Chapter 11
He wakes to find the bed empty, his wife nowhere in sight and his daughter staring at him.
David sits up instinctively and bolts out of bed to hold Emma. "Baby, where's Mommy?"
Emma breathes sobbing: "She told me to be brave, that she loves me, you and my ittle brother. Fear gripped him like a vice to his heart just like the moment she bit into that apple but, he kept himself calm he had to.
"Emma. Where's Mommy?"
A beat passed before she stutteringly answered. "She- she went to see the mean lady."
David scooped her up and asked her if she needed the bathroom. "No, Daddy, where are we going?"
"To save Mommy."
She stood on the step of her stepmother's front porch and took in every detail. Not, of what was in front of her but, of her family. Of Emma, of Charming and the little life inside of her that she was praying could protect her.
"You ready Munchkin?" She rubbed her belly lovingly as the door opened.
"You really do have a death wish." Regina deadpanned seething.
"This ends NOW!" Snow exclaimed. "Do what you want to me but, you leave my family, you leave these people alone."
"Who the hell do you think you are?" "You are no queen you're just a frightened little girl who couldn't keep her mouth shut!"
"That may be but, I'm not so clouded in my own vengeance to realise what I have."
"And what's that?"
Snow knew they were there.
"SNOW!" They ran to her as the woman realised who they were and made a grab for her heart.
But, she couldn't. Her little brat was shielding her.
"Impossible."
"Kick ass kids."
"Back away from my Mommy." Emma breathed standing free from Charming's grasp.
"A five year old really?"
"Okay." Violently flinging Snow in the air until she was unconscious by David's feet she approached.
"Snow, Snow." David shook her while trying desperately to protect Emma.
"Mommy."
"Uh- Uh. No helping Daddy." Regina mock chastised while ropes flew from her wrists until he was successfully tied up.
"No, no. LEAVE HER ALONE!" He roared.
"She's just a child."
"You think I don't know that?" She said, feeling a pang of guilt for Bae. "I had a son her age."
"Was his name Bae?" Emma guessed.
Regina was intrigued, how did this little girl know her baby?
"You're her. You're Emma?"
"Hi." Emma said, unable to help the toothy grin.
"Hi Sweetie." Regina said suddenly, softening and untying David at will.
A pulse of purple magic surrounded Snow healing her and allowing her bewildered husband to help her to her feet.
"What. Charming." Snow breathed lovingly as he enveloped her relieved. "Don't you ever do that to me again."
"I'm sorry- Emma- Emma get away from her." Snow said almost too sharply for her own ears.
"It's okay Mommy."
"Yeah, it is. Because I'm lifting this." And then in one fell swoop a pulse of remembrance washed over everyone in Story-brooke.
There was only one question on the fractured family's lips. "What now?"
"RUMPLE!" Belle screamed as her husband and son ran out at the commotion of families and loved ones lost and found.
He embraced her with ease as the little boy registered her scent. He knew her love. He knew his mother.
"Mommy."
"Bae." She sobbed. "Oh my sweet boy. You've gotten so big." She kissed him softly as Rumplestiltskin held her close.
"I missed you so much."
"I love you Rumple." Belle swore, kissing him again as their son snuggled into them.
"I love you too. And I swear, nothing will ever harm you again."
"Are you free?"
"No, no but, I will be." He said ominously.
"I will be."