Forever Doesn't Last Forever

Chapter 23

It was time to go home. A few more days after their talk, Emma, Hook, and all the other people in Storybrooke were going back to the Enchanted Forest. Rumplestiltskin hadn't been seen or heard from since Emma had talked to him last. They had plans to do a small wedding on the Jolly Roger shortly after the return. Emma was secretly worried. She wasn't sure how she could do being a pregnant pirate. Hook tried to assure her that everything would be fine, but she was still nervous. There were so many hazards. Hook was hiding something from her also. He had received a threat from a fellow pirate. Another captain was threatening to ruin his happiness in more than one way. He didn't want to worry Emma more than what she already was, but he didn't know how much longer he could keep it a secret. He decided to finally tell her, because he knew that she didn't like secrets.

"Emma love we need to talk before we leave." Hook said.

Emma looked up from what she was doing. "Why what's up?"

"Well," He began but couldn't bring himself to do it. "I just wanted to ask what color the baby's room should be."

"Oh well, we would have to find out what it is and it's too early right now. So unless we find Rumplestiltskin or a seer, we won't know what we are going to have."

"Well whatever it is I already love it." He smiled.

She walked over to him and put her hand on the side of his face. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing. I'm fine. Everything's fine."

"Killian tell me what is wrong. I have pretended not to notice for the past week, but it's eating me alive. What is going on?"

Killian took a sigh of defeat. "It's another captain. He goes by the name of Captain Silverfish. He said that he is going to ruin my happiness, and I fear that he is going to hurt you or our little pirate. I didn't want to tell you because I knew you were already stressed, and I didn't want to make things worse."

Emma sighed too. "It's okay. I won't let anything happen to you, to the crew, or the ship. Everything is going to be fine."

"I don't bloody care what happens to any of the crew or my ship Emma! Haven't you been listening? I only care about you and that!" He pointed to her belly.

"So why are you still a pirate? Become a normal person if you want us to be safe."

"Because I still want to be a pirate." Hook said softly.

"Then man up and act like one! Be the man I fell in love with. Don't be some coward that I know you aren't."

Hook looked down at her. Killian seemed buried underground now. A cloudy mist formed in his eyes. "I am no coward. I am I pirate!"

Emma smiled and hugged him. He picked her up and spun her around. When he put her back down on the ground, Killian's soft look was back, but Hook's attitude remained. He bent down to her belly and kissed it.

"I love you little one. Sweet dreams. You are going to be the most fearsome pirate. One day you will be captain of your own ship. I won't put you up with the same fate my father gave me. I won't leave you now matter what."

"Killian you know that it can't hear you yet." Emma said.

"I know but I have to reassure it every night. I don't want him to give up hope. I don't want him to ever believe that it's father is going to leave him like mine did with me." Killian said looking up at her.

"It knows that already. You are going to be a wonderful father Killian. Whether you are Captain Hook of the Jolly Roger, or Killian Jones, the man underneath."

Hook hugged Emma. "How are you so supportive and understanding?" He asked.

"I grew up in a place where everyone chose to see the best in others. Even pirates like yourself. Even though my father hates them, he would let them go after they had been captured. If they were caught again he would kill them. It was my mothers wish, but anyway. I see the best in you because I see a man trying to change to be good."

Killian stood up and gave her a kiss. "Cmon, let's go to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow. We are going to have to find the Jolly Roger when we get back."

Hook grabbed her hand and led her into the bedroom. The next day, they were going home.

In the morning, Emma woke up in Killian's arms. She looked around and they were on the ship. The return curse brought them back overnight. She stood up and found her silk nightgown on. She smiled and turned around.

"Hey Killian. Wake up we are home!" Emma said excitedly.

He stirred in his sleep before opening his eyes. Once he knew where he was he got out of bed and walked around the room. "Bloody hell Swan! We're back!" He looked down at his left arm to find his hand still present. "And I have my hand!"

Emma giggled at his happiness. She interlocked her fingers with his. "What do you like better? The hook or the hand?"

"I'm not sure. They both suit me. And anyway if I miss the hook too much, I'll cut my hand off."

Emma smiled. She looked down at her left hand, and her ring was still there. She still had the sword and ship bracelet, and she still had the baby. As they were enjoying the happy, quiet moment, of course, it was ruined. A canon shot was heard in the distance. The crew scurried around above deck. They both rushed around to get dressed and head upstairs. When they got there they saw a sight to see.