Years have passed. Not one day has gone without Graham looking out for Emma. She's aged gracefully, her silver hair trailing down her back. She's lived a long life, long enough to see Henry's children, her grandchildren. Graham has seen all of it: her marriage, the death of her parents, her first grandchild.
He knows that she won't have much time on Earth left.
She climbs into bed, the bed that has only had one occupant for a few years now. She used to share it with Killian, the pirate, the man she had married. She's alone now, but hardly melancholy. She has moved on, just as always.
She pulls the blankets around her, her hair spreading out like a silver halo. She smiles, as if she knows and she not afraid. She's content.
She'll see everyone soon enough. Emma drifts off to sleep, at peace with everything in the world. Graham lays a ghostly hand on hers as she takes her last breath.
He's back in the afterlife, and everyone he knows from Storybrooke (or otherwise) is milling about. Suddenly, Emma appears. She seems as if she's never aged, like the others here. As if she was always 28. Her loved ones run to meet her. Killian wraps his wife in tight embrace and kisses her. Her parents come forward, tears in their eyes as they crush her between them. Everyone greets her warmly, with smiles and tears.
Graham stands at a distance, not wanting to disturb her reunion. He smiles at the happy scene.
After greeting all her family, she walks with them intending to catch up about her life. About Henry and his children. As she walks in his direction, she stops.
There is a moment where it seems that everyone holds their breath. Time has stopped. Graham swallows. He doesn't know what to think, except that Emma has a look of shock on her face. As if she can't fully grasp that he's right in front of her.
She walks away from her family and instead walks toward him. There are tears in her eyes as she finally stops inches from him.
"Graham?" she whispers tentatively.
He nods, and smiles. "Yes, it's me." A tear slides down his cheek.
Emma takes hold of his hands. "I'm sorry," she sobs, starting to break down. "I was the savior but I couldn't save you. "
" You had already saved me." Graham brushes away a tear. "You should be happy, we're all here with you."
Emma nods, trying to compose herself. "I felt like everyday you were with me," she confesses, fidgeting with the shoelace bracelet.
"I was," Graham confirms. "I watched over you everyday."
She smiles. They embrace, and it seems to last forever.
A/N: Thanks for reading, everyone! I enjoyed writing this very much. I'd like to give a shout-out to my guest reviewer Leanne! She has written reviews fro every update, and they were very encouraging. Thanks so much!-Roxanne