Dinner with Henry is a success, calming Emma's frayed nerves.
She loves her son's exuberance for all things – apartment hunting included – and even before desert (Granny's pecan pie) is brought out, they have a few leads.
As Emma walks back down the darkened streets of Storybrooke after she drops Henry off at Regina's, she revels in the quiet of the night and the stillness of the air. Regina might still be upset – she had only said a clipped "Thank you" as Henry bounded into her house – but that is a manageable problem. It can even be described as a painfully normal problem, even if the root of it is decidedly not. Interpersonal drama, Emma can handle. Flying monkeys, Wicked Witches, and kidnapped daughters are a different story, one she doesn't wish to repeat.
And so, Emma allows herself to breathe. In the morning, she will set up a few appointments to view apartments, maybe even introduce Killian to the wonder that is a bearclaw donut.
With a smile on her face, Emma walks hopefully toward her future.
That hope is short-lived.
-/-
Wendy is in a particularly fussy mood that night, and no amount of feedings, Killian's sea shanties, or '70's funk can calm her. Emma's read about the four-month regression, but she worries the latest tantrum is instead a result of their ordeal with Zelena.
"It's okay, baby. No one's gonna hurt you," she soothes, swaying to and fro as Killian watches almost helplessly from his perch on the bed.
They're both so distracted, they hardly notice the flicker of the bedroom lights.
-/-
They do notice when the light bulb shatters at Emma's brother's homecoming.
The baby – whose name has yet to be revealed – had started crying, as most newborns do, triggering a similar tantrum in Wendy, who apparently loathed to be outdone.
"It's probably a power surge," David says uneasily as he sweeps the shattered glass from the floor, both Emma and Snow exchanging uneasy looks as they hold their children closer.
-/-
"It's my brother. It has to be. I have magic, he has magic," Emma reasons to Killian as they walk back to the inn, Wendy fast asleep in her stroller. "That way makes the most sense, right?"
He only offers a smile that doesn't quite meet his eyes.
-/-
It's Wendy.
That night as they prepare her for a bath, she giggles, and every faucet in the bathroom turns on, water spraying from the shower, tub, and sink. Even the toilet flushes loudly.
Emma's not sure who is more terrified by the show of magic – Wendy, who startles at the loud noises, or herself.
-/-
They have their first real fight that night – she and Killian.
They've fought before – physical things like in the Enchanted Forest or occasional biting words – but this is different. This time it's over Wendy and how best to approach the discovery of her magic.
Namely, the fact that she wishes to seek out the advice of Rumplestiltskin.
Her reasoning is sound, or so Emma believes. Rumplestiltskin had been the one to know about her own powers, years before she was even born. Could he know something about Wendy? Beyond that, he could also prove to be beneficial, as he is the most knowledgeable magic user in this town. It's not like Emma completely trusts him, but she's willing to do whatever it takes to give Wendy her best chance.
Only, Killian doesn't see it that way. As far as he's concerned, the Dark One will forever be the man who killed his first love and stole his hand, meaning –
"You are not taking my child to see the bloody Crocodile!"
Emma's not used to having her parenting skills challenged when it comes to Wendy, least of all from him, and it rankles her a bit. So maybe that's why she doubles down and says a few things she might regret.
"Your daughter? You haven't even been in her life for two weeks, so don't tell me how to raise her."
The flicker of hurt that crosses his face does not surprise her. That is, after all, why she said it. It had been a below the belt attack, one that wasn't entirely fair, but an easy retort to make as her blood boiled under his scrutiny and her inner voice chanting "not good enough, not good enough."
"Ah, I see now. I can stay around for the feedings and changings, but when it comes to raising her, I'm to remain mum, is that it?"
She doesn't immediately answer.
-/-
Killian sleeps in his own room that night. When Wendy wakes, as she inevitably does, he rejoins them, but he barely says a word to Emma. And when Wendy falls back into rest, he leaves.
And no matter how brief his absence, Emma misses him.
-/-
Emma cancels her apartment tours scheduled for that day.
Instead, she stays in her room with Wendy, reading aloud a book that Belle had gifted them. Wendy seems more concerned with gnawing on the thing than listening to her mother read, however, and Emma takes comfort in the normalcy of the moment.
"You're just a baby," Emma whispers to the air. "You shouldn't have to deal with this."
Wendy's response is to tug on Emma's hair and kick at the book. Apparently, she doesn't want to deal with the book either.
-/-
She's still playing with Wendy, trying to formulate a plan for what to do next when Emma hears a knock at the door. Her heart swoops thinking it is Killian wanting to fix things. She regrets the way their argument went the night before, but is too stubborn to seek him out to admit any wrong. Still, she wants to see him, to apologize without being the first one to admit fault.
She is disappointed, and somewhat apprehensive, when Regina swoops into the room instead.
"Just so you are aware, the next time your boyfriend attempts to knock down my front door before 9:00 a.m., I will not hesitate to see to it that he has two hooks instead of one."
Emma stands dumfounded, the door still open, as Regina crosses the room to where Wendy is laying on the bed. "Why are you here?"
"Because Captain Guyliner informed me of your incomprehensibly stupid plan to seek out help from the Dark One for your daughter. Seriously, Emma, are you insane? You come to me about these things."
"I didn't come to you because the last time we talked, you slammed a door in my face," Emma counters, feeling annoyed at everyone questioning her for a plan she hadn't even gone though with yet. "And I get that you and Hook have bad blood with Rumplestiltskin, but he's changed…somewhat. You of all people should understand that.
"You're right, I of all people understnad. You saw what I became, who my sister, my mother all became because of him. Regardless of how I feel about you currently, I won't let him do that to anyone else," Regina says, and her voice turns uncharacteristically soft. "Emma, changed or not, trust me when I say that you don't want Wendy anywhere near him."
Regina's words hang heavy in the air as the two women regard one another.
It is Emma that breaks the silence.
"So what do I do?"
-/-
Regina talks. Emma listens.
When she leaves, Emma knows things aren't completely healed between them, but it's a start.
-/-
She goes across the hall to Killian's room.
She knocks once.
Then twice.
Three times.
He doesn't answer, and Emma feels unbearably alone.
-/-
She finds him on the docks.
He's sitting on the bench where he found her days ago, staring out into the sea. He looks how she feels, his shoulders slumped and mouth drawn into a thin line.
"Hey," she greets, waving meekly, her other hand pushing Wendy's stroller.
"Swan," he replies, his tone lacking its usual exuberance whenever he says her name. Wendy squeals when she hears his voice, and Killian smiles at that. "There's a lass."
Emma takes Wendy out of her stroller, and hands her to Killian. Wendy likes this change. So does Killian, his smile growing wider and crinkles appearing at the corner of his eyes. Had it really been a day ago that shared that same smile with her? It feels silly to be jealous of the way Killian smiles at his – their – kid, but she is, especially after a fight.
"I fucked up."
"You told me not to use such language around the babe."
"Quit being an ass," she scolds. Emma huffs, and takes a deep breath as Killian eyes her warily. "I'm scared, okay? In just a few days, she's gone from being a perfectly normal baby to getting kidnapped by the goddamn Wicked Witch to us finding out she has freaking magic! She's my baby, and I can't protect her, and I'm fucking terrified about that."
"So am I."
Emma moves to sit next to him.
"For most of my life, it's just been me. And then, for a year, it was just me taking care of Henry and her. And so when I got scared, my walls came up, and when you questioned my plan, I felt like you were also saying I wasn't a good enough mother, so I said some things which weren't true."
"You're a fantastic mother, Swan, you have to know that."
"I don't feel like this week. But that's not the point. And while I'm still kind of pissed off at you for going behind my back to speak to Regina, you were right, okay? And I'm sorry it took you going to her to make me see that."
"My own biases against the Crocodile aside, I only want what's best for her, love."
"I know you do, and I want you to continue to want what's best for her. I want you to parent her, and make decisions on what to do with her, and talk to me when you disagree. I want you to be her dad."
"I want that, as well."
"Good."
-/-
They stay on the bench. Emma fills him in on her talk with Regina, and he listens, providing input when he deems it necessary.
At some point, his arm goes around her shoulders so that he's holding both her and Wendy.
Emma rests her head on his shoulder, and for a moment, they feel like a family.
It's nice.
-/-
"Does your earlier speech mean I can now curse in front of our darling daughter?"
"No. One time thing."
"You've said that before. It never is. I would consider Wendy evidence of that fact."
"Still no."
-/-
"You know, we should take Wendy on your boat sometime," Emma says as they ready themselves to leave the docks and head back to the inn. "We could go sailing – me, you, Wendy, Henry."
"It's a lovely thought," he tells her, just as Wendy begins to fuss in protest at being returned to her stroller.
Too focused on soothing her daughter, Emma misses the wistfulness of his tone, and how he didn't agree to go.
-/-
That afternoon she leaves Wendy with Killian, and picks Henry up from school. She had sensed that he needed one-on-one time with their daughter, a feeling she understood and respected. Besides, she hasn't had much time to spend alone with Henry, just the two of them, and she's excited for the chance.
He's sullen when he meets her, head bowed down and hands fisted in his jacket. She decides the let Henry open up to her in his own time, but takes him to get milkshakes as a little nudge. He does seem to brighten up as he drains his glass, and Emma refrains from alerting him of his whipped cream moustache. It's too cute, and it makes him appear more like a little boy than the teenager he's becoming.
At some point, her phone lights up with a text. She smiles when she sees it's a picture of Wendy and what appears to be a small, stuffed rabbit – a new toy.
"Hook was at Mom's house this morning," Henry says suddenly. "He woke me up. He was pretty loud."
She resolves to talk to Killian again about indoor voices.
"So Wendy has magic? Like you and Mom?" he asks. He swirls his straw in his shake, and doesn't meet her eyes.
"Looks like it."
"Cool," he says in a tone that indicates anything but.
She puts two and two together, and realizes just what – or who – he might be upset about.
-/-
She drops Henry off at Regina's. He insists on continuing to stay at her place where he has his own room, and can sleep through the night without being interrupted by his crying sister. Emma furthers her resolve to begin her apartment hunt as soon as possible, if only so she can tuck her son in at night again.
On the walk to the Mayor's Mansion, they pass a few townspeople who wave happily in their direction, clearly happy for Henry's memories to have returned, if only so they would no long have to play pretend.
"You know, if it wasn't for you, they'd all still be cursed," Emma says, nudging into Henry's side.
"I guess," he replies, but Emma doesn't miss the uptick in his tone, a slight hint of happiness at the reminder.
When they get to the mansion, she gives Henry and extra-long hug.
She really needs to find her own place.
-/-
Emma doesn't immediately seek out Killian and Wendy when she returns to the inn.
Instead, she takes a shower, and allows the hot stream to wash over her. She's tired and slightly overwhelmed, the past week weighing heavily on her. Between Killian showing up at her door, everything with Zelena, and Wendy's emerging powers, she hasn't had a moment to breathe and take everything in.
She wants it all to slow down, but this is Storybrooke, and she knows it won't. It terrifies her a bit, because all she wants to do is keep her kids safe and happy, and she doesn't know how. During her period of remembering and Killian showing up at her door, she had romanticized coming back to Storybrooke, downplaying its dangers.
She wonders if that had been a mistake.
Within the week, Wendy had been kidnapped and Emma had taken a life, and it is all so much to consider.
Her first instinct is to take her kids and run away. Wendy wouldn't be able to use magic there, and both her kids would be less likely to be kidnapped or threatened. Besides, she could kiss them goodnight every night.
She tamps down that thought, knows that it ultimately wouldn't be best in the long run.
Their family is here, and Emma remembers the pain of being separated from them.
All she wants is more time to breathe.
-/-
She eventually finds Killian and Wendy in his rented room. They're both sprawled on their stomachs on the floor, and he is entertaining her with the bunny from his earlier picture.
"Swan," he greets, and this time his blue eyes sparkle when he sees her. She likes it better this way. "Did you enjoy your time spent with Henry?"
"Yeah," she tells, because despite his jealousy, she always enjoys her time with Henry. Especially since it is now limited. "What about you two? Have fun?"
"Aye," he says, and he looks so happy.
This, too, is why she can't run away. She's fairly certain he'd follow her if she asked, but she doesn't want to put too much on him. He might be able to acclimate in Storybrooke, but New York City would be more difficult.
She joins them on the floor and makes a silly face at Wendy, who squeals in response. She looks over to Killian, and catches his eyes. He waggles his eyebrows, and it's Emma's turn to laugh.
Yes, she thinks, she can do this. She can stay.
-/-
She works at the station the next day, fielding calls and catching up on the paperwork that piled high while Zelena had distracted everyone.
Killian visits during her lunch hour, a Granny's bag in hand and Wendy strapped to his chest.
He brings fries instead of onion rings, but she reasons not everyone can be perfect. She tries very hard to focus on the beauty of this moment as a reminder that it's worth it.
-/-
David drops by in the later afternoon, looking frazzled and every bit like a new father. She remembers those first few days with Wendy, how tired she had been compounded with the shock of her memories returning. At least her parents don't have to deal with that.
"Are you coming tonight?" he asks, and Emma raises an eyebrow in the confusion.
"No, Dad, I'm totally going to skip my baby brother's name celebration ceremony. I want to get him used to disappointment early."
"Emma!"
"It's a joke, Dad," she stresses, and stifles a laugh when he visibly relaxes. "I'm going to be there. Henry's going to be there. Wendy's going to be there. The whole damn town is going to be there. We're all excited to finally stop calling him Baby Boy Nolan."
"You know, if you had been born in the Enchanted Forest, you would have had one. Henry and Wendy, too."
It's not the first time he's said this, and Emma knows how much it bothers him that he missed her infancy. It's how she feels about Henry, so she can't blame him. Instead she offers him a soft smile and says, "It's okay, Dad. We're all together now."
It's only after her leaves that she realizes she never told him about Wendy's magic.
-/-
She had been right when she said everyone in the whole town was going to be at the party – they are.
It amazes her how this town can come together for her parents, even more to see the warm greetings they provide her. She's never felt at place in the world before, and now she has all of these people who are happy to see her.
When she's able to weave her way through everyone to her parents' table, she finds them reading from Henry's book.
"Really? I can't hear the kid's name yet, but I have to hear this story again?"
"Well, my son should know where he comes from," her father says. Then, he gestures to Wendy, who is nestled in Killian's arms. "Wendy, too. She should know her grandparents' story."
"She does," Emma insists, casting a look to her daughter who insists on tugging Killian's necklace, flinging her arm wildly.
"It's true," Henry cuts it. "Mom used to tell the real story of Snow White and Prince Charming when we were in New York."
Both Mary Margaret and David look to Emma, soft smiles on their faces, and the unmistakable look of tears glistening in the eyes.
-/-
They announce the baby's name – Neal.
For a second, Emma forgets to breathe.
But for Henry's sake, her parents' sake, hell, for her brother's sake, she smiles and hopes it is enough.
-/-
She takes Wendy outside under the guise that the baby was being fussy. Wendy wasn't, but she makes a good enough excuse.
"I owe you one, kiddo," Emma whispers as she sways with her daughter. Wendy babbles incoherently, enjoying being held in her mother's arms.
It's a cool night, and Emma knows they can't stay outside for long. Looking up, she sees the stars and remembers the first night with Killian, and his wish for Wendy. She waves her hand and point up, hoping Wendy's gaze will follow. She knows that Wendy won't understand a word of what she's saying, but she can try.
"So, um, I know you probably have no idea what I'm talking about, but you see how those set of stars make a spoon shape? That's the Big Dipper. Or Little. I've never been good with differentiating the two," Emma explains, belatedly realizing that Wendy might not know what a spoon even is at this point in her young life.
"It's the larger of the two – an asterism of Ursa Major."
She turns to see Killian coming up behind her.
"You know your constellations. I'm impressed."
"I'd be a poor sailor if I didn't, love."
He comes up next to her, invading her personal space. Emma finds she doesn't mind. Without preamble, her takes her hand and guides her.
"If you follow the line from the bowl, you will find the tail of my favorite constellation," he explains, her voice low by her ear. "Cygnus – the swan."
-/-
"You said you told her stories about your parents. Did you – did you tell her any of me?"
"Of course. I told her my favorite story involved you."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Ours."
-/-
Eventually, the party winds down. She gives Henry a kiss goodbye, and bids her parents and baby brother farewell. If they notice she doesn't say the name 'Neal', they don't mention it.
With Wendy now fast asleep, she and Killian slowly make their way back to the inn. They don't talk until they settle her in her bassinet, and for a moment they watch her. She's so peaceful when she sleeps, and Emma can hardly believe the power she holds. It's amazing. It's terrifying.
"We can do this. We can keep her safe," she says, and the surety of her tone surprises her a bit. "We've got this – you and me. Together."
He looks at her with the strangest expression, half-awed and half-stunned, like he can't quite believe her words. Finally, he finds his words.
"Aye, love, together."
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