Chapter 34

Sometime around 1 Emma crept back to her own apartment. Mary Margaret and David had yet to come home, probably trying to give her and Ava space. Hanging out with the dwarves, Granny, and Ruby at the diner. At least that's what Emma hoped their intentions were. She really didn't want to think about what they might be doing.

The apartment was as silent as a tomb as she quietly clicked the door closed behind her. She was surprised to find it relatively unchanged, except for some traces here and there. Her favorite brand of tea no longer resided in its usual spot on the counter. The coats by the door had been rearranged to make up for her visible absence. Instead of her phone plugged into the outlet by the stove, the outlet was now empty. It looked kind of lonely.

But then again, what had she been expecting? For Killian to remove all traces of her? It wasn't like she'd purposely walked out on them like a lot of the broken foster families she'd stayed with, where the father would just up and disappear one day. Although that was kind of what she did.

Don't think about that right now. She thought, maneuvering over the mess on the floor. You would think that there wouldn't be such a ridiculous mess on the floor since Killian and Ava had been living with her in Boston for a while. But of course that wasn't the case.

As she passed through the darkened living room she could just barely make out the spot of red that still remained on the carpet. The spot where she'd nearly died. That was a little too morbid, even for her, so she quickly walked into the hallway, where the doors to both bedrooms were wide open.

A quick peek into the first room, Ava's, nearly sent tears burning into her eyes. The sight of her little girl, curled up on her stomach, head turned to the side, Cinnamon tucked close, was just too much to bear. Ava was so close yet so far away.

True to her nature as a flailer, half the blanket rested on the ground while the other half barely covered the little girl's back. It was cold in the apartment; both Emma and Killian preferred to sleep with it colder than normal rather than too warm. Despite her reservations, Emma tiptoed over to Ava's bed and slowly adjusted the blanket until every inch of Ava's body was covered, tucking it around her chin, just the way she liked it.

Ava murmured and rolled over until she was facing Emma. In sleep she looked so much younger, so much more innocent. A small, content smile slowly crossed her face as she snuggled into her blanket and was still once more.

"Good night." Emma whispered as she pressed a kiss to her forehead before leaving the room.

Unlike the rest of the apartment her old room was clearly different. There were pillows piled up everywhere; she surmised that in her absence Killian had settled pillows around himself to make up for the empty space. It looked as though he'd cleared her side of the bed to make room for her once more but pillows still littered the floor.

Suddenly, the bed that she and Killian had picked out together (her cheeks grew hot at the memory of their first, um, time in the bed), looked so inviting. Without bothering to root around in her suitcase for her PJ's, Emma tossed her jacket onto a chair, kicked off her boots, and settled into bed.

Contrastingly to what she'd expected, being able to fall asleep right away, her mind refused to quiet. She tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable. Everything felt strange yet so familiar all the same. It was like the bed sensed that she didn't belong. Instead of the large, soft mattress she remembered, it felt more foreign and cold.

Like Ava, it was yet another reminder that she didn't belong. On the surface it wasn't obvious but once you took a closer look it became quite clear. This had been Emma's home. Emphasis on had been. And it wasn't any longer.

As she rolled over so that she was facing away from Killian, she felt him shift and automatically throw an arm around her middle, effectively hugging her close, his breath tickling the back of her neck. It was something he always did no matter how deep of a sleep he was in. "Mmm. Swan." He murmured, burying his face in her hair as he settled back into sleep.

At least some things never changed.

But she had no intention of letting things remain that way. She would just have to work extra hard to rebuild the life she'd lost.

The first thing Emma registered the next morning was the sunlight filtering in from the window to her right. Wait. Sunlight? Window? The window in her apartment in Boston was permanently shrouded by thick blinds, as she liked to keep out as much noise and light as possible.

And then it hit her. She wasn't in Boston anymore. Her memories were back, she was back where she belonged. With her family.

Her heart sank a few notches as she remembered that that wasn't quite true. She may be back but things were not the same as when she'd left. They would never be the same.

There was a slight rustle at her side. "Morning, darling." A husky voice said in her ear. "I see you're awake."

Emma rolled over so that so she was facing him. "And so are you."

Killian propped himself up on one elbow. "It's still early." He commented, turning back to look at the digital clock beside him.

"Did you have something in mind?"

He began placing feather like kisses on her collarbone, causing goosebumps to flare wherever his lips made contact with her skin. "Maybe."

Just as they were getting busy, there was a loud voice from the hall. "Daddy!"

"What is it?" He called, momentarily pausing.

"I'm hungry!" Ava replied.

"Be right there." He said, attempting to get back to what they were doing. But moments later there was another cry.

"I'm hungry!" Ava repeated, her voice growing in pitch.

Killian sighed and flopped back down onto the bed. "Bloody hell. She does have good timing, I'll give you that."

Emma snickered softly. "Least she didn't walk in. That would've been bad."

He sat up. "What do you say we go out for breakfast? I don't think there are any rations remaining in the cold box."

"A fridge." Emma corrected. "It's called a fridge. At least call it by it's proper name."

"I am." He protested. "It's a big, cold box. Should be called that. Would make things a lot easier."

She just sighed; trying to get Killian to use the proper names for technology was pretty much a lost cause. He insisted on calling her phone a communication device and the stove a fire box.

"So?" He asked. "Breakfast at Granny's. Yay or nay."

Emma hesitated. "Um, you two can go on ahead. I was thinking of going over to Regina's to surprise Henry. You know, if he's not mad at me too."

"Oh, well just pick up the lad on our way." He narrowed his eyes. "Unless you're using him as an excuse."

Emma huffed in frustration. "No."

He just gave her a look. "Open book, remember?" He teased. "It'll be fine. I'm sure now that Ava has gotten a good night's sleep she'll warm right back up to you."

"You don't know that." Emma responded. "Don't forget that I know what she went through. It took me forever to forgive my own parents. She won't just be fine overnight."

"And you're forgetting, love, that she's my daughter. Which makes her naturally drawn to you."

"That's true, but…"

"But nothing. You and Henry are coming with us to breakfast at Granny's and that's that." He insisted.

~For the Love of Swan~

Regina looked genuinely surprised to see Emma standing on her doorstep; the Emma Swan of two years ago would've never gone willingly to the mayor's, standing so placidly on her doorstep.

"Ms...Swan." Even at this early hour, and on a weekend too, Regina was dressed in perfectly pressed slacks and a crisp, wrinkle free blouse, makeup flawlessly done. Conversely, Emma had pulled on the first clothes she'd found in her hastily packed suitcase: jeans and a long sleeved shirt that had clearly seen better days. She hadn't bothered with makeup, electing to just throw her messy hair back.

She immediately felt like a slob. "Hey."

"This is a surprise. Are you here to see Henry? I don't believe we've set up a date for a visitation today."

Some things never changed-Regina was as curt as ever. "You can drop the act, Regina. I got my memories back."

Regina blinked once, twice. "Oh. Well, congratulations."

That was probably the biggest non-sarcastic comment that she'd ever get from the mayor, so Emma decided she'd take what she was given. "Thanks. Is Henry home? I was kinda hoping to take him out to breakfast, maybe. If that's ok with you."

"That'll be fine." Regina smiled tightly, but nontheless opened the door wider to let Emma in. "I'll go get him, I imagine he's still sleeping."

Emma stood and waited as Regina turned to get Henry, her heels (who wore heels at home?) clacked on the stairs.

Regina knocked on the door. "Henry?" When there was no response, she cracked open the door a bit. "Henry, are you awake?"

Emma could hear her son groaning as he slowly woke up. "...what is it, Mom? It's 8 in the morning, you always let me sleep until 9 on Sundays."

"Honey, Emma's here to see you."

Henry muttered something that Emma couldn't hear, and it seemed as though Regina couldn't hear it either, as she clacked into the room and closed the door behind her.

A couple minutes later, Regina shoved a sleepy and messy haired Henry out of his room. "...know I raised you better than that," she was saying as she practically manhandled him down the stairs. "Now get down there."

"Hey." Emma said as Henry stopped in front of her. Anyone could see they were related, as she wasn't a morning person and he clearly wasn't one either.

"What are you doing here?" He grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Henry!" Regina snapped. "That's no way to talk to Emma."

"No, it's fine." Emma interjected. "He's just not a morning person, right kid?"

Henry merely shrugged in response. "So what are you doing here? Finally remembered you needed to come visit me again?"

Emma chose to ignore his comment and looked up at Regina. "You didn't tell him?"

The brunette shook her head. "I figured you should." And then she turned and began to walk into the kitchen. "Excuse me."

"Ok." She turned back to Henry and plastered a smile on her face. "I got my memories back."

Seconds passed. Or maybe it was minutes; Emma honestly wasn't sure. Henry just blinked up at her, his face emotionless as Emma stood awkwardly, a feeling of deja vu whooshing inside as she took in Henry's blank face.

"Ok." He said finally.

"Just ok?" She teased. "What's wrong? I thought you'd be happy."

Henry shrugged. "Yeah, I am."

"You sure don't seem like it."

"I'm just tired. It's kind of early."

"Ok, well I know what'll wake you right up. Want to come with Killian, Ava, and I to Granny's for breakfast?"

"No, that's ok. I'd rather go back to sleep."

"Are you sure?" Emma poked his shoulder playfully. "I know how much you love Granny's waffles."

"No."

"Come on. I haven't seen you in so long."

"And who's fault is that?" His voice was sharp.

Emma blinked at him, taken aback. She'd expected him to be angry, sure, but not like this. He was Henry, for God's sake. Super upbeat and positive all the time. Had her absence really impacted him that much?

"Henry!" Regina's voice came floating out from the kitchen. She held a mug of coffee in one hand as her heels echoed in the foyer. "You may be sleepy but that's no reason to talk to Emma that way. Apologize this instant."

"Sorry," he muttered, staring at the ground near his feet. "Can I go back to bed now?"

"No." Regina snapped. "What's wrong with you? You've been so upset about Emma leaving, and now that she's back you're acting this way? Go get dressed and ready to go to Granny's."

Without replying, Henry turned around and slogged back upstairs, stomping each step of the way.

This was a true testament to how far they'd come; the Regina of two years ago would've smirked at Henry's cold behavior towards her, but this Regina shrugged apologetically before marching after him, already starting to scold him for his rudeness.

Cold. Front. Those were perhaps the best two words to describe breakfast that morning. With Ava ignoring her (who knew a three year old was so good at what most teenage girls excelled at) to Henry's icing her out, Emma privately thought that she'd rather relive her first night in jail rather than spend another painful moment with her kids acting like she'd killed their puppy or something.

"So," Emma started. "what happened in Storybrooke while I was gone?"

Silence. Dead silence. Ava scribbled away in the coloring page she'd been given, and Henry played idly with a straw wrapper, blatantly ignoring her. She could feel the look of commiseration Killian was throwing her, and chose to ignore it. Pity was not something she needed.

"Lad," Killian said loudly. "I believe your mother asked you a question."

Henry sighed heavily as if he'd been asked to lift a heavy load uphill. "Nothing happened."

"Really?" Emma prodded. "This is Storybrooke I'm talking about. You sure nothing happened?"

"Yes. It's something you should understand. After all, Boston is a whole lot more exciting."

"Well I got promoted to deputy." Killian interjected. "Took over David's old job."

"No way." She shook her head, half relieved at his obvious attempts but annoyed all the same. She did not need someone trying to save her. "I don't believe it."

"What's the matter?" Killian asked. "Having trouble stomaching the fact that I can work alongside your father in a civil manner?"

"No." She snorted. "I can believe that. I just don't see Captain Hook becoming a cop."

"I wasn't always a pirate." He pointed out.

"Fair enough." Emma nodded. "What did you two do anyway? Not like there's a lot of crime in Storybrooke. And I really can't see the two of you doing paperwork."

"Aye. We spent a fair amount of time playing darts." Killian admitted.

"Now that sounds more like it." In fact that was what she and David used to do as well. Somewhere in her old office was a tally of how many games each person had won.

Soon their breakfasts arrived and everyone started to dig in.

"God." Emma said as she shoved waffles into her mouth. "I forgot how amazing Granny's breakfasts are."

Ruby, who was walking by on her way to another table, smirked. "I'll let Granny know."

"What we doin today?" Ava asked in between bites of food. Like Emma, she had a plate full of waffles drenched with whipped cream and syrup before her.

"Hmm." Killian said. "Good question. Its a bloody nice day, may as well spend it outdoors."

"What about a carnival?" Emma suggested. "I think I saw a sign for one just a couple hours outside of Storybrooke."

"Carnival?" Ava asked. Whipped cream and maple syrup was smeared all around her mouth.

Emma soaked a napkin in her cup of water and reached over to wipe off her daughter's face. Ava was so distracted by her food that she didn't shy away. Maybe Killian was right, maybe all Ava needed was a good night's sleep. "Its really fun. There are tons of rides and lots of yummy food and prizes you can win."

She held her breath, awaiting Ava's response. Would she cry? Ignore her further? Refuse to do anything with her?

But Ava's eyes widened at the prospect. "Yay! Carnival!"

"Well, I think we know how Princess Ava feels. What about you, Henry?" Killian asked. "You've been quite silent this morning."

"No thanks."

"Really? You're saying no to rides and cotton candy?"

"I don't feel like it."

"Are you feeling ok?" Emma asked. "The Henry I know wouldn't-"

"Well maybe you don't know me at all." Henry snapped. "Can you take me home now, I have a ton of homework."

When there was no response, he sighed and stood up. "Never mind, I'll walk."

"Henry…"

"Come back here!" Killian all but shouted. "That is your mother you're-"

"Forget it." Emma said. "Just let him go. He's obviously upset."

Killian looked troubled as he watched Henry slam the door to the diner. "No, let me go talk to him."

"I'll go." She said, standing up. "It's all my fault, anyway."

"Swan…"

"It's fine. I made the choice to leave and now I have to face the consequences." Her throat tight, she opened the door and walked towards the round table outside, where Henry was sitting, facing the street.

She sat down across from him. "We need to talk."

Henry stiffened and scooted even further from her, if that was possible.

Emma reached out and touched his arm. "I know you're mad at me, kid. I get it-"

"No, you don't." Henry wrenched his arm from her grasp and wheeled around to face her. "You don't get it."

"Ok," she said, trying to be patient. Part of her wanted to blurt that yes, she did get it, probably better than him because she had had no parents for twenty eight years whereas Henry at least had Regina, but that probably wasn't the best thing to say right now. "what don't I get?"

"Why did you leave?"

"I told you, it was because I lost my memories and-"

"No. You left Ava because you forgot about her. Fine. But what about me? You've known I was your son for a lot longer. Your whole family was here, why did you leave even though I told you not to?"

"Because I thought that was what's best for you."

"Really?" He asked, his tone dripping with bitterness. "Or was it because you love Ava more? Do I remind you too much of Dad?"

"Henry, that's ridiculous."

"Is it, though? Then why didn't you come back? I"m sure Killian would've told you to, after you guys started dating again."

"Well, actually no he didn't, but-"

"See? That's because you and him finally had your perfect little family. And now that Mom has her new boyfriend, no one wants me anymore."

"Wait." Emma interrupted. "Regina has a boyfriend?" She didn't even think it was possible for the evil queen to even be nice to another human being, let alone charm them enough to fall for her.

"Yes." Henry answered. "And he has a son and pretty soon they're probably going to get married and move in together and then it'll just be me."

"You know that's not true…"

"Don't deny it. It's already happened. You and Killian and Ava had your perfect little life in Boston and you came back just because you felt bad for me. Well I don't need your pity."

"No, of course not."

"Stop can go back to Boston. I don't need you anymore."

Author's note: Oooohh, ouch. Ava seems to be warming back up to Emma, but what about Henry? Will he stay mad forever?