Hey so its time to finally find out what's been going on with Emma, and it's not quite what most of you expected. Just a warning that this subject could be triggering for some, her condition is stated in the first sentence so take that as a warning of how this chapter is going to go (nothing graphic or too descriptive is discussed in relation to it.)

Hope you enjoy the penultimate chapter of this fic :) (As always all reviews, favourites and follows are greatly appreciated and fill my writer heart with joy 3)

Ectopic Pregnancy.

That's what it was. That's what she's been feeling. Emma knew that something was wrong. She'd been clear, adamant, with her husband that something was wrong.

Still she didn't feel any sort of satisfaction at being proved right.

A small part of her had remained hopeful, that she was simply worrying for no reason. That everything was perfectly fine. Better than fine. Even as she had donned the hospital gown, flashes of a future with a baby who shared her and Killian's DNA materialised in her mind. A boy with the piercing blue eyes of a Jones lad.

A set of those piercing blue eyes were staring at her now, questioning and worrying as she fought for breath. She needed to comfort him, to give him the answers he craved even though they would destroy him. Cause for the second time in as many days, Killian was being informed of life-changing news concerning those he loved most with words he didn't understand.

The nurse conducting the ultrasound chose to provide the information which Emma herself could not. "Mr Jones, an ectopic pregnancy refers to a foetus which is growing outside of the womb."

"How is that even possible?" Killian's brow furrowed further, searching his knowledge of the female reproductive system which remained quite extensive from when they were actively trying to conceive. "Surely that is a circumstance in which a baby could not survive…" He trailed off, coming to the devastating truth as Emma let out a sob. "Oh love…" Killian breathed, gathering his wife in his arms as much as he could from where she lay in the examination chair.

"I'll give you two a moment." The nurse turned off the screen and collected up her notes. "Emma, once you're ready get dressed and come outside to the office to discuss the next steps. Take your time, though."

"Emma, I…I'm so sorry." Killian choked out once they were alone. Her tears could be felt on his neck, where her head rested. His wife had cried more in recent days than one should in a lifetime, suffering more pain than any good soul should.

"I knew something was wrong." Emma whispered, pulling back from his embrace and using the back of her hands to wipe her blotchy cheeks.

"I know." Killian felt a sort of guilt, that he had forced her to come here and find answers.

"Hey, I'm not…" Emma sucked in a breath, trying to sort out her jumble of thoughts and emotions. She took his hook in her hand, running her thumb along the curve. "I'm not blaming you. It just…sucks."

"Aye, love."

"There was a small part of me, you know, that thought we were finally…g-getting…" Emma sniffled, her tears now quiet as they slipped from her lashes.

"Me too." Killian pressed a kiss to her forehead as he stood up, giving her room to change back into her clothes. He watched her with silent desperation, wishing he could remove the anguish from her features, wishing he could save the life inside of her. And one wish, which he wasn't sure whether he should be ashamed of or not, wishing that foetus had never come to be. What was the point, if it couldn't live and had only caused pain? Killian didn't think he'd ever voice that one to another soul.

#

They were leaving the doctor's office when Emma turned to her husband.

"I don't want to talk to anyone about it yet. Not my parents, no-one. Alright?" Emma did not stop her stride, her hand tightening in Killian's. "Not until we know everything, exactly what's going to happen."

"Aye, love." They were awaiting a call from the obstetrician, the one they saw in Boston, who was going to review their notes and suggest the next course of action for them. "How are you feeling?"

"Physically? Much better actually." Emma lowered her voice as they approached the triage ward that their family were on. "It's like now that I know what's wrong, my body's stopped trying to show me that something is."

"Good to hear, Swan." Killian scratched behind his ear with his hook, knowing his next question may not receive the same positive reaction. "And how about mentally?"

"I don't know...it's a lot to take in, Killian." Emma sighed, her husband was only looking out for her after all. "But like you said, we'll get there. We have our son and our daughter, and a family to support us."

"Aye, not bad for a lost boy and a lost girl." Killian held the door open to the triage section where Katie was. "And speaking of our daughter, I think she'll want her parents back."

Katie was laying on the bed, exactly where they had left her. The little girl looked more peaceful, the tears had thankfully dried during her sleep and no more had taken their place.

"She looks better." Emma whispered, to which her husband agreed. The colour had returned to her cheeks, and her breaths were coming normally. It took her another second to realise why that was so impressive. "Killian, they've removed her mask."

"That they have, and looks like she's doing amazing without it." Killian beamed proudly, knowing he will never again take for granted the simple act of his daughter breathing.

"Well done, sweetie." Emma leant forward to lay a kiss to her daughter's forehead, stroking her cheek with her thumb.

"Mmm…"Katie mumbled as she was roused from her sleep, gently by her mother as she had been so many times before.

"Hey, baby, how are you doing?" Emma questioned as Katie blinked open her eyes with a yawn.

"Ok, I think…" Katie struggled to sit up properly in the bed, so Killian used the remote to lift the head of the bed upwards to provide support.

"I'm impressed." Emma looked at her husband the same way she always did when he used some new technology.

"I keep telling you, Swan, I'm a fast learner." Killian winked at his wife, causing her cheeks to heat with a soft blush.

"Hi, Daddy." Katie rubbed at her eyes, hugging her teddy close under one arm.

"Hello, princess." Killian grinned from his seat next to her bed, Emma having taken the one on the opposite side.

The curtain opened to reveal Dr Brachus and Martha the Nurse, who entered the section divided off for Katie.

"Ah we thought we heard voices." The doctor smiled at the family whilst Martha went around noting down the readings on the machines. "How are you feeling, Katie?"

The young girl pulled her blanket tighter around herself and buried her face in the teddy's fur. Killian stroked his hook down Katie's back to sooth her.

"Doctor, here are her readings." Martha passed the clipboard over to the doctor, whispering in his ear as she did so.

Killian, having perfected his hearing over the years, heard that she was explaining Katie's silence and he mouthed a "thank you" to the nurse when she had finished. Martha gave him a wink.

"Well her readings have improved dramatically, even since we last came to check on her an hour ago which was when we removed her mask." The young doctor seemed to think that as Katie wasn't going to talk to him, he wasn't going to address her. Emma rolled her eyes. "Due to Katie spending longer in triage than we expected, we've actually gathered all of the information we needed at this time and are happy to skip the admission to the children's ward and discharge her from here."

"Really? Are you sure she's ready?" Emma wanted to make sure that Katie was as recovered as she needed to be.

"We are, yes." Dr Brachus nodded, putting down the clipboard. "We will be prescribing her an inhaler, to take when she is struggling to breathe."

"Aren't inhalers for people with asthma?" Emma scrunched her nose, knowing that there had been no mention of her daughter having that particular condition.

"Originally, yes. However they have been very effective in treating shortness of breath associated with a wide range of other conditions." The doctor seemed a bit put out and having to explain himself. "As long as you two are happy, I can go sign off on the discharge now." Both parents nodded in agreement. "Excellent." The doctor exited the curtain as swiftly as he had come in.

"Did you hear that, Katie?" The nurse knelt down next to the bed, so that she could look the young girl in the one eye that was showing. "You're getting to go home."

Katie lowered the teddy bear so that it was below her chin and smiled shyly at the kind woman. The young girl then held a hand out towards her mother, pulling her forward to kneel when she took it. Martha stood back to give them room.

"What is it, baby?" Emma spoke gently to her daughter, turning her head so that Katie could whisper into her ear.

"I want to say thank you." Katie breathed so softly, the words barely ticked Emma's skin.

"Ok, sweetie." Emma then spoke to the nurse, who was happily regarding the scene. "Katie wants to say thank you to you for looking after her so well."

"Oh, you are so welcome, sweetheart." Martha gushed, bringing her hands up to her chest. "You just made my day. You can get dressed now, I know it's nicer to be in your own clothes."

"I'll leave you to it." Killian followed Martha, giving his daughter privacy to get dressed with the help of Emma.

"You've got a very special little girl there." Martha smiled as Killian drew the curtain closed behind them.

"I know." Killian treasured his daughter with everything he was, believing her to be an angel sent to them. "I wanted to say thank you, from me and Emma also, we appreciate all you have done for Katie. You are obviously very good at what you do."

"Thank you, it means a lot." The nurse looked up and down the hallway behind her before continuing in hushed tones. "Also I'm sorry about the doctor, sometimes I feel like they're drilled with all this medical jargon in training that they forget how to speak to people. He's young, he'll learn."

"No worries, although I will make sure to tell my wife." Killian gestured behind him to the closed curtain. "I think Emma may have taken a disliking to the man, and that won't bode well for him. Trust me on that, I speak from experience." Killian chuckled, along with the nurse.

"I noticed." Martha lay a hand on Killian's arm, squeezing for a second before stepping back. "It was lovely to meet you, all of you, especially your daughter."

"Likewise, milady."

"Let me go and see if I can hurry that paperwork along." Martha turned towards the nurses' station, looking very much like a woman on a mission.

Yes. Killian thought to himself. I definitely like her.

#

Once Katie was dressed she had begged to see her grandfather and make sure that he was actually alright. She seemed to have forgotten her dream, for now at least, however she was still being especially clingy; to be expected of any child after a hospital admission. Her parents didn't mind at all, soaking up all the affection their daughter was both giving as well as craving. The parents had finally relented to her pleas and, once she had been officially discharged which included the uncomfortable removal of a cannula from her hand – Killian was not likely to forget Katie's pained panicked cries during that in a hurry –, they made their way through the hospital.

"Now remember, baby," Emma stopped in the hall outside the room in which her father was now a patient. She looked up at her daughter, who was in Killian's arms, "Grandad is getting better but he's not completely healed yet. We need to be really gentle with him, ok?"

Katie lifted her head from Killian's shoulder so she could give her mother a big nod. The young girl understood needing to be gentle, she still didn't think she'd be able to stop herself from giving her grandfather a massive hug.

"That a girl." Killian kissed his daughter's head when she laid it back onto his shoulder.

"Dad?" Emma called as she pushed the door open. She was also relieved to see her father sitting up in bed, as the last time she'd seen him was when he'd been brought in with a bleeding bullet wound.

"Emma, it's good to see you." David turned off the TV, not the least bit interested in the documentary he'd been watching now that his family was here.

"You too." Emma gave her father a side hug, light as she was mindful of his injury.

"How's Katie?" David was filled with concern for his granddaughter.

"You can ask her yourself, mate." Killian walked through the doorway with Katie in his arms, having wanted to give Emma a moment alone with her father.

"There's the beautiful princess." David grins widely, seeing his granddaughter having seemingly recovered from her ordeal.

Katie wiggled in her father's grasp until he set her down on her feet. The little girl practically ran to the man who had his arms held out for her.

"Remember, gentle." Emma helped Katie onto the hospital bed, slightly concerned that in her enthusiasm she would forget what they had discussed mere moments ago. However, her fears proved to be unfounded as the young girl tenderly climbed onto his lap. David fought against his wince as his side twinged uncomfortably, because this was more important. His granddaughter needed to know that he was ok, that he would get better.

"Are you ok?" Katie whispered staring into his eyes, searching for the truth.

"Yes, I am. Thanks for asking, sweetheart." David bopped her little nose, causing a slightly watery giggle to escape.

"I was s-scared…" Katie sniffled as a wayward tear slipped onto her left cheek.

"Oh, princess. I'm sorry for scaring you." The prince wiped away her tear with his thumb. "But I'm ok, I promise."

"Mommy and Daddy say they got the bad person." Katie turned to her dad who nodded his head.

"Yes they did. He won't be able to hurt anyone again." David assured her, rubbing his hand up her back. Katie hummed and lay down against his chest, so that she was fully on top of him. Emma went to object, but David lifted a hand to say that it was fine. He knew his granddaughter needed this.

"I'm glad…" Katie mumbled and nuzzled further into his chest.

"Me too." David laid a kiss to the young girl's head. They all fell silent then, allowing Katie to drift off to sleep once more. She was exhausted, and probably would remain so for a few more days at least.

"Where's mom?" Emma questioned once her daughter's breathing had evened out.

"She went to pick up Neal from Ruby's. Apparently he has been causing a bit of trouble for Belle and Dorothy, refusing to listen and such. When he threatened to hold his breath until they took him to us, Belle rang Snow." David rubbed the hand, which wasn't resting on Katie's back, down his face. "Your brother can be as stubborn as they come."

"A member of the Charming family? Stubborn? I balk at the thought." Killian chuckled as he was shot identical glares in mock offence.

"Anyway, Snow's going to take him to the farm and check on Nana as well as the other animals. A couple of the dwarves were already there at work, but we thought it best to lend a hand."

"I'm happy to offer my services as well, mate." Killian shrugged his jacket on from where he had draped it over a chair.

"Killian, you don't have to." David wanted to attempt to stop him, however stayed still for the little sleeping princess on his chest.

"I know, but you wouldn't be here if you hadn't of gone to help us out." Killian scratched behind his ear.

"Killian, none of us knew what was going to happen." Emma rested her hand against her husband's chest, even though she knew there was no convincing him of staying.

"Be that as it may, love, you do for family." Killian pressed a chaste kiss to his wife's lips, and nodded goodbye to David, before taking his leave.

"And he calls us stubborn." David shakes his head, laughing until he realises that his daughter isn't laughing with him. Emma simply sighs and sits down in the chair next to his bed. Her gaze remains on the door her husband just departed through. "Emma?"

"Hmmm," Emma doesn't turn her head, probably not fully aware that her father is speaking to her.

"How are you doing, Emma?" The way the question is asked gives away that David already knows that something is up. Something more than his current situation, or even Katie's.

"Huh? What?" Emma snaps her head around to finally face her father. "I'm fine."

"Emma, I'm your father, talk to me." David's look is so open, so knowing, that Emma has to fight not to look away.

"I…um…I…we weren't going to tell anyone yet…" Emma offers meekly, half-hoping her father would stop her. Tell her to wait for Killian. For a time when her daughter wasn't present, asleep or not. However, David simply gives her an encouraging smile and suddenly all she wants to do is open up to her dad and have him comfort her. "Ok, look, I…um…I haven't been feeling that great so I had a scan…Killian convinced me to have a scan and I've got a…they call it an ectopic pregnancy."

"Oh Emma…" The sadness in David's eyes means that she doesn't have to explain what it is, and for that she is grateful.

"It hurts, Dad…" Emma didn't even feel the tears well in her eyes before they're streaming down her face. She bites her lip, not wanting to wake Katie and have her see her like this.

"Come here…" David shuffles over on the bed, carefully manoeuvring his granddaughter so she is laying more on his side than his front.

"Dad…I don't…Your stiches…" Emma argues weakly, even as she aches to curl up in his arms.

"Will hold. Right now my daughter needs me and I'll be damned if I let a simple bullet wound stop me from comforting you." David grins and Emma rolls her eyes, causing more moisture to wet her cheeks.

"If you're sure, just for a little while…" Emma carefully lowers the side rail of the hospital bed to allow her to climb in without jostling the others too much. Once she is settled, David reaches over her to pull the railing back into place and securing Emma against his side.

"There, my two princesses in my arms." David chuckles lowly as Emma swats lightly at his chest for that comment.

"I was worried about you, you know." Emma props her elbow up to rest her head on her hand. "Promise me you won't go into a call without back-up again."

"I've already promised your mother the same thing, but I promise you as well."

"Good." Emma replied sternly, letting him know that he would be in trouble if he were to do it again. "By the way, I wasn't the only one worried about you. Killian was too."

"I guess he really loves me." David pretends to swoon, as much as he can with the limited space and arm movement available.

"Like you don't return his feelings." Emma giggles at her father's feigned look of disgust. "Your bromance burns bright, Dad, don't even try to deny it."

"What can I say? He wooed me."

Time passes and David turns the TV back on, making sure to put it on mute with subtitles. It's a news programme and Emma knows better than to ask her dad to change the channel. He, like her husband, find this world's news fascinating whether they are reading about it in the paper or watching it on TV. Emma guesses it's cause she's actually lived in this world her whole life, but she doesn't find anything close to their enjoyment in it.

Her phone begins to vibrate in her jacket pocket, giving her the excuse she needed to step away from the political debate occurring on screen. It was an unknown number and Emma frowned as she stepped into the hall to answer it.

"Hello, is that Ms Emma Swan?" The voice coming to her through the phone was familiar, but she couldn't place it.

"Yes it is."

"Emma, this is Dr Marcs – the obstetrician you were under during your referral to Boston. I'm calling to discuss the scan you had today." Her voice matched up with the memory in Emma's mind and her world stuttered. "Is this an alright time? Is your husband there with you?"

"No…he's not…" Emma was relieved to spot a collection of chairs in a small waiting area of sorts and made her way to sit down. She was also relieved to find the area devoid of any people discounting herself.

"Would you prefer that we arrange this call for a time when he can be present?"

"No, it's fine." Emma rushed, wanting to get this over with. Killian would understand.

"Ok, well Ms Swan I am aware that you have already been informed that you have an ectopic pregnancy which will require surgery to remove." The doctor had been much more comforting in person, Emma thought, as the woman's voice came through quite matter-of-fact.

"Y-yes, we know." Emma supplied when it was clear she was expected to answer.

"Right, well, I have reviewed your scan as well as revisiting your notes and I would advise that the procedure be changed to include a hysterectomy."

"A…um…before you said…" Emma mumbled numbly, in the back of her mind glad to have sat down for this conversation.

"I am aware that before I said that surgery was not the route to take due to the risks involved with any procedure, however you will be undergoing surgery whether you choose to have a hysterectomy or not. At this point, it is my medical opinion that the risk to yourself is greater if you don't have this procedure."

"Can I…can I call you back later?" Emma needed time for this to sink in. Currently it didn't feel like they were talking about her, about her womb, about something inside of her.

"Of course, you don't need to decide right away. Go and talk to your husband, we'll speak again soon." The caring nature of the doctor finally crossed over through the phone line. They said their goodbyes and then Emma was left, clasping her phone in her lap.

A hysterectomy. That would be the final nail in the coffin of her having any biological children with her husband. A little boy with Killian's eyes and cheeky grin would never exist.

Emma had thought she had made peace with this some time ago. And in most ways she had. However there had never been anything this final before, and it hurt.

She was tempted to run, to hide metaphorically in her mind. But this was something which needed to be taken care of in the present. Also her dad had seen her leave to take a call, he wasn't likely to not ask about it upon her return. So Emma decided to try a new thing and be open from the start. With that in mind she went back to see her father, ready to truthfully answer any questions he had.

#

Three days had passed since Emma's call from the doctor.

She had told Killian that night, after they had gotten Katie home and laid her down to sleep in their bed. Emma had asked her husband for his opinion, but he steadfastly refused to give one. He had said since it was her body, it was her decision and that he would support whichever path she chose to take. On one hand, Emma was incredibly grateful to have a husband who granted her autonomy over her own body as she was fully aware that many women sadly did not receive this same treatment. However, on the hand, she really wanted his input. But try as she might, and she tried everything, the pirate stuck firm to his stance. And so, it was left up to Emma.

It took her another day to figure out what she wanted to do. It was a tough decision, and she had broken down in sobs whilst brushing her teeth when she had come to it. However, it was the right thing to do for her and Emma hoped that this would draw a final line under this chapter of her life. Her tricky fertility status would finally have a definite answer, and she would be able to move on with her life. With her family's life.

Killian had held her whilst she sobbed through explaining to him her decision and why she had made it. He'd held her hand whilst she made the call, first to Dr Marcs and then to Storybrooke General Hospital to book in the hysterectomy.

The next day David was discharged from hospital, with strict instructions to rest which Snow assured the doctors she would make sure he would stick to. Killian, Emma and Katie had helped to settle David in and looked after Neal when he attempted to engage his dad in the type of rambunctious play they usually did together; Killian had swooped in for that and ended up having a 'wrestling' match with Neal in the field behind the house. Emma had also used that time to inform her parents that she was going in for the surgery, during which she had cried but had managed to stave off full-on sobbing which was an improvement. Especially seeing as she would have to talk to her daughter about it, and she refused to cry when she did that.

They had waited to tell Katie, putting it off for as long as possible. But it was now the evening before the day of her surgery and her daughter would notice that she wasn't there the next day. Emma had considered making up some reason for her absence, but saying she was going into the station would probably worry Katie as much as her going into hospital at the moment. Also, even though this was a relatively standard procedure, every surgery had its risks and Emma would not have the slightest possibility of the last thing she says to her daughter being a lie. So, while Killian cooked dinner, Emma sat with her daughter on the couch braiding her hair.

"There." Emma said after she tied in the final hairband on the French plait, laying a kiss to the brown locks which were still wet from Katie's evening bath.

"Thanks, Mommy." Katie turned around, swishing her head so that the braid swung forward onto her shoulder.

"You're welcome, baby." Emma smiled at her sweet little girl, but felt her trepidation lessen it somewhat.

"What's wrong?" Katie immediately coined on to her mother's emotions, as she always did when it came to her loved ones.

"Nothing really, it's just…" Emma sighed, any practices she had done for this conversation leaving her head. Katie worried her bottom lip between her teeth and Emma could see her baby girl start to panic. The mother drew her onto her lap, draping her arms loosely around Katie's waist. "This is nothing to worry about, Katie, it's just I'm going into hospital tomorrow-"

"What?" Tears welled up in Katie's eyes. She'd only just got her Grandad back from the hospital, and not long ago been a patient there herself. Now her Mommy was going to be there. "Are you s-sick?"

"No, baby, I'm not sick." Emma tightened her arms around her little girl. "There's something inside of Mommy which the doctors are kindly going to fix for me."

"Something's b-broken?" Katie's small voice stuttered as tears began to flow.

"Not broken, baby, just could be better." Emma soothed as Killian came to sit next to them on the couch. He immediately raised his thumb to wipe his daughter's tears away, leaving his hand there to catch any more that fell.

"Mommy is going to be just fine, I promise Katie." Killian attempted to calm his daughter, whose chest was beginning to heave.

"H-how d-do you kn-now?" Katie choked out around her breathing which was rapidly becoming frantic.

"Cause we have hope. And hope in this family is a powerful thing. I was right about Grandad, remember?" Killian hoped that that would help Katie to relax and it seemed to a bit, but not enough. The pirate went to the kitchen to collect one of his daughter's inhalers from the cabinet. He connected it to the spacer as he returned to the room.

"Here, baby, take a big breath on this." Emma took the inhaler from her husband and held it for Katie. The young girl had been scared of this at first, but Martha the nurse had shown her how to use it and it did really help. Once Katie's mouth was in position, Emma pushed the button which released the air into the spacer. The parents watched as Katie breathed in, making sure all of the air went into her lungs. "Good girl."

"That a lass." Killian smiled proudly, relieved to see his daughter's breaths had calmed.

"Will you be hurt?" Katie brought her hands up to her mother's cheeks, still worried for her.

"I'll be asleep whilst they fix it, so no it won't hurt." Emma knew that it was going to hurt like hell afterwards, even with pain medication, but she wasn't going to tell Katie that. No sense in worrying her further.

"How long will you be in hospital for?" Katie was going to miss her mommy terribly, and knew that she wouldn't trust that she was ok until she saw her.

"A couple of days." Emma cringed when tears once again returned to Katie's eyes. "But you'll be able to come and see me tomorrow afterwards."

"I d-don't w-want you t-to g-go." Katie sobbed quietly, and Emma had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop moisture from filling her own eyes. She hated seeing her baby girl like this, knowing she worried so much – too much – for a girl her age.

Emma then did something that she didn't think twice about; if she had she might have reconsidered. But her daughter was hurting and she needed to help her. So the saviour plunged her hand into her own chest and removed her heart.

"EMMA!" Killian balked at her from his seat next to her, eyes widening at the red glowing object in his wife's hand.

"M-mommy…?" Katie knew that it was possible for people with magic to remove hearts, and that the person could remain alive with their heart outside of their body. However, she had never seen it in person and the fact that her mom had done it to herself both confused and terrified her.

"Katie, I want you to have this. Just for while I'm in hospital." Emma got her daughter to cup her hands together before gently passing the heart over. "That way, as long as it is still glowing, you know that I'm ok."

"Swan…" Killian didn't know what to make of his wife's action. He got where it was coming from, he too wished to ease his daughter's worries. However this was a pretty drastic measure and to trust a young child with your actual heart may not be the wisest move; even with their caring daughter, who was more careful than most at her age.

"I trust you, baby, with all my heart." Emma smiled slightly at the very literal sense of her words, beyond relieved when Katie gave a small smile of her own. Killian gave her a look as if to say 'if you're sure' before heading back to the kitchen to check on dinner.

"I'll look after it." Katie promised tenderly cradling the heart in her palms.

"I know you will." Emma kissed her daughter's forehead and then settled back against the couch. "Also I need you to look after something else for me whilst I'm gone."

"What?" Katie leant forward, figuring from her mom's tone that this would be a secret.

"Look after Daddy for me." Emma inclined her head in the direction for her husband, who was currently stirring a sauce on the stove.

"I promise." Katie vowed with all that she was. They were silent for some time, Katie remaining in her mother's arms whilst holding her mother's heart in hers. When Killian called them for dinner, Katie reluctantly gave the heart back to her mother so that she could stand up. Emma returned to her chest for the duration of the meal, having nowhere safe to keep it within reach.

After dinner, they went upstairs to Katie's bedroom and found a musical jewellery box her grandparents had gifted her for her birthday. It was the perfect size for Emma's heart to reside. Katie carried it into her parent's room, where she insisted on sleeping that night; and probably would for the duration of Emma's hospital stay. The jewellery box went on top of the dresser, next to Emma's own, and the young girl was tucked into bed.

"I still don't want you to go." Katie murmured once Emma had finished her bedtime story.

"I know, baby, I don't want to go either." Emma stroked her daughter's hair, tucking a few wayward strands back into the main braid. "I love you so much."

"I love you too…Mommy…" Katie sighed sleepily before nuzzling into the fur of the teddy bear tucked under her arm. Emma stayed until her daughter fell asleep, hoping that her dreams would be kind to her but sadly expecting them not to be. When Katie was most worried, that was when her nightmares were at their worst. Luckily with them all in the same bed, they would be right there to soothe her if she did wake up.

"I don't want you to go either." Killian sighed when his wife joined him on the couch.

"You know I'm going to be ok, right?" Emma took the tumbler of rum from his grasp and set it down on the coffee table.

"Aye, Swan, you're the strongest person I know." Killian entwined his now empty hand with hers, running his thumb over her wedding ring. "That doesn't mean I won't miss you."

"I'll miss you too. Both of you." Emma ran her free hand through the short hairs at the nape of his neck. "Promise me you'll take care of yourself, as well as Katie."

"Ah, yes, I heard you get our daughter to keep an eye on me." Killian chuckled and Emma blushed; after all these years she should remember how insanely good her pirate's hearing is. "We'll look after each other, love, and we'll be right here to look after you when you return."

"Good." Emma kissed him on the lips, allowing herself to get lost in the passionate embrace for some moments. "Can we promise no more hospitals for a while?"

"I can toast to that." Killian let go of her hand to retrieve his drink, raising it up before taking a healthy swig.

"I think we deserve a vacation after all this." Emma mused, first in jest but once the thought was said she realised how much she yearned for it.

"I think that's a great idea." Killian grinned, putting down his drink once more in favour of wrapping his arms around his wife. "Somewhere peaceful."

"Somewhere hot." Emma added, closing her eyes and imagining the sun kissing her shoulders.

"Somewhere near the sea." Killian countered, as if Emma would ever pick anywhere landlocked.

"Well that goes without saying."