We Can Still Have Our Tallahassee

Emma cradled Neal in her arms like a child. He was dying and all she could think about was the missed opportunities. She couldn't lose for a third time. There had to be a way to stop his imminent death.

"Emma," she heard. She tried to put on a brave face for him. He chuckled. "You don't have to be brave. I'm dying. It's okay. You can let me go. Just tell Henry I loved him."

Emma held him closer to her chest. "You are not dying. I am not letting you go. And you can tell Henry you love him yourself." Her tears wouldn't stop coming. She looked at Gold.

"Do something. He's your son. You need to wield whatever magic you have," Emma cried out. Gold looked helplessly at his son. His heart was shattering by the second.

"Papa, you have to let me go too. I made a sacrifice and I don't regret it. You taught me what love means. Willing to give yourself up to save others," Neal said.

Gold grabbed his hand and kissed it. "Bae, you are the best son a father could ask for." Neal smiled before looking at Emma again.

"Loving you was the best thing I ever did. I'm sorry I let you go. Go find Tallahassee even if it's not with me," he said.

Emma shook her head no. "I don't want to find it with anyone else. You are my Tallahassee. Neal, you can't die on me. I love you and I always will."

"I love you too," he said. He gave one last look to his father. He breathed out the word papa as the breath departed from him.

Emma felt her world crashing again. She shook Neal demanding him to wake up. Gold closed his son's eyes with his head bowed.

"Emma, he's gone," he said softly.

"No!" she shouted. "Neal, you have to wake up for me. I need you. Gold needs you. Henry needs you." She was only met by the sound of her own voice. Her tears came faster and harder. The first time was hard. Seeing him go through that portal but this was even more gut wrenching.

She continued to cradle him in her arms rocking him now. "Don't leave me," she whispered over and over again.

Gold tried to get Emma's attention and pry Neal away from her but she glared at him. Only soft and understand eyes reflected back at her. She loosened her grip. "One more minute," she pleaded.

He nodded his head and gave Emma space.

She traced his features lightly. She let out a laugh when she remembered how they met. She never felt so alive and complete. Now, she felt like a part of her died with him.

"Goodbye," she whispered as she laid his head on the ground. She smoothed his hair and bent down and kissed him. She felt a rush of wind go through her.

She sat up quickly when she heard Gold's voice call her name. She turned to him only to see the shocked look on his face. "Gold, what?"

"Bae," was all he said. Emma looked down and his eyes were fluttering open.

Emma grabbed his face. "Neal," she called out in disbelief.

"Emma, is that you?" he asked. She let out a teary laugh.

"Yes, it's me," she said helping him sit up.

Neal looked between his father and Emma and his eyebrows creased. "I said goodbye. I don't understand. I thought-

"True love Bae," Gold said now kneeling beside him. "True love."

Neal's eyes caught Emma's. "I guess this means there's a chance we still can have our Tallahassee."

She nodded her head and hugged him. "I'm never letting you go again. You aren't allowed to die on me ever again."