I do not own OUAT. Nor do I own the song "Somewhere with you". This is a G!P story, so if you are not into then you probably won't like this!
This does NOT follow OUAT at all.
Enjoy!
You know how they say "The grass isn't always greener"? Well, its true. This was everything that I had ever wanted. It was what I always dreamed about as a child. To finally be out on my own with no-one telling me what to do or where to go. I was finally free. But free from what exactly? From somewhere where I finally felt like I belonged or somewhere where I had real friends and a family that loved me?
Im sitting here in my dream city, in my dream apartment drinking expensive alcohol that the bottle cost more money than what some people make in a day. I make more money that what I could ever dream of and yet I'm not happy. I have no one. No one to come home to and tell them about my day or someone to cuddle with and sleep with.
I was at the bar earlier. A local place that usually has good company and as I'm sitting there she comes up to me. She was beautiful. Short dark brown hair and mysterious dark eyes to match. She was funny and witty. She was interested and not to sound cocky, but I could've had her. I could've taken her home. But in the end, she wasn't you.
Its been 10 years since I left Storybrooke. 10 years since I left that night. After I graduated high school I followed my original plan and got out of there. I was never meant to stay there long. It was just a place I was passing through. The thing is though, I've lived in 13 different homes and it was the only one that ever made me pause. I am now a bail bonds person. Ive made a good life for myself. I run my own business and I don't have to depend on anyone.
So now I'm sitting here doing what I've tried to do for 10 years now. Im writing you a letter. To explain. To get things off my chest. Maybe to help get over you. I know it will never work but its worth a shot, right? There were things I wish I had done differently, things I wished I had said to you.
I met you my first day in Storybrooke. You were the most amazing person I have ever met, and I've met a-lot. You were curious about me and I was blinded by you. We hit it off right in the beginning. It didn't take long for use to become something more than friends. We were inseparable.
I remember our first date. It was to the town carnival. Despite them having had it or the past 60 years, you had never been. Your mom did quite agree with going to such a peasant place running around with common people and doing common things. She said your family was to dignified for something like that.
Your mom and dad had been out of town that weekend and it was the first time I had truly seen the real you. I knew in that moment that I would be in love with you forever. I remember going to your front door and being so nervous. But you were great. You didn't let the fear of your parents find out ruin the night. You let me win you a stuffed turtle that you named Ollie. We shared cotton candy and ate every junk food that we came across. You insisted that we ride the Ferris wheel and I didnt tell you that I was terrified of heights. I had my eyes closed the entire time until I finally felt the most amazing lips press against mine gently. I didn't plan on falling fast. I didn't know I could be kissed like that. It was then that I finally opened my eyes and I was no longer scared of heights. Being with you made me feel like I could do anything.
Even after all these years I can still feel your lips pressed against mine. I regret ever leaving you. I regret the things I said that night. I wish I could say this to your face. I wish I had the courage that I had all those years ago. But im a coward. I can never tell you how much I still love you.
Emma
There is knock as the door as I fold the letter up. I immediately stop what I'm doing and stare at the door. No one knows where I live and no one ever comes to my place, except for when I bring the occasional girl back home. I place the letter inside a book that is sitting on the coffee table.
I look out the peep hole as I stop at the door. I see nothing. As im frowning another knock sounds through the apartment. Its then that I swing the door open and im staring down at a child. The first thing I notice is that she looks happy to see me, the second thing I notice is that she looks familiar.
"Hi!" she exclaims at me. Her bright smile almost makes me want to smile but then I stop myself because I remember I have no idea who this kid is.
"Um, hey kid? Can I help you?" Im now leaning on the door frame.
"Yeah, can you tell me if Emma Swan lives here?" Its then that things start getting real weird. First how did this kid know my name and second is how did she find me?
"You fond her." If I didnt think the kids smile could get any bigger I was wrong.
"Im Evelyn. Im your daughter." The only sound heard through the apartment is body weight hitting the floor with a loud smack.
Next things I know im gasping as cold water is being splashed on my face. I sit up gasping for air as I frantically look around the apartment. My eyes finally land on her. She now sitting on the couch with a glass of orange juice that has been in the fridge. I slowly stand as I try to get my balance under control.
I slowly make my way to the couch and cautiously sit on the other side. Evelyn is watching me with interest and a small smirk on her face. It is then that I know exactly who the other mother is. The woman who I've been trying to forget for the past 10 years. She's haunted me and now her little doppelgänger is sitting next to me. Its then that I get a good look at her. The only resemblance toward me is the eyes. She has light brown hair, but all her facially features are an exact replica of Regina's. Its almost scary how much they look alike.
"So, you're my daughter?"
"Yep." I have to admit that we made a pretty cute kid. She's sitting on the couch and her feet barely reach the floor. "We should get going though."
"Oh and why is that?"
"Cause you're going home with me." I pause, not really expecting that.
"Look, kid. I cant just leave here and go with you."
"Please! You have too!"
"Look if I had a kid out there Im pretty sure I would know, ok"
"But what if I am your kid? And anyways if I'm not are you really going to just throw me out on the streets?" The kid does have a point there.
"Fine, then where is home?" Its then that her grin comes back.
"Storybrooke." Another conformation that this is all a nightmare.
"Fine kid lets go."
"yay!" she exclaims as she jumps from the couch and also forgetting that she had a glass of juice in her hand. it spills all over the floor and a little on her. She then comes to a complete still and looks at me with a guilty expression. I cant help but smirk a little at her.
"Come on kid, lets get this cleaned up before we leave." I cant help think how terrible this is going to go. Guess im going back to Storybrooke.
We had been driving for a few hours before Evelyn started talking. She was quiet. But at the same time she was very observing. Even at such a young age you could tell she was smart. Must get that from her other mother. If her mother is who im thinking it is, seeing as I was only ever with one from there. What do I even say to her once I see her. "Hey, thanks for never telling me I had a kid, or sorry I left you all those years ago, or how about im still mad about it and never want to see you again?" So many thoughts are running through my brain that I cant think straight. Im finally returning to the place I have tried for 10 years to put behind me.
I cant help but feel nervous about it all. Do I just drop the kid off and beat it or do I stick around and talk to Regina? Im not sure where any of this is going to head. I cant help but want to just drop her off and get out as quick as I can. Run for the hills and never look back. I did it ten years ago, I can do it again. I hope.
"Did you know I existed?" Its been so quiet that her voices startles me a little from my inner panic attack. I dont really know how to answer her. How do you tell your claimed to be child that no, your mom never told me. That the woman who has raised you for the past nine and a half years didnt tell you the truth.
"No kid. Im sorry but I didn't know. Plus you never know, I might not even be your mom ok?" I know that we both know it falls the deaf ears. Neither of us really believe it.
"Yeah but I've heard mom and grandma talk about you all the time. They don't know that I listen in but im curious and mom never talks about you to me. Anytime I ask her she just starts to cry or get angry. So after a while I just stopped and then I found your name on some papers in grandmas office. I was looking for some paper because she said I could but instead I found papers with your name on it and thats how I looked you up." I cant believe a 9 year old was able to find me. I cant help but wonder why Cora has information about me. You would think after she ran me off that she wouldn't worry about me anymore, but I guess not.
Cora was always out to get me. She made it difficult for Regina and I to be together, and when you have a mother who hates her daughters girlfriend and a girlfriend who wants her mothers approval? Well, things never end well for the girlfriend. We tried for as long as we could to make things work but in the end things were said and done that can never be fixed.
"Look, we're here!" Evelyn leans forward in her seat to get a better look at the sign leading into town. Its still the same. I can remember driving away all those years ago and trying not to look at it. Knowing that it was one more reminder that I was running away from my problems of a broken heart. We are driving through town and I cant help all the flashbacks of the past. Places Regina and I had went together. Our first kiss. The first time anyone told me they loved me. The first time I told anyone my secret. The last time I ever let someone break my heart.
"Ok kid, so where is home?" I hope she can tell me. Do kids that age even know their addresses?
"Its 108 Mifflin Street." Hmm I guess Regina is still living with Mommy and Daddy.
We pull up to the house and I start to grow nervous again. How am I going to face her? I dont think I can do this. Before I get a chance to say goodbye to Evelyn she bolts out the door. I guess thats my cue to get out also. I round my car and Evelyn is waiting for me on the curb. She startles me when she grabs for my hand. I can't help but look at her with wonder. How can a child that doesn't even know me be so comfortable around me. How can she trust me this quickly. I crouch down eye level to look at a Evelyn.
"Look Ev-" Im cut off by the voice that has haunted me for so many years.
"EVELYN!" the kid whips her head around fast than I could think was possible.
"MOMMA!" Evelyn takes of towards Regina. Ive never seen that smile on Regina's face before. I guess its the smile any parent who truly loves their kid would have. Evelyn jumps into her moms arms and holds her tight. Regina looks so different and yet the same from when I last saw her. Gone are her long locks of black hair. Instead its cut short above her shoulders and she's dressed in a fancy outfit that looks like it would be worn to a fancy dinner or something. I can hear her whispering loving and soothing words to her daughter. Our daughter. Its then that a figure comes out of the shadows of the house and I see Cora Mills staring straight at me. She's aged a little but still looks the same. The only difference is the slight upward turn of her lips as she watches daughter and granddaughter reunite.
"I found her momma," is what breaks me from my thoughts. I glance back at Regina who still hasn't looked at me yet.
"Who baby?" It is then that Regina finally glances over Evelyns shoulder and her eyes lock with mine.
"Emma," even though she whispers my name, it still sounds so loud at the same time. She slowly stands up straight. Almost like she she was embarrassed that she didn't notice me before. She turns Evelyn to the house as she gives her instructions to get ready for bed. "Ok, Evie. Its time for you to get ready for bed. Go with grandma and ill be up shortly." Evelyn for a minute stops and stares back at me and I smile slightly at her and its then that she takes back off past her mom and down the steps to me. She stops when she comes up to me and I cant help but crouch down again to be eye level with her.
"Im really glad you came back with me." She whispers in a soft voice as she looks to the ground and kicks an imaginary rock.
"Me, to kid. Im glad I got to meet you. But you cant run off on your mom again. Ok? Its dangerous out there."
"I know. I just wanted you to know about me. I wanted you to come home." Its in those words that I too look to the ground afraid to look her in the eyes. Its not often someone can make me cry and in this moment all I want to do is pick her up in my arms and never let go. But this isn't some fairytale, I cant just come into her life after all these years. Especially cause if Regina wanted me in her life she would've found me. I can feel Regina's eyes on me as she slowly moves towards us. I lift my head back up and Evelyn is also looking at the ground still. I look over her shoulder to glance at Regina. She doesn't look mad but she is still cautious looking.
"Evelyn, I wish I could but I uh...I don't belong here. Your mom loves you so much and all she wants is for you to be safe and loved, and you are. I wish I had known about you all those years ago but even when we want something so bad it still doesn't mean that its ours to take. Things have happened that cant be fixed." Evelyn then looks at me with watery eyes and a trembling lip as she nods her head. I cant let this be the end though. If she is my kid then I have to fight for her. I have to grow up. "But hey, ill talk to your mom and we'll see what we can do about this ok. This is a big change and she's still your mom and at the end of the day, she's the one who decides this ok?" I cant help but smile when she looks at me with hope in her eyes. She throws her arms around my neck and I have to brace myself with one arm so I don't fall back. Once I regain my balance, Evelyn still hasn't let go and I bring both arms around her and hold her tight as I burry my face in her shoulder and try to will away the tears that are threatening to fall. I open my eyes and see Regina staring back at us and I notice she couldn't hold back her tears. They are running down her face with no regard. Evelyn finally steps back from me and kisses my on my check as she whispers, "Bye mom." She darts off to Coras side as she is walked into the house. The doors shut behind them and then I realize I'm left alone with Regina.
I slowly stand as she makes her way to me. Here is where I expect the yelling. Maybe a slap for even talking to her daughter. An accusation that I took her away or a threaten to call the police, if she hasn't already done that of course. What I don't expect though is for her to throw her arms around my neck as she cries into my arms. Thanking me for bringing her daughter back safely to her.
"Thank you so much, I know you didn't have to bring her back but thank you for keeping her safe." I cant help but bring my arms around her waist. I haven't held her in 10 years and if this is the last time I can, then I want to make it last. She is still crying in my arms for relief as I take in the feel of her. She's fuller now and not in an unhealthy way, just in that she is a woman now and she has filled out curves and her smell is still the same even after all these years. Its the same smell that stirs up something in my lower stomach every time. Thankfully she pulls away from me and takes a step back.
"Hello Emma." Its those two words that has me hooked all over again. I cant help but pray that this time I make it out alive.
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