p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c562a889507fa96724fa82638ca1a438"It was just a typical day in New York City; Elle could hear numerous sounds coming from the open windowsill, people shouting, music playing, car horns blaring. It didn't seem to bother her anymore after being in NYC for the last few years. By some miracle, it was her one day off that she had this week, and she was spending it cleaning the small apartment that she and her boyfriend lived in. Neal had been gone working today, which left her alone. She didn't mind; instead, she baked up a few cookies that she knew Neal loved and tidied up. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b39ca1534df78f839f467b0e86576c4a"She loved their tiny apartment, though she knew they would eventually have to start looking for something bigger, especially with a baby. When she first found out she was pregnant, Elle had been terrified of being a mother. She didn't know how to be one, especially since her birth mother gave her up. But her adoptive mother had reassured her that she would be the best mother to the little boy or girl. Neal had been the enthusiastic one, she told him, and since then, she had no worries, knowing that Neal would be the best father in the world. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="2414fd7aa412c6b5ca17c0d900b7e0a7"Even after learning about her true heritage nearly two years ago after she accidentally used her magic, finding out that she was the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. As well as learning that Neal is the son of Rumplestiltskin, which she didn't believe until Neal showed her proof. It was a shock. But that didn't stop her from running away, back to her everyday, monotonous life. No, she stayed, wanting to know more and all the while falling in love with Neal. She could happily spend the rest of their lives in their tiny apartment, raising their child and being happy. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b497be6c831a57f0f88f823bc328c9c4"She was broken out of her thoughts when she heard the front door open, and she smiled, looking up to see Neal walking in, right as it began to downpour outside. "Hey, how was work?" She asked, walking over to him. Neal smiled as he set down his bag and shrugged out of his jacket before he pulled her close, kissing her softly. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7a10e3ae8cbf5b3a80b33f6374fbd88f""It was good; all the boys were there, so we were able to get most of the work done today." He said before he gently caressed her tiny baby bump. "How are my two favorite people doing?" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="248b2b57aca083e80b895b917f1bc0f0"Elle laughed softly with a smile as she kissed him back before looking at him. "We are doing wonderful. No morning sickness today, so I'll take that as a win." She said. She let him go and walked over to the kitchen, grabbing the plate of cookies and holding them out for him. "I made your favorite, now that I can stand the smell of them." She teased. Neal laughed and walked over, grabbing a cookie or two, and they sat down at the table./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7537e43853d0588ea241faa4a74d418e"They talked about their days before Elle began cleaning the kitchen. She was busy washing the dishes when she heard a flapping sound of a bird near the window. She frowned, thinking maybe that a bird might have gotten stuck on the fire escape, and she dried her hands and walked over to the window. The rain was coming down heavily now, and despite everything sitting at the window was a beautiful white dove. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="af2d41b312d7495bd5a47268d3e106b7"Looking at the dove, making sure it wasn't injured, she noticed something attached to its foot. Reaching out, she gently undid the ribbon and watched as the dove immediately flew away. Turning her attention to the piece of paper left behind, she picked it up. There was nothing on the small card except for the word... "BROKEN" is written on it. Curious, she flipped the card around and noticed it was a postcard from a town called Storybrooke. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f9c8d104c568ed26ab99304c937ac163""So I was thinking tonight if the rain stops we could go that that rest... what is it?" Neal spoke, coming into the kitchen. Looking up at him, confused, she held out the postcard. "I don't know. A dove dropped it off near the window." She said. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="5f0585be56809a3037ae01d4c9ea3e3c"She watched as too many emotions crossed his face. What was it? Why did a dove of all things drop it off, like some messenger bird? What was broken? Could it be the curse he had been talking about? Did her parents remember? She walked over to him and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="60bf059c9b291c16634d698a4639c0d4""Does this mean..."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"Yes, she did it. The curse is broken."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="9184fb8bb8c721a6137ff18922508aa6"Elle inhaled sharply. Her sister... twin. Neal had told her that they crossed paths once when Emma was 18. She was a little hurt that they dated, but it was nothing more than a fling. But her sister was the Savior, and she was the one who would break the curse and save everyone. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b05251810bd70067542f38a1a0ccb3aa""So, what do we do?" She asked. Too many things could happen. If her parents knew she existed, then would they come looking for her? Would Neal's father?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="52a60ed138b02b5488860b914831e3a4""If I know my father... he'll come looking for me." Neal sighed, sitting the letter down on the table sinking into a chair. Elle frowned as she sat down in the chair across from him. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="dfb954035684273b411a11606c03f886""Is that such a bad thing? Maybe... maybe he's changed. maybe things will be different." She said hopefully. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="25736ea14535dd8e8b30ad5ac35b8dc3"He scoffed slightly, looking over at her. "My father doesn't change. He will be the same guy I knew back in the Enchanted Forest." He said, grabbing her hands and squeezing them gently. "You have vacation days. Maybe... maybe you should get out of town and meet your birth parents. You always wanted to meet them. Maybe... maybe now is a perfect time."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="fde91b0bbda1f3339e40e3fab58c6090"Elle looked at him with wide, surprised eyes. "I... yeah, I do. But I'm not going anywhere without you. Besides, I wouldn't want you here dealing with your father alone. What if something happens?" She asked. There was no way she would let him deal with his father alone. She could care less about meeting her biological parents. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1de6b8878872a43e6e4cefad2e5dcc2f""I'll be fine. I know how to handle my father. And it will only be for a few days. You deserve this. This way, I'll know you'll be safe." He said caringly. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="7b8f8fe543b9efdd76197958750491d5"She took a deep breath and sighed. She didn't want to leave them, but she knew he was doing this only because he cared about her and their child. It wouldn't hurt to get out of town for a few days. After a few minutes of debating, she squeezed his hand and nodded. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="2011904891550b37f93566a2deedc552""Fine, but I'll be calling you every day, making sure you're okay. If your father does something..." She was caught off by Neal leaning forward and kissing her softly. Her troubles eased by his kiss, but that still didn't make her worry less./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="067a0cb96741eb86568a986fc5e3a4ab""My father won't hurt me." He reassured. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0d94a769f78d298777550075cb7c2a6e""Let us hope." She replied. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b8697bca8fc8f166b8fa3c6034f74687"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"u style="box-sizing: border-box;"~The Next Day~/u/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="2ee1d7e5261e15f6ea4f8e5aa6a382c7"Shutting her trunk door to her car and placing her suitcase inside it, she looked around with a melancholy sigh. She would miss New York, and she would miss Neal and her work. But after everything, a chance to meet her birth parents and sister was something she didn't want to pass up. Luckily the rain had stopped last night, leaving a slight chill in the air. She looked over at Neal as he shut the back seat door and walked over to her. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f569d9298e48593ba42c0b347427482c""Do I have to go? I can stay here." She asked softly, causing Neal to chuckle and kiss the top of her head. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="aa24db161f410eeacfac9c457d99520f""I'll be fine... and in a few days, you'll be back here, and everything will be just the same as before. You need this, and I know you want this." He said as he looked slightly down at her. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a638f63bca8068292503cba33146f933"Elle gave him a small smile, and she nodded her head. "Fine. But promise me if something happens..."br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"You'll be the first person I'll call." He promised, walking her over to her driver's side. He opened the door for her and smiled at her. "I love you." /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="217cd99d9ca67fe0acfdcd1be682ebb2""I love you too." She said, kissing him quickly before she got in. Buckling in as he shut the door, she turned the car on and took a deep breath. Waving goodbye, she drove off down the road. Storybrooke, Maine, here she comes. /p