Jefferson

...Oh Emma. Why are you so scared to see me again? What is it that went wrong? That night at the Black and White Ball was quite an evening...I don't remember much. Way too much whiskey. Hell, I don't even remember the minute I got in a cab. Unfortunately, my dearest Grace has no idea what happened that night.

Everything was fine. Except for the hangover and the fact Killian and Emma are drawing apart...But isn't that it? Isn't that the only problem? Or is there something my damn brain forgotten?

Grace started on her dinner while I was behind the kitchen counter, going through the mail. Bills. Bills. Bills. Nothing but bills.

"Daddy."

"Yes, sweetie."

"Aren't you eating?"

"I have no appetite, darling."

Her fork scraped back and forth on the surface of the plate. She looked up at me, wanting my attention. "Daddy, can I tell you something?...I promised to someone I won't tell anyone until she says it's over."

My eyes remained on the stack of envelopes on my hands. I flipped one by one, not bothering to open them. "Who is that, darling? A friend at school?"

"No. From Cinderella in the black dress."

I froze. My hands quickly released the stack of envelopes straight on the floor. "...W-What did you just say?"

"Cinderella, daddy. I saw her for real...Well, I thought I did before she told me her name was Emma. She was really pretty, I wish you saw her. But she told me you were asleep in your room, and can't wake up because you took some sleeping pills."

Emma was here. She was here! How could I forgotten about that? Oh damn that whiskey...

"What is the promise you kept from her?"

Grace hesitated and started to play with her fork again. I reached for her hands that made her lift her head a little higher. "You can tell me, darling. I promise I won't tell Emma."

She nibbled on her lips and slowly took out her hand, sticking out her picky. "Picky promise?"

I curved the end of my finger to hers and let it go. "There I promised. Now tell me, darling. What was it that you promised to her?"

"Well, she tucked me in bed and told me a bed time story. But when we were about to make up a bed time story together, Uncle Jones came in."

"Killian? Uncle Jones came here?"

She nodded. "Yeah. And then, Cinderella acted all weird. I didn't think anything was wrong. But then, she said for us to play a game. The game was for me to help her get out of here without Uncle Jones knowing. She said that she'll reward me some ice cream if I keep quiet until she say so. So I did and she got out without Uncle Jones knowing. I actually sort of lied to him that she never came here."

"How could this be?...Was there more about that night? Oh god..." I buried my face in my hands and rested my elbows on the counter.

Grace rubbed her small hands on my shoulder. "Daddy? Daddy are you okay?"

A knock started at the door. I didn't move. "Grace..Baby, can you go get that?"

Grace nodded. "Okay daddy." She pushed out her chair and walked toward the door. I can hear her unlock the door.

A soft conversation started that I didn't quite catch. But then, Grace called out to me. "Daddy! She's here! She's here!"

I dropped my hands and quickly turned around. There stood Emma at the doorway, wearing the cocktail dress I bought for her back at Killian's party. And a Baskin Robin's paper bag on her other hand.

~ "Mmmm..." Grace devoured every bite of the mint ice cream covered with soft brownie and caramel chocolate chips shaped as mini turtles.

Emma smiled and wiped Grace's mouth with a napkin. "I'm glad you like it. I was afraid you might not like that combination."

I never left my eyes off her. Her sweet smiles and soft gestures to Grace shows a complete image of her old self, but behind all that I sense something wrong. For the entire time, she never spoke a single word to me, not even a simple hello.

Grace licked the last scoop of ice cream that was left in her bowl. "Can I have more?"

I took her bowl and spoon away. "Oh no you don't. You just had dinner."

"But daddy."

"No. Now go to your room and get your things. Your babysitter is going to take you to class today."

She nodded, looking disappointed. "Fine." She jumped off her chair and left the kitchen. Leaving me and Emma alone. It was terribly awkward; I played with my spoon couple times, mixing my already melted bowl of ice cream while Emma was simply looking down at the table. Thankfully the babysitter arrived and Grace broke the silence. Emma and I both stood up and walked them out the door.

Grace gave me a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I love you daddy. Remember to pick me up in an hour."

I nodded. "Of course. Behave yourself."

"I will. Bye...Bye, Cinderella."

Emma smiled and waved her back. "Goodbye, Grace. I hope to see you again."

When they finally left, silence returned to the room. The two of us awkwardly went back to the kitchen to clean up. I cleared the bowls, but Emma volunteered to wash them off herself before leaving them on the bottom of the sink. I didn't know what to do, so I just awkwardly leaned on the edge of the counter, looking like a confused fool.

I cleared my throat and crossed my arms across my chest. "So...How are you?"

Her back was still facing me, slowly cleaning each bowl and spoon with care while the water run. "I been okay. You?"

"Um good. Good."

"Oh."

"...Emma, this isn't going anywhere. You hardly spoke to me ever since you arrived. Now if you only came here for Grace, then just go back to the house. But if you came here to talk to me, please go ahead and tell me. Believe me, I am not liking this weird silence between us either."

"I came here to talk to you."

"Well, I'm all ears."

She picked up the last dirty bowl and washed it till it was clean. "I took a test today. And it turned out to go well as I feared."

"A test? What kind of test was it?"

She placed the bowl down on the bottom of the sink and slowly turned off the faucet. "It was positive. I was too scared to go to a doctor because I didn't want any information to go through Killian...I cried my eyes out when I saw the result. Apparently, the..the test stick thing – whatever it's called can determine how long the pregnancy has been processing..."

"Pregnant? Emma, what are you trying to say?"

She still didn't face me. "I been feeling very odd from the past month, it all started ever since that night when I came over to your place. That hangover sure does make you regret a lot of things," she placed a hand on her abdomen and rubbed it smoothly, "I'm sure this little one feels the same."

I went over to her and took her by the arm and quickly turned her around to face me. "Emma, stop. Simply tell me...Is – is the baby really mine?"

She now lost herself and started to tear up, but she still remained strong and tried not to lose control. "Killian and I never slept in the bed same bed before, Jefferson. You're the only explanation."

"I-I don't remember an-anything that night. How can this be?"

"Jefferson, I know you're shocked. But please I only came here to discuss with you about what to do with the baby."

"Emma, I need some answers first."

"I think I told you enough. I have to go soon. My boys are waiting for me. But I-I couldn't sleep for a whole month, and I just need to talk to someone about this matter. At-at least to the father of the child I'm carrying now."

~ It took a little while for me to pull myself together, but the time was close for Emma to leave. She still stayed a little longer to have a quick talk about the baby.

The two of us sat side by side on the long couch. Both of us were quiet, but our pain and regret throbbed in our hearts by ever minute that passed.

"I can't tell Killian. Not yet."

I took her hand. "Emma, there is no proper time to tell someone dreadful news as this...At least, this didn't happen by lust and love, it was just because of stupid bottles of whiskey and a long party with bunch of rich people."

"Yeah. A stupid mistake. But Jefferson, this belly is going to keep growing and eventually Killian is going to find out I'm pregnant. Do you have any idea what he'll do to you if he finds out who the father is?...I almost broke your friendship once, I don't want to do it again."

"Emma what are you saying?"

"I going to get rid of the baby. An abortion. Alcohol. A bad fall. I'm going to do anything that I can to get rid of this."

I shook my head. "No. Emma, think about this. You had Henry, right? Please don't take this offensively, but you risked this situation before in your past. Can you risk this again? What you're saying right now is killing an innocent baby in your womb. Do you really think you have the courage to kill that precious life?"

"...Yes..Well, no..I mean I don't know. Jefferson, I love you. But I'm starting something new, a future with Killian and part of me doesn't want to throw that away. If this baby lives, it'll keep me and Killian apart. I can't bear that to ever happen."

I don't know what came over me, but part of me just let myself go. I guess it's a father's nature. Not to mention, my former girlfriend risked having Grace before she left me and left Grace as well in my care. "Emma, maybe you should. I'll take care of you and the baby. It'll take some time for you and Killian to face each other again, but there's no such thing as impossible..We can live here. Or outside of New York if you wish. We'll make some room for the baby and hire another babysitter. It'll be just fine."

She slowly pulled away from me and rose up to her feet. "What is wrong with you?! I-I can't have that kind of future with you, Jefferson. I mean I expected you to be upset and shocked, but encouraging the idea for the two of us to raise this baby together is just absurd and impossible..." She turned her back at me and charged straight to the door.

I followed her from behind. "Emma. I'm sorry I don't know what came over me. I didn't really mean that."

She opened the door and before she rushed out she spoke again for the last time. "I think you did mean it. I always thought I can rely on you, especially about this situation. But I was wrong..very very wrong...I have to handle this by myself. Don't tell Killian..I'll see you again in a couple of days. Until then, I'll make my final decision about what to do with the baby. Good bye."

Next chapter will get a little interesting. Believe me you guys have to read the next one. I might not have the time tomorrow, because I'm really busy now so please be patient with me. Until then all my fanfiction-lovers. BA-BYEEEE

P.S. Don't hate Jefferson, guys. Believe me don't. He's the good guy here. Not the bad guy...well, not yet. Hehehehe O