In Flames • Captain Swan

9. Mom?

NEW YORK CITY HOSPITAL

“Hey.” Killian came back to the waiting room with two bottles of water and sat on the red couch the hospital provided. “Don't be nervous. I told you, whatever happens, I'm with you. Always.” he tried to reassure Emma while they were waiting for the results of the DNA test, pulling her close with his right arm.

They were finally able to go take this test, since Christmas holidays were over, and Emma was stressing over it for the past two days.

She sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. “It's not that, I just...” she tried to say but she stopped mid-sentence, leaving Killian waiting.

She couldn't bring herself to say it to him, she needed time. She tried to prepare herself all week, but she failed. “Nothing, forget it.” she pulled away from him quickly and took the bottle of water from his hand.

Killian looked at her confused, and he was sure she was hiding something from him, something she was too scared to say. He knew when Emma was lying to him, and right now, she did.

But he didn't want to push it, so he didn't. This was supposed to be a happy moment —at least for him—, because he really loved the thought of Emma being Abby's mother.

Hesitating, he reached out to stroke Emma's beautiful blonde hair, trying to calm her down. Her body was clearly tensed up at this moment.

Before he could even say a word to her, the doctor that they met before was heading towards them and her heart started beating faster. “Here are the results, see them for yourself.” the kind doctor smiled, gave them a white envelope and walked away.

Emma was holding the envelope in her hands, pacing around, trying to decide if she should open it or not. Killian approached her. “What's wrong? Do you want me to open it?” he asked her, holding her arm.

Without answering, Emma handed him the results and stared at him, keeping the awkward eye contact for at least a minute. Then, he looked down and started opening the envelope.

Everything was happening in slow motion for Emma. Killian taking the papers out, Killian unfolding the papers. She was nervous about it, and more importantly, she was nervous about what was next — she had to tell him and she couldn't postpone it any longer.

Killian took a look at the papers, probably trying to find where the results were actuc. Emma noticed his eyes stopped moving and, after a second, he looked at her, smiling widely. “What?” Emma asked, clearly frightened.

He approached her, still smiling. “She's your daughter.” he said, not knowing what reaction he should expect from her.

None came. She stood there, frozen, her look hadn't changed. Killian, awkwardly, slowly wrapped his arms around her. She returned the hug, holding him as tightly as possible, almost not letting him breathe. And he could understand that she was sobbing.

Her head was buried in his chest, as she was trying to maintain the cries. She wasn't sure if they were happy tears or not — all she knew was that she felt the need to cry.

Killian kissed the top of her head. “What is it, love?” he said softly, still holding her.

She pulled away from him and looked him in the eye. Her face witnessed that she was worried. “I just feel... that now that we're together, everything is going to go wrong.” she said, burying her face in his neck.