A/N: Enjoy the new chapter!

For some strange reason, Emma slept great that night. Maybe it was the bourbon she drank last night or maybe it was just... the change of scenery that helps. She doesn't care, all that matters was that she slept like a baby, with no nightmare that night.

She stays in bed for an hour just enjoying the soft mattress, the calm morning surrender by the woods. Emma was trying not to let her mind go too far, or she would freak out for sure. She has lunch with her dad later, and she wasn't thinking about that, No, she wouldn't. She was too relaxed to let her mind get dark. It was just her dad… she had already passed that so, she was ok. And think about Regina… well, she would avoid that for now. The morning was too good to fuck that up already.

Emma got out of bed and went straight to take a bath. She wouldn't lose this feeling... This light mood. It was too good, and she feels nice.

She took a cold bath and after that wearing only her underwear and sports bra, Emma went to make breakfast. She still has a few hours before meeting her father so, she still has time to be mentally ready for whatever is coming on her way.

She was waiting for her coffee to be ready as she was checking her phone. There were three texts, one was Killian, the other was her father and the third one was Regina. She smiled when she saw the third one and she shakes her head. She opened Killian's first and he was worried, as usual, asking her how was she and blah blah blah. Emma rolled her eyes as her coffee machine beeped and she grabbed her mug and walked toward the couch, holding her phone, mug, and a plate with grilled cheese.

She took a sip of her delicious black coffee and sat crossed legs before sending Killian a reply. The same: she was fine, everything was fine, and she would meet her father for lunch that day. She sent it and took a bite of her grilled cheese before jumping to the next text.

"Hi, sweetheart it's dad. Just texting to make sure you're still up for lunch today? Is it ok to meet at 1 pm at Gepetto's? Do you remember this place? You and Everly used to love it. Alright, love you, princess."

She read the text three times before finally getting the courage to answer. She remembers the restaurant. It was the only place where they could eat good pasta and it was Everly's favorite place, not Emma's. But she wouldn't tell her father that, not now. So, after the second bite of grilled cheese, and a sip of her coffee, Emma sent him a reply telling David it was ok, she would meet him whatever he feels ok so, she would meet him at 1 pm.

She put her phone down for a second after sending the text to finish her coffee and her grilled cheese... It was her favorite thing in the morning — when she eat, of course. Next, she looks at her phone again as it beeped with Killian's message again sending her an excited congratulations on her big step. She only rolled her eyes and jumped for the next one, Regina.

"Good morning, old lady... just want to tell you that I had fun last night and we should do it again. And I have the day off if you want to do something, I'd love to see you again... "

Emma smiled. She is not used to that. She just met this girl and everything seems crazy as fuck. How should she reply to Regina? Does Emma want to see the girl again? This is so messed up. This would hurt them... No, this would hurt Regina so bad. But fuck, this girl makes her feel things... And Emma is not used to that kind of —good feeling. She should stop whatever was happening, she should, but does she really want to do that?

"Hey, you... I don't know what is going to happen today, but I'll let you know. And yeah, I had fun too, you're a good kid. ;)"

Emma sent it just as a small reply to her dad pops up and without noticing, her plan to just stay in Wind Gap for a quick visit was slowly falling apart. She was supposed to be back home by now, but maybe just one more day wouldn't hurt. She found out that she misses her father so, one day with him wouldn't be that bad, she could handle it...

Xxxxx

She was ready to meet her father, Emma was wearing her skinny blue jeans, her converse, and her white sleeve shirt. Her hair was loose down her shoulders. She grabbed her wallet, cellphone, and keys. She would get there a bit late, but just for a few minutes, her father wouldn't mind, he was a nice guy.

It didn't take long for her to get there, it was a sunny day, but Emma is used to wearing long sleeves... She needs them after all. So, as she parked her car outside, a few teenagers walked by her and she recognized one of them as Ava's friend. The girl was blonde like her sister and the sweet girl just smiled in Emma's direction before walking away.

Her phone beeped again, and Regina was only sending her a small text with a smirk emoji. Emma shakes her head, thinking maybe she could meet Regina for a simple talk? Yeah... just to have company for the rest of the day. Regina was a nice person to be around.

The blonde walked toward the door of Gepetto's she froze. Her heart stopped. At a table, in the middle of the restaurant was her father, sitting there waiting for and by his side... Her mother. Her fucking mother was there. What the fuck was happening? She wasn't ready to meet her mother yet. She told her father, what is she doing here? Emma couldn't move, she should turn around and run to her car, but she couldn't move and her parents had already seen her. David was happy to see her, and her mother was simply smiling. This wasn't right. Her hands were sweating and she could hear her heart beating in her ears. Fuck! Just take a deep breath, Emma, don't let her bring you down. Don't let her do it again. She closed her eyes for a second, took a long deep breath, and walked toward her parents her father was the first one to stand and hug her.

"I'm sorry, your mother insisted on coming with me..." He whispered in her ear, hugging her tight.

"It's ok, daddy." She whispered back as he let her go. Mary Margaret was already there, in front of her with arms open. With a sweet smile, waiting for Emma.

"Emma..." Mary whispered and Emma finally walked to her mother's arms and let her mother hug her. This feels so weird, suffocated. Emma wished she could just disappear right there, maybe just die.

"Hi, mama..." Her voice was small. Her mother was toxic. She has power over Emma and that was scary. She desperately needs a drink.

Mary Margaret let her go and they sat together. Emma was in front of them and her dad couldn't stop a smile.

"When your father told me you were in town, I couldn't understand why you did come to the house to see your family." Mary Margaret says as a waitress come to them and they made their orders and Emma ordered a beer. "Ava and Alec are excited to see you."

"Yeah, I just got here two days ago. I-I came to see daddy. Ruby called me and told me about his surgery so, that's why I came."

"And I'm so glad you're here, sweetheart. I'm so happy to see you after all these years." David grabbed her hand through the table and smiled at her.

"Well, I'd be happy if you could stay with us, Emma. It's still your home after all." Mary Margaret says and Emma was dying slowly there.

"I already staying at a place close to the woods, so, it's fine, mama. Thank you."

"Emma..."

"Mary Margaret, let her... She can come to have dinner with us. See Ava and Alec, they would love to see you." David interrupted his wife, not ready to let her fight with Emma.

"Yeah, sure..." Fuck.

"And how is everything in Chicago?" Mary Margaret asked. She was really trying to have a decent conversation with Emma and the blonde could see it.

"Pretty good. My life is... amazing." Emma lied. She was trying hard not to say anything that would blow this up. For her father.

Her mother smiled at her, a sweet smile, so sweet that Emma thought her mother was in some kind of trance.

"Oh, dear heart... It's being so amazing that you did even have time to visit your family?" Oh, here we go.

"It's not that..." Emma frowned and the waitress came with their food. Emma was glad for the quick distraction. "I... No, I just have been busy with the restaurant, that's all." Oh God, please, let me just die. Let me die, let me die. I can't handle this again. Emma thought as she feel her heart ready to explode in her chest. Why did she walk in? Her leg was bouncing so fast... she was sure her whole body was shaking.

"We understand, sweetheart. It's ok, all that matters is that you're here again."

"Can you please stop bouncing... And Emma, take your hair off your face, dear heart." Always with the sweet names for her, but never a good mother for her.

Emma sat straight in her chair and was ready to explode. Why her mother has such power over her like this? What the fuck is happening, Emma?

Her dad wasn't stupid he could feel how Emma was uncomfortable with Mary Margaret there and David wish he could just make everything easy for his daughter. He knew how difficult was for Emma and sometimes he wish he was brave enough to protect her the way she needed it. She still looks like his vulnerable and scary little girl.

Their lunch was a bit of a mess... David was trying hard to keep them calm, and not let his wife say anything that would hurt Emma even more. And he was the only one capable of put a cute smile on his little girl's face. He knew she wasn't fine like she says, he could see in her eyes, he could see something was off with her and he was already blaming himself.

Mary Margaret was being polite and surprisingly nice to Emma, sometimes she would insult her at the same time she was trying to compliment her, and Emma was just there... trying to live those few horrible hours without actually freaking out. She was surprised by her mother, of course, she was expecting so much more, but she was being... nice. Sweet even... And Emma was just dying for a much stronger drink. She was trying to just turn off her thoughts and not get crazy. She was capable of that, she was mature enough for that, she can't let her mother see her so vulnerable. No, she couldn't. Forget about dying, let's think about surviving this shit. This fucking crazy moment.

"And how are Ava and Alec?" Emma tried to ask. "I mean... Are they like good kids?"

"Of course they are." Mary Margaret said. "Well, Alec is still young so, he only thinks about horses. He loves the horses, he loves to spend time in the stable. "

"Right, he seems a nice kid." Emma smiled and something was telling her that her parents had no idea what Ava was last night. "And Ava? Is she a good kid?"

"Oh, Ava reminds me a lot of you and Everly," David said as they finished eating their food.

"Well, she is such a sweet girl. She loves the horses as well."

"Cool... I saw she has a boyfriend."

"Yes, she does." Mary Margaret smiled proudly. "Henry is a good boy and we love him. He is Henry Sr's son. You know him..."

"Yep, I do. I remember him... " Emma could see that Ava was someone different behind their parent's back. Something that Emma could understand since she wasn't any different.

"I'm sure Alec would love to meet you, honey. He is excited to meet his big sister. We'd love to have you for dinner." David said and Emma only smiled.

"We are waiting for you there. And next week we will have a festival at the house... You do remember that we used to do that, right? Everly used to love our summer festivals." Of course, Everly was her favorite, Mary Margaret remember every single detail about her baby girl.

"I remember, mama. Everly used to love Granny's apple pie. It was her favorite thing in the festival." Emma smiled a little and again the waitress walked toward the table, taking their plates out.

"And I remember that Ingrid's bear claws were your favorites, honey." David chuckled and Emma nodded. Yeah, Ingrid, of course, she remember the woman, she was really so nice to Emma. She could see everything that was happening in Nolan's house and was always there to be with Emma. Almost like a godmother.

"Oh true. Ingrid's bear claws were always so good. I forgot about that, dad."

"I still can't understand how you could love that. So much sugar, Emma."

"Well, maybe because you never let us eat sugar, so, the festival was your only chance," Emma said and her father chuckled.

"That's true... But let's not forget about the hundreds of candy you and your sister used to eat on the stable."

"Well, daddy, that's because you were always hiding sugar for us."

"And you guys always thought I didn't know. You can't hide anything for me, my love." Mary Margaret said, kissing her husband's cheek and Emma rolled her eyes. She was getting tired of this. She should leave. Get a drink.

"Are the kids ready for dad's surgery?" Emma asked.

"They are," David said. "Alec doesn't understand much yet, but I tried to be honest with him and tell him the truth. He thinks it's cool that I'll have an awful scar in the middle of my chest, but..." Emma chuckled but was still nervous. "And Ava..."

"Ava is being amazing." Mary Margaret smiled and Emma was sure her mother was trying something here. Maybe make her feel bad for being a bad daughter for so long.

"Right, Ava is a good daughter."

"Of course she is." Mary Margaret said. "She's just like Everly... And-"

"And nothing like me, right? I'm sure she makes you so proud and must be the sweetest girl." Emma smiled, but the smile didn't search her eyes. She was being ironic.

"Emma, that's not that..." David tried.

"No, daddy, it's ok... I understand, but you know what? I'm not gonna fight you, mom." Emma was ready to die so, nothing matters to her in this town with her family. "No, I'm not... Because for the first time in years, I woke up feeling good today. And I won't let you fuck this up. So, I'm here because of dad. Just be sure you know that." Emma was ready to stand up, but her mother's voice stop her.

"Sit down, Emma." Mary Margaret said and Emma look at her. "I'm not here to fight you either, I'm here to see you, because believe me or not I miss you."

"What..." Emma laughed, she actually laughed. "Wait... Do you miss me? Is this a joke? Daddy?"

"Emma... don't be like this, sweetheart, please. We miss you every day." David tried to search for her hand again, but Emma didn't let him touch her.

"No... I mean, I doubt if she even misses Everly and-"

"Don't you ever say something like that again." Mary Margaret cut her, visible mad. "I miss your sister every day-"

"I don't care, Mary Margaret... Because you never give a fuck of how much Everly's death affects me, so why should I care about you now?"

"Emma! Why are you fighting me on this?" Mary Margaret asked. "I'm not trying to fight you right now,"

"Right... You know what? I don't even know why I walked in, I knew we couldn't keep a decent conversation, because you always find a way to insult me. Did you notice that? Even when you're trying to compliment me, you're fucking insulting me and I'm so tired of this... You think you know me, but you don't and you never tried to. You never care. So, I'm leaving, because I don't want to listen to your fucking bullshits. You're not a saint, mama and you never have."

Emma stands up and looks at her dad. "I'm sorry, daddy." And she walked out of the restaurant feeling a mess. All the good feelings from that morning disappear and she was feeling numb again. She hates her mother so much. She was so tired of everything. Fuck this life. She hates her life, she hates herself so much...

Driving without paying much attention, Emma ended up at the bar again and before Walsh could say anything, Emma was already ordering her drink. Her leg is bouncing so freaking much, that her whole body was shaking, and as she was waiting for her vodka, someone sat beside her.

"You look nervous." He said and as she turned to look at him, he has a cigarette in his mouth.

"Peter... What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I'm allowed to be whatever I want, Emma." He smiled and Emma narrowed her eyes as Walsh poured the vodka for her.

"Be careful with this one, Emma... He's always trouble." Walsh gave the boy his beer and Emma drank a bit of her drink.

"Are you old enough to drink?" Emma asked.

"Like I said... I'm allowed to do that... yeah." Peter had a smirk on his face. "So, you look nervous... Need something to make you feel better?" Emma doesn't do drugs for a long time, but she wasn't thinking right now, she only need something strong.

"I have something special and I think you'd like it," Peter said and he took something from his jacket's pocket and handle it to Emma. A small and white pill. She looked at it and Peter was smirking. "Trust me, it's for you... It's a courtesy." Emma looked at him for a second and without thinking, she throw it into her mouth and drank her vodka. Let's forget about how fucked up her life was.