**** A/N: hey, I'm as sick of having to do this as you are at having to read them. Anyhew... for the guest who stupidly felt the overpowering need to message me that they weren't going to read anymore and like minded comrades. If you're not one of them, then this isn't for you.

First off, learn the meaning of the word arrogance. I owe you NOTHING for you to read my story. This is something that I am SHARING with YOU. I am under zero obligations to you in any way.

NO one here is forced to be here. That big red X in the corner is there for each and everyone to utilize whenever the mood strikes you. But I do not need to cater to you in any way, shape, or form.

Second, negative feedback is a good way to fuel growth is the stupidest thing I've ever heard or seen written. Since you're obviously a graduate of the Abby Lee Miller insanity project let me break some common sense down to you. She has proven that the words out of her mouth are complete lies. Maddie was an okay dancer but she flourished under Abby's lies and compliments that she was great. Chloe was a gifted child who broke down and was defeated under the weight of her constant insults. People like you two are the reason that social security is going under. Too many people claiming early benefits because of severe mental disabilities is why the system is crushing.

I love compliments, favorites, follows, and critiques as much as anyone else. I don't mind debating a certain pov or answering questions but I am not just sitting here waiting for you to send whatever bone you want to throw my way. I don't mind critiques as long as they're in a good vein and well intentioned. But an evil mean-spirited insult is NOT what a critique is. You leaving feedback is not a favor to me. It's a thank you for sharing something that I've worked on with a complete stranger. I do not have to take your insults and snubs just because you wish to dish them. Or because your mind has snapped and you stupidly believe that just because you read this in whatever hole or hovel you're in that means I owe you. Especially when you're too much of a coward to have an actual account that takes seconds to sign up for and is free. Can you scream loser any more than anonymously leaving rude and crude comments and judgments to strangers? Geeezus. In conclusion, I say GOOD RIDDANCE, SAYONARA SUCKER, AND DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YA WHERE THE GOOD LORD SPLIT YA! Now be gone! and I do mean as in permanently.

For everyone else... pls enjoy! :)

CHAPTER 48

When Emma came home, the first thing she did was track down her girls and wrap them in her arms. She inhaled them and gave them both multiple kisses. Seeing them made the day's stresses fade away.

Next she tracked down Regina. She and Granny were in the kitchen discussing recipes. Emma went to her and stood really close to her. She dropped her head down onto her shoulder. Granny mumbled something about seeing to something or other and disappeared.

"That bad huh?" Regina asked.

"You don't even want to know," Emma mumbled against her shoulder.

"Well I have something for you," Regina patted Emma's head then slid from underneath her. "I saw these and knew it was for you."

Emma looked at the books Regina was holding up. They were catalogs to an art school. She frowned, "I'm too old to be in school."

"This isn't like learning your three r's again. This is art school. Emma you have a real gift. And you've hidden it for way too long."

Emma still looked skeptical but she took the books anyway. She flipped through them not sure what to make of it while Regina went about whatever she was doing before. By the time she had finished the catalog, she'd already gotten excited.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she dialed the number to set up an appointment to talk to a counselor.

XOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Emma had a leisurely breakfast with her family. Then she went to meet with the counselor at the art school. They talked about goals and curriculum and took a tour of the school. By the time she was done, Emma had already signed up for the coming semester.

She texted Regina to let her know. Regina texted back that she was happy for her and proud of her. Emma kept the text on her screen while she drove over to the psych center. She had a grin on her face from the morning but as soon as she pulled up the fear set in. Today they would be with Henry in front of a doctor who had no idea of any of their fairy tale lives.

She met her parents outside. They didn't look any happier than she did. Today wasn't only going to involve more intense questioning but also Henry was going to be a part of today's session. It was really sad to say that no one was looking forward to this.

They entered and were shown into the same counseling room. Emma sat nervously bouncing her leg until the door opened. Henry was shown inside. He was already glaring at everyone. Her mood went from bad to worse from there.

Missy came in and Emma was embarrassed for someone else to have to bear witness to the shambles her family had been thrown into. She really needed to start keeping alcohol on her.

After pleasantries were exchanged Missy jumped right into the business. "Henry, yesterday talking to your family, I got their side of things. How about if you tell us how you view the things that have happened in your family?"

Henry clasped his hands in his lap. He lowered his head in deep thought and he played with his thumbs. Then he gripped the armrests of his chair. He sat up straight and threw Emma a glare. "My Mom gave me a really great childhood. She called me her little Prince. And then Emma came along. At first it was great. I had two Moms. But then Emma thought it was better for me to not live with her anymore. She made me go and live with them," Henry pointed to the three of them.

"Then she started sleeping with my Mom. And we went back home. Snow and David said that it wasn't a good idea. They thought I should be with them again so I moved back with them again. Then Snow and David started talking about how much better it would be if my Mom was dead."

Henry's voice got lower and he lowered his head again. "They kept talking about it. And then my Dad came to town. I thought maybe that's what my family was supposed to be. So I – I had to do something to help make us a family," Henry sniffled and swiped at his nose. "I did what they told me was best. Except it wasn't. Then they dragged me to the Enchanted Forest. It was disgusting there. Rats all over the place. And the castle was a craphole. My Mom would never have allowed that."

"Then Snow admitted she tricked us all. Her heart was black. She wasn't a good guy. She was evil. That's when I knew they set me up. They made me hurt my Mom. Sending a son to kill his own Mother," Henry shook his head and tightened his hands on the armrests. He looked like he wanted to leap from his chair at them.

"Then Emma refused to let me see my Mom again. She still won't let me see my Mom. That's why she's making me stay in here. To keep me and my Mom apart," again he threw her one of Regina's trademark death glares. He turned to Missy signaling that his story was over.

The trio let out a collective breath they'd been holding. Henry's story turned out to be a much tamer version than they were expecting.

"Your Mom is very important to you isn't she?"

"I'm her prince. She's the Queen," was all he said. He swiped at his nose again. Missy gave him some kleenex before turning to face the entire room.

"I would like to ask you all something. Since this is more than just a Henry problem, it's a family one and it's going to take everyone working together to fix it. Do you all mind if I contact her and speak to her about the things we've talked about in the past few days? I will need to get your signatures on papers regarding that. Whatever you don't want me to say to her, I won't. It's up to you all."

Everyone nodded their consent. Henry's nod was the most exuberant. Missy stood and gathered some paperwork then brought it back to each of them. They signed the papers and handed them back.

"I want to talk to my Mom also."

"I can't make any promises. It will be entirely up to her. But I can see that she's a huge focal point here and I feel her input will be highly beneficial to the healing process. You seem to miss her so much," she looked to Henry.

"I do. Emma was supposed to bring back happy endings for everyone. But she's the only one who's happy." Henry turned his wheelchair around so that his back was turned to her.

"Now that that's out of the way, I'd like to reconcile more of what we talked about yesterday and today. Henry, you said Emma showed up. But Emma you said Henry tracked you down and brought you back to town, correct?"

"Well I went to see her. Then she came back to town with me."

Emma took a deep breath. Henry had been living in his delusions for far too long and going along with him hadn't helped one bit. She pulled her chair out from behind his back and moved it near Missy. Henry scowled at her but she ignored him. "Henry, I was living in New York then. You came and told me that you needed my help back home. I was going to just drive you back home but then you said you needed me. I couldn't leave you after that."

Missy turned to Henry, "any of that sound familiar?"

Henry shrugged and looked away.

"And Emma had said that you were having problems with your adoptive Mom and that's why you went looking for her. You said that Emma was supposed to bring back happy endings. What was going on that you were unhappy with?"

Henry swallowed a lump in his throat. He tried remembering back then but it was kinda all blurred together. "I don't know. I guess it was Snow giving me the book and my Mom telling me that I was adopted. I felt like my family wasn't really my family anymore. I felt that I had a real family out there. And I was supposed to bring them all together. But I did have a real family. My Mom will always be my Mom no matter what."

Missy nodded in understanding. "It's extremely common for adopted children to feel as if their real family is out there waiting for them. But Emma gave you up to give you a better life than what she had to offer. Your Mom didn't steal you from her. It was a choice that Emma made. You understand that right?"

"I do now. I just didn't then. After the book, I felt the book telling me how all the answers were in there if I just believed. So I did. I believed that Emma would make everyone happy. But she never did. Only she got what she wanted. I realized she was just like her Mother."

Missy turned to Emma, "Snow, your foster Mother, is who you consider your mother to be?"

Emma looked panicked. She really didn't need them to focus on the family dynamic. She knew they'd come across as whack jobs trying to explain why she was actually older than her parents were. With Snows rounded baby face, she appeared to be nothing more than a young woman in her twenties. While Emma looked and felt everyday of her 38 years. "Umm, yeah." She exchanged an apprehensive look with her Mom and Dad.

She was grateful when Missy turned back to Henry. "And what did Emma get that she was after?"

"She got all of us right where she wanted us. Right underneath her thumb. We're prisoners. Just like my Mom. That's why I had to save her."

"When you took your sisters? You did that to save your Mom?"

"I don't even think those kids are real. Emma used her magic to make those kids up. I think she uses them to keep my Mom in line. They're like her little spies."

Again Missy blinked to show that things had gone off into the deep end. David and Snow had twin frozen distressed looks on their face. Emma took a huge breath and threw her head back, while rolling her shoulders. She glanced at Missy through her eyelashes and then bit her lower lip.

Missy, to her credit, continued to handle herself professionally. "You think that Emma magically created two little girls and called them your sisters?"

Now Henry sat forward eagerly. "Yeah. You see they guard my Mom 24/7 when Emma's not there to do it. And no one suspects them of being what they are. They look like two regular little girls. Except Emma messed up. She gave them her faces. That's how I knew she was up to something all over again. And then she threw me in here because I got too close to rescuing my Mom. If Emma hadn't jumped at me, my Mom and I would've gotten away."

"And what all does Emma do with her magic? Why would she want to keep your Mom locked up and away from you?"

Henry looked at her like she was a simpleton. "To make everyone miserable. And as payback for the curse."

Snow began to fidget around. Everyone held their breath knowing precisely what was about to come next.

"My Mom cast a curse because Snow White," he pointed to Snow who smiled weakly at Missy, "locked her in a dungeon. It was the only way she could protect herself. Then Emma came and broke the curse because she was supposed to be the Savior. She's their true love child. Snow White is the one who gave me the book. And then after I realized she'd tricked us all, I began to put all the pieces together. Snow White wasn't a good guy. She was evil. Her heart is black. That's why my Mom took it out of her chest to prove it. And that's why she sent me to kill my Mom." At this point Henry was practically bouncing out of his chair. He was gesticulating so wildly that if the parking brake hadn't been set he'd be rolling all around.

"While we were in the Enchanted Forest, Emma came back and locked my Mom up. So the truth wouldn't get out. Then she refused to let me see my Mom. She tried lying and saying that my Mom left me. But I knew it wasn't true. My Mom would never leave me. I'm her little Prince."

"She created those little girls to guard around my Mom. So that they could report to her my Mom's every move."

Emma blew air into her cheeks and slowly released it. She uncrossed and re-crossed her legs in the opposite direction. She fidgeted around in her seat. Snow and David were clinging to one as usual. Everyone was clearly avoiding eye contact with everyone else.

"Sounds like you've had quite an experience. I'd like to know what it is that you want to get out of your time here. Do you think that it will serve any purpose?"

"Since Emma stuck me in here, I'm pretty much trapped. But I will save my Mom. Emma can't keep me trapped in here forever."

Missy nodded. "Fair enough. I'd like to open that up for around the room. What all do you wish to get out of Henry's stay here?" She looked to Snow first.

Snow swallowed and sat up straight. She flicked a glance at Emma and an anxious one in Henry's direction. "I just want my family happy and together. We were apart for so long. I think it's best for us all to be together."

David nodded his head. "I agree. I want them happy in whatever way that looks to them. And I'd still love for us all to be together," he looked to Snow in askance. She nodded her head and smiled over at Emma. "We've decided that if Emma's moving here then, we will too. We think it's best for us all to stick together."

Emma sat stunned a moment not really sure what to make of this development. "But I thought you loved Storybrooke. All your friends are there. And you two aren't used to living in a city. Plus James' is in school there."

"Yes honey but you're our family. And we can't have us all spread out over the place. If you and Henry are here then, it's where we belong. And Regina's house isn't in the city. The town she lives is a lot like Storybrooke. I'm sure Dad and I will be fine." Snow gave Emma that same nod that let her know that the situation was settled as far as they were concerned.

Emma turned to Missy. She pushed this newest announcement from her head knowing that Snow was again about to open a can of snakes between her and Regina. She concentrated on putting into words what she had been thinking before this newest bombshell.

"What I want is what I've always wanted happiness. For my family but also now for me too. I sacrificed the woman I love most in the world trying to make everyone else happy. I knew she was unhappy and I left her alone when she needed me most. Her Mother had just died. And I just left her." Emma looked at Snow, "I don't know if Henry got this idea from you. But the way her Mother died, that was cruel beyond belief and understanding." Snow looked away with tears in her eyes. Emma knew her Mother was ashamed and sorry. She was only just learning that those things weren't enough. Like Regina had said, after the pain and hard times, you have to take responsibility and make amends. And Snow had never done that.

Emma looked at her parents. "I love you guys. But I won't ever do that again. She and I deserved to be happy too. And I blew up at her when she pointed that out to me. I've now lost everything. I lost her. My children barely know me. Henry's so sick." Tears were now making their way down Emma's face. She was back to bouncing her knee as she swallowed repeatedly trying to dislodge the lump in her throat.

"And I can't fix him. And that cuts me so deep. But he's almost 21 now. Living his life in a recliner in my living room was doing none of us any good. We were all held prisoner to him, his moods, his temper, his wants, and just trying to take care of him in general. I feel so bad about all the time David's had to take away from his family to come over and help me with Henry in some of his more out of control episodes."

"All I can do from now on is support him as much as I can and hope that he finds his way. But I will not and cannot sacrifice my family's lives or safety for that. Not anymore. And not ever again. And that," she looked over to Henry. Hoping that he could hear what her heart was trying to say to him. She swiped at the tears on her face. "That is why you are in here. It's my chance. To try and be happy. And be here for my girls as much as I can. But it's your chance too. I hope you take it. But I can't make you do anything you don't want to do. You've made that abundantly clear."

Emma drifted off into silence and grabbed the kleenex that Missy handed over to her. She wiped her nose and face and tossed her tissue in the waste basket.

"Even if I never get Regina back. Even if this is all I ever have with my girls. I'm still going to take as much as they'll allow me. I want to be happy. I think I've paid enough for my mistakes," she looked over at her parents. "We all have. If you're moving here because you want to, that's fine. But if you're doing it for me or even for Henry, I say no. That's not what I want."

Snow came over and wrapped her arms around Emma. "Emma of course we want you to be happy. Even if it is with Regina."

David walked over and wrapped his arm around them both. "We were wrong to try and make you choose before. And you're right. We've all paid one helluva price. We're sorry. We hope you can forgive us. And Regina too. We're a family though. And we're going to stick together."

Emma returned their embrace for a moment and then pulled back. She looked at them with watery eyes but laughter bubbled up in her throat. "Okay okay. I forgive you," she waved them back to their seats.

They had just given her what she'd always hoped for. Unconditional love. And they were still willing to be there for her. Emma couldn't get rid of the grin on her face. She hid her face behind a veil of her hair.

"Well, I think that's a great place for us to call it a day. I guess we'll all see one another tomorrow." She looked at Emma and smiled. "I think we can call today a happy day. Don't you?"

Emma nodded. They said their goodbyes and asked Henry if he wanted anything from them. He just rolled himself out of the room. Emma looked after him and was sad but she didn't let it overwhelm her or take away the happiness she was feeling.

They parted ways at their cars. They had parked really close to one another though. Before Emma got into her car, she looked over at Snow. "You're the one who's going to break this news to Regina."

Snow shrugged nonchalantly. She looked at her daughter with her pride shining through her face. She walked over to her and hugged her. "I'm proud of you. But you really should remember, I loved Regina first," she whispered the last part in Emma's ear.

Emma stared after her mother with a perplexed look on her face. Then she shrugged it off. She wasn't sure what that meant but she wasn't going to let it rain on her parade either.

They spent the next couple of hours driving around Regina's neighborhood. They saw a couple of places that they might be able to pull off if they all worked together. They took down the realtor's information and drove home.