A fresh start
A guest asked for a oneshot of Emma on the run with a baby Henry and she comes to Storybrooke. Snow remembers her.
"Shh little man it's going to be ok." Emma whispered frantically as she reached behind her in the yellow bug and stroked her son's tiny leg. He'd been screaming for the last hour, but Emma couldn't stop now. She was meant to go back to jail for a month. In that month Henry would be in care. Emma just wasn't going to let that happen. She'd been in Foster care all her life and she would subject her son to even the slightest chance he'd be put with an abusive family, not even for a month. Or of course it could go the opposite way: the family could decide they wanted to adopt him, and Emma wasn't going to lose her son. She would find somewhere to hide low for a few months. She wasn't a dangerous criminal- they wouldn't search for her for long…hopefully. Emma was just grateful the bug was where it had been last parked- and even more grateful there was a suitcase with her clothes and some cash in the boot. That allowed her to quickly get Henry some clothes and a car seat before heading off. A few hours into driving, Emma saw a sign for a little town up ahead: Storybrooke. That looked like a good place to lie low- it didn't even sound real. Emma took the turn and headed into the town. Surely even here they'd have somewhere for her to sleep? She didn't mind staying in the bug- but she wouldn't let the kid stay here. She pulled up into a car park.
"There we go." Emma cooed as she pulled Henry into her arms as she sat in the driver's seat- her heart pumping. "I know your hungry little man. Mommy can feed you now- come here." Emma said as she unbuttoned her shirt. She wished there was somewhere a little more private, but beggars can't be choosers. If Emma was being totally honest she would rather use a bottle- this was far too intimate for her- but again, this was the cheaper option. She just hoped she was doing it right. He certainly seemed to be eating alright. It wasn't the most pleasant feeling…but at the same time Emma felt so connected to her son like this. Emma could feel someone staring at her. She looked out of the window to see a woman her age with short jet black hair just staring. Emma couldn't believe the nerve! She used her free arm to roll down the window.
"Has nobody ever told you it's rude to stare?!" Emma shouted over. The woman jerked slightly.
"I- I'm sorry." She stammered. "It's just…is your name Emma?" She asked. But then she looked like she wanted to kick herself. Emma couldn't believe it- she was on the media already?!
"Mind your own. Just keep your mouth shut, we'll leave." Emma went to roll the window up and get going but the woman came running over.
"No please!" She begged. "Don't leave- don't ever leave. This is your home now. You'll be safe here from whatever's troubling you." She promised. Emma looked into the woman's eyes, and just knew she wasn't lying. Emma nodded slowly.
"Thanks…is there anywhere we can stay?" The woman's eyes drifted over to the baby in Emma's arms. Emma shifted him, uncomfortable at where she was staring.
"Is this your son?" The woman breathed. Emma nodded. Why did the woman look so emotional?
"There's Granny's, but here we believe in hospitality. I have a spare room where both you and your son would be welcome to stay until you find your feet here- free of charge." Emma could tell this time the woman wasn't telling the whole truth- she was doing this out of more than simple hospitality. But Emma wasn't in the position to turn up a free room for her and the kid. Slowly, Emma nodded.
"Alright, thank you Miss…um…"
"Sn- Mary Margaret." The woman said. Emma raised an eyebrow at the sudden change. "I have a nickname, Snow." The woman explained. "I just…love the snow." She said. Now Emma knew she was lying about the reasoning, but Emma didn't really care she could call herself Snow if she wanted. All she cared about was there was somewhere for her son to be safe.
Ok, thank you Mary Margaret. Just out of curiosity, how many visitors do you usually get here?" Emma asked. She was really wondering about the police finding her. The woman's eyes had a sparkle to them as she answered.
"You're the first in years." Wow Emma thought a town full of socially deprived weirdos…at least the cops won't find us little man. And with that Emma placed her son back in his car seat and got out of the car and followed the woman to her new home.