This can be read as a stand alone, but I attend it to be more of an add-on to chapter one of 'Together Stranded.' It can be read either way, so don't fret if you havent been following my other story.

Enjoy!

XOX

Emma couldn't sleep. She couldn't quiet her thoughts. Worries over her son plagued her mind. She needed a distraction. Emma stood from the cold floor where she had been lying on her jacket. She looked around the nursery, to the bench by the window where the pillow that said her name was propped against the wall. Emma took the pillow and hugged her it to her stomach. She let her eyes wonder... everything was a mess. Furniture was tossed to the ground, some pieces broken. Emma ventured around the dozens of toys and stuffed animals. She went out into the hall. Earlier she had passed a bedroom. Not giving it a second thought, Emma walked along the hall until she reached the room. Emma had hoped maybe this room would be okay, but the curse hit it just as bad. Emma stepped around the broken bed until almost falling into a dresser. It was on the floor, the drawers pulled out. Emma's brows knit when she spotted an envelope on the ground. With curiosity, Emma picked up the envelope and her eyes widened when she found her name on the front.

Dear Emma

There's so much i want to say to you. I could go on for pages and pages until the ink runs dry, until our kingdom cant afford to purchase any further supply... Oh, Emma... This isn't fair to you. This isn't fair to me, it isn't fair to your father... We're leaving this world, Emma. The queen is enacting a terrible curse. We are going to be ripped from this land... I can't stop it from happening. You don't know how badly I wish I could.

Gepatto is building a magical wardrobe made from an enchanted tree. We thought there was enough magic for two, but there's only enough to protect one... I don't know what to do. How can I send my new born baby girl to a foreign land? How can i hope you will be okay. Because that's all I'll have, hope. That's not nearly enough. But Emma, I don't care how powerful a curse the queen is bringing; i will not forget you. I won't forget my daughter...

Ill worry about you, Emma, everyday and every night. I'll think about you constantly... But how can i keep you here? How can i be selfish? You can save everyone, Emma. You're the only one who can... Keeping you here... The curse will come and you will be taken from me. I cant imagine the awful things the Queen may do to you... But I know nothing of this new world... I want you to escape the curse, Emma. I want you to find us and break it. Save our realm. Save everyone... I can't talk to your father about this. I know what he will say, but I'm not sure his plan is the right one... Should I go into labor early; I'll have no choice. A decision will have to be made... I wish i knew what to do.

I may not have the chance to watch you grow up, Emma. I may not see your first smile or watch you take your first step or listen to your first word, and the thought of missing any part of your life, of not being able to hold you and rock you to sleep, it breaks my heart. I cant sleep. I cant eat. I can't stop worrying...Nothing would please her more than my suffering. That's what the queen wants. Her happy ending is my misery.

I don't know what will happen to us, Emma. I don't know if you'll ever read this. But if you do, please know that whatever choice is made, should one have to be made... I did my best. Either way, it wont be enough, and I am so sorry, sweetheart...I wish there was something i could say to change things, to make it all better.

I'm nearly full term. You're almost ready to come out and I cant wait to see you... You'll be beautiful, Emma. I had a dream of you last night. You were all grown up. Gorgeous blue eyes with bits of green that shine through in the sun. You'll have long blond hair, so bright. Your skin will be fair, like mine. You've got my chin too... It was amazing, Emma. Ive never had a premonition before but I've heard tale of some who have. I'm positive it wasn't merely a dream; it was a vision. Maybe it was you, Emma. Maybe you're powerful. Maybe you allowed me to see you... I can't get over how much you remind me of your father. You look like him. You were comforting a little boy. He was upset. You told him you were there for him, that everything would be alright. He gave you a big hug... perhaps this is wishful thinking but I like to think he's your son. My grandson...Seeing you all grown up, it gives me something to hold on to. I have to believe you will be okay. No matter what happens, I have to believe we will always find each other.

Emma, honey, I love you, more than anything in this world. Your father loves you too. He talks to you everyday. He wants to teach you how to ride a horse and find berries in the forest and spoil you rotten. You're his little princess. Not even born yet and he's crazy for you. He talks to my stomach everyday...

I hope that one day you'll be reading this. And I hope you understand.

Love Mommy and Daddy

Tears fell from Emma's eyes. She couldn't' stop the water drops from leaving her eyes. Emma cried into her pillow. She felt something touch her shoulder.

"Emma?" Mary Margaret questioned.

She turned. Mary Margaret's brows furrowed in confusion as she cupped her daughter's cheeks in her hands. "What's wrong?... I realized you were gone, and the door was open... Emma?" she questioned worriedly.

She couldn't' find the words, couldn't stop her soft cries. She held up the letter. Mary Margaret recognized it instantly.

"Oh, honey," Mary Margaret sighed while putting her arms around her daughter. "I always hoped you have the chance to read it... I only wish it wasn't because of the circumstances."

"You saw Henry," Emma murmured, her chin on Mary Margaret's shoulder.

"Yes," she agreed with a growing smile. "And I was right... my grandson."

Emma squeezed her eyes closed. She fought against a fresh round of tears that wanted to spill. "You missed everything," Emma said quietly.

"I know," Mary Margaret agreed as salty water began to cloud her vision. "But I'm with you now, Emma. We're together. You're safe. You're strong. You're intelligent. You're brave. You're beautiful... You're perfect."

"No," Emma argued weakly.

"Yes, Emma," Mary Margaret argued gently. "I know we've got a long road ahead, but I'm here. I want to be a apart of your life... I won't miss anything else," She promised.

Emma took a shaky breath while pulling away. With a smile, Mary Margaret said, "I'm just as stubborn as you are, sweetheart. I'll fight my way through... I'll never give up on us."

A small smile took Emma's face as she nodded. "We should sleep."

Mary Margaret nodded. She gestured for Emma to lead the way. Her smile grew longer as Emma tucked the letter in her pocket.

The End

Thoughts before you go? Hope you liked!