I Am Emma Swan
Chapter 25
Regina was just arriving home from the grocery store as Henry was getting home from school. He gave her a small smile and held the door open for her.
"Hey Sweetie, did you have a good day at school?"
"Yeah, we just did same old thing. Did uh, did you hear from Archie? Or… anyone?"
"Sorry, nothing today. He did say where he was going was a remote area. He wanted to be alone away from everything, no disruptions." Regina replied as she put the bags on the counter then turning to her son who was still down in the dumps since they left Storybrooke.
"I know, I just thought he'd be back by now. Or we would have at least heard from him."
"It's just taking time for him to get through losing Judith and all that happened over the summer as we all are."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Are you doing okay, you have another appointment with Doc tomorrow. Would you like me to come in with you?"
"Maybe? I dunno, I just miss her and Emma." Henry let out a sigh. "I wish we could've said goodbye."
Regina held back tears, she knew she needed to be strong for her son, who has endured so much in his young life. She pulled him close and hugged him. "It'll be alright Sweetie; it just takes time."
"Is it alright if I go over to Peter's?"
"Yes, but be back for dinner at six, unless they have dinner earlier then come home then. I'm making your favourite!"
"Quesada's?"
"Yes sir!"
Henry hugged his mom again then ran upstairs. Five minutes later he ran down the stairs, out the door and to his friend down the street.
Regina shook her head, no matter how many times she told him no running he seemed to run even more. She cleared her mind, took a deep breath, and then finished putting the groceries away. She checked her phone as well for messages but nothing.
It had been weeks since they had been back to Boston leaving their summer home and the chaos they endured there. She was afraid that Henry would be traumatized from the kidnapping and Judith's death. She thought therapy for them both would be helpful and so far, she believed it had been.
They were both so afraid that day after two more shots were heard. The three of them wanted to get out of the van to see what was happening but stayed inside until what felt like hours a trooper came and got them. They were taken to the sheriff's office to give their statements and then sent home.
The three went to the hospital instead; they knew Emma and the maid along with the Boston detectives were taken there. Archie tried to find out if anyone was seriously injured but no one would tell him anything because he wasn't a family member.
Emma was admitted overnight due to the concussion but was transferred to the Medical Center in Portland due to the amount of the drug she was given to lose her memory. Then when the Mills went there to visit her, they were told she was transferred to a hospital in New York.
Again, Regina and Henry tried to get in contact and see Emma, but they were told by Emma's doctor that she didn't want to see anyone.
Both Regina and Henry were hurt that Emma didn't want to see them. They really wanted to make sure she was okay, they both felt close to the woman after everything they went through. The therapist tried to reassure the Mills' that Emma's memory was taken from her, and she was more than likely confused as to who she was now, and she most likely needed time to either get her memories back or learn to live with the ones she now has.
There was a spark between them, at least Regina thought there was, and she didn't care if her memories were out of whack, she just wanted to see Emma and talk. All she received was silence so, Regina stopped trying to make contact and left it up to Emma to reach out, the ball was in her court as they say.
Detectives West and Dracona were cleared, neither were injured seriously, thankfully Eugenia was a worst shot than her son, Neal. Emma had run towards Eugenia and stabbed her in the arm with the letter opener then collided into her sending both to the floor. The shot just missed West's head scaring both her and Dracona as well as Deputy Gardener who had shot towards Eugenia, but Emma got in her way she shot away from them hitting a painting of one the founding Spencer's.
The Cassidys' and David Nolan were arrested. Neal tried to accuse his mother and stepbrother of killing Judith but when the police found her body it was proven that Neal was the one who had killed her. Jefferson Hatt disclosed the location of her body trying to get a lighter sentence but that didn't work after finding out about more crimes that were committed by the man.
They all would be tried in Maine but then will be tried again in Boston for crimes committed there. It seemed Eugenia and her sons were into other cons besides the Spencer family and are now being charged with crimes across the country as well as the deaths of Judith's parents.
Mary Margaret was shaken up with contusions around her neck but otherwise she was fine health wise and was discharged shortly after arriving at the hospital. She couldn't go back to the estate so she stayed at the Inn across from the diner. She did stop in to check on Sheriff Booth who also had to stay the night due to a severe concussion he sustained when David knocked him out in the kitchen.
The State police oversaw the investigation and took statements from all involved. Sergeant Scarlett escorted Deputy Gardener to the station, relieved her of her duties until she was in the clear for discharging her weapon while on duty.
Detectives West and Dracona gave their statements and stayed in town another day, but their captain ordered them back to work in Boston. He was still pissed with them for taking off and chasing a suspect out of state, but he heard from the State police that with their assist they saved multiple hostages and apprehend three criminals which was okay in his books, but he'll still give them hell because he can.
Mary Margaret helped the police by chance on her way home to Raleigh, while going through airport security she saw Dr. Whale and she proceeded to let a security officer know that the doctor was wanted by the police and to call Sergeant Scarlett of the Ellsworth State Police to verify. It didn't take long before the doctor was stopped before boarding his plane, cuffed, and taken away.
Emma Swan was sitting in the far booth sipping on her latte and typing an email, she arrived early and thought she would catch up while she did so. It had been four months since her ordeal with the Cassidys' and all that followed. She spent several weeks in hospital because of the amount of the drug she was given. Pure Scopolamine, the drug Dr. Whale gave her was meant for a few doses for a short period but the amount she was given was in abundance and the doctors were afraid it could cause seizures, hallucinations amongst other more dangerous symptoms.
Once the drug was out of her system, they allowed her to go home and to check in weekly as an outpatient which she was very happy about, but she didn't have a home. She didn't have a phone, a job, money she had absolutely nothing. The hospital staff gave her the messages from Regina and Henry as well as the Boston detectives which was nice and all, but she had no way of contacting them even if she did. Until the day of her release and Mr. Gold showed up out of nowhere.
Mr. Gold had left his card with the head nurse in charge of Emma and had her call him the day before they released her from the hospital. He arrived at the hospital with his briefcase and smiled when he saw Emma sitting on her bed.
"Good day, Ms. Swan and how are you feeling today?"
"Mr. Gold what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to help out a friend. Even though you didn't hire me officially I've appointed myself your attorney and will be representing you if you are so inclined."
"Um, say what now? Why do I need a lawyer? The cops said I wasn't going to be charged with anything because I was under duress and drugged and everything. And even if I did need one, I can't afford you or anyone else for that matter. I have nothing but the clothes on my back and they're not really mine."
"Ms. Swan, I assure you, you are no longer destitute, and you do not have to worry about a thing. I'm going to assist you until everything is sorted. How about you and I go for brunch, and we'll talk."
After their brunch, Gold took her to a hotel for her to stay until things with Judith's estate was finalized. Gold explained that the Spencer lawyer was notified about the murders, and the courts deemed Judith's original will valid and accepted for probate.
"You see Ms. Swan even though the will you and I created was invalid the original will Ms. Spencer had drawn up was binding and has gone through probate, the beneficiaries are being notified and asked to sit in for the reading of the will."
"Okay, so what does that have to do with me?"
"Ms. Swan, you know of the results of the DNA test the authorities as well as the Spencer's lawyer had done, that you are indeed, Judith's fraternal twin sister. In being so, you are a beneficiary in her will."
"So, what? I get that trinket box that I kept in the one we did? Cause really that can be sent to me, I don't think I want to go back there."
"Ms. Swan, I cannot tell you the contents of the will, but you will be receiving more than the small trinket box, if you recall that was an addendum to the original will that you didn't see in its entirety."
Emma sighed, she didn't know what to do she really didn't want to go back to the estate but maybe Storybrooke, she never really saw the town at all.
"Okay, I'll go back if you say I have to. When will the reading take place?"
"It's all set, we're due to gather on November 26th at 3:00 pm. Now, take this card and use it to buy clothes and necessities, don't worry about how much you spend."
"Are you sure? Cause I'm not a charity case, I don't take handouts."
"I assure you Ms. Swan this is not a handout believe it or not, but an account has been set up for you from the estate to assist you in getting your life back on track."
After Gold left it had been quite the whirlwind, Emma was set up in New York for two weeks, she explored the city which she loved, but Boston felt more like home. She called Detective West and Dracona to thank them for finding and saving her and that she would check in the next time she was in Boston. She even called Leroy and Robin thanking them and telling them that the drinks are on her the next time she's in town.
She wanted to call Regina and Henry, hell she wanted to see them, but they knew her without her memories, knew her as Judith and not the real Emma. She wasn't great, she's penniless, jobless, crass, probably not the best role model for a kid and certainly not up to snuff with a top selling author. No, she wouldn't contact them, she would get a message to them saying thanks, but she didn't feel as if she was good enough, she was afraid that she would see it in their eyes and that would kill her.
It was the day of the reading Mr. Gold and Emma arrived at the lawyer's office in Boston together. Emma was nervous, Mr. Gold filled her in as to what was going to happen. All the beneficiaries would be in attendance, and it will take a couple of hours.
The board room was filling up and Emma was feeling warm and claustrophobic, she didn't want to be there. Everyone who walked into the room did a double take when they saw her. Yes, she looked like Judith, but they were fraternal not identical, yet they look at her as if they are seeing a ghost.
Emma stood up, she needed air and was about to walk out of the room when Regina and Henry walked in. She stopped in her tracks, her breath leaving her. The two people she thought about constantly were right there. She hardly knew them, but she missed them, she missed them terribly. They were the only people to believe her, to help her, to just be there for her.
She wanted to speak to them, wanted to go up to them but her feet were unmoving. But she didn't have to, Henry saw her and yelled her name then ran to her and hugged her. She laughed because with a room full of high society big shots, CEO's and the like he didn't care because he was just Henry, and she was just Emma and she loved him for it.
Regina stepped up to them and quietly told Henry to let Emma go and to find a seat the reading of the will was about to begin. She gave Emma a warm smile and mouthed we'll talk later and found a seat further in the room.
The reading of the will changed Emma's life immensely she went from broke girl to obscenely rich girl. Judith left most of her estate to her long-lost twin sister. The company would be run by the board with Emma having voting rights and shares in the company. The rest of the estate was left to friends, acquaintances, and charities.
Regina and Henry were left the home in Italy and personal items that were special to them. It was a somber time for everyone in the room those who knew Judith loved her dearly and cherished the moments they had with her. Archie didn't come to the reading; he was unreachable, but he was notified about the date and time. He really did love Judith and was taking her death hard and needed time away.
Emma checked her watch after she finished her latte and her emails. She waved to Ruby for a refill and the rest of her order. It was summer again and she found herself back in Storybrooke but under better circumstances this time. The quaint little town has grown on her and even though Boston is her home, the town and the people have become her home away from home.
She turned the estate into a home for women and children in need, a shelter for those who needed a new start or to get away from a bad situation. It was something she wish she had when she was fresh out of foster care and really had nothing but the clothes on her back.
Emma looked up when the bell over the door sounded, she smiled when she saw Henry and then Regina scolding him for running carelessly into the diner. Henry now taller rolled his eyes playfully at his mom and gave her a hug.
"It's about time you two showed up I've been here for hours!"
"Emma!"
"Henry!" Emma chuckled as she stood up opening her arms for her Henry hug. "Hey you it's been ages how have you been?"
"Ages? We saw you this morning! You live with us!"
"Yeah, that's like forever in my books buddy!" Emma replied giving Regina a wink.
"You're crazy."
"No, I'm Emma Swan."
And there you have it, I hope you all enjoyed reading I Am Emma Swan as much as I did writing it. Thank you for the favs, follows and reviews. I wish everyone who celebrates, a Merry Christmas and to those who celebrate other special holidays Kwanzaa, Chanukkah, St. Lucia Day and so many others - Happy Holidays. Take care, and be well.
