8

Strangers Like Us

"It's a good thing we came here now," Baelfire said to Emma as they made their way through the Ellis Island Museum. "Since it just reopened after closing down because Sandy flooded it."

"I know," Emma said, looking around at the time line of immigrants on the wall of the Registration Center. "And to think, this place also burned down because of a fire on June 14, 1895, and it was rebuilt."

"A phoenix from the ashes," Henry said, reading a plaque on the wall about immigrants coming over from all parts of Europe to find something better in this new homeland.

"Look at the little ships they came in on," Alina said, pointing to the black and white photos of the ships many of the immigrants came on. "How could you survive in those tiny things for weeks on end?"

"Hey, you do whatever you have to," her brother said. "Though I bet it wasn't easy. A lot of people got sick and some of them died before they even got here. Glad that wasn't me back then. I'd have probably thrown myself overboard."

"Why?" asked Emma.

"Because boats and I don't mix," Bae said ruefully. "At all. Ask my papa sometime about the fishing trip we tried to go on. He made a deal with one of the fishermen in our village to take a skiff out for a day and fish the deep waters of the lake nearby."

"And what happened?" asked Henry eagerly. "Did you catch . . . like some monster fish?"

"Did something attack the boat, like some creature?" asked Alina.

"No. We got about halfway out into the water and I was so sick I could barely sit up. Puked my guts out like you wouldn't believe. My poor father! There he was stuck in the middle of the lake with a seasick kid."

"What did you do?" Emma wanted to know.

"Well, he was going to go back, but I didn't want to ruin the fishing trip, so I said he should stay . . . so he did, and he caught two pretty big fish . . . and I just curled up in the bottom of the skiff and thought about dying," Bae chuckled. "And that was the last fishing trip in a boat I ever went on."

"How old were you?" Alina asked.

"Uh . . . nine, I think," her brother answered. He peered at the photographs and shuddered at the small cramped quarters most of the steerage passengers lived in for months while they crossed the Atlantic from places like Poland, Russia, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and China.

"Look, Dad. You can watch this video of people coming to America on a ship," Henry said, pointing to a screen where a movie was playing depicting the trials and tribulations of the immigrants coming over.

Bae paled. "No thanks, tiger. Just looking at that's making me sick." He turned away from the monitor.

"Then I guess a Disney cruise is out of the question," Emma teased.

"I'll fly to Orlando," her husband said. "I don't mind the plane, but a ship of any kind is no go, Em."

"You know, there are these patches for motion sickness nowadays," Alina remarked.

Bae snorted. "They've got Dramamine or something like it in them. I'm allergic to it. So . . . no boats. Besides, flying's quicker."

"When are we going?" Henry asked.

"Uh . . . let's finish this vacation first and worry about that later," Emma interjected. "Come on, let's see what's over here, in the next room."

They continued on into another part of the museum, and learned about the procedures they used to screen the immigrants before they were allowed into the country. Emma's eyes widened when she heard of the crazy medical practices some of the immigrants were subjected to.

"That's horrible!" she whispered angrily. "Some of these people gave up everything to come here and they could be turned away by some stupid thing as a cold or something? That's barbaric! Where'd these people get their medical degrees? Cracker Jack boxes?"

"You never know," said Bae. "Glad that wasn't me back then. Look at where they kept the immigrants under quarantine." He gestured to the facsimilies of small rooms, almost like prison cells.

Emma made a face. "Looks like jail . . . and they had to stay here how long?"

Henry read the card. "Until they were cleared by a doctor . . . and some of them were sent back home."

"How, if they had no money?" Alina asked.

"Maybe they rowed their own boat back," Bae said.

"What if they had kids? What happened to them?" Henry wondered.

"It says sometimes the parents and children were separated," Emma read. "And the children were permitted to stay with relatives . . . if they had any over here."

"And if they didn't?"

"I guess they were like orphans," Alina surmised.

"You know . . . in a way some of these people were rather like us," Bae observed.

"How do you figure that?" asked his wife.

He beckoned them to a corner of the room and lowered his voice. "See, a lot of these people came here looking for something better, but sometimes what they found wasn't always what they thought. I mean, look at this sign over here. It says that back in Italy, they were told the streets were paved with gold over here and when they got here, not only were the streets not paved with gold, they were expected to pave them. That's kind of like what I expected when I came here . . . that it was going to be some kind of perfect world, without magic, and everything would be better. Only it wasn't . . . it was just different from where I'd come from."

"It's like I always say . . . you don't get anything for free," Emma said. "You have to work for anything you want . . . and make your own happy ending."

"And sometimes you find family in the most unexpected places," Henry said.

"Some of these people came here with nothing, they were strangers in a strange land, just like us" Alina pointed. "Everything was different for them . . . but they had hope and somehow they made a new life for themselves. Just like we've tried to."

"Alina's right," Henry agreed. "These people . . . they are kind of like the citizens of Storybrooke."

Emma and Bae had to agree with the two children, the parallels were similar. Only the reasons why they had come had been different.

They moved on into another area, where they found stories written by the ancestors of those who had passed through Ellis Island, showing how these immigrants had made new lives for themselves and their families, or in some cases, became separated from their family and had to learn to start a new one . . . and only years later were reunited with the original family they had lost.

Emma found herself choking up as she read the story of a person's great grandmother, taken from her sick father at a very young age, around four, and given to a state facility . . . where she grew up without the family she might have had . . . and yet managed to make a good life for herself as the owner of a restaurant . . . and twenty years later . . . the family she thought was lost forever found their way to the door of her establishment . . . and the branches were reunited.

In a way . . . that's what happened to me . . . she thought. I was that little girl lost . . . alone in this great big world . . . until I met Bae . . . and then I lost him too . . . but then I was reunited again . . . with him . . . and with my parents . . . I got a second chance . . . to have a family . . . Emma thought, finding the story profoundly touching. She thought of how she still harbored some resentment towards Snow and David for their "abandonment" of her, had she seemed incapable of letting go of the past . . . until now. Somehow reading this story of a family fractured and then reunited made her realize something she hadn't before.

That holding on to her resentment and dwelling on the past was actually preventing her from truly getting a second chance with her parents. She read what the ancestor of the little girl had written after meeting their cousins who had come over from the old country. We were all of us from one family, one blood, one heritage, and no matter how many miles or an ocean separated us, or how many years we'd spent apart, when we met, it was as if we'd always know each other, and we found we belonged together, and what had gone before didn't matter. All that mattered was that we had found one another, and now we could forge a new beginning out of the ashes of the old, and become a whole family again.

Blinking sharply, she stared at the plaque on the wall, thinking how the story reminded her of her own . . . only she hadn't truly forgiven her parents. She had allowed the past to get in the way, and because of that, had never really accepted them fully . . . not the way she should have. She accepted Rumple and Belle as her in-laws and family more easily than she had her own parents. She thought of the way Snow sometimes looked at her, with deep regret and longing, and she understood for the first time that their decision had hurt them as much as it had her . . . and the only way to mend it was for her to forgive them . . . and then to go on.

All that mattered was that we had found one another . . .

That was the motto of her family . . . that they always found each other . . . how strange to find it echoed here . . . or maybe it wasn't so strange after all. Bae had been right . . . there was no perfect world, and the people here were similar to any other in the Enchanted Forest. She had found her family at last . . .both her old and new one . . . and she could be truly happy . . . if she just let go of the past.

Her hands clenched upon the brass railing involuntarily.

The choice, she realized, was and always had been hers.

Bae noticed her sudden tension and moved over to put an arm around her. "Hey, you okay?" he asked.

Emma nodded. "I'm fine, Bae," she answered, and then she breathed out sharply, letting go of the tension that had gripped her. "Just thinking about something, is all."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah. I am," she answered . . . and for the first time, she truly felt all right. She smiled up at her husband. "Let's stop in the gift shop and then we can head back. There's something I need to buy."

"Sure," Bae said, then looked over at the two kids. "You two hungry or what?"

"Yeah, Dad. I could go for a hot dog," Henry said.

"We passed a Sabrett cart before we got on the ferry," Alina recalled. "I could have a hot dog and some fries."

"And Cinnabons," added her nephew.

"Okay. As soon as we're done here, we'll get some food," Bae told them.

"Bae, read this," Emma said, and she showed him the story of the immigrant family lost and then found.

Baelfire read, and then he nodded slowly. "Emma . . . this is . . . almost the same as us . . . in a way."

"I know. Isn't it funny . . . how similar our stories are?"

"Which story, Mom?" asked Henry.

"This one," Emma indicated the story she meant.

So Henry and Alina also read and they agreed with Emma. Then Henry said, smirking, "I can think of another family who's like us."

"Who's that?" asked Emma.

Henry began to whistle a familiar theme song, his eyes dancing with sheer mischief. "They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, they're altogether ookey," he snapped his fingers twice, then continued, "Their house is a museum, where people come to see 'em, they really are a scream," Henry chanted, snapping his fingers again and again. "You know . . . that family."

Emma stared at him. "Henry!"

"What? It's true," he said, trying to look innocent.

"Henry!" Emma frowned.

Her son started giggling.

Then Bae reached out and smacked him lightly on the back of the head. "Smartass."

Alina snickered. "Like father, like son." Then she ducked as her brother went to swat her too.

Page~*~*~*~*~Break

After Emma had stopped in the gift shop and made two purchases, they hopped back on the ferry and left Ellis Island and returned to Manhattan. They stopped by the hot dog cart Alina had seen earlier, and all of them got a hot dog, or in Baelfire's case, two of them with Sabrett Onions n' Sauce, some fries and ketchup, along with water and soda. They ate them leaning up against some buildings, and watching people walk by, savoring the delicious taste and sharing the fries between them, Bae with Emma, and Henry with Alina.

"I wonder how my parents and Regina are doing in Times Square?" Emma asked, biting into the last bit of her hot dog with mustard and relish.

"Hopefully they're having a good time," Bae said, eating some fries. "Like my parents in Central Park."

Alina paused before she bit into her hot dog. "Bae . . . you called my mother yours."

"I know. Because she sort of is to me," he replied. "She's a lot better than my real one . . . and we're all family now, so . . ."

Alina grinned. "That's great. She's gonna be so happy. I think she always wanted a son."

Bae laughed, then tousled her hair. "Well, she just got her wish, huh?"

Emma smiled quietly to herself and patted the bag she'd gotten from the gift shop at the Ellis Island Museum. There was something in there she wanted to share with the family . . . as soon as she put it together, that is. "You know, I think I want another hot dog," she said, and went to get one.

"And look," Alina pointed to a familiar sign across the street. "Cinnabons!"

Henry immediately gave Bae puppydog eyes. "Dad, can we get some? Please?"

"Okay, tiger. With extra frosting?"

"Umm . . . of course!" both children chorused, and then they happily pulled Bae across the street.

Page~*~*~*~*~Break

Times Square:

"Mommy, lookit the Coca Cola sign!" Regina called excitedly, pointing up at the huge light up sign of the famous beverage.

"Now I'm thirsty," David said, staring at it. There were tons of lighted signs and advertisements in the square, but that one dominated most of them.

"Well, there's a vendor selling some," Snow pointed at the small cart that sold drinks and hot pretzels and candy.

"Okay. Want some?" David asked, digging into his pocket for his wallet.

"Yeah!" Regina said eagerly. "And that big pretzel too."

"You want that too?" Snow said, somewhat dismayed. "But Regina, we haven't eaten dinner yet."

"So what?" David said. "We can all share it."

"But Daddy . . . I want my own," his daughter whined.

"Okay, whatever. We'll split one, Mary Margaret," he said, then jogged over to the cart while his wife waited with Regina under the huge Coca Cola sign.

Among all the hustle and bustle, Snow and Regina looked out on the plaza of large signs, colorful and striking, and a plethora of famous buildings too. There was a Toys R'Us sign, a Disney Store sign, a Budweiser marquee, Chevrolet, and Hard Rock Café New York. At one end was the Broadway theater district, where they would go to see the play Beauty and the Beast. They could also see 1 Astor Plaza, the Brill Building, the Bank of America Tower, One Times Square, where the New Year's Eve ball drop was held, the Mariott Marquis hotel, as well as some major businesses, like Morgan Stanley, Viacom, and MTV Networks.

Snow held tightly to Regina's hand, for she was taking no chances on her intrepid toddler slipping off from her here, where it seemed like thousands of people came and went. She had seen this site on TV, and in several movies, like Spider Man, Deep Impact, and I Am Legend. But the reality was much more awe inspiring, loud, and exciting.

David soon returned with the pretzels and Cokes, and they sat on a bench and ate them. Afterwards, they got up and strolled along the plaza, trying to get Regina to work off some of her energy before they went and stopped for food.

The little girl was like whirlwind, towing along Snow and David in her wake as she ran and looked at all the glittering signs and peered in the windows of several shops along the way.

They passed a man walking a Dalmatian, and Regina halted and pointed over to it. "Daddy, see, it's Pongo! But where's Archie?"

Charming smiled and said, "Sweetie, that's not Pongo, just another Dalmatian who looks like him. He's at home with Archie."

"Oh. I wish I had a dog," the toddler stated.

David exchanged glances with Snow. "Well . . . you can put it on your Christmas list for Santa," he told her.

"And if you're good, maybe you'll get a puppy for Christmas," Snow added.

They passed a large TV screen, and the theme from The Wizard of Oz was playing, and it showed the Wicked Witch of the West trying to throw a fireball at Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Woodman.

Regina stopped and watched it, crying, "That's a bad witch, Mommy!" she pointed to the screen.

"I know, honey," said Snow. "They need to throw a bucket of water on her."

"Yeah. Or throw her in jail," David said.

"Nah," Regina disagreed. "They need to call Unca Rumple. He can change her into a slug and put her on a rock. Or spank her with his cane and send her to bed with no dessert."

Snow started laughing. So did David.

Regina looked at them. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," Snow said, picking her up and hugging her. "That's just . . . a really interesting way of handling that problem."

"You can say that again," David chuckled. "Okay, who wants to eat over there?" he pointed to the white Hard Rock Café building.

"Yeah! That's a cool sign!" said Regina.

"I wonder if they play music while you eat?" Snow mused as they made their way over to it.

"We'll find out," David said, and then they went inside.

After about a twenty minute wait, during which they listened to some rock songs and Regina sang "Follow the Yellow Brick Road." while they waited to be seated, they were eating potato skins and mozzarella sticks and drinking lemonade, Coke, and Shirley Temples, in Regina's case. Snow ordered a reuben and David had a New York burger with the works on it, and Regina got a grilled cheese and curly fries.

They all enjoyed the food and the music playing as they ate. They even had small sundaes, and then Snow insisted on shopping for a bit in the gift shop, where she bought T-shirts that said Hard Rock Café New York for everyone.

They rode the subway home, with Regina half-dozing on David's lap for most of the ride back, though she woke up when they reached the Plaza and were going up in the elevator.

When they got back to their suite, they found the rest of the family already gathered inside. Henry quickly grabbed Regina and led her over to the couch, where Rumple and Belle were seated, and said, "Okay, now we're all here, Grandpa. So what's the big surprise?"

"Let me guess," David said. "You won the lottery."

"Better, dearie," Rumple said, looking indescribably happy. "Belle and I are expecting."

"Expecting what?" Henry asked, puzzled.

Alina poked him. "Duh! A baby! My mama's having a baby."

"Really? Then you're gonna be a big sister!" Henry said, smiling.

"Congratulations!" Snow said, hugging both Belle and Rumple. "I'm so happy for you!"

"That's great!" Charming said. "Uh, when's it due?"

"Umm . . . in about seven months, I think," Belle said.

"I knew it," Emma said, grinning.

"Oh . . . my . . . God!" Bae cried, looking shocked. Then he started chuckling. "You're having another kid? Papa, you old dog . . . I guess you've still got it, huh?" He winked at his father knowingly. Then he went to hug him and Belle. "That's really awesome! Maybe I'll get lucky and have a little brother this time."

Only Regina remained rather aloof at the news, frowning at her uncle and aunt, as if trying to puzzle something out. Finally, she came up to Belle and said, "Auntie Belle, where's the baby? I don't see it here."

Belle smiled at the little tot and said, "That's because the baby's not here yet. It's inside me . . . here . . . in my tummy . . ." she picked up Regina's hand and guided it to her still flat stomach. "It has to get born, and then you can see him or her."

"Oh," the little girl said, still frowning. Then she looked at Rumple. "Unca Rumple . . . how'd the baby get in Auntie Belle?"

"Err . . . umm . . . well . . ." Rumple stumbled over his words, turning rather red. He should have been prepared for that question, especially from Regina, who had a habit of asking difficult ones.

"Yeah, Papa, how did it get in there?" Bae asked, smirking. Then he started laughing, leaning on the couch.

Rumple glared at him. "Don't get sassy with me, boy!" he half-scolded, and promptly swatted his son on the back of the head.

But Regina was not to be deterred and asked again, "Unca Rumple, how did it get in Auntie Belle's tummy?"

Rumple finally regained his tongue and said, "Ask your mommy, Regina."

Snow shot him a Look. "Oh, thanks ever so much, Rumple!"

Regina turned to Snow. "Mommy?"

"Well . . . umm . . . it's kind of . . . like magic, Regina. True love put the baby in there, because Auntie Belle and Uncle Rumple love each other very much . . . and that's what happens when you do," she said, rather proud of that explanation.

Until her daughter said, "Okay . . . then when are you and daddy havin' one?"

Henry and Alina started giggling hysterically.

Snow groaned and said, "David. It's your turn."

Charming gathered himself, then said, "Uh . . . not for awhile yet, Regina. Mommy and Daddy need to wait awhile . . . since we already have you . . ."

"Good one, Nolan!" Rumple snickered.

" . . . and Uncle Rumple's biological clock is ticking," David added slyly. "Tick tock, dearie."

"What?" Rumple cried, half-outraged. "Like hell!"

Bae nearly fell on the floor. "Okay . . . I'm gonna die right now!" he vowed, laughing uncontrollably.

Henry looked at Alina while the adults cracked up. "I don't get it," Henry said.

"That's because it's one of those," Alina said, rolling her eyes. "And we'll understand when we're grown up."

"Oh. Our family's crazy," Henry said. Then he whistled a familiar tune and snapped his fingers twice.

A/N: Hope you all liked this one. And who knows the tune Henry keeps whistling?