The next morning was a somber one as the three of them took Emma back to Boston. All attempts at conversation died quickly. Emma was relieved when Mary Margaret turned on the car radio to fill the silence. She needed the drive to bury herself back behind her walls.

When they pulled into the drive of the Boston Home for Children, she was ready to get out of the suffocating atmosphere of that car and get the being left behind again over with. They were met outside by Emma's social worker.

"Hello, Emma, Welcome back." She held her hand out to David. "Sheriff Nolan, I presume. I'm Chloe Fox, Emma's social worker."

David shook her hand. "We've talked on the phone, but it's nice to meet you in person, Mrs. Fox."

"You can call me Chloe. Thanks for bringing her back. I assume you had a nice holiday."

"We did. Let me introduce you to Mary Margaret Blanchard, Emma's mother."

As the two women shook hands, David watched the social worker's expression go from one of friendly to guarded. She was not expecting this development.

"I'm sorry did you say Emma's mother?"

"Yes, I'm her biological mother."

"Well, this is a surprise. I knew about Mr. Nolan, but he never mentioned you."

The irritation in her voice was obvious. Maybe David should have mentioned Mary Margaret in advance.

"We were hoping to be able to talk to you about the situation in person," David told her.

"Yes, I think we should talk. Emma, why don't you go upstairs to your room and put your things away. We will discuss your insubordination later."

Emma hesitated, not wanting to leave David and Mary Margaret. She could tell that Mrs. Fox was mad.

"Emma, go now," Mrs. Fox barked when Emma didn't move swiftly enough for her.

"It's okay, Sweetheart," Mary Margaret encouraged, "We'll come say good-bye before we leave."

"I don't think that's a good idea, it's best you say good-bye now."

David and Mary Margaret were shocked by the woman's attitude, but said nothing, not wanting to agitate her further. They both hugged Emma and promised to see her soon. Emma tried to hold back tears as she shuffled slowly down the hall. She told herself to be strong and just walk away, but she couldn't. She didn't want to anymore.

Emma turned and bolted back to her parents.

"Mom."

"Dad."

Mary Margaret's fell to her knees and gathered her child into her arms, her heart about to burst finally hearing the name she had been waiting and wanting to hear.

"I wanted to say it," Emma said through her tears, "in case we don't see each other again and I don't get another chance."

"Emma we are not going to let that happen," David promised as he kissed the top of her head. "We may be separated for a little while, but we will be together again."

Mary Margaret held her tight, murmuring we love you, baby, we love you, over and over into the girl's hair.

Cleo Fox was disgruntled with the scene before her. She addressed the receptionist seated at the front desk.

"Will you make sure that Emma gets back to her room? Mr. Nolan, my time is short, if you wish to talk please follow me."

David and Mary Margaret followed the social worker into her office and sat down. There was nothing pleasant in her demeanor as she addressed the couple.

"Sheriff Nolan, you were granted temporary custody of Emma as an officer of the law, in a situation where I was given very little choice. I had hoped that your professional sensibilities would have prevailed, but it appears you have violated your oath of office and filled that girl's head with a bunch of empty promises."

"They are not empty, I assure you. Ms. Blanchard and I want custody of Emma. We're hoping you will help us."

"That's not how the system works, Sheriff. We aren't a babysitting service where you can just drop your child off for ten years until you decide that she's no longer an inconvenience and you want her back."

"I understand that's how it looks, but I promise that's not what this is."

"Then what is this?"

Mary Margaret leaned forward in her chair and made eye contact, hoping she would recognize her sincerity.

"Mrs. Fox, all I've ever wanted is what's best for Emma. That's why I gave her up, not because I didn't want her, and certainly not because she was merely an inconvenience that I wanted rid of. While it's true that we are in a better position now to take care of her than when she was born, if she had a home with a family where she was happy and loved, we wouldn't be having this conversation. You guys have not done right by her, and this is an opportunity to change that. We love Emma. We want her. Why wouldn't you support that?"

"Don't you dare come in here and accuse me of not doing right by her. I love these children. I do the best I can for them with the resources I'm given. Have you even tried to consider my side? Even when I'm doing the best I know how, it doesn't always work out. It tears me up inside when they come back used and abused, but I don't quit. I come to work every day and look into the eyes of these lost children and try to show them there is still good in the world. The worst thing I could do for Emma is to allow her to go with you after a few weeks of playing at parenthood. You two might make a good Santa Claus, but you have no idea what it takes to be a parent."

Cleo stood form her desk and moved to open the door. "I think it's time for the two of you to leave.

"Please, we'll do whatever it takes," Mary Margaret begged. "We love her. That's more than she's gotten from any of the other people you gave a chance."

"Yes, Emma has suffered through some horrible situations, and she'll always have those scars, but she'll be stronger for them. if I let this happen and it doesn't work out, she'll be wounded forever. I know Emma better than you, and trust me, she won't come back from that.

David got up and put his hand out to Mary Margaret helping her from her chair.

"We will go for now, but this is not over."

David called the law offices of Mills, Gold, & Mills from the car. He was pleasantly surprised when someone answered the phone since it was still a holiday. The law firm was across from the Boston Municipal Courthouse. It was an eighteenth century six-story red brick building with black framed windows and two story oak front doors. The vast lobby had dark-stained wood moldings against creamy white walls. The click of Mary Margaret's heels on the black marble floor as they walked to the reception desk echoed in the intimidating space. The elderly gentleman seated there sent them to the top floor where they were escorted into an office the size of Mary Margaret's entire loft. A woman stood to greet them.

"Mr. Nolan and Ms. Blanchard, I'm Cora Mills." She gestured to the gray damask chairs in front of the renaissance-style stone desk. "Please have a seat and tell me what I can do for you."

"We were hoping to meet with Mr. Gold."

"Mr. Gold is out until after the new year, but as president of this firm I'm sure that I can help you. I currently handle most of your father's business with the firm."

"We're not here on behalf of my father, this is about an adoption case that Mr. Gold handled ten years ago."

"Yes, I'm familiar with the case. I'm the one who assigned Gold to procure parents for the child in question. What seems to be the issue?"

"The adoption fell through, and Emma-our daughter-has been in foster care for the last seven years. We would like to petition for custody."

"That's not possible. You can't overturn an adoption ten years later."

"But the adoption was never properly finalized."

"That has no bearing on your case since you signed the adoption papers and you've had no contact with the child for ten years."

"We know all that and we understand it won't be easy, but we have to try." David told her. "Emma has been abused and abandoned in the foster care system. Given her age and her history she's no longer considered adoptable. Surely a judge would consider us."

Ms. Mills folded her hands on her desk, leaning forward like a teacher ready to reprimand an unruly child.

"I should make something very clear to you, to even try for custody is a long and expensive process. We are talking years and thousands of dollars in court costs. My retainer alone is five thousand dollars and an additional three hundred dollars an hour. Your father called and told me I should be expecting you to contact me. That's the only reason I'm in the office today. He wanted me to meet with you and convince you not to pursue this."

"It's none of my father's business."

"Well, he is certainly not willing to fund it. Do you have that kind of money on your own, Mr. Nolan?"

"I have some money," Mary Margaret spoke up. "an IRA I inherited from my father. I can cash it out."

Mrs. Mills stood and buttoned her blazer, a clear indication that for her, this meeting was over.

"I'm sorry, but even if you can afford it, I can't take your case. It would be a conflict of interest with an established client. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a busy day."

David stood as well, but not to leave. He tried to control the anger surging through him at this lawyer's arrogance and his father's interference.

"We trusted this firm with the most difficult decision of our lives, and you failed us, you failed her. I would expect you to want to make this right."

"We didn't fail her. We found her a family just like promised."

"No, you promised us she would be adopted by a family who would take care of her and love her. You knew that family fell through and you didn't contact us, you failed her when you let her become a ward of the state."

"This firm failed no one, and certainly not you two. We were paid by your father's, both of them if I recall, to clean up your mess. As for the failure on the adoptive family's part, that's certainly not my fault. It was three years later. The two of you were still a couple of kids not even out of college yet, still unable to support yourselves. What were you going to do? Change your mind? Take her back?"

"Yes," the couple said in unison.

The lawyer scoffed. "And then what? What was it your father said? Something about without his help, the best you could ever manage would be raising her in the same back seat she was probably conceived in?"

"You bitch!"

No one, least of all Mary Margaret, had expected the words to come from her mouth, but she was tired of people thinking she'd been nothing but a stupid, slutty teenager. She'd spent ten years turning the other cheek at the slanderous gossip and it was time she fought back. David wanted to kiss Mary Margaret for saying it, but settled for taking her hand.

"We'll find someone else to represent us, and after we have Emma back, we will sue you for malpractice and child endangerment and anything else we can come up with. I won't stop until you're never allowed to destroy another family again."

David stormed out of Cora's office, Mary Margaret behind him. He didn't slow down until he reached the closed elevator doors. He mashed the button repeatedly as if the more he hit it the faster it would come. Mary Margaret touched his arm.

"David-"

That was all she got out before the doors opened. He entered the elevator and leaned against the back wall. His anger was dissipating, but what he was left with didn't feel any better. He felt like such a failure. He had foolishly thought everyone would be happy he wanted to give Emma a home and would jump on board with their support. Mary Margaret leaned her head against his shoulder.

"Don't lose faith. We'll do like you said and hire someone else. We will get our daughter back."

He looked into the eyes of the girl who had always believed in him, who had encouraged him to do what made him happy, not what his father wanted, who had walked with him through the grief when his mother died tragically. The girl with the strength to do the right thing even when it broke her heart. How had he ever been stupid enough to let her go?

He pushed the button to stop the elevator.

"David, what are you doing? Why did you stop the elevator?"

"Marry Me."

"What? Are you serious?" asked a bewildered Mary Margaret.

"I've never been more serious. The courthouse is just across the street. Let's get married right now."

"It's the day after Christmas. I doubt there is anyone here to marry us today."

"We'll find somebody. We can fly to Vegas if we have to. Unless you don't want to marry me?"

His face contorted as his heart crumbled at the thought. She placed her palm on his cheek.

"I love you and I do want to marry you…someday. Right now, you're upset and you're not thinking straight?"

"I am thinking straight."

He pulled out his wallet. As he held it, Mary Margaret noticed a circular shape worn into the leather. He reached into the bottom corner and pulled out a simple silver ring with a translucent green stone. Too light to be an emerald, she thought it might be a peridot. He held it up. The stone glowed bright in the sunlight. Mary Margaret was shaking. She had not expected this, and she was torn. All her life, she'd wanted to be Mrs. David Nolan. But the timing felt off. They needed to be concentrating on getting Emma back. She didn't know how Emma would feel about this, if she would think they were moving on without her. If she refused to marry him would he understand or would he leave her?

Her thoughts were cut off by his voice.

"Do you know that night you thought I was going to propose?" David asked her. "Well, I was…until everything went wrong. I had this ring with me, waiting in my wallet. I was going to ask you during dessert, but then you got angry when I told you about moving to Tennessee and-" David paused, not wanting to rehash that night. "Well, you know the rest. I've kept this ring tucked in my wallet ever since. Occasionally someone would notice and ask about it, girls mostly. I would tell them it belonged to my mother and I carried it to keep a piece of her with me always. That was only half true. I couldn't tell them the that in my mind it belonged to the girl who still held my heart, who would always hold my heart.

He pinched the ring between his thumb and forefinger and made a move bend down. If he got on one knee Mary Margaret would never be able to resist. She needed to stay strong. They had to put Emma first. She grabbed his lapel to keep him standing upright.

"Let's get Emma back first, and then we can talk about marriage. She has to be our number one priority."

"Emma is a priority for me. Don't you think she wants her parents together?"

"I think we don't have to be married to be good parents."

"That's not what I was inferring."

"Have you thought about what it would do to Emma if it doesn't work out? That little girl will be devastated. She will probably blame herself."

"Not working out is not an option for me, but if you want to talk about Emma, let's talk about Emma. What's better for her? Some sort of joint custody? Two homes? Less stability? Constant shuffling back and forth? Only one parent at a time?"

David crossed his arms with an impertinent smile, "Because if that's the case, then you get all the nights with homework and early bed-times. I want the weekends. And you should know at dad's house there are no chores, you don't have to take a bath, and every night is pizza night."

Mary Margaret scowled at him. "Do you think this is a joke?"

Reaching out, he intertwined their fingers and brought them up to his chest.

"I'm sorry, you're right. I shouldn't be making jokes because I've never been more serious in my life. It may be old-fashioned, but I want to marry you. It's important to me. I believe in the happily ever after. Emma certainly deserves it, and we can give her that. I think you want it too."

"I do, but I'm scared David. I'm scared it's too soon. I'm scared we'll discover we're not the same people each other fell in love with all those years ago. I'm scared it's not what's best for Emma right now."

He took her hand and placed it over her heart, covering it with his

"Trust your heart. What is it telling you?"

She snickered softly. "That you're crazy."

"Crazy for you."

"You really are Prince Charming, aren't you?"

"If is say yes, will you marry me?"

He cocked his head and clinched his teeth together in the cheesiest grin ever. He was so hard to resist, especially when her heart was on his side leaving her head to fight him off alone. He could see her resistance wearing down, so he changed tactic and got more serious.

"We both know that I'm not Prince Charming. I lost that title the minute I abandoned you to take the easier path. I have grown up, I have changed, but one thing hasn't. My loved for you. I understand your concern for Emma so let me say this, whether you say yes or no, or whatever may happen between us in the future, you can be assured that nothing will change for her. I'm going to love her…fight for her...protect her… and support her, every day for the rest of her life. I promise to be there for everything, even all the hard stuff like homework and rules and discipline. But fair warning she's my princess, so I'll probably give in a lot. Except with boys, she's never dating. Other than that, she's going to be spoiled rotten."

He stopped paused a moment and looked directly into her eyes.

"And if you say no, we'll just have to figure it out, because I'm not willing to lose you, and Emma's never going to go without a family again."

He barely finished his statement before her heart won out, and she surged forward and kissed him.

"You're pretty good at speeches."

"Is that a yes?"

"How about you put that ring on my finger, and we agree to get married after we bring Emma home."

He took her left hand and placed the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly, like it was made for her. She held her hand up admiring it.

"It's pretty simple and inexpensive, I know. I couldn't afford better back then, but we could pick out a new one with a diamond if you want."

"Never. I love it. It was your mother's. She was the only person in either of our families who believed in our love and thought we should be together. I'd like to think she's smiling down on us right now."

"Yes, probably thinking something about how it took me long enough to get it right."

Mary Margaret's laugh was bright and infectious. There were tears in his eyes, from thought about his mother and how happy she would be that he finally found true love. He took her in his arms and kissed his fiancé. He pressed her up against the metal wall of the elevator as passion overtook him.

"Don't you think we should start the elevator back up before someone notices us missing?"

"Spoil sport," he teased as he released her and pushed the button to resume the elevators descent.

They exited into the lobby of the building and out to the car, where, unable to stop himself, he kissed her again.

"David, we're on the street," She said into his kisses.

"There's no one around. Besides, I don't care who sees. I want everyone to know that you've just agreed to marry me."

She placed a hand on his chest and tipped back slightly.

"I want Emma to know."

"Of course, let's call her."

He pulled out his phone and began dialing, but she placed her hand on his.

"Something this important we should tell her in person."

"It's still early. Let's go."

"Right now?"

"Why not?"

They drove to the group home, arriving close to dinner time. The girl at the front desk recognized them when they asked to visit with Emma Swan. They were told to take a seat, and someone would be with them shortly. Shortly turned out to be 20 minutes later when Cleo Fox appeared in front of them.

"Mr. Nolan, Ms. Blanchard, I was not expecting to see you back this evening."

"We just wanted to speak with Emma a moment. We won't stay long."

"I'm afraid that not possible. You can't just pop in whenever you want. Visits must be approved by the courts and scheduled in advance."

"We're so sorry, we didn't know, but since we're here maybe you could let us see her."

"You're not suggesting that I break the rules for you, are you Sheriff Nolan?"

Mary Margaret held her left hand out, hoping maybe she would have a romantic side. "David asked me to marry him today. We just wanted Emma to be the first one to know, and we wanted to tell her in person. That's it, and then we'll leave."

"Is this a ploy in your bid for custody? I've seen it before, you know, people making foolish choices that they think will sway the judge. It just sets everyone up to be hurt down the road, the child most of all."

Despite her attitude, Mary Margaret had to admit she was gaining respect for this woman and the hard job she had. She didn't blame her for being skeptical, especially since similar thoughts had gone through her own head.

"Ms. Fox, I have no doubt that you've seen your fair share of people who lie and cheat to go around the system, drug addicted parents who will say anything to get their children back, or foster parents who are just looking for a meal ticket, but that's not us. We love Emma, and we love each other. Can't you find it in your heart to give us a second chance? If not for us, for Emma?"

"If you want a second chance, you can start by following the rules."

David rose from his seat, knowing it was best to leave before Cleo called security. They didn't want it on record that they had been forced to leave when trying to visit Emma.

"We apologize again, Ms. Fox. We are not trying to start any trouble here." He put his hand on Mary Margaret's back, "Let's go, Darling."

Ms. Fox watched them exit the building before she went back to her office. Despite her misgivings, she found herself rooting for them. Maybe this time Emma might find a place to call home.

David and Mary Margaret were walking to their car when they heard a low whisper.

"Psst, over here." What are you guys doing here?"

They turned toward the sound and saw Emma hidden amongst the hedges that surrounded the building.

"Is that a monkey I hear in the bushes?" David inquired as he and Mary Margaret crouched down at the fence near Emma's hiding spot.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Mary Margaret and I were hoping to see you. We have some pretty exciting news and we couldn't wait to tell you."

"So why are you leaving?"

"Ms. Fox said we could only see you if we had a previously scheduled visit. What are you doing out here?" he asked.

"One of the boys overheard the adults saying my parents were back. He told me. Everyone was heading to the cafeteria for dinner so I pretending to have a stomachache. We probably only have a few minutes before they send someone to my room to check on me. What's the big news?"

David looked at Mary Margaret and with a nod indicated she should tell her.

"Your father asked me to marry him."

"And she was crazy enough to say yes," David picked up her hand and turned it towards Emma. "We wanted you to be the first to know."

"And make sure that you're okay with it," Mary Margaret added.

"Why wouldn't I be okay with it? I think it's awesome."

Emma pulled her mother's hand through the chain link to get a closer look at the ring.

"It's pretty. When is the big day? That's what people say isn't it?"

Mary Margaret laughed. "Yes, that's what people say. We haven't picked a date yet. We have to wait for that."

"Wait for what?"

"For us to bring you home so that you can by my maid of honor?" Mary Margaret said as if it should be obvious.

"Really? Are you sure you don't want Ruby? She's your best friend."

"She may be my best friend, but you're my best girl. There's no one else in the whole world I'd rather have. This is all because of you Emma. You're the one who believed enough and was brave enough to come find us. You brought this family back together."

"Do I have to wear a dress?" Emma asked with smirk, acting as if that would be a deal breaker."

Mary Margaret smiled. "A Big, puffy one full of shimmering sparkles, and a diamond studded tiara to match."

"I thought only the brides wore tiaras."

"At my wedding everyone's wearing a tiara."

"Did you hear that, David? You're wearing a tiara to your wedding."

"Oh no I'm not."

"Well people do call you Prince Charming," Mary Margaret teased.

Emma couldn't hold back her laughter at the thought of David in not only a tiara, but tights as well. It was loud enough she was afraid somebody might have heard.

"I probably better go before someone catches me."

"We love you, Sweetheart." Her mother's sing-song voice carried through the air as Emma walked away.

She thought about all the times she imagined her parents, making up stories about who they were and why they had given her up. David and Mary Margaret may not be the king and queen of some far-off land who were forced to give her up to protect her, but they were loving, trustworthy, and kind, everything she dreamed her parents would be…and someday the most important part of her dream would come true. Her parents were going to come and rescue her.

A/N: I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. There's only one chapter left until our happy ending. I hope to have it up by New Years.