Authors Note: Hey everybody! When I originally posted this story, I intended on posting this chapter the same day as the first chapter (as I had already written it). I later assumed that I had done just that, which I obviously hadn't. Anyway, I apologise for leaving this half finished for so long. This isn't the last chapter of this story, so stay tuned for more!
Please Review! It's a a miracle cure for lack of motivation, forgetfulness, dodgy proof reading and writers block! A few word is all it takes :) :) :)
Snow decided to repeat what she had said before, "Emma...honey. Please talk to me".
Emma sighed and ran her hands up and down her face in an aggressive attempt to clear it of tears and Snow felt her heart pull in more directions than she felt possible. Snow clasped her hands over Emma's and guided them away from her face. She then sat up against the headboard and placed Emma's head in her lap, raking her fingers through the sea of curls.
Emma stared at the wall opposite her with a blank expression on her face "Today is Henry's birthday" she mumbled. Snow only hummed in response, seemingly entranced by trailing her fingers through Emma's hair. Emma frowned and looked up at Snow, who momentarily stopped running her hands through Emma's hair. "Today, thirteen years ago, I gave my baby away" Emma whispered, shaking silently with sobs.
Snow started running her hand down the side of Emma's face, failing to hold back the silent tears that were now streaming down her face. A few minutes later, once Emma had collected herself somewhat, she started speaking again.
"I gave Henry away because I gave up on myself. I was supposed to protect him, but I couldn't even hold him, let alone look at him. I just felt so guilty because he was going into a world that I had tried so hard to leave, a world where I was valued no more than a punching bag and fed less than a cat-" Emma trailed off, and Snow interrupted "...but Emma, he was okay. Regina loves him, and Henry has forgiven you". Emma sighed, frustrated. "...but I haven't forgiven me. He got lucky, but what if he hadn't?". Now was Snow's turn to sigh. The only had 45 minutes now, and they weren't really getting anywhere. "Hey Em. What do you say I ask Regina to bring Henry around for a late lunch instead of morning tea? It will give you at least another hour or so to sort yourself out." Emma, who had partly retreated back to her nest of blankets at the removal of her mothers hand from her face and hair, nodded out a thanks, and Snow eased herself off the bed to make the phone call.
When Snow returned, she found Emma lying on her side holding what appeared to be an old ultrasound photo. "Is that Henry?" Snow asked, she knew what the answer would be, but also that jumping to assumptions with Emma in such an emotional state could be dangerous. "Yep." Emma replied, tracing the black and white blob with her finger. From that one word Snow could tell that Emma was rebuilding her emotional walls, but for once, she wasn't going to challenge them because she knew that Emma was going to need them to get through today. Snow decided that she would just have to demolish them another day.
Snow took a deep breath. She knew that making Emma feel guilty would destroy any glimpse of progress that had been made, but she also knew that it was vital that Emma knew what was going on "Regina and Henry aren't coming until about 1 o'clock, and if you don't feel up to seeing them then, then that is absolutely fine because we can sort something else out" Snow reassured Emma, who didn't reply, continuing to run her finger around the image. "Is there anything at all that I can do to help you sweety?" Snow asked, slightly frustrated that the endearment had escaped her lips as she did not wish to make Emma to feel any more vulnerable than she already felt, "I could fetch you something to eat?" Snow added. Emma shook her head, her gaze still fixed on the image. Snow took that as a 'no' and settled down beside Emma. Sure it would no doubt be a tough day, but perhaps this was exactly what she needs to prove her love to her daughter.