Tile:Changes
Summary: Settling into Storybrooke.
Note: This is a mix of 3 prompts from Tumblr. The first two involved Graham interacting with the Charmings, the second involving Regina. I've cleaned it up some, but it was still mostly written during my 14 hour night shift, so there were definitely some feels being thrown around at that point.
"Well, I'll be off then," the pirate murmured lowly, tracing his gaze over the apartment building before rocking back.
Graham watched him a moment. "Thank you. For your help."
His eyes snapped up. "Wasn't for you, mate."
Graham nodded. "I know. I'm not thanking you for me."
The man's eyebrows quirked up as he looked downwards, twisting his hook. "Yes, well." He was silent a beat. "I'll be ... around. If more help is needed."
Henry popped up from the passenger door. "Thanks, Hook!"
Killian chuckled, backing up. "You're welcome, young sir."
Graham followed the man with his eyes as he walked into the distance, contemplative. It was clear the other man had feelings for Emma. In all honesty, it didn't bother him to know. He was fully aware of all that she and the pirate had gone through together. Too alike but not alike enough, Emma had explained one night. Graham knew better than most how easy it was to fall for Emma Swan. He couldn't exactly begrudge the pirate of that, especially since Hook was not attempting to undermine their relationship.
He sighed, stepping back into the car. If anything, the pirate's feelings may prove helpful as time went on. Just as long as boundaries were set and abided.
"I don't get why we don't get to go," Henry grumbled, breaking him from his thoughts.
Graham shot a smirk back at him from the driver's seat, turning the ignition on again. "Your mom's right, Henry. It'll be confusing enough with her trying to explain things when they have no memories. We'd only add to that."
Graham watched Henry's nose wrinkle from the rearview mirror. "I just want to see them again."
Graham bobbed his head in agreement. "I know. We will, eventually. Who knows? Maybe your mom'll have them convinced in just one visit," Graham teased.
Henry's lips quirked up. "I'm not even that optimistic, Dad."
Just as it had the last few months, the title still bloomed love and pride all through him. It wasn't as simple as it that, though, now that they were back in the place they thought they'd never see again. He swallowed, pulling over in front of the bed and breakfast before turning to him. "You know now that we're back, your father's here. You'll be able to see him again."
A smile shot over his face, surprise lighting his eyes. "Yeah. I forgot about that," he said softly.
Graham pressed his lips together, looking down a moment. "We need to figure out what to do about the adoption," he said lowly.
Henry's head cocked to the side. "No, we don't. You're my dad. Besides, he wouldn't remember me until we break the curse, anyway." Graham watches him a long moment, looking for the hurt underneath his words. Henry's silent a beat, and then leans forward. "You're both my dad. I'm glad you adopted me. Honestly."
Graham closed his eyes briefly. He wasn't sure how things would be once Neal remembered, if he would be able to keep the adoption legal. For now, it probably wasn't the time to worry about it. He knew how much Henry cared about their little family, how much they all did. There were more pressing things to be concerned about; he just needed to focus on keeping them all safe and happy.
The little bubble they had in New York was so perfect, though, that trying to accommodate for how it would change was daunting.
"Let's get a room and get ready for your mom, shall we?" Graham finally said, sighing.
They climbed out of the bug, and Graham wrapped his arm around Henry's shoulder with one arm, dragging a suitcase with the other. Having the kid close was both reassuring and comforting in the midst of all the change.
The familiar scent from the trellis of flowers covering the entrance greeted them as they approached, and he inhaled deeply.
It was almost unnerving being back in Storybrooke. He wasn't exactly looking forward to staying in one of the rooms that held such bad imprints of the past. Granny's though, the diner … it was comforting to see. There were a lot of good memories associated with that diner, and the street on which he was standing was the same one he first kissed Emma on. The dart board was visible from his place on the street, and he chuckled as the memory sifted through his head.
He bypassed the restaurant completely, though, and headed for the check in toward the rear.
The bell rang as the door opened, and he found Granny and Red in a familiar position: bickering. It seemed amicable for once, but even so it still brought a smile to his face. Some things never changed. He looked down at Henry, who shrugged. "Excuse me. We were looking to book a room."
The pair snapped to them, eyes widening. Granny was all-out gaping at him, and Red's hand covered her mouth. "Graham?" Red squeaked out, voice cracking.
His eyes narrowed in confusion. "Wait, you know me?"
Both women nodded in unison, but it was Granny that stepped around the corner. "Is this some trick?" the older woman said, eyeing the weapon on the wall.
Graham huffed out a laugh. "No. How do you remember?"
Henry dropped the handle of his suitcase and rushed to Red, hugging her around the waist. "You remember! How do you remember?"
Red shook her head. "Better question: how do you?"
Henry snorted. "We've already had to explain that. Dad kissed Mom. Our memories came back."
Red looked up again, catching Graham's eye. "You and Emma?"
Graham felt a flush creep up his neck as he nodded, twisting his ring around his finger nervously. It was complicated seeing her again with all their memories. He remembered a time where she edged around saying she had feelings for him, at a time where he couldn't have feelings for anyone. Until he found Emma, feeling without a heart was quite impossible. The only other person who came close was Henry. "All sorts of loopholes in curses, I guess."
He was shocked to feel himself pulled into Granny's arms with a strong hold. "Good. It was too serious without you around," Granny said with a sharp nod. "Nice to see that things aren't as bleak as I thought, too."
He offered a wavering smile back. "Thanks." He glanced to Henry, and then back to the older woman. "How did you guys get your memories? We heard you were cursed?"
Granny sniffed, pivoting to get back to her desk. "Who knows! It feels like yesterday that we were escaping a curse, now we're back in one and Snow's preg-" She cut herself off, before huffing out a low breath. "Didn't mean to spring it on ya. Your mother-in-law's in her ninth month."
Graham's eyebrows shot up, and inwardly he winced. He wondered just how Emma was taking that news. "It's fine. We'll be needing to settle in, though, before we can help out."
Red ducked her head, turning to the reservation book. "It's Storybrooke, so basically every room is available."
"Not 12," Graham said. He winced, holding back a wave of revulsion at the idea of that particular room. He gestured to Henry. "A double would be nice, maybe with a bigger bed. Emma's … well," he hesitated, wondering if he should mention the pregnancy. "She needs the space."
Granny looked at him pointedly before searching through the books. "5 has a queen and then a pull-out twin. Good enough?"
He nodded, and she pulled down the key. "Thank you." He turned and placed a hand on Henry's head, ready to climb the stairs.
"Graham." He turned back, catching Red's soft smile. "Glad you're back."
He gave a final smile, glad to be free of the awkwardness. "Thanks."
They climbed the stairs quickly, and found their room easily.
"So, everyone knows, I guess?" Henry said as he flopped onto the bed.
Graham shrugged and sat down next to him. "Seems like it. It's a good thing; we should be able to defeat this Big Bad and then figure out what to do."
Henry's quiet a long moment, twisting his hands together. "When it's all done … what if I want to go back? To New York?"
Graham stared at him seriously. "We'll figure it out as we get to it, Henry. But do you really want to leave everyone behind? Your family?"
Henry shrugged a shoulder, looking away. "It's safe in New York."
Graham nudged him. "Not really. I think I have a whole group of people down at the station that'd say otherwise."
The detectives down at the precinct all adored Henry. Simmons in particular had taken him under his wing since their kids shared a school; he liked to show off to him whenever Henry came around after last class, and Henry ate up every bit of the attention. Henry even managed to get Lazo to slip him treats from the vending machine out of her own pocket. It was definitely safe to say he was spoiled there.
His words don't bring a smile to the kid's face, though, as he hoped it would. "I know Garcia and Simmons and Lazo and all them would say that New York's a lot scarier than some small town in Maine. But we know better."
Graham sighed and tossed his arm over his shoulder, pulling him close. "We know how bad it can get. New York is reality, and it's a lot more unpredictable. Here, we usually know when something's coming."
"You didn't," he mumbled.
Graham grimaced. "That was before I had my memories. And I still knew something was wrong," he explained slowly. It was still hard going over how he died with both Henry and Emma. He had tried to be vague at first, but Emma had coaxed it out of him. Henry had just known Regina's part in it, and he hated having to confirm his suspicions. Later, they had speculated all they could about reasons he had returned, but nothing was solid evidence. He knew a lot of the time Emma was worried that he'd disappear from her life again, even after they got pregnant.
"Dad," Henry began, then hesitated. He twisted his fingers together. "What happens when we see her?"
He didn't have to ask who he means. He could see it in every line, every flinch, every flame of regret and sadness. Graham swallowed, considering it. "Whatever you want to happen. If she knows, she'll want to see you. But it's not her terms anymore. It's yours."
Henry looked up. "Mine?" he asked hoarsely.
Graham's lips quirked up. "What did we tell you when your mom and I got married?"
Henry smiled cautiously. "That even though you wanted to adopt me, that it was my decision, both morally and legally," he rattled off.
Graham chuckled, pulling him closer. "Exactly. It's your choice how often you want to see her, listen to her, and if you want to accept her. No one else gets a say in it: not me, not your mom, and not her. Got it?"
Henry nodded, looking infinitely more relieved. "Got it."
"Good, 'cause I need help getting that pull out bed before your mom comes in and hogs the real bed to herself."
XXX
Henry was half-passed out, his video game making considerably less constant noise as he nodded off, by the time Emma came home. Immediately, she rolled onto the bed and into his arms, pressing tight up against his side. She pressed a long, lingering kiss to his lips. "They remember," she murmured.
He pulled his arms around her lower back, tugging her as close as he could manage. "I know. She's pregnant?"
She nodded against him. "Seriously pregnant. About to pop, pregnant." She was quiet a long moment before she sighed. "She thinks it's great that we're pregnant together."
"And you?" Graham asked into her hair. He pressed light kisses into the golden strands, and his hand rubbed circles against the tense muscles of her back. He couldn't image the surprise of seeing your mother, who was the same age as you, pregnant with a child she will raise from birth.
She shrugged. "I don't know yet. It's strange. I knew they wanted another kid and all—" her breath hitched here, knotting on the idea before it abruptly evens. "It's not like they don't have a lot to catch up to with us."
A snort came from Henry's side of the room. "Yeah, 'cause we're the ones with the complicated life."
"Hey, kid," Emma said in a falsely-stern voice. "Just because they're Snow White and Prince Charming, it doesn't change the fact that your dad popped up from the afterlife and then married me and gave me your new sibling."
Graham laughed outright at the boiled-down explanation of their situation. Henry sniggered from his bed as well. "How'd you stop them from rushing over?" he asked. He was a little surprised David and Snow hadn't arrived back with her, what with Henry so nearby.
She sighed heavily. "They're in the diner. I told them I was going to check to see if you both were awake."
"I'm awake," Henry said, popping up. All traces of fatigue had indeed been wiped from his features in anticipation.
"You sure you're up for it?" he asked Emma, reaching to rest his hand over her stomach. The baby twisted beneath her skin, a ripple against his hand. He smiled fondly, caressing the area.
She nodded. "Worst part's over. They want to see you, anyway."
"Great," he said dryly, rising to a sitting position. He held out his hands, and she took them to help her rise.
"It's a good thing. They like you, Graham," she said, wrapping her arms around him again.
He rocked them back and forth a minute before Henry clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Quit stalling. The grandparents aren't going to maim you, Dad."
He chuckled, and let a little tension out of his body with a deep breath. Emma smiled up at him gently, squeezing his hand in support. "Ready?" she asked softly.
He nodded, turning to follow Henry, who was already hopping down the last half of the stairs.
The diner was dim, lit by the low light of florescent bulbs. It was hard to make out the patrons at first, but then he caught sight of Henry wrapped firmly between both of his grandparents. Graham smiled gently, feeling his heart stir at the sight. Henry deserved every ounce of happiness he could get, and those two were ones to lavish such things. Emma sighed happily beside him, pressing into the length of his side lovingly.
He was content to watch the reunion, and thought it would last a lot longer. That was, until the dark haired woman hurled herself into his arms. He let out a hard breath as the wind was knocked out of him. She was shaking, tears immediately soaking into his shirt and the press of her swollen belly impeded her attempts to hold him tighter.
"Graham … oh, I'm so sorry," she cried.
He awkwardly patted her back, catching Emma's eye in bewilderment over her shoulder. "Snow … it's fine," he said lamely. He was unsure where this sudden outburst stemmed from.
David appeared next, carefully extracting his wife from his embrace. "She's still trying to process," David explained, pulling her in. "I'm glad you're back, Huntsman."
Huntsman. The name still froze something in his stomach, a hard ball of ice that chilled him to his core. It had been his only name in their world, but also a harsh reminder of the way he'd been outcast by human society. He nodded stiffly. "You can call me Graham, still. Thank you. And congratulations."
Snow sniffed, brushing underneath her eyes. "And to you! When Emma told us … I'm so happy for you both!"
Emma was hiding her face from them, a small smile crossing over her face as she rested a hand over her stomach. "This is strange," she voiced softly.
He nodded his agreement, finding it echoed by David even as Snow only shook her head. "No, no, this is amazing! You have your memories! You're back, and in love, and having a baby, and I'm just so—" She cut off, sniffing hard as more tears trickled down her face. "This is perfect," she gushed.
"Hormones," David mouthed with a fond grin down on his wife.
Graham chuckled under his breath, curling his hand into Emma's. He knew something about that. "I think we have to talk about –"
Just as he was getting to it, the bell chimed behind the Charmings. He froze, feeling Emma tense beside him. The woman stopped short, eyes widening at the sight of all of them. Her eyes bounced from face to face, lingering on his before resting firmly on Henry.
Graham shot over to Henry immediately to catch his reaction. The boy's face had drained of color, as he edged closer to Emma.
"Henry," Regina breathed.
Henry backed up and stepped behind the block of both his and Emma's bodies, subconsciously seeking the protection of the parental barrier.
Snow and David had both pivoted to face Regina. Snow's face was pitying, but accepting of the other woman's entrance. David looked a little more resigned.
"Do you want to go upstairs, Henry?" Emma asked firmly. It was a true question, leaving their son able to make the decision for himself. But it was also a clear warning to Regina: there was no way she was just stepping into his life again as if nothing had happened.
Henry looked over to the woman that raised him, and then back to Emma. "Yes, please."
Regina's face fell, absolutely shattering in distress. She watched Henry climb up the stairs without a backwards glance. "He doesn't have his memories," she said certainly.
Emma shook her head. "No. He just knows too much."
Her eyes darkened, flashing over the two. "You. You've poisoned him against me."
Graham stiffened, but it was Emma that glowered at her, exceeding the look Regina was trying to pull. "No. You did that."
"Emma … she's helping us," Snow piped in softly.
Her eyes flashed and her grip on his hand increased. He could feel her start to almost imperceptibly shake, and he brushed his thumb over her skin to try to silently offer his support. "That's great. That still doesn't make up for what she's done to my family."
Regina straightened, leveling her gaze. "Excuse me?"
She stepped toe-to-toe with the former Queen, intimidating even in her flowy blue shirt and barely noticeable bump. "He came back. But you still tried to take him away forever in cold blood. Our son," she said pointedly, gesturing back at him so as to make explicit who she was including in that "our." "had to live with that knowledge, feared you in those months before I could break the curse. How you treated him during those years before I came? Unacceptable. You don't understand how hard it was to get him to handle both sets of memories. He gets a good education, now. He has friends. He has all sorts of people who love him. He has a full life. He is happy now. You will not ruin that."
Regina's lips were still curled in distaste, her face showing no sign that Emma's words were sinking in. "He is my son. You can't prevent him from seeing me."
"I'm not. You don't understand: I am letting this be his decision. And you damn well better heed his wish, or so help me I will tear you apart."
Graham found himself staring at his wife with a new sort of awe. His heart swelled to see her defending Henry so deftly. He caught David's eye and he grinned back, the same sort of pride in his eye.
"Emma," Snow pressed, touching her shoulder gently to pull her slightly back from Regina. "Maybe you're being a little harsh."
She shrugged off the touch, ignoring her mother completely. "If you can help, great. But we're not here for some trumped up reunion in your honor, Regina. We're here to help everyone escape another curse."
Regina crossed her arms in front of her, glaring at Emma behind a sheen of tears. "Here I thought we'd buried this hatchet, Savior," she spat acerbically.
Emma laughed humorlessly. "What you did to me? Whatever; it's buried. But I can't say the same for what you did to them."
He knew Emma was a little more on edge, a little quicker to action with the changes the baby was making in her, but he also knew that whether or not that was true Emma would still defend Henry to the end. He didn't find it necessary for her to defend him just as vehemently, but they had had that sort of discussion before and he knew there was no stopping it.
He cautiously stepped forward, grabbing her hand. Their rings clinked together as she let herself be led back into his side. "Lines are drawn. Let's call it a night, huh?" he murmured into her ear.
She nodded sharply. "We're done for tonight. We'll ask about your help if you can accept those terms," she shot out, whipping her hair back and then tugged him to the back.
"Emma," Snow called, but Emma ignored her plea, tightening her grip on him once more. He knew she just wasn't prepared for the white-washing her mother was sure to do at the moment. Things might be easier with Regina's help, but if the woman wouldn't stop pestering Henry against his wishes … they could do without it.
He stopped them just in front of the door to their room, twisting her to meet his face. He pressed his lips against hers, suddenly eager to show how proud he was of her. "You're amazing," he breathed before kissing her deeply.
She was smiling as they parted, her eyes made bluer by a swell of emotion. "It had to be said."
He nodded. "It did. And we'll let Henry decide."
"Not just Henry," she clarified, bumping her nose with his.
He carded a hand through her hair. "I know. But Henry takes precedence."
The door swung open, revealing a red-eyed Henry. "Mom. Dad. … Thanks," he said.
He smiled brightly, pulling him into the embrace of their family. "Team, right?"
Henry nodded, burying his face into his side. "Always."