Black Swan (AU Captain Swan fanfic/OUAT)

Part Nine

Emma's eyes widened at his statement. "You're joking, right?"

"No." He stated.

Her eyebrows rose. "How the hell do you have a daughter? Killian, are you feeling alright?"

"Emma, I do." He looked up at her and she could tell he wasn't lying. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a locket, handing it over to her. "I know it doesn't make any sense but-"

She gently took the locket and popped it open to reveal the two pictures. "That's Milah?"

"Aye. She had that locket with her when she came today."

"She's beautiful." Emma closed the locket and handed it back to him. "So, what are you going to do with her?"

"I don't have the slightest clue. I'm not a father, I don't know how to act with a child." He dropped his head.

"Hey, don't worry about it. I've seen the way you and Henry connect, you're a natural."

"With the lad, aye, but her?" He shook his head.

Emma stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Don't stress out, when you get more time with her, you'll figure it out." The two stood silently on the deck of the ship holding each other, the cool winter breeze blowing against them.

"So, can I ask something?" She asked him.

"Yes?"

"Why didn't you raise her? And how did she end up in Storybrooke?"

"Six months after Milah joined my crew, she told me she was carrying my child. We were barely engaged, but we felt ready to be parents. Then one night nearing the baby's due date, we docked and she told me she had to go somewhere for the night." He scratched the back of his head. "I wanted to go with her but she refused my company. She didn't return for well over a week. We thought the worst, that someone had grabbed her and she was gone forever. Then she came back. She was a mess, saying she lost the baby. She was so sorry for months after, but the bloody woman lied to me!" He hit his hook against the wood railing, denting it slightly, and turned away from her to gaze over the black water.

"Killian-"

"It wasn't her decision to make on her own! I could have protected her from the crocodile, she didn't have to just give up on our baby, but I had no say in the matter."

"The crocodile-?" Emma whispered. "As in Mr. Gold?"

"Aye." He turned around to her, the slightest fear in his eyes.

"Oh, Killian." She cupped his face in her hands. "I promise I will never let anything happen to her. Gold won't touch her or I'll kill him."

He kissed her hands and leaned down for her lips. "Thank you, Swan."

Her eyes shot open. Swan. The black swan. The portal. This girl. Did she come out of it? Is she-?

Emma backed away. "Emma?"

"Where did she come from?" She said, pointing to the deck below. "Did she come through the portal?"

He nodded. "What are you getting at?"

"The swan engraving. She must know something about it."

"Dad?" The hatch below opened, startling the two.

"Elizabeth?" He took her hand to help her up. "I thought you were still asleep."

"Is this your girlfriend?" She asked, looking towards Emma.

"Aye."

Emma stuck her hand out, her tone changing at the sight of the girl. "Emma Swan, I'm the sheriff in town."