This was not the first time I had to tell Henry of his father's demise.
But for some reason, it hurt worse.
To tell him and to know that he did not know Neal, did not even remember him as anything but the bad-guy who had left me to rot in prison and take the fall for his crimes, seemed so much more tragic.
I held it together long enough to put him to bed. But then, I couldn't hold it in any longer.
I ran outside, past my parents and through the town. I ran and ignored the pain in my lungs, desperate to out-run the pain in my heart.
I ran, until I couldn't run anymore. I was in the middle of the woods on a cold, damp night sobbing and gasping out painful breaths in the still and cool night air.
I fell to the hard ground while crying for the man I had once loved, for the son that I would love until my dying day...
I wrapped the pain and loneliness around myself, prepared to suffer alone as I had my entire life.
But, miraculously, just as they had the first time I had thought Neal lost and gone forever, the warm, strong, and solid arms of my father wrapped around me.
Suddenly it didn't matter. Though I sobbed out the hurt and unfairness of my life, I felt surrounded by a lovingly warm and golden light. David's arms were strong, and his shoulders were steady. He was there, just like last time, ready and able to help shoulder the burden of my broken heart.
I opened my mouth to thank him... To tell him I loved him so much. That though I had had to grow up alone and unwanted, that the love that he and Mary Margaret had shown me in the few years I had known them, really had made up for it all. All I could do was sob, and let him hold me.
There would always be regrets on both sides. But I was ready now. More that ready to address my parents they way I should. To think of Mary Margaret as Mom. And David as Dad.
They had proven themselves to me. And though it took so much from me, I made myself say what needed to be said.
"Thank you, Daddy," I choked out, hoar sly.
The strong arms tightened and I felt the warmth of his lips against my forehead. And then the wetness of his tears mingling with mine as they ran down my checks.
"I love you, my Emma. I will always love you, my beautiful baby girl,"
And suddenly, for the first time since I saw my parents again, I was excited to be a big sister. To see our family grow bigger and stronger.