The support for this story has been amazing! I cant help but thank all of you for your kind words of encouragement!
Ok guys I am terrible sorry for the delay. It has not been my year. My laptop crashed so I had to get a new one and my story was backed up on said laptop. Then I was in a car crash, hurt my arm, had the flu and then I was dumped. So lets just say im glad 2019 is right around the corner. Hope you guys have had the best Christmas and Happy New Year!
I do not own OUAT or its characters!
Hope you guys enjoy!
Emma slowly opened her eyes and for a moment she was confused of where she was at. It was then that she caught movement to the right of her and she turned her head and saw Evie laying next to her just staring at her. Evie smiles but doesn't say anything. Its like she knew it was to early to talk.
"Hey kid", Emmas voice cracked a little as it being first thing in the morning. I sit up and slowly rub the sleepiness from my eyes.
"I like it when you call me "kid". Evie said with a smile on her face.
"Oh yeah? Well maybe I will call you that more often." I say laughingly.
"Mom calls me Evie most of the time except for when im in trouble and then she calls me Evelyn," She says with conviction.
"Well then hopefully she doesn't call you Evelyn to much then."
"Mom is making breakfast and told me to come and wake you. I helped her with the coffee."
"Well then why don't we go see if she's done then, huh? Let me get changed and ill be down in a minute ok?"
"Ok!" Evie jumps down from the bed and takes off to the door. I slowly stand and stretch my arms. I cant help but appreciate how comfortable that bed is. It makes me think of Boston and I cant help but miss Boston a little bit and then im reminded that I should be heading back. I still have work and obligations there. Yet, I don't want to leave Evie. Regina doesn't seem opposed to me being in her life. Its all so confusing. I always told myself that I was over her but it just keeps getting harder to remind myself. But then I shouldn't be thinking of her, I should be thinking about Evie and what she needs.
I think back to last night and cant help but get pissed that Regina would even blame me for anything. Ive never been a saint and I would never dare claim to be but the things she said last night just gets to me. How could she blame me for anything? Her mother was the one that tore us apart and yet I'm the one blamed for leaving. When is my life ever not going to be one big clusterfuck?
I put my clothes on and head downstairs where Evie is waiting on me. I get a chance to see her in her pajamas and I cant help but think how much she looks like her mom. She grabs my hand as she smiles at me and walks me to where I assume is the kitchen. I cant help but admire the house as we round every corner. Everything seems to be in the perfect spot. Picture frames are hanging and tilted just right. Rugs are aligned just right on the floors. Not a spec of dust in site but it also looks like a home. There are plenty of photos of Regina and Evie. Mostly of just Evie. This is a place where you can tell that its loving home. Its something that i yet again missed out on. I didn't get to help make this into a home. I didnt get to be in the photos or be the one holding the camera as it catches their smiles.
As we enter the kitchen Regina is setting down her phone. She looks up as she notices us and I can tell right away that she is upset. She tries to put on a smile for Evie but seeing as its Regina kid she knows right away that it is fake.
"Whats wrong momma?" Regina walks over to us and I know she notices Evie still holding my hand. She smiles a little.
"Im sorry sweetie but I have to go into work today." Regina kneels in front of Evie and grabs her hands.
"But you promised that I could go and play at the park today!" Evie stomps her foot a little and I cant help but think she is just like Regina. Evie whines a little as a frown takes over her face. Regina stands and makes herself busy with coffee and I can tell she doesn't like to tell her no.
"I know baby but something came up at work that I cant ignore. Maybe we can go to Grannies for dinner tonight and I can make it up to you?" Evie face lights up at the mention of Grannies and all is ok. Its amazing that just by going to the dinner brightens the kids' day again.
It also reminds me of the ones that I left besides Regina. Ruby and Granny are probably going to hate me. I didnt keep in touch with anyone when I left for Boston. I was so concerned about my feelings that I didnt think at the time about anyone else, just that I had to get out of here as quick as I could.
"...Emma...Emma?" Regina voice breaks me out of my thoughts and I see Regina and Evie staring at me with concerned looks. I smile sheepishly.
"Sorry, I got lost in thought. I haven't exactly talked to Ruby or Granny since I left. I bet the hate me."
"Evie, why dont you go pick out something to wear and ill be up in a minute." Evie knew she didnt want to stick around for a grownup conversation and took off towards the stairs. Her little footsteps rang throughout the house.
"Emma, they don't hate you. They never could. They might be a little upset, probably Ruby more than Granny but they still love you and they are going to be so happy once they see you." Regina had moved closer as she started talking to me and I cant help but get lost in her eyes. She was always so good at talking me down from things. She knew exactly what to say. But then I remember why im here and I let my head overthink everything.
"Emma, I..." Right then we hear footsteps coming down the stairs and Evie yelling for her mom to come help her get ready. Regina just gives me a soft smile and squeezes my arm as she walks by me to go help Evie. My arm tingles where her fingers wrapped around my arm and its like static struck through my body and I want to feel that touch again.
I have to leave after today. I need to get away from this town to clear my head. I fell like im 18 again and falling for her all over again. This time though my head is winning over my heart and I won't make the same mistake twice. I cant fall for her. Im here for Evie and thats it.
Evie and I are walking down the street. She's holding my hand and talking a mile to a minute about every little thing she comes across in the town. After little debate between Evie and Regina, it was decided that I would take her to the park and make sure she was fed for the day. Regina was thrilled just about as much as Evie was that I would be spending time with our daughter.
Its so strange how after all the years nothing has changed around here. The buildings are still painted the same. The stores have the same name. The people look the same. Its like Storybrooke was the only think that didnt change.
Evie and I are walking when suddenly she stops in the middle of the sidewalk. I look to what she is staring at and I cant help but laugh. Of course she would stop in front of an Ice-cream store. Another proof that she is my kid but then again what kid doesn't love ice-cream?
"You're mom would kill me if I let you eat ice-cream before dinner, you know?" I say thoughtfully.
"Well, she doesn't have to know and besides dinner isn't till later and this could just be a light snack. It will be out of my system by then," she states logically, for a kid.
"Fine, but if we get caught its your fault. Got it?" I ask. Evie nods her head as we walk into the ice cream shop. For the life of me though I cant remember who owns it. The door rings as we open and step through. The first thing I notice is the smell of baked goods in the air, the second is that no one seems to be around. I suddenly here a voice yell out that they'll be with us in a minute.
"I need to go to the restroom." Evie says as she walks to the bathroom. Im really not sure what to do so I just stair at the pictures hanging on the wall. One catches my attention. It has three women standing in it and I assume they must be related, as they all look alike. Just as I turn to go back to the counter a body collides with mine and I see ice cream go everywhere. I kneel down to try and help her clean it up. Thankfully frozen icrecream doesn't make that big of a mess.
"Oh god! I am so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going and I thought I could sqeeze around you and...and.." She stops talking once she lifts her head and looks at me. Her eyes lock with mine and she just stares.
"Its ok. No harm done hopefully? Well except to the ice-cream." I laugh it off as I reassure her. I cant help but think that her staring is getting to me just a little bit. The woman tilts her head and then when she realizes she hasn't said anything she goes to stand.
"Im sorry. Its just you look so familiar but I haven't seen you around here before." She shakes her head as if she is berating herself.
"Oh I used to live here a long time ago and I'm just in town to visit really." I rack through my brain to try and see if I remember her but nothing comes to me.
"Im Elsa," she says almost shyly. Her cheeks has turned a light pink as they stand out against her pale face.
"Elsa? As in Ingrid's niece?" It cant be. She's grown so much since I last saw her. She was a few years younger than me in school. Everyone used to tease me that she had a crush on me but I think it was more of a sisterly thing.
" The one and only. Do I know you you?"
"Its Emma. Emma Swan?" Her eyes light up the moment my name flies from my mouth and she takes a step closer to me and pulls me in for a hug that lingers more than it should.
"Emma Swan. How have you been? I didn't know you were back in town. When did you get back in town?" Elsa rattled off the questions just as quick as she could.
"Haha well actually..."
"Elsa!" Evie comes running up to Elsa and gives her a hug.
"Hey Evie, you here for your daily daily ice-cream treat?" Elsa ask as she tickles Evie side. I can tell that they get along well. But then again I haven't met a person that Evie doesn't like. They giggle with each other.
"Emmas getting me ice-cream before we head to the park." Evie looks at me with pleading eyes even though she knows I will get her some.
"Go ahead and pick out what you want." Evie runs up to the counter and presses her face close to the screen. They have about 30 different flavors it looks like.
"So, how long are you in town for?" Elsa ask as she finishes picking up the mess and heading behind the counter.
"Im actually not staying for long I have to get back to work. I just came back to see Evie."
"Oh well if you ever are in town again, stop by and say hey." She looks almost disappointed with the fact that im not staying long. It would be cool to hangout with someone I used to know but my main priority is Evie.
"Yeah, definitely." Evie calls Elsa over and they both excitedly talk about the different flavors of ice-cream.
Later as Evie and I are walking around the playground, her eating a chocolate ice-cream cone and me eating strawberry in a bowl we talk about what she likes to do. She loves to play outside though she likes it better when she has friends to play with. She makes good grades is school. Certainly something she gets from her other mother. She's allergic to nuts, which is a good thing to know. She tells me funny stories about her teacher and how she has pet birds in the classroom, though her mother disagrees with that. She talks about Cora and how she lets her get away with anything.
I cant help but think what changed. When Regina was younger she couldn't sneeze without her mother criticizing that she did it wrong. So much has changed is the past 10 years. I missed out on so much. Storybrooke may have stayed the some on the outside but everything else has changed.
Ok, so how was it? i feel like ive lost my spark.
Also, whats up with Elsa huh? Do you think she still has a crush on Emma? How will Regina act once she finds out? Is Ruby and Granny going to be mad once they see Emma? Find out in the next chapter!
Reviews are everything! Let me know how it was!
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