The first thing I feel as I stir awake is someone's hand in mine.
I think back to the last thing I remember and it's the deal I made with Emma. Suddenly relief floods through me at the idea of her not being lost to the darkness. She's ok, we are all okay and we will figure out just what is happening. The time warp is something we will deal with. Maybe I can even speak to Rumple about it. Of course I won't tell him everything that transpired, just try and get more information about it.
I hear mummers around me and it sounds like Henry is speaking to someone, and as I open my I cannot believe what I am seeing. Henry is sitting next to me on my bed, and he is grown. Not the little boy he was when Emma came to town. I look towards the door to who he's speaking to and see Robin standing there as well. He gives me a warm smile as he makes his way to the other side of the bed and takes my hand, kissing it.
"You gave us all a scare, love." He speaks with such a hushed tone, as Henry nods.
None of it makes any sense to me. Was it just a dream? Did I pass out? I look towards Henry again, "your mother, I tried to tell her…" he just squeezes my hand.
"Yeah I know what happened. Gram and Gramps told me." He looks down; suddenly just like the lost little boy he was so many years ago. "Mom what are we going to do? She can't be the dark one. She has light magic, how is it even possible? It's just a mistake, maybe her light magic teleported her to somewhere safe and we just have to find her…" I pull him down to me then, and feel his tears start to soak through my shirt.
I swallow the bile rising in my throat. I have to be strong for Henry right now. I think back to what I now believe was a dream. What did it mean? I had never dreamt of Emma before this, and now suddenly it happened and it just felt too real. It didn't feel hazy at all like dreams usually do.
I look up to see Robin looking down at us, mother and son. I could tell he wanted to join in with us but didn't want to overstep. He had just gotten back to town, and we were finally going to get our happy ending. But I should have known that it was too easy. Even with Zelena locked up, and having to climb that hurdle, I knew it was still too good to be true. And as I stroked Henry's hair I realized that he would never be happy or okay again if he didn't find his birthmother. I had to make him my priority.
I slowly pull Henry and I into a sitting position as I wipe the tears from his cheeks. Looking him in the eyes one more time made my heart break to see him so defeated and lost. "It's going to be ok my sweet Henry. We will find your mother and we will make things right. I don't want you to worry. In fact I think it would be best for you to go downstairs and try to relax for a bit. Maybe take your mind off of all of this."
It's only when I know he is out of earshot that I look to Robin.
I can tell he hasn't slept or even changed since last night.
"What are they doing about Emma? What happened to me? The last thing I remember was standing in the middle of the street. Is Rumple still alive?" I search his eyes as he begins to embrace me. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"You passed out after Emma disappeared so Snow and David went to get Henry and explained what happened. He wanted to see you immediately so they brought him here. It is not yet morning. You were only out a few hours, although you have been whispering in your sleep." He pulls back looking into my eyes, "what were you dreaming? You seemed to be upset, then at ease?"
"I don't remember." I looked away. There was no point in sharing such things, it's not as though it made any difference now.
"Snow has reached out to Belle for help in researching what can be done. David is at the station and they have decided not to tell anyone else. They believe the residents would be unruly if they found out their beloved savior was a danger to them. I don't know Rumples condition."
Something about the way he said savior didn't sit right with me.
Now that I think about it, he didn't seem to be too concerned about what happened to her. He was more concerned about me, but not the bigger picture. Then he was holding me in his arms again and for the first time I felt a little suffocated. I pushed it to the back of my mind and I leaned closer to him. I knew he would always keep me safe, but what about Henry and Emma? Had he not realized that Emma had sacrificed herself for me, for us?
"You don't know what we have been though since you left with who you presumed to be Marian. What I've been through." There was a bitterness to my voice that I couldn't veil in time. He looked shocked and hurt as I continued. "We may not always see eye to eye but she is very much the savior they speak of. Only she is human, and makes mistakes like all of us. Robin I have to say I agree with Snow, if the people find out I don't know what will happen." I then stepped away from him and walked towards my restroom.
"I meant no harm my dear; I just am worried for you, and want us to be able to finally be happy together. You, me, Henry and Roland can be a family. Let the Charmings worry about the savior, their family, as I will worry for mine." His smile reached his eyes and I knew that he was being sincere with me. My heart melted at him calling us a family. It's all I had ever wanted.
"I know you mean no harm. I am just exhausted and need time to freshen up and I'll be down soon." With that I smiled and closed my in-suite bathroom door.
After soaking in the bath for a short while I came out to find Robin already in bed and asleep. He had mentioned that it was not yet morning and when I glanced at the clock I realized that it was just after 3AM.
Checking down the hall I saw that Henry was also in his room asleep.
I then prepared myself for bed. We needed to be well rested in order to think clearly later in the day.
As I got in bed, Robin immediately molded his body to the back of mine. His warmth surrounding me was helping to slowly lull me back to sleep.
I love how even in a deep sleep he reached out for me and pulled me closer.
As I started to nod off I thought back on the day. It had started so differently from how it ended. Maybe Robin was right, maybe this was finally my chance at a happy ending; our chance at a happy ending. Maybe Emma giving herself up was what was meant to happen. After all I had lived in turmoil for so many more years than she had. Maybe I could just accept it as a gift and be happy. I pushed back the nagging feeling in the back of my mind as I drifted off to sleep for the second time.
