I was standing in front of the place I now call home and I put the key in the lock. It warmed my heart to hear the magical clicking sound and knowing that I was no longer wanting to escape from the mistake I made so long ago. The scent of apples was the first thing to welcome me and I went upstairs to put my bags away in the guest room.

I was doing my best to not make too much noise as I walk past Henry's room. I saw his door was open a little bit and I saw him sleeping peacefully there. He clung onto a blanket and I saw my name in purple print. I went into his room, moved the hair out of his face, and kissed his forehead.

I exited his room quietly and heard a voice behind me, "He has slept with your blanket every night since you left. He said he wasn't going to give up hope that you'd come back. He even named it Operation Hope." I turned around to see Regina in her robe.

I leaned against the door frame, "Operation Hope is a success then, Regina." I was still having trouble saying her name, but I told myself that it'll get easier in time. I wanted to tell her how much I missed her and how it broke my heart leaving Storybrooke behind.

Her eyes locked with mine and she opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it. She went to her bedroom and closed the door. I decided to go to the guest room and get some sleep. I'll work on a plan tomorrow on how to win her over and how to win Henry back.

The daylight was blinding me when I woke up and I took a quick shower before heading downstairs. I saw Regina and Henry sitting at the dinner table with Henry explaining something while being extremely excited talking about it. I made my way through the house until I was right behind his chair. Regina acted as though nothing was happening.

"Hey kid, happy belated birthday. I'm sorry I was unable to make it to the party, but I was on my way to see you." Henry stood up and looked at me. I wasn't sure about what I should expect. I thought he'd be yelling at me or perhaps going to storm out of the room.

He was standing in front of me and he clenched his fists. He was almost at eye level and I saw how he was thinking about how to react. I knew that Regina had raised him well enough that he wouldn't hit me, but I was still cautious.

"Why did you bother coming back? Mom and I were doing perfectly fine without you! You just had to ruin everything, didn't you? I hate you!" He shoved past me and it caused a glass to break.

I lost my balance and I felt the glass dig into my arm. I gritted my teeth and was thankful that I was in physical pain because it was overpowering the emotional pain I was feeling in my heart.

Regina rushed over to my side to see how deep the glass was in my skin. "You know that he didn't mean what he said, Emma."

I shook my head, "I deserved that, Regina. I promised him that I wouldn't abandon him the way I was abandoned."

She carefully took out the glass and I winced. I knew that the glass would scar my arm, but not too badly. It would be a constant reminder of how I abandoned Henry and the pain that I caused him. At least it would make me more determined to not cause Henry to feel such pain ever again.