Chapter 1

The Nolan's were sitting in a waiting room, nervously waiting to be called into the office of a social worker. Then a brunette that looked to be about thirty came out from the back.

"Mr. and Mrs. Nolan?" The woman said.

The couple immediately stood up, hand-in-hand, and walked over to the woman.

"Hello, my name is Kaitlin and I'm going to be the social worker helping you out on your journey." She said reaching her hand out to be shook.

Mary Margaret shook her hand. "Hi, my name's Mary Margaret, and this is my husband David" David followed suit and shook Kaitlin's hand as well.

"Follow me back to my office and we can talk more" She told them and started to head back, and the Nolan's followed behind her.

Once they reached her office, she instructed for the couple to sit and she sat behind her desk.

"Let's get right down to business, shall we?" The both nodded. "So if I recall, no age or gender preferences?"

"That's correct." Mary told her.

"Give me a few moments, I'm going to grab a few files." They both nod, about 2 minutes later, she came back with 3 different files. "Here are a few that stuck out to me" Kaitlin handed the files over. "Avery Smith, Emma Swan, and Kayla Rivers" but they didn't know that she was secretly praying for them to pick one specific girl.

The couple skimmed through the files, but one specific file caught their attention.

*OUAT*

Name: Emma Swan
DOB: October 23rd, 2005
Age: 12
Emma was given up for adoption after being prematurely born.
She was taken in by the Swan's when she was 2 months of age and they had planned on adoption, that is until they learned that they were pregnant, that was around the time that Emma turned 3, when they found out that they were expecting, they sent her back. Emma has been bouncing all over the place ever since then.
Removed from 5 homes due to neglect.
Removed from 3 homes dues to physical abuse.
Removed from 1 home due to sexual abuse.
Removed from most recent home, due to severe malnourishment.
Personal details:
Color: Red
Food: Grilled cheese
Beverage: Hot cocoa with cinnamon
Hobby: Reading
Book: All Harry Potter books
Goal: Forever Family

*OUAT*

Once they laid eyes on this file, they knew that she was the one, she was a new member of their family. "Emma Swan" They both said in unison, before even reading the rest of her file.

"That is a great choice! I've known Emma for a long time and she's a really good kid, she's just been through alot" They chose that one specific girl that needed a home, more than anything, Kaitlin was thrilled.

Mary and David had large grin across their faces, they were starting their family.

"I will make room on my schedule to bring Emma to her new home on…. Friday?"

"Friday sounds great" Mary told her still smiling.

"What time?" David asked her.

"Noon-ish?" The Nolan's nodded in response, they were thrilled.

*OUAT*

Emma Swan was sitting on her bed reading her one of her favorite books, yet again, when she heard a knock at the door. "Come in" She said quietly, not removing her gaze from her book.

"Hey Emma!" Her social worker told her.

"Hi" She said while still reading.

"Emma, I have good news." She told her excitedly.

"I'm moving again?" She asked, already knowing the answer. And Kaitlin responded with a simple nod. "But Miss Kaitlin, I'm tired of moving all the time" She whined to her social worker.

"I know Ems, but I have a really good feeling about this one. I don't think it will be like the last one."

"Okay..."

"Pack your bag hun, we leave tomorrow morning at 8"

"No school?!" Emma asked her excitedly.

"No school" Kaitlin repeated with a shake of her head, while chuckling at how excited she sounded. "Why is it that you love to read, but you hate school?" Kaitlin asked Emma curiously.

"Books don't change, schools do" Emma told her.

"Hopefully schools won't change anymore" Kaitlin told her with a sad smile.

"Do you really think they want me? Rachael told me that if you're older than 6, then that means people don't want you no more"

"Well, what does Rachael know? Do you wanna know something about me?" She asked a sad Emma.

"Yeah" Emma said while nodding.

"I used to be like you and Rachael and all the other kids here"

"Really?" Emma asked, shock evident in her voice.

"Yeah, and I wasn't adopted until I was 14 years old, and guess what" Emma looked up to her intrigued. "They were my forever family, and we still talk, all the time. They love me more than anything in the whole world"

"So, do you think that can happen to me?"

"I think it can happen to anyone." She told her smiling. "So pack your bag and I'll pick you up tomorrow morning" Emma nodded in response.

*OUAT*

"Emma, wake up. We're gonna be there in about 20 minutes, we left a little early" Emma stirred awake. "Huh? I wasn't asleep."

"Sure you weren't" She said sarcastically, which earned an eye roll from Emma. "So, there's a diner in the town we're going to, it's called Granny's, according to the Nolan's, it's pretty good, wanna stop there on the way?"

"Yeah" The car went silent for a moment. "Kaitlin, what if they don't like me? What if they send me back, what if I have to go back to..." She trailed off. Kaitlin pulled the car over to talk with Emma. "Hey, if they send you back, then it wasn't meant to be, and it'd be their loss." She told Emma seriously. "And you never ever have to go back to that home. Do you hear me?" Emma nodded her head.

About 5 minutes later, they arrived at a small diner. "So what's this town called?"

"Storybrooke" After Emma heard the name, all she could do was laugh.

"Really? Storybrooke?" She received a stern glare from Kaitlin. "Sorry, but the name is weird"

"I know it is, but try not to make too much of a joke out of it" Emma nodded in response.

*OUAT*

"David she's gonna be here in like 15 minutes, are you sure that everything is ready?" Mary asked her husband while running around Emma's new room frantically.

"Mary, take a deep breath, it's gonna be okay" He told her after placing his hands on her shoulders, she took a deep breath.

"You're right I'm sorry." They were interrupted by the doorbell. "They're early!" They went downstairs as calmly as possible and opened the door.

"Mr. and Mrs. Nolan good to see you again" Kaitlin greeted when they opened the door.

"Hello Kaitlin" Mary greeted, then bent down to talk to Emma. "And you must be Emma, I'm Mary and this is my husband David. It's very nice to meet you."

"Hi" Emma said shyly.

"Would you like to see your new room?" David asked and Emma nodded and followed the couple upstairs, as did Kaitlin.

"Wow, it's so big" Emma said astonished by her room. "It's all mine? I don't have to share with anyone."

"All yours." Mary told her. "Do you like it?"

"Cool, I love it." She said smiling.

"Mary, can I have a word?" Kaitlin asked with a smile, Mary nodded and followed her into the hallway.

"Is everything okay? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, no, nothing of the sort, I just wanted to talk about Emma."

Mary let out a breath of relief. "Okay"

"The thing with Ems is that she has always set out to have a forever family, and she will test you to be sure that you won't wend her back, she will probably drive you crazy. You just have to show her how much you truly care, I can see it in your eyes, as well as your husbands, you guys already care so much"

"We do." Mary said proudly.

"Emma's case has always been so close to my heart, I was actually there when she was born. She has just been through so much, too much. I just want what's best for her"

"The second we saw her file, we knew that she was perfect, despite all that she's been through, and I'm ready and willing to prove that to her"

"That's good to hear, I'm gonna go say goodbye." Both women walked back into Emma's bedroom. "Emma, it's about time I go." She walked over and hugged her. "Remember, if you need anything, just call me. You have the card don't you"

"Yeah, bye Miss Kaitlin"

"Bye Ems, see you soon hun"