Sarah shifted uncomftably on the wooden bench outside the principal's office. Her mom had been in there for what seemed like forever which she knew from past experiences wasn't good. She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and quickly checked the principal's door was still closed before she took it out to view the message.
So how much trouble are you in?
Sarah sighed at her father's message not knowing how to respond. Zachary Parker was the first person to ever adopt Sarah with his wife Ellie. Ellie had found Sarah in the street when she was just a baby wrapped up in a blanket. After taking her to the hospital to check the little one was okay she took her home to her husband who claims that Sarah was a daddy's girl from day one. They had been happy just the three of them, not that Sarah remembered much from that time. When Sarah was only 2 Ellie was in a car accident and died ruining their perfect home forever. Zac tried to be the father he knew his little girl deserved but he just couldn't keep It together. Ellie was his world and with her gone he was half the man he used to be. Suddenly he lost his job and the things that used to bring him joy he replaced with alcohol and drugs. Sarah learnt from a young age how to take care of herself and her father somehow in her child brain thinking that they could make it work and stay together. Sadly, her dad did one drug deal too many and ended up in the only place where Sarah couldn't save him, jail.
Emma Swan was working a late shift finishing up some paperwork at the station for a guy she had just brought in when she saw her. A tiny 6-year-old in an oversized chair trying her best not to look at the man who was trying to talk to her.
'What's that about?' Emma asked James the only officer in so late.
'Some kid they just brought in. Her dad's been done for something and they are waiting for social services to show up,' he said through a bite of his donut never looking up from the newspaper in his hand.
Emma studied the little girl unsure why she felt such a pull towards her. Memories started to flood back of times when she felt the exact same way, alone with no parents to save her. The officer talking to the girl stood up with a sigh and walked over to the coffee machine trying to regain his strength.
'Hey,' Emma said quietly not realising she had walked right up to the girl's chair. The child stayed silent looking down at the ground wishing it would just swallow her up and take her away from this nightmare. Emma sighed and bent down so her eyes were level with the child's. 'I'm Emma,' she said in a soft voice causing the child to finally look up. Blue eyes met green and in that moment both knew they had something similar in common
Feeling safer the child finally spoke up in a quiet whisper, 'I'm Sarah.'
Emma was shocked to finally here the little girls voice. It sounded so broken and lost. Emma sighed not knowing how a 6-year-old could deal with all this when at 20 she couldn't even face her own past of horrors. She gave Sarah smile before reaching for her folder on the desk. She quickly glanced through it seeing her dad was arrested for drugs and the child had no family to take her in. Sadly, Emma put the folder down knowing what would happen, this little thing in front of her was going to go into the system and be bounced around from home to home till she was 18. Emma felt her heart break slightly at the thought knowing first-hand the pain this girl would face. There was nothing she could do for her. The blonde lived in a tiny one-bedroom apartment across town and her job kept her out at all hours' day and night. She wasn't ready to be a mom 2 years ago when she gave her own little boy up and she knew nothing had changed. How could she be a mom when she had never had one herself?
Before Emma could think any more she felt a tiny hand grab her own. Looking up she saw the reason for the brunette's worry. A tall bald man who seemed to be in his late forties had walked into the station and seemed to be pointing to the little girl. He wore a frown on his face which Emma had suspected never moved and his right hand seemed to be in a permanent fist.
'Hey, it will be okay,' Emma whispered softly tightening her grip on Sarah's hand. She knew she was lying. Life was about to get a lot harder for this 6-year-old. Emma finally turned her eyes back to the little one and saw how scared she was. Finally, the tears that had been threatening to fall all night came out of the brunette's eyes as reality hit her like a brick wall.
'This her?' A rough voice said startling both the girls.
'Yeah that's her,' said the tired police office nursing a cup of coffee. 'She don't say much though.'
'Good that might keep her out of trouble,' the bald man gave an evil smile which shot shivers down Emma's spine.
'Has she really got no family who can take her?' Emma asked desperately finally standing up. She gave a wince not realising how stiff her legs had got and cursed herself for crouching for so long.
'She had no family to start with. Mr Parker adopted the child when she was a baby her birth parents are presumed to be dead,' he sighed angrily not knowing why he had to explain himself to a common bail bondsman.
Something changed in Emma's facial expression, it had gone from sympathy to sorrow. This tiny child really was exactly like her: no parents, no hope and no future. Emma looked down to the girl who was staring up at her and knew this little one had got her wrapped round her finger. Emma couldn't let her go and have the same life she had it wasn't fair.
She took a deep breath running her hands together feeling her mouth go dry with nerves. 'what if someone adopted her?'
'Who would be stupid enough to adopt a problem child like this one,' the man said with a slight laugh.
Ignoring his comment Emma looked back to the hopeful brunette who now wore a slight smile. 'Me,' Emma whispered smiling back at the newest member of her family.
From that day on Emma had raised Sarah as her own learning to be a mom the hard way. They had more of a friendship then a strict mother and daughter relationship and Sarah wouldn't have it any other way. Zac stayed in his daughter's life writing letters while in prison and rehab to now seeing his daughter most days. Emma hadn't minded, she wanted her daughter to have two parents that loved her and in some way have a normal life.
Sarah looked back to her phone before typing a quick message to her dad telling him it was time to say goodbye because her mom was no doubt going to kill her. She heard the principal's door open and quickly shoved her phone back into her pocket. Her blonde mother came walking out looking at her daughter with a sigh.
'So, how's it going,' Sarah asked with a smile but the glare her mom shot her answered her question.
Emma started walking towards the exit, 'let's go!' she shouted over her shoulder the teen chasing after her.
It wasn't long till they reached her mom's yellow bug and they climbed inside. Sarah loved this car with its retro décor and momentos from all the trips they had taken. They had so many memories in this car it was almost like part of the family.
'Why do you always manage to get yourself into trouble?' Her mom's voice broke her from her thoughts as she turned her attention to the angry blonde who started the car and pulled away.
'It's a gift,' she tried to joke only to be greeted with her mom gripping the steering wheel tighter. 'One I really wish I could return,' Sarah sighed sinking further into her chair.
'Look the deal was we would stay in New York if you kept your grades up and stayed out of trouble but with the C you got last week and the trip to see your Principal it seems that this isn't working. Maybe we should just move again,' Emma whispered the last part really considering it.
'No!' The brunette gasped. 'You promised we didn't have to move anymore. I'm really sorry about today and my grades but I promise I will try and do better! Josh is here and my dad! Please don't make me leave them again,' she pleaded not wanting to have to say another goodbye.
Emma thought about it for the moment. She would be more than happy to start fresh somewhere else. Emma didn't like staying anywhere for too long she felt it was asking for trouble. However, this time was different she knew how much it meant to her daughter to stay in New York near her dad and her best friend, she finally felt comftable somewhere which had never happened before. Emma sighed looking over at her daughter. 'Fine, but this is your last chance.'
A smile broke out on the teens face as she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around her mom kissing her cheek. 'Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!' she squealed.
'Get off me! Are you trying to get us killed,' Emma huffed but couldn't help but laugh at her daughter.
Soon they were home in the apartment building where they had lived for almost a month. Sarah tuned her key in the lock walking inside to what felt like a mansion after some of the other places they had lived. The pair had definitely gone up in the world from that tiny one bed apartment they started in. Sarah dropped her backpack on the table before plonking herself down on the sofa kicking off her shoes. Emma rolled her eyes at the teen wondering if she had ever been as messy. Emma disappeared into her bedroom to get ready for the night's events before stepping out in a pink dress and the heels Sarah had got her two birthdays ago. Sarah looked up from her phone as she heard her mom's heels come down the hallway.
'Where are you going?' She asked looking at her mom's outfit with a raised eyebrow.
'Dinner,' Emma simply stated putting her phone into her purse.
'Like a date type dinner?' The teen asked surprised as her mother rarely let her know about her dates.
'A job type dinner,' The blonde said bustling around to check she remembered everything.
'oohh much more exciting,' the teen smiled sitting up with intrigue. 'Who are we busting tonight?'
'We are doing nothing,' Emma said stopping in her tracks to finally look at her daughter. 'I am going to go tell a jerk how to be a better husband and you're going to have tea do your homework and go to bed.'
The excited smile left Sarah's face as she slumped back down into the sofa. 'God you sound like a mother.'
'Well that's what I am,' Emma laughed picking up her purse. 'I will see you later.'
'Wait!' The brunette gasped remembering what she had for her mom. Emma stopped her movements to the door as Sarah retrieved something from a kitchen cupboard. 'Happy birthday,' she smiled pushing a neatly wrapped gift in her mom's direction.
Emma looked at her with wide eyes, 'I thought you had forgot I had,' she said with a slight laugh.
'What kind of daughter forgets her mom's birthday! I was going to give it to you this morning but you had work and I had school and then there was the whole thing with the principal…'
Emma smiled at her babbling daughter picking up the gift. The teen looked at her mom with anticipation as she slowly unwrapped the gift. Inside was a glass swan with silver engravings. Emma stared in shock at the beautiful gift in front of her before seeing the words at the bottom from your little swan. Emma felt tears form in her eyes and looked back up at her daughter. It was times like this when she realised just how much she loved being a mother.
'Do you like it?' Sarah asked an unsure look on her face.
'I love it!' Emma exclaimed. 'And I love you,' She smiled pulling her daughter into a tight embrace.
'Happy birthday mama,' the teen whispered into her mom's blonde hair. Emma pulled back and kissed Sarah on her forehead.
'Thank you kid. See you later tonight,' she smiled heading towards the door.
Emma kicked open the door a brown paper bag in hand. It was bad enough that she had to work on her birthday but it was even worse that she had to deal with a jerk like that. His words had really cut through her because she really didn't know much about family. She had her daughter, and she thanked god for her every day, but sometimes she wondered what her life would have been like if she had grown up in a real home with parents that loved her. Would she of gone to college? Would she be married? Would she still have Sarah? She knew better then to focus on things she can't change but days like today when the blonde came home to a darkened apartment she couldn't help but let her mind race. Emma quietly kicked off her heels and walked to the kitchen counter guessing Sarah would already be asleep. With a sigh she picked out the box from the bag she was carrying opening it up to reveal the cupcake inside. Next she pulled out a blue star candle and placed it on top lighting it. She leaned down on the counter staring at the glow of the candle in front of her. 'Another banner year,' she wished with everything she had closing her eyes and blowing out the flame. With that the doorbell rang and she stared back to the now blown out candle wondering how fast a wish could come true. Trying not to fall over the heels she left in the hallway she made it to the door opening it up to see a small boy.
'Uh? Can I help you?' She asked slightly shocked a kid his age would be out so late without his parents.
'Are you Emma Swan?' He asked with slight hope in his eyes.
'Yeah. Who are you?'
'My name's Henry. I'm your son,' he stated a smile breaking across his tiny face.
Before Emma could process what just happened the boy pushed past her into the apartment heading towards the kitchen. Henry was paying attention to every detail of his new surroundings trying to see if they would give him any insight into his mom's life.
'Hey kid! I don't have a son,' Emma quickly followed the boy into the kitchen. 'Where are your parents?'
'Ten years ago did you give a baby up for adoption?' Henry asked seeing the blonde's face fall as recognition hit her. 'That was me.'
Emma didn't know what to say or do. How could he of found her? Why had he found her? Emma was not prepared to deal with this especially not tonight. 'Give me a minute,' she finally said heading to the bathroom trying to calm down. This was impossible she had made sure there was no way he could find her yet somehow there he was in her kitchen. Her son. This was way too much to take in at once.
Hearing all the commotion Sarah wiped sleep away from her eyes and got out of bed. Opening her bedroom door, she winced and paused so her eyes could adjust to the light. 'Okay, you know full well how much I need my sleep it is the thing that allows me to function around people,' she moaned heading into the kitchen but instead of being greeted by her mom a small brown eyed boy was there. 'Erm… Hello.'
'Hi,' Henry said with a smile acting like everything was completely normal.
'Hey mom!' Sarah shouted. 'You know when I asked you to bring me back something from the restaurant I was thinking more a crumble.'
Emma felt herself begin to panic in the bathroom even more. How was she going to explain this to her? She had never told Sarah of the son she gave up and now she was going to learn the hard way. It had never seemed like the right time and Emma just wanted to forget and focus on the future instead of that awful day she let her baby go. With a final deep breath, she walked out the bathroom to see both kids staring at her. Sarah gave her mom a confused look before turning her attention back to Henry.
'Where are your parents?' She asked the little kid who was ruining her beauty sleep. Without a word Henry pointed to a still shocked Emma standing behind her. 'You mean they are outside?' She asked hopefully not wanting her fears of her mom keeping a giant secret from her to be true.
'No Emma's my mum,' he said the smile never leaving his face.
Sarah turned to look at Emma who had her eyes fixed to the little boy. All thoughts of sleep left her as she tried to comprehend what was happening. 'Mom? Is that true?' She asked the hurt evident in her voice. Emma finally looked at her daughter not having the words to answer. The look from her mother alone confirmed her fears. 'How could you not tell me you had a kid?' She asked but wasn't expecting an answer. She took a step away from her mother to lean on the kitchen counter. Emma closed her eyes knowing her daughter wasn't going to be able to forgive this easily.
'Who are you?' Henry finally asked the brunette breaking the silence.
Sarah looked up at her newly found brother and gave him a slight smile. It wasn't his fault after all that things were so messed up. 'I'm Sarah. Emma's daughter… adopted daughter,' she corrected.
'So you're my sister?' Henry asked kindly.
'Sort of,' Sarah replied returning his smile. Was he really not mad to learn his birth mom and chosen to keep a child that wasn't her's and gave him away. He was a bigger person then she could ever be and at 10 seemed so much more mature.
Emma stood to the side and watched as her two kids bonded not believing what she was seeing. What was she going to do? This scenario was never something she ever dreamed of happening at least not like this.
'You know we should probably get going,' Henry said turning his attention back to Emma.
'Going where?' Emma finally spoke wondering what Henry had in mind.
'I want you to come home with me.'
'oh boy,' Sarah sighed knowing her mom was bound to freak out. Emma didn't do well with the mention of someone's home after never really having one herself and the thought of now having to go with her son to his home was bound to set off alarm bells.
'okay, kid. I'm calling the cops,' Emma snapped heading to the phone.
'Way to deal with this rationally,' Sarah sarcastically said to her mother with the roll of her eyes.
'Then I'll tell them you kidnapped me,' Henry said with a nod.
'And they'll believe you because I'm your birth mother.'
'He is good,' Sarah stated giving Henry an approving nod.
Emma shot a glare at her daughter refusing to let two kids win this. 'You're not going to do that.'
'Try me,' Henry had a devious look in his eyes which to Sarah showed he meant business, however, her mom was better at spotting a lie.
'You're pretty good. But here's the thing – there's not a lot I'm great at in life. I have one skill. Let's call it a superpower. I can tell when anyone is lying and you, kid, are,' Emma reached for the phone again.
Henry looked at Sarah for some back up but all she could offer was a sympathetic smile. 'Sorry kid but she can always spot a lie it's why I don't get away with anything. It's a shame I don't have the same gift,' she finished shooting a glare at her mother. Emma suddenly felt guilty once more for not telling her daughter and she knew if she rang the police Sarah was only going to be worse. With a sigh of defeat Emma put the phone down and turned back to her kids.
'Please, come home with me,' Henry pleaded with the same sad eyes Sarah had the first day they met.
'Where's home?' Emma asked knowing she was going to regret the question.
'Storybrooke, Maine,' Henry replied.
'Storybrooke?' Sarah questioned with a surprised look to see Henry nod in confirmation.
'Alrighty then. Let get you back to Storybrooke,' Emma stated heading out the room to get changed leaving the kids.
Sarah gave Henry an awkward smile not knowing what to say. It was going to be a long night.
They had been on the road for 10 minutes and no one broke the silence. Sarah sat in the backseat watching Henry read through the book he never seemed to let go of and Emma who kept giving him awkward glances every now and then.
'And I was worried this was going to be awkward,' Sarah muttered turning her attention to the world passing by out the window.
'What's that?' Emma said looking at the book in Henry's hands. Her daughter was right she needed to make some conversation or it was going to be a very long car ride.
'I'm not sure you're ready,' Henry simply stated not looking up from his book.
'I'm not ready for some fairy tales?' Emma mocked earning a kick to the back of her chair from Sarah warning her to be nice.
'They're not fairy tales. They're true. Every story in this book actually happened,' Henry defended snapping his head up to look at Emma.
'Of course they did,' she sighed keeping her eyes on the road.
'Use your superpower. See if I'm lying,' he challenged.
'Just because you believe something, doesn't make it true,' Emma averted her gaze from Henry feeling this boy had more problems than she thought.
'That's exactly what makes it true. You should know more than anyone.' Sarah gave a confused look to Henry wondering where he was going with this.
'Why's that?' Emma asked just as confused as the teen.
'Because you're in this book,' he stated like it was a fact she should of already knew.
'Really? How's her hair?' Sarah asked with intrigue leaning forward to look at the book.
Emma rolled her eyes at both her kids. 'You two have got problems.'
'Yep. And you're going to fix them,' Henry smiled going back to reading his book.
They finally reached the Storybrooke sign and headed into the small town. Sarah found it strange that with all the moving her and her mom had done they had never heard of Storybrooke. The brunette looked out her window at the old fashioned buildings and family run businesses. It was almost midnight and the streets were dead, nothing like New York where the people never slept. She would have to remember to ask Josh about this place maybe he had heard about it. As they got to the centre of town Emma began to quiz Henry.
'Okay kid. How about an address?'
'44 not telling you street,' he smirked causing his mom to slam on the break and get out of the car in a rage.
'Wow, an hour in and you already know how to push her buttons,' Sarah said looking at her mom kick the car. 'I am so proud,' she smiled at Henry getting a laugh from the kid as they both got out the car.
'Look it's been a long night and it's almost… 8:15?' Emma and Sarah both gave a confused look to the clock above the library.
'That clock hasn't worked my whole life. Time's frozen here,' Henry pointed out to the two women who seemed even more confused than they were a second ago.
'Excuse me?' Emma asked needing an explanation.
'The Evil Queen did it with her curse. She sent everyone from The Enchanted Forest here.'
'Well no one can say she doesn't aim high,' Sarah interrupted looking around at the deserted streets.
Emma shot her daughter a glare really wishing she wouldn't encourage Henrys crazy dream world. 'okay the Evil Queen sent a bunch of fairy tale characters here.'
'Yeah and now they're trapped.'
'Frozen in time stuck in Storybrooke, Maine. That's what you're going with?' Emma asked stunned by the kid's imagination.
'It's true!' Henry insisted losing his patience with Emma.
'Then why doesn't everyone just leave?' Emma asked in a softer tone realising she had upset him.
'They can't. If they try, bad things happen.'
'Kind of like when I skip school,' Sarah nodded in agreement before feeling her mother's stare. 'Which is never,' she corrected standing behind Henry for protection from her mother's glare.
'Henry! What are you doing here?' They heard a voice from across the street call. Sarah put her hand on Henry's shoulder as the stranger approached already feeling her big sister instincts kick in. 'Is everything alright?' The ginger haired man asked as him and his dog stood in front of them.
'I'm fine Archie,' Henry smiled leaning down to stroke the dog. Noticing Henry's friendly reaction Sarah loosened her grip but still kept close to the 10-year-old.
'Who's this?' He asked noticing the two women.
'Just someone trying to give him a ride home,' Emma stated not wanting to give her life story to a stranger.
'She's my mom Archie and this is my sister,' he smiled looking up at Sarah. Sarah felt her heart warm at his words. She had always wanted her brother but this is the last way she thought she would get one.
'You know where he lives?' Emma asked trying to change the subject.
'Yeah sure. Just, ah, right up on Mifflin street. The Mayor's house is the biggest on the block,' Archie said pointing in the direction they needed to be in.
Emma turned her attention to Henry with a raised eyebrow the 10-year-old staring at his feet. 'You're the mayors kid?'
'Uh, maybe,' Henry stuttered never looking up.
Sarah heard Archie start to ask Henry where he had been today to which Henry mentioned something about a field trip. It seemed like Henry was one of the lucky kids who got adopted straight away instead of going into the system. Also to be the Mayor's kid meant he grew up with the finer things in life unlike Sarah. Although she grew up with more love then she could ever need which Sarah felt Henry hadn't. He must have been unhappy enough to feel he needed to find Emma. Sarah's parents were dead but even if they weren't would she want to find them? She already had a mom and a dad who she loved so did she need the ones who gave her up? She was brought out of her thoughts as Archie crouched down in front of Henry.
'Henry. What did I tell you about lying? Giving into one's dark side never accomplishes anything.'
'Oookay. Well I really should be getting him home,' Emma interrupted not liking how the doctor was dealing with a 10 year olds white lie. Archie said his goodbyes before continuing on his way dog by his side.
'Well that was a little deep,' Sarah said to no one in particular watching the man walk away.
'So that's your shrink.'
'I'm not crazy,' Henry insisted.
'Didn't say that. Just, he doesn't seem to be 'cursed' to me. Maybe he's just trying to help you,' Emma tried to reason with Henry.
'Yeah help you have nightmares,' Sarah answered for Henry still feeling the creeps from the man's words.
Emma gave her daughter a disapproving look. 'If you have nothing helpful to say then please keep it to yourself,' Emma sighed earning an eye roll from her mardy teen.
'He's the one who needs help because he doesn't know,' Henry said interrupting the bickering.
'That he's a fairy-tale character?' Emma asked.
'None of them do. They don't remember who they are,' Henry said as he went to get back into the car Sarah following behind him.
'Convenient. Alright, I'll play. Who's he supposed to be?'
'Jiminy Cricket,' Henry shouted from inside the car.
'Right, the lying thing. Thought your nose grew a little bit,' Emma teased opening her car door.
'I'm not Pinocchio!'
'Yeah mom how could you think that,' Sarah smirked.
'Course you're not because that would be ridiculous.'
They pulled outside the biggest house on the street which was practically a mansion. Sarah stared up at it in amazement not being able to imagine what it would be like to live in such a place and definitely not knowing why someone would run away from such a place.
'Are you coming?' Emma asked her daughter but her eyes were also on the giant house.
'And watch you get attacked by Henry's other mom? No thanks,' she muttered.
'Thanks for the support,' Emma sighed. 'I shouldn't be long.'
Emma got out the car a sad Henry following her. He turned back to the brunette and gave her a wave which she returned feeling sorry for the kid. They walked through the gate towards the house seeming to be arguing the whole time. Before Emma could respond to whatever Henry had said a brunette in heels and a dress came running out the house embracing Henry in her arms, Sarah assumed that was his mom. Sarah looked closely at the woman. She seemed well put together and clearly belonged in that house. She was pretty, a different kind of pretty to her mom, but still really pretty. There was something about her that seemed so familiar to the teen but she couldn't put her finger on it. A man followed who seemed to be the sheriff but he could have been Henrys dad. Before Sarah could dwell on it anymore Henry ran past all three of them into the house. 'I'm guessing that didn't go well,' Sarah said to herself with a sad sigh. The three adults then proceeded into the house for, what Sarah presumed, was going to be a very awkward conversation. All Sarah could do now was wait. She pulled out her phone and dialled the number she knew off by heart.
'Hello,' a deep gruff voice answered clearly from someone who had just woken up.
'Sorry did I wake you?' Sarah asked already knowing the answer.
'No me and my friends George Clooney and Brad Pitt were just about to go meet Oprah on her private jet,' he ranted down the phone.
'Well at least I know where I get my sarcasm from,' she laughed her dad as he continued to grumble on the other end of the phone.
'Did you want something or did you just call to be your usual charming self?'
'Just for that I may not share my story! And trust me it's a good one. Here's some spoilers: Storybrooke, a mansion, Fairy-tale characters being brought to life, a long lost son and my missing crumble.'
'Tell me more!' Her father insisted now sounding awake as Sarah divulged the night's events.
Inside the mansion Emma and Henry's mother, who Emma had learnt was called Regina, headed into the study to continue their talk about Henry with some cider.
'You have a job I assume?' Regina asked as Emma sat down on the sofa.
'I keep busy,' Emma smiled putting her drink on the table in front of her.
'Imagine having another on top of it. That's being a single mum,' Regina smiled sitting down.
'Oh I know I am a single mom,' Emma said with a nod.
'You didn't raise henry,' Regina corrected a light snarl to her words.
'Oh I didn't mean Henry,' Emma quickly emended trying to calm the other woman down. 'I meant I have a daughter.'
'You had another child after Henry that you kept? I assume you were more prepared this time round?' The brunette asked with intrigue.
'Actually I adopted her when she was six. She didn't have anywhere else to go and I didn't really have anyone in my life so we've been there for each other,' Emma smiled thinking about the teen in the car who had helped her through so much.
She was soon broken out of her trance by the harsh voice of the mayor. 'So you gave your own child up and then adopted someone else's? How… modern of you,' Regina said taking a sip of her drink. Although the mayor had a smile on her face Emma could sense it was fake and new it was about time she left.
'I really should be getting back,' the blonde said quickly finishing her drink.
'Of course,' the other woman smiled showing her to the door with a quick goodbye.
As Emma walked to the car she could feel eyes staring at her. She turned around and looked up to the window to see Henry staring down as she walked away. He quickly moved when he heard something behind him which she assumed was his mom coming up the stairs. His mom. Those words brought Emma back to reality. No matter who gave birth to who Regina was Henry's mom and Emma was Sarah's and that's the way it has to be.
Emma climbed back into the car to see her daughter had moved to the passenger seat and just hung up the phone. 'Who was that?' She asked putting her seat belt on and starting the engine.
'Just dad,' she stated simply giving no more explanation.
'Have you told him about everything?' Emma asked already knowing the answer.
'Yep,' was all the brunette said keeping her eyes on the road ahead.
Emma sighed and looked at her daughter. 'Are you going to be mad at me forever?'
'Depends, how many more things are you keeping from me?' she finally turned to meet her mother's gaze feeling the anger bubble inside of her.
'Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you I just didn't know how. Giving up Henry was the worst day of my life and I didn't want to think about it or relive it,' Emma spoke seeing her daughter's features soften slightly. 'I also didn't want you to think you were just a replacement that I was using to make up for giving him away,' she sighed focusing back on the road.
Sarah took a moment to process what her mom had said and felt the anger go away. It must have been a really painful experience for Emma and she couldn't blame her for wanting to forget it. Besides, there was a lot of things in the teens past that she hadn't shared with her mother too so I guess they were even. 'I understand,' she said softly at long last making Emma give a sigh of relief.
'I really am sorry and I promise from now on no more secrets,' Emma smiled. Her smile soon left as her thoughts went back to henry. There was just something that wasn't quite right and she couldn't put her finger on it. Thoughts of Henry were still racing through her mind as her daughter spoke.
'Hey what's this?' The brunette asked reaching to the floor near her feet picking up a book. Henry's storybook.
Emma stared at it and couldn't help but smile. 'Sneaky bastard,' she whispered causing a laugh from her daughter. Sarah looked back to the road and her laughter soon turned into fright.
'Mom watch out!' She shouted causing her mom too look up and see the wolf in the road. She turned quickly out of the way driving off the road with a crash that left both women unconscious.
Emma woke up the next day to find herself in a prison cell confused about how she got there. After being insulted by Leroy who she assumed was the local drunk Graham, the sheriff, finally arrived.
'seriously,' she moaned wondering why she had been locked up for being in an accident.
'Regina's drinks are a little stronger than we thought,' he said with a patronising grin.
'I wasn't drunk. There was a wolf standing in the middle of the road,' she rolled her eyes knowing how crazy it sounds. It was in that moment she remembered her daughters scream. 'Sarah,' she whispered panic in her voice.
'Excuse me?' Graham asked.
'Where's my daughter Sarah she was in the car with me! Is she hurt?' Emma asked pacing her cell in panic.
'Calm down. If you are referring to the girl you were with she woke up with a few cuts and bruises and I put her in a room at Grannys our bed and breakfast,' Graham calmly said which calmed down the pacing blonde.
As if on cue her curly haired daughter came into the station. She looked pale and had a cut on her head but apart from that there seemed to be no other damage which made Emma almost cry in relief.
'She yours?' The sheriff asked the teenager in the doorway.
'Nah, you can keep her,' she smiled as her mom shot her an angered look.
'Sarah Ellie Swan!' The blonde said firmly.
'I know I'm in trouble when she uses my full name,' the brunette winced. Before she could say anything else the woman she had seen from last night came into the station.
'Graham! Henrys run away again. We have to… What is she doing here,' Sarah heard the woman's voice go from panicked to mad in less than two seconds. 'Do you know where he is?' She asked staring at Emma.
'Honey, I haven't seen him since I dropped him at your house. And, I have a pretty good alibi,' Emma sarcastically answered.
Sarah couldn't help but let out a slight giggle at her mom's response which caused the older brunette to turn to her giving her daggers. 'Who are you?' she asked narrowing her eyes making Sarah feel like she was 6 once more.
Sarah gulped not knowing how to answer. Luckily her mom saved her.
'She's my daughter,' Emma called from behind Regina.
Regina kept staring at the teen causing her to shift uncomftably from side to side. She could tell this woman disliked her and she had only known her for two seconds. That had to be some kind of record.
'Here's an idea,' Emma continued trying to get the attention off her daughter. 'How about you guys let me out and I'll help you find him,' Emma shrugged her shoulders.
Regina thought for a couple of seconds everything in her wanting to say no but she knew she had no other choice. 'Let her go,' she finally said to Graham who unlocked the cell door.
Emma walked over to her daughter and put her hands on her shoulders. 'Are you going to be okay by yourself?'
'I'll be fine,' Sarah insisted with a smile. 'I will take a look around and then meet you at Grannys.'
'Grannys?' Emma questioned.
'The bed and breakfast,' Graham reminded her with a nod.
'Okay see you later kid,' she smiled kissing her on the head before heading out the door.
Regina walked past the teen shooting her a disapproving look to which Sarah gave her sweetest smile making Regina frown more. Them two really weren't going to get along.
It only took Sarah about an hour to wonder round the small town but she was mesmerised by it. Every little shop window seemed to have a story to tell and every person she saw seemed to be special like no one she had ever met. It was a nice change from the chaos of New York, not that she would ever tell her mother that. The last thing she needed was for her mom to decide they needed a fresh start in a small town.
After her exploring was done she sat in Grannys dinner nursing a cup of hot coco thinking about the day's events. It had been a long 24 hours and she couldn't wait to climb into bed and finally get some much needed sleep. Her peace and quiet was disturbed when the bells above the door rang and her mom walked in looking how she felt: exhausted.
'Hey,' her mom whispered softly taking a seat opposite her in the booth.
'How did it go? Did you find him?' The teen asked after spending a lot of the day worrying about Henry.
'I found him and convinced him to go home. I told him he needed to have his best chance and it wasn't with me,' she said sadly.
'But that's not how you really feel is it,' the brunette sighed.
'What do you mean?' Emma asked looking up at her daughter.
'I saw the way you looked as you came back to the car after dropping him off the first time You care about him,' Sarah said taking a sip of her drink.
Emma knew it was true and ran her fingers through her hair. 'There is something not quite right about Regina. She doesn't seem to care what's best for Henry! She claims she loves him but I'm not so sure,' she sighed.
'So what do you want to do?' Sarah asked nervous about the answer.
'Do you think we could stay?' Emma asked peaking up on her daughter who seemed to not like the idea. 'I don't mean forever! Just one week so I can check Henry's okay,' she pleaded.
Sarah looked down at the cup in front of her. 'One week, you promise?'
'I swear just one week,' Emma smiled looking hopeful.
'Okay fine,' Sarah said giving in. She could survive this strange town for a week.
'Thank you,' her mum beamed at her causing Sarah to smile as well.
'We best go get a room because I don't fancy sleeping on the streets,' the teen said standing up to head to Grannys front desk.
When they arrived they witnessed an argument with who they assumed to be Granny and her granddaughter. They sounded like herself and Emma when they start bickering and she nudged her mom in the side who's smile said she was thinking the same thing.
'Excuse me, we'd like a room?' Emma asked finally interrupting the bickering pair. Granny's eyes seemed to light up as she made her way over to the desk rambling on about the best room to give the pair. Sarah got the feeling they didn't get many guests.
'Now what's the name?' Granny asked.
'Swan. Emma Swan,' the blonde stated.
'Emma what a lovely name,' they heard a voice from behind them chime making them turn around.
'Thanks,' Emma tried to say pleasantly as Granny gave the man some money which seemed to make him leave.
'Who's the creepy dude?' Sarah asked earning a jab in the ribs from her mom. 'Okay tell me he wasn't creepy?' She moaned rubbing her side.
'He's Mr Gold he owns the place,' the young girl said from the window.
'The inn?' Emma asked.
'No, the town,' granny said with a slight shudder. Suddenly she smiled at the pair, 'so how long will you be with us?'
'A week,' Emma smiled in return.
'Just a week,' Sarah repeated reminding her mom of her promise.
Granny handed them their key her smile never leaving her face. 'Welcome to Storybrooke.'