A/N: Now we are getting into the episodes chapters will get longer after this
October 22, 2011
Emma had spent weeks tirelessly searching, preparing for this very moment. She was in the midst of packing, knowing that tomorrow she would return to Portland. The time had come to break the curse that had haunted her family for generations. She had taken a sabbatical from the university, a place where she had poured her heart and soul into teaching for years. Her academic journey had equipped her with the tools she needed to seek trails through the past couple of years, and now she was on the brink of fulfilling her life's purpose.
The challenge, however, was immense. Other than looking in Maine for her kingdom, Emma had no clue where to begin her quest.
Earlier in the day, Emma had been called into the university, only to be surprised by a heartfelt birthday celebration thrown by her department. She had informed her colleagues of her impending travels, and the next morning, she would embark on her sabbatical.
In the afternoon, Emma said her farewells to her colleagues, feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety about the journey ahead. As she stepped out of the building with her girlfriend Stella, the two of them embarked on a dinner date. The restaurant they chose was a foodie haven, a place Emma had been longing to visit for ages.
"Babe, I've been wanting to come here forever!" Emma exclaimed with a smile as she looked at Stella, her appreciation evident in her eyes.
Stella returned the smile, though there was a touch of sadness lingering in her plump, red lips. "Wherever you're going better have food like this, or you will be miserable."
Emma sighed, her gaze dropping to her plate. "Yeah, I have a feeling I will be," she admitted.
Stella leaned in closer, her eyes filled with longing. "Don't go," she implored.
Emma shook her head, her heart heavy with the knowledge that Stella couldn't understand the depths of her mission. She had been foolish to think that Stella could accompany her on this journey. Stella had a full life in Boston, and asking her to give that up would be asking too much. Their relationship wasn't at a stage where such sacrifices could be expected.
"I'm hot on the trail of a civilization I've been searching for a long time," Emma explained, her tone regretful. "You can't ask me to stay."
"Not even for me?" Stella's voice held a hint of desperation as she moved closer to Emma.
Emma couldn't help but admire Stella's olive skin and full figure, her long dark hair, and sharp brown eyes that had captured her heart. Stella leaned in for a kiss, hoping that their passionate connection could persuade Emma to stay. Deep down, however, she knew it was a futile endeavor. Emma's work had always taken precedence, as if her heart was occupied by something else entirely.
After dinner, they walked hand in hand to Emma's condo. Upon reaching her door, Stella revealed a surprise. "I got you a little something."
"Really?" Emma's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she unlocked the door and allowed Stella to enter.
Stella presented Emma with a small muffin and a candle, singing her a sultry Marilyn Monroe-style rendition of "Happy Birthday." Emma laughed, thoroughly entertained by Stella's performance. Stella sat Emma down on the couch and began to undress, leaving her in nothing but sexy lace underwear and a gunmetal gray silk shirt. She placed a star-shaped candle on top of the muffin and lit it, swaying to an imaginary tune.
Emma closed her eyes, making a wish. Stella hoped Emma's desire was to stay with her, to make this moment last forever. But Emma wished for a path to her kingdom, her duty calling her far away from this intimate moment.
Stella leaned in for another passionate kiss, their connection intensifying. As their desires escalated, they couldn't contain their longing any longer. Stella's heart ached for Emma to stay, to forget everything else, but Emma's heart was still bound to her mission.
Stella captured Emma's lips once more, then lay her down on the couch. Hovering above Stella, Emma began to take off her blouse. Stella exposed as much skin from Emma by pushing the blondes skirt up to her waist and moving Emma's panties aside entered her moist cavern and brought her closer with the stroke of her fingers.
Emma mined her pleasure frantically returning the favor. Emma has had her share of lovers. She had a healthy sexual appetite but to say her heart had ever belonged to anyone else… there has been none since Her son's father. Emma had viewed it as her source of pain and had learned to keep her heart far away from the act of sex.
As their passion reached its peak, Stella professed her love for Emma. The moment hung in the air, heavy with tension.
"Oh, Emma, I love you," Stella whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Emma hesitated, her mind torn between her heart and her destiny. "Ah..." She couldn't bring herself to say the words Stella longed to hear.
"You can't even lie to me?"
Emma furrowed her brows. "You want me to lie?"
"I knew this was a mistake." Stella, hurt and defeated, dressed hastily and left the apartment, leaving Emma half-dressed and running after her. As she opened the door, she was confronted by an unexpected sight.
A young boy, around the age of her son, with curly dark hair stood before her. Emma had initially assumed he was visiting someone else in her building. But his words froze her in her tracks.
"You're Emma Swan," the boy stated, his eyes unwavering.
Emma's gaze shifted from the direction Stella had gone, and she turned her full attention to the boy. She completed her attire, trying to regain her composure. "Yeah, kid… who are you?"
"I'm Henry Mills, your son." the boy declared. The moment he spoke those words, Emma knew it was true. Her long-lost son had found her, and her world was about to change in ways she couldn't have imagined.
