Rumpelstiltskin gently held Snow's hand as they both walked into the guest room together. She'd been released earlier today after Emma got the paperwork processed. She'd been quiet and barely said a word other than short clipped sentences. Everyone stared as they drove past but he ignored them.

They all would owe her an apology by the time this was done but not today. He wanted to get her home. The house was too…quiet without her and Emma, he'd sort of come to miss them.

"I kept things as they were in your room," Rumpelstiltskin told her and opened the door, "Emma will be here this afternoon, so you'll have your daughter at least."

Snow looked exhausted as she looked around her room, "I just want a bath and the ability to sleep."

"Well, you'll have that," he promised, "But you should know that Red has talked Emma into throwing you a party here. I thought it might raise your spirits."

"By the people that wanted me strung up."

"Hey," Rumpelstiltskin took her hand, "They only believed that because the curse blinds them. This curse was supposed to be mainly against you, so it's going to hit you the hardest."

"I know," Snow said and gave him a smile, "Do me a favor?"

"Of course."

Snow swallowed, "Stay in here tonight?"

He nodded, "As the lady wishes."

Snow tilted her head, "You don't mind?"

"The couch is more comfortable than the bed anyway."

Snow kissed his cheek, "Thank you."

"It's hardly a problem, dearie."

"No," Snow whispered, "Thank you for not abandoning me and for keeping your word."

"I always keep my word," he said simply, "But I hardly get thanked for it."

Snow looked down, "How long until it all comes back on Regina?"

"Well, that all depends entirely on Emma," he told her, "Take some time to relax in the tub and get some rest. I'm going to the shop for a bit."

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It was raining; Rumpelstiltskin didn't expect anyone to come to the shop so he was looking forward to getting things set in place. Regina would be coming over soon, he'd rather she be there at the shop instead of at the house near Snow. Snow tried not to show it but he believed that her stopping at the prison to mock Snow had shaken her. He wanted to keep Regina away, it was common decency.

He was working in the back when he heard the bell in the front ring. He limped to the front and found Henry standing there in front of him.

"Hey, Mr. Gold," Henry greeted.

"Good morning, Henry." He gave him a confused look but smiled. The boy came over as much as he could. He usually tried to avoid Rumpelstiltskin but Rumpelstiltskin had come to like him, "What can I do for you?"

"I want to get a gift for Mrs. Gold."

"Oh, I see," he walked forward.

"Since…she didn't kill that woman."

Rumpelstiltskin gave an amused smile, "Good thinking."

Henry rushed to the right, "Are these bells? Cool."

He followed, "See anything you fancy?"

Henry started playing around with some of the bells, ringing them a lot louder than what they should be. Rumpelstiltskin watched in amusement as Henry gave a list of what he was looking for.

"You're asking a lot from a bell," Rumpelstiltskin told him, "I have…some in the back if you want to see."

"No! These are good," Henry said quickly.

"You're giving my wife a second hand gift that you don't think too much of?" Rumpelstiltskin teased.

He heard the floor creak behind the curtain and he turned.

"Oh hey, this one might work," Henry gave a loud ring.

Rumpelstiltskin raised an eyebrow, "Who is here with you?"

"Um…someone's here?"

Rumpelstiltskin turned and walked to the back where he found that…stranger or whatever he was looking around. Gods, how did he expect to sneak around with those big clunky boots? "May I help you?"

The man turned around and looked scared for a second, "Yeah. I'm looking for some maps. I'm a bit of a collector."

"Yes," Rumpelstiltskin gave a tone to let him know he didn't buy it, "Well, there's maps through in the shop. This is my office."

"I thought this was the entrance," The man, was his name September or December or something?

"It's not," Rumpelstiltskin said sharply, "The shop's through there."

The man walked away and Rumpelstiltskin watched him carefully until he was gone.

Rumpelstiltskin never once believed that this man that was off being mysterious to Emma and flirting with her was a stranger from out there. It was impossible; no one could come here unless they were from their world.

He was from their world. But Rumpelstiltskin thought and thought and he could never figure out who he was.

But in the back of his mine…he knew the possibility.

Perhaps he didn't have to go find his son; perhaps his son had finally come to see him.

He walked out of the shop and found a very guilty looking Henry, "Sorry Mr. Gold."

"I certainly hope Mr. Booth chipped in for your gift."

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"You broke our deal."

Rumpelstiltskin had been repairing Baelfire's ball that he used to play with when he was a boy when Regina stormed in. He had ignored her until she stormed up

"I broke one deal in my life, dear. And it certainly wasn't this one."

"Kathryn was supposed to die, and Mary Margaret was to get the blame."

"Yeah," He rested his hands on the ball, "Murder seems so much worse here, though, doesn't it? You can't just turn someone into a snail and then step on them, can you? You didn't say 'kill her'. We agreed that something tragic should happen to her. Now, abduction is tragic."

Regina gave him a seething glare, "The intent was perfectly clear."

"Oh, let's not talk about intent," he scoffed, "Intent is meaningless."

"Intent is everything," Regina argued.

Intent meant nothing unless action followed, "Please."

Regina paled at his outburst and watched him as he circled around the display case to put up the ball, "This is going to raise all kinds of questions about where she was and how the test results were fake."

He smirked, "Oh, yes. And, um… And who put the key in her cell."

Regina looked like she'd been struck. Her hand went to her necklace "It's all going to lead to me, isn't it?"

He figured a smirk should be his answer.

"This doesn't make any sense," Regina walked forward, "You told me that you wanted her hurt as much as I did because of the affair. You and I – we've been in this, together, from the start."

"Oh, have we?" he asked. He hoped she would get a clue that he didn't really work with her but she didn't.

"You created the curse for me. The curse that brought us here, and built all this."

"Yes, it's about time you said thank you," he mocked.

"Why did you do it?" Regina demanded.

"Well, you're a smart woman, Your Majesty," He leaned forward and his mockery turned into a sneer, "Figure it out"

All the blood drained from her face, "You never wanted to help me."

"Here's a bit of advice dear, the next time you want to force a brainwashed man into the arms of a woman who is married to another, then make sure he can't wait up."

"Is that what this is all about?"

"Oh, part of it," he told her.

"I'm surprised you're complaining about that, you always did have a soft spot for her. Just pretend she's Belle."

Rumpelstiltskin stormed towards her so fast that Regina paled and backed away.

"Get out," he hissed, "Of my shop."

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It was amazing how people flocked to the house of Mr. Gold when free food might be involved. Snow watched from her place at the punch table as Granny, Archie, Whale, her seven dwarves, Henry, August (Rumpelstiltskin had pushed Emma into inviting him) and Ruby were all there. Snow looked to the back of the house where Rumpelstiltskin kept to himself. She should bring him out…integrate him with people but she knew he would refuse. The day they stopped fearing him would be the day he lost most of what made him powerful.

"All of these people…," she whispered, "Just to welcome me home?"

"You've got a lot of friends," Emma told her.

Snow looked down at the punch in her hands, "Didn't feel like that yesterday."

"Well, Henry thinks the curse was designed to hit you hardest, maybe it's a sign that it's weakening," Emma teased.

Snow smiled a bit, "Maybe."

Snow went around and served drinks. She spotted Henry talking with this August fellow that Emma had sort of taken a shine to. She served the drinks to her friends and made her way over

August took notice of her approaching first and looked at Henry, "There she is. Why don't you give her your present?"

"Hey," Henry stood up and held out a giant card, "I have something for you."

"Well, thank you," Snow said and opened the glittery card to find all the kids in her class signed it and in big bold letters: "We're so glad you didn't kill Mrs. Nolan…"

Everyone gave a chuckle but it didn't seem to bother Henry. He looked completely thrilled and proud of himself.

"It's from the whole class, and," he held up a gift box, "And I bought you a bell!"

"Thank you," Snow smiled, "Tell everyone I'll be back soon."

"Okay."

"Hey, Henry," Emma turned her son around and led him to the door, "We should get you home before your mom finds out. That won't be pretty."

Snow watched Emma as Emma opened the door and nearly walked right into David.

Gods, Snow didn't want to deal with him right now. Emma turned around and looked worried as she mouthed David's name and Snow shook her head. Not now, she didn't want to be disappointed and hurt again.

She couldn't avoid him forever, but she could avoid him now.

Snow turned her back and went to stand with Archie and the dwarves.

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Rumpelstiltskin didn't really WANT to have this party but he wanted to support Snow in lifting her spirits. He really wished Jefferson hadn't gone insane and tried to kidnap Snow and Emma, because he wouldn't have minded the company.

He stayed away from everyone and kept an eye on both August and Emma and when Emma practically shoved David out the door, he walked over to see what she knew, "Hard to let him go, isn't it? Your son."

He watched as Emma straightened up and tensed. He watched her visibly build her walls, "Yeah. Pretty much the hardest thing. Speaking of something we weren't talking about, was it you?"

"Was what me?" he gave her the largest innocent eyes he could muster.

"Did you make Kathryn suddenly materialize?" Emma demanded. As if he would admit that, "Cause it sure played that way to me. Was that the magic you were going to work? Because if you kidnapped that poor, innocent woman, just to let her go-"

"Are you proposing I'm working with Regina," he asked, careful not to confirm or deny, "Or against her?"

"I don't know," Emma said and then stuttered, "Maybe- diagonally."

"Well, you keep working on that one," he gave an amused smile. He really did enjoy Emma being one step behind but still catching on more than what he would expect, "My questions about something else – what do you know about him?"

He nodded to August.

"Goes by August," Emma shrugged, "He's a writer. Typewriter wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in stubble. Why?"

Rumpelstiltskin struggled not to throw up in his mouth. Emma was in a weird sort of way…his stepdaughter. He didn't want her running around with some mysterious man who was playing mind games with him, "He was poking around my shop today. August Wayne Booth. Clearly a false name….There's one thing I know about – its names."

Emma didn't look impressed, "Writers go by pseudonyms. What does it matter?"

"You trust him?" Rumpelstiltskin asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah." Emma gave a small smirk, "A lot more than I trust you."

Rumpelstiltskin watched as she walked off and went to join a group and watched August for a few seconds.

He needed to find out who this man was. He didn't like being played and he didn't like being a pawn.

"Hey," he walked up to Snow, "I have to do something, I'll be back later."

"You need help?"

"No, enjoy your party," he noticed people were looking at them and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "I'll be back tonight."

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Rumpelstiltskin was terrified and conflicted at the same time.

This August…whoever he was knew about the knife. Only one person besides him knew about the knife and that was Baelfire.

Could it be? Could his son be here?

But his son was here…for all this time and never confronted him, never even gave a hint that he was Baelfire.

So what was he doing? Seeing if Rumpelstiltskin changed or if he remembered before he came to him?

What if he wasn't here to make amends? What if he was here to get revenge? To hurt him the way he had been hurt? Why else would he need a drawing of the knife that could kill Rumpelstiltskin?

Or what if he wasn't Baelfire?

Rumpelstiltskin had to know before he did anything. That was why he found himself standing outside that forsaken convent after he followed August and saw him meeting with the Rhuel Ghorim.

"Mother Superior," he greeted when she saw August off and walked back up the stairs, "Good afternoon."

He watched the absolute loathing cross her face before she masked it, "Our rent is paid in full."

"I'm not here about the rent."

She brushed past him, "Well, good day to you, then."

"Tell me – that man who just left here…," he turned and watched as the Rhuel Ghorim hesitated. He wondered if she was awake as well. If there was anyone that would remember, it would be that underdressed busybody, "Who did he say he was? What did he want?"

She smirked, "I don't have to tell you that."

"And I don't have to not double your rent," He hissed, "What did he want?"

Her smirk fell and she cleared her throat, "Advice and counsel. He came to town looking for his father after a long separation, and he recently found him."

"Ah. And a happy reunion has already taken place?"

Her face softened, "No. He hasn't spoken to him yet."

"And why not?"

The underdressed busybody almost looked sympathetic, "Mm, it was a difficult parting. There are many issues to be resolved between them."

He felt his blood run cold, it sounded like she was making an extra barb at him, "I see."

He needed to confront him…

But what exactly was he supposed to say? Did he confront him or did he wait for this man to come back to him?

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Snow was carrying groceries to the car when David finally was able to find her.

"Mary Margaret."

She didn't want to deal with him. She didn't want to deal with the apology and she didn't want to deal with him. She didn't want him to apologize and make promises just like he did a hundred times before. He was not her husband, he was not Charming and she didn't want to pretend that he was. She was tired of that game.

She ignored him and placed the groceries in the trunk.

"Please wait. Look, I'll leave if you want. I… I just think we need to talk," he grabbed her arm.

Snow pulled away, "So, talk."

"I need to apologize."

Snow crossed her arms, "Yes, you do. Keep going."

"I didn't believe you," he started, "I didn't stand with you."

Snow knew this wasn't Charming. She knew that this wasn't him. This was David stripped of everything that made him Charming. But she was still angry, and she was still hurt. Not at Charming, but at this…shadow, "You know, I will never forget that moment… The moment the world sort of blows you backwards, and the one person you thought would always be there to catch you… He isn't there."

"Look at what was going on. It was your jewelry box, your fingerprints, knife in your apartment-."

"It was a setup," she hissed.

"And a really good one. I'm human. I fell for it. I'm sorry, but… We have to move forward."

He wanted to move forward just a couple of days after he told her he believed she was guilty of murder?

"But we can't," Snow told him, "Not you and me. It's like something in this world doesn't want us together."

"Like what? Dark forces?

He didn't seem to believe her and she sighed, "What I don't want, is to have all of those good memories… Replaced by moments like that. When I looked at you, and I saw that you didn't believe me…"

"No. I know. I am so sorry."

He was always sorry, "I know. I know."

"But, I love you," he whispered.

Snow closed her eyes. It didn't even sound like Charming anymore, "And that… Is what makes it all so sad"

"Mary Margaret."

"Please don't," Snow whispered, "Not anymore."

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Rumpelstiltskin wanted to talk to someone to discuss what he should do about his son. He started to call Snow about a dozen times before he chickened out and hung up. He considered going to see Jefferson…but Jefferson wasn't exactly stable. He might take the information to Regina.

So he found himself standing in front of Archie's door. Archie couldn't talk to anyone about anything, he had a gag order (Rumpelstiltskin loved the image). He gave a light tap on the door and then realized where he was. Rumpelstiltskin; the dark one, here for therapy.

Gods, why was he even here? Archie didn't know the extent of what was going on. How could he help him?

Rumpelstiltskin heard the door open behind him as he started to walk away

"Mr. Gold?" Archie asked, "Are you here for the rent?"

He stood there for a second and shook his head, "Why does everyone ask that?"

"Well, because you, uh… Never mind," he cleared the door and put his hands in his pockets, "Would… Would you like to talk?

Rumpelstiltskin sighed and then replied quietly, "I don't know."

"Well, um… If you'd like to get something off your chest, please come in."

Well, he was here…he could refuse and deal with it himself or find Snow but…he was here so…might as well.

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"A son?" Archie exclaimed like it was the most unbelievable thing in the world, "Wow, I-I didn't know you had a son. How… How old is he?"

Rumpelstiltskin felt a little bit offended. He was a handsome man, he had money and power, of course he might have a son.

How old WAS Baelfire now? He didn't even know if he could find him alive anymore. That was his greatest fear was to locate Baelfire and realize he'd been dead for years, "Let's start with something easier."

"O-Okay," Archie looked for something to say, "Um, what do you mean to say that you may have found him?"

"Let's just say," Rumpelstiltskin trailed off, "There's someone acting the way I would expect them to act."

"So, you… So, you recognize him?"

"Maybe," he started, "Or, perhaps, I'm just seeing what I want to see. I don't know."

"Okay, well, I mean, wouldn't he recognize you?"

Rumpelstiltskin started, "There was conflict. I'm not sure he's ready for a tear soaked reunion."

Archie cocked his head, "So, he sought you out and he's hanging back? Maybe, he's watching to see if he's welcome. Looking for a sign that all is forgiven."

"No, no, no," Rumpelstiltskin shook his head, "He's not the one that needs to be… I think he might still be very angry."

"Anger between a parent and a child is the most natural thing in the world."

And Rumpelstiltskin just…had to tell someone, "I think he might be here to try to kill me."

Archie looked so baffled; it would have been amusing if not for the situation, "Ah….. Right. That's… That's not."

"I let him go," Rumpelstiltskin said but he wasn't even sure he was saying it to Archie as much as he was himself, "I've spent my entire life since trying to fix it, and now, he's finally here? And I just don't know what to do."

Archie leaned forward, "Be honest. Just tell him what you told me, and ask him for forgiveness. And when you're face-to-face, you'll know what to do."

But he would ruin it. He always ruined it, "Honesty's never been the best color on me."

"There's no other way," Archie told him, "If you want a relationship with him, then you MUST take the steps to make it right."

Rumpelstiltskin stared at his hands clenched in his lap. He could atone for what he did by letting Baelfire go at the portal but how on earth was he supposed to atone for the rest of it?

How did he atone for every horrible thing that he'd done?

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Rumpelstiltskin followed his son out to the cabin in the woods. It was a hard climb as Rumpelstiltskin had to walk a bit and his leg was hurting by the time he came to his son, his son was already looking around for something in the dirt.

He looked up when Rumpelstiltskin approached. It was just them, there was no need for lying now, "I know who you are. And I know what you're looking for."

"Well, then… I guess all the lying can stop…" August started, "Papa."

Rumpelstiltskin felt the air being driven from his lungs. He felt lightheaded and his knees grew weak, "Bae-."

His son was here.

He could make it right.

Baelfire backed away when he reached for him and Rumpelstiltskin's hand went back to the cane. He couldn't just expect to hug his son; he had to earn his forgiveness.

He had practiced what he was going to say for a while but now as he stood here…he forgot everything he was supposed to say!

"You were right, Bae," he started, "You were always right. I was a coward, and I never should've let you go. I know its little consolation, but… I just want you to know, that ever since you left, ever since you crossed the barriers of time and space, in every waking moment… I've been looking for you. And now that I've finally found you… I know I can't make up for the past, for the lost time. All I can do, is to ask you to do what you've always done. And that's to be the bigger man… And forgive me."

He watched his son's defenses start to crumble as he talked. He watched his son's eyes fill with tears and after 300 years, Rumpelstiltskin felt his own defenses give way as well. He was sobbing, "I'm so sorry, son. I'm so sorry, Bae."

Baelfire walked up to him. Rumpelstiltskin dropped his cane and wrapped his arms around his son.

He had his boy back. It was all over.

"Oh, my boy. My beautiful boy," he whispered, "Can you truly, truly forgive me?"

"I forgive you, Papa," Baelfire said and Rumpelstiltskin didn't fool himself into thinking it was that easy. He would have to work for it now.

He pulled away slightly, "You were looking for the knife."

"I thought that if you still had it, it would mean that you hadn't changed."

Rumpelstiltskin nodded, he understood and he was going to find a way to make this right, "Well, let's go and find it and see."

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Rumpelstiltskin couldn't take his eyes off his son as Baelfire dug in the location of the dagger. His boy was here, he had done it. He had succeeded.

Now what?

No, that wasn't something he wanted to think about now.

"I buried it here shortly after Emma came to town. Things were changing. Didn't want to take the chance of Regina finding it."

"And Emma's mother?"

"She's awake," Rumpelstiltskin told him, "We haven't…not since we both woke up. We've been working together but her love is still very much centered on her husband."

"Of course."

Rumpelstiltskin really didn't want to talk about THAT with his son, "It should be right about here, son. Here. Look, look."

He moved dirt around until he found the towel he'd wrapped the dagger in. He pulled it out and after a second of reflection (in which he told himself he COULD fix this,) he handed it to his son, "I want you to take it. Destroy it, the way I know you always wanted to. I found you, and I don't need it anymore. I chose it once. Now, I choose you.

Baelfire examined it in awe, "It's remarkable.

Rumpelstiltskin smiled. He didn't need it anymore, he had his son. He could give up magic; he could do anything now that his son was here. Emma would break the curse and they'd all wake up and he could work on redemption.

Baelfire slowly lifted the blade and aimed it at Rumpelstiltskin, "By the power of the darkness, I command thee… Dark One."

At first, Rumpelstiltskin was confused. What was his son doing? "You're trying to control me?"

"I command thee, Dark One!"

No, this was wrong. Baelfire would never resort to this to get what needed to be done, done, "You're not my son. You're not Baelfire."

Bae- no, August lowered the knife and tried to give him the puppy eyes, "Papa, why would you say that? I'm just trying to use your power to help us.

"Enough!" Rumpelstiltskin screamed, "It's over, Booth. Or whoever you are. My son would never try to use me. And he would know, that this knife cannot harness any magic in this world, because there is no magic in this world. That's why he chose this place. He didn't want me…"

He ripped the dagger away, "Dabbling."

They stood there awkwardly for a few seconds. Rumpelstiltskin wondered how many ways he could cut him up and hide all the pieces so that he could never be found again, "So, why bury a useless knife?"

"Oh, I wouldn't say it was useless. It still cuts through flesh rather nicely," Rumpelstiltskin smirked at the blade, "It's about time you start answering some questions, sunshine. Why the theatrics? Why didn't you just come to me?"

"I needed you to work for it. I needed you to want it so bad; you would ignore what your eyes were seeing. Do I even look like him at all?"

He did, and that's what really hurt, "How do you know about this knife?"

"I hear things."

Rumpelstiltskin lifted the blade up to August and circled him, "No one here knows about this knife."

"No one here remembers."

Rumpelstiltskin stopped, "And, yet, you do. You're from there, aren't you? From my world."

"The fact that you're asking the question means you know the answer."

He knew it! "Well, now that that's settled…"

He lunged at August, he pinned him against the tree behind him and shoved the dagger right against his throat. He was going to kill him right here. No one saw them go to the woods, and Archie couldn't say anything because Rumpelstiltskin NEVER said his son was this man. This…person who used his missing son to get what he wanted. Why should he let him live after that? "How about my other question? Who told you about me and the knife?

"A little fairy," Baelfire hissed. Rumpelstiltskin didn't know if he was telling the truth or not but if he was…gods help the Rhuel Ghorim if he found out she knew.

"Why did you want it?" he half demanded and half cooed, "If you know who I am, then you know who I am. The chances of you surviving this little encounter are pretty slim. So, why take the risk?"

"Because I'll die anyway."

Rumpelstiltskin let the vicious smile fall. He was to die? That was incredibly disappointing, "What?"

"I'm sick. I'm sick, and I need magic. I was going to get the savior to believe. But that woman… I don't think I'm going to make it long enough to see that happen. You know how she is-."

Rumpelstiltskin placed the dagger tighter against August's throat and watched as he turned away. He leaned closer, "She trusts you – it might be enough. Try again."

He released August. He SHOULD kill him. Maybe he would even get the chance later but if Emma was focused on her missing friend, she couldn't do what he needed her to do.

"You're going to let me live?" August asked

"You're going to die either way," Rumpelstiltskin shrugged, "This way; at least I might get something out of it."

And he left him there.

It wasn't Baelfire.

And it wasn't until Rumpelstiltskin was back on the road that the crushing disappointment really sunk in.

It wasn't him.

His son was still out there.

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Snow was about to drop off to sleep when the door opened and the intruder hit the light switch. Snow groaned and turned away as the light blinded her, "What-."

"It wasn't him."

Snow blinked a few times and watched as the spots slowly left her eyes. Rumpelstiltskin was in the doorway, he had a drink in his hand, "What?"

"It wasn't him!" he sobbed and ran a hand through his hair, "Oh gods."

"Wasn't who?" Snow asked and threw the covers back, "Where were you?"

He was drunk. Snow could smell it before she even reached him.

"I'm sorry," he whispered and stumbled. Snow tried to catch him but they both fell down, "I'm so sorry, Snow. It's my fault"

"It's okay," she whispered but felt so lost, "It's okay."

"It'll never be okay," he whispered, "It's my fault we're here."

"What are you talking about?"

"You had to give up your daughter so I could find my son," He whispered, "Snow, I'm sorry."