CHAPTER 34

Emma pulled up outside the mansion and took off running for the front door. She was halfway across the lawn when she went flying onto her back. Regina had put up another protection spell.

She groaned and rolled over and sat up slowly holding her chest and checking over her face. She didn't feel any blood but her nose had taken a good bit of the hit. Her rear and chest had taken all the rest.

She fumbled to her knees and stood slowly. She brushed the dirt off her pants. She walked forward with her hands outstretched until she reached the invisible wall. Then she began banging on it and calling out, "Regina! Regina!"

She went around trying to find the perimeters of the barrier. It went all the way around the house. She stood out front banging and screaming until the door finally opened. She held her breath and waited then smiled and waved. Her girls ran up to the wall.

"Mommy!" they put their hands on the other side of the barrier. Emma lined her hands up with theirs.

"Are you okay?" she asked with concern etched all over her face.

"Yes Mommy," they both even nodded simultaneously.

Zoe turned and looked back at the house, "Mummy's crying and shaking."

Emma squeezed her eyes tight and then opened them again. "I know," she nodded. "But you're alright right? You don't have to be scared. Mommy will always protect you."

Alexis was twisting her hair around and both girls started to silently cry. They both held onto one another. "I don't like him."

Emma wasn't sure what to say. Henry was their brother. And her son. Although she understood their welfare came first, she still couldn't pick sides between her children.

"Can you do me a favor? Ask Mummy to please come and speak to me."

Zoe nodded and ran off. Xisi stayed next to the wall. "I love you Mommy."

"I love you too baby. More than anything in the world."

Zoe ran back, followed by Mr. Perfect. Emma's eyes narrowed as she took him in. "Where's Regina?" she asked pointedly looking over his shoulder.

He stood behind her girls and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. Emma wanted to be the one to comfort them. "She's upset. And I don't see her calming down for a while. She had to take a sedative to even get up to somewhat coherent." He ran his hands through his hair and took a deep ragged breath. "I think it's best if we pack up and leave."

Emma's heart clenched up. She looked at her daughters. She had barely just begun to get to know them. Her eyes became red rimmed as she squeezed them shut to hold back the tears. It was her turn to take a deep ragged breath. "I need to speak to Regina."

"I'll have her call you when she's able." He turned the girls toward the house. "Come on girls." He scooped one of them up into his arms and held his hand out for the other while they turned and began to walk away.

Emma banged on the wall. "I haven't said bye to them yet!"

He slowed and turned. He lowered the girl he was carrying to the ground and stood with his hands on his hips while they ran back to their Mom.

She bent down to their level making eye contact with them. She was trying to slow her tears. "Mommy loves you okay? And I'll see you really soon. I'm coming back here in a couple of hours," this she directed over their heads to Mr. Perfect.

"We love you Mommy." Both girls said as they put kisses on the wall. Emma kissed them back.

They all turned and moved away matching step for step. Emma got to her car and turned and blew them both kisses. "Mommy will see you really soon. I promise."

The girls blew her kisses back and then ran into the house.

Emma jumped into her car and slammed the door. She banged her hand on the steering wheel. She gave herself a few minutes to cry. Then she dried her eyes.

She pulled out her phone and called David. He hadn't seen nor could find Henry. Emma tapped her keys on the steering wheel while she thought. There was one place. It had been so long since they'd been there. But as Sherlock Holmes says, once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.

She told David to stay at the house while she checked out another place. They were to give one another a call if he showed up there first. Emma glanced at the house again. She shot Regina a text telling her to call her ASAP. She started the car and headed out.

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Emma pulled up to the drive outside of Henry's castle. She jumped out the car and looked around but didn't see him anywhere. She pulled out her phone and dialed David.

"He's here. He just walked in," David answered.

"I'm on my way." Emma held her phone in her hand. Before she pulled off she dialed Archie.

"Hello?"

"Archie," Emma wasn't sure how to go on. She was sure that Archie had already heard about what had happened at the diner.

Sure enough, "I'm leaving Regina's right now. I'm headed over to your house."

"Thanks Archie."

Emma put her car in drive and drove as fast as traffic would allow.