Big thanks for all the lovely comments! So glad you guys are liking this! I have to thank a reader who gave me the prompt idea, but I won't reveal the idea/reviewer until we're done. Don't wanna ruin the surprise!

Enjoy!

Buried Treasure

Chapter Two: That's New

Henry put Emma's cell phone on the nightstand. He hoped off the bed and looked around. Where did he put all his textbooks? Though not in school, the boy was being tutored at home, by his grandmother, and still used his books on occasion.

Henry's eye lit up when he found them on the small table in the corner, by the window. He grabbed the books and stationed himself by the bed, just next to his sleeping mother. With a large smile, Henry let the books fall. They made a big thud that only jostled Emma. She turned on her side, barely peaking an eye open.

"Henry?" She called, her voice hoarse from hours of sleep.

"Sorry. I dropped my books," he apologized quickly.

Her forehead wrinkled in confusion and her eyes fluttered closed as she rolled back to her other side.

"School?" she asked

"Yeah. But since you're up you should come have breakfast. Grams is making something special for your birthday."

Emma groaned while pulling the blanket over her head. "Not my birthday," her mumbled voice complained. All her life, her birthdays sucked. It got to a point where she stopped hoping, stopped waiting. She treated the day like any other.

"Yes it is. It's also been exactly one year since I found you."

Emma pulled the blanket from her head as a smile crept to her face. Then she narrowed her eyes at her son. "Why are you trying to get me to go downstairs?"

"I told you. Grams made breakfast."

"She makes breakfast every morning. She's like a short order cook. If you even just mention what you might want, she whips it up in five minutes… what could she possibly be making today that's any different from what she normally makes?"

Henry didn't know what to say. He looked everywhere but his mother's eyes.

"You forget about my superpower?" Emma asked through an amused smile.

"No," Henry murmured grumpily. "You're ruining it."

"Ruining what?"

"I can't tell you."

After a beat, Emma said, "there's something going on down there, isn't there?"

"No."

"No?" Emma challenged. "You're hiding something."

"You weren't supposed to ask any questions," Henry complained.

"I hardly do what I'm supposed to do. Now what's going on?"

"No, I promised I wouldn't ruin it. Please don't make me tell you."

Emma contemplated for a minute… she didn't want to walk into anything blind sided, but the look on Henry's face. Those big puppy dog eyes… Emma sighed in relent.

"Fine," she gave in.

With a big smile, Henry grabbed Emma's hand to help pull her up. They were walking across the room when suddenly Emma stopped.

"I should brush my teeth," Emma said through a wince. "And put clothes on."

"No, leave your pjs on, or they'll think I told you."

Emma made a sour face.

"Please," Henry pleaded.

Emma waved him off while disappearing to the bathroom.

Henry waited impatiently for his mother. When a couple of minutes later she finally appeared, Henry narrowed his eyes at her.

"Why did you do that to your hair?"

"What?" She asked innocently.

"It's not messy anymore."

"It's called a compromise, kid," Emma started while walking across the room.

With his shoulders slumped in defeat, Henry followed.

XOX

It was quiet. Too quiet. Emma heard every creek of the staircase as she slowly descended. She tried to brace herself for whatever was waiting for her.

Emma reached the last stair. Her brows furrowed in confusion when she didn't see anyone. Then she spotted a few balloons. Before she could look around any further, David and Mary Margaret popped out of their bedroom yelling, "surprise!" Then the door flew open and people came from the hallway yelling the same thing.

Emma looked around for Henry but that boy was with his grandfather, both men holding big smiles.

"Happy birthday," Mary Margaret said softly.

Emma's attention went to her mother who was suddenly standing in front of her.

"Thanks," Emma murmured.

Mary Margaret put her arms around her daughter. Emma let out a tiny sigh as she returned the gesture.

"I hope you like surprises," Mary Margaret said while pulling away.

"Not a big fan," Emma murmured.

"Oh come on," Mary Margaret said, trying to coax a smile from Emma. "Henry was a surprise… we were a surprise…"

"Yeah," Emma agreed But those were good, she thought. Every other surprise in my life was bad.

"I hope you're hungry," Mary Margaret said while pulling Emma towards the kitchen. "Granny brought a zillion things to eat. What are you in the mood for? Pancakes? Eggs? Bacon? French toast? Hash browns? Ham? Sausage? Toast? Fruit?"

"Umm-"

"Happy birthday!" Red cheered while coming up to Emma with a present in her hands.

"Thank you," Emma said with a smile. "But really, you didn't have to get me anything."

With a shrug and a easy smile, Red said, "you get presents on your birthday. That's the rule. In any realm."

Emma's smile widened as she took the gift. She held the wrapped present to her stomach, not sure why she had such a tight grip.

"I'll put this inside," Emma said quietly.

Before Mary Margaret could volunteer for the job, Emma was walking towards her mother's bedroom.

Emma sat down on the bed, the present in her lap. She looked at it carefully, Red's words on repeat in her head… you get presents on your birthday. That's the rule. In any realm."

Maybe that was true for others, but not for Emma.

"Hey," Mary Margaret said, her voice gentle.

Emma looked up. Mary Margaret's brows furrowed in concern. "What's wrong?"

"What?"

"You've got tears in your eyes."

Did she? Emma didn't realize.

"Nothing," she brushed off with a shake of her head. She quickly put the present down on the mattress and stood up to leave, but Mary Margaret took her hand before she could go.

"What's wrong?" Mary Margaret pressed while using her thumb to wipe away a few fallen tears.

Emma shook her head as she stumbled for words. "This whole thing…. Everyone here… the present… no one's ever celebrated my birthday."

Mary Margaret's face fell further. The fact was just one upon a list of many that reminded her of all the bad things her daughter had to endure while growing up without her family.

"I really don't know why I'm crying," Emma said while rubbing her tears from her face.

"Maybe," Mary Margaret started with a smile, "because you're happy?"

Emma's lips pulled to a smile. "Maybe," she agreed.

TBC

Thoughts before you go? Hope you enjoyed!