I have 102 reviews! Thank you all! Special shout out to Riega for being number 100, and for always leaving me wonderful reviews. Thank you all. I know that at times it seems I bring something in and then you don't hear about it for a while, but there's a method to my madness, and because you've all said/asked not to end the story soon, some things will take a bit longer. Also, just a warning, this chapter does have talk of remembered abuse, but it's necessary for the developing relationship between Emma and The Charmings...

Speaking of the Charmings, it's no secret that not everyone are huge fans of theirs. My feelings are mixed. I think they got off too easily on everything, but I also think that deep down, they always loved Emma and really did what they thought was best. Not saying it was right, but it was what they thought was right. So no, I'm not killing them off. I'm sorry, but I think they are important to Emma.

Enough rambling. On with the story. Read - Enjoy - Review

Chapter 25

Emma had awoken and was gazing at Henry as he slept. She was happy, and nothing could ruin that...or so she thought...

Snow softly opened the door and smiled when she saw Emma awake. Henry's eyes snapped open and he looked at Snow.

"Mommy back?"

"Yes, honey, Mommy is back."

He tried getting off the bed but Emma stopped him.

"Just you wait, little man, you can't crawl down the stairs alone. Mary Margaret, will you take him?"

Emma just couldn't call her 'Mom' yet, but Snow understood. She handed Emma her crutches and took Henry. She still couldn't believe this was her grandson. the three of them made their way downstairs. Mal and Belle took Henry and Regina came out of the kitchen.

"It'll be a few hours yet. How about you and your parents go into my study and talk?"

She kissed Emma and ran her fingers through Emma's hair. Emma swallowed hard, knowing what her parents wanted to talk about.

"Come. I have glasses of cider ready for all of you. You're going to need it."

Regina placed her hand on Emma's back as she guided them to her study. It was crazy how Regina could calm Emma. The blonde sat on the sofa and Regina propped her leg up with a pillow. She poured three glasses of cider and kissed Emma's temple. She then went to the bag from the hospital and took out Emma's baby blanket.

"I figured you may want this."

Emma took it right away and found that worn out spot she always rubbed when she was upset or nervous.

"Thank you."

Regina cupped the blondes cheek.

"It's okay. You can trust them. Just say only what you want to."

Snow and Charming looked at each other. While it was weird for Regina to be telling their daughter what to do, it was also very obvious how much Regina loved Emma and how calm she made her. It was also remarkable how Emma made Regina so soothing and loving.

Emma nodded and squeezed Regina's hand before watching her leave.

"Is that..? I made that, Emma." Snow smiled with a few tears in her eyes.

"I..I know. It's the one thing I've always had. They tried taking it from me once." She showed the rip in it. "But I wouldn't let them. Even if I got punished."

"I can fix that, Emma. Make it good as new."

"I'll think about it." Emma smiled softly and took a sip of the cider, right away she knew hers had no alcohol in it, Regina remembering Emma didn't like alcohol. "Where do you want me to start?"

Snow looked at David, the two sitting across from Emma.

"At the beginning."

Emma took a breath.

"I didn't know I was adopted until I was three. My parents didn't think they could have kids, so when she got pregnant, it was a shock. They didn't want or need me anymore, so they dropped me off at a hospital. I was alone in the waiting room for hours before someone found me. I still remember that, it's one of my first memories. I was so scared and confused. I was in a corner crying and a nurse came over and found a note attached to my jacket from my one time parents. And then started my life in foster homes and group homes."

Regina listened from the door for a moment before she joined Mal and Belle.

"She's so strong. I don't even think she realizes it."

Maleficent smiled. "She really is, but she's going to feel weak after this. All three of them will."

Regina nodded and watched Henry.

"Sometimes I wish I had my mother back. Only...nicer."

"I think we all do, honey."

Regina sighed and gave a small smile before going into the kitchen. Maleficent watched her with a frown.

"Poor thing. She always tried so hard for her mother's love and approval. Cora was incapable - the need for power was too strong."

"How sad. No wonder her and Emma found each other."

"They're a lot alike."

"More than I bet they know."

Cora was watching this and rolled her eyes.

"Foolish girl. Still choosing love."

"So what's the plan, love?"

"We lay low until after this election. If she loses, she'll need me to help her regain her power. If she wins - well, I'll think of something."

"Aye love, whatever you say."

"When I was five, I was in what I thought was my happy, forever home, as they'd call them. But then one day, the woman was drinking when the man was off at work."

Snow noticed how Emma didn't call them 'mom' and 'dad', but she didn't say anything. She watched as Emma looked down at the blanket, running her fingers over one spot.

"I accidentally dropped my glass of milk. The glass shattered. I got the broom and tried cleaning it up, but I didn't really know how." Emma stopped and looked at Snow and David. "How much detail do you want."

Snow leaned forward. "What ever you want to give."

Emma nodded and continued.

"The woman came in and I tried apologizing, but she wouldn't listen. She took the broom and hit me at least five times with the handle. I was crying, no one had ever hurt me like that before. I remember her sneering at me, her breath smelling badly of booze. 'Get used to it, little girl. This is how unloved, unwanted children get treated'. Then she swept the glass into a pile infront of me and crushed it with her shoe. I didn't understand why until she pulled my pant legs up over my knees. I begged her no, but she just laughed and pushed me down so that I was kneeling on the glass. I screamed, any move I made, made it hurt worse. 'Shut that mouth,' she growled at me 'and learn to hold still you pathetic little girl or it will hurt worse. Don't get up until I tell you to'. I didn't know how long I knelt there watching the milk turn pink with my blood. Eventually, I stopped crying and learned to stay as still as I could. Then I heard my foster sister come home. She saw me and rushed over. I remember telling her not to help me, that it would only make things worse, but she didn't listen. She picked me up and took me into the bathroom to clean my knees. I remember telling her over and over that it was an accident - I didn't mean to spill the milk. After she put bandages on me, she cupped my cheeks. 'I'm not letting this happen to you too.' She said softly. 'We're leaving. Pack up.' I didn't need to be told twice. I nodded and packed what little I had. She took pictures of the kitchen and my knees and took us to the police station. That's the last I saw of any of that family. I thought I was in trouble because I had to stay there all night while they found a place for me to go."

By this time, Snow knew it wasn't going to get better. She wiped her eyes and knelt in front of Emma, pulling up the pant of the one leg that wasn't in a cast. She could see the small, faded scars on Emma's knee and kissed them. Emma was taken back, but let it happen. She laughed softly, trying to break the heaviness in the room.

"There's too many scars and stories to do that each time."

Snow looked up at Emma and cupped her cheeks, kissing her forehead.

"I'll do what I can, love."

Suddenly, Emma didn't want the closeness to end, she sat up so Snow could sit behind her and she rest back against her. David came and sat on the sofa, putting Emma's broken leg over his lap. He didn't know why she had a broken let, but he was sure he'd find out.

The three of them sat like that for an hour or two as Emma recalled her life to them. She didn't leave out any details, part of her wanting them to know exactly what she had gone through. She got through the rape stories that Clarence had brought up to Regina and Maleficent.

"I need a break." Emma stated as she dried her eyes.

"Me too." David carefully stood and paced the room - much like Emma did when she was upset. Snow didn't want to let go of her daughter, but she looked at her husband.

"David? Are you..."

"No. I'm not okay! These men...these monsters took a little innocent girl and used her. To make it worse, they blamed her, ashamed her." David knelt in front of Emma, his own eyes full of tears. "You didn't want to hear this, but I'm so sorry. My daughter, I never wanted that for you."

Emma swallowed the lump in her throat and took her dad's hands.

"I know. I don't blame you, not anymore."

"You should. I want you blame me, because I'll be damned if I'm going to let you blame yourself."

"I don't, David. Not anymore. Regina helped me to let go of the blame, to blame them instead of myself. Maleficent helped me see that I'm stronger than they'd let me be."

David ran his thumb on Emma's cheek. He could imagine her as a little girl - hurt, scared, confused, alone...so alone. He wanted to turn back time, he wanted to find those monsters and hurt them like they hurt Emma.

Emma watched him and hated how it was hurting him. She thought, at first, he deserved to be hurt. But it was obvious now, more than ever, that they always loved her.

"I'm okay Da...dad. I survived."

"I'm still sorry." He got up and went to the door. "I need air." He left the room and then the house.

Emma leaned back into her mother and let Snow's arms wrap around her.

"I didn't mean to upset him."

"You didn't, my love." Snow kissed Emma's head and rubbed her arms. "Don't place blame upon yourself. What happened to you upset him, both of us, not you. He just has his way of dealing. I suspect it's the same as you."

"Running." They stated at the same time.

"What he needs to do is hold you, let it out and cry. But he won't. He will let it out on his own."

"Mom, I'm only at the age of 10. There's more to come."

Emma didn't even realize how easily the word 'Mom' came to her, but Snow did.

"It's okay. Emma, we want to know everything."

Regina came in and smiled at the two on the couch.

"Dinner's ready. I figured you could use a break. Especially after seeing your father leave."

Emma nodded and reached for her crutches.

"I just got done telling them...you know...what Clarence brought up."

"My love, you're so strong. I can't tell you how I envy you."

Snow left the two of them and Emma wrapped her arms around Regina.

"It's because of you. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Emma."