I AM SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT! I lost my muse for this story, but hopefully I'm semi back! To everyone who has left comments for me to return this is for y'all. Hope you all enjoy. Some background and feelings in this one. Also moving the story along a bit. Hope to have another chapter done soon. Please let me know you're thoughts!
Over the past few weeks Avery has been spending more and more time with Emma and Henry, it's not at the point where Regina trusts Avery enough to come over to the mansion for dinner or to watch the kids when she has a late night meeting.
Avery loves spending time with Emma, she is just this ray of sunshine and she's silly. She has this light about her that makes Avery wish he could have seen her grow up.
Avery has yet to ask about Emma's past and what Regina know of it. But he knows it was nothing good.
Avery refuses to speak to his father, he knows that he is planning something but he can only hope that its not going to blow back on him and cause Regina to take Emma away from him.
Avery looked at his watch and turned the sander off, waving to Marco on his way out of the shop. He was meeting Henry, Regina, and Emma at the park in about 10minutes.
Marco waved him goodbye and and Avery got onto his bike. He was glad the weather was finally warming up, riding a motorcycle in the middle of winter wasn't exactly pleasant.
Avery smiled though when he thought back to this Christmas and how he dressed his bike up as santa's sleigh and showed Emma. Her face was priceless, no matter how embarrassed he felt about walking around the rest of the afternoon in a Santa costume, with Henry and Regina chuckling behind them.
Avery parked his bike and was waved over to the open field by Regina, who was sitting on the bench.
Avery made his way over and placed his helmet on the bench, before sitting next to Regina. "Hi."
Regina smiled in greeting and watched as Avery excitedly waved to Emma and Henry while the two played soccer on the field.
Avery turned and looked at Regina, "Do you know what my father is up to?"
Regina was shocked by the question, "Rumple? No. I haven't heard anything. Why do you think he is up to something?"
Avery sighed, "Because I know him, but because I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that tells me he is up to something and it's gonna be me it bites in the ass."
Regina understood but couldn't help the man, "I'm sorry, but I haven't heard anything."
Avery nodded, "Well, if something does happen know it's not my fault."
Regina chuckled slightly, "Well should something happen I'll try and remember that."
They had been watch Emma and Henry play soccer for a while when Regina too turned to Avery and asked a semi random question, "What was Emma's mother like?"
Avery paused for a moment, "umm.. she…she was astounding. Maddie, she was a lot like Emma, happy and silly, blonde, she was soft and gentle once you got to know her. She came from a fairly normal family; mom, dad, dog. But she never felt she fit in, and it put her in some pretty bad spots; but she was a warrior and always fought her way out. When she finally found her passion, it was amazing to watch her do her thing. She had this natural talent for art— painting, drawing, sculpting, anything with her hands. I see it a bit with Emma's drawings, but I think she got more of my genes there. But I see Maddie in Emma's passion and her heart."
Regina smiled, "Seems you loved her."
Avery nodded, "She was my best friend. The first person to ever understand what having a father like mine did to a person. She didn't judge me for running away from home or for being a colossal fuck up. She just saw me, and that was enough for her."
Avery paused again before continuing, "We never really talked about having a family since we didn't really fit into our own; but I remember she always wanted a daughter, one day. She would have been a good mom, she wouldn't have been that PTA mom, but she would always support Emma and be there, she would have let her draw on the walls and paint her nails crazy colors. She would have signed her up for something crazy like circus camp or punk rock bass lessons. She… she would have made sure she was safe and loved. I would have made sure she was safe and loved…."
Regina heard Avery's voice waiver as he talked about Emma's mother and felt a pang of deep remorse for the young man.
Regina placed her hand on top of Avery's hand patted it, "She seems like a lovely woman, and I can't thank her enough for bringing Emma into this world. Her life was taken way before her time, and I am truly sorry for you loss."
Avery smiled knowing Regina was sincere, "Thanks Regina. But it's partially my own fault. I was stupid and was locked up. I didn't even know she was pregnant, I missed so much."
Regina nodded, "True. But I hope you learned from your mistakes and instead of thinking about what you missed in Emma's life think about what you are gaining now in being a part of her future."
Avery smiled, "Careful that almost sounds like you want me around."
Regina scoffed but smiled, "Let's not over exaggerate now, Mr. Gold."
Avery laughed and looked back at Emma, "I really do thank you for letting me be in her life now."
Regina nodded, waving off his thanks for the thousandth time.
Avery and Regina sat on the bench for a few more minutes watching Emma and Henry play, before they decided to call it a night and go to Granny's for dinner.
Across town Rumple was finally getting the information he needed on Avery's old 'friends'. From what Rumple could find out the Huntsman Gang were mostly on the East coast ran everything from drugs to guns. Rumple shook his head knowing that Avery involved with characters like these, but hoped that their hunger for money would help him.
Rumple's informant was good, and even got him the number to the head of the Boston chapter. Rumple gathered the information his informant gave him and laid it out working out his plan.
He would call the leader, a Ritchie Montoya, saying he had information on Avery Gold. Stating that he knew about the money and the drugs and that he is willing to pay off Avery's debts, should they permanently leave him alone. He would make sure that the gang comes into town scaring Avery enough to force his son to come to him. Then he would help Avery showing him that he cares, and that he will help him. Then they can look into getting Emma into Avery's custody full time.
Gold felt his plan was fool proof, so he set it into motion.
"Hello, I am looking for a Ritchie Montoya. Yes well I am the father of Avery Gold. I know he owes you quite a sum of money. I am willing to settle that debt and then some, for a small deal."
Gold knew he had them when they asked about specifications. Gold told them exactly where to go and who to look for. When he hung up the phone he sat in his office chair and leaned back smug and content with his actions. Now all he needed to do was wait.
In Boston Ritchie called his men into the meeting room and closed the door. "We have Gold. I don't give a fuck what the deal is, I want Gold to suffer— he thinks he can steal from me and run to daddy to get help? Fuck him! We leave tomorrow. We take Avery and anyone he's with. Gold is going to pay," Ritchie then laughed , "pay a lot."