A/N: Alright, so a certain troll won't stop commenting on each and every single of my updates, crying about how horrible and unrealistic this story is. I just want to say, giving them a second of my attention that they are obviously seeking. I could care less what you think on this story. The solution is simple folks. If this story isn't for you, then don't read it. No one is forcing you. I don't have that kind of power. And if you want to make yourself suffer in reading a story that isn't to your liking. Well, that's your choice, but I kindly ask for you to restrain yourself in leaving a paragraphed comment on every single update. If what you are seeking is for me to stop writing this story, I'm sorry to inform you that a lot of my readers are truly enjoy it, and as long as they cheer me on for more updates- I will continue to deliver what they want. Now that you've gained a second of my attention, any other negative comments I receive will be ignored and deleted it. Now for a note to all my true followers and readers. I hope you guys will enjoy this new update I bring you! :) Don't freak out on me yet lol the next chapter will be even better. Just remember, SQ is endgame. Happy reading!
"New York? That's fantastic, Emma!" Ingrid spoke through the phone. Lucky for Emma she was always up early due to her dancing all the time. "So, I guess you should be getting ready to leave in a couple of hours, huh?"
"Yeah. I know this is very last minute but would you like to come with me?" Emma asked.
"Me?" She could see her surprised look through the phone already.
"Who else?" Emma leaned up against the door, just outside Lily's room, "This is something important for me and I'd really love it if you were there to cheer me on, as you would say." Her eyes looked over towards the door as Lily made her way out, fully dressed. "I have to head on home to pack and all, so think about it. I really hope you'll say yes."
Lily spoke as soon as Emma hung up her call, "New York, huh? Whoever was on the phone is sure very lucky to be able to go with you." She teased. To which Emma smirked with a roll of her eyes.
"It's nothing like that."
Lily chuckled, "It's a joke, Emma." She paused, her eyes looking the blonde over, "So, I guess breakfast is out of the question?"
"Unfortunately. I really should get going but…"
Lily leaned in, placing a kiss to Emma's lips, "Say no more." She smiled, "You gotta do what you gotta do. I had fun too. Who knows, maybe once you get back," her hand played with with a stand of her blonde hair, "We could get together again."
Emma's eyes looked down at the brunette before her, her lips not at all serious but not a full on smirk either. Their distance from each other still to a minimum, "You don't even have my number."
Lily smirked at the soldier's raised brow, as she held her phone up for Emma to see her name and number had already been already added to her contract list.
"Perks of being a detective." Said the brunette.
She was smooth. Emma had to give her that.
"Hurry back, Rambo." She watched as Emma walked out of her apartment. Her smirk only growing as her body deliciously ached.
Emma looked outside of the window as the flight was making excellent time on her arrival in New York. The nerves set in her stomach as she was close to landing in ten minutes.
"Nervous?" The blonde turned to the sound of Ingrid's voice beside her.
"I think that might be an understatement." Emma joked, smiling a little as she was happy Ingrid decided to come with her after all her beginning and pleading.
Ingrid's brow raised, "Did you just joke? Well, that is certainly much better. You're slowly starting to be the Emma I remember you to be."
Emma remained silent for a few minutes. Could she ever be the same? She had to wonder that herself every day.
"I don't think I could ever be the same." Emma replied, looking back out the window as her mind raced with many thoughts and questions of its own.
Ingrid stared at the blonde, being able to read her perfectly, "You're wondering if you'll see her again. Aren't you?"
Emma turned to look back at Ingrid. She shrugged, "It's a big city."
"Yes it is. But the world can also be a very small place when it comes to someone's past. Look at Carl. I never imagined him finding us, yet he did."
Emma looked out the window again, "The past always has a way of catching up with you." She mumbled, knowing Ingrid's wise words all too well by heart now.
Ingrid nodded, "That it does."
There was a bit of turbulence as the plane landed, its speed slowing down until it came to a complete stop.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we hope you've enjoyed your flight. Please remain in your seats until all seat belt signs are turned off. Thank you for choosing American Airlines and welcome to New York."
"You ready?" Ingrid asked, once the seat belt signs were turned off, instructing everyone that it was safe to start making their way out of the plane.
Once they arrived to the hotel room, their eyes drank in the sight of the suite that was reserved for Emma. Neither of them could believe their eyes. Emma expected a simple room, but this? This was an entire house in a hotel.
"Oh, my…" Ingrid looked into the bathroom, a joker like smile on her face, "Alright, I am in love with this bathroom. I'm glad I decided to come."
Emma smiled, walking towards the table that was near a giant window that looked over the city. Her eyes drinking in the buildings. New York certainly was beautiful. And somewhere out there, was Regina. She looked down at a platter of chocolate covered strawberries that was placed in the center of the table, along with a bottle of champagne that was already icing in a bucket. She took the note within her fingers that was placed before it.
"To the start of a new partnership. Welcome to New York, Ms. Swan! - V. B."
"Emma, you won't believe the size of this Jacuzzi tub in here!" Ingrid poked her out of the bathroom, her eyes moving quickly towards the champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, "Is that..?"
"A little welcome gift from Mrs. Victoria Belfrey." Emma held up the note, tossing on the table, which Ingrid quickly picked up to read.
"Fancy!" Ingrid smiled, "Looks like you finally made it big. What time is your meeting with this Victoria Belfrey?" Asked Ingrid.
Emma glanced down at her watch that was on her wrist, "Ten O'Clock sharp. I still have two hours before then."
"Well, then, plenty of time for us to go and do some shopping!" Ingrid smiled as Emma's brows raised.
"Shopping?"
"Yes! You aren't thinking of meeting up with the woman to the most important meeting of your life in that leather jacket, are you?" Ingrid shook her head, "We are dressing you up. First impressions are important, Emma."
Emma looked herself over in the mirror of the dressing room, tying up the last few buttons her black suit jacket on top of a purple, maroon colored blouse. She looked entirely different than what she was used to, that was for sure.
"Don't you think this is a bit much?" She asked Ingrid, who stood behind her, looking at the soldier's appearance through the mirror with a megawatt smile. Quite proud of her work.
"Not at all!" Her smile not leaving her, "You look absolutely gorgeous, Emma! It's like a new you."
Emma smiled at Ingrid, looking at herself in the mirror again. She was right. She did look different. It wasn't a wardrobe she was used to, but she could learn to like it. Everything to the black, well pressed pants to the jacket that now covered her body, fitting perfectly against her athletic figure, fit real well.
"You'll make a hell of an impression. Trust me." Said Ingrid, earning another smile from the younger blonde. "You grew up too quickly on me." Her eyes tearing up.
Emma turned to face Ingrid, her hand caressing the woman's arm, "Thanks for coming with me. It means a lot to me that you're here."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." She smiled, "Besides that tub has been calling out my name ever since I laid eyes on it."
Emma laughed a light laugh, removing her jacket from her body.
"Oh, leave it!" Said Ingrid, pulling the jacket back on the blonde's body, "I saw these shoes that would go great with this outfit. Wait here, I'll bring them." Ingrid walked out of the dressing room, pulling the curtain all the way back in the process.
Emma remained looking herself over in the mirror, being able to see part of the store through it as the curtain remained half open.
"Regina! Come and look at these shoes!"
Emma's eyes moved directly over her shoulder through the mirror as she spotted no other than Regina Mills. She was there. In the same store as she was in right now, totally clueless to her presence due to being distracted with a set of clothing. Her lips parted open as she quickly moved behind the curtain, hiding herself with the best of her abilities.
That Regina did notice, for out of the corner of her eye she could swear she heard movement coming from one of the dressing rooms near her.
Emma saw her coming closer and closer towards the dressing area through the mirror. Thank God it was slightly turned, or Regina would sure see her there. What should she do? Should she come out and say something? Should she remain hidden?
"Regina!" The brunette turned to Kathryn as she approached her with a pair of shoes in hand, "Didn't you hear me calling you?"
"Sorry, I…" Regina looked over to the dressing room, not moving any further. She could have sworn she saw someone standing there a minute ago. Someone with blonde hair.
"What?" Asked Kathryn, looking over to the dressing room area.
Regina shook her head, "Never mind," Her eyes moved towards the shoes Kathryn held in her hand, "Are you getting those?"
Kathryn smiled, "A woman can never have too many shoes."
Regina chuckled as she walked away with Kathryn to pay for the shoes, but not before looking over to the dressing room that still appeared empty.
Emma released a breath she had been holding, her eyes focused on the brunette through the mirror as she disappeared. She felt her heart beat a hundred miles per hour inside her chest, so fast, she was sure it would pop out.
Six years. Six years and Regina Mills still looked incredibly beautiful. Just like the first time she laid eyes on her.
And now, for the first time in six years, Emma was right back to square one.
"Alright, here we-" Ingrid's eyes grew wide at the sight of the blonde's pale complexion, "Emma, wha-?" She placed the shoes down quickly on a single chair, her hands quickly embracing the blonde's biceps. "What's wrong with you? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Emma exhaled a sharp breath as she chuckled, "Yeah, I'd say that's about right."
"Sit down." Ingrid quickly removed the shoes from the chair as Emma sat right on it, placing her head in her hands while her elbows rested on her legs.
Once she took a minute to gather herself, she finally looked up at Ingrid with teary eyes. A look she had let go of for a long while, "I saw her, Ingrid," She paused, "Regina."
Ingrid's lips parted, "You saw her?"
Emma nodded, "Yeah." She breathed out her answer, almost forceful. Her eyes meeting Ingrid's again, "She didn't see me. I, I panicked, I wasn't sure what to do so I hid." She placed her head in her hands again, shaking her head, "I know, I shouldn't of hid, I should have just faced her…" She looked at Ingrid, "But what would I have said? I-"
Ingrid placed a hand on the blonde's back, caressing it gently, "Emma. Breathe." She continued as the soldier did just that. "You did what first came to mind, there's nothing wrong with that. Absolutely nothing. Maybe it just wasn't time for you two to talk yet, but it doesn't mean you never will."
"No. No, I… I rather leave things the way they are." She paused, looking into Ingrid's eyes, "I wouldn't even know what to say anyway. Everything just came rushing back, it felt like a sledgehammer pounded right through my chest, you know." She shook her head, "My anger more than anything wanted to take over me. So, maybe hiding was for the best."
After that emotional roller coaster at the store, Ingrid stayed back in the hotel room to enjoy that big tub, right before Emma showered and got herself all dressed up for her big book meeting. The blonde decided to take a much needed walk. The restaurant where her and Victoria would meet wasn't that far from the hotel, so she decided to walk there. She looked over at a park where people were lying on the grass, kids were playing. She stood there for a moment, contemplating the scenery.
It made her feel at peace again.
But, her mind quickly worked on overdrive as she couldn't help to remember hers and Regina's first date as she spotted a big tree among the rest. As if on automatic, her thoughts took her right back to that park in Germany. Exchanging chocolate candies for fared asked questions.
Her cell chimed as Emma reached for it, only to read a new text message.
Give that meeting hell and back. Good luck, Rambo. ;-)
A small smile tugged at her lips at the message from Lily. She was sure one of the best cops if she remembered her meeting.
The blonde looked down her feet as a red ball hit her shoes while it rolled towards her. She bent down to pick it up, looking around to see who its rightful owner was.
Henry came running, looking up at the blonde who now held his bell one handed and looked down right at him.
Emma smiled at the sight of the boy, holding the ball before him, "Is this yours?"
Henry nodded, his tiny arms reaching for the red circular object as Emma's smile grew.
"Thank you." He smiled up at the blonde stranger.
Emma looked around for any sign of anyone looking for the small boy. "You're not here all alone, are you?" She asked, looking back down at him.
Henry shook his head, smiling as he held up his ball, "Wanna play?"
Emma couldn't help but smile, "How old are you?" She grew curious at the boy's cuteness. His big brown eyes, and long banged hair. He looked rather familiar to her, but she couldn't quite place the resemblance.
"Six." Replied Henry, clutching his stuffed dog under his arm.
Green eyes moved towards the stuffed animal, feeling a certain pull towards the child. Even she couldn't understand it herself. "Is that your favorite? What's his name?"
Henry nodded, "Woofy," he smiled. "I want a real one."
"A real one?" Emma looked over at the stuffed animal, "He looks pretty real to me." She grabbed the stuffed animal from the boy's hands, spotting her necklace pendant hanging from its neck. It was no longer on the necklace but tied to a string that was around the dog's neck. She looked up at Henry, as she recognized the unmistakable pendant immediately.
"Henry!"
Emma's lips parted at the name of the small boy, "Your name's Henry?"
Henry nodded, smiling, liking who he considered his new friend instantly.
Henry. Her necklace pendant. It all clicked. He was Regina's son. Regina had a son. With Robin.
Emma instantly began feeling a little sick to her stomach. Not because of the boy, but this entire day seemed to be determined to fall down on her.
"You don't look so good." Said Henry, waking Emma up from her trance as the small boy took her by the hand while he smiled at her, "Come! Meet my mama! She's a doctor."
Emma blinked, smiling down at the boy as she carefully withdrew her hand from his tiny grip, "I have to get going. I have work, but maybe some other time I can meet her."
"Okay." Henry smiled, waving as Emma rushed off, "Bye!"
"Henry?" Regina looked down at her son, placing her hand on his shoulder as she bent down to be at his level, "What have I told you about running off like that? You can't be wandering around by yourself where I can't see you."
"I wasn't by myself, mama!" Henry smiled, "I made a new friend. She was pretty, like you."
Regina smiled. Her son's sweet words always made her forget about any bad day she could be having, "You know you aren't supposed to talk to anyone you don't know. Come on. Let's head on home, hm? I need to get to work soon."
"Okay." Henry walked along with his mother, hand in hand, but not before turning around to see if with any luck he could spot his new friend.
Emma walked her way towards the restaurant where she was to meet Victoria Belfrey. Her mind racing with thousands of questions of how Henry came to be. It may have been six years, but she remembered everything about Regina. She remembered her saying she couldn't have children, and now she has a son… with the man that angered her to her very core. She shook her head. No. Maybe they didn't have him, because there was always the fact that adoption could have been a possibility.
But, what if they did conceive? If they did, it wasn't the child's fault. He was a small boy and was innocent in all this. He didn't ask to be born into all this mess.
Henry. She couldn't help but have a small smile tugged at her lips at the remembrance of the boy's name. She named her son Henry.
And her necklace… it wasn't exactly around her anymore, but she kept it. Even after six years, she kept it and passed it onto him.
What wasn't clear to her was why? Why keep it when Regina was the one to break it off?
She couldn't help but feel angry all at once. Not at the boy for exciting, but at Regina for hurting her and breaking something magical they once had. And now after six years, life seems determined to make her run into her by any means. And as if that wasn't enough, she had to keep her necklace.
It was all very confusing. Sending her on a spiral of emotions once again.
But, as Emma neared the restaurant and opened up the front glass door, she drew in a breath just as Archie had shown her to do and emptied her mind of any questions that might still be lingering in there. She was in New York for a life changing opportunity in her life. She needed to have a clear head. She couldn't ruin this. She wouldn't.
A woman smiled at her with the warmest smile, "Welcome to L'Artusi. Table for one?"
"No, I'm meeting someone here."
"Name?" Asked the hostess.
"Belfrey." Replied Emma.
The woman smiled, "Yes, Mrs. Belfrey is expecting you. Right this way, please." She walked past a few tables as Emma followed close behind. Her eyes taking in the fancy place. White table cloths, not a speck of dust in sight. It was unlike anything classy she's ever been to. This place screamed money. "Here you are." She motioned towards the table, walking away almost instantly. As Emma noticed food was already on the table.
"You are punctual. A few minutes early." Said Victoria, a small smirk on her lips, "I knew I was right about you." She stood up, extending her hand towards the blonde, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Emma. May I call you Emma?"
Emma smiled, shaking the older woman's hand firmly, "Please do. Thank you for accepting my manuscript. I'm truly honored to be here."
"As you should be. You were one of the lucky ones." Her brow raised, pleased with the blonde's wardrobe. She motioned towards the empty seat, "Please, have a seat."
"Thank you."
"I took the liberty of ordering for you. I hope you don't mind. As well as a glass of water." Said Victoria, taking her seat just as Emma did. "Now, then," She pulled out Emma's manuscript, placing it on the table before them. Her hand resting on top. "This is beautiful work."
"Thank you." Emma smiled.
"Do you want to know why I chose you, Emma? Out everyone who have tried like hell for me to represent them."
Emma placed down her glass of water after taking a much needed drink, "Let me guess. My strength?"
Victoria chuckled, smirking, "Well, there is that, darling, but no. The word is vulnerability."
"Pardon?"
"That's where the true passion lies after all. I look at you and I see a woman who has been through so much. The war, the aftermath of all that," She continued even through Emma's questionable look, "Do you know how many people are eager to start writing a book about their lives? Their experiences out in that battlefield? But you…" She shook her head, "You are much more passionate. These poems contain not only words of someone who was or is in love, but also words of someone who's been through pain. You aren't looking to dictate your life on paper, but your feelings however is a different matter."
Emma's brow raised, truly impressed, "You had me investigated?"
Victoria enjoyed her sip of water, smiling as she placed her glass down on the table, "Don't look so surprised, darling. I'm sure you must have researched me before accepting to fly out to New York." She wiped her mouth after swallowing a bite of her food, "Tell me I'm wrong." She smiled as Emma remained silent, "Now, tell me. If I were to ask you, how would you feel about writing a book about your life, what would be your answer?"
"That I don't want to dictate my life on paper." Emma answered truthfully.
Victoria grinned, "You see? I'm never wrong. Of course if you so wished to write a biography someday, we can work on that too. But first, I want newer and better opportunities for you. You will grow with us, Emma and do you want to know how I know that?" She paused, "Because I will make it happen." She withdrew a contract from her briefcase, putting it on the table before the blonde, handing her a pen, "Now, before you sign, I know you live in a small town far from here. You can go back home after this meeting if you so choose, there are still some last-minute things that need to be done before things can start happening for you, darling. But," She held up a finger, "I will need you to be constantly traveling back here for interviews and such once things escalate."
Emma looked at the woman with a sense of admiration, surprised even at the sound of her words.
A look Victoria took notice of, "What is it?"
"You're pretty sure of this book deal, aren't you?" Asked Emma, everything still feeling pretty overwhelming.
Victoria chuckled, "I didn't get this far in life just by accident, darling. Stick with me and you will soon learn that yourself." Her eyes looked down towards the contract as Emma's hand rested upon it. The tip of the pen scratching against the dotted line, imprinting her signature in permanent black ink. The older woman smiled, holding up her glass of water before her, "To bigger and better things."
Emma raised her glass, clinking it with Victoria's as a smile spread across her lips.