I'm running out of ways to express to you guys how grateful I am for all your follows and favourites! Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed, I LOVE your feedback. It's great to know everyone's opinions! For those of you who told me you were missing Neal, this chapter won't disappoint :)

A special thanks to naiariddle for the prompt for half of this chapter, I hope I did the idea justice! And also to meresger for asking me questions that really make me think about my story in new ways :) Unfortunately I couldn't fit Ashley into the story just yet, sorry :(

Anyway, I hope you guys like it:

What had he done?

Neal could barely breathe. He had left them, the two people in the world he couldn't live without. How had he thought he could give them up? Let them live their own lives?

He had spent the whole first month driving, not to anywhere in particular. Just trying to escape the fear, the guilt, of abandoning them. Abandoning not only his wife but Henry. His son. The one thing Neal had sworn never to do, no matter what. What the hell was wrong with him?

Neal tried to control his breathing, just like every night. He got up and leant his forehead against the cool glass of the hotel window. It had been almost six months. Half a year. He had survived only by reminding himself that Emma and Henry were better off without him.

He couldn't keep this up. He needed to know. He needed to know that they were happy, and that August was looking after them, had taken them to… wherever this curse was.

God, he was so stupid. He hadn't even given the map from August a second thought until he was in Canada. By the time he realised that it must be back at the house there was no way he could go back. It was too late.

He had tried contacting August a thousand times since he had left, but he never answered. Neal suspected that the number was fake or, more likely, from a disposable mobile that August had ditched.

Neal's chest ached at the memory of Emma's hurt expression as he told her he was leaving. He closed his eyes but all he could see was Henry, scared out of his mind as his dad told him how much he loved him. He missed them both so much.

Not for the first time Neal was appalled with himself. Surely he could have done better by them? He had just left. No explanation, no real goodbye to Emma, nothing. They deserved better. He had taken the coward's way out. As noble as his intentions had been there were other ways he could've dealt with the situation.

Neal felt for his phone and attempted to call August, steeling himself for the familiar dialtone to ring out. He let it drop when no one picked up and slammed his head against the windowsill. What was going on? Were Emma and Henry happy?

Neal moved from the window, fists clenched. That was it. If August couldn't return his damn phone calls then Neal would see how they were doing himself. He would go back to the house and if they weren't there and had moved on to this cursed town then he would find them. He would explain why he left and take the consequences. Even if Emma thought he was crazy at least she would know. She would understand why he left. That he truly loved her more than his own happiness, and the only reason he'd left was to give both Emma and Henry a brighter future.

Neal grabbed his keys. He was sick of running and hiding like a coward. He needed to know that they were both happy, and he needed to give them an explanation. He hated himself for going back, for denying Emma the chance to get on with her life and live happily with her family as the Saviour. But he owed her an explanation. A goodbye.

x

"Have you called the adoption agency yet?" Mary Margaret inquired.

She was about to leave for school and Emma guiltily noticed how tired she looked. It had been three days since she had come to Storybrooke and every night Henry would wake them, screaming. Every night they had hot chocolates, Henry went back to sleep, and Emma and Mary Margaret would stay up to watch over him. After that first night they didn't even talk, just sat in companionable silence.

Emma had kept insisting that Mary Margaret go to bed, after all Emma could sleep through the next day while Mary Margaret had to work, but she had refused, saying, "No way am I leaving you two to handle this alone."

"Yeah," Emma answered, "There's one in Vermont that's happy to arrange it. They said they would come to me but in all honesty I'd rather go down there myself next week, wait there to have the kid then head to Boston with Henry. If you don't mind putting up with us for a few more days that is."

"You're welcome to stay as long as you like, Emma. I mean it."

"Thanks but a few days is more than enough," Emma smiled gratefully. She sighed and turned her gaze to the window.

"Why don't you have a look around town today?" Mary Margaret suggested.

"That sounds nice, is there a park or something near here?"

Mary Margaret gave her the directions and picked up a pile of books on the table. She gave Henry a smile as he wandered sleepily out of the bedroom before she headed to the door.

"Remember to call me if you need anything Emma, I'll see you two this afternoon."

Emma said goodbye and moved into the kitchen to pour Henry some cereal.

"Well kid it looks like we're going to the park!"

Henry cheered enthusiastically and Emma laughed.

x

Emma watched as Henry ran in circles around the small park, stopping occasionally to poke at something on the ground or to take a turn on the swing set.

"Henry come and get a sandwich," Emma called. She watched as her son bounded over and plonked himself beside her. He told her all about the ladybug he'd just found for a few minutes, until Emma noticed a young boy Henry's age peering at them through curious green eyes from behind a tree. Henry followed her gaze and stopped talking as he registered the boy. He paused for a moment before beaming at the other kid.

"Hi, I'm Henry!"

The boy came out slowly and stood slightly to the side, as if he wasn't sure if he should talk to them. "I'm Jack," he said shyly.

Emma gave him a friendly smile, trying to put the kid at ease. "Well, Jack, I'm Emma. Would you like a sandwich? It's peanut butter."

Jack paused for a moment before reaching out and accepting it with a quiet "Thank you."

"Excuse me!" A loud, sharp voice rang out and Jack jumped. A professional looking woman charged towards them, glaring angrily at Emma. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Uh, Emma Swan." Emma noticed how perturbed she looked at the name.

"What are you doing in Storybrooke?" The woman said sharply.

"Excuse me?" Emma replied incredulously. What right did this woman have to demand Emma's personal reasons for visiting Storybrooke?

"You heard me. Regina Mills. I am the mayor of this town and I want to know who you are, and where you've been staying because I know for a fact that no one has checked in at Granny's recently."

"That's really not any of your business." Emma said scornfully.

"Oh? You were talking to my son. I think it is my business. So I'll ask you again – where are you staying? I only know one idiot in this town who is dumb enough to take you in and if I hadn't met you before today I doubt she would have; she's too busy with her precious 4th graders to have a life," the mayor smirked.

Emma was shocked, and more than a little angry. Had this Regina lady really just insulted Mary Margaret?

Henry pulled on Emma's leg, clearly wanting to get as far away from this woman as possible.

"Look," Emma said warily, "I don't want any trouble. Henry go wait in the car please."

She watched Henry as he climbed into the bug before turning to face the older woman defiantly.

"You haven't answered the question Miss Swan. Unless – you're sleeping in your car?" The mayor gave a derisive laugh and Emma fought back the need to punch her in the face.

"So what if we are? Where my son and I sleep is none of your concern."

"Your son? No, I'm sure you know what's best for him. Living off the streets, with a mother who probably can't even afford him. Doubtless has a dead-beat father who managed to knock you up as a teenager, and again by the looks of it. If you know what's best for you Miss Swan, you will leave this town or I swear to you I will call child services and have that boy taken from you. And let me make this perfectly clear. Stay away from my child. Jack, let's go."

She marched off, leaving Emma to feel like she'd been punched in the gut.

x

No. No, no, no, no.

Neal could feel his heart slamming in his chest. He tried to breath in but the air couldn't seem to reach his lungs and he only managed short, shallow gasps.

This couldn't be happening.

He tore his eyes away from the blackened remains of what was once his family's house, fumbled with the car door handle and staggered out into the street. He moved towards the charred remains but he knew he was too late. He stood rigidly in front of the wreckage. A tiny corner of what was once Henry's room was slightly less devastated than the rest of the house, which was all charcoal and ash.

Neal was vaguely aware of the group of children who had gathered behind him, bike tires squealing against the ground, whispers piercing the cold air.

"What's that man doing at the burnt house?"

"Maybe he knew the people in there that died."

Neal's stomach lurched.

"Nobody died, stupid."

"'Course they did, that lady and her little son. Ruth told me."

"Nah, I heard one of them got away."

"No they both burnt up. The woman died in hospital a few hours after the fire. The boy actually died in the house."

"I heard that too, and my dad's a cop. He said that they didn't have any family so it'll just be like they never existed. "

Each line was a knife to Neal's heart.

"Let's go."

"Yeah, this place is creepy."

I did this, Neal thought. If I had been there for them I could have saved them.

He stood outside the ruins for over an hour, tears running silently down his cheeks.

He knew there was nothing more he could do but it didn't stop him from stumbling through the burnt mess. What he was searching for he had no idea. What he really wanted was long gone.

He paused at the remnants of Henry's bed, which was slightly less seared than everything else. With shaky hands he traced the faded dinosaur pattern on the blanket. A small cry caught in his throat and he sank to his knees. He bowed his head, unable to stop the tears from spilling over, and gripped the bed frame with a shaking hand.

He had chosen this when he left them. Neal knew there was no way he could ever forgive himself for causing this. Emma would never get to know her real family. Henry would never get the chance to grow up, to travel the world, to fall in love.

With deep, shuddering breaths Neal stayed there until night started to fall. He dropped his hand from the bed frame and was about to push himself upright when something caught his eye. A glint of gold under Henry's bed. Neal reached out and took the item, drawing his hand back to reveal a slightly charred book. He wiped his hand gently over the cover, the trace of ash clinging to his fingertips, to reveal the title. Peter Pan.

x

"Emma, what's wrong honey? Where are you going?"

Emma grabbed their duffle bag and wrapped Henry in the new coat Mary Margaret had bought him, holding back her tears. No way in hell was she letting that Regina lady take away her son.

"Vermont. I told you the agency is up there. Thank you for having us but we have to go."

"But I thought you were staying for a few more days! Emma what happened?"

"Nothing! Just leave us alone! Thanks for all your help and all that." Emma still felt physically winded from her encounter with the mayor but she pushed past a shocked and slightly hurt Mary Margaret.

She had parked the car a few blocks down, out of sight, in the hopes that Mary Margaret wouldn't see her go. It was cowardly, she knew, but she didn't want to tell this woman who had been nothing but kind to them that she was going. She had planned on leaving a note but Mary Margaret had come back to the apartment at lunch to check on them.

"Goodbye, Mary Margaret."

Emma was pulled into a hug from the teary eyed woman.

"You have my number. Henry, be a good boy for your mom, okay sweetheart?" He nodded and she gave him a tight hug.

"I'll miss you," he whispered.

"I'll miss you too sweetie but you know where to find me."

Emma gave Mary Margaret a final nod, swallowing past the lump in her throat, took Henry's hand and walked away quickly.

As they continued through the streets Emma became more and more out of breath. They reached the car just as a shooting pain shot through Emma's stomach. She clutched at her swollen belly, concerned.

"Mama?" Henry asked fearfully.

Emma tried to give him a reassuring smile but her face contorted in distress as another pain shot through her. Henry panicked and ran up to her.

"Just – just wait in the car. I'll be fine in a second." She took a few deep breaths and gritted her teeth. She heard Henry cry out to her but she couldn't hear what he said.

She looked up to see him running up the street.

"Henry!"

She tried to go after him but after two steps she was forced to stop and take a breath. She had no idea where Henry had gone but she was praying he was somewhere safe. Her hands jumped to her stomach as another pain hit her and she finally realised what was happening. These were contractions.

I know Emma was a bit slow on the uptake but she's still kind of shaken up from the Regina thing so we'll cut her some slack.

What did you guys think? Of Neal's reaction? Regina's threat? Jack? Emma going into labor? If you're confused about anything or think something's unrealistic please let me know! Thanks guys :)