Hi every one welcome to my new one-shot, it may or may not continue eventually, but no promises.
First I want to give credit for my cover picture to aprincessandherpirate on Instagram.
This one-shot/possible something is from a request by Twilightroxas7 of 15 year old Emma being a teen-age mother after she became pregnant with Henry & running away from home. So as you probably figure this is au, no magic and based mostly in Boston.
I do not own OUAT or its characters, just my imagination.
All it took was to find a family.
The sound of the timer goes off, loud and unexpected. Well, she expected it; just it was the longest two minutes of her life. Emma lets out a shaky breath, willing herself to pick up the white stick. The results either meant her life would continue as is, or change her life forever. Emma takes the stick into her hand, and then looks down. Yep, two lines, she was pregnant, and tears roll down her checks.
She isn't really surprised by the results, everything pointed to this. She was newly 15 still, in the few years she has had her period, she had missed a couple, so when she missed last months, she wasn't concerned, it happens. But now, she was already 10 days late for a second month now. Based on her best guess, she was about 2 months pregnant, 8 or 9 weeks along. The next thing was figuring out what to do.
Being a foster kid, there was a lot to consider. Her current foster parents had to know, which led to her case worker. Luckily for Emma, her current foster home was nice enough. The couple was one of the nicest she's dealt with in her life. But she knew they didn't approve of her sort of boyfriend, the baby's dad. He was older, a high school dropout, fellow foster kid; but he understood her. He was there for her in ways no one had before. Until he wasn't, when he disappeared, with no explanation. Emma sighs, before telling anyone she had to find out for sure. She would have to go see a doctor; there was a nearby free clinic.
The next day finds Emma, in the cold sterile room at the clinic. They take blood, and have her pee in a cup, to do another test. Now Emma is sitting in the exam room, waiting. Emma is taken from her thought by a knock at the door.
"Emma?" the doctor comes in, she seems nice, she was before too. "So… the test came back positive."
Emma looks down at the floor "So, it's real, I'm pregnant?"
She nods "Yes. Once the blood test comes back we will get a clearer idea how far along. I looked over the paper the nurse had you filled out. My best guess is that you are due in October, the end of October."
"So, like a Halloween baby?" Emma asks.
The doctor nods "That is my guess." She looks at Emma sadly "Um, there are consolers here, you can talk to; about your choices, how to tell your parents, that kind of stuff."
Emma nods "Thank you."
"If you don't have another doctor to see, you should come back in about four weeks, to check your progress okay?"
After finishing up with the doctor, Emma was escorted to the consoler. The woman was nice as well. She didn't push anything, but let Emma know all her options. She got to her foster home and told the couple she would need to talk to them later. As she feared, it didn't go well for her. They basically told her to place the baby for adoption or she was out of their home, they had enough going on, they didn't need to add a baby to the mix. So that night, once everyone is asleep; Emma runs away with $400 and a suitcase.
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Three months later finds Emma in Boston, and she was living in a special foster home meant for pregnant teens. When she first got to Boston, she stayed in shelters for the first three weeks, until one of the staff realized she was pregnant and told her about the home. Her case worker was contacted and Emma was allowed to stay. The home was ran by a couple, David and Mary Margaret Noland, who were so sweet and kind.
Emma is standing in her room, looking into the mirror on the back of her door. She gives a small smile at her reflection, looking at her slightly rounded stomach. It was no question she was pregnant. She pulls at her shirt a little, that was getting a bit snug now, and she wishes she could throw on a flannel over her shirt, but it was June now, to warm for that. She didn't know what she was worried about she was just going to a doctor's appointment. Emma is taken from her thoughts by a knock at the door "Yeah?"
Mary Margaret pokes her head around the door "You ready Emma?"
"Um… yeah" Emma says giving her belly a small rub.
Mary Margaret opens the door more, and smiles "Maybe… we should stop and get you some clothes sweetie."
"You don't have…" Emma starts.
"Emma" Mary Margaret says sternly "your baby is growing, which means your belly is too. You need clothes that fit better."
Emma sighs "Fine… but I don't need much okay? Mostly pants, and a couple shirts, most of them still fit."
"That's a deal" Mary Margaret says with a laugh.
The drive to the clinic is nice, they chat, Mary Margret updates her on one the girls who had left and found a place, after her 18th birthday. Once at the clinic Emma gets a bit quite again, the appointments always made her nervous, but having the woman with her helped. Not much later Emma is called into a exam room, with Mary Margaret in tow.
About 15 minutes later the doctor walks in "Hello Emma" she says with a smile.
Emma smiles "Hi doctor Bell." The name still makes Emma giggle, on their first visit, the doctor told her how her friend's referred to her as tinker bell in school.
"So… how have you been?"
"Good, I think. The baby seems to be grow" Emma says putting her hands on her belly.
Bell smiles "It appears so" she says, sitting on the chair by the ultra sound machine. "So, hopefully your little one lets us see today, if their boy or girl."
Emma smiles with a nod, she lays back. She moves the elastic band attached to her jeans down, and pulls up her shirt to expose her belly. "I think… I think I'm feeling some movement now."
Bell nods, and she puts the gel on her stomach "Good, this about when it could start." She spreads the gel around "Alright…" and she stares at the machine, hits a couple keys and a familiar whooshing sound fills the room, making Emma tear up. "Heartbeat is still strong. And your baby is weighing and measuring where they should." She hits a few keys again, the whooshing sound going away, she moves the probe around more, hitting a few more buttons, this time Emma knew that was for some pictures for her. "The baby is looking great Emma, you are doing a great job."
Emma gives her a teary smile "So, can we find the gender today?"
Bells nods "Just let me try something" she stands poking around Emma's stomach a bit. She sits back down and start moving the probe again. She smiles "There we go" she moves it a bit more, she hits a few buttons, then puts the probe down, and turns the screen for her to see "Say hello to your little boy Emma…"
Mary Margaret smiles, covering her mouth with her hand, she was happy for Emma, she could so see the girl with a son.
"A boy?" Emma says with a huge smile.
Bell nods "Yep, and he's healthy and strong."
Emma stares at the screen "Thank you…" she whispers.
"You're welcome Emma" Bell says, handing her a towel to wipe the gel off with. "I'm going to print out the pictures; you can pick them up at the desk when you make your next appointment. Any questions or concerns?"
"No" Emma shakes her head.
"Alright, I will see you in four weeks" Bell says before leaving the room.
Mary Margaret smiles at Emma "I know… your still not sure sweetie, about what you are going to do, but congratulations, a boy!"
Emma chuckles, looking down at her belly "Yeah… a boy" she says with a bit a sadness, but still can't help but smile.
"Come on, let's get your pictures, then get shopping" Mary Margaret says wanting to cheer the girl up.
On the way to the mall, Emma is pretty quiet, staring out the window. "I think… I think I want to keep him" Emma says breaking the silence.
"I think that is a great choice Emma. But I just want to ask, you sure you are ready for this?"
Emma shakes her head "I have no idea, but I know I want to try" she says looking at Mary Margaret. She receives a nod, not long after, they pass the mall. "Um, Mary Margaret, you just passed the mall…" Emma says pointing to behind her.
"We aren't going to the mall Emma. I know you aren't a typical girly girl, so I found a cool shop, that's more your style, with maternity clothes."
Emma's eyes tear up "you didn't have to do that…"
"It was my pleasure Emma" Mary Margaret says with a sincere smile. "You, and like most of the girls we have taken care off, have had it rough. We want to show you and your son, not all people are like that."
Emma is pleasantly surprised when they get to the shop, she was right, this was her style. She found shorts, and capris, and pants that would be more comfortable, they were stretchy, kind of like yoga pant type material. She found summer friendly plaid, which tickled her pink. And even found cool shirts, with band logos and other fun things. "This is awesome Mary Margaret, but there is no way I can afford this."
Mary Margaret takes her hand "I talked to your case worker; she got you more money for your monthly stipend. I will use it for most of it, and I will take care of the rest okay?" Emma starts to argue, but is stopped "Think of it as a early gift for your little guy; if mommy is comfortable, he is too."
Emma sighs with a smile "Fine."
After that shop, Mary Margaret drags her down a couple stores, to a second hand baby store. Emma gives her a look.
"Well… the boy needs stuff to right?"
Emma laughs, and shakes her head "Yeah, I guess, fine."
They look around at the boys clothing. Emma's favorite, is a one piece outfit. The sleeves and legs are blue; and the chest and body is grey, on the chest it reads 'little man'. Emma finds some pajamas and onesies; she was told they were essentials for newborns.
Once on the way home, it's quite for a while. "Emma?" Mary Margaret asks.
"Yeah?" Emma asks turning to look at her, away from the window.
"I was wondering, have you been considering names yet?"
Emma smiles, placing a hand on her belly "I've had a name for a boy for years actually."
Mary Margaret raises a eyebrow "Really?" she says, truly surprised.
Emma nods "When I was ten, I was placed in this home with a single woman, her name was Regina. She was the best home I had. She was, at the time, trying to run for mayor of the town she lived, and was going to stop fostering once I left. Anyway, Regina was close to her dad. During the four months I was there, I swear he visited easily five times a week" she says with a laugh. "He was the kindest man I ever met" she continued a bit sadly. "He treated me like I was his granddaughter, always had treats and surprises for me when he came. About three weeks before I left, the three of us went to ice skate. About a half hour after, Regina got a call she had to take. I ended up getting cold, and we had put our coats into a locker, and she had the key, but I knew it was a important call so I didn't want to bug her. Henry took off the fleece sweatshirt he had on, and gave it to me" she says with a smile. "While we waited for Regina, he took me to the concession stand, he got me a hot chocolate, and we shared a basket of fries, it's my favorite day ever. Two days later, he passed away; a sudden heart attack, he didn't even make it to the hospital."
"Oh Emma, I'm so sorry…" Mary Margaret says, tears building up.
Emma nods "Thanks. I promised that, if I ever had kids, I would name my first boy Henry, after him."
"I'm sure he will be honored Emma, sounds like he cared for you a great deal."
Emma nods, tears falling down her cheeks now, she wipes them away; and then caresses her belly where Henry was kicking "I hope so. I want my son named for some one good in my life, Mr. Mills was the only man ever really nice to me. Both of them where, now I have you and David too."
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A few months later Emma sits in the common room with the other three girls that live in the home as well. With her hands on her now much larger belly, Emma looks around at what has become like a family to her. To her left, in the rocking chair is Ashley. Ashley like Emma is still pregnant. Ashley was about to pop, she was 5 days overdue, she was having a girl, she was naming her Alex. It was a joke in the home, that Alex and Henry where bound to date one day. To her left was Ruby, who was holding her 3 month old little girl Luna. Emma hoped to be as great of a mom as Ruby was becoming, she proved that teens where capable to be parents. Emma then looks across the room at Lily. Emma had to feel bad for Lily, she was aging out of the system next month. She had the oldest child of the bunch, her son Luca, who was 10 months old. Lily was scared, it was no secret Luca's father, who was older, wanted custody, he felt Lily wasn't capable.
David comes in "Hey girls."
All four turn to look at him, "Hey David" they all say together.
"So Mary Margaret wants you all to head outside in back" David says.
Ruby and Lily scoop up their babies and head outside, while David helps Emma and Ashely out of their seats, their large belly's making it hard to get up without help. And then the three head outside.
Emma walks out the back door to find a sign, welcoming her to her baby shower, and everyone yelling surprise. In her time there she had seen all the girls get showers, hers has been the only one she's seen a surprise, its probably cause she said no to having one. She knows this is all Mary Margaret, their mother hen. She cared for them, and helped with the babies. They were learning to be moms from her, it was natural to Mary Margaret to be a mom, they all agreed it was to bad she never had babies of her own. "Guys" Emma says, with a teary smile.
"There was no way I was letting you get away without a shower sweetie" Mary Margaret says with a huge grin. From behind her back she pulls out a sash, with mom-to-be written across it. "You better not fight this Emma…" she says in a stern tone.
"Yes ma'am" Emma says with a teary nod.
Emma opens her gifts. There wasn't much, but she was truly grateful for all of it, all the same. She got bottles and diapers, and clothes, bedsheets for the crib. David and Mary Margaret even got her the stroller she liked at the second hand baby store she saw.
Later that night, Emma is in her room, putting away the clothes into Henry's dresser that she got at the shower that day.
Ruby stands in the door way, Luna in her arms and knocks lightly "Hey Em."
Emma turns around and smiles "Hey Ruby" Emma then walks over "Hey Luna girl" she coos, taking the baby into her arms.
Ruby smiles, as Emma carry's the Luna to the bed and sits down "You getting nervous?"
Emma looks down at Luna and smiles, letting her take hold of her finger "Yeah, that's one way to put it."
Ruby nods "You're going to be great Em, I mean you're great with Luna and Luca."
"That might be, but I can pass them back when they start crying or need a diaper change. Now, it will all be on me."
"I still think you will be great Em" Ruby says, rubbing her daughter's belly, while in Emma's arms
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Emma ends up in the hospital in the early morning of her 16th birthday, in labor. That night, at 8:15; little Henry David Swan was born, to a tearful Emma, who held him close, when they laid him on her chest mere seconds after he was born. She had Mary Margaret at her side the whole time, if the woman hadn't been like a mom already to her, she was now.
It's a hour after Henry was born and Emma is resting against her pillow, Henry on her chest asleep, she couldn't let him go yet, he was beautiful and small, and she loved him so freaking much, she thought her heart was going to bust. Her fingers are drawing light circles on his back "Well kid, we share a birthday, whatcha think about that huh?" she asks kissing his head. "You are by far the best gift I've ever gotten." Henry whimpers and then nuzzles even more into her, Emma chuckles, using her finger to rub his little cheek. Emma just stares at him for a while "You have stolen my heart sweet boy, you really have" Emma says quietly, kissing his head sweetly.
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A year later
Emma wakes up to the sounds of Henry quietly babbling away in his crib. Emma smiles turning to look at his crib in their small room of Mary Margaret and David's group home. Henry happens to turn his head towards her, and smiles, and starts sitting up, and then stands, bouncing a bit waiting for her to scoop him up out of the crib. Emma giggles as she gets up, and walks over to Henry, lifting him out of the crib. Emma kisses his cheek "Morning baby boy, happy birthday" Emma coos at him, earning baby talk back. Emma giggle, giving Henry a quick diaper change, and slips him back in his robot pajamas.
Emma takes him downstairs to the kitchen, where Mary Margaret is making breakfast "There are the birthday kiddos" she says with a smile.
Emma rolls her eyes, passing Henry to her waiting arms "Guys" she says sternly, seeing the breakfast was made.
Ruby then walks in with Luna, they were the only two left in the house with Emma and Henry "Happy birthday Em" she says hugging her friend.
Emma chuckles "Hey Rube" hugging her back, then she turns to Luna, in her mama's arms. "There is my favorite girl."
"Em, Em" Luna cheers.
Emma gladly takes the girl into her arms, kissing her cheeks "Luna girl."
Ruby then gives love to the birthday boy. "My favorite boy is one today huh?"
Henry giggles, and babbles to her seriously; earning kisses from both his mom and Ruby.
Emma moves and puts Luna into her highchair, and then takes Henry into her arms and kisses the tip of his nose. Emma giggles when she earns wet kisses back on her cheek "Mama loves you to Henry" she whispers.
Henry smiles "Ma" he cheers.
Emma smiles "Yeah baby boy, mama, can you try mama?"
"Ma… ma" Henry grins.
Emma has tears springing to her eyes "Good job Henry, mama loves you."
Henry buries his face in Emma's neck, giggling.
Emma can't help but smile at his sweetness, and kisses his head; deciding to just keep him on her lap for now, not wanting to let go of her amazing little Henry. The little boy her stole her heart, and ran away with it. The little boy, who she loved; unknowing how much love her heart could hold, until he was placed into her arms one year ago.
So not sure yet or not if I will continue this in the future, so will leave it open. Thoughts?