I've read this story a million times. I've seen this picture of Snow White and Prince Charming under a flashlight, under the covers, more times then I can count. I still read along.

Henry says that they are more than stories, that they are real. I don't know if I believe in magic or not, but I believe in my brother.

"Look Daniel, Snow White is running away" Henry exclaims to me with shock and a grin, as though he hasn't already read it before. I glance at the picture of Snow running off to a faraway land, trying to escape her problems. I wish I could do that sometimes. I've got a lot of problems. Well at least I don't have someone trying to kill me.

The lady across the row from us looks up and asks "That a good book boys?"

In the background, my brother responds, but all I can make out is the word "boys." She said boys. Nobody, except Henry, has ever referred to me as a boy before. It is impossible to wipe the smile off my face.

"Boston sub-station. Thank you for riding Greyhound."

Before rising from my seat, I steal a glance at the window to ensure that my long hair remains concealed beneath the baseball cap borrowed from Henry. With my hair as boyish as possible, Henry and I disembark from the bus.

—

As we walk Henry is bouncing up and down. "Do you think she will recognize us?" he asks happily.

I speed up to catch up with his fast pace.

I don't want to burst his bubble but he is too excited. "She only saw us when we were just born, she isn't going to recognize us" I reply, finally catching up to him.

"I bet she will like just like instantly know we are her kids," Henry babbles quickly as he walks too fast. "She will just see us and know because she is our mom."

I walk quickly to catch up with Henry. I don't want to hurt his feelings by telling him that isn't going to happen. Sometimes I wish I was like Henry: optimistic and naïve. But I'm not.

There are hundreds of things that could go wrong. That will go wrong. If Henry hadn't forced me to sneak out with him, I never would have come. There is no way my birth mom will want me. My current mom doesn't.

Well she does want me, she just wants her version of me, the perfect daughter to follow in her footsteps. If she knew who I was, she wouldn't want me.

—

We enter the building and make our way to the stairs. Each step feels heavier as we ascend to the third floor. My heart pounds loudly in my chest, and I'm sure Henry can hear it too.

This is our last chance to turn back. Turn back to the day before we knew we were adopted. Turn back to before Henry hated Mom. Turn back to when we were the perfect family.

The door is in front of us.

Henry knocks.

So much for turning back.

There's a moment of silence, and my heart skips a beat. The anticipation in the air is palpable, and I can feel Henry's hand gripping mine tightly.

The door creaks open. A woman with blonde hair and blue eyes opens the door and looks at us with confusion. In the back of my mind I realize I look just like her.

Henry, in a completely normal and chipper voice, asks "Are you Emma Swan?"

"Yeah, who are you?" she asks with suspicion you do not often hear when you are raised in a small town.

"My name's Henry. This is Daniel. We are your sons." Before Emma can even react Henry slips under Emma's arm and walks into her apartment. I stare at Emma; she stares back.

A clang from inside the apartment breaks our staring contest. She hurries into the apartment and I follow.

Apparently, having processed Henry's words, Emma speaks for the first time. "Whoa, hey, kid! Kid! I don't have children! Where are your parents?"

Henry turns around to look at Emma. "Ten years ago, did you give up twins for adoption? That was us." Henry walks around the apartment, ending up in the kitchen.

Emma looked panicked for just a moment before smiling, realizing a way out. "I'm not your mom. I gave birth to a boy and a girl. You boys better get back home to your parents."

"I.. I am," I try to continue but I can't. My voice feels dry and dead. I can speak up. If I do, she will know. If I do, she will know that I'm not a boy, not a real one. I try once more, "I was…"

Henry interrupts will smile "Daniel is the girl! Everyone thinks he is a girl even though he is not. So he is a boy in his head but the doctors and mom think he is a girl. Hey, do you have any juice?" Henry opens the fridge, making himself right at home. "Never mind, found some!"

Emma, ignoring Henry, looks at me. I know the look. I know what she sees. She is noticing all the feminine things about me. My round checks, my higher voice, maybe even the ponytail peeking out of my baseball cap.

She starts to say something, I look away. She stops.

Henry breaks the silence. "We have to get going,"

"Going where?"