Okay, so before we start the story can I please say that I have no idea how American legal system works because I am not an American and I have just taken wild guesses? If you know the correct stuff please tell me so that I can correct the mistakes.
Now that that is off my Chest, I had been craving a good Swanfire fic for a while. I have tried to do this justce mut meh! And if someone wants me to contineu it, please do so because I too want to continue this!
Enjoy reading and don't forget leaving a review!
Neal Cassidy was not the boy who left his father. He was a man who had seen things. He had been to places, places he wished he hadn't had. But this, on a small box on the back of some guy's motorbike, seeing his real name, his birth name his mother had given him was not what he expected in the Land Without magic.
He looked up at the man, August. Standing up straight, he looked him in the eyes and said, "Okay. I am listening."
The man did not waste a second. "There's a curse and it needs to be broken. Emma, is the key."
Neal closed his eyes. He wished this wasn't true. He wished it was dream and he would wake up in the back seat of their yellow bug with Emma in his arms and then planning to steal the watches that evening.
"I was tasked with keeping her on track," August continued, "And you, my friend, just got caught in the crossfire."
Suddenly many things began to make sense. But not the things he thought would.
What his father must have felt when he was abandoning him.
What his mother must have felt before going off.
Yes, he knew. He knew what was coming. Emma, in a short sentence, must be the savior. He had heard the tales about the saviors from his father.
"Now I'm gonna tell you a story," August said, "and at the end of it, you're gonna make a decision."
Neal wanted to kill this man. If looks could kill, he would have done it right there.
"Will you do the right thing or not?"
Neal took a deep breath, averting his eyes.
"So, are you ready?"
Neal listened as August told the tale of Snow White and Prince Charming and his father's curse cast by the Evil Queen.
And at the end, he made his choice.
Three days later, Emma was sitting in a jail cell. She could still not believe it. Neal had turned her in. She did not expect him to do so. She had loved him, for God's sake! Why, why would he do it? Why?
Her thoughts were interrupted as the cell was opened.
Emma removed her arm from over her eyes and looked right.
"Come on Swan, you are out."
"Out?" she asked, confused. Who would bail her out?
"Yeah." The police man said. "Neal Cassidy turned up with all the watches."
Emma's eyes widened and she abruptly sat up, looking at the man in confusion. He just gestured her to move out with a bored wave of hand. Emma stood up and walked out of the cell, gladly.
Emma couldn't believe it as she saw a few policemen escort Neal to another jail cell. He looked at her, flashed a smile, one of his Charming and guilty smile, walking away.
"What-What will happen to him?" she asked to no one in particular.
"Not sure." The police man who had brought he rout said. "Maybe a few months behind the bars or a few years."
"Off you go girl. Feel happy you got a second chance."
But Emma felt anything but happy.
Two months later….
Neal was sitting in his jail cell, staring at the empty wall. He was in for two years. He was surprised that the judge agreed on only two years, but because all the watches were returned safely he got out easily.
Neal hoped he had done the right thing. Emma could get the fresh start she needed and he would be out of her life. Forever. Neal knew Emma. She would never come back for him after he betrayed her trust.
Neal's attention was turned when he heard the cell door being opened.
The jailer looked in and said, "You have a visitor."
Neal's eyebrows rose up. Who could possible visit him?
Emma was just pacing and looking at the glass wall. As the door opened and Neal walked out, she knew it was too late. She just couldn't go back now.
Surprise was evident on his face. Well, she was surprised as well when she had decided to approach Neal. After what he had done to her….
Emma sat down and picked up the receiver. Neal picked it up and said, "I didn't think you would come."
"I wasn't exactly planning to." Emma said with a hint of annoyance. But her hands were shaking. She did not know how to do this. But yeah, she needed to do this.
"Then wha…"
His question was left unanswered as Emma said, "I am pregnant."
Emma had closed her eyes foe the briefest moment. When she opened it, she could see his open mouth and widened eyes. Even with the tense situation, she couldn't help but smile.
The clock ticked and Emma knew they did not have much time.
"Neal?"
"Do you want to keep it?"
Did she want to keep it? She didn't have a job or a place to live. She had been running around with eth yellow bug around.
"I don't know." Emma answered honestly. Neal looked around quickly and ten leaned forward.
"I know a guy," He said, "who can help you get some fake id's and go away."
"Do you think I came here so that I can escape with our child?"
Neal's eyes widened again.
"You, you want me to be there for it?" he asked, not really believe what Emma said.
"Yes!" Emma hissed. "Why else do you think I came here? I could have run off without telling you. But, after you got me out, I figured you deserved it. It could have been me on the other side and then I would have to raise a kid behind the bars."
Neal closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Once he opened them, he said, "I still know a guy. Who can help you."
Around nine months later…
Neal was just sitting in his cell, looking at a bunch of sonogram photos of his kid. His son. He couldn't help but smile.
He had given Emma the name of one of the people who had once tried to bring him on the good way. He could not do it but he knew Emma could. And from what he heard last, she was working a small job somewhere with enough paycheck for her and their son and the NGOs were helping her.
The cell door opened and a jailor came in with an envelope.
"Got another one Cassidy." He said. "What do you think it will be?"
"I-I don't know." Neal answered honestly. The jailer smiled and handed him the packet.
Neal tore it open as soon as he got it and off fell a small photo, with something written on it.
Here's our son. His name's Henry. He's healthy. We are waiting for you.
-Emma
Neal slowly turned the photo to see a small boy, wrapped in baby blue blanket and in Emma's arms. She looked tired but happy. And he-oh my god. He looked so perfect.
"Congratulations Cassidy." The jailer said with a quick smile and left the ecstatic man alone with the photograph.
Emma couldn't believe she was taking a three month old in a jail. A bloody jail. But well, his father was in there.
Little Henry wiggled in her arms and Emma smiled down at her boy. She had a fine job at a diner where there was always someone who would volunteer to look after little Henry. It was perfect, except of course the missing man.
She went through the same way she had gone the one time she was there. The police man was looking at her curiously but thankfully did not comment. Many people did.
As she sat down, she waited for Neal to come. As the door opened, she looked up to see Neal coming in. His face-that of pure joy was beautiful. She had missed him. She would not admit it but oh she missed him.
Neal walked up-starry eyes and his eyes fixed at the small bundle in Emma's arms. Once he sat down and picked the receiver, he asked, "Is that Henry?"
She really wanted to say something along the lines of, no I picked up a random child and our kid is in the store, but then decided against it and merely nodded. Neal covered his mouth with his remaining hand and muttered, "e is beautiful. You both are."
"Come out fast." Emma said and she had no idea where this was coming from. "We need you."
"I am trying my best."
One year later….
"You kept the bug?"
Emma couldn't help but smile. Out of the jail in two years and that was Neal's first question?
"Yup!" Emma said, driving the car. "Got a clear V.I.N. number for it. Thanks to the man you recommended."
Emma looked at him from the corner of her eyes. He was smiling slightly
"Where's Henry?" he asked suddenly.
"With my boss." She answered. "He helps me take care of him.
Neal nodded. The rest of the journey was spent in silence.
That night, Neal found himself in a one-bedroom apartment with he himself on the couch playing with Henry who was happily playing with him. Neal was scared that Henry would not recognize him at all, but the boy was just smitten by him.
As soon as he picked up Henry, Neal swore he would never be like his father. He would never give up on his family.
Emma was lying on the bed she had, tired from the day. Neal just smiled. This was the family he wanted, he needed.
It wasn't Tallahassee, but in a way, it was.
So...How was it?