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hookedonapirate · 7 years ago

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Tangled Up In Blue

Home Sweet Home (Chapter 26/?)

Summary: Fear for her unborn child, a bruised and broken Emma Swan is determined to escape an abusive marriage. After she drives a long way from home to a small town in Maine, she doesn’t think her life could get more complicated… that is until she ends up falling for her OBGYN, a blue-eyed British man who’s shielded his heart from love long ago. But he may be just what she needs to begin her healing process and start a new life for her child. If only nothing gets in the way.

Notes: This is my attempt at a fluffy chapter and I have to thank @Rouhn for her suggestions when my muse was not cooperating. It has not been beta'd so I apologize for the errors. My plan is to have all of the mysteries of this story solved over the course of the next two updates. Then there will be one or two chapters after that and an epilogue. Things will get bumpy in order to get to the ending I have planned, but if you've read my other stories, you know that I always give Captain Swan a happy ending, and in this case, Ian included! I hope you enjoy reading :)

*TRIGGER WARNING* Mentions and depictions of physical and verbal abuse/domestic violence

Rated: M

Catch Up: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Deleted Scenes: 1 2

Also available on: AO3 FF.N

The first thing Emma did when she woke up the next morning was panic. She felt the familiar squeeze within the pit of her stomach when she opened her eyes, realizing Killian was no longer beside her and Ian was no longer in her arms. She sat up as quickly as she could, in her fairly weak and tired state, and looked over, seeing the cradle beside the bed. She got out, sighing in relief when she saw her baby inside, squirming and reaching out to her, his big blue eyes blinking and looking up at her.

Emma smiled and scooped up her son, gently swaying him in her arms. “Hey, there, Ian. Mommy missed you,” she whispered softly as she took his tiny hand in hers. She hated when he wasn't with her; the idea made her physically ache, especially after what had transpired at the hospital. She never wanted him out of her sight ever again.

With her anxiety gone, she was able to enjoy the smell of coffee drifting into the room. Emma carried her son downstairs to the main floor, passing by all of the vases, boxes, baskets and many bouquets of fresh, sweetly smelling flowers all in bright colors placed on every available surface that were sent to the Nolan household. There were only a few people who knew that she and Ian were staying with Killian.

Emma went into the kitchen to find her boyfriend pouring a cup of coffee.

Hearing her and the baby entering the room, he turned around, flashing her a smile that was brighter than the sun. “Morning, love.”

He grabbed the mug and stepped up to her, kissing her softly on the lips, curling his free hand around her hip. Emma sighed in content, enjoying the blissful moment. He tasted like minty toothpaste and he smelled fresh and clean from the shower. She wondered how long he’d been up for.

Emma broke the kiss, a bit breathless as Killian handed her the mug and offered to take Ian from her. She easily gave in and transferred her baby over to Killian before taking a soothing sip of hot coffee. He peered down at the little guy, taking his little hand in his own as he grinned at Ian, making him laugh.

“Would you like some breakfast, love?”

“Yeah, that sounds good,” she admitted with a weak smile.

“Alright, why don’t you sit and relax and I’ll make it. If you want to feed the wee one first, take all the time you need,” he assured her sweetly. “ After you eat, I have a surprise for you.”

Emma arched a brow in curiosity. “A surprise?”

“Aye. It’s something for Ian that I��ve been working for a while.”

Emma was very intrigued, and after she fed Ian his breakfast and ate a delicious plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast and had a cup of coffee in her system, Killian led her upstairs to one of the guest rooms. Covering her eyes with one hand, the other one opened the door when they got there, and she warily stepped inside, Killian following directly behind her.

“Okay, you can open your eyes, sweetness,” Killian murmured in her ear, removing his hands from her vision. She was holding Ian in her arms as her eyelids fluttered open, taking in the sight around her, an audible gasp escaping her mouth.

The walls were striped with light and dark blue paint, featuring a mural of monkeys swinging from some tree branches. The dark wooden floor held a large blue rug and dark brown oak furniture, including a rocking chair, dresser, changing table and of course Ian’s crib furnished with a mattress, a fitted sheet and a mobile of assorted jungle animals hanging above it.

“How did you even do all of this?” she asked in utter shock. She had no idea he had even been working on this room. She usually didn't go wandering around to the guest rooms.

“With my brother and his wife’s help, while you were working. Cordelia is the artist in the family, and she's the was one who did the mural. Liam and I put together the furniture. Believe me, love, it was no trouble at all.”

A wide smile was blooming over her pale features. She couldn’t believe he went through all of this trouble for her and her son - actually she definitely could believe it. Killian was the most amazing man she’d ever met, and even though she didn’t approve of charity, she loved Killian’s big heart. Besides, this wasn’t charity. He and Emma and Ian were a family now. They were a team, and she felt so grateful to have him in her life - to have him a part of it.

She turned around to face Killian as he flashed her a small smile.

“What do you think? Do you like it?” he asked, a glint of hope in his eyes as he studied her warily, trying to gauge her reaction.

“Are you kidding? I love it,” she replied, her eyes drifting down to see the big smile on her son's face as he sucked on his fingers. Emma laughed, dropping a gentle kiss to the top of his delicate head. “I think Ian likes it too.”

Killian expelled a sigh of relief as he stepped closer and placed his hands on her waist, a wide grin crawling across his lips as she lifted her eyes to his. “I’m glad, love. I wanted you and Ian to feel at home here. Neither of you are guests in my house,” he whispered, pressing his forehead gently against hers, ”I wanted little Ian to have his own room.”

“Thank you,” she breathed out, raising her hand to cup his cheek. Ian was stirring between them, his tiny, drool-covered hand clutching onto his mommy's shirt. “It's absolutely perfect.”

Killian lovingly caressed her cheek, his thumb brushing over her chin. “As are you, my darling… and the wee one,” he added with a shattered smile, peering down at him.

Emma beamed, her eyes becoming wet with tears. With Killian, she always felt so safe - so loved.

~~~

The next few days, the three of them grew accustomed to a routine. Killian took turns with Emma, getting up in the middle of the night to tend to Ian. Throughout the day, she took every opportunity she could get to just cuddle with her son in the bed or on the couch and spend some quality bonding time with him. Overall, he was a very happy baby, although it seemed like all he did was eat and poop and sleep and laugh, which Killian assured her was normal. She was so glad she had him around to raise a newborn with, because she really had no clue as to what the hell she was doing. Killian was very encouraging and did his best not to interfere too much, only when she asked him for help. He would always make sure to tell her she was doing a fine job, but Emma wasn't always certain if she actually believed him or not.

One morning, Ian was being extra fussy while she tried to give him a sponge bath, and of course, it is was the day they were going to the airport to surprise Liam and Cordelia after the flight delays from the snow storm. They knew that Killian would be picking them up, but they weren't aware that Emma and Ian would be there. At first, she was hesitant to take her baby to the airport, afraid of him catching an infection, but Killian had soothed her with his kisses and told her that Ian would be fine; they wouldn't be there for very long, they would just pick up Liam and Cordelia and then be on there way. She was still very paranoid about taking him places, always worried that he might get sick, but Killian reminded her often that life doesn't stop when you have a baby.

Emma really didn't know what she would do without him. She had her friends, of course, but David and Mary Margaret had yet to experience having babies of their own, and James kept his distance; he was still upset that everyone had accused him of contacting Neal. At this point, Emma was glad Neal was out of her hair for the time being at least. She knew that the Sheriff wouldn't be able to keep him in jail much longer, and she would have to provide more proof of his abusive nature, and go to a court hearing to obtain a permanent restraining order.

She tried not to think about that, though. She knew that she and her baby were safe in Killian's home. He even had surveillance cameras installed around the outside of the house, and the inside, just in case Neal or his goons somehow got past the ironclad alarm system installed in the home. Killian assured her after what happened at the hospital that he wasn't willing to take any chances with her and her son.

Emma had finally finished, managing to clean her fragile little boy who wouldn't stop twisting and squirming while she bathed him with a washcloth in his plastic tub, careful to keep the stump of his umbilical cord dry. It was ten in the morning, but the day had already felt really long. The curtains had been undrawn, the bed made, and as it was Killian’s turn on rotation for a break, Emma had waited to take a shower, changing into a pair of yoga pants and a comfortable shirt, ready for any surprises her son would throw at her while trying to get him ready for what the day awaited.

She grabbed a fresh, clean towel from beside the tub and wrapped it around him before picking him up. When she did, she noticed something fall into the tub, and her heart just about jumped out of her chest, her eyes widening in horror. She yelped, clasping a hand over mouth when she studied it. At first she was panicking, shocked really, when she realized the stump of his umbilical cord had just fallen off.

“Everything alright in here, love?” Killian asked as he flew through the bathroom door, his face awash with concern.

Emma nodded. “Yeah, his umbilical cord just fell off. I knew it would, it’s just… it’s still shocking,” she managed as she Killian wrapped his arms around her shoulder, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek and sighing in relief. “And it’s really gross,” she added, looking over it again.

Killian chuckled in amusement, and Emma had to steady her breathing again before taking Ian to his room to get a diaper and some clothes on him, but that was also a difficult task. Her tiny son was spread out in front of her on a changing mat, his little, bare, pink body all wrinkled and bunched up as he wiggled around furiously, wailing at the top of his lungs with bright red cheeks and eyes screwed shut.

“Sshh, sshh. I know baby, I’m sorry. I’ll be done really quick if you could just hold still for just a moment while mommy puts this fresh, clean diaper on you,” Emma attempted to soothe him in a soft voice, her hands flapping around Ian’s swinging legs as she tried to reach for the wipes and diaper sack and other changing items on the table.

“Here, love, why don't I change his diaper and let you get ready? You've already had a rough morning as it is.” Killian’s voice was soft and soothing as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, dropping a gentle kiss to her hair.

Emma sighed in frustration at first, but his loving words and gestures were slowly calming her. “Are you sure? It's my turn to take care of him.”

“I know, love, but you need to gather your strength. The day’s far from over.”

Emma nodded in agreement. She was already exhausted. “Okay. I must warn you, though, he's been awfully fussy today.”

Killian let out a soft chuckle. “That's okay. I can handle the little lad.”

Emma smiled weakly. She knew that he could. She loved when Killian got his bonding time with Ian. It made her heart melt watching the two of them together. She stepped aside and let Killian take over as she admired them.

Of course, Ian didn’t stay still and before Killian could tuck the new diaper underneath his little bottom, he was unable to wait for it and got Killian in the stomach with a golden stream. Emma laughed as he looked down, finding his shirt soaking wet. She was somehow glad that she wasn't the only one struggling with Ian.

“That’s great. Thank you, little prince,” Killian said with an amused smile before removing his shirt. Emma handed him a wet cloth and took the soiled clothing from him, carrying it to the hamper.

When she came back a moment later, Ian’s cries started to dampen, a big smile forming on his cute little face, his body more relaxed as he starting playfully kicking his tiny feet instead.

“Feeling better?” Killian teased him, his grin never fading.

Emma laughed again and went to his dresser to retrieve one of his tiny outfits for the day. “Now, I'm glad you took over.”

“Aye, happy to take the bullet. Although, I think he was holding it in just for me, isn't that right little lad?” Killian asked him, the playfulness evident in his voice as Emma approached his side again, handing him Ian's clothes. Her son seemed much more happy and carefree as he looked up them with his big blue eyes.

Emma enjoyed a few moments, just staring down at Ian, watching as Killian carefully cleaned the delicate baby up with so much care and love for the little guy, it made her want to cry. Killian had him in a fresh diaper and in his little outfit in no time before picking him up in his arms

She smiled and kissed her boyfriend on the lips. They both took turns taking showers and tending to Ian before getting him settled into his Maxi Cosi and strapped into the car.

The drive to the airport took about forty-five minutes on the slush-covered roads, and they arrived just in time to see Cordelia and Liam emerging from the terminal. Their eyes lit up, joyous smiles on their faces when they spotted the three of them.

Emma was carrying Ian in his baby carrier when Liam and Cordelia approached, engaging Emma and Killian in a round of hugs before they were introduced to little Ian, who was gazing up at them with a great big smile.

“He is the most adorable baby I’ve ever seen,” Cordelia complimented as she admired him.

“That’s because he gets his looks from his mother,” Killian bragged proudly. Emma could tell he was happy to have his brother back as well as his sister-in-law.

The five of them were crammed in the car, although there was plenty of room, with Ian’s car seat in the middle and Cordelia and Liam on either side, entertaining him. He grew a little fussy on the way back, but eventually fell asleep before they got home.

When they arrived at Killian’s house, Emma made them all some hot tea as Cordelia and Liam took turns holding Ian and chatted about their trip. This in turn, initiated stories told by Liam and Killian about their parents and what it was like growing up with them. Emma hoped that one day, she would get to meet them. She was hoping to possibly become part of the Jones family some day. For now, she had to get through the obstacles she was facing at the moment, and maybe the high spirits of David and Mary Margaret had rubbed off on her, but Emma was optimistic about the future and was bound and determined to get to one that she wanted for her son.

The next day, Emma took Ian to the diner to visit her co-workers whom she’d promised would get to meet him after he was born. Of course, they went crazy over the baby, oohing and awing over him. Mary Margaret decided to take a break and she removed her apron before walking with Emma to the dining area and securing a booth. The brunette was holding Ian, making kissy faces at him as Emma got up to use the restroom. The diner was fairly busy, being that it was around lunchtime, and as she made her way down the corridor, she bumped into someone. She looked up, seeing Robin, who'd just left the Men’s room.

“Afternoon, Emma,” he greeted with a smile.

As she gave him a sheepish grin, Emma didn’t think she’d ever spoken to him other than to take his order, but to her surprise, he actually stopped to talk to her.

“Congratulations on your son, by the way. I saw you come in with him,” Robin admitted shyly.

Emma eyed him warily. “Thanks. I’m learning very quickly that boys are a handful.”

“That, they are. I know Roland certainly is. Marian and I have a hard time getting him to sleep most nights.” Robin looked at her nervously as he scrambled for words. “Say... have you talked to Regina lately?”

Emma sighed, not wanting to talk about Regina with this man. Now it all made sense why he would want to stop in the hallway on the way to the restroom and talk to her. “Look, Robin-”

“I’m aware that you know about the two of us. She told me, and I’m sorry to bother you, I know you’re busy taking care of the little lad, but Regina hasn’t spoken to me in weeks, so-”

“So, what? You want me to tell you how she’s doing before you go back to your wife and child?” Emma cut him off, irritation in her tone.

Robin looked at her, ashamed and embarrassed.

“If you really must know how she is... she’s a mess. Her father just had a heart attack and the man she loves is married to another woman.”

His face fell in concern. “Henry had a heart attack?” he shook his head in disbelief. “I had no idea.”

“Yeah, he did. Regina said he'll be fine, but she’s still a mess.”

“Is he still at the hospital?”

“Yeah, I’m sure they both are.”

Robin glanced behind Emma, most likely looking at his wife who was sitting at one of the booths with their son in her arms. He appeared to be conflicted and clearly wanted to see Regina.

Emma sighed again. “Look, Robin, I know it’s none of my business, but you are the one who approached me asking about Regina, so I feel obliged to say this… if you don't love your wife anymore, just do her a favor and set her free.”

His eyes shot back to hers, his eyebrows contracting in shock. “But what about our son? I can’t just leave him.”

“You don't have to leave him. You can still spend time with him. Sure, not as much, but don’t you think Marian would want to know if she’s wasting her time with a man who no longer loves her?”

“Well, I suppose.”

“She deserves to know the truth. If you stay, you’ll just be miserable, and she’ll be miserable, and so will Roland knowing that his parents are together but not really together, nor are they happy. Everyone is better off knowing the truth don't you think?”

Robin appeared to be taken aback, trying to process what Emma was telling him.

“I know that it’s hard to leave, believe me. I left my abusive husband, even though a part of me still loved him, but I knew it was for the best. I did it to protect my son. And now, I’m so glad that I did. And sure, there are obstacles to face, but I know that leaving was the best thing.”

He nodded, a weak smile curving his lips. “Sorry you had to go through that, lass. And you’re right, Marian deserves much better than this, and I thought that I could be the man that she needed, I thought that with Roland, we could make it work, but I was only kidding myself. Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

“Don't thank me. Just do the right thing.” With that, Emma walked past him and went to the restroom.

When she came back, she took a seat across from Mary Margaret, who was still holding her son and talking to him in baby gibberish before looking up at Emma, curiosity etched in her features. “What was that about?”

“Oh nothing. Robin was just congratulating me on the baby.”

The brunette narrowed her eyes, studying her dubiously. “You both seemed awfully serious for casual chit chat.”

Emma sighed in defeat. “You're right, I just can't say. Regina would kill me if I told anyone.”

Mary Margaret squinted her eyes in obvious suspicion. “You were talking about the affair between them, weren’t you?”

Emma glanced at her friend in shock. “You know about that?”

“Of course I do,’ she said casually. “I notice everything that goes on in this diner.”

Emma smirked. “Well, not everything.”

Mary Margaret tilted her head, flashing her a mischievous smile. “I'm assuming you're referring to the steamy make out session that you and Killian engaged in on my counter that night when you closed for Ashley a few months ago.”

Emma's jaw dropped in shock. “You knew about that all along?”

Her friend beamed proudly, nodding her head. “Yep. Do you forget that I have cameras around here?”

“But you didn't say anything? So you knew who I was seeing that whole time?”

Mary Margaret nodded. “Sure did. I didn't even tell David, and I tell him everything! See, I can keep a secret.”

“Well thank you, for not telling anyone,” Emma laughed.

“No problem. I knew you weren't ready to tell me, and I didn't want to do anything to screw up your happiness, because you deserve it,” she spoke adamantly.

Emma smiled at her warmly as she took the brunette’s hand in her own. “You wouldn't have screwed up my happiness, but I appreciate that. It means alot.”

They were then abruptly interrupted when one of the new waitresses approached Mary Margaret with some sort of emergency in the kitchen. She got up and transferred Ian to his mother's arms and went to assist.

Emma started to get ready to leave when Belle walked into the diner, searching around before spotting her and coming to her booth.

“Belle… hi, how are you? How is Collette?” Emma asked her, although Belle didn't seem like her cheerful self.

“Collette's fine. She's with her grandpa. How about your little guy?”

“He's a handful, but he's doing great, considering everything. Why don't you have a seat?”

Belle appeared to be worried as she sat across from Emma and started to pull something out of her bag. “I stopped by the Nolan place, but David said you were here. I'm sorry to bother you, but I had to show you these...”

“Belle, you're not both-" Emma stopped herself from finishing her sentence, or rather, the photos on the table did, when Emma saw what they were of.

“I found these in Robbie's things while I was searching for something. They were locked in his desk drawer at home, and I was able to find the key taped underneath his chair and to unlock it.”

Emma stared at the photos as she picked one up in her free hand, studying it intently.

“I knew he was hiding something from me. Do you think Neal’s using him to spy on you?”

“Yeah, I definitely do. Even before seeing these.”

The black and white photos were taken a couple of months ago, when Emma was still pregnant. And she was walking with James. There were was also one with her and Killian when they were outside of the clinic and another with them at the beach. Emma really shouldn't be surprised. She knew all along that Gold was in cahoots with Neal.

“Oh, and I also found this,” Belle said quietly as she pulled out another photo from her purse.

This one was a very old photo of two young boys who looked like brothers. “Do think this is Neal and Robert?”

“I know for a fact that's Robbie, but not sure about Neal. I was thinking maybe you could verify that.”

“It sure looks like him, but he never had any pictures of himself as a child.” Emma looked up at Belle, wanting to ask her something, but not wishing to upset her. “Belle, can ask you something?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Do you think your husband had anything to do with kidnapping my son from the hospital?” she asked warily.

“Honestly, I’m not sure, but I wouldn’t put it past him. He was gone that night, and I know that he’s hiding something from me.”

“I have another rather uncomfortable question for you... has he ever… hurt you?”

Belle shook her head, but Emma could see the pain in her eyes and the sorrow she wore on her face. “No, he hasn’t, but he’s abused me in other ways. Verbally and mentally. He’s always lying to me and leaving unexpectedly without saying a word. Sometimes I don’t even know why I’m with him anymore.”

“I know the feeling. Do you know if he has a piece of property on thirty-fourth avenue?”

“He used to live there, but then he sold it when he bought the house we’re currently at.”

“Are you sure? Because that’s where my baby was found? And apparently James saw Gold pulling in there one night.”

“I thought he sold it, but like I said, he tends to lie and keep things from me, so it’s possible.”

“Well, thanks for showing these to me. At least now I know that he’s been helping Neal.”

“No problem, Emma. I just thought you should see them. I have to go now, but I wish you luck.”

“Thanks.”

“Bye Ian,:” she said sweetly as she stood up, gathering the photos and waving to them both before leaving.

Emma was left stewing in her thoughts. She was so close to the truth, but at the same time, too far away. However, she knew how to rectify that. She had her own conclusions, but she needed proof. She needed proof that Neal was an abusive husband who was unfit to be a father and she needed proof that the he and Gold were the ones who kidnapped Killian and her baby. And she had an idea of how exactly she was going to retrieve these things. She knew exactly how to get to the truth and how to expose both of them. The others were not going to like her methods, especially Killian, but Emma was never going to be able to get past this unless she took extreme measures.

Yep. She knew exactly what she was going to do.

The next evening, Emma woke from a much needed nap. Killian had insisted that she get some rest while he looked after Ian. She sat up and got out of bed, transporting a hamper of tiny, dirty clothes to and from the laundry room.

With the buzz and whir of the washer and dryer working away, Emma made her way downstairs. The house was dim, the curtains were drawn and it was eerily quiet. She swallowed thickly, searching around for Killian and her baby when she noticed the soft light seeping through the crack underneath the door of the living room.

Emma quietly entered and huffed out a sigh of relief when her eyes fell upon the couch, the light from the lamp that was sitting on the end table, affording the most precious view. She smiled warmly, almost uncontrollably, as she watched her newborn baby sleeping soundly, undeterred by the snores of her boyfriend who was also asleep, both of them draped in the lamplight.

Killian was laying across the sofa on his back, his eyes closed and his arms folded around her son. Ian was tucked into Killian’s bare chest, his tiny hands splayed across his skin.

Emma had to tear her eyes away when she left to retrieve her phone in order to capture the priceless moment, being careful not to use the flash from the camera. Her phone battery was almost dead already because of the many photographs she’d already taken of her son that day.

After she took the photo, she pulled off the knitted blanket from the edge of the couch, spreading it out over her two boys. She leaned over them and kissed Killian’s forehead and then Ian’s, admiring them both with a frail smile. Killian looked so peaceful and as handsome as ever with his tousled hair and her son nestled into his chest. Ian’s two little eyes remained tightly closed, pink lids fluttering gently in some dream-like state, and his tiny button nose scrunched up in sleep, thin lips pursed together so adorably.

Turning off the lamp, Emma left the room with silent and careful steps, shutting the door with a soft click. She found a legal pad in Killian’s office and scribbled something down, leaving the note for him on the kitchen counter to let him know that she’d be back soon.

Retrieving her jacket from the closet, she slipped it on before escaping to the garage and getting in her car. With shaky hands on the steering wheel and a ball of nerves coiled in her stomach, she drove to the Sheriff's station to talk to a certain person whom she didn’t at all care to see. None of her loved ones would approve of this, nor of her plan, but she knew she needed to follow through with it. She knew that if she were going to keep her son safe, she needed to take some drastic measures to put a rest to the situation she found herself in. And what she had in mind would certainly put an end to this once and for all. Or at least, she very much hoped it would.

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#cs ff #cs ff au #captain swan #cs fanfics #captain swan parents #mystery #tangled up in blue #my fic

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