The Dark Princess {OUAT AU}

Chapter 24

"I love you so much." She smiles as if she's sedated and curls into him, her bare body pressed against his own skin. He rubs calloused fingers up and down her warm body, making her shiver.

"I love you too, my precious Valerie." He mumbles quietly and then kisses her forehead. He eventually rests his hand upon her belly and falls asleep, the two of them in each other's protective embrace.

~~~

The next few months pass without problems, and Killian thinks that perhaps the deal he made with Rumplestiltskin was made in vain. She's so much happier and watching their baby grow inside her makes Killian realize that's it's probably why. The baby has changed her for the good, and he truly believes that it will keep her good.

He pulls himself from his thoughts and looks over at her. She's making a flower chain as she sits in the grass by a tall tree at the top of a hill. They're out in a valley some ways away from the castle and when he turns his head he can see it. It looks like a doll's house and he feels so at peace when they're away from all of the politics and business. The only sound he can hear is Valerie humming to herself, the wind softly blowing and ruffling his hair, and the occasional whisper of bugs and animals around them. The horses stamp their feet and shake their bodies, making Valerie look up at them. Her eyebrows furrow and then she waves her hand towards them. A massive bucket appears in front of the animals and then they take long drinks from the water. She smiles with satisfaction and he looks at her with curiosity.

She seldom uses magic now, and only when she believes it's needed. He's not completely sure when she changed like this but he is impressed that she hasn't stepped foot into her tower since he returned home. The way she's changed even shows in her appearance. Killian looks back at his beautiful wife and how she sits carelessly in the grass, her long hair free and flowing and her ballgown light pink and simple. When she looks over at him and notices him staring she just smiles, and he admires her simple make-up on her beautiful face.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" She smiles wider, her eyes sparkling and looking grey with flecks of blue.

"You're just so beautiful, my eyes are drawn to you." He charms her but she rolls her eyes, now used to his flattery.

"And you are a suck-up." She mocks him, a playful glint in her eye.

"Why yes, yes I am." He grins easily. This simple banter had become a daily thing and he's enjoying it for all it's worth. He looks away from Valerie's golden-brown face and then shuffles towards her before laying on his back, staring up at the clouds. They lay there together for a few minutes and then he grabs her hand before dozing off. He doesn't know how long it's been when a sharp pain travels up his hand and through his arm strong enough to wrench him from his sleep.

"Killian!" He hears a screech and his eyes pop open and he immediately sits up. His hand is still grasped in Valerie's and she's holding onto it tightly. When he looks at her face he sees she's covered in a light sheen of sweat and her eyes are tied shut in pain.

"Oh bloody hell." He panics. "What's wrong love? Talk to me."

"The baby is coming." She breathes out. His blue eyes widen comically and he gets up quickly, rubbing his hands together.

"I'll grab the horses, can you stand?" He asks her frantically and her eyes open.

"No time. I can get us home." She assures him through clenched teeth and then her eyes squeeze shut again.

"I don't think you should do that." Killian shakes his head and when her eyes pop open, they're glowing pink.

"I think I should." She grounds out. The two of them stare at each other for a few moments until she screams out, clutching her belly.