asked him, amused.

Killian glanced around himself. "Perhaps I'd just move chambers."

Emma snorted. "Now I know you're joking." She turned to her parents. "Our chambers are on the fifth floor. You can see the ocean from them and, if we use the telescope, you can see the Jolly." Her father raised his brows, impressed. Emma glanced down at her lap and then at Killian who smiled at her encouragingly. "We wanted to tell you something actually."

Her mother's eyes were bright. Emma was sure she suspected what Emma was going to say. "I'm pregnant." Snow's smile widened.

"How wonderful," she declared. Emma smiled as Killian picked up her hand to kiss it. "I hope you have a girl this time, Emma."

"Me too," Emma confessed, feeling flushed. "We've decided to go on another adventure before we have the baby, though, to really appreciate this time with Liam."

Her parents' smiles dropped. "You're leaving? Again?" her mother said. Emma swallowed and nodded.

"Not far," she said earnestly. "We're staying in the kingdom. We're going to see Henry at the navy academy."

Her parents shared a look. "I suppose that wouldn't be the worst thing," her father said slowly. "At least the people would see you that way."

Emma sighed. "I'm not going so that the people can see me. I'm going to see my son. I understand why you want them to see me, but there must be better ways for me to help the kingdom than walking around in frocks and attending dances. I helped plenty of people in Storybrooke while wearing a leather jacket and being pretty socially non-existent."

"It's not like that here, Emma. We have sheriffs here who deal with the crime. You're a princess, now, and you haven't given up your leather yet." Her mother's eyes dropped to her leather vest and breeches. Emma pursed her lips. She had been waiting for that comment from the moment her parents entered.

Her father cleared his throat. "I know that this is difficult for you, Emma, but your role is more political now. Yes, we want you to attend balls and wear the right things, but only so that we can appease the nobles and create alliances. We want you to be on our council, too, and help us make laws and decide what's right for the country." Though that was more what Emma preferred, it still sounded deathly boring.

Emma sighed, giving up the fight for now. "I'm sorry. I know you want what's best for me and for the kingdom. It'll be nice when Leo and the new baby grow up to take the load off," Emma said, nodding at her mother's overflowing stomach. Snow smiled. "But I will wear leather for as long as I am in my own house - palace, whatever. If there's no one outside our family here, I am not wearing any stupid ballgowns."

Killian smirked at her with a quirked brow and Emma tried to hide her smile.

XXX

By the time her parents left, Emma did have a clearer idea of what they wanted her to do. Though much of it was disagreeable to her, Emma could see the benefits of her spending time with nobles and going to figuratively cut some ribbons. And she was very happy to be on the council, the more she considered it. The laws that she created would be enforced by others but it was a somewhat similar job as the one she had had in Storybrooke.

She had continued arguing with her mother through the week, though, about this and that. It had felt like she was in the movie Brave, where the queen hounded Merida to become more of the ideal version of a princess. But, as Emma reminded her mother, she was hardly the ideal picture of a princess, either. She'd spent years as a bandit, with her bow and arrow, and Emma knew that she had not been wearing dresses while she did that, at least so far as Henry's book conveyed. But Emma did think it was pretty normal to fight with your mom, so she didn't entirely mind it. And it made her feel like she was getting to know her better.

And she was getting to know her father even better, as he regularly came to comfort her after she had fought with her mother. He had even had a sword custom made for her, which he said suited a princess much better than a pirate's cutlass. It had nearly caused Emma to argue with him, until she saw the amused twinkle in his eyes.

So, all in all, it had been an enjoyable week, if fraught with tension. Killian had found it all quite amusing, especially when she had caved to her mother's wishes on one evening and worn a dress rather than her customary breeches and vest. He had found the ease of pushing her skirts up around her waist and ripping her knickers off with his hook even more amusing.

Emma was missing the first council meeting that she had been invited to, in order to visit Henry, which she did not mind whatsoever, as her father had told her that it was going to be about grain taxing, which Emma did not know anything about and neither did she care about it one jot. Going to the navy camp was far more exciting.

Especially because her father had convinced Killian to wear a navy uniform to go to the camp. His opinion was - and Emma agreed wholeheartedly - that the navy would accept Killian as the princess' consort more readily if they knew that he was also a navyman. And, perhaps, Emma's agreement of this had more to do with how excellent he looked in his naval uniform.

The night before, Emma had forced him to wear it and not take it off while he fucked her. She imagined that her father had not had this in mind whatsoever when he suggested Killian's uniform.

They finally arrived at the navy academy a few days after leaving their palace. They had ridden rather than take the Jolly, as Emma's sickness had shown itself for the first time while her parents had been visiting, so she didn't want to risk exacerbating it with a boat journey, though it delayed them. Liam travelled in front of Emma, with straps attached to her front, and he had seemed to enjoy it for the most part, looking around himself all day and giggling when they galloped.

The naval recruits all lined up as Emma and Killian arrived, in a dress and uniform respectively. Even Liam was wearing the poshest clothing Emma could find to put him in. The officers stood ramrod straight, their eyes barely moving as Emma and Killian rode past them and dismounted at the entrance to the main building, where three men who Killian identified as high up within the navy awaited them. Emma had never felt less suited to being a princess as she did with all of those eyes on her.

And, then, the men bowed to her as she stood before them, brushing down her skirts. Killian took her hand to make her stop and she let out a breath, picking up her son.

"Your highness, it is an honour," the central man said with a second bow. Emma smiled as pleasantly as she possibly could.

"Thank you, Captain," she said, glad she had had Killian instruct her on what was what with regards to speaking with navy officers. "This is not a state visit, but simply a visit to my son."

"Of course, your highness. Even so, you are most welcome to tour our premises if you so wish."

Emma's lips twitched and she turned to find Killian's eyes eager and wide. With a smile, she said, "My husband, Captain Jones, would be very grateful for that, Captain, and I will endeavour to keep up, though I must admit that I do not know much about ships or the navy."

The captain chuckled and then turned to Killian, extending his hand with something akin to disgust. Killian ignored it, shaking his head. "Captain Hoo- Jones, an honour to meet you," the captain said stiffly.

"Captain Egbert, is it not?" Killian said, inclining his head.

"It is, Captain." Emma took Killian's hand.

"Would we be able to be taken to our lodgings, Captain? It's been a long journey and I would appreciate a rest and to see my son."

The Captain gave half a bow. "Certainly, your highness. I will send His Highness Seaman Mills up to your chambers immediately."

XXX

Hugging Henry was the greatest comfort Emma could have received after forcing herself into the role of princess. "You were great, Swan," Killian said from his position, lying on the bed with Liam giggling away on his chest, his pudgy hand wrapped around the curve of her husband's hook. Emma smiled at the sight, only half-releasing Henry so that she still had her arm wrapped around his shoulders.

"You look very regal," Henry said, nodding at her blue dress. Emma tutted.

"Yes, you can blame your grandmother for that, and for Killian's uniform, too, which did not win over Captain Egbert."

Henry grimaced. "Captain Egbert is very vocal about his dislike for you, Killian."

"Of course," Killian said with an easy smile. "No naval officer would like a pirate and to see one married to the only princess would only be a further kick in the teeth. But I don't mind wearing the uniform. I was a navy man once." Emma raked her eyes over him again in that uniform. "So, are you enjoying the navy, lad?"

Emma stole Liam from Killian as he sat up and she set herself in the bay window overlooking the ocean and her kingdom's fleet. She listened with half an ear as Killian and Henry excitedly discussed the navy and then as Killian quizzed Henry on certain naval things. With a smile, Emma bent to whisper to her younger son, "You can never join the navy, okay, Liam?"

He only grinned and poked her cheek. Emma grinned.

XXX

Henry wanted to take Liam for the day and spend some time with his brother - prompted, Emma knew without a doubt, by Killian's desire to take Emma to somewhere he visited once.

When they arrived, Emma did not begrudge herself the day with her sons. They had had to trek downhill for about half an hour and Emma was already dreading the walk back up, but, then, she was distracted by the wonder of the waterfall and pool that it fed into, hiding just around the corner.

The cliff to either side of the waterfall was dotted with orange and white flowers, contrasting the bright, almost turquoise blue of the waters. "It's warm, too," Killian's growl said in her ear, his arm wrapping around her waist. "There are hot springs nearby that heat it."

"Hmm, sounds delightful," she said, leaning back into his embrace. Killian pressed a kiss beneath her ear.

"How are you feeling?" he murmured. Emma smiled.

"Wonderful," she sighed, though she knew he was asking because of her bad morning sickness. "I'm wonderful." He spun her away softly and she appreciated the sight of his naval uniform again. "I bet this isn't the first time you've brought a girl here, pirate," Emma said, toying coyly with the lacing of her skirts.

"I did bring a few lasses here after I discovered it, when I was just learning to be a pirate."

"Hmm," Emma said, stepping out of her skirt. Killian's eyes followed her bare legs and Emma's skin flushed with anticipation. "I'd say it was more than a few."

"Perhaps it was many." Killian's eyes were dark as she released the laces on her corset and stepped out of her underwear. He approached slowly and pulled her hair from its braid. Emma grinned.

"As much as I love that uniform, I want my pirate and I prefer him with no clothes." Killian smirked. She leaned in so that her mouth was by his ear. "Hurry up," she murmured before pushing him away and running off and diving into the pool. Seconds later, she shrieked as Killian joined her, making a huge splash, and then any sounds were muffled by the feel of his mouth on hers.