The start of something new. Well, not too new since this is a type of sequel to "Trust Me". This has been rolling around my head since I finished "Trust Me" and I finally made myself sit down and type out this first chapter. If you haven't read "Trust Me" I would suggest you do. Some of this story won't make sense until you do.
This takes place after Snow and Emma have been back from FTL for a while. Cora and Hook did not follow them (because that would totally mess up my plans for this) and all is as hunky-dory as it can get in a town full of fairy tale characters. And this is a prologue…so, if you are slightly confused at first, don't worry more shall be explained.
Thanks to all who reviewed "After the Same Rainbow's End". You guys make me so happy. And I can't wait to hear what you think on this one. So…that means that I need you to review. Please! Pwetty Pwease.
As always, a big, big, big thank you to Laura! She and I get each other so much. We both are so invested in these characters that we start talking about them like they are very real; like they live next door to us.
And again, I do not own "Once Upon a Time". Never have. Never will. I gain no type of profit from this story. If I did, I would not be scrapping for any little penny I can.
Emma stared at the display in the shop window. Tools seemed so…trite. Another hammer or saw wasn't going to be the best present ever. Which was what Emma wanted to get him.
She needed the perfect gift. It was James' first birthday since the curse broke and thankfully, Emma and Snow were back in Storybrooke, thanks to Regina. And Emma wanted to get her birth father something special. She wanted this birthday to be one he remembered for the rest of his life. But what in the world do you get a man who was once king of a place called The Enchanted Forest, who was married to his true love?
"Certainly not a screwdriver," Emma muttered to herself, stuffing her hands in her jacket pockets, frustration very evident in her body language. "And it's not like there are weapon shops around here."
Not that he needed any weapons either. Once you have the sword that he possessed, other swords just kind of paled in comparison.
"You certainly seem miserable, Ms. Swan," a voice said from behind the blonde, causing the sheriff to turn from the display of new Black and Decker tools.
Regina stood there, looking as pristine as ever, one eyebrow raised and a slight smirk on her face.
Emma shrugged and turned back to the window, her mind already going back to present ideas for her father.
That shocked Regina. Even though the two had been on better terms since Emma and Snow's return to Storybrooke, the former mayor and sheriff still loved to duke it out, verbally of course. It was more playful now, though. There wasn't as much animosity in their words anymore.
"Emma?"
Emma sighed and slowly turned back to Regina. "I'm horribly miserable," she stated, her shoulders even more slumped than before.
"And why," Regina stepped up to Emma's side. "Is that?"
"It's James' birthday."
The other eyebrow joined its twin on the brunette's face. "And that is cause for misery?" Regina asked. "I can understand if I were the one that was miserable but, my dear, he is your father."
A rush of air escaped Emma's mouth. "I know!" she said harshly. "That's why I'm so miserable. I have never had to buy a gift for my dad. Ever. Sure, I've made cards and bought silly little trinkets for my foster-father but they didn't mean anything. But this…this needs to mean something."
"Ah," Regina muttered, understanding now. "Something special is needed."
Emma nodded. "I just don't know what to do," she sighed. "I've missed out on so many past birthdays and Father's Days. I want to try to make up for all those missed presents but that's…that's too much!" She shook her head. "I don't know what…" She trailed off.
"Don't know what, dear?" Regina asked, becoming slightly worried at the glazed look that was taking over Emma's green eyes.
A grin started to form on Emma's face as an idea developed. It was perfect! Completely perfect! Now all she needed was…
"Magic!" She shouted, turning to Regina.
Regina started at the shout and took a step back.
"Emma?" Regina asked hesitantly. "What's wrong with you?"
"I need your help."
"Wha-?"
"And you need to do magic for me."
"Emma, you know I don't-"
"Wait, before you refuse, let me explain."
Regina opened her mouth to protest again when she looked into Emma's eyes. There was a hope there that seemed so similar to Henry. A hope that Regina used to see every Christmas when he would ask for something special. A hope that she would see when he would ask her to come to the school play. Hope. Something Regina wasn't used to seeing in Emma Swan's eyes. And that's what cinched it for her.
"Fine," Regina stated with a firm nod. "What do you need?"
"Is it safe?"
Emma studied the purple liquid in the vial she was holding. "She said it was."
"Well, that doesn't really reassure me."
Green eyes rolled. "Really, Mom? She saved our lives."
Snow crossed her arms over her chest. "I know. I just…I don't know. It seems weird that she would do this for you."
Emma looked back at the vial and then shrugged. "She's changed," she said. "Henry sees it. I see it. Archie sees it. Why can't you?"
Snow didn't answer that. "Does Henry know she did magic?"
Emma nodded. "She spoke to him about it first. He was fine with it. In fact, he was excited about it. Thought it was cool."
Snow sighed and grabbed her daughter's hand. "If you really think it's okay…"
A firm nod was her answer. "I do."
There was that stubborn lift of her chin that Snow recognized as her own. And that glint in green eyes that was way too similar to James' to miss.
"Fine," she said. "And for the record," she stated with a grin. "I think this is a great idea."
Emma grinned back and picked up the vial, holding it up as in a toast. "Then let's make this the best birthday he's ever had."
The first thing he noticed was movement on the bed. He didn't think anything of it. Snow had a tendency to move around before actually getting up. But then, he noticed soft giggling. And it didn't sound like Snow.
He slowly opened his eyes, only to be met with a sight that took him totally by surprise.
A small blonde girl was sitting on the bed next to him, her hair slightly mussed, as if she had just woken up, and a huge grin on her face. Snow was sitting next to her, a nervous but excited smile on her face.
"Hi!" the little girl chirped.
"Um," James sat up, very grateful for the shirt and boxers he had on. "Hi."
"Mama said we could wake you up now so we could have breakfast." She looked over at Snow with big green eyes. "Didn't you, Mama?"
"I sure did, sweetie. What else do you tell him?"
James felt like he had stepped into another world. Nothing was making sense to him. Did I drink last night? Am I having an alcohol induced dream?
"Oh yeah!" The little girl jumped up, her little feet scrambling over the covers, and threw herself at him. Her tiny arms wrapped around his neck. "Happy Birthday, Daddy!"
"Daddy?" He whispered. He pulled back to look her in the face and nearly swallowed his tongue. Those green eyes and stubborn chin. The blonde hair and grin. "Emma?"
Green eyes lit up and she nodded. "Yep! And you're my forever-daddy! Mama said so." She pointed at Snow over her shoulder. "So, it has to be true! And she said you'll love me forever!"
James made eye contact with Snow, who just smiled and communicated that all would be explained later but that yes, this was Emma. His eyes tracked back to the little girl and he felt tears start to gather in his eyes.
"Daddy?" Emma said, her excitement slowly fading at the shocked look on the man's face. "Is that okay?"
"Oh, Emma," he breathed before he pulled her back into his arms. "It is very okay."
To be continued…