I Will Stand By You

Not The End

Killian's Pov
"Shhhhh," I rocked the small child in my arms.

The baby whimpered, small cries coming from her chest.

"It's okay. Daddy is here. Shhhhhh," I begged Hope to stop crying.

She struggled against the blankets that swaddled her.

"There we go," I encouraged her as her cries faded.

I walked into the hospital room, with the now calm baby in my arms. I brush aside the curtain dividing the room, and gaze upon the figure that lies on the bed. Her blonde hair sprawled across the pillows, looking like she was peacefully sleeping. Which she almost is.

I sit in the uncomfortable chair next to Emma, looking back down to Hope. I place Hope next to Emma, moving her arm so the Hope would stay securely by her. I drop my hand to my side, when Hope looks comfortable laying by her mother.

Hope immediately feels comforted and snuggles up to Emma, falling asleep. I smile at my two loves and sigh. She is finally sleeping again. I already love her to pieces, but taking care of that little child is exhausting on top of everything else.

I grab Emma's other hand and place it in mine. Her hand falls limply in mine, as I draw circles around the base of her thumb, wanting more than anything that she would do it back, like we used to, but of course she doesn't.

She can't. She's trapped and that's what hurt me the most, to know that she is hurting. I want her to be okay, but I know that she is not okay and I want to make things better.

"Hello, love," I breathe in deeply, the pain of missing my Emma stabbing at my heart, "The crocodile told us about the curse. He didn't tell us much. He said he doesn't know much about the curse, but it's a relief to know that you're not dead," I force a laugh that sounds more like a sigh as I hold back tears, "I need to break this curse Emma. I need to save you, but it seems like right now I'm stuck. The crocodile told us that even he doesn't know how to break the curse, so even he doesn't know where to start. But Emma, if you can hear me, I'm going to fight. I am going to fight so damn hard to get you back. I don't care who cast this curse. Emma I love you so bloody much and I will find a way to break this curse."

I kiss the outside of her hand, holding it to my lips.

Rumple's Pov
A Few Hours Earlier
"Quite an eventful day, isn't it," I walk up to the group of people standing outside the NICU.

Everyone turns around looking at me.

"Gold," Regina states, "What are you doing here?"

I glance into the window, to see Killian and Henry inside.

"I've come to give you the good news," I say, choosing my words carefully, not wanting to give away anything that could backfire.

"What good news?" Mary Margaret asks.

"That your daughter isn't dead, dearie," I place my hands on my cane in front of me.

"What do you mean?" David asks, placing his hand on Mary Margaret's shoulder, "The doctors named her dead hours ago."

"Oh well, I guess you forget that there is magic involved in these kinds of situations. Like you sleeping curse, curses can stop people's hearts, make them seem dead. But do tell me, did the doctors ever find a cause of death?" I say, cleverly.

They all stand dumbfounded and silent. I take that as my answer. Regina glares at me.

"Exactly, because this was magic's doing. The savior is simply cursed, not dead," I add.