Chapter Nine: See Truth (In the North)
Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews, favourites, follows and reads! Last chapter made it over the 1000 reads mark so thank you all! :) Please keep doing that because it just provides motivation to keep writing! Thanks for answering my questions, as I do take in account what you think! :)
This chapter has taken longer than expected to write because we got a new dog last week and she decided that ripping open a 25kg bag of soil was a great idea and putting it everywhere was fun so I had to clean it up and I'm reading the Maze Runner {great book read it! :)} so yeah that's why.
Disclaimer: If I owned OUAT it wouldn't be as awesome as it is now, so all rights to Adam and Eddie, who make the show amazing! :)
***OUAT***
Wills looked at Emma who was filling out paperwork on her desk, rather slowly and he knew this would be his only chance for a while to tell her the truth. He took a deep breath and looked at her.
'Her name is Karla.' Wills said. Emma looked at him confused.
'Sorry who is?' Emma asked.
'My daughter,' Wills said and Emma glared at him angrily, 'her name is Karla. She's ten years old.'
'Your daughter?' Emma asked.
'I only knew I had her a day before our birthday,' Wills said.
'You've known for a month and you haven't told your sister, because why?' Emma asked, standing up. Wills stood up and tried to grab her arm but she pulled back from him.
'I don't know Emma!' Wills said.
'Who's the mother?' Emma asked. Wills knew he shouldn't lie yet again but he didn't want to face more of Emma's anger.
'Just a girl I slept with a long time ago.' Wills said. Emma looked really hurt and he knew he should have done this better. The phone rang and Emma picked it up, glaring at Wills still. She said yes to someone and hung up.
'We have to go to Mr Clark's Convenience store,' Emma said and she grabbed the keys and stalked out. Wills sighed and followed her out to the car and they drove in silence that made Wills' skin itch. They reached the store and Regina and Henry were about to leave.
'Henry. What happened?' Emma asked concerned.
'Miss Swan, must I remind you that genetics mean nothing. You're not his mother and it's all taken care of.' Regina said coldly.
'We're here because I'm Sheriff and she's deputy,' Wills said, rolling his eyes.
'Oh, that's right. Go on- do your job. Take care of those miscreants.' Regina said and she and Henry left the store.
'Did you call their parents?' Wills asked, looking at the kids. Ava and Nicholas. He saw it on their backpacks.
'Uh, the number they gave me was disconnected.' Clark said.
'Did you guys give Mr Clark a fake number?' Emma asked and Ava and Nicholas shook their heads.
'Then why is it disconnected?' Wills asked.
'Cause our parents couldn't pay the bill.' Ava said, lowering her head.
'And you guys are just trying to help out, huh?' Emma asked and Wills knew how these kids felt.
'Please- please don't arrest us. It will just make things worse for our parents.' Ava begged and Wills sighed.
'We'll pay for your stuff.' Wills said and he gave Clark his card and paid for the things as Emma took the kids to the car. Wills went out to the car and Emma was in the driver's seat. Wills hopped in and they drove in silence. Ava directed them to the house and Wills sighed.
'This it?' Wills asked, turning to them. Ava nodded and Wills and Emma took their seat belts off.
'Please, no. If our parents see you, they'll be so embarrassed,' Ava said.
'Did Henry tell you about my superpower?' Emma asked.
'We just met him,' Ava said.
'I have the ability to tell when anyone is lying. Tell me the truth – money problems aside, is everything okay at him?' Emma asked.
'Yeah, we're great. Can we go?' Ava asked. Wills could tell they were lying and he knew Emma could to.
'Alright,' Wills said. Ava and Nicholas nodded and got out of the car with their stuff and go up to the house. They waved at them and Wills smiled at them and Emma drove off.
'Lying?' Wills asked.
'Hell yeah,' Emma said. They waited just outside of their eyesight and they walked down the stairs and to the basement. They both got out and walked quietly to the house. The door was unlocked and they investigated.
'Make a noise,' Wills said. Emma dropped her badge on the ground and Ava and Nicholas ran up the stairs.
'Why'd you guys lie to me? Where are your parents?' Emma asked.
'We don't have any.' Ava said and Wills took a breath in. These kids were like him and Emma.
'We're taking you two to our place,' Emma said and they nodded and they went to the squad car. Wills drove and he couldn't help but think about when him and Emma were five and had run away the first time. They had been so young and they were going to spilt them up but Wills refused to let them do that. He held Emma's arm for the whole time and they had given up and taken them to a group home.
***OUAT***
Ava and Nicholas were eating at the table and Mary Margaret, Wills and Emma stood off to the side, Wills was holding a file he had found at the station.
'Do you know them? Do they go to your school?' Emma asked.
'I've seen them, but… I had no idea. None of us did.' Mary Margaret said. Wills opened the file and glanced down at it.
'Ava and Nicholas Zimmer. They said their mother was a woman named Dory Zimmer. She died a few years ago. No one seems to know or remember her.' Wills said.
'And the father?' Mary Margaret asked.
'There isn't one. At least not one that they know.' Emma said.
'What does, uh- What does Social Services say?' Mary Margaret asked and Emma and Wills sighed. And Emma gave Mary Margaret a look. 'You didn't report them.'
'I report them, I can't help them. They go into the system.' Wills said.
'The system that's supposed to help,' Mary Margaret pointed out
'Yeah, the system I- we knew and were in for sixteen years. Do you know what happens? They get thrown into homes where they are a meal ticket – nothing more. These families get paid for these kids and as soon as they're too much work, they get tossed out and it all starts over again.' Emma said and Wills nodded.
'But they're not all like that,' Mary Margaret said.
'All the ones we were in,' Wills said.
'What? We're going to adopt them?' Mary Margaret asked, raising an eyebrow.
'We want to look for their father. They don't know him. He may not know they exist.' Wills pointed out.
'And you two think if he knows, he'll want them?' Mary Margaret asked.
'I don't know. But what I do know, is its hard enough finding foster families to take one kid that isn't theirs, let alone two. It's their best shot, or-' Emma said but they looked around at Ava who interrupted them.
'We're going to be separated?' Ava asked in tears.
'Of course not.' Wills said. 'I will never let that happen.'
'Please- please don't let it happen,' Ava begged, 'he's my family. My only family.'
***OUAT***
Wills and Emma walked to Mr Krzyszkowski's office and found him looking bored.
'Excuse me. Mr… Krzyszkowski?' Emma asked. He nodded.
'Yeah it's Krzyszkowski. Everyone calls me K.' Krzyszkowski said, smiling.
'Mr K. I'm Sheriff Swan and this is my sister, Deputy Swan. We were hoping to look at the birth certificate of Ava and Nicholas Zimmer.' Wills said and Krzyszkowski nodded and got some paper work.
'Alright, just, uh, fill out this form – in triplicate.' Krzyszkowski said and he put the forms in front of Wills. He groaned internally but nodded.
'Okay,' Wills said and started to fill the forms out. Krzyszkowski got up and went to a filing cabinet and he looked back at them.
'I'm so sorry. Those documents have been recently removed.' Krzyszkowski said apologetically.
'By who?' Emma and Wills asked.
'Regina Mills.' Krzyszkowski said.
'Thanks.' Wills said, clenching his jaw. He gave the paper back to Krzyszkowski and him and Emma walked off.
They walked into Regina's office and Wills glared at her and she smiled sweetly.
'Don't worry, Mr Swan. You can relax. I've contacted Social Services. Turns out these kids are on their own. They need help.' Regina said and Wills glared even more at the heartless woman in front of him.
'Which is exactly what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to find their father.' Wills said.
'Well, he doesn't exist.' Regina said, handing them a file.
'He has to.' Emma said. Wills opened the file and saw that under the father section it said unknown.
'Well, of course biologically, he exists. But there's no record of him. Which means we have no choice – these children need a home, so they will be put into the foster system.' Regina said and Wills heart dropped.
'Storybrooke has a foster system?' Emma asked, trying to cling to hope but Wills knew what would happen.
'No, but I've contacted the state. Maine's group homes, unfortunately, are filled. But they put us in touch with two homes in Boston – a boy's home and a girl's.' Regina said.
'No!' Wills said, almost shouting the word.
'They're separating them?' Emma asked sadly.
'I don't like it, either. But we've got no choice. You two need to have them in Boston tonight.' Regina said.
'Us?' Wills asked.
'Well, you wanted to be Sheriff. This is what sheriffs do. Yes, you're taking them.' Regina said sarcastically.
'No. I promised them they wouldn't be separated.' Wills said.
'Well then, perhaps you should stop making promises you can't keep. These children need a home. I'm just trying to find the best one.' Regina said and she waved them out.
'I'm going to the station, you go check up on Ava and Nicholas.' Emma said simply and she walked off. Wills sighed and drove to the apartment. He sat in the car for ten minutes. These kids reminded him of Emma and himself. They did anything so they wouldn't be separated.
His phone went off and it was Lily.
Hey Wills, how's your search going?
It's been delayed.
Why?
I- the sheriff of the town died a couple of weeks ago and the town elected me as Sheriff, and I've got a case with two kids and they need to find their father before they're separated in the system.
Well, I hope they get a good home. Would it be okay if tonight, around ten, if I called? Karla wants to talk to you and I'd feel better about it.
Wills took a few deep breaths. His daughter wanted to speak to him. Why?
Sure :) G2G talk tonight.
Okay, bye.
Wills put his phone away and he got out of the car as Emma came barrelling towards him.
'I know how to find the kids' father,' Emma said and she ran upstairs and Wills followed her. Ava and Nicholas were eating cookies at the counter as Emma ran up the stairs and Wills walked over to the counter. Emma came down stairs with a box and Wills saw their baby blankets poking out.
'I want to show you guys something,' Emma said. She pulled out the purple and red baby blankets and Wills sighed.
'What's that?' Nicholas asked.
'It's my- our baby blankets. It's something we've held onto our whole lives. That's the only thing that I- we have from… From my parents. I've spent a lot of time with a lot of kids in your situation, and all of them – all of us – we held onto stuff. We want to find your father, but we need your help. Is there anything of his you've held onto?' Emma said, holding the blanket close to her.
'I might have something. But if I give it to you, you'll make sure we stay together, right?' Ava asked, looking at Wills and Emma.
'Right.' Wills said and Emma nodded. Ava pulled a compass from her pocket and handed it to Emma.
'A compass?' Emma asked.
'Our mom kept it. She said it was our dad's.' Ava said.
'Thank you,' Emma smiled.
'Did you find them?' Ava asked.
'Who?' Wills asked.
'Your parents.' Ava said and Wills sighed and smiled sadly.
'Not yet, but I- we are going to find yours.' Wills said.
***OUAT***
Emma and Wills drove to Gold's store and they entered.
'Emma. William. How lovely to see you. I'm flattered you'd take time off your busy schedule for me. What could I do for you, Sheriff? Deputy?' Gold asked
'I'm looking for information on this old compass. Any idea where it could have come from?' Wills asked, putting the compass on the counter.
'Well, well. Look at the detail. You know, this is crystal. This jewelled setting… In despite the rather unfortunate shape it's in, this is actually a very unusual piece. The person who owned this obviously had great taste.' Gold said, looking mildly impressed.
'And where would someone like that buy it?' Emma asked.
'Right here, of course.' Gold said.
'You know him?' Wills asked.
'Indeed. A piece like this is difficult to forget.' Gold said.
'Do you happen to remember who bought it?' Emma asked.
'Well, I'm good with names, Miss Swan, William Swan, but maybe not that good. However, as luck would have it, I do keep quite extensive records.' Gold said, walking from the side to the back counter. He unlocked a small filing cabinet and spent a few seconds looking through it and smiled.
'And… Yes, here we are.' Gold said, pulling an index card out and he held it and Wills rolled his eyes.
'What's your price?' Wills scoffed.
'Forgiveness.' Gold said.
'How about tolerance?' Emma asked.
'Well, that's a start. The compass was purchased by a Mr Michael Tillman.' Gold said simply.
'Anything else?' Emma asked hopefully.
'Just a name. But I generally find that's all that one needs.' Gold said and Wills nodded.
'Thanks,' Wills said and he went to leave when Gold called out to him.
'Good luck with your investigation.' Gold said. Emma and Wills nodded.
It took only asking two people to know that Michael Tillman was a mechanic at the local garage. They drove to the garage and Wills and Emma got out of the car. The silence in the car had cut Wills yet again and he sighed.
'Michael Tillman?' Wills asked.
'That's me.' Michael said, wiping his hands.
'We want you to read something and don't stop reading until you've read it all.' Emma said, grabbing the files from Wills and handing them to Michael. His face changed from shock, disbelief then sadness. Wills handed him the photos of Ava and Nicholas.
'Not possible,' Michael said, shaking his head.
'Actually it is.' Wills said.
'Well, I'm sorry, but Dory- she wasn't my, um… It was just once,' Michael said.
'That's all it takes mate,' Wills said.
'I met her when I was camping and we, um… No. It's not possible. I don't have twins,' Michael said.
'Yes, you do. You have twins that have been homeless ever since their mother passed away. You have twins who have been living in an abandoned house because they don't want to be separated from each other. You have twins who are about to be shipped off to Boston, unless you step up and take responsibility for them.' Emma said.
'Look – I can barely manage this garage. I can't manage two kids. And why are you so sure they're mine?' Michael asked.
'Besides the timing?' Wills asked, trying not to sound sarcastic. Emma punched him and pulled out the compass.
'Have you ever seen this?' Emma asked.
'I lost this,' Michael said quietly.
'Let me guess – twelve years and nine months ago? I know it's a lot – believe me, I know. A month ago, a kid showed up on my doorstep – I gave up for adoption – asking for help with…something. And I ended up moving here for him. With my brother.' Emma said.
'I heard about that – it's the Mayor's son. But staying in town is… It's a lot different than taking him in.' Michael pointed out.
'I don't have my kid because I don't have a choice. You do. Those kids did not ask to be brought into this world. You brought them into this world – you and their mother. And they need you. And if you choose not to take them, you are going to have to answer for that every day of your life. And sooner or later, when they find you – because believe me, they will find you – you're going to have to answer to them.' Emma said.
'Look, it might seem impossible, but you know it's the truth.' Wills said.
'I'm really sorry. I am. I don't know anything about being a dad. If it's a good home you're looking for, it's not with me.' Michael said and he walked back inside the garage.
'No!' Wills said almost shouting.
'There's nothing we can do Wills.' Emma said, pulling out her phone. She talked to Mary Margaret for a bit and hung up the phone.
'Emma-' Wills said as he drove off.
'I'm still beyond angry with you William Swan,' Emma said and he sighed.
He drove to the apartment and Mary Margaret was outside. They got up and walked to her.
'He doesn't want the kids,' Wills said.
'And you don't want to tell them.' Mary Margaret sighed.
'I can't. Because all I'll be telling them is that the false hope we gave them is exactly that.' Emma said sadly.
'The truth can be painful, William and Emma, but it can also be cathartic.' Mary Margaret smiled.
'I agree with the painful part,' Wills muttered.
'Well, hey, look- you told Henry the truth that his father's dead and he's handling it great,' Mary Margaret pointed out and Wills scoffed.
'I didn't tell Henry the truth,' Emma said.
'What?' Mary Margaret said.
'Henry's father was no hero and trust me – he does not need to know the real story. Maybe we can hide the kids. Just until we can find a family for them. Someone to take care of them.' Emma said.
'He was an asshole,' Wills said.
'Yes, hiding the twelve year olds is a good plan,' Mary Margaret said sarcastically.
'You have a better idea?' Emma snapped back.
'Emma, maybe there isn't an idea. Maybe you just have to-' Mary Margaret said but was interrupted by Regina who walked up to them.
'Sheriff, Deputy. Shouldn't you be on the interstate?' Regina asked.
'What are you doing here?' Wills asked sharply.
'Seeing to it that you do your job.' Regina said.
'You know, you don't have to check up on us. I know what we have to do.' Wills said.
'Really? Because those kids are supposed to be in Boston tonight.' Regina pointed out and she walked off. Wills put a hand through his hair. She was right.
***OUAT***
Wills, Emma, Ava and Nicholas are next to the squad car and Regina and Henry are watching the scene unfold from afar. Wills opened the door and gestured for them to hope in the back.
'Come on. It's going to be… here,' Emma said, handing Ava back the compass.
'I'm sorry but we have to go,' Wills said and the twins got into the car and Wills shut the door and got into the driver's seat. Henry suddenly appeared at Wills window and he rolled the window down.
'No, you can't take them! They can't leave Storybrooke, Wills and Emma! They can't. Something bad will happen.' Henry insisted.
'Something bad has already happened.' Wills said and Henry stood back from the window. Wills drove off and he sighed. He had failed these kids.
***OUAT***
They started driving down the road when Wills came up with the idea. He made the car slow down and he pulled off to the side of the road.
'You've got to be kidding me,' Emma said, catching on.
'What happened? What's wrong?' Ava asked.
'Engine's stalled.' Wills said darkly and Emma took her phone out.
'Who are you calling?' Ava asked.
'Help.' Emma said, and they both got out of the car. They waited outside for about fifteen minutes when Michael drove up and parked outside them.
'Those are them.' Michael said, looking at Ava and Nicholas.
'Those are them.' Wills said.
'And your car- it's fine?' Michael asked, not taking his eyes off of the twins.
'I just wanted you to see them. Just once.' Wills said quietly.
'I didn't think I could do it, either. I gave up Henry because I wanted to give him his best shot. When I saw that he didn't have it, I couldn't leave. I was just as scared – more, probably. But once I saw him, got to know him, I couldn't go back.' Emma said.
'You're taking them? To Boston.' Michael asked.
'I don't have to.' Wills said.
'No you don't,' Michael said and he walked up to the car and Ava rolled the window down.
'We did it Emma,' Wills smiled, hugging her.
'I guess we did,' Emma smiled. She pulled back from the hug, putting her hands on his shoulders. 'Look, I'm sorry about this morning. I guess- I was just upset you didn't tell me, but I know you didn't mean to do it. You're probably working out how to be with her. With Karla.'
'Thanks Emma,' Wills said, smiling at her. He hugged her again.
***OUAT***
When they entered the apartment, Mary Margaret was folding clothes on her bed and Emma laid down on her bed. Wills smirked at Emma and before she had time to stop him he laid down on her.
'Get off, you idiot,' Emma huffed. Mary Margaret laughed at them and Wills rolled over, and grinned at Emma and Mary Margaret.
'Hey. What happened?' Mary Margaret asked, still laughing.
'Their dad- he showed up. Changed his mind,' Wills said.
'Changed his mind? Just like that?' Mary Margaret asked, looking surprised.
'He might have had a little nudge.' Wills smirked.
'They found their father. That's great,' Mary Margaret smiled.
'I wonder what that feels like,' Emma said.
'Maybe you two will find out one day. You can't give up.' Mary Margaret said, sitting on the bed.
'I don't know,' Emma said, 'I kind of think giving up might be the best plan. I think I need to let go.'
'No, you don't,' Mary Margaret said, and Wills and Emma sat up.
'Really? If they wanted to know me- us, they wouldn't make it so hard to look.
'Maybe. But maybe there's other reasons. Maybe there is an explanation.' Mary Margaret pointed out.
'If there is, it's something crazy. Something even crazier than Henry's theory.' Emma said.
'Yeah? What's Henry's theory?' Mary Margaret asked and Emma sat up.
'Well, that my parents put me and Wills in a magical wardrobe and sent us to this world to save them.' Emma laughed.
'Aw. And who does he think they are?' Mary Margaret smiled.
'Well, for one, you.' Wills said.
'Me?' Mary Margaret said surprised.
'Well, Snow White.' Wills amended.
'Snow White has a kid?' Mary Margaret asked surprised.
'Apparently that book you gave him? Not exactly the stories in the most traditional sense.' Emma pointed out.
'I have kids. You'd think I'd remember that.' Mary Margaret said.
'Yeah, you'd think.' Wills laughed.
'You do kind of have my chin.' Mary Margaret laughed. 'The pair of you.'
'I think I need to go get some air.' Emma said, getting up. Wills and Mary Margaret stood up as well and followed her.
'If you're going to be back later, I can wait to eat with you?' Mary Margaret asked.
'No, don't do that.' Emma said.
'I'll leave you leftovers.' Mary Margaret said. Emma headed to the door when Mary Margaret noticed Emma and Wills' baby blankets.
'What pretty blankets,' Mary Margaret said, looking at them.
'Thanks. Goodnight.' Emma smiled. Mary Margaret picked the blankets up and smelt the blankets and paused.
'What's for dinner, mom?' Wills joked. Mary Margaret rolled her eyes and pushed him towards the kitchen.
'I should be asking you that, William,' Mary Margaret smiled.
'Me? Cooking?' Wills laughed. 'I'll just order pizza.'
'Meatlovers,' Mary Margaret smiled, sitting on the couch.
'I knew it!' Wills laughed.
***OUAT***
'So you're my dad?'
'I guess I am.'
'Why'd you leave?'
'I was told I had a new job and I went for it. I told your mother that it'd be a short trip. The guy lied and he raided the things I had of your mother. He only left my keychain that Lily had given me. I tried to go back to the apartment but it was no use. It had been too long and she had moved. I couldn't call her because she got a new phone number.'
Karla was silent on the phone as Wills waited.
'Do you love her? My mom?'
'Absolutely,' Wills replied with no hesitation.
'What about me?'
'You're my daughter,' Wills said softly, 'I do love you.'
'You said you had a sister. Emma?'
'Yeah my twin sister,'
'She was friends with my mom wasn't she?'
'Close friends,'
'Why'd she leave my mom when they- you were younger?'
'Because Lily- she lied about where she came from but Lily didn't mean it. She didn't want to lose us.'
'And you found her again?'
'Yes,' Wills said, looking out the window, not quite knowing if she meant Lily or Emma.
'Good. Well- bye- um Dad? You don't care if I call you dad do you?'
'Of course not. Bye Karla.' Wills said and Lily came back on the phone.
'You just played twenty questions, didn't you?' Lily asked.
'Yeah, but I don't mind,' Wills sighed.
'Well- I'm glad she likes you,' Lily said.
'She likes me?' Wills asked surprised.
'She only questions things she likes,' Lily said, 'I'll talk tomorrow. Goodnight Wills.'
'Goodnight Lily.' Wills said and he hung up. He looked at the photo that was on his phone. Karla and Lily.
'So you talked to your daughter?' Emma asked twenty minutes later.
'Yeah,' Wills smiled.
'How was it?' Emma asked.
'I love her more than I realised.' Wills said.
'Yeah,' Emma smiled, 'you get that with kids. Night Wills.'
'Night Emma.' Wills said, rolling on his side and falling asleep.
***OUAT***
Author's Note: The next chapter will posted in the next few hours since I won't be able to post for the next few days since I'm going off to my cousins then when I come back, it's back to school for me :'( so updates will probably be once a week!
Ivy Latimer plays Karla Page :)
The conversation does go on longer than it seems I just wanted the major part in here! :)
Please read, review, follow and favourite because it always makes my day and it really does provide encouragement for me to keep updating! :)
Enjoy your day! :)
