"Everything Starts With HOPE" [Captain Swan]

Killian's P.O.V

Christmas was approaching—at least, that was what they called it in this world. Emma was the only one among us who had grown up celebrating it, but over the years, it had become part of our lives too. This time, she wanted to go shopping for presents alone, giving me the perfect opportunity to meet with her parents.

"The book is changing." I told them, my voice tight with frustration. "Every decision we make rewrites those bloody pages."

"Does that mean Emma won't die?" Mary Margaret's eyes widened with hope.

"I don't know. When she first took the book, it was filled with happiness—pages of a future where she lived. But now, she's dying again... on the last page." I exhaled, wishing I had a more reassuring answer.

Mary Margaret's hands instinctively rested on her stomach. She was nearly seven months along, but the weight of fear dimmed her usual glow.

"I should be thinking about the baby, but every night, all I dream about is losing her." She admitted.

"We need to tell her." David said firmly.

"No!" Mary Margaret's voice cracked as tears welled in her eyes. "It's Christmas, David. And I'm pregnant. We can't tell her that her own daughter will kill her."

David reached for her hand, squeezing it gently.

"We'll fix it." He promised. "We always do."

Before I could respond, my new talking device buzzed in my pocket. Emma.

"Meet me at the hospital." She said, her voice brimming with excitement. "It's time for the ultrasound."

She already knew what the doctor would say— she had read it in the book. Our baby was a girl, and she was eager to hear Dr. Whale confirm it.
I arrived at the hospital within minutes, finding her in the waiting room. Pregnancy suited her — she was radiant, her four-month bump already visible beneath her coat.

"Are you two ready?" Dr. Whale appeared, offering us a reassuring smile.

"Say it." She urged.

He chuckled before delivering the news.

"Alright, here we go. You're having a baby boy." He said.

Silence.

"What?" Emma blinked, then shook her head.

"It's a boy." Dr. Whale frowned slightly.

"No. That's not possible. Check again." Her voice wavered with a hint of panic.

"Emma, love, breathe." I whispered, trying to calm her.

Dr. Whale glanced at me, and I subtly motioned for him to step out. Once he was gone, Emma turned to me, her expression a storm of confusion and frustration.

"The book said it was a girl." She whispered, her hands pressing against her stomach. "How could it be wrong?"

"Emma, we need to talk about the book." I took her hand in mine.

Emma's P.O.V

"Our actions are changing it. " I muttered, trying to process everything.

"Aye." Killian confirmed.

"Did you all know?" I looked between him and my parents.

"Emma, don't be angry." Mary Margaret lowered her gaze.

"We didn't want to scare you." David added.

"Right. So instead of warning me that my own child is going to kill me, you just... kept quiet? Great job, guys. Always making the best choices." A bitter laugh escaped me.

Their silence only fueled my anger. Even Hook had kept this from me. I needed air, space— anything to clear my mind before I said something l'd regret.

I stepped out of the house, walking aimlessly down the sidewalk. The winter air was sharp, biting at my skin, but I barely noticed.

"Emma!"

I turned to see Dr. Whale approaching, his expression oddly hesitant.

"I'm glad I ran into you." He said. "I just wanted to tell you... you were right."

"About what?" I frowned.

"Your baby—it is a girl." He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know how you knew, but l double-checked the scans. I was wrong before, and I wanted to apologize."

Relief flooded through me, but it was tainted with something darker—unease.

"Thank you." I murmured.

"Merry Christmas, Emma." Dr. Whale smiled.

And just like that, he was gone.

I placed a protective hand over my stomach, my thoughts racing. The book had changed once... what if it changed again? And what if, no matter what we did, the ending stayed the same?