Beyond Here and Overthere, Chapter One: Baby Steps
Hundreds of universes.
They all follow the same time line but exist in different dimensions, parallel to one another. Within each one of these universes, there are several galaxies. Those galaxies, sometimes protected by guardians, contain themselves millions of stars and planets. On one of this planet, commonly called 'Earth' by its inhabitants, in a magical town called Storybrooke, lived a young woman. This woman was Emma Swan. Until the age of 28, Emma Swan's life had been the life of someone always on the run, always fleeing, someone whose walls were always up. Emma had never found a proper home until the day her biological son, Henry, whom she had given up for adoption ten years before, had came to pay her a visit in Boston to tell her the truth about her fate. And Emma's fate was not the usual one. She was rather special; the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming themselves. Of course, at the very beginning, Emma had been very skeptical of all this fairytales-are-real stuff. But with time she had learned to accept who she really was. A Savior, and she had done a lot of savings, that is to say. Emma and her family had defeated their last enemy Ingrid, also known as the Snow Queen, a woman with whom Emma shared a bond like no other since she was a young teenager. Yet now, Emma's life was pretty simple: no more curse to break, no more dragon to slay, no more crazy stuff to resolve. Actually, Emma's life had become boring.
Boring might be exaggerating but not so much. Of course, Emma had amazing parents and brother, a handsome boyfriend (and she hadn't been very lucky when it came to romantic relationships until now), a son that she loved with all her heart and very good friends like Regina or Belle. So indeed, lately, Emma had been thinking how boring her life had gotten. She was missing having adventures, casting magic spells, living on the edge. What Emma was ignoring tough, is that this day would become the beginning of something new and mysterious but exciting too, beyond anything she had ever imagined.
It was a Saturday morning and Emma woke up at nine a.m. She jumped out of bed and walked into the empty kitchen of the nice apartment she had just afforded with Killian. She grabbed a dozen of eggs and a bottle of milk in the fridge and started making pancakes. Soon the delicious and sweet smell of the batter cooking in the frying pan enveloped he room. A few minutes later Killian walked in and started helping Emma. He kissed her cheek, whispering a little, "hi, love," in her ear, then took a couple of apples out of the fruit basket and cut them into small dices before putting them into the mixer.
"Got any plans today?" Killian asked.
"I have to meet mom and Belle. We're going to shopping for the baby," Emma answered. "Can you hand me the sugar, please?"
"I guess it's girl day, then."
"That's right. Henry's gonna go horse riding with David. Maybe you should go with them?"
"Nah, I'll just stay here, watch some Netflix."
Emma smiled. She remembered the first time she and Killian watched TV together and since then, her boyfriend had become pretty obsessed with shows. He had an unexplainable interest for cop dramas, especially. Killian took two plates out of the cupboard and put them on the table while Emma served the pancakes and poured apple juice into their glasses.
"It would be nice, if we had a child of our own, wouldn't it?" Killian asked rather randomly in the middle of the breakfast.
Emma almost choked on her pancake.
"Hum, don't get mad. But we've only been together for about six months and a baby would be the least of my preoccupations right now."
"That was just a simple suggestion," he grumbled.
"I know... Crap, it's almost 9," Emma said with surprise after taking a look at the clock on the wall. "I have to get ready for today."
She got up and went directly to the bathroom, situated next to her room. She took a quick shower and was ready in less than half a hour. She kissed Killian goodbye and soon after was driving in her bug direction her parents apartment. As she was used to, Emma entered the house without knocking the door. Belle and Snow were chatting at the kitchen counter while David was busy playing on the floor with Neal, Emma's baby brother, who waved his little hand at Emma when he noticed her presence.
"Oh, Emma, you're here," Snow murmured with a smile. "How are you doing?"
"Pretty good. So are you guys ready for today?"
"Almost. David, can you put Neal's shoes and coat on please?" Snow asked her husband.
"On it," Charming answered, lifting his son up from the floor.
"Would you like something to drink before we go?"
"No, I'm okay, I just had breakfast with Hook."
"Good. I'm gonna go get my purse and wallet, I'll be right back."
"All ready," David said, putting Neal in Emma's arms.
"Thanks dad. Hey there," Emma coo'd, kissing her brother's forehead.
"Well, I guess we can go now." Snow said, who was back from her room.
Belle stood up from her seat, revealing a big round belly under her purple shirt.
"Need some help?" Emma asked.
"No, thank you."
"I'm gonna get the baby stroller and then I'll go pick up Henry at Regina's."
"Okay, let's go."
Outside, the blue sky was illuminated by outbursts of sunshine and white flowers were blooming on the trees. The girls passed before Archie who was walking Pongo, his loyal Dalmatian. They spent the whole time talking about the sex of Belle's future baby. Emma was convinced it was a boy, while Snow leant more towards a girl.
"I don't really care whether it's a boy or a girl," Belle admitted. "You know, as long as it's healthy."
"All will be fine," Emma reasoned.
"I'm just a little worried. It's the child of the Dark One after all."
Belle hadn't had any news from her ex-husband since the night she had forced him to walk over the town line. She had moved from Rumple's huge mansion (the memories she had of there were too bittersweet) and had been living in a little apartment situated inside the library of Storybrooke. She also had closed the pawnshop and tried to give every belonging back to their rightful owner. When Belle found out she was pregnant, Emma had been the first person she told. Since then, both girls had developed a close friendship and had often been calling each other for mom-to-be tips.
"Neal wasn't mentally troubled or whatsoever," Snow noticed.
"Yes, but Rumple wasn't the Dark One yet when Neal was born. I have read so many books about the subject and never did a Dark One become a father, ever. I don't want my kid to be a monster."
There was an awkward moment of silence.
"Neal, I'm mean my son Neal, has learned a new word: dadda" Snow said to change the mood.
"Aw, that's so cute."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you guys something," Emma said. "Hook wants us to have a baby."
Snow stopped abruptly, almost hitting the stroller onto a street lamp.
"Wait, what?"
"I don't know where he got this idea but I told him straight it was too soon."
"You did good. You don't have to rush things," Belle added. "I think we've arrived."
The three women walked into the shop and a little bell rang. Storybrooke's Baby Steps was a small shop specialized in clothing items and furniture for babies and toddlers. Inside, the walls were painted with a pastel pink and several rows of wooden shelves, on which were exposed all kinds of things (from plushes to baby bottles), were neatly aligned. Celeste, the shop's owner, noticed Snow, Emma and Belle and came towards them.
"Hello, Snow!" Celeste greeted, hugging her. "How you doing today?"
"I'm well, thank you. I believe you're already know my daughter, Emma and our friend Belle."
"Of course. Hi!"
"Hey," Emma and Belle answered at the same time.
"Do you need something for little Neal?" Celeste asked, bending over to look at the baby who was peacefully resting in his stroller.
"Not really. As you can see, Belle is pregnant and we're here to buy some stuff for the future baby's room."
"Oh, I understand. If you want, you can leave Neal at the playground corner while you do your shopping. Aurora is already there with Phillip Jr. "
"That would be nice," Snow said handing Neal to Celeste.
"You girls have fun!" Celeste said as she walked away.
"I think the cradles are over there," Emma suggested, pointed to the right of the shop.
The three girls spent almost a hour, looking for the perfect cradle. All this baby shopping thing made Emma quite nostalgic. Nostalgic of something she had never had the chance to experience. She imagined her life if she had kept Henry. She imagined her and Neal shopping together to set up their son's room. She imagined Neal building up the cradle for the baby. She smiled. And at this exact moment, Hook's idea didn't seem that much crazy. They were happy and settled. The perfect time to welcome a baby into the world. The shop's doorbell rang again. Emma stopped thinking about what could have been and her focus came back on the present.
"This cradle is the one I need," Belle exclaimed cheerfully. "What do you think, Emma?"
"Hmm, yes, good choice," Emma grumbled, without even looking at the cradle that Belle had chosen.
"Emma, you okay?"
"Yeah," Emma responded, in an unconvincing tone of voice. "I gotta do something. Stay here, I'll be right back."
For an unknown reason, Emma was intrigued by the man who had just entered the shop. She got closer to the counter where he was standing and when she was close enough to see his face, noticed that she had never seen him before. He had short dirty blond hair and deep blue eyes. He hadn't shaved for at least three days and was wearing only black. An American flag was pinned on his chest, just where the heart is. Patriotic much, Emma thought. The letters G.B.R were embroidered with gold string underneath.
"Excuse me? Do I know you?"
The man looked at Emma.
"I don't know. Are you the police?" he asked calmly.
"No, but I'm the sheriff. So you better tell me your name right now."
"And why would I do that? Do you go everywhere and ask random strangers their names all the time?"
"No but I..."
Emma stared at the mysterious man. She felt an impression of déjà vu.
"You what, Miss Swan?"
"I've never seen you in Storybrooke... and hold on, how the hell do you know my name?"
"You're telling me you know everybody who lives in this town. Truly impressive since people always come and go here. And I know your name because everyone does. You're rather popular, don't you think?"
"So you're not telling me who you are?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Here you go."
Celeste was back at her counter and gave the man a small paper bag containing god-knows-what.
"It will be $8.50"
The man put a ten dollar bill on the counter.
"Keep the change."
"Have a lovely day. You too, Miss Swan."
He took the bag and walked towards the exit.
"Who the hell was that?"
"I have no idea. He's been coming here for a few weeks now. Nice guy."
"A walnut salad for Snow, a hamburger for Belle, pork chops for Emma and chicken nuggets for Neal," Ruby announced putting the plates on the table. "Enjoy!"
"Thanks Ruby! Oh my goodness, I am starving," Belle said.
The girls had decided to go have lunch at Granny's after they'd finished shopping.
"Emma, are you sure you're alright?" Snow asked, getting really worried.
"Did you guys see that guy at Baby Steps?"
"Quickly."
"Something's weird with him. I can feel it."
"Are you sure you're not making things up?
"Maybe. But I need to be sure. What are you guys are up to this afternoon?"
"I have to work at the library."
"What about you, mom?"
"I think I'm gonna see Regina for a while. Since we failed on finding the author, she has been locking herself alone in her house, except when Henry is there. She needs some company."
"Okay, I'm gonna call dad and ask him to come at the station so he can help me figuring out who that guy is."
Emma hadn't even touched at her pork chops that she got up and rushed out of Granny's. She took her phone in her pocket and noticed Killian had been texting her and she forgot to answer him.
'Wifi ain't working!"
"C'mon, Swan how do I fix this damn thing?"
"BLOODY HELL SWAN I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!"
Emma replied to him on how to fix the Internet connection, then called her father.
"Hey Dad, can you come at the station, I need your help... Of course he can come... Okay, see you later!"
Emma hung up and got in her car. At the sheriff station, she checked the answering machine to see had any messages and her mails. Ten minutes later, David was there with Henry.
"Hey mom!"
"Hey kid, you're doing okay?"
"Yeah."
"You can sit here while David and I work on our case. Do you need anything?"
"Nah, I'm good. I've bought some comics to read."
"So you sounded worried on the phone," Charming said. "What's going on?"
"I know this doesn't really make sense. But earlier with Belle and mom, I met a weird guy. Too weird, if you ask me."
"If you think he's up to something then I believe you. What did he look like?"
"Blonde, blue eyes, rather charming."
"Sounds like grandpa," Henry joked, who had been listening to the conversation.
"Kid's right. Any more detail?"
"He was wearing an American flag pin on his chest."
"That's not really helping. I'm gonna try to make an identikit but you'll have to be more precise."
Unfortunately their search went vain: either too much results or not at all did. Emma remembered the three letters on his shirt but it didn't help in the slightest.
"I'm sorry. Maybe we should go talk to Celeste, perhaps she knows something."
"It won't be necessary, I already asked her and he's just client of the shop."
"Wait a second, if I buy some stuff at Baby Steps, maybe it means he's a father. Let me check."
But nothing. Mysterious man was a ghost. It was like it had never existed. Not in Storybrooke anyway.
After a very long day, Emma went at Regina's, who was hosting a barbecue party. In the backyard, everyone was already there. Killian and David were busy grilling different pieces of meat, while Belle was reading a book to Neal whom was too distracted by Henry playing his Gameboy and Snow and Regina were setting up the table.
"Emma! You feeling better?" Snow asked when she saw her daughter.
"Yes. Need a hand?"
"Yes, could you go in the kitchen and get the cutlery please?"
"No problem."
Emma went back in, quickly followed by Killian.
"Swan, wait!"
Emma stood still.
"I wanted to say I'm sorry for what I said this morning. It wasn't the right time."
"About a potential baby? Don't worry, it's already forgotten. And it wasn't such a bad idea after all."
"Are you saying..." he trailed off.
"I'm not saying anyhing. I just reckon that one day or another, it would nice to have our own family."
"I love you, Swan."
"I love you, too."
Around nine, the whole gang was reunited around the same table. On it were there several salads, grilled meat, unctuous sauces, delicious pies and juices. Millions of stars were shining in the sky, dark blue as ink. Crickets were chirping and fireflies buzzing. At this moment, life was nice. Emma's life was not so boring after all. Boring for someone extraordinary of course. For someone ordinary, this kind of life was a dreamed one. However, for Emma Swan, the savior, life wasn't mean to be just 'ordinary'. Soon or later, she would have to face another threat, help someone else, save the day once again. She had had six entire months full of days off and quite frankly, that was too good to be true. The sound of glass shattering broke the silence of the night.
"What the hell was that?" Regina asked.
"I'm gonna go see," David said, getting up.
Five minutes later, David was back but he was no longer smiling. Instead, his face revealed fear and panic and his eyes were red, as if he had just cried.
"David, what's going on?"
"It's Neal..."
"What about him?!"
"He's missing."
Snow immediately collapsed on the lawn, bursting in tears.
"Don't worry Snow, we're gonna find here." Regina said who rushed to Snow to help her to get back on her feet. "Come on, Emma, we're going in town."
But Emma's mind was focusing on the text she had just gotten.
'I have your brother. Meet me at the townline if you want him back. Come alone.'
"I'm sorry...uh...I have to go..."
On the road, Emma realized that everything she had feared since Ingrid's death had become reality. Was that the price to pay against living a peaceful life? Was she even supposed to live such a life? The answer was definitely no. Whoever had taken her brother was going to pay, that is for sure. She wouldn't allow anyone to hurt him or any person dear to her heart. Not again. At the town line, she saw a black car, almost hidden in the dark of the night. A man got out of it and Emma immediately recognized him. It was the man from the baby shop.
"I knew it! I knew you were bad! Where the hell is my brother?"
"Calm down, he's fine, he's sleeping in the car. What a little angel."
"And you're evil!"
"Am I? You have known me for less than a day, you can already say I'm 'evil'? That's not what you were saying earlier."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"I heard you calling me charming."
"Have you been creeping on me?"
"Creeping is such a harsh word. Watching is more appropriate. I've been watching you and your brother for a while now. I need both of you for reasons I can't reveal. I have been preparing a room for him back home."
"You're insane! Give me my brother back right now!"
"No. You're going to get in the car and we're going to go somewhere or else, I'll blow up Regina's house where all your loved one are."
"You're bluffing. You can't do that!"
"Oh yes, I can. Don't underestimate me. I am more powerful what you think."
Emma couldn't take any risk.
"Fine, I'll go with you. But you promise to leave the rest of my family alone."
"I promise."
"Where are we going?"
"Another world."
Emma didn't try to understand what it means. Are they going back to the Enchanted Forest? Or even Neverland? She actually had a plan on how to get her and her brother out of here, but for that, she had to play it cool. She took a deep breath but as she was about to get in the car, she heard a big bang and she blacked out.
"Hey, hey, pssst, hey, wake up!"
Emma opened her eyes. She was lying on the floor. The ground was wet and uncomfortable; Emma felt rubble on her cheek and her mouth tasted like blood. The air smelled like gas and wind were blowing through broken windows. Her left hand was handcuffed to a large rusty pole. Next to her, near tied to another pole, there was the girl who had just awaken her.
"Where the hell are we? What is this place?"
"I don't know. What's your name?"
"Emma."
"Hi, Emma. I'm Skye."