A/N: Alright y'all, the moment of truth. The last chapter is here (though eventually I'll add more one-shots after this) Sorry its a bit late, but only like 2 months instead of a year. Can't thank you all enough for your encouragement and patience with me throughout this journey! I hope you enjoy it!

The buzzing of her phone on the nightstand dragged her from the depths of a dreamless sleep. Her arm came down hard, reaching and searching in an attempt to silence the stupid thing. Squinting against the sunlight streaming in, she opens the message from Neal, reading how he had picked up Henry and they were meeting her father in the park. She groaned at being woken up, but sent a reply thanking him for the heads up and that she might meet them later.

Before she could even sit up, a wave of nausea sent her running to the bathroom for the fourth day in a row. She'd passed it off as the flu the first few days, maybe food poisoning, but now she's beginning to suspect something that's impossible. She does the math of when her last period was. She hasn't been with anyone since before arriving in Storybrooke. Hook hasn't been around lately, but they also never had sex. If she is pregnant, then someone did something to her against her will that she has no memory of. Where could she even begin looking for clues?

Rinsing her mouth and washing her hands, she shuffles back to bed.

The yellow dreamcatcher hung in her window, distorting the rays of sunlight on her wall. It irked her, nagging at her the way a leaky faucet drips in a constant, not-so-subtle reminder that something is wrong. It bothers her because she knows somehow that it doesn't belong there – that it isn't even hers. But every morning she wakes up it's the first thing she sees, and she ignores it. With what she now fears, that ends today.

Walking straight to the window, she pulls it from the hook. It takes a moment to calm herself down and focus, but it comes to life in her hands, glowing and swirling with memories that were hers – that were his – memories that were stolen from her. Memories she had guarded and cherished. Memories that she wouldn't lose again now that she had them back. She is grateful though, that he only seems to have taken the memories that pertained to them and their time in the Enchanted Forest, and any of what happened between them here.

As far as she can tell…

White, hot anger is the first thing she feels, but she understands why he did it. At least only a few weeks have passed, it's not like they missed a whole year together. How like him to place all her memories so close, within her reach. Is he waiting for her, or is he just that certain she would never have figured it out? Were it not for the fact she's pregnant, she might not have.

Too bad Rumple couldn't have predicted this…

Resting her hand on her abdomen, she wants to be happy – she is happy. It's the surprise of a lifetime; she loves him and that she'll be having his child thrills her. But her joy is shadowed by doubt…something is wrong. He isn't with her, hasn't been with her and taking her memories makes a pretty clear statement. He has made the decision to live without her, and as far as she knows, he didn't ask or even consider her thoughts or feelings.

Staring at her phone, she weighs her options. She fulfilled her end of the deal, those memories could be buried and filed away forever in some dusty corner of her mind without guilt. Silence is better, simpler option. Safer. Now she is free to move on and try to forget everything – focus on her son and getting to know her parents and being part of a family. Everything could go back to normal, or at least normal for them, when he was at best a shady ally and her world was a little more black and white.

Oh, who is she kidding?

If she never saw him again, she might've been able to forget. But even that, well, she's not sure which is worse: the pain of remembering having love and losing it or forgetting she had experienced something so rare and precious. How could she just bury two weeks of her life? It's a small town, even if they actively avoided each other, she would still see him in passing. The fact she wants to keep her memories isn't a good sign, but then again, maybe it is.

She shouldn't be surprised, and she couldn't help but wonder if her parents were surprised as well – if true love creeps up on everyone. To look back and see the thread weaving back through everything, right to the moment it first bloomed. Maybe it even began that first night at Granny's, the first time he spoke her name. And today was the awful day she woke up and learned that truly loving someone could also mean letting them go.

And now there's a child involved…

Burying her face in her hands, she rubs her eyes and rakes her fingers through her hair. Could he already know she's pregnant, and he just doesn't want to be involved? Did they already have this conversation? Going to find him now is a risk. She remembers giving him space, she remembers seeing him at Neal's grave and his apology before going to 'fix everything'. He actually did it. Would he steal her memories again – or try to – once he realizes she remembers?

Closing her eyes, she focuses her mind and will on his location – just the way he taught her. When her eyes open, she's at the park, the scene before her stopping her steps. Neal was play sword-fighting with Henry, and her father. Gold stood in the shade of a tree watching them, as relaxed as she's ever seen him. None of them seem to notice him, or her. It was everything perfect and idyllic that she was not, that they were not.

The whole picture feels entirely bizarre. At first, she can't speak as she comes to stand beside him. She understands exactly why he did it; she can't say she wouldn't have done the same to save Henry. The same choice he had to make was now before her: pretend she doesn't remember and they could all live together in peace, or she could be honest, and despite the problems and complications that would arise, they would be in love and together.

He didn't give her a choice of what happened in their relationship, she wouldn't repeat his mistakes, but this is too important for her to screw it up now. Her questions need answers, and she needs to know if he would lie, or be honest with her.

"Morning, Mr. Gold."

"Good morning, Sheriff. How are you?" he greets without even looking at her.

She swallows hard, "Been better. I haven't been feeling to well."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." He replies, still watching his son.

If he felt any concern for her at all, it doesn't show on his face or in his voice. Had he taken a forgetting potion again? Did he erase his own memory along with hers? If so, telling him now would break the spell and the perfect harmony in this universe would be obliterated. Combining that with telling him that she is carrying his child – however unintentionally – well…she's about to destroy his world once again.

"Can I ask…um, since I am the police, if I tell you something, can you promise to be discreet?" He finally looks at her, obviously intrigued by her words.

"Of course."

Clearing her throat, she takes a deep breath, "I think I might be pregnant, but I haven't had sex with anyone in, well, in a long time. Is there a spell, or some way you could find out what happened or who the father is?"

The look is clear in his eyes; he remembers. His gaze drops to her stomach with the realization that she is carrying his child. He looks as sick as she feels, then happy and terrified all at once. Then panic takes hold amidst an overwhelming sadness. She could almost hear all the thoughts and fears racing through his mind. Whether he should tell her. How would she react? But then his eyes lock on hers, almost surprised, but not really.

"You remember." It isn't a question, and she honestly can't tell if he is happy or upset by it.

"I do now." She had hoped to keep the emotion from clogging her throat and constricting her voice, but she's failing, "You had no right to take them from me."

"I hope you can forgive me one day." It's not the apology she wants, but his voice is contrite and she knows he means it.

A scoff escapes her, shaking her head, "You were never going to tell me, were you?"

"Not in so many words. Eventually I might have pursued you, but I needed to see what would happen. With my son returned and without your memories, I was curious to see who you would gravitate to. But I guess we'll never know."

Her eyes close as her head drops back. It can't be this. Not after everything. He can't still be in doubt of how much she loves him. Can he? What else can she do? How can she possibly convince him that she is sincere – that she genuinely loves him? Her calm demeanor and intention to not be judgmental are slipping away and her hurt and anger are taking over.

"Well, I do know, and I can tell you I wouldn't have gravitated toward Neal. I loved him once, yes, but that is long over." Her voice raises slightly, aggravated that he made such an assumption. No one understands the source of his insecurity and distrust more than her; it's just wearing her patience thin. As she's turning to tell him that very thing, a curious smile forms on his lips.

"I have to thank you, Emma…"

"Thank me? For what?" she asks incredulously. He smiles at her, holding back tears of his own as he breathes a heavy sigh.

"There was no way for me to hold you to our deal. I would've been none the wiser if you had never come to me. You could've continued on with your life, with Hook, happily ignoring Belle and I and letting us live our lives together. If it wasn't for you, I never would have been able to find my son."

She nodded, as if to say you're welcome, but the words wouldn't come. "Not telling you was never an option." There was a beat of silence as she gathered the courage to ask, "How did you do it? Did you even take the forgetting potion?"

"Of course I did. The temptation to fix everything was overpowering; I'm not even sure how I made myself drink it – but I did. I don't know how or why, but when I remembered our time together, I remembered everything you told me about Zelena." He sighed, taking hold of her hand and facing her fully, "I'm sorry Emma, no matter how much I love or care for you; I couldn't just let Zelena get away with it. After our last kiss, I managed to harness the magic of her amulet, and I went back to the Enchanted Forest…and I killed her."

Emma went from bittersweet understanding to furious in a heartbeat at his words. Why? Because he didn't return to her with a passionate embrace and hungry, grateful kisses and stole her memories instead? Because he didn't seem to want her there in his happily ever after? Because not only did she need him, she wanted him with every damn fiber of her being and she hated him for it?

She swallowed, absorbing the radiating anger, the force of it, feeling the heat of it spark her veins. Killing Zelena wasn't even the problem, she'd have happily done that herself. But Zelena's curse is the reason Emma went back to the Enchanted Forest. It's because of that they fell in love in the first place. Killing her meant that she would never enact the curse that brought them together. Was he trying to erase what happened entirely?

"But how…" she asks brokenly, "If you killed Zelena before she came here to enact her curse, why do I still have my memories of us in the Enchanted Forest?"

"Because time is a fickle thing, Emma, and this is a world without magic. You had already been there and back by the time I left; your memories will always be there. I had to choose the exact right moment, after she learned how to travel through time but before she could enact any of her plans. It was almost easy, given how she thought I was here in Storybrooke and unable to stop her. So now, my son is alive and all of the turmoil she caused didn't come to pass…although we still remember all of what she did to us."

"I don't understand."

"And you likely never will. I like to think the universe made it possible, even allowed a few rules to be broken. And while there might be consequences down the line, I can't regret what I did."

She focuses on her father and their sons, trying to gather her thoughts before speaking again. The breeze picks up and a few strands of hair move across her face as the silence extends between them. Closing her eyes and tilting her head back, she listens to the sound of their laughter, the echo of wood hitting wood; rhythmic and steady. She matches her breathing to that sound, waits until her heart beats a little slower to speak again.

"If I didn't know better, I might think you nearly collapsed all of time and space because you hurt me."

"It was one of the reasons, Emma. I know how much it means to have your trust and that I broke it hurts more than anything. But I broke my son's trust as well; I needed his forgiveness."

She nodded in understanding, turning her gaze back to her son. Henry got a good shot in, knocking Neal to his knee. They all laugh, and she does too, smiling as they pat his back and congratulate him. Even though he took her out of it, Gold has fixed more than just the death of Neal, he healed Henry's pain over losing his father. Seeing them together with David healed something in her heart she hadn't realized was broken.

"Why didn't you go further back and bring back Bae from when he was a teenager?"

"I was going to. The risk was just too great, plus that would have meant Henry never came into existence. My son was proud of the man he had become, and so was I. And Henry could use a father and I know my son will be the best."

"Did you alter Neal's memory in any way?"

"No, he is Henry's father and the two of you loved each other once, but he has let you go."

"Uh, Gold…I have a confession to make." She could feel his eyes on her, but she couldn't look at him as she continued, "Neal isn't Henry's biological father. It was a one-night stand, he was older and married. I slept with Neal shortly after, like, within two weeks."

There was a heavy moment of silence, and dread filled her heart, "Does he know?"

She shook her head, "I didn't think I should tell him. When he saw Henry the first time and did the math in his head, I just couldn't tell him the truth. Especially looking at them now, they need each other."

"Indeed." He chuckles softly, shaking his head, "Why didn't you just tell me, Emma? That would have made things so much easier."

"I don't know, it seemed important and necessary at the time. I guess I was afraid you'd judge me or tell Neal and ruin the relationship between him and Henry. Then have Henry be mad at me again for lying and I'm too ashamed to tell him the truth. Besides, it's not like you told me your plans to go back in time!" there's a teasing edge to her voice, as the last of her tension leaves her body.

That crooked smile returns to his lips, "Well, regardless, there's no judgement here, dearie. Your secret is safe with me."

"Thank you." She falls against his side, and his arm reaches around her waist, pulling her closer.

"Look at our sons, Emma, laughing and playing with no threat of the Evil Queen, Zelena, or Pan…tell me this isn't the happiest moment of your life."

"It's one of them." She didn't know how to say it, that all she wanted was for them to be together. He found his happy ending and she couldn't shame him for it. She starts to pull away.

"Um, I'm gonna keep the kid. If you don't want to be a part of their life or if you only want to contribute financially, I'll leave–"

"What are you saying, Emma?" he interrupts sharply.

"I just don't want you to stay with us out of obligation. It's not like you made a place for me in your happily ever after, and this baby is a huge surprise." He shook his head, pulling her closer.

"How long have you known?" He places his hand on her abdomen and her eyes filled with tears.

"I just found out. I still have to go the doctor for an official test."

He nods in understanding, "And you really want to keep…him or her?"

"What?! Of course I do!"

"Shh, keep it down, love. I just…needed to be sure."

"Don't you know by now that I love you and I want to be with you?"

"Yes, but a child…"

"Doesn't change anything. At least, it doesn't change what I feel." A beat of silence passed between them, his fingers stretching and moving in gentle circles. The look in his misty eyes was unreadable. Could he already tell if it was a boy or girl? See which one of them their child would resemble more? "Will they have magic?"

"Given our powers, it's a distinct possibility."

"No, I meant…a-as a child of true love?"

"Only time will tell…"

Her arms slip up his shoulders and around his neck. Tightening his hold on her waist, he presses her back against the tree trunk, his lips never leaving hers. Her hands tremble along with the rest of her as her fingers tangle in the silk of his hair. He teases her at first, his lips ghosting over hers. It is stronger than ever; the need to feel his touch; his kiss. Everywhere.

"Gold…" she breathes, her face pressed against the stubble of his cheek, "I missed you. I thought you didn't want me and…"

He opens his eyes, rubbing his thumbs along the pulse point just below her ears, his eyes drawn to her lips, swollen from his kisses, still slightly parted. His hands moved down to grip her hips and held her tight. When their eyes locked again, hers burn. A sudden, unexpected burning she has to blink back. She throws her arms around him, and just hugs him, breathing deep the crisp, clean scent of him.

"I was…an idiot." He confesses, and she actually laughs. His hands don't drift far from her stomach as he ducks his head down to her ear, rubbing his cheek against hers, the slight stubble heating her skin, scraping rough against smooth. Then nipping with his teeth, little bites of her skin lower, lower to where her neck met her shoulder. She is still trembling, but this time from giddy laughter as she squirms in his arms. He pulls away just enough to look in her eyes.

"I...I love you." The bluntness of her delivery surprises even her. He goes still, as in, stopped-breathing still. She waits. Waits for what comes next. And keeps waiting. In the end she had to close her eyes, because the what-next doesn't come, just more stillness. She tries to shake the hair out of her eyes as she opens them, afraid of what she'll see. He is staring down at her with a wild, haunted look on his face. Her chin raises up a notch, defiant of her own fear. "I love you and I don't care if you don't yet. I do."

"I love you, Emma Swan. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known. I don't deserve you, and I won't ever let you go again." He takes her hand, rubbing it with his thumb. She takes an unsteady breath at the sheer intensity in his voice. He is utterly, completely sincere. Gold. Stood there in the middle of the park telling her she is beautiful and that he loves her.

"I'll hold you to that…" and she will, too. The corner of his mouth tilts slightly upwards. He turns her hand to expose her wrist, lifting it and pressing a kiss there. Her heart just pounds in her ears, he truly loves her. Is that what had caused him to retreat, just like her? The pieces shift once more, finding their places at long last.

Her mind had taken his words and recorded them, each syllable, and was playing the words on a loop, over and over. The words where he said he loved her in this time and in this place. Loved her. Loved her. What his voice had been filled with was...everything. All of himself, pressed quietly into every single word.

I'll always want you. I need you too, but I'll always want you." She assures him. He takes a sharp breath and seems to collapse half-way and is kissing any part of her he can reach: her cheeks, her neck, her lips. "Could you–could you say it? Again?"

"I love you, Emma Swan…" The hand on his chest gathers his shirt in her fist. Her eyes close, then open, losing herself in his gaze. Her chest rose in a deep breath. The kiss was slow. Careful. As if it was the first kiss ever and fragile and completely new.

"Emma!" comes her father's stern voice. They pull apart and look over to see they had a small audience. Henry and David look abysmally confused and Neal looks more…amused? Not surprised? Had Gold confessed his feelings about her already? "What's going on?"

Gold's arm tightened around her shoulders and pulled her close. "It's alright, love, we'll tell them together."

"Together…" she repeats.

Her head falls to his chest, and she laughs, giddy with joy and excitement and what she can only assume is true love, born less out of fantasy and more out of respect, connection, and pained understanding.

A/N: I won't lie, I'm not entirely happy with this. Which is why I'll come back and do a few one shots. But as of now, I just wanted to give y'all some closure. Thank you so much again, and until my next Golden Swan story, (and there are a few) take care of yourselves!