Storybrooke Past, One Month Earrlier
Mary Margaret beamed with pride when baby Neal gurgled up at her, tiny hands outstretched in such a childlike innocent that almost made her heart break with pure joy. The former bandit princess turned school teacher gently leaned down, her nimble fingers delicately lifting her infant son out of his crib, and resting his cheek against her own.
"Neal, almost time for your evening feeding, aren' you?" she cooed, watch"ing his tiny eyes sparkle with happiness. "You want food from mama mayor, don't you? Yes you do!" she cooed back, watching his tiny face giggle.
"I can't believe babies can eat so much." Henry remarked, currently plopped on the couch, playing his game boy, fingers flying fast. Mary Margaret smiled, carrying her newborn son into the kitchen to where she placed him in his high chair, then went to the fridge, opening up, to prepare not only a meal for her son, but for the rest of the rest of her family.
"Well that's what babies do mostly." Mary Margaret said, putting some clelery, and cheese on the counter. "Lasanga and a salad?" she asked, looking at her grandson, face never moving from his gaming.
"Yeah." He mumbled, in a distracted voice. Mary Margaret sighed, shutting the fridge, then going to turn on the stove. Little Neal giggled adorably, as if sensing his mother's frustration.
"Speaking of growing kids…video games…. Then girls…. What's next?" Mary Margaret muttered, selecting a knife, sending it slicing through the aftermentiioned vegetable with ease. Outside the cozy apartment, a burst of thunder shook the sky, followed by a brisk clap of lighting which illuminated the entire apartment in a flash of light. Henry yelped, dropping his portable game machine, and little Neal let out a surprising wail of alarm. Her vegetable chopping forgotten, Mary Margaret rushed to scoop up her newborn son, holding him close to her chest.
"Shhh. Shhh. It's ok. Mama's not gonna let anything happen to you Neal." She soothed, rubbing comforting circles in his back.
"Pretty nasty storm outside" Henry noted, setting his fallen game boy down on the coffee table, before going to the window, peering out. "Woah, like really bad. The sky's almost all black, the clouds look really cool!"
A knot began to form in the pit of Mary Margaret's stomach. Nothing was 'normal' in ithis smalltime Maine town. Especially when storms were involved. After settling her son down into his high chair, she reached for her phone.
"I'm calling your grandfather, and Emma. They shouldn't be out in this storm…" her finger tapping the speed button tha stat would connect her directly to her husband. The phone rang three times before her worried state was alleviated for a moment, his voice coming through with a static pop
"Snow-raining-cat's and dogs out here!" David's voice cut through the static the storm was making of their conversation.
"David, you and Emma just get home. Safely." Mary Margaret instructed, clutching the phone reflexively.
"Must be new mom hormones…" she heard Emmna say in the background.
"I heard that missy!" Mary Margaret said with a sigh. She swore she could feel Emma rolling her eyes.
"We'll be home shortly Snow. Love you." David said.
Dinner was a laid back affair in the Nolan household that night. Between her anxious stomach feeling, a fussy baby, Henry's constant preoccupation with the storm outside, even Emma and David looked weary.
"The kid was right, the sky's just weird. Black, almost too black…." Emma said, while the adults relaxed with coffee, watching the weather channel on the nightly edition of Storybrooke Live.
"Magic?" David asked, looking over at their at their daughter, one arm wrapped around his wife's shoulder, the other clutched tightly to his cup of coffee.
"I can't sense anything…." Emma said, her gaze constantly flicking to the window, her tone pensive. "But maybe I'll give a call to Regina, just to be on the safe side…."
"That's a good idea." David said, sipping from his cup. Mary Margaret frowned momentarily
"A little peace too much t ask for?"
"Well, dad's talking about living through all the moments, good and bad" Emma said, going to the kitchen counter for her cellphone.
"Honey, it's just a storm." David said in a reassuring tone. Mary Margaret curled up closer to her husband.
"Still doesn't mean I have to like it." She mumbled. David kissed her tenderly on the forehead.
Emma was in mid dial calling Regina when a loud knock sounded, making her jump. Henry zoomed away from his post by the window, opening the door to allow the soaked pirate to come inside.
"Killian! Wow , you're soaked. Want some coffee?" Henry asked, happy to see the pirate. Killian stepped quickly inside, giving the rest of the Charming's a warm smile.
"Really soaked." Emma sai, going to her boyfriend's side, smirking slightly.
"Aye. But I faced storm's far worse than this." Killian said with a smirk of his own, his eyes sweeping over the royal family.
"Come inside, get warm Killians. Coffee's on the stove. I'll grab a towel for you to dry off with." Mary Margaret said, vanishing into the backroom.
"Something's wrong, isn't it?" David said, going over to the pirate, almost relieved that Snow was out of earshot.
"Aye. Twas down by the Rabbit Hole with Smee." Killian said. "When this infernal storm hit. A bit peculiar, but nothing I haven't seen. But upon heading to Granny's Inn for the night to retire, I saw the strangest light from the forest… more specifically, from her majest's crypt."
"The storm was by my mom's vault?!" Henry asked, his tone creeping into panicking territory. David frowned. "Regina's so careful about what she keeps in there."
"Regina wouldn't have caused this." Emma said firmly.
"We know that, but there are people in this town who love to cause trouble." David said with a tone of sadness.
"Aye. Unfortaunately, her majesty has a long list of enemies that are unaware of her attempts to change." Killian agreed.
"Mom, gramaps, we gotta go help her!" Henry said quickly. "Please!"
"We will kid." Emma promised "But stay here."
"No! That's my mom! She needs me!"
"You mum wouldn't want you to be in danger, lad." Killian said in a fatherly tone.
"But… but…. What if it's a new villain? I'll get my storybook, it's in my bag, right over there…. Please…. Please! I'll wait in the car, while you guys check out the woods, I promise I won't get in the way."
Emma sighed heavily There was no getting around Henry's stubborn side. "Alight kid, but your butt better stay there the entire time. I'll phone Regina, hell, even Gold. He owes us for his earlier stunts."
"True enough." David agreed, going to the coat rack for their coats. Emma went for her gun, checking the bullets, while David grabbed his sword and it's sheath that were hanging on the wall.
"Yes! An adventure!" Henry said, grabbing his book bag, coat, and hat. The group quickly filed out down the stairs of the apartment.
"Crap. Mom." Emma said, pausing on the landing. David's footsteps haltered too.
"Mate, this can't wait…." Killian reminded them."especially if this is some new threat attempting to harm her majesty."
"Snow will understand. Hate it, but understand. Plus, someone has to stay with Neal." David said, regret for leaving his wife so quickly, especially since she was so worried.
"This whole mess will be nothing to worry about." Emma reassured everyone, but the jestering tone still holding an edge of fear.
The group piled into Emma's yellow bug. The car sputtered to life, before racing off into the rainy night towards the edge of the forest.
Mary Margaret twisted the corner of her sleeve into her mouth again, her cheeks wet from spent tears. Beside her, Neal wailed in his crib, his pitiful wails only bringing more fear into already overworked system.
"They'll be home soon. I'll kill them when they get here, but they'll be home soon." Mary Margaret said, her gaze flickering to the booming storm. She was just beginning to doze off in a exhaustion borne stupor, when her phone went off.
"David?! Emma?!" she practically screamed into the receiver.
"No. This is Whale."
"W- Whale? W- what happened?" Mary Margaret sat up, her stomach now laced with ice.
"I'm sorry Mary Margaret…but you need to come to the hospital immediately."
Snow didn't answer him. She switched her phone off, already on her feet, racing around the tiny apartment, to prepare herself and her instant son for the trip to the hospital. Fumbling with car keys, baby clothing, and her own near crippling anxiety.
"Everyone's gonna be fine….. just fine…." Snow said in a wasted effort to calm herself down.
She glanced at the clock on the wall. It read 12:15 AM.