Mismatch Lovers

Chapter 38

*Emma's POV*

"Emma, love," I woke up to Killian's soft voice, feeling his lips brushing over the bare skin of my shoulder. "Wake up. I miss you."

"I'm right here," I groaned, rolling over to snuggle into his chest as his arms tightened around me. His embrace was like a perfect cocoon, and I was more than happy to stay cozy and warm in it forever. "Just let me sleep. I'm trying to grow a person here."

"Fair point," he chuckled, brushing my hair away from my face. "But I'm taking you out tonight. You need to relax after all that's been going on lately."

"Mkay," I mumbled, barely even registering what he'd said. I wanted desperately to go back to sleep, and his light loving touch was doing a lot to lull me there, but now that he'd brought my attention to reality instead of my dreams I just couldn't do it. "Damn it, come here, you idiot."

His chuckle was cut off when I covered his mouth with mine, his hand sliding back to tangle in my hair. It wasn't a hungry kiss but it was by no means light, our lips slowly devouring each other. I sighed in contentment, my nails digging into the back of his neck slightly as he set my entire being into a wildfire. We seemed to have no motive except treasuring the quiet we had somehow been gifted with. These were the kisses that had haunted my dreams for over ten years.

"Mmm," he moaned softly and I giggled, letting only our lips separate. He just grinned at me, his forehead pressed to mine. "A kiss like that doesn't really support going back to sleep, love."

"Then I guess I'm not going back to sleep," I grinned back, nipping at his lips lightly. "But it's your fault. You gave me all these weird baby hormones that make me want you all the time, then wake me up like that and expecting me not to? Seriously?"

"Point taken," he smiled that smile that I'd thought about every day during our years apart. He tucked my hair behind my ear, brushing his thumb over my cheek gently. "I probably should have let you sleep, but I needed to see that smile."

"Idiot," I giggled at him again, my heart always so much lighter when we were alone like this. "So you want to go out later, but why don't we see Liam today?"

"Emma," he sighed, his muscles a bit tense. "I told you, he barely recognizes me most days. I don't know that he'd remember you, and even if he did, he wouldn't understand how you're this pregnant. There's a reason I had to move him into assisted living."

"I know," I answered, keeping my voice soft and understanding. "And while I get that, I'm not the only one who has family that should be in this baby's life. Things with Liam have tended to come between us in the past, but I don't want that. I want our baby to have a family. A real one."

"Alright," he agreed with a heavy sigh, tugging me closer despite the fact that we were completely pressed together. "But I don't want you getting your hopes up, okay? I hate seeing you hurt."

"I promise," I smiled, taking his lips captive once more. I felt the corners of his lips turn up under mine, easily melting into our kiss. We both had our walls, but we were working on it together and actually making progress.

"Are you sure about this?" Killian asked after he'd helped me out of the car in the parking lot, his hands instinctively settling on my hips. "We can still-"

"I'm sure," I stopped him with a light laugh, cupping his face in my hands. "Nothing is going to scare me away this time, not even if he goes ballistic. I'm yours, always. Just... lead the way."

"Aye, alright," he nodded, swallowing hard before leading me towards the door with his hand on the small of my back. He checked us in and we continued to what appeared to be a huge living room, seeing Liam at a table doing a puzzle. "Liam, how are you doing today?"

"Just fine," Liam answered before looking up, his face lighting up when he saw Killian. "Brother, it's been too long. What are you doing here?"

"Checking on you," Killian said simply, pulling out a chair for me before sitting next to me. I kept my coat on, hoping not to put too much on him at once. "And Emma wanted to come see you."

"Emma?" he asked, his eyes moving to me. I could tell he knew he was supposed to know me, but the recognition just wasn't there. "I'm sorry, refresh my memory?"

"I dated Killian back in high school," I half smiled, having missed the innocent confusion he always had. "When you met me back then, you actually tried to shoot me. But Killian and I got back together not too long ago, and I missed you, too."

"Oh!" he exclaimed, seeing the memory light his eyes. "You're the one he always talks about! I'm glad he finally found you again, maybe he can stop pouting."

"Pouting?" I laughed, finally having to take off my coat. In retrospect, I probably should have worn something that didn't show off my bump so much. "I don't know, I think his pouting is pretty cute."

"Swan," Killian warned me playfully and I giggled, neither of us noticing Liam's eyes going to my stomach.

"Wait," Liam interrupted and we looked up. "Are you... pregnant?"

"Oh, uhm," I answered stupidly, words vacating my mind while my hands went to cover my bump out of instinct. "Yeah, actually. I'm just over sixteen weeks along now."

"Oh," I saw him swallow hard, his eyes moving to Killian when he took my hand gently. "And I'm assuming it's yours?" Killian didn't answer, his eyes locked in our hands. "Brother? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Because I w-w-wanted it to b-b-be easy," he admitted with a heavy sigh, the shaking of his body settling when I scooted closer to let his arm wrap around me. "I-I-I hadn't e-even told you ab-about Emma, h-how was I sup-sup-suppo-" I stopped him gently, taking his free hand in both of mine. He glanced at me, holding me tighter and taking a breath. "How was I going to tell you about this?"

"I don't know," he snapped a bit, showing how similar their tempers were and taking a breath. "Is this why you haven't come by in months? Because you were keeping huge parts of your life with me?"

"I-I-I-" Killian started to stutter again, but I squeezed his hand to stop him and took over for him.

"It's my fault," I insisted, keeping my voice even and calm. "There's been a lot going on with me and meeting my parents, and moving back here. Killian has been really supportive of all of it, so his absence is really on me."

"Well...I..." He seemed unable to argue with that, shaking his head and clearly giving in. "Let's just change the subject, shall we? How's the baby doing?"

We spent the rest of the afternoon catching up and talking about how we were going to work things. We promised to visit more and headed out when it was time for his dinner. Killian had slowly relaxed and now he looked more carefree than I had seen him in a very long time.