This is edited. -3/16/20
Chapter 18
Regina
I was going to see Robin. I couldn't help but imagine that this Robin would be the Robin. I had not been this ecstatic in at least over a year, when I thought I had found him. I hurried and changed outfits, without using magic since I couldn't, a black skirt and a red silk low cut blouse.
I had saved the address in my flip phone. I glanced at it, as I entered the heavily guarded indoor apartment complex. I couldn't believe that Neal could afford this place. I arrived at his front door and stood in the carpeted hallway and knocked. I could hear male voices inside.
Moments later, Neal opened the door and gave me a lopsided smile. "Regina. It's good to see you. Come in." He managed a welcoming smile and waved me in and opened the door.
"Good to see you too. Alive," I replied genially. "Wonders never cease."
He nodded and forced a deflated smile. I could see that he was slightly somber, probably due to Emma's rejection. I was surprised that he didn't have a black eye from Hook.
I could see Henry sitting on an overstuffed sofa, his body facing my direction. He was in mid-sentence, when his eye caught mine. He smiled brightly. Next to him was Robin. He was dressed casually in trousers and a loose white button up shirt.
He cracked a smile up at me and rose. Without thinking I drifted towards him, not really thinking to say anything to Neal, since I was stunned at seeing Robin, in this very room.
I felt my eyes burn. I flashed him a smile, holding my breath. His features were softened and his eyes kind and knowing.
"Robin?" I sighed, glee filling me. I couldn't breathe. I sighed. My heart was pounding in my chest.
Robin took a step closer to me and replied in his sexy casual accented voice, "Are you ready for another adventure?"
I beamed and ran into his arms. He held me tightly against him and didn't let go for a while. I buried my face in his shoulder.
He finally released me and looked down into my eyes. His loving gaze was warm. "You look as beautiful as I remember." He slid his hands down my arms and caught my hands and held them.
"Is it really you?" I whispered as I reached up to stroke his face. Judging by his smile, I sensed he had memories of us. I sniffled and added, "You remember me?"
"Of course I do," he replied thickly. He ran his eyes all over my body. "How could I forget?"
I sensed Neal walking back to sit next to Henry. I glanced down at my son, thrilled to see him too and relieved that he was safe. They began talking quietly to each other.
I faced Robin, who was staring at me fondly with reverence like he had missed me and wanted to speak more to me. Like he might lose me again.
I said in veneration, "I never thought I would ever be this lucky to see you again." I gawked at him, still shocked that he was here. I thought it could be a temporary trick, or not the real Robin. Many questions concerning this flooded my mind.
Robin said to Neal and Henry, "We shall return. Excuse us."
"All right," Neal said complacently.
Henry smiled dazzlingly at me and I returned it, then he faced his father. They were drinking soda, which were set on the coffee table.
He reached for my face with both hands, cradled my chin and whispered, "And I didn't think I would find you." He gripped my hand and led me to an empty smaller bedroom.
Once we stepped in, he slid his arms around me and held my neck with one hand. He just held me like that. It felt amazing. I could feel the love radiating out of him. I hugged him back, inhaling his light musky soapy scent. I smiled sweetly up at him and delicately held the sides of his face in my hands. "I haven't moved on since you. I didn't want to," I confessed.
"You shall have me now," he whispered huskily and then kissed me passionately.
He wove his fingers in my hair and held me near him and searched my face adoringly.
I sighed with a small chuckle and sat down on the edge of a made bed. He sat next to me, still staring hard at me as if he was in love with me. He slowly shook his head in incredulity.
I nodded animatedly. "I'm not sure how much Neal has filled you in about all of this?"
He sighed but he still smiled dashingly. "I know that we aren't supposed to be alive, but we are." He shrugged dramatically. "Neal is my mate now. He told me that you all must go home tomorrow evening."
"Are you coming with us? With me?"
"Nothing would make me happier."
He gave me another sensual kiss and then held my hand in his in his lap. I was grinning like a fool, still delirious with the bliss of having Robin here. I felt star struck. So many things I dreamed up of saying to him since he died, all drained out of my mind. Instead I gazed at him, feeling like I would explode with love for him. I scooted closer to him until our thighs touched and I replied in a light tone, "How is it that you are here? That Neal is here? I get the Death Sack, but I don't understand how that is possible. That you look the same as I remember you."
He massaged my hand with his thumb and smirked confidently. "I believe it has to do with the fact that Gold somehow figured out about this burlap sack of death. One must not open it, or it releases the death that had taken many lives, Neal's life, my life."
I parted my lips in awe. "I won't let anyone do that. Or they will be ended by me."
He flashed me his handsome smile. I felt warm inside. He went on, "Gold must have invoked an incantation to make us appear here. I don't know exactly, neither does Neal."
"How long have you been alive?"
"About a month. It's like I awoke here in this place, uncertain where I was or what year it was. It was quite the culture shock. Gold knew you would be here eventually. He knew what would happen, or at least plotted it." His hand gently brushed a piece of my hair out of my forehead. He was staring at me like his love for me was deep, and I didn't need to question it. I knew this was my real Robin.
I rolled my eyes. "He orchestrated this to get Neal back. Not that I'm complaining, but I wonder why you are alive?"
He shrugged in a sophisticated way as if he didn't care the reason. "Neal, Henry and I were discussing that. It is probably reassurance, I imagine. For Gold. The only thing is, I believe that he wishes Emma and Hook together."
I scoffed. "Well that's not happening. They have a baby. They just got married ten months ago. He will not succeed." I said in a sassy tone as I shook my head with attitude.
He shrugged like it didn't matter to him. "Either way, we can be together now. Perhaps we will begin a very similar story."
My heart felt like it was beating, like wings were fluttering and that it might fly out of my chest. His words took my breath away. My eyes teared up. I smiled at him and gushed, "I want that more than anything." I kissed him again and held him, crying because I was so happy.
"I could give you a happy ending you deserve," he murmured as he rubbed his hand all over my back, burying his face in my neck.
"I never thanked you for dying for me…" I whispered, choked up, as I ogled at him, my eyes misty again.
He hushed me and kissed me again. "At least I have found you. When I spotted Neal in a pub, I knew that I should stick near him. That there had to be answers. Ways to a second chance, even though I had no idea you could time travel. I didn't think I would get to you. We're nearly twenty years in the past." He exclaimed.
I nodded and rubbed his muscular arms as I got lost in his eyes. "If this works out, which it should, we never fail, especially me if I have anything to do with it…I want you to move in with me." I said assertively. I wouldn't let anything remain unspoken with what I wanted with Robin.
He gazed at me in wonder like he didn't know what to say and was deeply touched. He kissed me fully and then held my head in his palms and said, "Let's start with dinner tonight." I could tell he was teasing and flirting. That finally I could be as happy as Emma and Hook, Snow and David. I never thought it was in the book for me after he died until now. I nodded vigorously and caressed his cheek as I stared into his eyes, still astonished that he was here. Although I sat there kissing him and him holding me, touching me, I still couldn't believe that he was here, and not just an illusion.
I rubbed my palms on his chest and said, "I'm going to drop Henry off with Emma and Hook. Then why don't we go out, see how the night goes." I arched my eyebrow insinuatingly, alluring him, even though I knew we would end up together.
He smoothed my leg with his hand and then took my hand. We couldn't begin anything romantic here, not in Neal's apartment. He said seductively, "That's a fine idea. I do have my own flat by the way." He squeezed my hand.
I smirked and replied in a silky tone, "I'm up for anything that you are."
He replied coquettishly, "I just may give you a happy ending." The corners of his mouth curled upward.
I gleamed, smiling and giggling quietly. One thing was for damn sure, I was getting that bag, and not letting anyone touch it. From what I understood, this was the key to his second life. They key to our happiness, and to a second chance.
Emma
The next morning, David was making pancakes for us all. Henry had returned last night as promised, as did Killian and I, so that I could tend to Hope. I didn't feel right leaving her for too long after Hook and I drank together and made up.
Killian was holding a content Hope in his arm and I stood next to Henry, who was drinking orange juice, waiting on breakfast.
"How was your visit?" I asked him.
He nodded as he sipped his juice. "It was great to see Dad. And Robin. I'm sure he's the real Robin, not the doppleganger."
Kilian smiled down at Hope, who was cooing at him. I smiled and touched the side of her plump little cheek. "Speaking of which, Regina didn't make it home did she?" I shared a smirk with my husband.
"She wasn't in her room this morning when I went to ask if she wanted breakfast," said Snow.
Little Neal, my brother, was sitting down at the dining room table with a pancake Snow had just served him. "Who's Robin?" Little Neal asked. That would be his new nickname, Little Neal, since there would be more confusion now that Neal was back.
"Regina's new best friend," said David as he slid a glass of juice on the table in front of his son.
"I hope she's alright," I said as I watched Hope wiggle around in Killian's arms. She seemed lost in Hook's eyes, probably bonding. i said, "With this shadow demon lurking, ready to strike, who knows." i traded a knowing look Killian, "I really think we should all stick together. And we should all meet up soon and check out this site of the Bag of Death. We need to know where we're supposed to be doing this ritual. We also need to have this game plan mapped out." I turned to everyone, taking control. "I know that it might be a little awkward, but we should text Neal to meet us at the tree and prep for this. We need to be ready at 8:15 tonight."
Everyone listened to me and nodded, except for Killian. He seemed uncomfortable with the idea. Probably because of having to deal with Neal. "I'm with you Love," he said earnestly. "I shall try to be on my best behavior."
I gave him an appreciative smile and reached up to rub his arm up and down. I peered down at Hope again who was ticking her eyes between both of us in wonder. "The thing is, traveling with Hope and Little Neal." I glanced at my little brother and daughter, then at my parents. "And you Henry. This is going to be dangerous, and tricky. Especially with my baby." I reached to hold onto her little hand, which felt like silk. I kissed her forehead and smoothed her head. Her hair was very light and barely able to see. Hope smiled up at me.
"I think I can manage holding her," Killian said to me with a half teasing smirk.
Snow began serving plates of her pancakes on the table. She handed David a cup of coffee.
She said, "Why don't we regroup right after breakfast? Invite Neal and Regina. We can finally see Robin." She smiled encouragingly at Hook and I, obviously aware we had smoothed things over.
"I can text my Dad," Henry said as he ticked his eyes between Killian and me.
Killian looked down at our daughter, concealing his true feelings which I could see. Hope cooed louder at him, which made us all crack a smile. Killian cooed back with soft baby babble. Then he kissed her forehead, which made my heart ache with joy. I felt like I was melting.
"Thanks Kid, appreciate it," I said to Henry who picked up his Nokia phone and began texting.
I fished out my own cell out of my pocket as I went into the kitchen to get two cups of coffee from the coffee pot. I picked up a carton of French Vanilla coffee mate creamer and poured a copious amount into the cups and then mixed them with a spoon. I texted Regina to meet us in an hour at the graveyard hill were the infamous tree was. I picked up the mugs and then set one for Killian on the table near him where he sat down.
He was chewing on his bottom lip, forcing a smile at Hope. I sighed and sat next to him. "I can read you like a book you know," I said softly to him as I placed my hand on his knee. I whispered, "This is all necessary to have Neal with us. I know you're still uncomfortable with him being around me. But this spell we're going to perform together doesn't mean anything."
He glanced up at me and forced a smile. He held his head up bravely and replied, "Don't worry about me, Swan. I just can't help but consider that this ritual to open the portal is a joint effort of magic together. But worry not," He shrugged, a trace of sarcasm on his face. "I'll support you, even if it means drawing on the love you two shared together." He eyed me, waiting for a reaction.
I stared at him sympathetically. He was still intimidated yet feigning strength and bravery, pretending that it didn't bother him. I could tell by his rather weak lopsided smile, which withered. He averted his eyes down to Hope.
I rolled my eyes and sighed as I drank my coffee. My phone chimed as Hook stared at me expectantly, probably wondering who was messaging me. I glanced at my phone screen. It was from Regina. It read:
'Yes, I am fine. Don't send help. Give us an hour, we will both be there. :) '
"Regina just sent a smiley face," I made a confounded expression. Everyone laughed.
My phone buzzed again, this time, the screen announced that the message was from Neal. I had to click into the message. To make everyone, including myself feel at ease, especially with Neal texting me now, I said, "God I miss my iPhone 11."
I opened the text message from Neal:
'Good morning Emma. I am willing to be on my best behavior today, although I am excited to see you and our son again. Even if you don't say it back, I still miss you. At least we get to do something together later'.
I concealed the complex emotions as well as embarrassment that may be exposed on my face and closed the phone inconspicuously.
Killian was eyeing me carefully. "What was that, Love?" he asked calmly. When I met his eyes, they were a bit tormented and inquisitive.
I lifted a shoulder and shook my head as I set my phone on the table and picked up my fork and plate to begin eating the pancakes. "Neal said he'll meet us there." I gave him a nonchalant look and shook my head like it was nothing. He didn't press the text message, but he gazed at me like he wanted more than just my explanation than I gave him.
Killian dropped his eyes down to Hope and rocked her a little and then picked up his coffee mug and stared at me, but I sipped my coffee instead, deciding not to elucidate on Neal's sentimental message. I didn't want to give Killian more to speculate about.
An hour later, our entire family grouped in front of the hill. There was a dried oak tree, tall and strong, but also bearing no leaves. It was single on a hill at the edge of the graveyard. I clutched Hope to my chest. She wore a bonnet and her face was covered with a blanket. Killian stood right next to me as we studied the tree.
Snow and David had Little Neal sandwiched between them and Henry stood directly in front of my other shoulder.
"So that's it, huh?" Henry said as he pointed to the dried tree. "I bet that top limb near the tip is where the sack will be hanging."
I could see the sack already. "It is there. Right there, top limb that has the fork. Thought we wouldn't be able to see it until tonight, but now we can plot…what?" I scanned my family's shocked expressions. I frowned. "What guys? You're scaring me." I glanced around, even at my husband.
He slowly shook his head.
Henry said, "Mom, there isn't a sack yet."
I looked again. "Yes, there is." I pointed sharper, but no one seemed to find it. They just gawked at the tree like there was nothing special about it.
"Bloody hell," said Killian as he blankly stared at the tree, then shifted his perplexed gaze to me.
I opened my mouth in wonder. "You guys don't see it, do you?" I sighed and looked at my parents and my brother who said, "See what?" in an innocent, excited tone.
"Damn," I said under my breath.
"There goes Mom. Savioring again," Henry said, trying to lighten the mood.
I wrapped my arms around him and said, "You're still a big part of this. All of you. I'm going to need each one of you, regardless of my sight." I looked at the sack again. It was a simple tied up burlap sack, hanging there in the breeze. It was like one of those old-fashioned pinto bean sacks. Light brown and secured with two ropes tied in a double knot.
"It's alright Love, you are a large part of this part," said my husband. I gave him a sheepish smile, uncertain why I could see it. I felt special yet nonplussed.
Henry exclaimed, "Dad!" as he looked past Hook and I. He dashed for Neal who was walking towards us, a few feet away. I smiled over at him in a congenial way. Neal embraced Henry for a long moment and then was hugged by Snow. She smiled fondly at him and said, "It really is good to see you Neal. And look. I named our son after you." She ushered my brother towards him who stared at him shyly.
"Neal, meet Neal." She wagged her finger between both Neals.
Adult Neal smiled down at him and said kindly, "It is good to meet you Neal. It's a good name."
Henry stuck by his father. David shook hands with Adult Neal and smiled warmly at him. David said, "It is good to see you alive again. So, do you see the Sack?" He placed his hands on his hips and studied the tree.
Neal pursed his lips and looked at me with a soft smile. I returned it and then looked down at my daughter. Killian was looking at me and Hope, not acknowledging Neal. Neal traipsed towards us and replied to Snow, "Yeah. It's hanging right there at the top?" He paused and analyzed all of us. Most of us appeared stumped. Killian appeared disengaged. In fact, he avoided eye contact with Neal.
Neal said to me sweetly, "So this is your daughter?" He pointed at my baby and came near my other shoulder to look down at her.
"Yes. This is Hope." I said proudly as I beamed, trying to ignore the thick awkwardness between Neal and Killian. "Mine and Killian's baby." I knew he gathered that fact, but I wanted to draw Killian into the possession of our baby's identity.
Hope's wide eyes wandered towards Neal. He smiled down at her and said in a soft voice, "Hi there Hope. I'm Neal. So nice to finally meet you. You're beautiful."
Hope cracked a little smile at him and stared upward then at me.
Killian and Neal's eyes met. Killian averted his sour eyes to his baby. Neal said to him, "So can you see the Death Sack, Killian?" He gestured a finger at the tree. Killian mushed his lips together and grumbled, "No."
I frowned and looked towards the footsteps approaching. "Well look who it is," I said in awe. Robin and Regina were walking towards us, holding hands. I grinned at them, filled with happiness.
Henry ran towards Regina and Robin and hugged them. David and Snow dashed towards Robin and bombarded them with hugs. "Robin, I couldn't be any happier than I am right now seeing you," exclaimed Snow.
He nodded with a dashing smirk. His arm wrapped around Regina's shoulders.
Neal said to Killian, "Your daughter is very adorable." He waited and tried to connect with my husband, but Killian didn't reply. He looked over at Robin and strode towards him to greet him. He hugged him and patted his back in a manly manner.
That left Neal and I standing there with Hope. I faced my ex and said, "Don't worry about him. He's trying to cope with…well you know."
He looked deep into my eyes and cracked a relaxed smile. "That's fine. I understand. I truly am sorry if I caused any problems between you two." He paused, searching my eyes. I felt a little static between us, and I tried to identify it. It was relief and happiness, also a little fear of my feelings and what they might mean. I side-glanced over at our family. Everyone was gathered around Robin and Regina. She was beaming so bright that I wondered if anything else hand transpired between them. It made me feel a lift inside. I smiled warmly at Neal.
"Don't worry about it." I paused as he reached for Hope.
"May I hold her?"
My heart leapt. I didn't know why, maybe because of bliss and the warmness that he was alive and accepting that I had a child from someone else. I smiled with pride and handed my newborn gingerly to his arms. Hope wriggled and then settled in his arms, gawking at him. Her hand moved around and touched the pendant around his neck. The heart half pendant.
We smiled at each other.
Neal said, "She looks like you." He held my eyes for a moment then admired my baby in his arms. He said, "So Hook can't see the Death Sack huh?"
I shook my head. "No one else can. What do you think that means?"
He shrugged as he shifted his weight, bouncing her lightly. He patted her back and made a confused face. "You and I are the ones who can do this together. Maybe that's why."
"But why us? That doesn't make any sense."
He looked at me and said seriously, "Well, I learned that I inherited Gold's magic after all. Being the all-powerful dark one. And you, you're the Savior. I think it's because of that. Gold somehow found out we could open this portal together. And wield the love we had for each other."
We stared at each other. He asked me, "Do you still have it?" He eyed my neck.
"Regina has it," I replied. "But I'm willing to do this obviously, I just think that this means maybe you and I can grab it now?" We looked at the tree. The sack swayed in the air.
Neal said, "Maybe. But I think we should wait until the correct time tonight."
"It's a little creepy," I said. "That this is about us?"
"I know." He smiled endearingly. "Pretty much because my father orchestrated it."
I exhaled, irritated. "To ensure you get back to him. Are you going to go to him?"
Just then Killian marched towards us, eyeing Neal like he wanted to hit him again. "I'll be taking Hope back, thanks," he said with his hand open and his arms lifted.
"Killian stop," I whispered as I lifted my eyes, begging him for peace. I nodded. "It's alright. We're just friends and he won't hurt her."
Killian was reaching for Hope but then looked at me and ceased reaching.. His eyes were dim and beseeching. He furrowed his brow. Neal side-glanced at me and then replied, "Look Killian, I'm sorry for what happened. I just want to be friends again. With both of you."
Killian's jaw was tight, and his eyes were hard. He ticked his eyes to me. He dropped his hands, not forcing Hope out of Neal's arms anymore. Robin strode up to me with Regina on his arm. She didn't stop smiling.
"So, census states that only you and Neal can see the bag?" Regina glanced up at the Tree. She shrugged at me.
I nodded solemnly, then grinned merrily at Robin. I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him for a moment. I could hear Neal and Killian speaking softly. I pulled back and said, "Robin, I am so thrilled you're here. I've missed you. We all have."
Robin glanced down at Hope and smiled down at her and then faced Regina. He was holding her hand still. "Congratulations on your marriage and child. She's a beauty."
I nodded my thanks and looked at Neal and Killian again. Killian's eyes were sharp, but his features smoothed over when he noticed I was watching them. Neal smiled over at us indifferently. Henry had joined our crowd now, followed by my parents and brother. Killian stared at me with softened eyes.
Neal said, "I was just telling him that at the time we perform the spell to open this portal, someone needs to be there with the candle and mirror for the hell beast to create the portal, someone with salt, creating a circle."
"I'll do the mirror and candle portion," said Regina with her hand lifted. She was gazing, starstruck, into Robin's eyes. He smirked back at him. "I'll help you with that."
"I will be in charge of salt," Henry volunteered. He was watching Neal hold Hope with a sincere smile.
I said, "That leaves Neal and I…charm duty. I wonder if there is a certain incantation for this particular spell?" I asked Neal.
Killian cast him a dark look but then gazed at Hope dreamily like he wanted to hold her badly.
Neal locked eyes with me. "There is. We must hold them together in the area that should create the portal. Then we should all be ready to dash through it when it expands."
"How do you know all this? Did Gold write you a book?" I asked sarcastically, managing a light smile at him so he wouldn't feel so awkward himself. I knew that he was hurt because of last night. And I wanted him to know it was alright between us.
"Well, we have to think about…you know, the pendant's meaning. As well as harness our own Magic. And no, my father just wrote down a spell for me. On a sheet of parchment."
"Can I see it?" I asked curiously.
Killian said flatly, "I'll take my daughter, Mate." He reached for her, and Neal helped her carefully into Hook's arms.
Neal reached into his blue jean pocket. I walked right in front of him. He handed me a small folded piece of paper. I read it. I could sense the rest of my family and friends were peering at it too. It was written in fancy handwriting that we had to identify who we were and to admit the power within and together hold the hearts together, to become one.
I looked into Neal's eyes and said, "We have to admit the…power of what love we had before?"
Neal replied, "It should happen instantly when we join these two halves." He touched his half heart pendant that hung around his neck. We just have to think about all of our power, and these pendant's power, and where we want to go, which is Storybrooke."
Regina said, "I feel useless without my magic. Usually I'm the one doing this part."
Killian was bouncing Hope in his arms, holding her gingerly. He said in a low tone, "To use your love you once shared? Bloody disturbing."
I turned to my husband who was looking down at Hope. I whispered to him, "Killian please." I stepped in front of him so no one would hear. "I know that you're still intimidated, aren't you?"
His eyes seemed loving again. "Who wouldn't be, Emma? What this magic stands for."
"That's not all of it," I said patiently and helpfully. "When we get home, you can take it up with Gold. I want you to know that this won't amount to anything. We must follow Gold's guidelines. I'm sorry it's making you feel uncomfortable."
He let out a long breath and said softly, "No love, what bothers me is the way you two look at each other."
I was taken aback. He seemed threatened. I didn't realize that I looked at Neal in any way, but I didn't want to break my marriage, my vows, to be with Neal. Perhaps I had feelings, but they were only what I identified them to be. Relief and happiness that Neal was alive, and sadness for him too, that I had to break his heart. I murmured to Killian, "I only want you." I held his gaze. I whispered earnestly, "I am madly in love with you. And you only. I need you to not disrupt any of this that we must do tonight. Please. I beg of you." I spoke like I was talking to Hope. "We need to concentrate and do this right, or else we might not get a second chance."
He stared at me pensively and tried to smile stoutly. "Whatever you wish, Swan. Even though I think you have feelings for him. Why else would this bloody ritual work?"
I reached out to stroke his face and held his chin in my hand. I smiled warmly. "Please don't do this Killian. I admit, there will always be a special place in my heart for him. He was my first love, but I'm not in love. I'm just happy he is here, has time left with Henry, and I feel sorry for him at the same time. Please don't start another fight."
Killian rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I am not fighting. Do you see how I have refrained from socking him for hitting on you and stealing a kiss?"
I ran my thumb across his cheek. "Like I said. It doesn't matter." I said slowly yet patiently. I knew he was upset and couldn't shake it. I added, "How many times must I say that nothing matters but you and me?"
Just then I heard a loud whoosh, like strong wind, and a screeching above, followed by a dark shadow and a cold gush of wind. I screamed at my family, "Get down! Look out, it's here!" I grabbed Henry and jumped on him so I could cover him with my body. Killian did the same with Hope. Several of my family shrieked. Robin was holding tightly onto Regina.
Everyone jumped down, holding onto one another. Snow and David huddled over my brother Neal on the grass. Adult Neal huddled over me, his arms protectively covering me as we ducked our heads, and his other arm gripped onto Killian's back so that he, Killian, Hook, Henry and Hope were cowering in huddles, hoping to make ourselves harder to get away from the demon which from the glimpse I got, was the same one that I had encountered before. It flew through the air and soared around us again, making another pass as it swooped down like a hawk, glowering darkly.
There was no where close by except our cars to run for cover. That would have to be our next goal to dash for. All three vehicles we had come in.
"What does it want?" Killian crowed.
"When you get the chance, make a run for your cars!" I commanded my family.
"I don't know, but I think my Dad's controlling its will somehow," Neal said. He wrapped another arm protectively around Henry.
"Bloody hell," exclaimed my husband.
I gripped Killian's arms, hovering over Hope who was burrowed in his embrace gently under him. She started to cry. "I'm not going to let it get you," I told her although I was frightened. Her eyes, that matched Killian's, were full of fright. It made me tear up although I had to be strong. I caught Killian's eye and frowned sadly, while giving him a loving look, just in case. When the demon shrieked loudly, I cringed and gripped Neal's wrist with my other arm. Henry was hugging himself to me and his father, so at least we were all joined. I didn't understand what it might want of us, but I also didn't know if we would all make it to 8:15 tonight to have a chance at getting home through the time portal.
~Chapter 17/18 Playlist ~
There You Were – Jessica Simpson ft. Marc Anthony
Amazed – Boyz II Men
Angel – The Weekend
Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi
One Last Night – Vaults
I Can't Sleep Baby – R. Kelly
When Love and Hate Collide – Def Leppard
What Hurts the Most – Rascal Flatts
The Flame – Cheaptrick
Far Away – Breaking Benjamin
Be Alright – Dean Lewis
Brand New Day – Forty Foot Echo
Memorized – Blake Stadnick
