Chapter 3
"Hey gang. Go ahead and sit at your table outside. I'll be over with your usual drinks in a moment." Maddie turned to Jeremy with an exaggerated appraisal. "What can I get the hot newbie?"
"Jeremy Kirkwood, Ma'am. And a sweet tea would be great, thanks." Jeremy smiled kindly at her. "Guy's I'm gonna hit the bathroom real quick. Be right back."
"Come on cutie, I'll show you the way." Maddie ushered him inside as the others took seats at their table in the diner's patio.
Emma sat down next to Regina, wrapping an arm around her fiancé's shoulders and kissing her temple. Henry nodded across the street where David and Mary Margret were heading their way, swinging Suzy between them.
"Enree! Ninaaasssss!" The little girl's voice shouted out. Suzy immediately ran toward her Godmothers once they were within reach. Regina picked her up and hugged her tightly.
"Hello my little darling." Regina kissed her cheek, leaving bright lipstick on her.
"Hey Suzy Q, don't I get a hug and a kiss?" Emma pouted.
The little 21 month old girl shared a mirrored smirk with Regina, who let her stand on the bench between them. Suzy took Emma's face in her little hands to give her a big kiss.
"There, there Um-ma," she patted Emma's head gently, and giggled at her blonde Godmother's pout. "Love you!"
Emma broke at her cuteness and tickled her side, making her jumped back into Regina's arms for rescue. The small family finished greeting each other and took their seats.
"So what's new? You said you had news, but wouldn't give any spoilers," David asked.
Emma took a deep breath. Putting on a more serious demeanor, she interlaced her fingers on the table top. "David, something has resurfaced and I'm afraid it involves your past."
Mary Margret stiffened alongside her husband, placing a supportive hand over his. "What is it?"
"I'm afraid David's former fiancé has come to pay a visit, and he wants to see you." Emma said with all seriousness.
"What?!" Both Nolan's yelled.
"Fiancé? Did she say HE wants to see you? What is she talking about, David. What fiancé?" Mary Margret glared at her husband.
"Don't look at me like that! I have no idea!" David looked severely confused and defensive. "What are you talking about Emma?"
"Oh, how quickly we forget, David Nolan!" The group turned as Jeremy dramatically gripped the stair rail with one hand, and held the other across his chest, "I thought I meant something to you. We had our mothers' blessings!"
"Jeremy?!" David whooped, popping to his feet and running to hug him.
"I am so confused right now." Mary Margret looked on as her husband hugged and spun the man in the air.
"Right there with you, Mrs. Nolan." Henry whispered loudly.
Emma broke into laughter, motioning dramatically at the newcomer. "Mighty Mouse, this is Jeremy Kirkwood, formally Jeremy Struder. Jeremy, this is the Mary Margret Nolan."
Mary Margret recognized the name immediately and began laughing. "You mean Jeremy Struder from Boston? The one that your foster mom tried marrying David off to?"
"What?" Henry's eyes went wide.
"That's me." Jeremy reached over and took her hand, kissing it like he had Regina's, "It is a pleasure to meet the person that managed to hook the incomparable David Nolan."
"It is so nice to meet you, too." Mary Margret stood and pulled him into a hug.
"I'm Suzy!" The little girl waved at the new stranger that had hugged both her parents.
"Well hello little miss Suzy." Jeremy took the little girls hand that she posed to him, and kissed it, making the little girl giggle. "Emma, you got another kid you didn't tell me about? She looks just like ya."
"That was just pure luck. Our dimples are, what Suzy Q?" Emma asked the girl.
"Frickin' adorable!" Suzy high-fived Emma.
"Emma." Regina and Mary Margret said in unison.
"That's right." Emma said as they followed with a fist bump and exploding fingers. "Suzy Q here, is our Goddaughter."
"She's ours." David said. "How she came out looking and talking like Emma, I have no idea. For her sake, I hope she grows out of it."
"Hey." Emma warned.
"Sorry…," Henry raised his hand with a laugh after Maddie came out to deliver their drinks, and take their food orders. "Can someone please now explain how Mr. Nolan was engaged to Jeremy?"
Everyone laughed and the three Bostonians went through the telling of the two older women that had attempted to play match-maker with the men when they were just teenagers. Jeremy had been openly gay in High School, and despite what David repeatedly told his foster mother, she was convinced he was gay too.
Their foster mother, Joanna Biggs, and Jeremy's mother Nora Struder, had been the best of friends since they were toddlers. When David and Jeremy were in their teens, the older women took it upon themselves to play set them up since neither one of their 'boys' were attached. They arranged a blind date, but only Jeremy had been given the heads up by his mother.
"I adored David and Emma. These two save my skin too many times to count in high school. It was like having my own brother/sister bodyguard duo. So when Ma set me up with David, I thought she knew something about him I didn't. My little 15 year old gay heart went all atwitter. So there I am, hair slicked back and in my brand new kicks, ready to go. I knock on his door, and-" Jeremy laughed.
"And there I am, answering the door in boxers and a dirty t-shirt, eating a PB&J. Severely confused, and super frustrated with Jo," David chuckled. "I felt awful turning you away, Jeremy. I honestly almost went with you."
"You did?" Emma awed at her foster brother.
"That's why my Ma and I knew you were a keeper, David Nolan. 'Cause I don't doubt you would have just to spare my feelings. Other guys would have just beat me into the pavement." Jeremy winked at Mary Margret, "You're a lucky woman."
"I know." Mary Margret smiled proudly at her husband.
"How is your Mom, Jeremy?" David asked.
"Cliché as can be. She moved to Florida after retiring last year, and is living La Vida Loca down there now." Jeremy took out his phone to show them a picture of his mother sipping a frothy drink on a beach.
"That's awesome," Emma beamed at the photo.
"What about you, dear. I see you are married as well." Regina nodded toward Jeremy's ringed finger.
Jeremy told them about his own wedding after meeting the man of his dreams. He told them about the goings on in their old neighborhood, and shared stories of David and Emma as teenagers. Making the foster sibling blush with embarrassment.
The group caught Jeremy up on their lives in Storybrooke in quick summary. Leading up to the wedding coming up that weekend.
"I am so happy for you. Congratulations again. To all of you." Jeremy beamed.
"You too, Jeremy. You have to bring Colton up next time," Mary Margret said.
"I promise, I will." He nodded.
"I still can't believe you and your mother were behind spreading Jo's ashes at Fenway," David laughed again.
"I know. What can I say, my man knows how to open doors. Figuratively and physically," Jeremy boasted. "Ma and Charlie were friends with a couple of retired vets that worked security there. They helped us get in. Maybe now the Red Sox will win a few, right."
"Wait, Uncle Charlie? You're still in touch with him?" Emma asked.
"In touch? He's how I found you two after he tracked down David when Jo died." Jeremy chuckled, "I also happen to be married to his step-son,"
Emma and David's eyes excited, "What?"
"Yeah, Colton's stepdad is the retired Mountie Charlie got hitched to. That's how I met him." He laughed at their expressions. "Maybe we can have you guys visit us in Boston next time they're in from Toronto."
"Definitely." Emma nodded with a smile.
David put his now sleeping daughter into her stroller. "So Jeremy, not that I'm complaining, catching up has been amazing, but what on earth brings you out to the boondocks of Maine?"
"Remember the Commonwealth's MMA League out of that old gym in Southie?" Emma asked David.
"You mean the Fight Club?" David's eyes went wide. "Yeah, I heard it got shut down years ago. A whole nasty ordeal."
"It did. Apparently it's been reopened under new management." Emma motioned to Jeremy.
"Really?" David looked impressed. "That must have been a heck of an undertaking after all that scandal."
Jeremy scoffed. "It's been wicked hard, I ain't gonna lie. We've been under close surveillance all the way through. But we've done everything above board, and I've been trying to change the Fight Club's reputation. That's why we're hoping the tournament helps raise a lot of money for our charity. Make us one of the good guys again, ya know?"
"Jeremy and Nora started a Children's Foundation in Jo's name in Boston. What does Jo's charity do again?" Emma asked.
"A few years back, Ma and a couple of friends began raising money to help keep St. Joseph's Orphanage running. After Jo passed, we officially started the foundation and named it in her honor," Jeremy said proudly. "It took some doing, but we've build it up a bit over the last couple of years. When Ma retired, I took over its operation and I've been trying to make it grow."
"That sounds amazing!" David patted Jeremy's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Tournament?" Regina asked.
"Ya, I started telling Ems and Henry a bit of what it's for, but not what we're doing. The league wants to host a MMA tournament. There will be fighting competitions and a series of other non-fighting events. Like agility and strength showcases and mixed martial arts demonstrations. We're even having a speed bag competition."
"Really?" Henry's ears perked up. The speed bag being one of his favorites.
"Yeah. A couple of MIT students are gym members, and they created a speed bag machine that supposed to mark your speed and time more accurately than any other machine out there. We're going to be awarding the fastest minute run."
"That is so awesome!" Henry said, turned excitedly to the group. "Did you know a guy holds a record for punching a speed bag for thirty straight hours? 131,046 punches, 77 hits per minute? And a woman in the UK did it for 26 hours straight. Twice!"
"Henry," Regina warned.
"Come on, mom. I've been hitting a little over two hundred in a minute," Henry defended.
"Regina, you and I both know Henry could smoke anyone at the speed bag," Emma stated proudly.
"We'll talk later." Regina said nodding to Henry, letting them know the subject was dropped for now.
"We could use all the people we can get." Jeremy straightened up, "That's actually kinda why I'm here. Not a lot of people want to be associated with the gym or the league with its history. Forget the fact that it's been years since the last owner, they left us with their bad reputation, and it's been hell getting people signed up. So, I hauled my cookies to Maine 'cause I was kinda hoping Emma here would sign up to fight in the tournament."
Regina was about to ask for more information, but Emma didn't give her the chance.
"Oh, I don't know, Jeremy," Emma hesitated. "I'm not in the same fighting shape I used to be. I've been out of the scene for years now. Maybe we can help out some other way." Emma took Regina's hand. "Besides, I'm getting married, we're going on our honeymoon right after. I wouldn't have enough time to train."
Regina was taken back by Emma turning the offer down right away. This was right up her fiancé's alley, being for an orphan children's charity. Emma simply smiled at her and kissed her hand. Regina could tell that there was an underlying emotion to Emma's expression.
"Listen, I get it, Ems. But hey, it's still three months away if you change your mind. That gives you plenty of time to prep. You too, kid." Jeremy shot Henry a wink. Lifting a glass in toast, "Heck, it was worth a shot, right. Either way, I'm glad I got to come here and see you and David again, and meeting your families was all worth the trip."
"That's right." Emma picked up her glass and clinked it against his, ignoring the questioning eyes she was sure were looking at her.
The next morning, Henry, Daisy and Emma ran at full speed toward the gym. With less than a block to go, Henry pulled ahead of Emma and reached the back door first. Emma caught up to him, completely out of breath.
"You ok, Ma?" Henry frowned. Not that he wasn't excited at beating Emma for once, but he had never beat her by this length.
"Yeah. I'm good." Emma breathed, hands on her knees. "Just fuckin' old."
Henry was expecting the words in jest, but she seemed angry. Emma stretched her limbs and put her hands on her head, walking in a small circle to shake out her legs. Avoiding Henry's analyzing gaze.
"Bullshit." Henry crossed his arms.
Emma turned serious eyes at him. "What?"
"I call bullshit. You know the rules."
She shot him a stern look. "No. No calling bullshit. I'm fine."
"Ma," Henry said without anger or guilt. "Bullshit means one of us knows something's wrong, and the other's trying to hide it. We agreed if one of us called it, the other has to explain. This is an agreement we made years ago, so what's going on?"
"Nothing, kid. I'm just… wired that's all. I couldn't sleep last night, and I think I fried my brain." Emma opened the gym for them to enter.
"It's about the tournament, isn't it?" Henry asked grabbing waters for them.
Emma's eyes attempted to look at anything but Henry. Even taking the offered water without looking up.
"Ma," Henry said a tad more sternly. "Is it the Fight Club?"
"No. It's the wedding this Saturday." Emma said lamely. "I'm having second thoughts."
Henry guffawed at the lame cover, "Oh double bullshit! Who are you kidding? You love my Mom and you know it. You were ready to put a ring on her finger on your first date. So come on."
"Henry," Emma sighed and nervously cracked her neck. "Fine! Alright. It's about the tournament."
"Well no duh," Henry said and laughed at Emma's angry look. "Is it the reason you turned it down? Why did you turn it down? You were all excited about talking my mom into letting me do it. Why not you?"
"It's complicated, kid." Emma tried again, lamely.
"Ma, come on." Henry tried again, "Sure you may be rusty, and you have gained a few pounds since moving in with us, but you are not out of shape."
Emma let out chuckle followed by a frustrated sigh. "Henry, I'm not fighting, okay. It's been too long and I'd probably get my ass kicked by some kid your age. I'd rather work behind the scenes, and prep you for that speed test. I know you'll rock at it."
"Thanks," Henry smirked at her. "But come on, old? You are not old. And we both know you're not out of shape. So what's the hold up?"
Emma shuffled her feet and bit her lip.
"It's Mom, isn't it?" Henry guessed, and was validated by the childishly guilty look on Emma's face.
"I know your Mom, Henry, and I know she'd be against it. Look at how long it took her to let me train you at anything other than yoga and weights."
Henry still gave her a skeptical look.
"Plus we have a lot going on right now," Emma again avoided his eyes. "I'm not competing and that's that, ok? I'll just volunteer doing something else."
"Will you at least think about it?" Henry asked.
They were interrupted by Daisy barking at the back entrance and making a run for the back door. She pranced excitedly around the legs of a girl walking in.
"Vi?!" Henry exclaimed, running to his girlfriend and lifting her in a twirl. Putting her down to lay a quick kiss on her lips.
"Ugh, you're all sweaty, Henry," she giggled when he tried to hug her again.
"Hey Vi." Emma greeted her with a wave.
"Hi Emma." Violet pushed Henry playfully away again before kneeling in front of the excited dog. She lifted a single digit up, and Daisy immediately sat for her, tail wagging excitedly. Violet hugged the lab, "I missed you too girl."
"What are you doing here?" Henry smiled with a blush.
Violet stood and squeezed his hand, "I tied everything up yesterday so I could come surprise you guys. Maybe see if I can help with the wedding."
"Vi, if you two ever break up, I want you in the divorce." Emma dodged a punch from Henry, and gave her a quick side hug. "Seriously. Thank you for coming down early. You always have a calming effect on Regina."
"That is because we are both ladies." Regina entered from the back entrance and hugged Violet. Daisy ran to Regina's side and sat obediently, receiving a scratch behind her ear.
"Hey baby. I thought you were going to have a lazy morning in?" Emma walked over and gave her a quick kiss.
"I was, but Violet called me this morning and told me she came in late last night to surprise Henry. So I thought I'd come get you all and bring you back to the house for breakfast."
"That's sounds awesome. Thanks Mom." Henry beamed at his mother's forethought and squeezed his girlfriend's hand happily.
"I even brought the jeep so you two don't need to shower before we go home," Regina gave Emma an innocent smile, shrieking when a sweaty body picked her up and rubbed on her. "Emma Swan you let me down!"
"I ever tell ya how amazing you are." Emma asked, kissing her again.
"And you are a pain in my ear," Regina pushed her away, only to break into a smile at Emma's pout. Leaning in to kiss it away.
"We're still right here, guys" Henry snickered.
