AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.
Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)
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For one face claim reveal, I will tell that I chose Gal Gadot as the face claim for Persephone...cause she's perfect as Persephone!
Please consider leaving a review if you're reading. It is very much appreciated!
Thanks for awesome the reviews. Here are individual responses:
Baratta Jennifer: I know, that one was intense!
TheInferno1536: Yep, Cora's death was a necessity and the big twist on canon was that Snow wasn't the one to do it. What changes that means to canon remains to be seen.
Saberius Prime: Yep, Persephone took her daughter out of the equation on this one. That scene has been a long time coming. I've planned to have Persephone be the one to kill Cora since the moment I introduced her. Yep, Neal meets both of them in this chapter. It's going to be good.
Grace5231973: Yep, there might be some significant changes since Persephone is the one that killed Cora instead of Snow. Yes, Rumple is okay, which is very good.
Naomi Blue: Yep, she made the wrong choice and when Snow was completely broken, Cora killed her, because she was no longer useful. Neal gets to have a conversation with Emma's parents in this chapter, so that will be interesting! I never could understand Regina's blind following of her mother either. She pushed her into Wonderland to be rid of her, but then she came to Storybrooke and followed her around like a lost puppy. Yes, Snow should have trusted her mother and she comes to terms with that in this chapter. Glad you're enjoying the story!
Number Ten: Yep, Cora is dead. Cora was pretty arrogant. Remember how much she underestimated Emma in canon. Gods are immortal in a way, but remember, Hades was obliterated so there are ways to kill them. Regina has one more little arc to get through before she begins her redemption arc in this story, but it is sooner. :)
Izzypirelli: Lol, yeah the conversation about how he knows Hook has to hold. But he actually does tell them about in this chapter. Henry is a mini genius. Yeah, Snow is a bit impulsive and it was impossible for her to be objective. Unfortunately, it led to her getting hurt. And you're right, Snow is too trusting and some people do not deserve her. Yeah, I think this is where Regina realizes that Snow is her mother's victim too finally. The tower scene was super intense. The only reason Neal didn't get punch was because it was a life or death situation. He's lucky. Yep, the big twist that I've had planned forever now finally came to fruition. Persephone killed Cora to protect Snow from doing it. I agree, by her doing it directly, it is more cut and dry. I promise the fallout is interesting!
Beth1980: I love Snow too, but you're right, she's a bit naïve and too trusting at times. Johanna was never going accept Persephone. She made her decision and it was the wrong one, because Cora killed her once she was done with her. Lol, I know, I'm going to enjoy Neal being afraid of David too. Yep, I've known since the beginning that Persephone would be the one to kill Cora. That was one thing I decided on very early. Glad you're enjoying!
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 56: Second Chances
Emma worked on filling out the report in the back of Gold's shop while she waited for the morgue van to arrive. She kept a close on Regina, as the other woman sat on the floor beside her mother's body, nearly catatonic. She looked sad, but Emma could also see something else in the woman's eyes. Relief? Emma suspected that Cora had been pulling Regina's strings since she showed up in town and her presence couldn't have been easy to take for a woman that was used to being so in control. There was more of course, as her father had given her a brief explanation of the situation earlier involving her mother and for that reason, Emma could not be sad that Cora was gone. She was too dangerous in respect to her parents and subsequently Henry. She only hoped Regina could eventually see that her Mother would have hurt Henry in the same ways Snow had told her that Cora had hurt Regina.
But as Doc and Bashful arrived with the morgue van and tried to place a sheet over Cora's body, the fury in Regina's eyes returned.
"Get away…" she snapped.
"Regina...they need to move the body. We need to go through the proper channels according to this realm," Emma responded.
"Like hell…" the woman snapped, as she and the body disappeared. Emma sighed and looked at the two dwarfs.
"I guess you guys can go. She's probably not going to cooperate," Emma said, as she looked over at Gold and Belle briefly, before going out into the front of the shop where Neal stood. He was on the phone and she couldn't help but eavesdrop.
"Yeah...I'm not sure when I'll be back exactly. I want to spend some time with Henry," Neal said and then listened to the woman on the other end. He smiled.
"Yeah, I want you to meet him too," he said, as he listened again.
"Uh...yeah, I don't know about bringing him to New York yet. I'd have to talk to Emma about that kind of stuff. Plus he has an adoptive Mom too...it's kind of a mess," Neal replied, as he turned to see her watching him. He seemed to pale considerably, as he continued to listen to his fiance.
"Yeah, maybe you could drive up here for a few days. Listen, I need to go for now though," he said, as he listened again.
"I love you too...I'll talk to you later," he said, as he hung up the phone and they shared an uncomfortable silence.
"You really want bring her here?" Emma asked.
"She's part of my life, Emma. I'm going to marry her. She wants to get to know Henry and I love her," he replied. Emma didn't like how much it stung when he said that and brushed it away, refusing to deal with what it might mean.
"This isn't a normal situation though. Bringing an outsider here could be really bad!" she stressed.
"Yeah, this isn't a normal town for sure. I've been here ten minutes and there was already a murder. Maybe New York isn't such a bad idea for Henry," he countered. She looked at him in disbelief.
"You want to take my son to New York with you?" she asked.
"Our son...and I have a life in New York. We're going to have to figure out this whole custody thing," he stated. She looked at him in disbelief again.
"Is this your idea or hers?" Emma asked, as Gold and Belle came in from the back of the shop.
"Emma…" he started to say.
"Tell me the truth," she snapped.
"Am I going to be served with custody paperwork or something like that?" she asked. He sighed.
"Tamara might have suggested I hire a lawyer to work out a custody agreement, but I shot her down. I told her that we can do this without all the red tape," he replied.
"We have to do this without the red tape! There are people in Henry's life that I don't want people outside this town knowing about!" Emma exclaimed.
"Yeah, I doubt they'd buy that your parents are his grandparents," he commented.
"Not to mention if someone saw magic being used. If the wrong people found out about Storybrooke, everyone's lives could be in danger," she warned.
"Emma...neither Tamara and I would never want anyone to get hurt. And I don't even know how to begin to tell her about all this. You can trust me, I know that's hard considering," he replied. She sighed.
"I know you'd never want to do something that might hurt Henry. I'm not really worried about you, Neal. It's everyone else out there, including your fiance. I don't know her and I need to before she spends a bunch of time with our son," Emma said.
"Fair enough. Maybe Storybrooke isn't the best place for this. You mentioned your parents can leave too. Why not bring them to New York with us next time?" he suggested. She sighed.
"I'll talk to them...and if things calm down around here, maybe it will be possible," she offered. He nodded.
"That works for me. For now, I'm here and I want to get to know my son. How about dinner?" he asked.
"Granny's at seven. I'll bring the kid and my parents. We'll start with that," she replied. He nodded, as she left and he turned to his father.
"I guess I'm glad you're not dead," Neal mentioned, as he turned to leave.
"Bae...wait!" he called, as Neal stopped.
"My house...I have several guest rooms. One is yours if you'd like," Gold offered.
"Thanks...but I'm not ready for that. I think I'll get a room at the Inn," he replied.
"Bae...please," Gold pleaded.
"Look, just because I'm glad you're not dead doesn't change things between us. I'm here for Henry. End of story," he said harshly, as he left. Belle put her hands on his shoulders.
"Give him time," she said. He nodded. It wasn't like he had much choice.
David burst into the loft and sighed in relief, as he spotted his wife asleep on the bed. He knelt over her and gently brushed a hand through her hair. He caressed her face and she stirred. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss. Snow mewled into his kiss and kissed back, before her eyes flew open. Their eyes met and he sat down beside her, as she got her bearings.
"My mother…" she uttered. He nodded.
"What happened? How long have I been asleep?" Snow asked.
"Not long...but Cora is dead," he told her. Snow swallowed thickly.
"Then she did it…" the princess realized. She looked at him with warring emotions in her eyes and he watched the myriad of anger, sadness, and relief pass over her expressions.
"She didn't have to do that," Snow said sternly.
"You know why she did though," David replied.
"She can't just take choices away from me like that!" she cried.
"I don't exactly agree with how she did it, but I get why," he said. She crossed her arms over her chest.
"Of course you do," she murmured. He sighed and took her hands in his own.
"I once took an arrow meant for Regina to stop you from darkening your heart and I would do it again in a heartbeat," he confessed.
"Why? Why is it so important to everyone that they keep me as pure as my name?" she asked.
"Because I know that if you had done what your mother did that it would have weighed heavily on you," he replied.
"It's Cora...I'd never be sorry she was gone," Snow admitted.
"Maybe not, but I know you...I know your heart. Taking life is not what you do," he said.
"I've killed before," she reminded.
"In self defense...it's different," he argued.
"But this is self defense! Don't you see, Charming? Cora was going to take everything from me, just like Regina did! I think she's right!" Snow exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" he questioned.
"What has good ever really gotten me? I mean...I have always clung to what my...Eva taught me. Do good and good things will come to you," she recited.
"And that's true…" he said.
"Not really...because good got us cursed!" she cried.
"Snow…" he started to say.
"No...because I couldn't do the difficult thing and make that judgment, Regina was spared and then she cursed us. I lost you and my daughter for twenty-eight years," she stated.
"Yes, we had the saving grace of the dreamscape, but can you imagine what it would be like if we didn't?" she asked. He looked into her stormy eyes.
"Emma would have grown up not knowing us at all. She would have thought we just left her on the side of a road!" Snow cried, as the tears came then.
"She would have thought we didn't love her! That's what good would have gotten us," she hissed, as he took her in his arms and pulled her down into his lap.
"But that didn't happen and because we chose good, I like to believe we were rewarded with the dreamscape," he said.
"Because my mother wanted it," she reminded.
"But Morpheus had to grant the request. If he thought we weren't good, then he could have denied that request," he countered.
"I guess I didn't think about it that way," she murmured. He smiled and pressed a kiss to her hair.
"Would you have been mad at me if I had done it?" she asked.
"I don't think mad is the right word. I would have been really worried about you though. I know that you'd do anything to protect us, but I would have felt a bit helpless I think. Because you'd be hurting and there wouldn't really be anything I could do to make it better," he replied. She swallowed.
"If...if my heart wasn't untouched...would you love me less?" she squeaked. He shook his head.
"That's not possible...I've love you no matter what and I mean that. You know, I've heard it said that evil isn't born. It's made and yet, after everything that's happened to you...you never let it unmake. You remained good," he mentioned.
"Because I have you. Without you...I don't want to think about who I would be," she replied.
"It's the same for me," he agreed.
"Snow...I love you, no matter what. I know that if your mother hadn't stepped in and you had killed Cora, then it would have been because you were trying to save our family. There is nothing you will ever do that would make me stop loving you," he implored.
"Even if my heart turned black?" she asked, her eyes shining with tears.
"Even then...but it won't. I know that for sure," he replied.
"How?" she asked. He smiled and kissed her passionately, leaving her breathless, as their lips parted. Her eyes fluttered opened and she gazed into those sapphire eyes she loved getting lost in. He put his hand to her chest where her heart was.
"Because I know it better than anyone," he responded. She melted into him at that and their lips met again with ardent fervor. Their lips parted, as they heard the loft door open and were relieved to see Emma and Henry come in. Snow hurried to them and hugged her daughter, while Henry dove into David's arms.
"Dad told me what happened with Johanna. Are you okay?" Emma asked. She nodded sadly.
"I'll be okay...I have my family and that's all I need," Snow replied.
"But I know how much she meant to you. That had to hurt," Emma countered. Snow nodded.
"It does...but I don't have to go through this alone," Snow said, as they huddled into a hug with the boys.
"And the other thing?" Emma asked.
"I was really mad at first...but I know why she did it. And it probably saved us all," Snow replied, as she looked past them and at her Mother in the doorway.
"You have every right to be angry with me for doing that, but I won't apologize for protecting you," Persephone stated. Snow nodded.
"I know...I would have done the same to protect Emma," she said tearfully.
"I should have listened to you about Johanna...I'm sorry," Snow sniffed. Persephone hugged her fiercely.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, my sweet girl," she told her.
"Never apologize for trying to see the best in people...it is a quality that few have and is seriously lacking in this world," Persephone stated. Snow pulled back and smiled at her, before frowning slightly.
"How was Regina?" she asked.
"Very angry at me," Persephone replied.
"Does that mean my Mom might try to get revenge again?" Henry asked worriedly. Emma looked at her parents.
"She's hurting a bit right now, because someone she loves was a threat to everyone. It will not be easy for her to deal with, I'm afraid, Henry," Persephone said honestly. He lowered his head sadly.
"So if she tries to hurt people like Cora did...are you going to have to do the same to her?" he asked. The Goddess knelt before him.
"Your mother Regina is a very far cry from Cora. More importantly, Regina knows what her mother was. I am hoping, in time, she comes to terms with what I had to do. I never take a life lightly, Henry. I will only ever do so if there is imminent danger to this family," she promised. Henry was a boy that appreciated honesty and despite his young age, she felt there was no need to sugar coat it. Henry was very smart and she felt he deserved to know the entire gravity of the situation. Henry nodded.
"Should I call her?" he asked, looking at them.
"I think that would be a good idea, honey. I'm sure she'd love hearing from you," Snow suggested, as he went into his grandparent's bedroom to make the call. Emma sighed.
"On another note, Neal wants to have dinner with Henry. I'm tagging along and I really don't want to have another awkward meal with my ex. I was hoping my wonderful, loving parents would come too?" Emma asked, looking at them expectantly. Snow smiled and hugged her.
"We'd be happy to join you. It's time we were properly acquainted anyway, especially if he's going to be a part of Henry's life," Snow said. David grunted beside her.
"And you will behave," she added, eyeing her husband. He rolled his eyes.
"Hey, I already didn't punch him earlier. I'd say he's already getting off easy," David protested.
"I know, but you still can't punch him tonight," Snow warned.
"Yeah...if it wasn't for the kid, I'd say go for it. But let's not traumatize him more," Emma agreed.
"Emma…" Snow chided. David pouted and Emma smirked.
"Besides, he's already terrified of you," she told him. He perked up slightly.
"Really?" he asked. She grinned and nodded. He smirked.
"Well, he should be," he agreed. Snow sighed and slipped her arms around his neck.
"Please be nice...I'll make it worth your while," she purred softly, but not softly enough.
"Speaking of being traumatized…" Emma groaned, as Snow smiled sultrily at him.
"Fine...I'll be nice. For you and Henry," David agreed, as she kissed him on the lips and then the cheek. Persephone smiled at them, as Snow got a look in her eye.
"Oh, I'll go call Belle and invite her and Gold," she said.
"Wait Mom…I'm not sure that's good idea. Neal is still pretty ticked off at Gold," Emma warned.
"Oh…" she said sadly, but then got a coy look on her face. Charming had always affectionately dubbed it her "up to something" face.
"We'll just pretend I don't know that," she said.
"Baby, why don't you invite Jefferson," Snow added, as she went to make her call. Emma rolled her eyes and David chuckled, as he pulled out his phone, before dialing the Hatter.
Regina stared at her mother, as her body now lay in state in her family crypt. There was a time that she wanted this...to be rid of her mother completely. She wasn't a fool and knew how dangerous Cora was. But she had never been able to finish the job with her mother. Which was ironic, considering she had ended her father's life, though not without anguish. Still...it did not give that sanctimonious Goddess the right to do this. Especially all in the name of protecting her precious daughter. Snow White...her rage at her step-daughter had only been reignited by this turn of events. Why was it always her? What was it about her that made people move the Heavens and Earth to appease the little retch? She had everything, as usual. Snow's mother would do anything for her. In some ways, Cora would have done anything for Regina, but it was never the same. Cora had done unspeakable things to give Regina things that she didn't want. Like a husband three times her age and a crown she didn't want, at first. But Persephone had also gone to extreme lengths for Snow.
She was not without blood on her hands, for her inadvertent storm that had pounded the Enchanted Forest on the day of Snow's birth happened to kill more than just Johanna's husband. Many had been lost that day in the blustering cold. It was a storm that was still spoke of many years after it had happened and no meteorological event had ever rivaled the power of the storm on that day. Regina had never really made the connection between it and Snow's birth. But it made sense. Nothing good had ever come from Snow's existence, as far as she was concerned. Okay...maybe that wasn't completely true. It was not lost on her that Henry only existed, because Snow and subsequently Emma existed. But her being the Princess of the Underworld certainly made sense now. Nothing but death and destruction followed her. Never mind that Regina had caused a lot of that death and destruction because of her. Snow was just another woman in a long line of them that had caused war and strife in their Kingdoms. Her mother was willing to do anything to see to Snow's safety and happiness. Learning that Snow had been happy with her family in her dreams for twenty-eight years was a low blow for Regina. She thought she had truly won with the curse and enjoyed making Mary Margaret's life lonely and miserable, all the while, remaining unaware that she retreated to a utopian like dreamscape every night. She just wanted to win! But she never did. No matter what, Snow always won. Not only did she have a mother willing to do anything for her, but she had a husband willing to do anything to protect her as well. She knew David would willingly lay down his life for his family. She hadn't had anyone willing to do such things for her since Daniel and it hurt deeply. Then there was Emma, an ever prevalent thorn in her side that also obviously loved Snow very much, while Regina's own child had rejected her in favor of his biological family. As always, it all came back to Snow White.
Her step-daughter was also the key to making Persephone pay for her treachery. It was not lost on Regina either that she was no match for the Goddess' power. Her mother was almost evenly matched with her, but she had a feeling that Persephone had not unleashed the full potential of her power, even on Cora. Instead, she chose to humiliate her mother by exchanging her life for Rumpelstiltskin's of all beings and by using an artifact of dark magic of Cora's own creation. Making Persephone pay for it was only possible through hurting Snow though. How exactly to do that with so many people ready to jump to defend her, she wasn't sure yet. But she would find a way. Persephone would not get away with this and she would have her revenge. Someday, Henry would understand why she had to do this. He would see eventually that Regina was not the bad one. It was Snow and he would realize he was better off with her.
Hook opened his bleary eyes and tried to focus on his surroundings, as well as figure out what had occurred. The last thing he remembered was stabbing the crocodile with his Hook. But judging by the way his head was killing him, someone had knocked him out. He heard a peculiar clicking sound behind him and slowly turned, finding a dark haired woman standing above him with a pistol pointed at him. It was a much more sophisticated looking pistol than he had ever seen, but he definitely knew the danger of this weapon and put his hands up.
"Easy lass...no need for that," he said, surrendering to her.
"Get up," she snapped, as a man arrived and sized up the pirate.
"So this is him?" he asked. Tamara smirked and twisted his hook off, confiscating the appendage.
"The real thing," she said smugly.
"Then it's time," the man said, as he tied Hook up and marched him out the back way to a car.
"We're finally going to find my father and I'll have my revenge," he hissed.
"Ah revenge...now there's something I know about. Untie me...and I'd be glad to assist," Hook bargained.
"Nice try pirate, but I know the minute we untied you that you would double cross us," Tamara said, as her partner stuffed into the trunk at gunpoint.
"Did Neal invite you to Storybrooke?" the man asked.
"Not yet...but he will. Besides, now that we know there is magic there, the town might be visible again. It's time, Greg," she confirmed. He smirked.
"Then we'll find my father," he said. She smirked with a nod.
"And destroy magic," she added, as they got into the car. Tamara put Maine in as their destination on the car's GPS and they set out for their mission…
The Charmings entered the diner that evening and found Neal already had a booth for them. They moved a table over to join with the booth, allowing Emma and Persephone to sit in the chairs, while Henry sat beside his father and Snow and David slid into the other side of the booth. Neal seemed not to notice the other vacant chairs, for the silence between all of them was awkward at best.
"So...I'm Neal," he introduced himself.
"Yep," David said sourly, while Snow nudged him under the table.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Neal. I'm Snow and I think you've met David," she said, as he shook his hand. Her husband grunted beside her.
"Yeah...we met," he grumbled.
"Charming...behave," she hissed, as he loosened up a little.
"It's okay...he has every right to be angry with me, you both do. Maybe we should just get it all out now," Neal suggested.
"You sent our daughter to jail," David snapped.
"Actually...come to find out, it wasn't him," Emma interjected, as her parents looked at her.
"What do you mean?" Snow asked.
"Well...Emma and I were preparing to run off together to Canada when August tracked me down. For what it's worth, I loved your daughter and never had any intention of leaving her," Neal said, looking at them both respectfully. Finding out that they had indeed been there for Emma in her dreams and seeing how much she adored them had modified his original opinion of them. Especially since it was his father that was responsible for tearing them all apart in the first place.
"Where does August come into this?" David asked, his piercing gaze on Neal softening a little.
"He found me and told me that he knew who I really was. Then he told me about the curse and who Emma really was. I'll admit...I screwed up. I couldn't handle the possibility of facing my father then," Neal admitted.
"Then the anonymous call that sent Emma to prison?" Snow asked.
"August did that...he convinced me it was the only way for Emma to find her way here was if I either told her everything and went with her or...let her go. For what it's worth, I thought if I did tell her everything, she would have thought I was crazy. I didn't know that she already knew everything," he explained.
"But you still left her, because you didn't want to face your father," David said. His tone was a little less harsh now, since he learned about August's involvement. But he had always waited a long time to grill this man about what he did to his daughter. Snow squeezed his hand.
"Yes...but my father chose power over me. This world wasn't the first one I landed in and the one I did was hell," Neal explained.
"Is that how you know Hook?" Emma inquired. He sighed.
"Yeah...and make that the second world I landed in was hell. The first one was good. A nice family took me in, but it didn't last long. Pan's shadow showed up to take them, but instead of breaking up another family, I let him take me instead," Neal confessed.
"You met Peter Pan?" Henry asked in awe, but Neal couldn't smile.
"Yes Henry, but he's not like the stories in this world portray him. Pan is pure, unadulterated evil and no, I'm not exaggerating," he told them," Neal said gravely.
"I can confirm that he is correct about Pan," Persephone added.
"Have you met him, Mother?" Snow asked curiously.
"I haven't had the displeasure, but I have met the many people he has sent to the Underworld. His magic is very powerful and he is very dangerous," she replied.
"So you met Hook in Neverland and that's how you know how to sail his ship?" Emma asked. He nodded.
"Hook took me in for a while when he fished me out of the sea after I broke free from Pan's shadow. He had a sort of affection for me, because of my mother," Neal explained.
"The woman that left your father for him," David said and Neal looked surprised.
"He told you?" Neal asked. David shrugged.
"Believe it or not, your father and I do have a friendship of sorts," the prince replied.
"Do you know what he's done?" Neal asked.
"I know exactly what he's done," David retorted.
"He did it all for his child. I may not approve of everything he did and the effect it had on everyone else, but I get it. I'd do anything for Emma...even kill if it came down to it," David confessed.
"And you might not have understood that before, but something tells me you're starting to grasp exactly what you might be willing to do for your child," the prince added. Neal pulled back slightly and nodded, as the bell on the door rang.
"So Hook took you in?" Emma asked.
"For a while, but when Pan came to him and told him that he wanted me, Hook sold me out to him to save his own skin," Neal said bitterly. David snorted.
"That figures...this was the guy working with Cora," he said, as Gold, Belle, and Jefferson approached.
"What are you doing here?" Neal asked.
"I invited them...they're our friends," Snow answered, as they took their seats at the table.
"So you and Hook...care to share that tale?" David asked.
"Let's just say that he took delight in my humiliation before I was the Dark One. Then I paid him back by taking his hand," Gold replied.
"So that's why he wanted revenge," Emma surmised.
"Among other things," Gold said vaguely.
"Then it's true what he said? About my mother?" Neal questioned, as they looked at each other.
"She abandoned us, Bae. She left you to run off with that pirate," Gold reminded.
"And you killed her for it later," he said angrily.
"I did a lot of horrible things, especially after I lost you. I will not deny that. Letting you slip away will always be my biggest regret though," Gold confessed, as Belle squeezed his hand.
"And you've really forgiven him?" Neal asked Emma's parents. David shrugged.
"We have our family back. If not for your father, I might have found myself in a fake marriage to another woman if Regina had gotten her way. He may have gotten something out of it, but so did I," David said, as he put his arm around Snow.
"I got to fall in love with my wife all over again. I didn't expect to, but I got to fall in love with Mary Margaret, just like I fell in love with Snow. Regardless of why he did it, he still gave that to me," he said, as Snow looked at him with a dreamy stare.
"And it changed my life as Mary Margaret too. I felt like nothing until you came back into my life," she said, as he kissed her tenderly.
"Are they always like this?" Neal asked, as food arrived for them and Emma bit into an onion ring.
"This is mild, trust me. Wait till they start feeding each other or sharing dessert. It gets indecent and embarrassing really quickly," Emma commented, as she bit into her grilled cheese.
"You really think he deserves a second chance?" Neal asked her seriously and she looked up at him.
"Doesn't everyone?" she countered and he took a sharp breath, realizing that was talking about him. Emma didn't have to let him into Henry's life if she really didn't want to. At first, she thought maybe she was only doing it for the kid, but now he realized that she was granting him a second chance that he really wasn't sure he deserved considering all the pain he had caused her. Her parents certainly seemed to have quite the influence on those around them. He could see it now that they were all together as a group. There was an amiable comfort between all of them. Even his father seemed somewhat relaxed, which was something he hadn't really ever seen. Love and friendship certainly seemed to be far more powerful than he realized. And they were letting him in, maybe not for his sake, but for Henry's and his father's. He sighed and found himself finally starting to accept all this.
"Okay...he's got his second chance," Neal told her, knowing that everyone heard him. Belle grinned and squeezed his hand and even though Gold's expression remained stoic, she knew he was happier now than she had ever seen...