A/N: Plz reread the end part of chapter 4... I changed it a bit...

This one is a shorter chapter (sorry)

Chapter 5

It had been nearly a year ago that Emma and Henry had arrived in the Enchanted Forest.

If someone told the Emma of then that in hardly a year she would be a part of a little family in a medieval village, she would have scoffed at the idea. And yet, here she was, playing house with a one-year-old Henry and the supposedly-fearsome Captain Hook. It was an almost unnoticeable transition when they went from three people in a situation to being a real family. Things had gone very smoothly, them playing parents to Henry, helping each other out in normal, domestic things, being friends, partners, and eventually lovers. She didn't know when or how it happened, just one fine moment it struck her that she loved Killian, loved Henry, loved her family... and after a long time, she was truly happy. This was the kind of life she had always wanted, and though in a different realm, she had finally found it.

Looking after Henry and doing the usual chores kept her busy all day, and watching him grow up slowly seemed to be a very welcome prospect to her. Taking care of him along with Killian eventually made her realize that maybe she could be a mother. But along with that came the guilt, that she had given up her baby in a hurry. She often wondered if her kid found a loving family, whether he would have a happy life or grow up miserable in the foster system like her. But she couldn't dwell on it, having Henry's responsibility, and just hoped the best for her baby.

Killian had taken up a job in the village, more for keeping up appearances than anything else. The locals weren't the most keen to have a pirate as a permanent resident, so they had to show that he had seen the error of his ways and was now living a honest life. So, the Jolly Roger had remained docked for the better part of the year, while her captain found a new life on land.

Henry was nearly one-year-old now, and had recently learned to stand and walk. He would now move around in wobbly steps, babbling something meaningless, before falling and giggling madly.

Henry's first birthday was nearing, and Emma and Killian both wanted to do something special. The problem was that they didn't have much idea what to do. Killian had never celebrated birthdays growing up, and the kind of birthday celebration back in Emma's realm would be really hard to recreate in this one.

But all their planning proved futile one morning when a letter whooshed through the window, and one that was clearly magical. It fell down on the small table gracefully, sending off a heart shaped wisp of smoke.

Emma felt Killian stiffen and go pale seeing the letter. He snatched it up, tearing the envelope and reading hastily. He went even paler.

Emma's heart was pounding. "What is it?"

He looked up at her, his face showing pure dread. "Cora." he whispered. "She's here, and she wants to talk to me."

After much debating, they concluded that it would probably be best if he went to her himself, as she could and likely would otherwise use more persuasive methods. Emma wanted to stay nearby, though, wishing to interfere if she tried to hurt him.

Ultimately, all three of them made way to the deserted patch of land a little beyond the village where Cora had requested Killian's presence. She was waiting for them.

She pursed her lips at the sight of them. "I thought I had asked you to come alone, Hook."

"I couldn't leave him alone with you!" Emma snarled.

Cora looked between the two, eyebrows raised in amusement. "Oh, I see... it seems even Captain Hook has found the way of love, but then again, I forget that love was at the heart of it throughout!" she smirked, "it's a pity that this love won't last either."

Both of them made enraged sounds and went at her, but she flicked her hand and Emma and Henry disappeared.

Killian lunged at her with an angry snarl. "What did you do?!"

"Sent them back to the little cottage you call home. You should be thanking me." She replied coolly, knocking him off balance with a flick of her wrist. "Now calm down and listen."