TW: Mentions of suicide and child abuse are in this chapter.

The familiar smell of fresh paint and sawdust overtakes Mary Margaret as she walks through the still in progress home. It's been a while since she's actually visited one of David's projects. In fact, the last time she showed up was probably when the lawyer delivered the divorce papers.

A familiar British accent pulls her from her thoughts. "Ma'am, I think you're lost." She turns around, beaming at the sight of Robin. He pulls her in for a quick hug, which she eagerly returns.

"I just spoke with your wife a few hours ago," she says.

"Let me guess, respite placement."

"Something like that." She still doesn't want to reveal too much before she speaks with David or the kids. "Is he here?"

"In the kitchen, looking over some blueprints. Can you convince him to take a break? He's been nonstop since we started this morning."

Mary Margaret's smile only grows. David and Robin had been best friends in college, with the latter definitely being the "dad" of their friend group. He, like Mary Margaret, worried about him taking on too much or doing something without thinking. There was some comfort that David still had that, even without her being married to him.

"I'll try, but you also know…"

"It's David." Robin sighs. "How are my kids doing? Causing any trouble at school?"

"I was just telling Regina that I haven't heard anything from their teachers in a bit. So, it's safe to say that Henry is no longer reading comic books in History class and Roland's pranks have stopped."

He chuckles slightly, shaking his head. "And Margot? I mean, she's going to class right? I figured they'd call us if she wasn't, but…"

Mary Margaret squeezes his hand. "I checked up with some of her teachers after Regina left. She's doing fine, Robin. I think she's finally adjusted to Hyperion and probably you. You two are doing an amazing job."

Despite the small smile on his face, she sees the doubt in Robin's eyes. She can't entirely blame him. Despite spending a number of years with the Mills family, she barely knew Zelena. The older Mills sister had taken off for an England university not long after Cora married Leo. She was from Cora's first marriage, long before Henry Sr. Zelena had been through enough of her mother's relationships and didn't want to stick around for another. That also meant cutting out her sister for the next 20 years. And then nearly 2 years ago, they got the tragic news of her passing. Robin and Regina were summoned to discuss the will, in which they were left a 12-year-old niece they knew nothing about. As it turns out, Zelena had returned to the states when Margot was a baby, settling in Kansas. It had been a rough transition. Despite Regina's experience as a social worker, their family had been put into complete chaos trying to help her cope.

Now, Margot's 14 and on the track team. She's still sarcastic and has her moments of being a teen monster, but she seems to enjoy her siblings and recently, even told her new adoptive parents that she loved them. "Mom" and "Dad" are still not on the table, they may never be, but it's still such an improvement from the sullen pre-teen that showed up in Maine around the time of Mary Margaret's divorce.

Giving Robin one last squeeze, Mary Margaret leaves him to work and tries to navigate the house to find the kitchen. She gives quick waves to the familiar crew. While she sees Robin often because of Regina, David got the rest in the divorce. Despite that, there's friendly smiles and a few hugs. Mulan is even the one that points her in the right direction. David's not in the kitchen, rather the backyard.

Mary Margaret carefully takes a step down onto the deck that overlooks a gorgeous backyard. The house isn't far from her own and the whole area is covered with woods. David leans over the railing, staring at one particular tree with his eyes narrowed. She quietly slips beside him and lowers her voice.

"Is that tree the real reason your mom died?"

David jumps and she can't help but laugh at the spooked expression on his face. He rolls his eyes at the sight of her. "You scared me!"

"Sorry, but you're looking at that tree as if it's the enemy."

"It is, because that's the one the client wants to use to make a treehouse but I'm not sure it's stable enough."

"Then use a different one."

"I tried that, they insist it has to be this one." He shakes his head. "I hate people."

"No, you don't. That's why you chose this business."

She gets another eye roll but a hint of a smile is written on his face. The same one he gave her 10 years ago when he told her that he wanted to give up practicing law and open this renovation/construction business instead. His asshole Uncle George had passed away. George had no children and had put all of that energy into his sister's instead. James and David loathed him for the verbal and at times physical abuse they endured after their mother died. They both cut him off after they got into college. Being his next of kin, however, they both inherited his estate after he died a few years after Mary Margaret and David got married. David was growing tired of his firm and the long hours, feeling he couldn't properly be the foster parent that the kids deserved. Robin was struggling to keep his construction company afloat and with Mary Margaret's blessing, David invested. He became a co-partner and since, the business has blossomed. He's so much happier here than Mary Margaret ever saw him at the firm.

"What are you doing here, anyway?" David asks. "Not that you can't be…is something wrong with the boys?"

"No, nothing like that." Doubt is still etched on his face and Mary Margaret sighs. "August is at debate practice, Neal's swimming. Seriously, I came here to discuss something else."

His face marginally relaxes. "What's up?"

"Regina stopped by today and she said she's been having some difficulty with a kid running away."

"How old?"

"7. I don't know all of the details yet, but she's not at all violent. Her plan is adoption and Regina is working on finding her a family, but she can't stay in the group home."

"So, she thought of you."

Heat rises to her cheeks off of his knowing smile. "The thing is, it's not going to be a short-term placement like my last few were. Regina thinks it's could be a few months, maybe even longer. I want to talk to the boys, but I also want to make sure you're okay with it too."

David arches an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, it's going to be a lot around August and Neal. I'll probably have to take her to therapy appointments; the social worker will be visiting more. They really haven't been through this since…"

"I know," David interrupts her before she can say the name. There's a brief silence where neither looks into their eyes. He's the first to snap out of it. "But I also know that this child needs a home. And you don't ever say no."

"I have, in the past."

"If there was a safety concern and that was only after Neal was born. I trust your judgement, Mare. As long as the boys are cool with it, I am too."

A bit of the weight is released off of her chest. "Thank you."

"Just know, I'll be here to help however you need."

"That's not your job anymore, David."

"Neal and Auggie are my job," he argues. "We're all still a family, even if we're not married. So, if you need me to take them more or make any changes to the room, you know I've got you."

Tears burn her eyes and she quickly tries to force them away. David had built that house for her not long after they found out they were pregnant. Four bedrooms, two offices so they could each have a space to bring work home. A large family room with a flat screen TV so they could have movie nights with the family they planned on building. The amazing master bathroom with heated tiles and the huge tub with claw feet that she had her eyes on for years. The outside a beautiful mix of wood and brick. Combining both contemporary and modern style.

He had built not just her dream house, but theirs. Now, he doesn't even get to live in it. After the divorce, they got the apartment and were the ones that switched places so the boys could have some stability. After a few months, it just got to be too much and David was the one to offer to move out. He could always build himself another house. And yet, 2 years later and he still hasn't. It's why no matter what, he'll always be welcomed back. Even if just for a party or birthday celebration.

"I'm really glad we have this," she muses. "A healthy divorce. I mean, I look at my parents or any number of Cora's…"

"We'd never be like them. Because no matter what, you're my best friend."

A sad smile makes her way across her face. "Of course. Best friends."

Mary Margaret had heard all of the stereotypes about boys eating you out of house and home. She didn't truly believe it until she got her first foster son, just one year after they got their license. Multiple trips to the grocery store a week, all to keep the kid the size of a string bean full.

It's even worse with two boys, one who towers over her and the other that's getting dangerously close by the day. She still wouldn't change that for anything.

The boys are completely devouring the wings she brought home (takeout, she's not touching that stupid Air Fryer again) as she digs into her salad. She hasn't spoken much since picking them up from school, not that either have given her room. Mary Margaret doesn't mind that at all, she loves to hear August brag that he won his practice debate or Neal get excited over his swim meet on Sunday. It gives her time to think over how to broach the subject of Emma to them.

"So," she says once there's a bit of a lag in the conversation. "I have something I want to discuss with you."

"Are you dating someone?" August asks with a mouthful of chicken.

Mary Margaret raises an eyebrow. "Why would you think that? And swallow before you talk so you don't choke."

August rolls his eyes, but complies with her. "You're letting us have soda on a school night." He holds up his can of Coke. "The last time you did that was when you told us that you and Dad were getting a divorce."

She cringes internally. "Well, no. I am not dating. Nor do I have any plans to."

"We'd be cool if you were," Neal says, wiping his mouth. "I mean, it'd be weird, but it's fine."

She gently squeezes his hand. "I appreciate that, baby, I do. And if I was, I would talk to you to about it. But what I have to say is pretty life changing."

"Oh God," August drops his can of Coke onto the table. "You're pregnant."

"August!" Her eyebrows do all but fly off her head. "If I'm not seeing anyone, how would I be pregnant?"

"You don't need a boyfriend to have a baby, Mom."

"Okay, okay, not in front of your brother."

Neal makes a face. "I'm not a baby, Mom. I know how people get pregnant."

Mary Margaret tips her head to look up at the ceiling. This was not how she wanted this conversation to go.

It takes a few minutes for her to calm down and readjust, looking both of them in the eye once more. "I'm not dating, I'm not pregnant. But there is going to be a change to the household. I know we've had a few respite placements over the past year and you guys have been great about them."

Neal tilts his head, looking a little too much like his father. "Oh, are we just getting another one tonight?"

"Not exactly. Your aunt came to visit me today and told me about a 7-year-old little girl that's in a group home. The goal of her case is adoption, but Regina is having some issues with her running."

"Which one is it?" August asks.

"St. Meissa's." He makes a face and it's his turn to get a hand squeeze from his mother. August spent a month in that place after his biological father was sent to a nursing home. He doesn't speak about it often, but Mary Margaret knows he has less than favorable memories. "Exactly. Regina thinks if she was in a better environment, she could keep her in one place longer so she could find her a family."

"For how long?"

"We don't know. At least a few months, longer than we've been having some of the kids stay with us lately. That's why I wanted to discuss it as a family. I'm going to have to bring her to therapy, potentially court and some other things. Of course I'm still going to be there for you, but if she moves in…a lot is going to change."

The boys are quiet for a moment and Mary Margaret holds her breath, for a reason she doesn't quite understand. When she first started doing respite again, she swore up and down she'd never foster long term again. After hearing about Emma, however, she suddenly wants to. She can't do that without the blessing of her sons, though.

August is the first to speak up. "It doesn't…I mean, of course you never know…but her goal is definitely adoption?"

Mary Margaret nods. "I don't have the details, but Regina swore up and down that there is no chance of reunification."

"And it won't be for a long period? Not like the twins?"

She swallows, a wave of guilt filling her. What happened with Nicholas and Ava never just affected just her and David. The boys were equally as devastated.

"I can't promise how long or short her stay is going to be, Auggie," Mary Margaret whispers. "But I do know that was a very rare case. It's unlikely that's going to happen again. Like I said, I can't make any promises. But if this makes either of you uncomfortable, then we won't do it."

August shakes his head. "No. I think we should."

"Are you sure?"

"If you and Dad had said no to fostering me, who knows what could've happened. And I know for a fact that St. M's sucks." Mary Margaret doesn't even reprimand him on his language. "So, let's do it."

Neal pipes up next. "We haven't had a girl in awhile. It could be fun."

She slowly allows herself to smile. "Really? You both are okay with this." The two of them nod. Mary Margaret gets up from her seat and gives them each a tight hug, kissing them on the top of their heads. "Thank you."

"Did you talk to Dad about it?" Neal asks, resting his head on her chest in the hug.

"I did. And he's completely fine with it, so long as you two are, of course."

"We are."

August nods in agreement. "We should probably go through that room, though. Like Neal says, we haven't had a girl stay here in forever."

They start discussing themes, paint colors and more as Mary Margaret settles back into her a seat. A mention that maybe Emma might want a say, gets her a hand wave. She chuckles, resuming her salad.

Meals at Saint Meissa's are probably Emma's least favorite times of the day. Mother Superior expects them to be quiet and clean their plates. Emma hates quiet. At home, breakfast was filled with music that made Emma's stomach feel warm. Fun cereal with marshmallows, not the yucky oatmeal that Mother Superior claims is "healthy". At home, Emma never had to finish, if she didn't want to. Here, if you don't eat every morsel, you're lectured on wastefulness.

Emma forces one last spoonful of slop into her mouth before collecting her bowl and bringing it to the kitchen. Her brows furrow and mouth draws a small line when she sees the stool is missing. Sticking her tongue out ever so slightly, she tucks the bowl beneath her arms and begins to climb the cabinets. She's halfway up when a sharp cough distracts her. The bowl slips from underneath her arm and crashes to the ground, shattering into pieces. Emma shakes a little, looking over to the two people standing in the doorway. Mother Superior, as always, looks upset. Her brows knit together and her hands are planted firmly on her hips. Regina stands beside her, a gentler look on her face. She crosses the room and gently removes Emma from the cabinets. Emma can't help but smile. Regina always smells like cinnamon and fabric softener.

Her social worker strokes her hair. "What were you doing, cheeky monkey? You could've gotten hurt."

"I couldn't find the stool."

Mother Superior scoffs. "You couldn't be bothered to look in the closet?"

And just like that the smile disappears. "Sorry, Mother Superior."

"I'm sure you are."

"Mother Superior," Regina's voice goes from firm to sharp. "Where can I talk to Emma?"

"In her room. The other children are still eating."

Regina nods and lowers Emma to the ground, holding her hand as they walk up the stairs to the bedrooms. Emma shares hers with three other girls. Two bunk beds crowd the tiny space, with a single desk for all of them to share. Not that anyone ever helps her with her homework. Emma settles onto her bottom bunk, drawing her knees to her chest. Regina sits beside her, ducking her head to not bump it against the top.

"So, how do you like it here?"

Emma shrugs. "S'okay."

"Really? That why Sister Astrid found you at the park a few nights ago."

Emma bites her lip. "I used to be able to go to the park all the time," she mumbles.

"I know you did, sweetie. But you can't just take off like that. You scared everyone."

"No, I made Mother Superior mad. She yelled at me."

Regina opens her mouth, then shuts it before speaking. "Mother Superior is in charge. Her job is to keep everyone safe. So, I think she got a little nervous when you weren't there." Emma blinks and Regina sighs. "But no, she shouldn't have yelled at you."

"I wanna stay with you."

Another sigh from Regina. "We've talked about this, Em. I've asked. They don't think it's a good idea since I'm your social worker. Plus, I don't have the room." Emma pulls her legs closr. "But, I found something just as good."

"I doubt it."

"It's not forever, just until I can find you a family. She's a friend of mine, her name is Mary Margaret."

Regina shuffles through her pocket and removes her phone. After a little scrolling, she holds it out. Reluctantly, Emma drops her legs and accepts the phone from her. On the screen are three people. A boy probably a little older than her with dark hair and green eyes, wearing swim trunks and a medal around his neck stands on one side, an older one with dark red hair and brown eyes in a Loki t-shirt on the other. In the middle of them is a woman with kind green eyes and a huge smile.

"She has two sons. August is 16 and Neal is 10. Mary Margaret is a high school teacher, but you'd be able to attend the elementary part of her school. Hyperion Academy is much better than Storybrooke Elementary."

Emma traces their faces. They're smiling and look nice, but so had the last two families Regina introduced her to. One wanted her to do ballet, wear pink and told her she couldn't play softball. The other had been very mean and expected her to stay out of the way. She still has the bruises from the dad being mad she accidentally deleted his Family Guy recording.

"It's just for a little bit?"

"Until I can find you a family that you'll stay with forever."

Forever. Emma isn't sure if Regina knows what that means. She was supposed to have forever with her mom. They were happy. Her mom promised she'd pick her up from school that day.

Her mom lied. Every family she's been with since lies. Even Regina, despite how much Emma loves her, lies.

She doesn't believe in forever. Not anymore.

And yet, anything has to be better than Mother Superior. "Would I have my own room?"

"As a matter of fact, yes."

Emma nods, returning the phone. "Fine. But just for a little while."

She doesn't smile when Regina does.

Mary Margaret has met more than 50 children since her journey as her foster parent began. 50 children have come in and out of her life. Some never ended up with her, others stayed just a day or two, others much longer. One little boy stayed forever. No matter what, she always gets that nervous pit in her stomach.

As she sits in Regina's office the following afternoon, it returns once more. "So, what's her story? Or at least, what can you tell me?"

Regina nods and doesn't even bother looking down at the file. "Emma has been in the system for 2 years now. Her biological father has never been in her life, he doesn't have any rights," she quickly adds. "She was raised by her mother."

Mary Margaret braces herself. "What happened? They don't terminate rights in such a short time for no reason."

"They never terminated rights. Helga committed suicide."

She frowns. "Oh my goodness."

"According to her sisters, Helga had a history of bipolar disorder. She did her best with Emma and they were really happy. Eventually though…" Regina shakes her head. "Luckily, she was found by a neighbor. Emma was at school at the time."

Mary Margaret nods, she supposes that's better for the little girl. "Sisters, though. Don't you normally try to keep them with family?"

"We did. At first, Emma went to live with one aunt. She has two kids around Emma's age. It just didn't work out. The aunt and her husband couldn't handle Emma's needs. So, she went to live with her aunt Ingrid and that was going well until unfortunately she died in a car accident."

"This poor little girl," Mary Margaret breathes. "She's been through so much in a short period of time."

"There's no grandparents or any other family. As I said, the biological father doesn't have rights and there's no family on his side either. So, Emma was remanded to the system. I had her in two different families but they didn't work out. In the last one, Emma was abused."

Mary Margaret's frown only increases. "Abused?"

"The husband beat her. We discovered it rather quickly but that combined with everything else…she's given up. It's terrible."

"I just don't understand why anyone would knowingly take in a child if they were going to do that."

"Neither do I." A quick beat passes through the room and a small smile forms on Regina's face. "But hey, you're here now. And you can help her."

Mary Margaret nods quickly. "Yes, of course."

"I've already spoken with the boys and they seem to be on board. I'll be dropping Emma off tomorrow morning. Did you talk this over with David?"

"He doesn't need to approve, does he?"

"No, but I figured you might, given how much he's around."

"Well, yes. But you know he won't be helping with Emma."

Mary Margaret doesn't miss the doubt that flickers through her sister's eye.