Chapter 9: HeartBreak
In the quiet of the cell, the air hung heavy with Graham's calm but troubled confessions about the wolf he was certain was trying to communicate with him. Emma listened, her expression one of deep sympathy and concern, providing him with the warmth and understanding he so desperately needed at that moment.
Feeling that he posed no threat and deserved more comfort than the cold cell could offer, Emma moved to unlock the cell door. As she swung it open, their proximity in the small, confined space drew them inexplicably closer together. The tension between them was palpable, charged with an emotional current that neither fully understood yet.
Hesitant but caught in the moment, Emma found herself unable to step back, her breath quickening. Graham, driven by an unnamed force, seemed drawn to something deep within Emma. Without thinking, he leaned in and kissed her. The contact was gentle but fraught with meaning, igniting a spark that seemed to have been waiting to catch fire.
The instant their lips met, something extraordinary happened to Graham. It was as though the kiss had triggered a floodgate of memories, hitting him like a physical blow. His eyes widened with recognition, not just of who he was, but of who everyone in Storybrooke was—including Emma and Regina. Laughter mixed with tears streamed down his face, a cocktail of relief and realization overwhelming him.
"What's happening, Graham?" Emma asked, confusion and concern etching her features as she pulled back slightly, trying to understand the sudden transformation.
Graham, too emotional to speak, responded not with words but by pulling her in for another kiss, this one filled with gratitude and revelation.
Unbeknownst to them, the scene was being observed through the shimmering surface of a magic crystal ball in a darkened dungeon beneath the cemetery. Regina, surrounded by the softly glowing hearts she had collected, watched with growing jealousy and spite. Her fingers tightened around one particular heart encased in a glass box—it was Graham's heart, and as she watched him kiss Emma, something within Regina snapped.
Driven by jealousy and the fear of losing control over Graham, Regina's face twisted with rage. She reached into the box, her fingers wrapping around the pulsing heart. Without a moment's hesitation, she squeezed, crushing the heart in her hand. The magical glow from the heart flickered and faded, turning to dust between her fingers.
Back in the sheriff's station, the tragic consequence of Regina's act struck with merciless speed. Mid-kiss, Graham suddenly gasped, his hands flying to his chest as if he could physically grasp the pain that erupted there. His eyes, filled with shock and confusion, met Emma's for a split second before he collapsed to the floor.
"Graham!" Emma screamed, her voice echoing off the stone walls as she dropped to her knees beside him. She shook him gently, then more frantically, trying to elicit any sign of life. But there was nothing—Graham lay still, his eyes vacant, a life extinguished by a heart shattered far away from his body.
Tears blurred Emma's vision as she cradled Graham's head in her lap, her cries for help ringing out into the empty station, unanswered and hollow. The pain of loss was raw, and as she grieved, Emma's mind raced—this was no natural death. But the mystery of how and why it happened eluded her, leaving her grappling with a profound sense of loss and a barrage of unanswered questions. The days following Graham's sudden and mysterious death were somber and heavy with grief. Emma found herself in a daze of sorrow, the loss of Graham—a man she had begun to see as a friend and ally—weighing heavily on her heart. His funeral was a quiet affair, attended by nearly everyone in Storybrooke. The sense of shock and loss was palpable among the townspeople, many of whom had respected and admired their sheriff.
As Emma stood by his graveside, watching as the casket was lowered, she felt the eyes of the town on her, not just in sympathy, but also in expectation. Graham had been a pillar in the community, and his absence left a void that needed filling. The townspeople, feeling the stability of their small town wavering, looked to Emma, who had shown strength and dedication in her short time as deputy.
After the funeral, there was a town meeting at the town hall. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of sadness and the need to move forward. Mayor Regina Mills called the meeting to order, her voice steady but with a softer timbre that betrayed her inner turmoil. Emma noticed a flicker of something like guilt crossing Regina's usually composed features when their eyes met.
"We are here to address the vacancy left by Sheriff Graham," Regina announced to the room. "It is with a heavy heart that we discuss his successor, but it is necessary for the safety and well-being of Storybrooke."
Murmurs filled the hall as various townsfolk expressed their opinions. It wasn't long before a consensus began to form, and surprisingly, the majority supported Emma taking over as sheriff. Her actions during her time as deputy, particularly how she handled the incident leading to Graham's death, had proven her capabilities and commitment to the town's welfare.
When the formal vote came, it was nearly unanimous. Emma felt a rush of mixed emotions—pride, responsibility, and a deep longing to make Graham proud. She was officially named the new Sheriff of Storybrooke.
Regina, watching the proceedings, felt an unexpected pang of conscience. The way she had manipulated events to undermine Emma, only to see her stepping up as the new leader of the town's law enforcement, made her question her own actions for a moment. Though Regina did not voice any opposition to the town's decision, her silence was noted by many, including Emma.
After the meeting, as people started to disperse, Emma approached Regina. "Thank you for letting the town decide," Emma said cautiously, unsure of Regina's reaction.
Regina merely nodded, her expression unreadable. "It's what Graham would have wanted," she finally said, her voice low. "He believed in you, Emma. And perhaps... it's time I respect his judgment."
Emma was taken aback by Regina's words, sensing the complexity of emotions behind them. "I'll do my best to keep this town safe," she promised, holding Regina's gaze.
Regina turned away, her thoughts a tangled web of strategy, loss, and a flicker of regret. "See that you do, Sheriff Swan," she said without looking back, her steps echoing in the empty hall as she walked away.
As Emma stepped into her new role with determination, she felt the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders. She knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, not just from the external threats that might face Storybrooke but also from the internal dynamics of a town filled with secrets and hidden truths. But with the badge pinned firmly to her chest, Emma was ready to face whatever came her way, supported by the trust of the townspeople and driven by her promise to protect and serve.
After her conversation with Mary Margaret, Emma felt a new sense of determination. She needed to find a way to spend more time with Henry without the constant secrecy and tension. Buoyed by Mary Margaret's suggestion of a more formal arrangement with Regina, Emma decided to approach the subject directly.
With little warning, she showed up at Regina's office, her resolve firm. "Regina, can we talk about Henry?" Emma began, trying to keep her tone neutral despite the flutter of nerves she felt.
Regina looked up from her paperwork, her expression immediately guarded. "What about him?"
"I was thinking... maybe we could arrange a sort of shared custody. Just a few hours a week so I can spend some time with him," Emma proposed, watching Regina closely for her reaction.
Regina's response was swift and cold. "Absolutely not. Henry is my son."
Emma's heart sank, but she pressed on, softening her voice, trying to reach the part of Regina that cared for Henry beyond control. "Regina, I gave up a kidney for him. I love him too. Doesn't he deserve to know his biological mother?"
For a moment, Regina's façade cracked, her features softening ever so slightly as she considered Emma's words. Finally, she sighed, a sound of reluctant concession. "Fine. Twice a week, three hours after school. And you better be grateful," she stipulated sharply.
Emma nodded, a mix of relief and gratitude flooding her. "Thank you, Regina. I am. Very grateful."
The first day of their new arrangement was a breath of fresh air. Emma and Henry met up after school, free from the need to look over their shoulders. They walked through the town, and Henry chattered excitedly about Operation Cobra. Emma listened, her concern for his vivid imagination tempered by the joy of seeing him so animated and happy.
Their walk took an unexpected turn when they stumbled upon a man lying unconscious under the old roll bridge. Emma quickly checked for any immediate danger before she and Henry helped him to the nearest hospital.
At the hospital, they learned that the man was recently identified as David Nolan, who had woken from a coma and left the hospital on his own a few days earlier. Henry leaned close to Emma and whispered, "That's Prince Charming, Snow White's true love... and your dad."
Emma hushed him with a look of disbelief, but before she could respond, Mary Margaret appeared in the doorway. Her face lit up with recognition and something deeper—affection, perhaps—as she explained how she used to read to John Doe, as he was called then, every day for years. She had been informed by a nurse about his disappearance.
The connection between Mary Margaret and the unconscious man was palpable, and Emma watched as her friend stared at him, a softness in her eyes that spoke volumes.
The moment was interrupted by Regina's abrupt entrance, her tone laced with impatience. "His name is David Nolan, and his wife is on her way. She'll be here when he wakes up."
The news visibly shook Mary Margaret, who excused herself quickly, her earlier warmth replaced by confusion and hurt. Regina watched her go, a slight grin of triumph and spite playing on her lips, clearly pleased with the emotional turmoil her announcement had caused.
Emma felt a surge of anger towards Regina for her callousness, but her attention was quickly drawn back to the man in the hospital bed and the incredible claim Henry had made. Could it really be true? Was the man lying here truly her father, and if so, what did that mean for her and for Storybrooke?
As Emma pondered these questions, the complexity of her life in Storybrooke deepened, weaving her ever more tightly into the town's mysterious and magical fabric.