Sorry this took so long! Epilogue here! Thanks for all those who stuck with me on this one!
Song: Freak Like Me by Halestorm
Emma was loading her bags into the back of the car with tears in her eyes. She threw the duffle into the back and placed her guitar gently on top of it. Emma then closed the trunk and turned around.
Regina, Henry, and Ruby were all standing on the front lawn trying to stop their tears from falling. Emma took a deep breath and walked over to them. Emma went to Henry first and pulled him into a tight hug. Henry wrapped his arms tightly around Emma's waist and buried his head into her neck. Emma rubbed his back and said, "This isn't good-bye, it's a 'see ya later'"
Henry pulled back and said, "I know, but I don't want you to go."
Emma smiled sadly, "I don't want to leave you and your mom or Ruby either, but I need to go."
Henry nodded and asked, "Will you visit?"
Emma smiled and said, "Of course. I still have to show you more tricks."
Henry gave a small smile and hugged Emma one more time, "Don't forget about us."
Emma playfully shoved Henry in the shoulder and said, "I could never."
Henry took a step back allowing Ruby to fling herself into Emma's arms. Emma caught Ruby and lifted her up, allowing Ruby to wrap her legs around Emma's waist. Ruby was crying into Emma's neck and hanging onto her for dear life. Emma placed her nose in Ruby's hair and breathed in her scent. Emma whispered into Ruby's ear, "I love you, I promise I'll see you soon"
Ruby nodded and croaked out a, "I love you too."
Emma placed Ruby back on the ground giving her one final kiss.
Emma lastly went to Regina and stood in front of her. Emma didn't know what to say, so she decided to not use words. Emma took a step and pulled Regina into a hug. Regina wrapped her arms around Emma's waist and held her tightly.
Emma let out a sob and said, "T-Thank you.. For everything. You will never know how much you helped me, or how much you gave me. I don't want to leave yet."
Regina kissed Emma's temple and said, "I don't care what the law says, you are my daughter. I will always help and love you. Emma you don't have to leave, I will call right now and tell him that he can't take you, that I will fight for you."
Emma smiled and said, "As much as I want you to, I can't do that to David and Killian. They have been waiting for this just as long as I have."
Regina nodded and said, "I don't care where you are, you call me. Check in, send a postcard, just let me know you are ok."
Emma kissed Regina on the cheek and smiled, "I promise Mom."
Regina gave Emma one last kiss and let Emma turn and walk towards the cab.
David and Killian were both sitting inside waiting for, when they saw her walk over they slid over making room for Emma. Emma sat down and immediately opened the back window.
Regina wiped away her tears and looked at Henry. Henry was trying to be strong but she could see the wetness on his cheeks. Regina walked to him and threw her arm over his shoulder.
Henry sniffled and said, "She's coming back soon."
Regina smiled and said, "yeah. She will be home soon."
Ruby waved bye as the cab was beginning to pull away from the curb.
Regina and Henry then joined in waving as Emma's taxi drove away down the street.
Henry then looked at Regina and wiped his eyes. He then smiled and said, "Well on the bright side when Emma comes back she might bring a whole lot of tourists, always good for business right?"
Regina smiled and nodded, "Of course."
Ruby smiled and said, "I think there should be a statue made and placed in the town square. 'The home of Emma Swan, lead singer of the billboard number 1 band, the Grey Swans'."
Henry and Regina both chuckled. Regina then smiled and said, "I don't think that would fit on the little plaque."
Ruby shrugged and said, "Well at least she has a home now."
Regina and Henry both smiled and nodded. Henry smiled and said, "Emma has a home."
FIVE MONTHS LATER
The Grey Swans was all anyone in Storybrooke could talk about. After their hit album "Melting my Heart", the Grey Swans went on a world tour. All the girls in Storybrooke were throwing themselves at Henry in an attempt to eventually get closer to Emma.
Regina had spoken to Emma a few days ago and learned that her tour was almost over and she would be returning home soon. Regina didn't know when Emma was going to be home but hoped that she would be home in time for Henry's birthday.
Emma said she would try but she couldn't make any promises.
Henry's birthday landed on a Friday this year. Henry woke that Friday sullen. Regina knew that Henry had gotten his hopes up that Emma would be home in time for his birthday. Regina wished that there was something that she could do.
Regina made sure to give him an extra tight hug before he left for school.
Henry gave a faint smile and walked to school.
Regina sighed and headed to work.
Every Friday the school has a all school assembly to tell the students about what is happening and what is changing. Usually the assembly's are boring and drawn out.
Henry sat with his friends and groaned, "I hate these assembly's they are always so boring. Couldn't just for once the assembly be interesting?"
Henry's friends laughed and said, "yeah, keep dreaming birthday boy"
The lights went out and the principle walked onto the stage.
Just before the assembly started Regina snuck into the back looking for Kathryn. Kat had called her and said she needed to go to the school assembly today. Regina asked why, repeatedly, but Kat wouldn't say.
Regina made eye contact with Kat and shrugged asking, "what am I doing here?"
Kat just smirked and turned her head to the stage.
Regina groaned as she listened to the principle drone on about the new lunch options, when the lights went out.
Everyone gasped and started to look around. Then the mic crackled and boots could be heard walking across the stage.
The lights were still out so no one knew who it was or what was going on.
Then two red spot lights came on illuminating a figure with their head down. All of a sudden a music started to play, then a strong guitar intro was being played.
The person on stage looked up but no one could tell who it was exactly, but Regina had a feeling.
Then the lights came on and illuminated the figure.
Emma was standing in her signature black skinny jeans, and a Grey Swans tank. Emma was smirking as the audience erupted into screams and applause.
Emma then started singing,
I'm on the train that's pullin the sick and twisted,
Makin the most of the ride before we get arrested,
We're all wasted,
And we're not going home tonight.
Covered in black we lack the social graces,
Just like an animal we crawl out of our cages,
They can't tame us,
So if you're one of us, get on the bus
If you're a freak like me,
Wave your flag!
If you're a freak like me,
Get off your ass!
It's our time now,
To let it all hang out
So shout if you're a freak like me,
You were born to burn,
This is no disease you don't need a cure!
It's our time now to come out!
If you're a freak like me!
If you're a freak like me!
We're underground but we will not surrender,
We're gonna give them something to remember, yeah,
So write your name in gasoline,
And set that shit on fire
If you're a freak like me,
Wave your flag!
If you're a freak like me,
Get off your ass!
It's our time now,
To let it all hang out
So shout if you're a freak like me,
Don't apologize,
They can't hold you down,
You were born to rise!
It's our time now to come out!
If you're a freak like me
If you're a freak like me
Are you a freak like me?
Are you a freak, like, me?!
If you're a freak like me,
Wave your flag!
If you're a freak like me,
Get off your ass!
It's our time now,
To let it all hang out
So shout if you're a freak like me,
Don't apologize,
They can't hold you down,
You were born to rise!
It's our time now to come out!
If you're a freak like me!
If you're a freak like me!
If you're a freak like me!
If you're a freak like me!
If you're a freak like me!
Emma smiled and took a quick bow before turning to the side allowing everyone to see Killian and David.
Emma then took the mic and sat down on the stage, "Hey everyone, so I'm not sure if you all know me but I'm Emma, and the guys in the back are David and Killian, and together we are the Grey Swans. Recently we've been on tour and it was amazing. But being on tour I almost missed my little brothers birthday. Now I've been gone for 5 months so I have a lot of embarrassment to catch up on. So Henry, Henry Mills, please stand up. I'm not moving and neither is anyone else until you do."
Henry was smiling but hating that he was made to stand in front of the entire student body and faculty. Emma smiled and said, "I want everyone here to yell HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRY on the count of three ok, ready.? one, two, three. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRY!"
The entire auditorium erupted in a collective happy birthday. Henry was blushing but smiling.
Emma then stood up and said, "Ok, so that was embarrassment number 1, number 2 is Henry come up here on stage, give your sister and hug, and stand here while WE ALL SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Henry groaned and shook his head, "NOoo!"
Emma chuckled and said, "If you don't come here, I'm going to come to you and you don't want that. Trust me."
The student body was chanting, "GO UP! GO UP!"
Henry then groaned and walked up to the stage before jumping up. Henry walked to Emma and gave her a big hug. Henry even whispered, "I missed you."
Emma smiled and said, "I missed you too."
Emma then pulled away and turned back to the audience, "Alright everyone on 3 we are all singing! Ready 1,2,3!"
The entire assembly screamed the happy birthday song to Henry, making his cheeks bright red.
Emma then said, "THANK YOU! Alright my time is up! I'll see you all around town!" And threw up a rock on sign as everyone cheered and applauded.
Emma guided Henry off stage and gave his another less public hug saying happy birthday.
When they released each other Emma was almost tackled to the ground by Ruby, as she koalaed Emma.
Ruby was kissing Emma's face all over saying how much she missed her. Emma laughed and kissed her back, "I missed you too babe."
Emma then put Ruby down and looked over Ruby's shoulder to see a stunned Regina. Emma smiled and opened her arms to Regina. Regina quickly walked to Emma wrapping her in a huge hug.
Regina was so surprised to see Emma, all she could ask was, "How!?"
Emma smiled and looked at Kat, "I had a little help. Thanks BTW!"
Kat smiled and said, "Any time."
Emma smiled and looked at her family.
Regina then gave Emma another hug and said, "Welcome Home."