It was difficult to work from home. I kept thinking about the book, its missing pages, and the blonde thorn. The red band is getting darker on her wrist. Something is happening. Time isn't frozen anymore and the feeling in my chest is getting stronger. I need to find out what it all means. Hearing the clock chime told me I had two hours before I needed to pick up Henry from Doctor Hopper's office. I'll have to wait until nightfall to visit my vault. Maybe I have a book about this.

Leaning back in my chair, I unlocked the drawer of my desk. Pulling out a file, I flipped it open to read more about the newcomer. She doesn't stay in one place for too long. Maybe she'll leave on her own. An odd longing sensation tugged at my heart thinking the blonde would leave. What is this? I need her to leave but at the same time I want her to stay. She's going to ruin everything! Unable to keep the racing thoughts at bay, I decided to go outside. Being around my tree always helped me think more clearly. Placing the file back, I locked the drawer and went outside.

Picking a few apples, I planned to bake a few turnovers. "You seem troubled, Madam Mayor." Gold spoke in his normal knowing tone. "I do hope everything is okay."

"What makes you think I'm troubled? It's a beautiful day." Rumple is up to something. He always is. Maybe he created the book as a failsafe and wrote it into the dark curse.

"That's a nasty looking mark on your wrist." He definitely knows something. "It's interesting that the newcomer, Emma I believe, has the same mark on hers. I'm not a gambling man, but I do think that probably means something."

"What do you know about her? About this?" I motioned towards my wrist.

"Nothing, dearie." He continued before I could say more. "Now please, if you'll excuse me, I have a prior appointment."

Anger bubbled inside me as I watched the man walk away. He did something. What is he planning? That deal I made with him is quite annoying. Does he remember somehow? No. He couldn't.

Henry walked out of Doctor Hopper's office as I arrived. "Ready for dinner?" My son said nothing as he got in the passenger seat. "I thought we could go to Granny's. Possibly even get milkshakes for dessert." Again, nothing. "How was your appointment?"

"What do you care?" He grumbled.

"Henry," I warned. "Don't speak to me like that. I know you're going through something right now, but I will not allow you to disrespect me. Understood?"

"Understood."

A familiar yellow bug was parked at the diner as we pulled up. Henry's demeanor brightened as we walked in and he saw Miss. Swan. My heart broke seeing that I no longer made him that happy. Everyone became quiet for a moment. Trying to gauge my mood. It wasn't until Henry and I sat down that normal conversation began again.

I kept an eye on the blonde as she chatted with Ruby at the counter. Something inside me wants to keep her close. Just to see what she's up to. It would also possibly make Henry happy if he saw her. Maybe the newness will fade and he will get bored with her. Before she could reach her seat, I spoke. "Miss. Swan, come here." I paused. "Please." The diner got quiet again.

"How can I help you, Madam Mayor?" She was guarded. "Hey, Henry."

"Hi." He smiled.

"I wanted to see how you liked the apples I brought you earlier." Placing my menu back behind the condiments, I gave the blonde my full attention.

"Uhm…" She tried not to fidget under my gaze. "Th-they were good."

"So, I see you're staying in town?" This being nice thing is difficult. I don't care for it.

"Yes, I am."

Nodding slightly, I glanced at Henry a moment. He was watching us on the edge of his seat. The words came before I realized. "Would you like to have dinner with us?"

"What?" Henry, Miss. Swan, and Ruby spoke at once.

Glaring at the young girl, caused the color to drain from her face. What am I doing? "Miss. Swan, I would appreciate an answer."

"Uh, s-sure. Let me just grab my jacket." Green eyes lingered a moment trying to figure out my intentions.

"Mom?" Henry questioned cautiously. "Why are you inviting Emma to eat with us?"

"You want to spend time with her. I don't feel comfortable with it being alone, so this is the compromise."

Ruby finished taking our drink orders as Miss. Swan pulled up a chair. "Thanks for inviting me."

"You're welcome." The air around us was silent and tense. I had to break it somehow. "How long are you staying?"

"Um, a week." Henry's smile wavered. "I don't have any houseplants or a pet in Boston, so the impromptu out of town stay is fine."

"Do you not have work?"

"Freelance. People normally come to me or my friend points me towards a job."

"Here you go." Ruby placed drinks on the table. "What can I get started for you?" Each of us placed our orders and the woman left.

Now I know where Henry gets his tastes from. "And you enjoy freelance work?"

Miss. Swan thought for a moment. "The pay is good and I enjoy making my own hours. But I think a nine to five job would be nice. That has structure and stable pay." Pushing up her sleeves, she continued. "How was school?"

"Good!"

As Henry talked about his day, my attention was drawn towards the blonde's wrist. It's becoming darker on her wrist as well. I wonder if she can see it. Gold and I can see it because even here there is residual magic from the things in my vault and I'm sure there is something in Gold's shop. But she's never been around magic.

"Order up!" Ruby's voice cut through my thoughts.

The rest of dinner was mildly enjoyable. As promised, we got milkshakes for dessert. She seems to make Henry happy. "Well, we better call it a night. It's nearly Henry's bedtime."

"I didn't realize it was almost nine." Glancing back to a clock, the blonde's jaw slacked. "Wow. I guess time flies when you're in good company." Waiving down Ruby, I got the check. "Madam Mayor, I can pay for my own meal."

"You can pay next time." I paused, realizing how that sounded. "When you and Henry go to lunch at some point."

A brow rose in question. "Okay…" Standing, Miss. Swan walked us out. "I enjoyed dinner. Thank you for inviting me."

"It was a pleasant experience." There was an unspoken question between us. Pressing on Henry's back, I gave a small nod.

Stepping forward, Henry hugged Miss. Swan. "Night, Emma."

"Night, kiddo." My heart started to race when I noticed the red band glow slightly brighter. Turning her attention to me, she smiled sheepishly. "Goodnight, Madam Mayor."

"Goodnight, Miss. Swan."

Tucking Henry into bed, I peered down at my son. "Goodnight, Henry." Leaning down, I kissed his forehead.

"Did you mean what you said earlier?"

"Which part?" Taking a seat on the bed, I gave Henry my full attention.

"Letting me spend time with Emma."

My heart started racing again. "Yes. Eventually, it might be alone. But for now, I want to be with you. I don't know her. I just want to make sure you're safe. Contradictory to what you believe, I truly love you, Henry. All I want is you to be happy."

"Thank you, Mom." Henry's warm smile made my heart swell.

"You're welcome, Henry." Making my way towards the door, I waited before turning off the light. "Get some sleep."

Once I knew Henry was sound asleep, I went to my vault. I've not been here in a long time. I've not needed to. Combing through my books, I came upon one of magical legends. Flipping through, I wished these books came with a table of contents. "Finally."

The red string of fate is a cord that stretches and connects two people who are destined to be lovers regardless of place, time, or circumstance. This magical cord may stretch and tangle but it will never break. Only the people connected can see the string connecting them. It is only when magic is in a person's blood that they can see the string connecting them to their destined lover. In rare occasions can other strong magical creatures see the cord connecting others.

Leaning back in my chair, I let the information sink in. Examining my wrist, the red band was vibrant and almost trailed down to the floor. I thought my soulmate was Robin Hood. Or that's what the fairy dust said. Looking back at the book, I thought about the blonde. Maybe since she wasn't born yet, the dust didn't consider her. I wonder if she can see the string. I don't know if she's ever been around magic before. I don't see how she could be. I know she's not one of the people from the enchanted forest. My stomach dropped. The baby. Dread filled me. Miss. Swan must be The Charming's baby. The one they put in the wardrobe the day I enacted the curse. I slammed the book shut. Fate's a bitch. I'll deal with this later. I need to sleep and make Henry's breakfast and lunch before he wakes.

Lying in bed, I thought about Henry, Miss. Swan, and the red string. If she is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, the fact that she's here threatens everything I've worked for. Everything I've sacrificed. Everyone I've sacrificed. A tear ran down my cheek as I thought of my father.

"I don't know what to do, Daddy." My voice cracked with emotions I refused to show.

Wrapping me in his arms, my father spoke softly. "Power is seductive but so is love. You can have that again."

"I just want to be happy."

"You can be. You just need to let yourself be loved again. You deserve to be happy again."

I clung to him, burying my face into his shoulder like I did when I was a child. "Do you really think so?"

"I do."

Xxx

I finished packing Henry's lunch as he came down the stairs. "Morning, mom."

"Good morning, Henry." He's much happier this morning. I wonder where those other pages are. I need to see if Miss. Swan is in the book or not. "I was thinking of making apple turnovers tonight. Do you think I should make a few extras?"

Curious eyes studied me. "Why would you make extras?"

"In case you wanted to take some with you to Doctor Hopper's or-"

"Give some to Emma?" His voice was knowing.

"If that's what you want to do." What does he know? Can he somehow see the red string? No. He couldn't.

"Why are you suddenly okay with Emma?"

Glancing at my watch, I realized it was almost time for Henry's class to start. "We need to get you to school." Handing Henry his lunch, I scooted him out the door.

"But, mom-"

"Let's go."

Xxx

I did my best to focus on work but it was rather difficult when all I could think about was the red string, Henry, and Miss. Swan. Realizing I had read the same paragraph four times and wasn't retaining any of it, I leaned back in my chair. What am I going to do? She's only going to be here for five more days unless something keeps her here. Rubbing my temple, I felt a headache coming on. If she stays in town, the curse might be broken. If that happens, all Hell will break loose. I can't have that happen. Before I could stop myself, I dialed the blonde's number.

"Hello? Who is this?"

"Miss. Swan, please come to my office." Hearing the younger woman cough, I continued. "Try not to die beforehand."

I waited anxiously for Miss. Swan to arrive. Hearing a light knock, I cleared my throat and spoke. "Come in."

Entering timidly, the younger woman looked around the spacious office. "Wow…"

"Please, take a seat."

Eyeing me, she did as I asked. "Is everything okay, Madam Mayor?"

"What are your intentions when it comes to Henry? Why are you staying in town?"

"Cutting straight to the point." Unconsciously, Miss. Swan rubbed her wrist. The same wrist that had a visible red string wrapped around it.

Can she see it? Can she see mine? "Best way to get business done." I paused. "Is your wrist alright? You seem to be uncomfortable."

"Uh.." Quickly, the woman tried hiding her wrist. "N-no. It's fine. Just a weird…" She shook her head. "It doesn't matter." Gathering her thoughts, she continued. "I'm not mothering material. I gave Henry up for adoption so he could have a better life than I could give him. I never intend to take him away from the life you've built for him. I know what I asked for ten years ago and I'm sure what you told Henry last night was just to make him happy. I'm not going to hold you to it. I'm aware I have no legal rights to him."

"Then why are you staying?" Part of me was relieved to hear her say it.

"He got in my head and I want to make sure he's okay. He believes so deeply about this fairytale thing…"

"And you don't?" I guess the only way to tell if she can see mine is to show her.

"It's a lot to wrap your mind around. Especially because it all started a month ago when he got the book." She paused, rubbing her wrist she continued. "I want to thank you for taking such good care of Henry. I don't know if I'll stay or not after the week I promised."

My heart clenched at the thought of Miss. Swan leaving. Rolling up my sleeves caught the woman's attention. Her eyes grew when she saw my wrist. She can see it. She must be their daughter. "Is everything alright, dear? You've turned a bit pale."

"I….I'm f-fine." Getting to her feet, Miss. Swan all but sprinted out of my office.