A sudden blare of music him startled David from slumber. He extracted himself from the arms of Mary Margaret, who moaned sleepily and rolled over. With closed eyes he fumbled for the phone on the bedside table.
"Hello," he yawned.
"Is this Mr. Nolan?" The female voice asked.
"Yes. Who is this?"
"My name is Regina Mills, Mr. Nolan. I know it's early, but I wanted to call before my mother got to the office this morning."
"What about?"
"I'd like to pursue your custody case on my own."
David sat up and rubbed his hand across his face trying to remove the fog of sleep from his brain. His movements stirred Mary Margaret and she turned to listen his side of the conversation.
"Without your mother's permission I assume."
"Yes."
"You'll understand if I'm reluctant to trust you, Ms. Mills."
"I don't blame you for being suspicious."
"Convince me why I shouldn't be."
"I was in the office late last night and overheard Cora on the phone unhappily relaying your visit to the office yesterday and the confrontation between the two of you. I'm pretty sure she was talking to your father. Out of curiosity I broke into her office and checked out your file. It was full of detailed correspondence between your father and my mother. It showed that from the very beginning there was never any concern for the child, only for you and your reputation and future. My mother was paid more than double her normal fee to facilitate an adoption that could not be traced. Everything was fine until two and a half years later a Mrs. Swan contacted the firm saying she was in trouble. Her husband had been arrested for child abuse. She had taken Emma to the doctor for a broken arm and the doctor discovered her body was full of bruises in various stages of healing. He contacted the authorities. Two days after that phone call a rather large sum was paid by your father's company, Spencer Nolan Industries, to our firm."
"What was the money for?"
"The Swans couldn't afford a lawyer. They threatened to go to the press with Emma's identity unless the situation could be fixed. The file contains an email from your father telling my mother that he was putting her personally in charge of handling the situation. He didn't care how she did it, but she needed to fix the problem. It could ruin his business if people knew he had arranged an adoption for his own granddaughter into an abusive family. The message also stated it was imperative that the Blanchard family never learn the truth. It specifically describes Leo Blanchard as a problem."
"Why would he be a problem?"
It is on record that about six months after Emma's birth he contacted my mother's partner, Mr. Gold, to express remorse over pushing his daughter to give up the child. He regretted that he would never have the opportunity to know his grandchild. At the time he wanted to hire Gold to see if there was a way to get the child back or at the very least correspond with the adoptive parents and get updates and photos of the child. He was told at the time it was impossible, but this new development would give him hope. If he found out he would likely try and seek custody."
"So, what happened?"
"My mother defended Mr. Swan in court and got him off. He was arrested again six months later. They claimed Emma had fallen down the front steps, but no one believed them. This time it was discovered that Mrs. Swan was pregnant with her own child. My mother saw a way to end it for good. She told Mrs. Swan that she was likely to lose not just Emma, but her biological child if she allowed this to continue. Bank records show Mrs. Swan suddenly came into a lot of money. She gave up custody of Emma to child welfare and disappeared. Three days later Mr. Swan was killed in a prison fight."
David got up and began to pace the room. He wanted to punch his father, the wall, something. His father was a heartless bastard. He knew Emma was abused and paid to defend the man. Then allowed his granddaughter, his flesh and blood, to be put in the system. Damn him.
Mary Margaret didn't know exactly what this phone call was about, but she could see that David was extremely agitated. She got up and took his shirt from where it hung over a chair and slipped it over her shoulders. She stood near him, chewing on her nails, trying to hear what was going on.
"So how does this help our case?" David asked into the phone.
"It brings the validity of Emma's initial adoption into question. It shows your father was manipulative and that he had concerns that you and Ms. Blanchard were having second thoughts about the adoption even then. I believe it gives us a good chance."
"Why would you do this? It will most certainly put you at odds with your mother, possibly ruin her reputation and that of the law firm you work for."
"Mr. Nolan, my relationship with my mother is, I imagine, much like your relationship with your father, one of control and appearances. Since coming to work for her, I've discovered numerous instances of questionable tactics in her cases. She is a villain who manipulates people's lives for money, and her partner Gold, is a beast of a man. He is in on it all. My reputation is the one on the line here. The only way I'm going to get out from under her thumb is to take her down. In all honesty, Mr. Nolan, you will be helping me as much as I'm helping you."
"Mrs. Mills, if we get my daughter back, I'll owe you everything."
"Please, call me Regina."
"Okay, Regina, what do we do with this information?"
"I'm going to try and get an emergency hearing. I know it's the holidays, but I know a few judges. Give me a few hours to make some phone calls. I'll also contact Emma's legal representative from child welfare. They will need to agree to be present on Emma's behalf. It may take a few days, but if we use her background to show that it's time we did something right for this child, I think we have a good shot of getting her home for the new year."
"What about visitation? They won't let us see Emma without a court order?"
"For now, I suggest you don't push it. Let's see how this plays out first?"
David hung up the phone and engulfed Mary Margaret in a hug, laughing as he picked her up and spun her around.
"It's going to happen Honey. We are going to get Emma."
"Tell me what's going on? Who was that on the phone?"
"That was Cora Mills daughter, Regina. She wants to take our case."
"And she thinks we can win?"
"She has documents outlining Emma's adoption. There was corruption from the beginning."
"I don't understand. What kind of corruption? We willingly signed the adoption papers."
"Apparently my father bypassed legal adoption routes in finding a family for Emma. He wanted no record of the adoption. I don't fully understand why since it was no secret that you were pregnant other than he always has to have control over everything and this time it backfired on him. If he would have let everything go through the normal adoption channels, Emma probably would have had a wonderful family and life. She would never have had a reason to come to find us."
"Is it wrong to feel a little grateful for that? While I wish that Emma could have been spared all the hurt and rejection she's gone through, her coming back to us feels like a miracle."
"I know, Honey. It's a strange feeling when you realize that without the pain and suffering, we probably wouldn't be experiencing the joy we are now."
He pressed his lips comfortingly to hers.
"I also got some information about your father. He regretted everything, Mary Margaret. Several months after the adoption, he told my father that he should have been a better father to you, supported you keeping the baby if that's what you wanted. He tried to get information about Emma, but Mr. Gold and my father threatened him."
Mary Margaret sat on the bed, overcome by this newfound knowledge.
"He never told me. When I was little, I was my father's pride and joy…his princess. I thought he was so disappointed in me for getting pregnant that he'd never forgive me. I let it put a wedge in our relationship. Once I moved to college, I made excuses to not come home. I punished myself and him by pushing him out of my life. And then he was gone. I didn't even know he was sick. I never got to say good-bye."
David sat next to her and placed an arm over her shoulder. She leaned into his chest and began to cry.
"I'm sure he understood. He knew that you loved him."
He ran his hand up and down her back as she wept, comforting her as she mourned the years she had lost with her father. When her sobs slowed to occasional sniffles, he gently lifted her head to look at him.
"You never stopped being your father's princess. He loved you. That love may be the very reason we get Emma back. His inquiries showed that there was a change of heart over the adoption, and that he wanted to get her back for you. We will be able to use it as proof of our intentions in court."
He kissed away what remained of her tears then silently led her to the bathroom and turned on the hot shower. He slowly unbuttoned his shirt from her body, kissing her exposed shoulder as it fell to the ground. He moved his lips across her collarbone and up her neck as he walked her backwards until they were under the falling water. She inhaled deeply, letting the steam clear her head as the warm water relaxed her muscles. She closed her eyes and focused on the soothing feeling of his hands moving tenderly across her body, slowly massaging away her grief…until it was washed away in a powerful explosion of their love.
He turned off the water and wrapped her in a towel. She protested slightly as he picked her up and carried her to the bed. He laid her down and tucked the blankets around her.
"I know you didn't sleep well last night what with worrying about Emma. You rest, I'm going to get dressed go pick us up some breakfast."
An hour and a half later the smell of coffee and fresh baked croissants signaled David's return. He brought Mary Margaret her favorite cinnamon dulce latte, fresh fruit, and fig jam to spread on the buttery croissant. He also brought news from Regina. She had called in a favor from a lady she had attended law school with who was now a judge. Judge Blue was going to review the petition for custody, along with Emma's foster care file and the adoption file Regina sent to her. A hearing was scheduled in three days. Mary Margaret sprang from the bed and nearly knocked David down with the force of her hug. It was really happening. Emma was coming home.
David and Mary Margaret arrived at the courtroom on the morning of New Year's Eve. The couple were seated at a table talking with Regina when Emma walked in escorted by Chloe Fox, the social worker that had been less than supportive of David and Mary Margaret. Mary Margaret smiled encouragingly at Emma, though Mrs. Fox's presence had the butterflies present in her stomach fluttering like mad. Emma looked quite relieved to see them. She waved as she and Chloe took a seat at the opposite table. The only other people in the courtroom were the bailiff and a court reporter.
Mary Margaret tried to speak with Emma, but Regina placed a hand on her arm to stop her. The bailiff stepped forward and asked them to rise. Judge blue entered looking quite serious and stern. She smoothed out her black robes and gave a small nod to Regina as she sat down.
"You may all be seated."
There was silence as the judge opened the files on her bench and scanned them. Emma watched nervously and Mary Margaret wished she could reach across and hold her daughter's hand. Finally, the judge looked up and addressed the group before her.
"This is going to be a rather informal hearing today. I've read through the material given to me and I've interviewed the child's social worker who is here representing her today. I'd like to start by making a statement to the child."
The judge's eyes softened as she looked at Emma.
Emma, I'm sorry for the failings of the system in regard to your care. The neglect and abuse you suffered at the hands of your many foster parents should not have happened. Our system is not perfect, but it should be better than that. I personally intend to see that life gets better for you."
The judge turned from Emma to David and Mary Margaret.
"Mr. Nolan and Ms. Blanchard, my job here is to determine what's best for Emma. While it would seem an easy decision based on her history in the system, I must ask myself why you have come forward to own up to your responsibility to this child now? While I can appreciate that you are as horrified as I am by the abuses she has suffered, that by itself is not a reason to seek custody. This is a serious request and should not be done out of guilt or feeling sorry for the child. It must be made out of love. Being a parent is a huge commitment that must be made selflessly. I must take your original decision to put the child up for adoption into my decision. Why did you make that choice? What has made you change your mind? Will it change again? because you don't get the option to change your mind as it suits you."
"We will never change our minds" David spoke up before Regina could stop him. The judge cut him off.
"I'm not asking these questions for you to blurt out an answer, Mr. Nolan, but for you to think about, to think seriously about."
"My client apologizes, Your Honor."
Before Judge Blue could continue the doors of the courtroom burst open and Cora Mills entered waving a document in her hand. She approached the judges' bench. The bailiff stepped forward to stop her, but she pushed passed him.
"Your Honor, I am filing a motion to stop these proceedings immediately."
Regina stood.
"Mother, what are you doing?"
"No, what are you doing, Regina? Trying to ruin this firm, our reputation, our family?"
Cora glared at her daughter, the look in her eye fierce. Regina had cowered to that look all her life, but today she stood firm, shoulders erect, and met her mother's glare.
"I'm doing what is right."
Judge Blue banged her gavel to get everyone's attention.
"Mrs. Mills, why are you interrupting my courtroom?"
"I'm filing a motion to suppress the evidence files provided to this court by Counselor Regina Mills. Those documents were the private property of my firm and were obtained without a warrant."
"I'm denying your motion, Mrs. Mills."
"You can't do that without an evidentiary hearing."
"Mrs. Mills, does Regina Mills work for your firm?"
"She does."
"And does her employment give her the right to access files?"
"Yes, but she offered them as evidence without my permission."
"I'm denying your motion Mrs. Mills. And I will add that I have serious concerns about your practices."
"I have done nothing illegal."
"I think the district attorney might decide to look further into that. Even so, we both know that legal doesn't always mean it's the right thing to do."
"Your Honor—" Cora protested but the judge cut her off.
"Mrs. Mills, I've made my ruling. You can leave my courtroom, or I can have the bailiff escort you out."
Cora turned from the bench and faced her daughter.
"You're fired."
Cora cinched her lips tightly and lifted her chin arrogantly, refusing to let go of her pride as she exited the courtroom. Regina kept her head up, her stone face appearing unaffected by the scene that just took place and her mother's final words. Emma Swan watched her, recognizing the look of someone pretending that everything was okay when it was clearly not.
Judge Blue cleared her throat. "Well, that was plenty of excitement for the day. I'm ready to commence with my ruling on the custody issue before me. I hereby grant temporary joint custody of the minor Emma Swan to David Nolan and Mary Margaret Blanchard respectively. The minor shall switch between their residences. The court is allowing the affected parties to reach an equal and fair arrangement based on their job schedules. Their ability to do so without argument will be proof of their commitment to work together for what's best for the child. Both residences will be subjected to random inspections by the child's social worker, Chloe Fox. Mr. Nolan and Ms. Blanchard will be required to attend six weeks of parenting classes."
The judge turned her attention to Emma. "Ms. Swan, your parents aren't the only ones who have a role in the success of this living situation. You will be required to attend school and stay out of trouble."
The judge raised her eyebrows in a look of reproach. She leaned forward intimidatingly in her seat as Emma shrunk in hers.
"One more thing Ms. Swan, while it may seem to have worked out for you this time, this court will not tolerate running away. Do you understand?"
The girl squirmed in her seat as she squeaked out, "Yes ma'am."
"Good. Contingent on these factors, and a positive report from Mrs. Fox, I will see everyone back in four months to finalize custody."
The judge rapped her gavel lightly.
"Court dismissed."
Mary Margaret barely let the judge get the words out before she rushed across the room to crush Emma against her chest.
"Oh, Sweetheart. This is the happiest day of my life."
Emma couldn't respond, she could barely breathe pressed into her mother. For such a tiny woman, she was certainly strong. Emma felt her father's hand against the back of her head as he joined in the hug, squeezing her between them.
Emma looked up from her father's embrace to notice her parent's lawyer staring at them. She had never met Regina Mills, but she recognized the longing in her look. Today Regina had publicly sided against her mother. Their relationship will likely never recover. Today Regina Mills became an orphan. Emma guessed that in her heart Regina probably felt unloved for much longer than that.
Emma's parents released her and were being congratulated by her social worker and the judge, so she quietly slipped away and walked to the table where Regina was packing up her briefcase.
"Ms. Mills."
Regina looked up, surprised to see the blonde in front of her instead of with her family.
"Yes, dear."
"I just wanted to say thanks."
"You're welcome."
Regina gathered up her papers and placed them into her briefcase. Emma remained standing there.
"Was there something else?"
Emma stuttered slightly, not used to emotional stuff.
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry about your mom. She's a piece of work."
"Yes," Regina agreed, tight-lipped though her eyes seemed touched by the young girl's sympathy. "That she is."
Before Emma could say anything else, David called out to her.
"Hey Emma, Judge Blue has agreed to marry us. What do you say we have a wedding, Princess?"
"Now?" Emma said shocked.
"We can wait if you'd rather?" Mary Margaret offered.
Emma grinned, "No way, now is great."
She turned back to Regina. She knew all too well about watching others get their happiness while your own felt like it was slipping further and further out of reach.
"Go ahead sweetheart," Regina said to her kindly.
"Will You be alright?"
"Of course, I will." Regina leaned in closer to the girl. "You know there are all kinds of happy endings. Most people only think of it's about finding love and a family, but sometimes letting go of the relationships that hurt and bring you pain is its own kind of happy ending."
"And then you can find a new beginning," Emma said brightly.
Regina didn't respond, but her lips curved into the hint of a smile. That was enough for Emma. She skipped across the room to her waiting parents.
The sudden question by Mary Margaret of whether the judge could perform a wedding had been completely impromptu. There was no expensive white gown or extravagant decorations. No group of giddy bridesmaids, or groomsmen making jokes about the wedding night. No proud and emotional father walking her down the aisle. She wasn't wearing her mother's jewelry like she'd always planned. None of the things that Mary Margaret always envisioned for this day were here, but none of that mattered.
Mary Margaret looked down at her muted cornflower blue dress, with a stripped pattern of flowers and white lace. It wasn't quite bride-like, but it was soft and romantic, and it would have to do. Chloe pulled flowers from the Christmas poinsettia's still decorating the courtroom to put in Mary Margaret and Emma's hair, and make a small bouquet for each of them. Emma stood next to Mary Margaret and held the ring (They didn't even have one for David). Chloe stood on David's side as a witness.
Regina watched for a moment from the back of the room, exiting quietly before the ceremony ended.
The wedding was quiet and simple. Mary Margaret married the man she loved, with the daughter that she thought she had lost forever standing next to her. The moment couldn't have been more perfect. Tremors of happiness rippled through her as David slipped the ring onto her hand and leaned down to kiss her.
Emma cheered. The judge congratulated Mr. And Mrs. Nolan and shook their hands.
"And congratulations to you too, Emma Swan Nolan."
For the first time, Emma realized that was her name now. Emma Nolan. She liked the sound of that.
A short time later, the three of them said their good-byes and exited the courthouse, together.
"So," David asked, "Where would you guys like to go to celebrate? There's a wonderful French restaurant near here, or would you two prefer Italian?"
"You choose," Mary Margaret told Emma. "We kind of horned in on it, but this is your day."
Emma looked down and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't really care."
David could sense that there was something Emma wasn't saying.
"Is there something wrong? We don't have to go to either of those choices."
"I was really just hoping we could go home."
Home. For the first time she could remember it felt right to call someplace that. She looked up, afraid that she had already disappointed them on her first official day as their daughter, but they were both smiling. Mary Margaret put her arms around Emma.
"You know what, I'd like that too, home sounds good."
They made a quick swing by the hotel and then by the children's home to pick up everyone's things. The atmosphere on the drive was much lighter than the last time the three were in the car together. There was laughter and singing. They played i-spy and saw who could find the license plate from the farthest away. They were pulling into the drive to the farmhouse before they knew it.
"Mary Margaret what's going on?" David asked, pointing out the handful of cars lining the driveway.
"I don't know. I texted Ruby to let her know that we were on our way back and Graham to thank him for taking care of Wilby. Neither mentioned anything about plans to be here when we arrived back."
They entered the dark house and flipped on the lights.
"Surprise!"
A cheering, clapping, horn-blowing group of their friends surged forward to hug the returning family as Wilby romped around barking excitedly. Two handmade signs hung from the ceiling. One spelled out Welcome Home Emma in Block letters on colorful pieces of construction paper. The other said Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Nolan in gold swirling script.
Ruby pulled Mary Margaret from the crowd surrounding her and crushed her friend in a hug.
"Oh Mare, I'm so happy for you."
"Did you do all this?"
"Granny and Graham helped." Ruby bit her lip and peered out at her friend. "I hope you're not mad. I mean you should at least have a wedding reception."
"It feels wonderful to have such great friends."
Ruby picked up a party top hat and placed it on Mary Margaret's head. "I know it says Happy New Year, but it's all I had on such short notice. It's gold at least."
"No, it's perfect," Mary Margaret assured her friend. "Tomorrow is New Year's Eve after all, and this year will definitely be new won't it? I mean, I'm going to be a wife and a mother."
There was a hint of trepidation in her voice as she said the words out loud. Good Lord, was she ready for this? It had all happened so fast. Ruby sensed the sudden change in her friend's mood.
"Hey, you got this."
"I don't know Rubes. Don't get me wrong, I want it, more than anything."
"I hear a but in there."
"Emma still has wounds. We've managed to stop the bleeding, but I won't fool myself by saying that she is healed."
"Of course not. You don't get over that kind of hurt in a few weeks, and honestly it will always be a part of who she is, but she can put it behind her and move forward. She just needs love and patience. All three of you will, but the good news is no one has more of that than you and David. You guys have a world full of happiness ahead of you. You should be the poster children for Happy New Year."
Mary Margaret laughed as she hugged Ruby again.
Graham popped open and bottle of champagne and the crowd moved into the living room. There were toasts to the new couple, and Emma, and being a family. Granny brought out food and the group acted like they hadn't eaten in a month. Everyone was having a great time.
David was talking to Leroy when he spied Emma off in a corner, Wilby seated next her like a sentinel standing guard. He excused himself, grabbed a champagne flute and poured a drink for Emma. He walked over and handed it to her. She gave him a funny look as he handed it to her.
"You're letting me drink alcohol?"
"No way, Monkey, it's sparkling juice." He raised his glass. "To my amazing, strong, beautiful daughter. I'm so honored to be your father and grateful to have you home. May your future be everything you deserve."
Emma blushed as they clinked glasses and took a drink.
"So, what are you doing over here in the corner by yourself?" he asked.
"I don't know, I'm just tired, I guess. It's all a little overwhelming."
"What? All the people being here? I can make them leave."
"No, It's not them. I'm just not used to being this happy I guess."
"Well get used to it, Princess."
David pulled her in for a hug and kissed her hair. He let her go almost immediately, knowing that Emma's emotional intimacy meter was nearing shut down zone.
"Hey, Graham brought a bunch of fireworks. What do you say we go ask him to shoot them off?"
Emma perked up. "Cool. I love fireworks."
At David's prompting, Graham announced that it was time for fireworks and people began to make their way outside. David sat on a bench on the patio with Emma on his lap. Mary Margaret snuggled in next to him and wrapped a blanket she had brought out around their legs to protect them from the chilly evening air. Wilby laid on the concrete next to their feet. Together they watched as colorful explosions of light scattered through the air. The beautiful bursts filled the crowd with joy and awe. David tightened his arms around the people he loved. The fireworks were nice, but for the Nolan family, nothing compared to the joy of being together. Finally a family.