Disclaimer: I do not own the Once Upon a Time franchise.

Chapter Two

Eight Months Later

August held Emma's hand tightly, "You've got this, Ems. You just squeeze my hand and scream." He instructed. He hated that Emma's ankles were chained to the stirrups of the bed she was in, as if she was a danger to anyone while she was pushing a human out of her body. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, August repeated, "Just squeeze and scream."

Emma nodded, the pain rippling through her body, "Squeeze and scream." She agreed her voice rough and raw, tightening her grip on his hand. She wasn't sure how he managed to be able to be present for the birth of her son, but she wasn't questioning it. He was here and he was taking Henry home with him. He'd had her list him as her medical contact and Henry's guardian. Emma was so grateful that her son would have a home until she could get out, Emma couldn't even begin to express how she felt.

"Okay, Emma," the doctor tapped her ankle, "on the count of three, I want you to give me a good long push. Just squeeze August's hand and scream." The older gentleman tried for a smile. He never got over delivering babies in a prison infirmary. It always broke his heart, but at least this young woman wasn't alone. He was immensely grateful that the young man with her had pulled whatever strings he had to be present.

Four Hours Later

Emma cradled the baby in her arms. She didn't want to let go. She wanted him to stay with her. The nurse smiled sadly at her, "Do you have a name?"

Looking up between the nurse who was reaching out for her baby and August, Emma nodded, "Henry. His name is Henry August Carter." She glanced up at August and noted the look of surprise and awe at her choice of middle name. He couldn't seem to find his voice though, and instead cleared his throat and looked away.

Gently, the nurse pried the baby out of her arms, "Henry is a lovely name. And he'll be waiting for you once you are out." She promised, turning to hand the baby over to August.

August accepted the little bundle, instinctively rocking him back and forth. It'd been a long time since he'd held a baby. It'd been since Emma herself was a baby. Leaning down, August brushed a kiss over Emma's sweaty forehead. "I've got him Emma. You just take care of yourself. Just 25 more days." He reminded her. "You can do that standing on your head."

Emma felt the tears sliding down her cheeks as she nodded in agreement with August before he was ushered out of her infirmary room with her baby.

Twenty-Six Days Later

Emma waited outside of the correctional facility with her small bag of personal items. It was the longest 25 days of her life, waiting to get out to be with her baby. A few minutes later a red bug that reminded her of a lady bug pulled up in front of the correctional facility. Her eyebrows rose as August stepped out, the car still running. "Nice wheels." She teased, rushing up to him and throwing her arms around his neck.

August squeezed her tightly, "I'm glad you like it. It's our car for now. Unless you want a baby to ride on my bike." She punched his arm lightly before darting around him to open the passenger door. There in the back seat was her baby. "Henry." She murmured, leaning back to latch onto his little hand. "Oh my. . ."

August pried her small bag from her hands, opening the trunk and tossing it inside before going over to the driver's side. "Come on, Ems, let's get the two of you home." Emma nodded and slid all the way in the car, reluctantly buckling her seatbelt. Home.

When they reached August's two bedroom apartment twenty minutes later, Emma was surprised to find the second bedroom all set up for her and Henry. There was a full-sized bed in one corner with a nightstand next to it. A crib was across the room with a dresser set up with a pad on top for changing and a rocking chair in the other corner. Emma swallowed hard as she rocked on her heels with Henry in her arms, looking around the room. With shaking hands, Emma opened the closet door. August had even bought her clothes.

Laying a sleeping Henry down in his crib, Emma moved out into the living room where August was flipping through the channels on the small TV in the corner, "August," she shook her head, "you've done way too much. Once I can, I intend to pay you back for everything." She promised.

Patting the spot on the old sofa next to him, August waited until she was curled up under his arm to reply, "No you won't, Ems. I'm just glad you're here and I'm here and we've got Henry. Nothing else matters."

Sniffling, Emma buried her nose in his neck, "You're the best."

August grinned and gave her a squeeze, "Yeah, I know I am." He chuckled when she pinched his side lightly, "So, I was wondering if you wanted to give bail bonds a try. I know you've been talking about a job lately, but I just can't see you working in a diner." He admitted, "And we've got a lot of guys who need catching around here and not a lot of competition in the bail bonds industry so there's plenty of work for both of us."

Emma scooted over and tucked her legs up underneath her so she could look at him. "I don't know, do you think I'd be good at it?"

Shrugging, August finally turned the television off, "Probably, and then we can work our schedules so someone is always home with Henry."

Picking up the blanket on the back of the sofa, Emma draped it over her legs so she could pick at the tread. "You haven't worked much lately, I'd assume." She murmured.

"Actually, the lady next door is retired and has a bunch of grandkids, she's helped out a bit." He glanced away, "I know we didn't talk about that and you don't know her, but I had to work to pay for formula and rent and –"

"Stop," Emma placed a hand on his wrist, "you don't have to explain yourself. You saved Henry and me. I trust your judgment. It's mine we have to worry about." She gave him a tight smile. "So, tell me what I need to do to get into this business."