Chapter 5
I am Emma Swan
It had been two days since Henry's visit to Judith's estate, after the strange encounter, he ran home to let his mom know what happened. She was a little shocked about the marriage but explained that Judith was a grown woman and that maybe she met this man and fell in love after they left to go back to Boston last fall.
And since that kind of thing was a little too grown up for Henry, it might be the reason why Judith hadn't told him about it. Or if it were recent maybe she was waiting until the summer to tell him. Also, if they were newlyweds, she may not have time for Henry like before and that he should not go back to her home unless invited. But she knew her son, if he had his mind set on something he wouldn't stop.
He agreed with his mom reluctantly but with still no replies to his texts Henry decided to go back to the estate to see his friend no matter what anyone said. He and Judith were 'two peas in a pod' she would say. They both loved to explore and make up stories with the treasures they would find together.
He was walking towards the gates when an unfamiliar man stopped him.
"Hey there buddy, where do you think you're going?"
"Um hi, I'm going to visit my friend Judy. Why? Who are you?"
"I'm David the gardener, who are you?"
"You're not the gardener, where's Marco?"
"Who?"
"Marco has been the gardener here for years before I was even born. Where is he?"
"Oh, he musta retired or something, I'm the only gardener here now."
"How long have you been here?" Henry asked.
"I started in May. Mr. Cassidy and his mother hired me. Who are you again?"
"I'm Henry Mills and Judy and I are friends and I want to see her."
David nervously looked back towards the home then said, "Sorry buddy but I was told no one was to come through the gates today. So maybe come back another time, okay?"
Henry squinted at the man, he felt that something was off and didn't like it. He wanted to see Judy and he was going to, so he gave his best smile, nodded, turned, and walked away. Once he was out of sight of the new gardener, Henry snuck around to the back of the estate and took off to his and Judy's secret cave.
Emma was feeling ill, and lately she did all she could do to get out of bed. Mary Margaret made sure she was up and at least sitting by the window to get some light every day. Her maid was worried that she wasn't getting any better and went to fetch Mr. Cassidy to see about that walk around the grounds they discussed a few days ago.
She stared out of the window with only water for miles to see wishing she could just sail away from this place. It was home but it didn't feel like it to her. Something or someone was missing she thought. She leaned back in her chair and knocked her elbow on the table beside her. Since she was feeling poorly her mother-in-law thought it best to write her thoughts in a journal which she tried but her thoughts were so muddled she didn't know what to write.
Eugenia also commented on how messy her writing had become so she showed her old letters and journals and told her to try and write like that again even if it's just her signature. Emma thought it odd but did as she was told. She'd been practising for a day or so and her signature looked almost as good as it once did so she stopped and stared out the window again.
Mary Margaret came back in with a huge smile on her face, hands on her hips looking like the cat who ate the canary.
"I have fantastic news Judith! Mr. Cassidy said we could go for that walk today! Isn't that wonderful?"
"Um yeah sure, it would be nice to feel the fresh sea air on my face, I miss it. I think." Emma replied, the last part more for herself.
"Well, all righty then, Judith let's get you dressed so we can go for that long overdue walk. It's been well over a month being all cooped up in here."
Mary Margaret helped Emma down the staircase and through the foyer where Eugenia and Neal were waiting for them. "Oh Judith, it's so nice to see you up and about. I'm sure this will help getting you back to your old self again."
"Thank you, Eugenia, I agree a bit of fresh air should do me a world of good. Thank you all for taking such good care of me."
Mother and son watched as the two women walked out the door and around the side where the gardens were.
"It's working Neal, she's almost there. We can call and set up that appointment with Mr. Gold for say the end of the week?
"Have you checked her writing? Is it passable?"
"There's a slight with the 'J' but it will pass. I swear it will, but I'll have her practise more tonight. Now you need to coach her on her parents and such but she's so amenable now it's easy to get her to say and do anything we want. I knew upping the dosage would work."
Neal rolled his eyes at his mother's haughty demeanor. "Yes, Mother you were correct, but the woman looks pale as a ghost, and Mary Margaret said it's difficult to get her out of bed and dressed."
Eugenia waved her hand, dismissing Neal's concern. "Mary Margaret is daft, I'm not sure where Belle found her, she wouldn't have been my first choice but she's getting the job done at least. Although I did think Emma was going to throttle her at the beginning. I know I would have."
"Yes well, we both would have, I'm not sure if she's just grown on Emma, I mean Judith or if it's the drugs. Either way Emma Swan will be long gone, and Judith Cassidy will live again at least until the new will is signed."
"The day cannot come soon enough, Neal. I can't wait to sell this monstrosity of a home and go south and live the life we deserve. The Spencers ruined our family, and I cannot wait to get revenge on them and the people of Storybrooke."
"Judith, your gardens are so beautiful. I was told that you loved to work in them and that you have quite the green thumb. I'm sure it won't be long before you're out here again working your magic."
Emma smiled as she viewed the gardens, she didn't remember having a green thumb, but she does enjoy the colours and fragrance of the rose bushes. "I doubt it was my doing, I'm sure the gardener over there has something to do with it."
Mary Margaret smiled and waved at the gardener, whom she met on her first day, it happened to be his first day as well. She thought him very handsome and waved whenever she saw him.
"Wow, nice smile and is that a blush you have there Mary Margaret, do you see something you like?" Emma smirked and bumped her shoulder to Mary Margaret's.
"I don't know what you're talking about Judith with my pale complexion I blush constantly, and I smile like this all the time."
"Sure, you do," Emma replied smiling knowing her maid has the hots for the gardener.
As they continued to walk, Emma stumbled a bit when she thought she saw a young boy running down by the edge of the estate.
"Goodness Judith are you alright?"
"Yes, I thought I saw… are there children here? On the estate? I don't have kids, do I?" Emma spoke mostly to herself trying to remember.
"No Judith, you don't have children and there are none here on the estate. Are you feeling okay? Maybe this was too much for you, should we go back inside?"
"Yeah, maybe that would be best. Can we come out again? I like it out here and I do feel better."
"Of course! And it's late we should get you something to eat as well."
Once the women were back in Emma's room, Mary Margaret helped her charge get settled in her chair by the window, "Now, you sit here, I'll go get you some lunch and I'll let Mr. Cassidy know how well you did today and the possibility of doing more maybe even go to town!"
"Sounds great Mary Margaret."
"Have a little rest and I'll be back in a tick."
Emma leaned her head back against the chair resting her eyes. She started to daydream; one she's been having for a while now. She's about five years old and playing with another girl the same age they were the best of friends, laughing, playing, and running around. There were other children, but she never saw their faces. The dream always ended with sadness, she would be playing with her friend but then she would disappear, and Emma would be alone.
A strange noise alerted Emma, she sat up and when she opened her eyes, she was staring in the eyes of the young boy she saw outside. "Holy Shit, are you real?"
"Huh? Uh yeah I'm real."
"Okay, so who are you and how did you get in here?" Emma asked looking around the room.
"I'm Henry, who are you?"
"I'm Judith."
"No, you're not."
"Uh yes I am…uhh wait huh?"
"You're not Judy, she's my best friend. You look like her but you're not her. So, who are you really and where's Judy?"
Emma looked towards the door when the sound of plates and cups could be heard as the door was being unlocked. She looked back at the boy, but he was gone. She blinked a few times then Mary Margaret was standing in front of her, "Are you all right Judith you look as if you've seen a ghost."
"I…I think I just did."
