The family scooched and shifted as she continued to sweep, with Anna Elizabeth tucking her legs underneath her.

Liam wriggled beside her. "Can I move back yet? I'm uncomfortable."

"She's almost done sweeping, Liam," the teenage girl answered as she reached across for another muffin. She took a huge bite of it as the busgirl offered her regards and returned to work.

Anna Elizabeth scrunched her nose as she chewed and swallowed. "That didn't taste like chocolate chip."

Her eyes widened. She then stared down at the muffin in her hand – she gasped and dropped it.

"Anna Elizabeth? What's the matter?" Emma asked, her eyes going wide. Her husband's expression mirrored her own.

She stammered. "I…I…ate the…the…booberry…" She gasped once more.

"Mom! Dad! My tongue!"

"We have to get to the hospital now!" Emma exclaimed as she squeezed past the others.

Anna Elizabeth hopped up, her eyes welled with tears. "Mom, I'm sowwy – I…I…"

Emma hugged her. "Shh. It's okay – it was an accident."

"I'll drive us to the hospital. I know a really fast shortcut," Sharon offered as she jumped up. She grabbed her keys from her purse.

"Thanks, Mom. Let's go," Emma stated. She then turned to Killian.

"Just go, Swan."

She didn't spare him a second glance as she, Anna Elizabeth, and Sharon rushed out of the coffee shop.

Killian sighed and buried his face in his hands. He then felt Liam wrap his arms around him.

"Daddy, is Anna Elizabeth going to be okay?"

Killian pulled his son close. "Aye, lad, she will be fine. Your mother will make sure of that."

Liam nodded before Dylan cleared his throat. He then offered, "If it helps, we have some really good doctors here – they'll be able to get your sister exactly what she needs."

The little boy nodded once more as he reached back for his hot chocolate. Killian mouthed a "thank you" before his mind wandered to his sick little girl.

Emma, Sharon, and Anna Elizabeth rushed into the emergency room. Emma ran over to the front desk.

"My daughter is having a severe allergic reaction – she has to see someone now."

The nurse tilted her head. "Has she been here before?"

Emma balled her fists on the counter. "Unless you want her to go into bloody anaphylactic shock, you will get us in now."

Sharon eased up beside her. She put a hand on her daughter's arm and then turned to the nurse.

"Chloe, can you please help us out?"

The nurse couldn't help but sigh. "I will do all that I can – but I'll still need the paperwork filled out."

Emma took a deep breath. "You're right – and I'm sorry. I'm just worried about her."

Anna Elizabeth laid her head against her mom's shoulder. "I – be okay, Mom." Emma ran her hands up and down her daughter's back before she grabbed the paperwork from the nurse.

The three of them then sat down in a row of chairs. Emma took another deep breath before she filled in the various boxes.

"Good thing I know your information like the back of my hand."

Anna Elizabeth hummed. She then tilted her head. "Where'd te retroom?"

Sharon gestured toward a hallway. "Just follow the hallway until you see the signs. It isn't too far."

The teenage girl nodded before she hopped up and walked away. Emma and Sharon sat in silence as the former finished writing.

When finished, she ran back to the desk and handed it back to the nurse. She smiled and assured her that someone would be with them shortly.

Emma nodded before she went back to her seat. Her shoulders sank as she buried her face in her hands.

"How could I let this happen – again?"

"Oh, Emma, it's not your fault. You said it yourself – it was an accident."

"I know, but – but we…should have been watching her…or something. But she's 15…and…"

She trailed off with a sigh. "And she's just like her parents."

Sharon tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"Liam and Elsa both had to grow up so fast so that they could care for their siblings – and Anna Elizabeth just has this need to be perfect. And crashes down when she messes up. That worries me almost as much as her eating blueberries."

Sharon squeezed her arm. "Surely she knows that it's not her fault. I mean, things like this can…just happen."

Emma shoved her mom's hand away and crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't know how much that actually helps, Mom."

She buried her face back in her hands as Sharon blinked and placed her hands in her lap. Anna Elizabeth walked out of the hallway and returned to her chair.

She slumped down in it, her hands shaking. "How much longa?"

"Anna Elizabeth Jones?"

The teenage girl hopped up – Emma right behind her. The pair rushed over to the nurse.

Sharon sat frozen. Her green eyes widened as they locked onto the door where her daughter and granddaughter disappeared.

Could…could she even call them that? Did…she want to?

She stood – and ran.

She didn't stop until she reached her car. She yanked open the door and plopped down on the seat. She cranked it up and put it in drive before she sped out of the parking lot.

She drove – and drove. Her destination was anyone's guess.

She passed by the various buildings – the restaurants, the post office, the boutiques, the bookstore, the antique stores, among many others.

She rolled through the traffic lights and stop signs, barely registering the fact that she came to a stop.

Her thoughts raced as she reached the edge of town. She blew out a deep breath as she came to another stop sign.

She looked both ways as she tried to process some sort of destination. She tilted her head and furrowed her eyebrows.

She then released a breath and nodded before she steered her car to the left. She kept driving until the storefronts faded to houses - and then the houses faded to trees. She then took another left on a one-lane road.

The green and brown blurred together - and her thoughts continued to race. So much so that she couldn't even make sense of any of them.

Another breath released as a lake came into view. She pulled into the small dirt parking lot and rolled to a stop. She switched off her car before she made her way out of it.

She shoved her keys and phone into her pockets before she walked toward the lake. She came to a bench near the water's edge and plopped down on the wood.

She ran her fingers through her blonde hair and over her face. She then gripped the sides of the bench.

"Why did I ever think I could do this?"

She then groaned and crossed her arms over her chest. Both her legs bobbed up and down - and then she began tapping her fingers against her shoulder.

"I'm…not cut out for this. Any of this."

She then stood and started to pace. Around and around the bench she walked.

"All these years, I…I thought we were okay. That I was okay - but…but…"

She sank back down on the bench. She settled her gaze on the water - and the memories flooded.

Signing her and Nick's divorce papers. The doctor giving her the news. Buying maternity clothes. Seeing her baby for the first - and last - time. Packing to move to Genoa City. Settling in the plane seat - and not sparing one glance out the window.

Letting go.

As the letter she wrote to Emma played through her mind, she couldn't help but sigh.

"That was goodbye - that was wishing her well."

She then took out her phone and opened her notes. She typed two words: "Dear Emma."

She stared at them as a deep breath escaped. She then shook her head and steeled her nerves as she continued to write.

"Oh, Emma, it guts me to have to write this - to have to tell you this - but I'm not sure I have much choice."

"I have truly loved having you in my life. I have loved getting to know you - you are so brave and resilient and kind. You are an amazing wife, sister, friend, daughter - and mother. Anna Elizabeth and Liam are so incredibly lucky to have you - but I fear I can't say the same about me. And you deserve so much better.

"That was the very reason I gave you away all those years ago - because you needed someone who truly wanted to be a mother. And despite everything we've been through, I'm still not sure that's me. And it isn't fair for me to pretend that I am.

"Gods, Emma, I'm so, so sorry. I know you won't forgive me this time - and I don't blame you. I just hope - in time - that you will at least understand. I wish - for you - that this could be different. But all I can do is to wish you a wonderful life - and a lifetime of happiness with your beautiful family.

"Love, Sharon"

Tears poured down her face. No matter how much she wiped her eyes, they just wouldn't stop.

Her hands shook as she copied the letter - and pasted it in a text message to Emma. Her finger hovered over the "send" button.

She jumped as her phone rang. The tears continued to flow as Emma's picture stared back at her.

She let it ring - and ring. She then took a deep breath as she wiped her face - with yet another deep breath, she answered.

"Hi, Emma. How's Anna Elizabeth?"

Silence. Emma then posed a question of her own: "Are you okay, Mom? You sound…upset."

Knife to the heart. Sharon took a few more breaths before she told her, "Of course. I was just, uh, worried about Anna Elizabeth - will she be okay?"

"Yes, she will be. The doctor gave her a shot - and it should be kicking in at any moment. We'll be ready to go in about an hour."

"That's…such wonderful news. I truly am…happy that she's recovering well."

Silence ensued again. Sharon ran her fingers through her hair before Emma spoke.

"Mom - I can tell something is wrong. What is it?"

Sharon hesitated, drumming her fingers along her thigh. Thoughts swirled in her head - and her heart pounded in her chest.

She wasn't entirely sure what possessed her - but: "This is not a conversation to have over the phone."

She paused. "Have Dylan drop off Killian and Liam at the hospital - and then have him bring you to the lake. I had to get some fresh air."

"Mom - you're starting to scare me. What is going on?"

"Everything is okay. Or - at least it will be. I promise I will explain when you get here - try not to worry."

"I'm not sure that'll actually help me worry any less - but I'll try. I'll see you soon."

"See you soon."

The pair then ended the call - and Sharon tossed her phone on the bench beside her. She buried her face in her hands.

"Why did I suggest meeting in person? This isn't going to end well."

She then looked up and set her gaze back on the water - and braced herself for what was about to come.