"You do not fear death. You think it makes you strong. It makes you weak. How can you move faster than possible, fight longer than possible without the most powerful impulse of spirit: The Fear of death?"
-The Blind Prisoner (The Dark Knight Rises)
Chapter One
"Emma Swan"
Storybrooke, Maine
2014
Ring, Ring!
Ring, Ring!
Emma rolled over, tucking her head under her pillow.
Ring, Ring!
Ring, Ring!
"Just pretend you don't hear it Emma," she mumbled from underneath the cushions, "it'll just go away."
Ring, Ring!
Ring, Ring!
"Just a dream Em," she said again to herself.
Ring, Ring!
Ring, Ring!
Finally she twisted her legs from beneath her blankets, turning over to reach for the phone.
"Hello?" she called in a groggily tone, "Yeah this is her. I'm sorry who is speaking?" she paused, "oh, that's terrible. I'm so sorry…" she paused, "Wait who's this?" she paused again. Her eyes widened in shock. The man's voice was muffled through the phone but she heard his words loud and clear, "What?"
…
"Wait, say that again?" Snow said confused. Emma was just sitting across from her in the kitchen. Charming pouring them both coffee. Emma thanked him with a loving smile as she repeated what had happened.
"Apparently the guy who used to be a chaperone for my old orphanage died. He tried to burn the place to the ground. He was unsuccessful as he only burned one room… and himself," she said that last part more carefully. " He was already burned to a crisp by the time the firemen showed up."
"That's so horrible," Snow gasped, "So were you close to him?"
"Yeah, but that's not why they called," said Emma, taking a sip of her hot coffee, "They called me because no one else is brave enough to go back."
Charming froze at her words as Snow's forehead wrinkled in confusion, "What do you mean 'brave enough to go back?'"
"Well, he bought the place to live there, before he died and so someone needs to clear his stuff-"
"No I think what your mother is trying to say is, why would someone be afraid to go back?" Charming elaborated, "It's just a house right?"
Emma gave both her parents a look, one which is usually used when you just got caught. She stands up and goes to the fridge, "I want eggs. Do any of you want eggs?"
"Emma," Charming warned, stepping in front of her.
"Fried, scrambled, or hard boiled?" said Emma pointing her spatula at him, clearly trying to avoid the subject.
"You know that's not what I mean," Charming demanded sternly.
Emma sighed in defeat. "If you must know, the house wasn't a pleasant place and the man wasn't very pleasant either. Before it shut down, he used to do very bad things. I mean he got help and became better in the end, but before…" Emma's eyes wandered and locked on a particular spot in the room. She didn't move or blink. She just stared at it and continued to stare at it until she heard the voice of her mother.
"Emma?" Snow called in worry. Emma blinked her eyes and looked at her mother, "Emma are you alright?"
Emma shook her head, coming back to her senses, "Couldn't be better, but I really don't want to talk about it. Sorry." At that she moved to leave the kitchen, leaving only her voice in her wake, "I'm going to see if Henry is up."
Emma's parents just looked at eachother, unconvinced.
Escaping the glaring gazes of suspicion from her parents. Emma climbed the stairs of the new home, and entered her and Henry's room mindlessly. Henry was still asleep, which wasn't much of a surprise. Since Henry became twelve, he's been sleeping in a lot. Long hours of Super Blastoids 5 would do that to you.
Emma ran a hand through his brown hair and sat at the end of the bed to a bumpy thump. The bed moved but she knew she couldn't wake him even if she tried, and believe me. She. Has. Tried. She dropped to the empty space next to him, his back was turned toward her.
In her moment of peace she sighed, but it was quickly interrupted.
"Who was that on the phone," Henry mumbled beneath the blankets.
Emma didn't bother to turn toward him, his back still facing her, "A person from my past."
"Who?" Henry fought.
"Don't worry about it," Emma counter.
"I'm not worried, I just want to know."
Finally Emma turned her head, her eyes laid lazily on her son's back, "Did anyone ever tell you how nosey you are?"
"Did anyone ever tell you how closed off you are?"
Emma was quiet for a moment, deciding whether or not she should tell him. It's not really a subject she dreamed talking about with her son, but she needs to talk about it with someone. It's only a matter of time someone will spill the beans and if it would happen, she would rather have it on her accord. "I lied to you Henry."
"Shocker," Henry laughed. It wasn't as big of a deal anymore. He didn't like it, but just as long as she admits to it later, that's all that matters to him now. "About what?"
"Why I lied to you about your father."
Henry paused, his breath caught in his chest. It's been so long since they talked about it, seeing it's best just to bury the hatchet and move on, but just like everything else in his life, it seemed to pop up back to the surface like daisies.
He turned toward her, his eyes soft and expression more thoughtful. Emma seemed very anxious about something and for the first time, he felt more protective over her than anything else. "What do you mean?" he asked.
Emma took a deep breath, "When you asked about your father, all that hurt, all that anger came seeping back in my heart, and I didn't think he deserved to know that you existed. I knew you deserved to know, but knowing you, you would probably go looking for him anyway, no matter how I felt about it."
Henry blushed, knowing his mother was right. Now that he's older, he knows it's not just his feelings he needs to worry about. One's actions could affect those all around him and it was almost selfish really to treat his mother the way he did. He never even apologised. He could never find the right words.
"You see, it's not that I believed you couldn't handle it, but it was because I knew... I couldn't and I'm sorry."
"Well you guys are better now. Dating again right?" Henry asked, feeling his eyes tear up a little.
"What!? Who told you we're dating?" Emma laughed, looking at him crossed.
"My eyes!" Henry exclaimed happily, "It's soo obvious. You guys are just teasing each other with your presence. Just go out with him already!"
Emma smiled at him, "Yeah… we'll see."
Henry laughed again, and just smiled contently at her. Then a thought ruins the moment, as his smile fell, "What does that have to do with the person on the phone?"
Emma's smile fell a little too, as she ran a hand through her own hair in thought. "I've never asked anyone to do this for me, but I love you, and I believe you can do it. I believe you'll understand."
Henry adjusted himself as if what his mother will have to say will some how push him off the bed, and he braced himself for it.
"I moved into a home the day after I was abandoned by my father, James Swan, and," she paused, taking another deep breath. The further she thought about it, and the more she told Henry, the harder it was to breathe. Henry could see this and he put his hand over her's for support.
"And it wasn't a good place. I was about ten when I realized the things the men, running the home, did wasn't normal and very bad. I can't go into it any further but I'm telling you this because I was called to go back and help empty the home and I think I'm going to do it. I don't want to go. I'm scared and I have a hard time telling you that because I'm your mother. I'm not suppose to be scared. I'm suppose to be strong. You are the only one I trust, wholeheartedly. I know you won't leave me, so please help me stay strong, when I feel like I can't."
Henry moved closer touching his forehead to hers, "You don't have to worry about anything. I won't let anything happen. I promise."
Emma smiled and kissed his forehead. "Who knew my knight in shining armor, was my son?"
…
Franklin Stein Home for Gifted Children
Psychiatric Recovery Clinic
1988
*Recording Device*
"This is Dr. Carter speaking. My newest patient's name is Emma Swan. She is around six years old. Emma sweetie, can you say hi for me please?"
"Hi, I'm Emma."
"Good girl, now please tell me. Do you know why you are here?"
Sigh, "I'm here because I did a bad thing."
"Mm. Hm. Now can you tell me what you did that was so bad?"
"I… I… did something I was not suppose to."
"Okay Emma, can you tell me why you did it?"
"Cause they were callin me a liar. I'm not a liar."
"They? Sweetie who are they?"
"The other kids."
"Were the other kids picking on you?"
"Yeah."
"Do you know why the other kids were picking on you?"
"No."
"Because you were lying to them."
"No I wasn't."
"Yes Emma, you were."
"No. I wasn't!"
"Emma-"
"I WASN'T!"
-Pause-
"Emma sweetie, can I tell you a secret?"
-Pause-
"Okay, well I have a superpower, and do you know what that is?"
-Pause-
"It's when I can tell when someone is lying to me. And you little lady are lying to me."
…
Storybrooke, Maine
2014
Later that evening Emma directed her family as according to the list she gripped tightly, "Okay guys, so the place is in California and it gets hot out there, so I need to buy Henry t-shirts, shorts, and a swimsuit," looking at her parents, she continues, "I suggest you guys do the same, and sun block. You should also buy baby sunblock for Liam, I'm sure my baby brother is still too young for regular sun block on his very fragile skin."
"They make sunblock for babies?" Snow asked completely shocked and amazed.
Emma nodded and smiled, "Oh yeah, they make everything for babies. It's pretty amazing."
Emma's eyes wandered and they eventually found Gold's shop.
"Hey mom," Henry called, "Are you coming?"
"Yeah," Emma said, "But I need to talk to your father first. I'll be right back."
In Gold's Shop, Neal seemed to struggle with the weight of contents in the box he was holding. "Be careful with that son," said his father, with a worry glance, "You're holding very powerful magic."
"Oh great," said Neal, rolling his eyes, "Just what we need around here. More magic."
Neal carried the box and gently put it on the counter. Once he was sure it was secure, he turned around the chime of a ringing bell catches his attention.
Neal has been working for his father when he decided he was staying in Storybrooke. He didn't really like it, but at the same time he did. In truth he still loves his Papa and would do anything to save him. He did want to save him and at least this way, he can keep a close eye on him this way. Hearing people come in a very rare thing, and he suspected it to be Belle, but it wasn't Belle.
The very sight of Emma put Neal in an awkward position. Shocked, he jumped back calling her name before accidentally running into that heavy box he carried in. The box nearly tumbled off the counter. "Careful son!" Gold shouted, barely catching it just in time. Everyone stood still, in the case of what might have happened. Finally Gold takes in recognition of Emma, "Ms. Swan, how are you?"
"I'm fine Mr. Gold," Emma answers, "Do you mind if I borrow Neal for a moment?"
"Yes, I think that's best. He's not very fond of magic anyway. I'm sure he'd just love to have any excuse to leave the shop," Gold answered with a smile. What he said was true but he said this lightly, showing he has no ill feelings about it. Neal was happy about it.
"Sorry, Pop," Neal said before Emma pulled him out of the shop.
Once they were outside and technically alone, Neal smiled at Emma.
"What's up Em?"
"Nothing, just letting you know I'm taking Henry on a trip." Emma pushed her hair aside, avoiding Neal's eye contact. Would he try to come along? Did Emma want him to come along? She was already bringing so many people. Her mom and dad were coming, and so was her little brother and Henry. Would it be smart to bring him along? Maybe it would be. "Would you… like to come?"
Neal didn't even need to think about it. "Of course, I'd love to come."
READER'S NOTE-
Yes, yes I know! Lots of Mother/Son family fluff in this. It's true! Also there is allot in it you don't know about. I'm hoping to get that reaction, like: Why is Emma in a psychiatric clinic? What is this Franklin Stein home, place… thing? What's going to happen next? Well I'm trying to get to the climax of this story on October 31, so you guys can have something to look forward to on Halloween, so that means I'll be updating often. Maybe once or twice a day. Shout out to the person who favorited me only after a few hours of updating very short and very pathetic prologue. Kelbell347 you are AWESOME! Anyway! Love it, Hate it, Don't understand it… please!
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