Chapter 4

A few more days passed of spending time in the castle, waiting for the next group. One morning, I spent time in the library with Belle. It was the only quiet place in the whole castle, and had the most forms of entertainment for me. I was roaming the hundreds of books on the shelves, but not really looking for anything specific, while Belle sat in one of the chairs reading a book. I walked over and slumped into the chair next to her.

"Couldn't find anything?" She asked, looking up from the book.

I shrugged laying my head back.

"Do you wanna talk?"

"Regina and I, we haven't been getting along. I just thought that when I finally met her it would be this moment where we both cried and she apologized. But she just looked at me like I was lying to her face. And it hasn't change in these last few days." I sighed looking at Belle.

"Have you talked to her since you told her?" She asked.

I shook my head. "Just glares."

"You need to talk to her, you may be surprised. She may be the Evil Queen, but she has a heart, and she did have you."

"Maybe she just needs more time… Or I need more time." I said looking out the window.

"Do you need time or are you just afraid?" Belle asked, I closed my eyes tightly.

"Both, what if she doesn't like me?" I asked.

Belle laughed. "Now I think you're just making up excuses."

The door to the library opened and Neal walked in. "Essie, the next group is here." He smiled, and I jumped up a little too enthusiastically.

"Where are they?" I asked, walking towards him.

"In the great hall. It's a smaller group." Neal said, I kissed him on the cheek and he smiled.

I stopped at the doors to the great hall breathing slowly, I had waited to many years for this moment. Placing my hands on the door I pushed it open and walked inside. My heart was pounding as I looked around, everyone was standing around talking and it was hard to see over everyone.

And I didn't see him.

The group had finished coming in, and my heart fell to the pit of my stomach. All hope of finding him left me. This was the last group coming, aside from Terrence everyone was accounted for.

Suddenly, the door swung open and blasts of wind came tumbling through.
"We've got one more!"

I stood on my tiptoes, hopped around, and sure enough, my eyes met his after a few moments. He was helping another fellow hobble through the door, and I just smiled in relief.

As I ran towards him, my feet felt as though weights held my feet down, I couldn't get to him fast enough. I threw my arms around him, my feet leaving the ground as he spun me around, making me laugh.

Setting me down he brushed back my hair before his lips met mine with a smile, "Oh, Essie."

I had waited far too long waiting to see him again, never knowing if he was safe. But now he was back with me and I could smile again. Our kiss ended and he rested his forehead against mine.

"I never thought I would see you again." I said softly.

"I don't break promises." He said.

I looked up at him, unable to speak, too happy that he was back.

"You know I love you right?" He asked, I nodded resting my head against his chest feeling him kiss the top of my head.

"Can we go talk? I have so much to tell you." I asked looking up at him.

"Please," He said, letting me lead him out of the castle. I froze seeing Robin and Regina in the garden, taking a slow breath I led Terrence towards the tree. We sat down in the grass, like when we were kids. He took my hands smiling at the ring.

"You still have it." He said looking up at me in surprise.

"Of course I do." I smiled. "For the longest time it was all I had to remember you by."

He looked down avoiding my gaze, placing my finger under his chin I made him look at me.

"I'm not mad, Terry. And even if I was I don't want to argue right now. I just got you back."

"Ever since the curse hit I wanted to get back to OZ thinking you were still there. I knew things were bad there but I was hoping." He said watching me.

"Oswin sent me here, but I missed the curse and was trapped here." I didn't want to tell him of the living arrangements I had been given.

"I'm just glad I found you." I smiled nodding. Reaching out slowly I laid my hand on his chest feeling his heart beat in time with mine.

"I'm glad I found you too, Tin Man" I said softly, leaning in I kissed him softly not ever wanting this moment to end.