The blonde took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She then looked down at the phone in her hand.
She pulled up her contacts and scrolled until she found her mom. She hit "call" and pressed it to her ear.
Sharon picked up on the second ring: "Hi, Emma. It's good to hear from you."
"Yeah, you too, Sh…Mom. How are you and Dylan doing?"
Silence hinged on the line. Sharon then took a breath. "Emma, is everything okay?"
She buried her head in her hands. "Gods, am I that obvious?"
"I'll admit that I probably don't know you quite as well as Killian - or your family in Storybrooke - but I've learned a lot about you over these last few years - and I could also hear it in your voice."
Emma sighed. "I had hoped to catch up a little first - but I guess that can wait."
"Oh, I didn't mean to put you on the spot. I…guess I just wanted you to get it off your chest."
She couldn't help but smile. "Well, I did want to talk to you about something. I wanted to, uh, check on you after…everything. Since I, you know, started calling you "Mom."
Silence ensued once more. Emma raked her fingers through her hair before Sharon took another deep breath.
"I'll admit it's been overwhelming. I almost felt like I did when Nick first reached out to me about finding you."
"That's exactly what I was afraid of."
Emma gasped and covered her mouth. "Oh, God, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out like that."
"It's okay, Emma. I understand what you meant. And I'm not mad at you."
"Really? You're not?"
"Of course I'm not. My track record speaks for itself. I spent a lifetime running from my past - and when you showed back up in my life, I still wanted to run. And treated you horribly in the process."
"I know that was years ago, and our relationship has grown since then - but I understand why you think I would want to run."
Emma hummed. "Especially given that I used to do the same thing. We really are a lot alike."
"And so we are."
Sharon then took a deep breath. "But I really am so happy that you - along with Killian and the kids - are in my life. I am overwhelmed, but that doesn't change the fact that I love being your mom."
Emma sniffled and wiped her eyes. She couldn't help but smile.
"That means a lot to me, Mom. I love that you're in my life, too."
Sharon hummed. "Was there anything else?"
"No, not really - I just wanted to check on you."
"And I'm glad you did." Sharon paused before she told her, "And now I've gotta go. I'm working on some sketches for our new line. I will see you in a few days."
"Yeah, see you soon, Mom."
"Bye, Emma."
The blonde then pushed "end call" and slid the phone back into her pocket.
She smiled as her gaze drifted back toward the horizon. The sky met the water as the sun sparkled over the waves.
"No wonder Killian loves it so much out here."
She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them. A breeze ruffled her hair.
Her smile only grew - and she shook her head - as "Born to Be My Baby" sounded from her phone. She took it back out and answered her husband's call.
She grinned. "You checking up on me?"
"Hello to you, too, Swan. Is that any way to greet your husband?"
"We both know the reason you called with you being so overprotective. I thought I'd just get straight to the point."
She could feel the eye roll. "Very funny. And I'll have you know I'm not nearly as bad as I used to be."
"Oh, really? Let's just ask Anna Elizabeth the next time she and Nathan try to talk at a football game."
"I realize our daughter is 15 - and that she is…friends with this boy, but…"
He trailed off and let out a sigh. "That is neither…here nor there - but yes, I did call to check on you."
Emma only smiled - and hummed a reply. She then took a breath and told him, "My mom admitted to being overwhelmed - and if things were a little different, if we weren't as close as we are, she might run. But she's not - she loves having me - and all of us - in her life."
"Well, that is marvelous news indeed, Swan. I'm so incredibly happy for you, love."
"I am, too. I think I'm looking forward to our trip even more."
She then paused and took a breath. "And I wanted to thank you, Killian."
"For what?"
"For being here for me - for listening to me and encouraging me to talk to my mom. I needed that, and I just…really appreciate it."
Killian then took a breath of his own. "You are my best friend, Emma. And you have been for the last 15 years - I've always loved you, even when I didn't realize I was in love. We have been there for each other in the thick and thin - and that isn't about to change."
Emma sniffled and wiped her eyes. "You know, you think I'd be used to the romantic declarations by now - but you do have a way with words, Killian. You put all those love songs to shame."
"Do I now? Well, it's only because you, my darling wife, are my absolute everything."
Emma smiled. "And you're mine, Killian."
With another deep breath, she then told him, "Alright, Casanova, I'm gonna stay out here for a little longer. Would you mind finishing up with our plane tickets?"
"Will do, Swan," he began, "Just stay as long as you need, love. I'll take care of things here."
"I know you will. And thanks, Killian. I love you."
"I love you, too, Swan. I'll see you in a bit - goodbye, love."
"Bye, Killian."
When she hung up the phone, she slid it back into her pocket. She rested her chin back onto her knees and stared back at the horizon.
For a long time, Emma had no real meaning for the words "love" or "family." She always longed for it, but she had convinced herself it would never happen.
And then it did - and now she had more family and love than she ever thought possible. After all these years, her birth mother wanted her - she still wanted her.
The nerves still coursed through her veins. The urge to run had long since gone - but calling someone "Mom" again made her remember why she had done it so many times.
She took a deep breath and let it out through her nose. She set her attention back on the horizon and just let the peace wash over her.
She smiled. Somehow she knew that everything would turn out alright.
A/N: Hi, friends! I hope you all are enjoying the latest story from the Where We Belong/Together Universe! There's more story to tell, and I hope you guys are looking forward to it! Until next time, my lovelies!