CHAPTER 1

'So many years

Can leave behind

Regretfully until it's time'

It was six thirty a.m on a Monday morning which meant it was time to wake up and get breakfast and lunches ready for her small family. But not before sliding her hand over her husband's abdomen and placing a tender kiss on the back of his neck before groggily saying; "Time to get up, hun." The red headed man groaned slightly at the loss of contact as the blonde left the warmth of their bed.

"Sometimes I just wish furniture sold itself." he groaned as he got up and followed his wife to the closet to pick out their outfits of the day.

Emma picked out a classic black dress to go with her red leather jacket, she had a meeting with other bails bondmen and wanted to look her best. It was hard working in her field when it was so male dominated.

Emma had learned long ago, when Henry was in his terrible twos that you never changed until the kids were up and almost out the door, so she gently laid her clothes over the bed that her husband had just made, She smiled as he began changing into his usual business casual attire, "Remember to pick up Holly from daycare today, I have my meeting until 7 and won't be able to, and Henry has baseball practice until 5 as well so you know that means he'll be home at 8."

Soon after moving from Boston, following a terrible fire, Emma Swan and her 12 year old son Henry were exploring New York City when they met the handsome owner of a furniture store, Walsh Austin, following a wonderful lunch date the two began dating. Emma had been hesitant about the relationship, especially bringing him into Henry's life but he was great with him and Henry really seemed to like him as well so when a year passed by and Walsh proposed, passed the hesitation Emma gladly agreed. A year into their marriage Emma gave birth to their daughter Holly Swan Austin. Emma feared that the age gap between her children would mean that Henry wouldn't be interested in his sister or she would grow up without him being present but Henry fell in love with his sister that shared his mother's eyes and chin but Walsh's red locks. Henry was great with Holly, always going out of the way for his little sister. The little toddler had the family wrapped around her tiny chubby finger. That meant her father too, he changed the moment he held the small child it was as if he fell in love with everything all over again and Emma couldn't explain it but it did fill her heart with warmth.

Doing all the tedious things of a family always made Emma feel as if she finally achieved what she wanted; a family. Yet, even with the birth of Holly it made her think of her birth parents and how much she'd wish she'd get a chance to at least ask 'why?'.

"For sure! I'll also pick up some Chinese food on the way back for dinner, so let Henry know not to completely spoil his dinner after he hangs out with the team." Walsh barley finished saying as his phone on the nightstand rang. "This is Walsh." He answered as he smiled at his wife that proceeded to find her shoes for the day. "No I ordered the shipment 2 weeks ago it should be here today. I have requests I need to fulfill. Fine. Fine. I'll be there in 20. Just hold on." Walsh groaned as he hurried to his shoes. "Sorry babe, I got to go. I'll see you tonight, love you. Tell the kids to have a good day!" He said as he quickly gave her a peck on the cheek and almost ran out the door. Emma giggled at the silliness and simplicity that was her life. Her iPhone beeped with a text, not long after, she looked down to see it was from the recently exited man 'Sorry I ran out so quick. You're going to kill it today, good luck!' She smiled and mindlessly sent a reply as she headed to the kitchen to get breakfast ready for the kids.

Once breakfast was ready she knocked on Henry's door to wake him up since his alarm that had been blaring for the last 15 minutes never did the job. "Henry, time to get up or else there won't be time for breakfast." She heard the groan of the teenage boy and knew he'd be up soon, zombie like but he'd be up.

So Emma crossed the hall to the other room and saw her little girl still asleep so she gently sat next to her and began running her fingers threw her dirty blonde hair, Emma refused to admit it was red she wanted one of her kids to have her locks and not those of their respective father's. "Wakey wakey sleeping beauty, it's time for the day to start." Emma gently rose her daughter, who's favorite princess was Aurora and who's pajamas were of the same pink clad princess. Holly much like her brother and mother disliked mornings already and groaned but opened her eyes.

"MOM! Walsh! " Henry screamed enough to wake Holly had she not already been getting up. "Someone's at the door!" As much as Henry adored Walsh and had even helped Holly say 'dada' before 'mama' he claimed he was too old when Walsh joined their family for him to refer to him as dad without him feeling as it was forced.

"Your brother can be so lazy." Emma said to Holly as the toddler giggled. "I'll be back, find what you want to wear." Emma said before leaving, she was still too little to pick out her own clothes but it would definitely keep her entertained and the drawers were all low enough for her to make a mess. Emma walked out to the kitchen and saw Henry sitting on the stool already eating his eggs and pancakes. "You couldn't get the door?" Emma smiled while ruffling his hair on her way to the front door of their apartment.

Emma looked down at her watch and realized it was early barley past seven who could it be? She glanced into the peep hole and noticed a handsome man standing outside. Maybe a friend of Walsh's? She opened the door only to be greeted by a very peculiarly dressed man, long leather jacket, hook for a hand, and eyeliner adorning his blue eyes. Before she could speak he sighed "Swan" as if he found a promised land and the look of adoration that filled his face frightened Emma a bit, so reflexively took minimal step back. Yet, not fast enough as the man said "love" as he past the threshold of her apartment and she extended her arm alarmed.

"Do I know you?" She demanded, had she met this man and forgotten him or perhaps was he someone from her job and she instantly feared for her kids inside. Yet she couldn't bring herself to necessarily fear him.

"I need your help, something's happened, something terrible. Your family is in trouble." He said pleading and as much as Emma wanted to detect a lie she couldn't which only served to confuse her more.

"My family is right here." She said defiantly, she had no one else besides her kids and Walsh. "Who are you?"

"I know you can't remember me," his voice dropped as if that was a haunting thought but quickly returned to normal as he continued "but I can make you." And with that he reached over for the back of her head and brought her towards him for a quick kiss. A kiss that ended as soon as it began and Emma defensively kicked him in the groin and pushed him hard enough to send him towards the wall.

"What the hell are you doing?" She said trying her best not to be loud, she didn't want to frighten Henry or Holly.

As he groaned and began to stand up properly she moaned out "A long shot. I was hoping you felt the same as I did."

"All you're going to feel is the handcuffs when I call the cops on you." Emma said as she kept a hand in front of her ready to push him back again if need be.

"I know this seems crazy but you have to listen to me. You have to remember…" He tried as she finally closed the door in his face.

Killian Jones had thought of many different scenarios of how that reunion could work out, yet none of them were so badly executed as the one that just played out in front of him. He had sincerely believed that some part of Emma would remember him at the very least remember something about her family enough to not be put off. But he knew how closed off she was so he began mentally kicking himself for his poor handling of that. He wouldn't give up, not when after four long and painful years he finally laid eyes on her again. She was stunning, nothing seemed to change, she seemed content with her life and he couldn't help but wonder if it was a cruelty to take away her fake memories, her memories of raising Henry. Oh how he wished to see the lad too, he must be so big now, 16. He promised his father he would get them back and if Killian Jones was anything he was a man of his word.

Disclaimer: Once isn't mine, I'm just borrowing

A/N: Hope y'all liked it. Let me know if you're interested in seeing more. I have a couple chapters written so I promise I will update this soon.

-Tess