Emma was sitting in the passenger seat while David drove through the winding roads surrounding Storybroke. Gripping the steering wheel tight David's eyes darted around looking for answers in the trees. It all felt so fresh and new, and the excitement was building in Emma. Feeling a sense of safety and warmth answering her newfound fathers queries about her life. Stunning Emma into the waking world and out if this memory, was the sound of her alarm clock. Emma's eyes shot open, and she looked up at the ceiling. Throwing the sheets off jumping out of bed with velocity knowing she would be running into the arms of her parents. Relief washed over Emma as soon as she felt them in her arms once more.
"Happy Birthday" Mary Margaret and David said in unison.
Emma held on longer than she ever had before and after a minute her parents exchanged concerned looks. Wondering what would make their teenage daughter feel the need to show so much love. With a raised eyebrow and shake of the head they collectively decided to sit Emma down and talk. Calmly they surrounded Emma one on each side sitting on the edge of the bed. With Emma in the middle and buddy curled up behind them. They looked at Emma wordless waiting for her to explain this behaviour. David was anxious gripping the Storybook tight in his hand.
"I'm sorry, but story time is going to have to wait, we only have an hour" Emma said getting up running into the bathroom.
"Emma what's going on?" David said stern.
Emma continued to talk through the door as she got dressed at an even faster pace as the three times previous, managing to get toothpaste on her shirt this time. Her parents faces longing and their whole bodies tense, wanting to know what Emma had to say.
"I've lived this morning before" Emma yelled from the bathroom.
"What do you mean?" David asked.
"Every day I wake up and it's my birthday and everyday" Emma paused making her way back out of the bathroom.
"Someone dies, and I turn back the hourglass, wake up here" Emma finished.
"The hourglass" David questioned.
"From the pawn shop, don't you remember?" Emma said.
"Yeah" David replied realisation washing over him.
Both Mary Margaret and David were stunned into silence for a moment like Emma had spoken in a different language. Emma smiled relieved as if she had just had a huge weight lifted, making her way around the bed to pat buddy. Now that the words had been spoken aloud, they were clearer than ever, and the seriousness of the situation was apparent. Emma could see it clear in the expression her parents shared. Completely blown back by this confession all their hopes for Emma to have a happy birthday dashed away in an instant.
"How many times?" Mary Margaret asked after a moment of silence.
"This is the fourth, hopefully the last" Emma said.
"Did we?" Mary Margaret asked stuttering unable to finish.
It was clear what she was asking by the look in her eyes, did their daughter have to watch them die? Emma nodded when Mary Margaret failed to finish his sentence gasping at the realisation that Emma had watched them die. Looking over at the clock, Emma stood up quickly running downstairs to greet Killian at the door. Mary Margaret and David quickly followed as Emma raced away down the stairs sliding across the floor in her socks. Opening the door and letting Killian in, again before he even knocked. While he still had a confused smirk on his face Emma pulled him into the loft closing the door.
"Alright, who are we fighting now" Killian said in a huff.
"How did you know?" Emma asked.
"You got that look in your eye" Killian said caressing the side of Emma's face.
"What Look?" Emma asked.
"Like your about to punch someone in the face" Killian replied.
"I don't really have much time to explain, we going to have to move quickly" Emma replied with a giggle.
"I pretty good at improvising" Killian said with a smirk.
"First we need to call Regina, she knows the attacker, told me it was Maleficent" Emma explained.
"Maleficent attacked you" Killian said concerned.
"Not yet, and it wasn't me" Emma replied.
"Emma, what's going on?" Killian said confused.
"I'm not sure yet, but I think the answer will be in here" Emma said pointing at the Storybook still in her father's hand.
Emma walked over to David taking the book carefully and placing it on the table while Mary Margaret began pacing trying to get Regina on the phone. Killian poured himself a cup of coffee it was lukewarm and bitter. Quickly gulping it down relying on the high to get through the next moment. Buddy sensing the tension came up to David rubbing against his leg wanting the comfort of his hands to calm him. Emma flipped through the pages looking for any sign or mention of Maleficent, trying to find a motive for her fatal blows. While Emma was hyper focused on the book Killian looked up pleadingly to David for explanation.
"Emma tells us, she's lived this day before" David said like he was holding back vomit.
"We've all seen magic stop time, but going back" Killian said concerned.
His mind racing and suddenly Killian eyes went wide when he realised there was only one person with magic even close to that powerful. Killian heart began to race, and he clenched his hand. Emma let out a frustrated sigh walking over to where she knew David was keeping her birthday present. To the surprise of David and Mary Margaret, she picked it up, pulling out from its wrappings. Carefully putting on the red leather jacket and it fit better than ever.
"This is the first time around I've told you about the loop, thanks for the jacket" Emma said towards her parents "and the bacon and egg sandwiches" Emma finished looking over at Killian whose mouth gapped open.
"I'm sorry, I know this is hard, but we need to work together I've done this three times already" Emma said reaching for Killians hand and squeezing it tight. "I can't do it again, can't watch someone die again"
They were all silent as what Emma was explaining really sunk in. The fact Emma was so open and confident in herself made David and Mary Margaret smile. Seeing her standing before them reading through the Storybook in the red leather jacket they had picked out for her determined to save lives.
"It took three tries, before you asked for help" Killian said in a huff.
"What, is that surprising" Emma said with a frown.
Trying to make light of her lapse in judgment with a small shrug. However, Killian was quite serious and looked away from Emma. Clenching his chest visibly pained and disappointed, Killian frowned at Emma and her continuous cavalier attitude.
"I suppose it isn't, because when saving the day means putting your trust in others, Emma Swan is nowhere to be found" Killian said annoyed.
Killian walked away out the front door quickly back down the stairs in shock his hand firmly on the rail to hold himself up. His heart pounding as he made his way down to the entrance. In desperate need of some air the expectations of this day and the reality pulling him apart from the inside out. Images of a morning spent on a hillside simply having breakfast with the girl he loved a fading dream of a naive boy.
"Killian wait" Emma replied chasing after him.
Emma ran towards him out the front door but crashed into something hard, stopping Emma in her tracks. Regina steeped backwards with a frown not expecting to be meet in the doorway like this. Emma gave Regina an apologetic look and continued down the stairs after Killian. Regina then rolling her eyes continued into the open doorway of the loft.
"I didn't think you'd be traveling, with the" Mary Margaret mumbled using her hands to gesture what Regina does when she teleports.
"I could tell you were worried" Regina smirked "never play poker" Regina finished walking passed and tapping Mary Margaret's shoulder condescendingly.
"Where have Emma and Killian gone?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Went running downstairs, some lovers spat" Regina grunted.
Mary Margaret let out a sigh, walking over to the door and looking down the stairs to see both teenagers just at the bottom arguing. Resitting the urge to go down there try make everything better, knowing she couldn't. Hearing Emma voice desperate and longing as she spoke with Killian, Mary Margaret promised herself this day would still be one to remember for all the right reasons. Slowly Mary Margaret walked back into the loft leaving the door open for when the pair returned. Down at the bottom of the stairs Killian found himself completely lost. Heart racing legs shaking trying to keep the anger at bay. Most days he could keep in bunched down focusing on all the good things and it all seemed simple, easy even. The quest for revenge a fading memory when he held Emma in his arms. He just wondered why it was so hard for her, to let go. After all they been through to not trust in him inherently and know they would take on everything together. It was enough to have him rethinking everything he thought he knew. Killian couldn't even hear Emma's apology over the sound of his head pounding.
"Emma" Killian said interrupting her "I just need a minute, we'll talk after"
"What" Emma mouthed the words barely verbal.
"Like you said we don't have much time" Killian replied.
"You're staying?" Emma asked confused as Killian put his hand on the banister ready to head back up.
"The fact you need to ask me that, is exactly why I'm upset" Killian said in a huff.
Killian quickly made his way back upstairs to join the group and start forming a plan to get through the next hour. David had already set up a countdown clock set to go off in 43 minutes and 36 seconds. Emma slumped back in the door and closed it behind her. Re-joining the group notably with a distance between her and Killian.
"Ok well now that's settled" Regina said impatient eyebrows raised.
Looking towards Emma for further explanation as to why she was asked to come her after getting no explanation from Mary Margaret and David.
"Well, I thought you might have an idea of what's going on" Emma explained.
"Why?" Regina said her voice stressed.
"Because you recognised Maleficent straight away, I thought you might be able to shed some light as to what she might be after" Emma explained.
"She's a villain, she kills people" Regina replied sarcastically and confused.
"As a former yourself, you know it's more complicated than that" Killian added.
"Dammit" Emma said frustrated as she continued flipping through the Storybroke.
Emma's eyes darting towards the clock her heart racing as the hands ticked the sound was all encompassing. The only references to the mistress of evil in the Storybook seemed to have no correlation to what was happening in the present.
"Emma, it seems the only constant thing in this" Mary Margaret paused thinking "time loop whatever you want to call it, is you being there with her"
"Yeah, your right" Emma replied somewhat confused as this fact didn't shed any light on their current predicament.
"Well maybe the answer isn't in her past, but yours" Mary Margaret said, gesturing towards the filing cabinet that held Emma's case files and other documents kept by Emily, Emma's former case worker.
"I think you might be right" Regina said her eyes distant while her mind focused through memories thought to have been long forgotten.
Killian wasn't hesitating over at the cabinet pulling out the draw with an abruptness. His eyes still on the timer as it ticked down to one of their deaths. Grabbing stacks of files quickly placing them on the table while the others began to look through them. In his haste Killian flopped the contents onto the table and a cassette tape fell to the ground. Emma eyes instinctively looked over as it quietly rattled landing on the hardwood floors. Placing her hand on it gently recognising its fragility and importance Emma picked the tape up. Across the front in warn out masking tape it read, 'friends mix' and a smile lit up Emma's face as she recalled memories of listening to it. It was the only birthday she had fond memories of sitting in a junkyard filled with old cars. Lily and Emma found an old yellow bug still equipped with a cassette player. The pair sat in the back listening to tunes all day it was cosy, one of the closest things to home they'd ever had.
"Lily" Emma said quietly to herself.
Recalling Regina's words to her before the hourglass ticked over and time turned backwards. This puzzle was slowly coming together as the rest of Emma's family where shuffling through the piles of documents and notebooks. David had his hands around a large yellow envelope concealing smaller diaries. Without hesitating he ripped it open flipping through the pages on the notebooks some decades old, the pages yellowed. Others looked fresh they were all dated up to last year, like journal entries.
"This doesn't make sense, I kept track of every big player in this town from the moment this all started, Maleficent was never here" Killian said as he continued the rummage through the papers.
"I think your right Killian, she must have come here after the curse broke" Mary Margaret said, and they both looked at each other with recognition as the everything came clearer.
David hadn't even heard them so enthralled by the journals his mind racing. Speed reading through the pages with barely legible faded ink. Then his stomach suddenly tied up into knots while reading Emily's words and he recalled something she had said.
"Both of them will be with us soon" David mumbled to himself.
Thinking back to the last time he saw Emily before they were taken by the beast. It had completely slipped his mind until now and David couldn't believe he hadn't realised the importance of this comment. Remembering Emily's smirk standing on the steps of the school, but she was lying never planning on bringing Lily with her out of Storybroke, only Emma. To reckless to identify the risk in betraying the trust of such a powerful ally and now they faced the consequences.
"Did you say something?" Regina said the only one in earshot of David's words.
"I think, I found something" David said shocked.
The rest of them looked towards David as he held up on the diaries reading aloud from the page. It was handwritten and faded dated almost thirteen years ago to the day. Written with such gravitas and confidence like everything she wrote was becoming a part of some sacred text.
"This strange woman is not of this world but adapting quickly, she held a knife to my throat when I mentioned the Enchanted Forest" David paused reading on a few pages ahead "we have found common ground, but she'll need to get rid of the horns if we're going to work together" David finished.
"Wait, Emily worked with Maleficent?" Mary Margaret said alarmed.
"It's unclear there are a lot of entries, it goes on for years" David said gesturing towards the rest of the notebooks in front of him.
"This is just too much of a coincidence" Regina said.
"It's not" Emma said shaking her head. "It's destiny"
Quickly Mary Margaret was at her husband's side picking up one of the diaries herself to read through. As did Regina desperate to put the pieces of this mess together herself. Emma clasped the cassette tape in her fingertips and her heart starting pounding. Killian was unable to stand still pacing repeatedly stroking his hand threw his hair.
"Maleficent escaped the curse, to come here, a land without magic?" Regina questioned as the final pieces came together.
"To find her daughter" Mary Margaret said, her eyes wide with realisation as she read through the pages herself.
The entries cold and callous describing how Emily strung Maleficent along all those years only showing her images of Lily. Manipulating her into believing that Lily whereabouts remained unknown. That they needed to rely on each other to find both Emma and Lily, but Maleficent was just being used.
"Is everyone related" Killian said with a sigh.
"Always, unfortunately for Maleficent the person has put her trust in has been leading her astray and she hasn't found her daughter yet" David said frustrated.
"I don't care who's she trying to find, she killed people" Emma said the anger surfacing once more.
"When Emily abruptly disappeared, she must have assumed it was Emma's fault that she was unable to reunite with Lily" Mary Margaret finished.
"How does this even stop the death, doesn't explain everything, why the mansion?" Emma said frustrated.
"We need to go, warn everyone" David said looking up towards everyone then leading the charge on an attack.
With the knowledge of what Maleficent is after, one thing became clear she would stop at nothing to get it. They all grabbed their coats starting to head to the exit almost in sync knowing themselves the lengths they would go to find their loved ones. Knowing the danger that meant for the people unknowingly in the way, David grabbed his sword and handed a spare to Killian and Mary Margaret grabbed her bow and arrow. All except Emma were getting ready for a fight, who still felt the cycle was continuing. Watching them casual walk towards what felt like certain death made Emma's skin crawl.
"No, we can't, I can't" Emma said frozen.
The shield appeared quickly encompassing them all inside there was a change in her expression distant as she played the deaths over. The anger was burning up once more scorching through her veins to her hands that once again began to glow with a white light. The rest of the group giving Emma a pitiful look seeing the fear churning in her soul. Killian was at her side in milliseconds reaching for Emma's hand and the glow only got brighter, but the heat faded. In another second Mary Margaret had Emma's other hand squeezing it tight.
"It's ok, you're ok" Mary Margaret said calming Emma more.
"What do you suppose we do?" David asked stopped in the doorway.
"What we do best" Emma said.
"What's that?" David asked.
"We can find Lily, that will stop the loop" Emma replied stern.
"You have been trying and failing to find her for months" Regina said frustrated.
Emma held up the cassette tape found in the box right under their noses all this time. They all looked over confused not having noticed it in Emma's hand until now.
"This is Lily's, you said we needed something personal of hers to do a tracking spell, use this" Emma said handing Regina the tape.
"You believe we can find Lily, just like that?" Killian said surprised.
Emma nodded her shoulders becoming less tense and the shield came down. It was so frustrating and yet so relieving that the answer was right in front of them sitting in a draw all this time. Collecting dust forgotten because they wanted to avoid their feelings, to move on. The past isn't forgiving, for real clarity and steps forward one must look back. Within minutes Regina was able to perform a tracking spell. They group quickly followed the purple whisp of magic leading them out of the apartment and into the centre of town. Emma wasn't ready to slow down speeding up into a run as they reached their destination. The clock tower ticking over to half past eleven as they were led closer to it and the still boarded up building below. Making quick work of the simple padlock and chain keeping the doors shut. Immediately they split up running through the dusted shelves and cobwebbed covered desks but there was no sign of life. The group meet back in the middle of the room looking for answers on each other's faces, but all shook their heads.
"Did the spell, not work" Killian said frustrated.
"No, I felt her, she's scared and angry but she's here" Regina said.
"We tried, but we don't have much time to waste" David pleading concerned about the battle ahead.
"Wait the magic it's still glowing" Mary Margaret said pointing behind the group.
"We just need to look in the right place" Killian said his hands over the wall looking into it like there was a puzzle to solve.
It was a large wooden panel on the wall with a familiar looking tree in the centre a symbol of family connection. Killian gently placed his hand on it and there was a sudden noise erupting from below. The wooden panel in front of them slide up disappearing into the ceiling. Revealing another cobweb coated door old fashioned and solid with many nobs and leavers attached. Swiftly Killian pulled a leaver and the large steel door opened as the gears turned and rotated. Revealing a lift with a longing darkness below seemingly endless the purple magic glow leading them downward.
"Seems ominous" Killian stated.
"Then let's go, together" Emma said.
Agreement was clear among the group and the piled into the elevator shaft together which felt like a downfall to the depths of hell. Eventually the decline came to a halt and dust flew up as the elevator came to a stop. The group hesitated to step up the darkness of the cavern in front of them surprising and daunting. It was immense and dark the cold air creping in, Killian instinctively grabbing Emma's hand before she crossed the threshold into darkness.
"It's ok, I'll find her" Emma said turning toward him.
Killian nodded but held on tight and the stepped forward into the cave soon followed by the rest of the group. The formed a tight circle protecting their most vulnerable suspecting danger to confront them in the abyss. They were surprised to find next to nothing but stone-cold air and eerie silence. Heading deeper into the cavern the started to notice something out of place. Music coming up ahead and a voice humming along to it.
"Is that Bowie" Killian said confused as the music echoed through the enormous underground cavern.
Stumbling across pop tart rappers and other assortment of things they became confused. There was a sudden movement in front of them and a figure stood tall her hair brunette and her smile slightly ashamed.
"Happy birthday" Lily said.
There was a moment a surprised silence as Emma saw her friend in front of her for the first time since she was taken by the creature when the curse first broke. Not at all what she pictured in her mind. Lily had set up a place for herself a homemade tent and rustic outdoor kitchen. Making a home for herself in the caverns below Storybrooke hiding out just underneath them all this time. This didn't really surprise Emma at all understanding the need to be alone and lookout for oneself. What surprised her was that Lily was smiling as they approached happy to see them all.
"I thought you hated me" Emma said confused.
"No, no I just," Lily paused standing up brushing the crumbs from her pants "I saw you surrounded by your family and realised there was no place for me" Lily finished.
"That's not true" Emma said stepping forward.
"I'm part of your past not a particularly got part" Lily replied with a shrug.
"No, you were the only good constant in my life before.." Emma said before trailing off. "Before I found them"
"I'm sorry to break this up, but" David said concerned.
"Oh, crap we have to go, I'm sorry to dump this on you, but we need your help" Emma said her voice cracking.
Having the unfortunate firsthand experience in being thrust into a situation uniquely similar to the one Lily was about to face. Knowing that it wasn't as simple and perfect as what Lily deserved when reuniting with her long-lost family. Emma reached out her hand to Lily hoping she would take it that everything would wrap up as neatly as it could. Lily recoiled the emotional scars from her past still clearly visible in her eyes. Unfortunately, they didn't have a year to slowly chip away at the walls around Lily's heart. A timer was counting down as they spoke and people's lives where on the line, what the needed was a sledgehammer.
"I can't help anyone" Lily said backing away.
"Yes, you're the key to all of this" Emma replied.
"They key" Lily said confused.
"Please if we were ever really friends, I need you to trust me, take my hand and I'll take you home" Emma said reaching out once more.
The rest of the group got the idea all linking hands within moments they stood in a circle hand in hand, the last link being Lily's. Hesitating for a second Lilly slowly unclenched her fist before sliding her palm against her jeans. Looking up into Emma's eyes that remained unwavering in the face of disaster and Lily responded with a nod. Taking the saviours hand, a purple cloud surrounded the group blocking out the cavern as it slowly dissipated finding themselves in the alcove behind the mansion. Regina was the first to let go out of breath she placed her hands on her knees. Try to steady herself never having taken that many people with her before. Mary Margaret put her hand on Regina's shoulder giving Regina the support she needed to stand tall once more.
David still held the timer in his hands he looked down terrified as it was now under the ten-minute mark. Even now as they all banned together their fate was still unclear anyone one of them could be the next fatality. Even with the master swordsmen, archer, evil queen, pirate and saviour in front of her Maleficent was still confident appearing from the shadows with a grin. The black cape encompassing her wrapping around like her own personal shield. The green light from Maleficent staff almost blinding lighting up the alcove and another face appeared from the shadows.
"Saviour" Mr Gold said with a snarl" I warned you" Surprising everyone Mr Gold appeared as well behind the group.
From the sides of the walls vines sprawled out gripping Emma pulling her to the ground like she was about to be sucked down into an abyss, while they all watched in horror. Mr Gold held out his hand directing the magic. Lily eyes lit up in the colour red and she roared loudly, the dragon within surfacing once more.
"Lily" Maleficent called out.
As if someone had now flown the chequered flag blasts of magic came flying across from all angles as Regina, Maleficent and now the Dark one all fought from different sides. Forming a circle around Emma and Lily in the middle Mary Margaret and David using whatever means they had sword or stick as a weapon. Killian was hacking away at the vines holding Emma down frantically until she was free. It was utter chaos, and everyone was diving all over the place at any moment one of them could lose their life. It was hard to even see clearly as they ducked and dived around the small alcove. Now filled with blinding bright fireballs one moment then plunging into darkness again. Killian stood back-to-back with Emma as they manoeuvred through the battleground. Flashes of green light and arrows soring past mere millimetres from hitting their mark. Emma couldn't focus on one thing, every direction she looked someone she cared about was fighting tooth and nail to survive. The only one stationary amongst the chaos was Lily, frozen with terror. Mary Margaret and David were both thrown against the stone wall by Mr Gold who swiftly turned towards Emma. Killian was fast forcing Emma out of the way and shielding her with his own body. However now that the blast had missed them, it was about to make a direct hit on Lily. Who stood hopeless and alone amongst this warzone.
"Stop!" Emma yelled standing up.
With those words a blast of pure white light burst out of Emma, and everyone but Lily and Emma were knocked to the ground in an instant. Emma recoiled again not understanding the magnitude over her own power. Lily looked around her face white with terror, her eyes lingering on Maleficent who stood just metres away directly in front of her.
"What the hell is going on?" Lily yelled.
"Cease fire" Killian yelled frustrated sitting up slowly after being slammed down onto his back.
Emma stood steady in front of Lily he arms sprawled out behind her back protectively. Looking over towards Maleficent the anger still burning Emma up inside. Recalling the lives, she took with carless malice just hours ago.
"I don't understand" Maleficent said bemused by the interaction.
"Just let me explain then" Emma said looking around at everyone.
As everyone got to their feet the nodded disarming themselves for a moment and Emma let out a deep breath turning towards Lily. Not able to find the right words to explain for a moment. Reminiscent of a time before she knew the truth about her own heritage still unable to find the right way to say it.
"Spit it out" Lily said.
Emma could tell by the look in her eyes the glances she shared with Maleficent that Lily already knew the truth, but still couldn't believe it. Requiring it to be said aloud to have it confirmed by someone trusted.
"All this time we've been separated used and manipulated by Emily, your mother has been desperately trying to find you, she crossed realms, defied everything" Emma said looking over towards Maleficent who was visibly shocked by this reveal herself.
Lily stepped backwards away from Emma but looked up towards her mother for the first time starting to accept the truth as Emma continued to explain.
"Were not lost girls anymore" Lily stated, and Emma nodded turning towards Maleficent.
"This is my friend Lily" Emma said " I believe you've be looking for her"
"I, I had it all wrong" Maleficent said looking to Emma apologetically "My darling girl you right there all along"
The timer now tied to David's belt rang out startling the group pulling them away from this lovely moment. They jumped back looking over to him and David swiftly turned the buzzer off.
"It's past twelve" Emma squealed jumping up in the air.
"How long has it been eleven?" Lily asked confused.
"Way to long" Emma replied exhausted.
Despite the tension moments ago the group started to laugh starting with Killian then Emma and the rest joined in until even Mr Gold had a smile on his face. They began to look over their wounds as a truce seemed to have been called.
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way" Emma said turning to Lily.
"Is there any other way to do these kind of reunions" Lily replied.
"Seems not lass" Killian replied looking over to Emma raising his brown knowingly.
"Maybe we should let you two" Emma said awkwardly as Maleficent remained quiet with the same desperate longing expression Mary Margaret and David had when the curse broke.
Lily nodded and walked over to her estranged mother they notably had good metre distance between them. But they were talking in the corner of the alcove the start of a long healing process begging in in the shade of the tress. Emma looked away wanting to give them privacy, Regina and her parents were examining there cuts and burns. Mr Gold quietly stepped away to the front of the mansion alone.
"Still don't understand is what you were all doing at the mansion in the first place?" Emma proclaimed as she looked around at them all.
"Oh that" Kilian replied with a smirk.
Taking Emma's hand once more even with them all sweaty and covered in dirt he led them into the mansion. They brushed of their pants as best they could, and Emma looked around at them all bemused. Killian pushed the double doors and they opened into a grand ballroom the smell of pizza and fruit punch filled the air.
"Surprise" yelled and assortment of Emma's family and friends from inside the hall.
Streamers fell delicately from the ceiling floating down to the ground as the group poured into the hall. Finally, the birthday celebrations could begin. Emma audibly gasped for the first time today a happy surprise.
Notes: Thanks for tunning in next chapter the birthday celebrations can actually begin.