Chapter Fourteen

"Neal."

The name lingered there, as unwelcome as the man attached to it, between the three of them.

"Neal? You? You're Neal?!" Killian's fury rose like lava in his gut with no time to fight the flames before they overtook him completely. This was the man who had scarred his Swan so deeply? This was the man that had abandoned Henry before he was born? THIS was the 'man' who had walked out on everything that he now cherished beyond reason? As his vision turned red, his fists grew so tight he lost feeling in his fingers and his feet began to move in the direction of the interloper, who now lifted himself from the steps, with every intention of knocking his lights out. That is, until Emma caught his arm. He looked back to her and saw the barely contained emotion biding its time behind her the darkened green pools of her eyes.

"No wait. I'll handle this, Killian," her voice was low and firm. He stood down immediately and surrendered the helm.

Tucking the ring under her sweater, she brushed past Killian and walked towards Neal.

"Emma. It's been a while. You look gre-"

The crack when her fist connected with his jaw could be heard down the block and he fell backwards from the unexpected blow of force. Killian smirked and cocked his eyebrow smugly.

'Atta girl,' he thought to himself, proudly leaning back and folding his arms.

"I guess I deserve that…" he rubbed the red mark on his face while finding his footing again.

"No. What you deserve I can't do because then Henry wouldn't have any parents since I'd be thrown in jail!" she spat venomously.

"Henry. T-that's his name?" Neal's eyes fell to the concrete under his shoes. Her words seemingly hit him harder than her physical punch.

She took a stunned step back. That's right. He didn't even know his own child's name… And how could he? Not like he was there. For anything.

"Yes," she regained her confidence and elongated her spine to stand even taller, "that's his name. Not like you really care. Not like you ever really cared."

"Emma…"

"Don't 'Emma' me. Look, I don't know what you want. Or why you're here. But I can't do this. Not today."

"Please. I need to talk to you."

"Now? We need to talk NOW? After almost fourteen years? No. I don't think so."

"Look, you want me to beg? Fine. I'm begging you. I know you're too good of a person to send me away like that."

Emma was silent for a second.

"Just hear me out. Then, if you don't want me around anymore, I'll leave you alone. I'm just asking for a few minutes."

"Fine."

"Can I… Can I meet him?"

More silence. Killian felt himself visibly ruffle again.

"Henry. Can I please meet him?" His tired, red eyes plead with her.

"He's not at home tonight. But I'll ask him if he wants to meet you. It's his decision."

"Thanks…" He gave her a sad smile.

"Here," she handed him the keys, "I'll be up in just a minute. Apartment three, second floor."

Neal went on up, she watched him hop the stairs from outside the door's glass.

"Emma, are you sure about this?"

"No. But after all this time, I guess we're a little overdue for some actual closure. I owe that to myself. Before I have any sort of chance to experience anything meaningful with someone else."

She gave him a sweet smile. One that he returned before his expression fell back into worry. Killian shifted his weight, feeling wrong about the whole thing.

"I'm sorry our night ended like this," her cold hand settled on the side of his face affectionately.

"Aye. As am I. Was rather looking forward to coming up, as it seemed you were going to invite me in."

"I was. I guess… just be patient," she told him softly, pecking him on his lips in a short, sweet kiss.

"I have all the time in the world for you, love," he reassured her. She passed his long wool coat back to him.

"Goodnight, Killian."

"Goodnight, Emma. And… Just be careful."

She glanced up at her now illuminated window, "I think it's him that needs to be careful."

Taking a deep breath, she hugged him tightly once more for one last shot of confidence. Nuzzling her head in the crook of his neck he told her, "You can do this."

She merely nodded in reply and made her way inside. He stayed put, watching her window to make sure she made it inside without any harm. He didn't like this. Didn't like it one bit. After catching sight of her in the window, he swallowed hard and took out his phone while returning to his car. He drove around the block and parked on the other side of the street and sat. And watched. He hadn't felt a fear like this in a long time.

At first neither of them were visible. But after a moment, they came into frame. Seemingly, just talking. It seemed tame enough. She gestured a bit with her hands, had a tendency of walking back and forth in and out of his view, which would bring a slew of curses from his lips until he could see her again.

Now came the yelling. He could tell by the way the vein in her forehead popped that she was letting him have it. In any other circumstance, her laying into this cretin would please him greatly. But at the moment, when she was much too far from his reach in case the resurrected ex attempted to hurt her, only made him stiffen in fear. He couldn't even see the other man's hands.

Things seemed like they had once again calmed down. Emma's yelling had disappeared along with her vein and now there was speaking. Neal hung his head a lot and pressed his hands to his face. But just as quickly as the yelling had turned to talking, the talking had now turned into crying. And though her justified rage had struck fear into his bones, seeing her tears hurt his soul. He should be up there with her to sooth her.

But then, he wasn't sure what to feel. Where it should be him in there, comforting her and drying her tears, instead… it was Neal. He cautiously approached and hugged her. Killian hadn't felt so numb inside for a lifetime; so unable to process anything… Since he had held his dear Milah's cold hand at the hospital where she had been brought, DOA. But he knew what had to be done. And she just gave him the means to do it. Pushing down his nausea and pain, Killian sped away into the inky black curtain of night. Finally drawing a forgotten breath, his finger pushed the call button for the contact brought up a few moments before.

"Hello?"

"It's me… It's time to get our plan into action."

"Are you sure about this? I mean, do you think it's safe?"

"It's now or never. The longer we wait, the more danger they're in. I've finished most of my homework today and now we have an open opportunity - let's not waste it. I just hope she forgives me one day."

"Alright. I'll meet you at your place in thirty minutes to go over everything."

"See you there."

Emma opened the door. She didn't see Neal anywhere. Tossing her bag on a stool, she noticed Henry's door open.

He was standing there solemnly, next to the dresser, holding a picture in his hands. The newly framed photo of Henry, Emma and a group of adults surrounding him at his birthday party with everyone smiling at the camera… It had been snapped before the cake was cut and served.

"So. He's thirteen now... Missed your due date, I guess?"

"By a week. Yeah. Not that you would know."

"Remember when we found out you were pregnant and we wondered if the two of you would have the same birthday?"

He still hadn't lifted his eyes from the picture as he spoke. She leaned against the doorframe and shook her head slightly. This was gearing up to be a fantastic night.

"Yeah… I remember. Though I try not to. Come on. Let's go in the living room, okay?"

He returned the frame back down back to the spot where he picked it up from next to a small gold telescope.

She clicked the light off and closed the door firmly behind them, leaving just the green glowing stars to dimly light the empty room.

"Why are you here, Neal? The truth."

He swallowed, hard, and looked away from her.

"I knew his birthday was coming up. I just… I've always felt so guilty for walking out on you. For not helping in any way. For not getting to know him."

"He's a good kid. You've missed a lot."

"He'd have to be a good kid. He's yours."

"I find it a little hard to believe that you'd show up so suddenly," she waved her arm at him in a grand sarcastic gesture.

They both remained standing. Neither one 'backing down' to take a seat. Emma paced, Neal was a statue.

"I know it probably seems strange to you. Lily and I always talked about going back to Storybrooke. To try and start over. Make things right with you… To be a part of Henry's life."

"Where is Lily?"

"New York. Or so I hear…"

"You've separated?"

"About a year ago. Yeah. After a long search, she finally managed to track down her mother. Said she wanted to get to know her. At that point, we hadn't been happy together for a while. I guess that just gave her a good enough excuse to make it official."

"Well. I'm sorry to hear that," she eyed him carefully, "but that doesn't mean you can just show up here. Henry and I, we were doing just fine without you."

"Yeah. Judging from the fact that you were on your way up here with a date and the kid's gone for the night. You're doing more than fine."

"He's with David and Mary Margaret for the night. The other two people that watch him every day that I have to be away for over twelve hours at a time because I'm an adult with a job and a sick child to support. And yes I was on my way back up here with a date. The first man I've ever tried to bring back here and my first relationship in years. But my dating life, of all things, isn't any of your damn business."

There was a long pause and Neal hung his head a bit.

"He's sick?"

Emma's face echoed her sadness. She really hadn't meant to say that and now regretted it almost immediately.

"Yeah."

"What's wrong with him?"

"His heart. His heart is pretty much worn out and he's been sick with it since he was four years old. But what the hell does it matter to you, honestly?!"

"Of course it matters! You know, just because I walked away from you," he started, his voice rising to meet her own, "doesn't mean I just flipped a switch and stopped CARING about you, Emma!"

"Oh! You CARED about me?! How sweet. How SWEET of you! Did you CARE about me all those times you were fucking my best friend behind my back and after we broke up? Did you care about me when our son was born without his father present? Did you care about me when he got SICK?! NO! And you wouldn't KNOW about ANY of that because you NEVER cared - at least not enough to call. Not enough to get to know him! You walked away from both of us and you missed out. You missed knowing him. Seeing him grow and change… You missed him crawling, walking, learning to talk… You missed the illnesses. You missed taking care of him his entire life. But thank God you "cared." Is that what you tell yourself to get out of all that pesky guilt? Does it make you feel better? Because it sure as hell doesn't make me feel any better."

Her anger had given way to tears and now angry black rivers streaked her cheeks. She wiped her nose with the back of her hand and tried to choke back the rush of unwanted emotion. He just stood there, looking like he wanted to crawl in a hole and die. But he stepped forward none the less and very carefully, extended his arms and embraced her.

"I'm so sorry, Emma. I really really am. I know I missed a lot of stuff. And I know I was in the wrong. But I came back to try anyway."

His words barely registered. This wasn't like when Killian held her. There was no safety there in Neal's arms. There was only a painful past that she was better off without. If he wanted to make things right, he was long overdue. But not in this way. The damage was done and she wished he had never shown his face.

Regaining her senses she blinked rapidly, shook her head and pushed back out of his arms.

"Please don't do that again. I might forgive you one day. But today is not that day, Neal. You're going to have to work for this."

"I understand. I just want a chance here. Please Emma. At least let me meet him."

"Like I said. That's up to him."

Stepping to the breakfast bar, he pulled out a business card and scribbled down something on the back with a pen he pulled from his pocket.

"This is my mobile number and the hotel I'm staying at. Talk to him tomorrow, okay? I do want to see him. At least let him reject me, if that's what he needs to do. Don't do it for him."

"I'll talk to him tomorrow. But if he says no, that means no."

"Deal."

She took the card from his outstretched fingers. He started for the door but stopped before he reached it and turned back to her.

"Happy birthday, Emma."

And the door fell shut behind him as he left.

Tossing the card to the countertop without a second thought, she reached for her phone from her purse and pulled Killian's number up. There were a million things she could say right now but none of them seemed like enough. She typed out a few different things…

I know it's late - but you can come back.

If you want to.

I'm sorry that happened.

Thank you for the wonderful birthday.

Come back.

I need to see you.

Come back to me.

And promptly erased each one. She closed up the apartment, shut the blinds, locked the door and turned out the lights. The phone was taken back to her bedroom for the night, and after next morning's alarm was turned off, it was plugged into the charger and forgotten for the evening. Slowly, sadly, she slipped the shoes off her feet. The sweater was pulled over her head and pants slid to the floor. Both garments were left beside the black heels, not even bothering to put anything in its correct place. Taking off her makeup, finding pajamas, brushing her teeth… All seemed like impossible tasks to navigate through the dense fog that had clouded her mind. Emma crawled into bed and did her best to block out the rest of the world under her covers. To go from such a soaring high to such a back breaking fall was far too much for anyone to recover from in one evening. And so, from under the shield of the bed's sheets, her heavy arm reached out to turn off her bedside lamp; leaving her alone in the dark to fight the demons until sleep would deliver her from this waking nightmare. Working the ring still strung around her neck with delicate, nimble fingers helped silence the voices in her head and led her to a peaceful slumber.

Instead of the disabled alarm, she was forced awake by the sound of knocking. If that was Neal again she swore to God that she would end him. It was too early to start with his bull again. She opened the bathroom door to grab a seldom used fuzzy bathrobe from the hook of the bathroom's adjoining door and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her hair was half up in the braid and half down and totally frizzy, there were mascara stains down her cheeks and her eyes were bloodshot from sleeping in her contact lenses. It was a horrifying sight, but one she didn't care enough to fix while someone was waiting at the door. So she slinked into the robe, tied a simple knot in the belt and went to see who was there.

"What do you want now?" she asked abrasively when the door was yanked open, affectively catching her brother completely off guard.

"Emma?" He gaped at her appearance and the anger over the intrusion.

"David. I'm sorry."

"Mom… are you okay? You don't look so good…," Henry stepped from David's side, looking almost scared of the mess his mother was currently.

"Is it an okay time to be here? I figured if you had… company, they would be gone already."

"No company," she sighed, "come on in."

Coffee. She desperately needed coffee. Her hands went on autopilot and got to work.

"How was your birthday night out?" David smiled, hopefully. But if appearances were to be taken at face value, this probably wouldn't be a fun story to hear.

"It was nothing short of magical… Until…"

"Until what?"

With that one word, Emma had confirmed his suspicions and he went from hopeful to fearful.

"Uh…," she scratched her head and wasn't sure how to say what needed to be said. To breach such a sensitive subject.

"Hey mom?"

"Yeah, kid?" her attention was thankfully stolen away as she filled the filter with grounds and tapped the button to start the brewing process.

"Who's Neal Cassidy?"

She whipped around. The card. The damn card. It had been left right out in the open and he'd found it. Her mouth fell open, but there were no words - no sounds. No breath. Everything turned to glass and even a simple exhale threatened to shatter it.

"Neal… Is that the 'until' you were talking about?"

David's face was uncharacteristically unreadable. She picked up the slack of her jaw and nodded.

"I'm confused. Mom? Who's Neal?"

"Henry," David started for her after a very awkward moment of nothingness, "Neal Cassidy is -"

"Your father. He's your father, Henry." Emma had to jump in. It wasn't David's place to tell Henry that.

Henry paled drastically and she could practically watch the internal collapse as it occurred. It was such a dramatic, quick change that Emma was frightened right out of her own stupor. His heart. Was he okay?

"Henry?"

"I… I just…," Henry stumbled back a little, his footing and words uncertain. He couldn't even finish his sentence and just resorted to shaking his head before taking off into a sprint down the hall and slamming his bedroom door behind him.

"Oh David. What am I gonna do? He wants to see Henry. At least, that's why he says he found us again. But truthfully, I'm not sure if that's really the case or not. I just. I have a weird feeling about all of this, you know?"

"So are you going to let them meet?"

"I don't know. I need to talk to Henry. It has to be his choice."

"Emma. Wait. Give him a few minutes to process this before you go in there. He's upset and needs some time to deal with things."

She agreed and fetched two mugs from a cabinet.

"I can't believe he would have the nerve to show up now. After all this time. I just hope he comes back again while I'm here," David spoke softly, almost unaware he was speaking aloud.

Undoing the knotted up mess of his interlaced fingers she grasped his hands, calling up his focus to her.

"I already punched him in the face."

He chuckled joyfully and the smile that remained after his short burst of laughter chased away the anguish which occupied him only seconds before.

"Good. I'm glad one of us got to do that. No promises that he won't get another though."

"That's fine. I think he's earned at least one more right hook."

They quietly sipped the steaming mugs and sat thoughtfully.

"I'm going to try to talk to him. He's going to need some guidance with this one…," Emma said, turning her eyes towards Henry's closed door.

"I'll give you two some privacy. Call me if you need anything."

"Thanks. For everything. Yesterday and last night - it was almost perfect."

He pulled her shoulders with one arm and tucked her into his side.

"One day, Emma, everything will be just fine. And you'll have your perfect day." He planted a quick kiss to the top of her head, then patted her shoulder one more time before letting her go and taking one last pull of coffee.

When the front door closed, she could only stare after him.

"I hope you're right about that…"

Leaning her shoulder against Henry's door she locked her ankles and tapped gently against the wood with the knuckle of her index finger.

"Henry? Can we talk?"

"...Come in."

He was stretched out, reclining on his bed, golden telescope extended and pointing at the stars on the ceiling. The sight of the telescope caused her stomach to fall.

She recalled his birthday party only two weeks before when he unwrapped the long rectangular box decorated modestly in brown paper and a navy blue ribbon.

"It's not much, but… happy birthday, lad."

"Killian… This is… "

"I know your love of the night sky. It's written all over your ceiling. No small child maps out the stars so meticulously without being called to them. Now, with this, you can see the real ones even closer. And if you're ever lost, they will guide you."

"Thank you. Thank you so much."

Emma had watched through teary eyes as Henry hugged Killian. The man, surprised by the show of affection, blushed in embarrassment. But rested his arms around Henry anyway, unable to deny the boy's embrace.

"When were you going to tell me he was here?"

Henry wasted no time cutting to the marrow of the current turn of events and she flinched at the bluntness of his normally happy tone.

"Today. I swear. I never hid anything from you and I wasn't going to start now. You just… happened to find the card first."

Resting the looking glass on his chest, he continued avoiding eye contact instead retracing the long memorized constellations above him. So she went on.

"I haven't figured out exactly why he's back. But he is. And he… He wants to meet you."

"Why? He didn't want to meet me thirteen years ago."

The words stung and she felt even worse. If that were possible.

"Like I said… I don't know. But I told him I would ask you what you wanted."

"Mom," the anger was gone and his voice was small, "what should I do?"

"I just asked Uncle David that same thing. But I think… I think you have to consider the request. And if you don't want to see him - then you absolutely don't have to. And I'll not bring it up again. If you do… Then I'll call him."

He sat up and rolled the telescope around in his fingers, lost in thought.

"Can I think about it for a while? I'm… not sure what I want to do yet."

"Sure."

"I think I wanna be alone."

"I'm going to get cleaned up and dressed then I'll be in the living room if you want to talk."

True to her word, after washing her face, brushing her hair and teeth and finding some fresh clothes to put on she stationed herself in the living room. A quick reheat of her coffee cup and she settled into the cushions of the couch, trying to get comfortable to wait out Henry's decision. A visit to Dr. Hopper was probably going to be a necessity after all this was said and done, but part of her hoped she could manage to weather this storm without his assistance. She wondered if she could be strong enough. But she had been burned before by Neal and was leery. Waking her phone from its sleep only told her the time; there were no missed calls or unread texts to be found and that brought a fresh wave of concern. Killian must be waiting for her to initiate. And she would. Eventually. But first, she had to deal with the thorn in her side that threatened to deflate everything that she had worked so hard for. Grabbing her laptop from where it had last been used on the coffee table, she tried to deter her worry and use it to focus on other things.

In the midst of her work, she didn't hear Henry leave his room. It was only when he got close that she heard his socks against the wood floors.

"Uh… Mom?"

Her eyes met his, hanging on his words, waiting to hear what he had decided. His head drooped and eyes fixed on the floor, coffee table, wall… everywhere but her.

"I've been thinking about it. And… I think if I wasn't on this donor list, I wouldn't want to meet him. I wouldn't care. But I am, so that feels selfish to say. I think I should give him the chance to at least meet me. I don't know why he wants to now. It doesn't really matter I guess. Right or wrong… he's still my dad. So go ahead and call him."

Swallowing hard all she could manage to reply was a sigh and "Okay."

Not that she was the least bit surprised that Henry, the most forgiving, genuine person in her world would grant his unworthy father the honor of meeting him.

She drove Henry to Granny's. Somewhere away from home turf. The place that she had made with her son had never included him before and she was wrong to have allowed him entry there at all. It wasn't a mistake she was willing to repeat. From their spot on the street, she saw him sitting alone in a booth inside.

'Here goes nothing,' she told herself.

Henry moved to unbuckle his seatbelt and get out but she held him back.

"It's not too late. You can still say no."

"It's okay mom. I need to do this. For both of us."

Right. Okay then. Emma followed him inside. Neal's eyes jerked at the sound of the door opening. Henry stopped dead in his tracks. Hesitated. Then pushed forward again.

"Um. Hi." Henry shyly greeted the man. He offered his hand and the stranger took it, shaking it slightly.

"Hi. So. You must be Henry."

"Yep. That's me…"

"It's really nice to meet you. I'm Neal."

"Nice to meet you too."

There was an awkward pause then he turned to the side and pointed to the booth he had been sitting at.

"You wanna sit down? Order anything you want. My treat."

"Are you going to be okay?" Emma questioned, softly.

"Yeah."

"Then I'll be at the counter. This… I don't want to get in the way of your talk. So I'll sit over there."

"Alright mom. Don't worry. I got this."

"I know."

The father and son went off to the booth and she made her way to the counter, pulling off her gloves and adjusting the beanie on her head.

"Emma?" Granny's brows furrowed and she looked downright predatory when glaring at Neal. "Who is that man with Henry?"

"That… is Henry's sperm donor. Or as he likes to call himself, his 'father'."

The old woman rolled her shoulders and popped her neck.

"Where is that Killian fellow of yours? He's been coming in more often, you know. In here almost as that old grump Leroy these days. Either alone or with that cop friend of his. I must say, they sure do enjoy that dart board. The old girl hasn't seen that much action in a long time - lucky thing. Anyway, they're like two teenagers when they get going… It's really a sight."

"Killian isn't here today. Neal says he wants to get to know Henry. So Henry agreed to meet him."

Granny's shoulders slumped sympathetically, "Of course he did. That boy of yours is a saint among sinners… Anyway, what can I get you, hun?"

"Cocoa? Please?"

When she was handed the steaming hot cup of chocolate she held it to her nose. Something smelled different. And a timid sip gave away why.

"Granny… is that?"

"Kahlua. On the house. You need it." Granny winked.

Granny truly was the grandmother she needed. She'd have to thank Ruby later for sharing her.

Every few minutes, Emma would break from her spiked hot chocolate and take a peek behind her to spy on Henry. She couldn't hear anything, but he didn't seem like he was having a bad time. They were just… chatting from the look of it. For some reason, that didn't help. Not that she wanted Henry to hate Neal… she just didn't want him getting attached. He didn't deserve to be left behind again. Neither of them did. Her fingers touched the cool metal of the silver chain which was mostly hidden under the sweater she wore. Her phone had stayed silent and with each passing hour that she didn't hear anything from him, her need to speak to him grew. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. If he was waiting for her to move first, then here it was.

Hey. Thanks again for last night. I can't even begin tell you what it meant to me.

Before she could talk herself out of it, the text was sent. No going back now.

Hey beautiful. I'm glad to hear that.

Her heart fluttered again in her chest.

How did things go after I left?

This is where she faltered. She couldn't lie to him, but the truth might hurt. He had always been so honest with her though…

It was painful. To be honest with you. And now it's even worse.

Why?

Because… we're at Granny's. He's meeting Henry.

There was nothing for a while after that. She could only imagine what he must be feeling. After the things Henry had told him…

I'm happy for the lad. Everyone should know where they come from...even if their father is a waste of humanity.

You're a terrible liar.

Perhaps. It's never been my strength. When can I see you again? There's… something I need to talk to you about.

Soon. I promise.

Tomorrow? At my shop?

Sure.

In the booth Neal and Henry talked.

About mostly trivial things - Neal purposefully treading carefully around the boy, trying not to force anything. He noticed that he took his hot cocoa the way Emma always had. He noticed the way his face contoured like hers, including the small cleft in both their chins. He also noticed the brown in Henry's eyes that bore a striking resemblance to his father's and the way he smiled was like looking in a mirror. The whole experience was bizarre, actually. And he was deeply saddened by all of it.

When asked about himself, he gave brief answers. He liked to play sports occasionally, but mostly he just liked being outdoors. He got himself together after moving to Florida and worked as a CPA for a small business there now. And he was alone a lot. Being alone so much pretty much forced him to think about the choices he had made in his life along the way.

Henry told him he loved baseball. He couldn't play it, but he loved it. David took him to games occasionally or watched with him on the television. He told him that he could get lost reading or playing video games for hours on end. That Mary Margaret tutored him extensively and he tested at a twelfth grade level in almost every area of studies, except for math… Math was more difficult. And his mom wasn't much help.

Then he asked Neal a series of questions that seemed to fall out of his mouth faster than he meant for them to. Simple questions to ask, but very complicated to answer. 'Where were you? Why didn't you ever call or see me? Didn't I matter to you at all?' These questions, all focused around the two of them and their relationship - or rather, the total absence of one. Because he understood, on some childhood level anyway, that adults could somehow fall out of love. So he didn't expect answers about his mother in that way. But… How could he leave behind his own kid? That part is what he couldn't understand the most.

And Neal was now face to face with the sins of his past.

"I was afraid, kid. Really really afraid. You deserved better than me. And your best chance in this life was always your mom. I didn't feel worthy of knowing you after what I did. I'm sorry. I know that's not enough anymore, but it's true. I'm sorry."

Henry had heard everything he needed to hear for now. And he was ready to go home.

AN: I hope I'm not losing anyone over this turn of events, but for people to move on - especially Emma Swan - sometimes you have to deal with the past head on. And there's more going on right now than meets the eye. You'll see what I mean over the next few chapters. This will be the roller coaster part... So everyone just hang on tight.

Thanks SO MUCH to everyone who reviewed the last chapter - I cannot tell you how much it means to get such good feedback on my work. I hope to hear from you all again. 3