Family is Forever

First I want to thank you all for the amazing reviews. I can't believe how many of you all are actually enjoying the story, and I am so happy that it seems to be an original of its kind. It was my goal to try and bring something new into the fanfic world so I am glad that I could succeed. Now on with the story!

Chapter 4

Lana sighed. "Gin just be…"

"I know Lana. Josh and I have come across girls around her age with the same name before, but we could always see that they were never our Emma. But Lana this Emma, she just looks so much like Josh!" I quickly explained.

My friend wore and unreadable expression while she was deep in thought for a short moment. "Gin let's say for just a minute that this girl could be your kidnapped baby that was taken from you 14 years ago. Just how would you go about trying to find out the truth?" she asked.

We were both quiet and the only thing that could be heard were the screaming fans in the cafeteria. I wasn't sure how I could prove that this Emma might actually be my baby, but I also knew that I couldn't leave the girl, not until I knew the truth at least.

I closed my misty green eyes and sighed heavily. "I don't know Lana, but I have to know" My voice was shaky as I fought the unwanted tears.

Lana wrapped her arms around me and allowed me to shed a few silent tears onto her shoulder. Just moments later I pulled away from my good friend and gave her a small but grateful smile. "Thanks"

"No need to thank me Gin, it's what I'm here for. I'm not sure how will deal with this whole Emma thing, but I'm sure time will tell if she truly is your daughter. Remember where going to be here for nearly a whole year in order to record this new season" Lana explained. (Not sure if it really takes a year to record a 22 episode season, but we are going to pretend it does in this story)

I nodded sadly.

She gave me a slight smirk. "Besides right now I need you now more than ever. You still plan on taking on half the crazy fans in there right?" she winked.

I laughed and couldn't help but smile. "Come on you big chicken there just teenagers" I started to grab for the door handle that led us to the screaming fans, back where the rest of the cast waited for our return.

"Teenagers that can scream until my ears bleed. Don't let those innocent faces fool you" she warned lightly. And with that said we finally headed back inside and got another round of ear bleeding screams.

-Meanwhile down the hall-

"This cannot be happening!" I grumbled.

"Oh Emma this is going to be the best day ever!" cheered Lilly.

I rolled my eyes and grunted a few words as I folded my arms. When I had entered my first period the class was just about to end and I thought I would be heading for my second period, but no I was heading towards hell. I was heading into a room filled with celebrities and screaming maniac fans! We weren't even to the cafeteria yet and the girls in my class were jumping up and down like five years olds, has Lilly been giving them dance lessons? The teacher didn't scold me too much for being late on account of his excitement to be meeting the cast as well. He had announced that their class would be the next group that got to meet the cast for the next entire period.

Damn, if I had known about this I would have just slept in this morning and waited until the unwanted celebrities were out of my sight. I had already told Lilly about how I met Ginnifer Goodwin and of course she had been extremely jealous, but she forgave me when I told her that I was able to get her in as an extra on the show. She has been telling everyone and anyone that would listen, and the ate her words up with envy.

When we made it to the cafeteria the teacher waited for the other class to come out of the room first. They were all screaming with joy as they talked amongst themselves. I sighed wishing I could escape this damn noise, it was giving me a headache. Once inside the room I was surprised by how many of the cast members were there. They were all sitting at a long table with pens in front of them in order to sign autographs for their fans. Right away the students rushed into the line in order to get their autograph and photos taken with the cast one by one. I on the other hand stood back from my loud peers. I turned to face my history teacher, Mr. Bayne. Mr. Bayne was a young teacher in his early 20s at least. He was thin, almost 6ft in height, light skin, had short blonde hair, and baby blue eyes.

"Mr. Bayne would it be all right if I waited out in the hallway or someplace quiet?" I asked.

He looked at me confused and completely surprised. "Are you sure Emma, don't you want to get your picture taken and get their autographs?" he asked.

I glanced at the cast and spotted Ginnifer Goodwin at the end of the signing table. She looked at me and our matching green eyes met. She looked like she wanted to come over and talk to me but I wanted nothing to do with her, or any of them. I just wanted a quiet place and try and block out the aching pain my body kept screaming out at me with.

I turned my eyes back to the blue ones staring at me curiously and shook my head. "It's nothing personal towards the cast sir, but I hate celebrities and I honestly don't want anything to do with them. Please may I leave to a quieter room?" I asked.

He blanked, completely surprised by my bold but honest answer. I was never afraid to speak out about how I truly felt.

"If you're sure that you really don't want to stay than I have no problem with it. You can go wait in either the library or back in the class room until third period" he replied.

I nodded completely grateful that he didn't ask for more details. I was nearly out the door when I felt Lilly cheerfully grabbed my arm in order for me to turn around and look at her. I had turn so suddenly that a wave of pain shot through my broken ribs. I wanted to cry out from the pain but forced myself to endure it.

"Emma, Emma you have to come meet Meghan (Red Riding Hood, Ruby) she is so cool!" she squealed.

"No Lilly, I'm going to wait in the library until the next class starts" I replied plainly.

Her eyes widen like I had lost my mind. "Emma please! I told her that I wanted her to meet the coolest friend ever!" she begged. She has been calling me this since I told her the big news about her getting into the Once Upon A Time series as an extra.

The screaming fans became louder and suddenly an old memory flashed through my mind. His cruel smile, the screaming fans, the flashing cameras.

I forcefully released my arm and glared at her as she looked at me stunned. "I already told you Lilly, I hate celebrities. I don't want to be here, the noise is just too much" I explained. I tried to make my voice sound empty and annoyed, but even I could hear the shakiness in it. I didn't bother to look back at Lilly, already knowing I had probably hurt her feelings. Sure I felt guilty, but I just couldn't stay in a room filled with celebrities. Once out of the screaming room I found my way towards the quiet library. I found a seat in the back of the room and pulled out my IPod. I turned it onto the song Skin by Alex Johnson and let her music ease my mind into the darkness I craved to lose myself in.

-Back in the cafeteria-

While signing another autograph I watched as Emma left the room and wished that I could follow her. She looked really frustrated towards the other girl that had tried to keep her from leaving, but there was something else that I could see in her green eyes, I could see pain. My heart was literally breaking at the thought of this girl hurting in any way. I hated that I couldn't leave this room as easily as she could.

While looking lost I felt Josh's hand squeeze my free hand that sat on my lap under the table. I turned to look at him and gave him a grateful smile, he truly was charming in every way. Without even knowing what was wrong with me, he always knew how to comfort my soul.

"Ginnifer Goodwin I absolutely love you as Snow White!" squealed a fan. I looked up to see the girl that had been talking to Emma just minutes ago.

I smiled kindly towards the young fan. Perhaps I could learn more about Emma through this girl; she seemed kind enough. "Thank you dear, I'm so glad that you are enjoying the show" I said honestly. I held out my hand as she handed me the paper that already had many other signatures from the cast. "Who will this be out to then sweetheart?" I asked.

The poor girl looked like she was about to pass out from excitement and it was almost hard not to chuckle at the girl. She was really adorable. "Lilly, Lilly Jackson!" she replied happily.

I was about to sign my name when the girl replied, but stop to look at her. "Lilly Jackson, you wouldn't happen to be friends with an Emma would you?" I asked.

She nodded with enthusiasm. "That's right, she said the two of you ran into each other in the restroom! She also said I had a guaranteed spot as an extra on the show!" she squealed.

"Yes, she told me all about your love for the show. I'll make sure that the crew remembers you sweetie. I have question for you though, if you don't my mind me asking"

"Sure! You can ask me anything Ginnifer Goodwin!" she replied happily.

I waved my hand gently. "Please dear just call me Ginnifer, or Gin even. I wanted to ask you something about Emma. She told me that she hated celebrities. I know I shouldn't pry but I can't help but wonder why she has such strong feelings against celebrities" I asked carefully.

The once hyper energetic Lilly suddenly bared a sad and distant look in her eyes. "I'm sorry, but I'm not quite sure myself. You see I've only known Emma for a few months now. She started coming to this school near the middle of the year when she moved in with her new foster parents" she explained.

My heart pounded heavily, foster parents!?

'If this Emma really is my baby girl, could these so called foster parents have something to do with the kidnapping all those years ago?' I wondered.

"These parents, are they good to her?" I asked. I needed to know that she had been raised by people that loved her, even if she wasn't my Emma, I needed to know. I noticed Josh glancing at me curiously as he signed another autograph.

Lilly shrugged. "She says that they can be strict, but other than that I've never heard her really complain about them much. She doesn't really like to about her home life, or anything personal for that matter" she explained.

I sighed, I still needed more information but I could see some of the other fans behind Lilly were starting to get impatient.

"Thank you Lilly for your help, and I hope that you'll keep supporting for Once Upon A Time. Oh one more thing Lilly if you don't mind, what's Emma's last name?" I asked curiously just as she was about to get in line for Lana's signature.

"Swan, her full name is Emma Swan" she answered, and then left the line.

I looked over to Josh and could see his face had instantly lost some color as he finally realized what I had been talking about with the young girl.

"Gin you know that she might n…."

"I know!" I said quickly stopping his words. "I know it might not be her, I know that already" my voice was shaking and tears were threatening to fall. Suddenly the screaming fans, and the flashing cameras were no longer in the room with me and Josh. In my mind everyone was gone and it was just me and my husband trying to not let old hopes die from our hearts once again.

I wanted so badly not to be a celebrity for just a few minutes and run to that young girl who was somehow silently calling to my heart.

Everyone was looking at me, some with worry, and others with curiosity. The cameras were still flashing as I took a deep breath to regain my composure. I couldn't let my personal desires ruin this day for the fans.

"I'm sorry about that. Josh and I were just disgusting about a movie we were watching and I couldn't remember one of the names of the actresses" I smiled brightly. Everyone seemed to believe my lie and I felt horrible for it, but they didn't need to know about Emma. It was obvious that Emma hated celebrities for some unknown reason and I didn't want her involved in this world if it was too painful for her. Still, once this day was over I was going to find Emma and try and get her to open up to me somehow. I know I have no right to bother her, but my heart was aching so much to know. I sighed and continued on with the autograph signings. The whole time I was now wearing my fake smile to cover up the burning desire to run out of this room and to find Emma.

TBC!

Fun question for the readers out there. What would you do if the Once Upon A Time cast came to visit your school, or home town, for those that are no longer in school?! Also don't forget those amazing reviews! I seriously love hearing what you guys have to say about this story! As always, I'll be updating soon!