Sapphire nervously paced back and forth behind the curtain. She peeked out for the umpteenth time and sighed when she didn't see him. It was Storybrooke's talent show and she was the final act. He had promised to be there and so far he hadn't made an appearance. Emma Swan-Charming came up behind her.
"You ready?"
"He promised to be here and he isn't."
"I'm sure he'll be here, come on, show this town that beautiful voice of yours. Sapphire took a deep breath and walked through the curtain and picked up the microphone. The music began to play and she began to sing
Well she seemed alright
By dawn's early light
Though she looked a
Little worried and weak
She tried to pretend he
Wasn't drinking again
But daddy left the
Proof on her cheek
I was only eight years old
That summer
And I always seemed
To be in the way
So I took myself down
To the fair in town
On Independence Day…
Well word gets around
In a small small town
They said he was a dangerous man
My mama was proud
And she stood her ground
But she knew she was on the losing end
Some folks whispered
And some folks talked
But everybody looked the other way
And when time ran out
There was no one about
On Independence Day… Here you go now or never, she thought.
Let freedom ring
Let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know
That today is a day of reckoning
Let the weak be strong
Let the right be wrong
Roll the stone away
Let the guilty pay
It's Independence Day
Well she lit up the sky
That fourth of July
By the time that the firemen come
They just put out the flames
And took down some names
And send me to the county home
Now I ain't saying
It's right or it's wrong
But maybe it's the only way
Talk about your revolution
It's Independence Day… She looked out in the audience and couldn't believe her eyes. Her father, Mr. Gold a.k.a. Rumplestiltskin was standing in the back with a smile on his face. They locked eyes and he gave her a thumbs up. She sang the rest with a smile on her face.
Let the freedom ring
Let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know
That today is a day of reckoning… She looked straight at him as if she was singing the lyrics TO him.
Let the weak be strong
Let the right be wrong
Roll the stone away
Let the guilty pay
It's Independence Day
Roll the stone away
It's Independence Day… She lowered the microphone and the crowd cheered. She smiled and went back stage. She saw her father walking—well—limping over to her. She met him half way.
"You came?"
"We had a deal…"
"And Rumplestiltskin never backs out of a deal." She finished with a smile. Rumple smiled at her and pulled a bouquet of flowers out from behind his back.
"Never."
