"HENRY! COME ON, YOU'VE GOT to get to school!" Freya called out, her perfectly manicured fingernails tapping impatiently against the polished banister of the curved staircase. The morning light streamed through the window, catching the slight sheen of her nails as she sighed and turned, walking back to place her bag down on the centre table.
Hearing Henry's footsteps thump down the stairs, she turned to face the boy, an eyebrow raised at his tousled appearance. "Now, are you sure you're going to be right to walk to the bus stop by yourself?" she questioned as she gently adjusted his shirt collar, smoothing it out with a maternal touch. "Regina has some errands for me to run before I head in."
Henry simply nodded in reassurance as he flashed her a quick smile, the kind that held just a hint of mischief - an expression that, if you knew the boy well, was nothing unusual. "Yeah, I'll be fine! I've got my backpack and everything," he reassured her, swinging the straps confidently over his shoulders. The beloved storybook he never went anywhere without was snugly secured inside, a comforting weight against his back.
Freya couldn't help but smile back, her heart warming at his enthusiasm. Although the unexpected return of his birth mother had complicated their lives, it had rekindled the sparkle in Henry's eyes that had dimmed in recent months.
"Perfect! Please stay out of mischief today," she pleaded, casually draping an arm over his shoulders as they walked together to the front door, the scent of fresh coffee lingered in the air behind them.
"It's school," Henry replied in a duh tone, practically bouncing on his feet as they stepped outside into the crisp morning air, the world around them waking up with the soft rustle of leaves and chirping birds.
As Freya gently closed the door and locked it, she glanced at him doubtfully. "You're you. We're both on thin ice as it is with your mother." Crouching down to his level she tugged his jacket, requesting, "Just try, please."
"Okay," Henry agreed, his voice bright with youthful optimism. What she didn't know, however, was that he wouldn't be walking to the bus stop alone. For just a few blocks away, Emma stood patiently lent up against her yellow bug, her fingers tapped against her thighs as she waited for the young boy to join her.
The soft ding of the diner bell announced the blonde's entrance into the cozy diner. Emma promptly took a seat at the table near the entryway.
Her regular hot cocoa with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon was promptly placed on the table in front of her, accompanied by a bright smile from Ruby. "Thank you," Emma smiled at Ruby, swiftly taking a bit of whipped cream off her finger.
Moments later, the diner bell chimed again and the sharp click of stilettos broke the atmosphere.
"How was your walk with Henry?" Regina interrogated, sitting down on the chair in front of the dumbfounded blonde. "That's right - I know everything. But relax. I don't mind."
"You don't?" Emma asked, her slight eyebrow raise showed she was unconvinced.
"No," she confirmed, "Because you no longer worry me, Ms. Swan. You see, I did a little digging into who you are. And what I found was quite soothing. It all comes down to the number seven."
"Seven?"
"It's the number of addresses you've had in the last decade. Your longest stint anywhere was two years. Really, what did you enjoy so much about Tallahassee?" Regina questioned, truly curious.
"If you're wondering, I did find a place here in town." Her shoulders straightened as she brushed off the effect Tallahassee had on her.
"I know. With Miss Blanchard." Thanks to Freya, she'd been well informed about the blonde moving into the upstairs apartment. "How long is your lease? Oh, wait. You don't have one. You see my point? In order for something to grow Ms. Swan, it needs roots, and you, don't have any. People don't change. They only fool themselves into believing they can."
"You don't know me."
"No, I think I do. All I ask as you carry on your transient life, you think of Henry and what's best for him. Perhaps consider a clean break," she suggested, gathering her bag before standing up. "It's going to happen anyway. Enjoy your cocoa."
Emma sighed, her good mood spoiled as she bumped the table standing up, and spilled the contents of the hot chocolate down the front of her. "Oh! Really?"
"Eesh." Ruby bounced over, offering her a napkin.
Emma sighed, "Do you have a laundry room I can use?"
"Mm-hmm," she hummed, nodding as she directed Emma to the back of the diner before cleaning up the hot cocoa.
"Alright," Freya mumbled to herself as she placed the town documents that Regina needed for the next council meeting in her purse. She couldn't help but admit things had been eerily quiet around Storybrooke. John Doe was settling back into civilisation, and for the first time in weeks, all felt right in their little town.
Freya pushed open the door to Granny's Diner, leaving her coat on the rack near the door before walking over to the counter. With a satisfied smile, she slid onto a barstool at the counter of the familiar diner.
"You're chipper today," Ruby remarked as she wiped down the counter with a playful smirk.
"It's a good day. The sun is shining, John Doe is awake, and…" Freya's eyes sparkled as she suggested, "I think we should celebrate."
Before Ruby could even open her mouth to respond, Freya's attention darted to the back of the diner. A familiar blonde strode in with a clean shirt on, though her mood was still dampened by the previous series of events. "Hey, Emma!" Freya called out enthusiastically.
"Hey," Emma replied as she plopped down on the barstool beside Freya, her tone subdued compared to the adjacent brunette.
"Are you busy tonight?" Freya leaned in, excitement bubbling in her voice.
Emma raised an eyebrow. "No, why?"
A new hot cocoa was promptly placed in front of Emma, who flashed a grateful smile towards Ruby. Her previous cocoa had unfortunately met the table, floor, and all over herself.
"Great!" Freya grinned, taking a sip of her coffee. "I want you to come over tonight. Once a month, Ruby, Mary-Margaret, and I have a girl's night. Mary-Margaret brings the snacks, Ruby brings the gossip, and I supply the drinks."
Emma hesitated, her shoulders tensing slightly as she stuttered, "Oh, I…girls' nights aren't really my thing."
"Come on," Freya persisted, nudging the blonde's side with her elbow. "It'll be fun! Besides, you literally live right upstairs. I could drag you down if I have to, or we can bring the party up. I'm sure M wouldn't mind."
Emma let out a reluctant sigh, the corners of her mouth betraying her with a small smile. "Fine, I'll think about it."
Freya quietly cheered, spinning in her seat with delight, causing a few heads to turn in the diner. Just then, the bell above the diner door chimed, announcing Graham's entrance. He strolled in casually, a knowing grin spread across his face as he approached.
"I think you've had enough caffeine for one day," he said, sliding the coffee over to Ruby.
"No," Freya sulked, playfully pouting as she leaned back against Graham's chest, feeling the comforting warmth radiate from him.
Graham announced, "I just offered Emma the deputy position." A teasing glint flickered in his eyes as he successfully diverted her attention.
Freya gasped, her head snapping around to Emma, whose mug had suddenly become the most fascinating object in the diner. "Deputy Swan! Shut up, why didn't you say anything?"
Emma shrugged, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I haven't accepted yet."
"You must!" Freya exclaimed, her excitement palpable.
Emma shot a glare at Graham over Freya's head, who merely shrugged with a chuckle as he settled onto the other side of Freya, clearly enjoying the banter. "I think it suits her," he teased, a smirk dancing on his lips.
A playful smile crept onto Freya's face as she declared, "Well if you're going to be Deputy Swan, you have to join our girls' night! It's a rite of passage."
Emma chuckled, shaking her head. "Okay, okay! I'll think about it - again."
"Good enough!" Freya grinned, nudging Emma again, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, shoot." She reached over and took one more sip of her coffee, swatting Graham's hand away as he tried to stop her as she gathered her purse. "I've got to get over to the office."
She flashed Ruby a grateful smile as she gathered up her and Regina's regular lunch order, praising, "Thank you!" Turning to Emma, she requested, "Get Ruby or Graham to give you my number and I expect to see you tonight."
They watched her rush out of the diner, Graham leaned over to whisper to Emma, "Pretty sure it's a trap."
"I heard that!" she called out over her shoulder, the diner door closing softly behind her.
Emma chuckled as she asked the two, "So, is she always like that?"
"Hey!" Freya greeted with a bright smile as she swung the apartment door open. "Come on in!"
Mary Margaret and Emma exchanged cheerful hellos as they entered, the warm ambience of Freya's home wrapping around them. On the plush sofa, Ruby, already onto her second glass of deep red wine, lifted her glass in a playful toast. "Here's to girls' night!"
Freya let out a throaty laugh, her eyes sparkling. "Okay, here you go, M." She handed Mary Margaret a glass filled with the rich crimson beverage. "Now, Emma, what is your drink of choice?"
Emma grinned as she leaned casually against the kitchen counter, her eyes taking in the space around her. The soft lighting added to the warmth that surrounded her like a soft blanket, with red brick walls that exuded character and a collection of lush green plants that brought the space to life.
"Got any whiskey?" she inquired.
"Absolutely!" Freya replied enthusiastically, turning towards the cupboard above the fridge. She opened it with a quick motion, her movements fluid and confident as she rummaged through the assortment of bottles. After a moment she triumphantly pulled out a bottle of scotch, MacCutcheon Scotch Whiskey to be precise, and shut the cupboard.
"Scotch, okay?"
"That's perfect." Emma watched as she poured the drink into the glass before gratefully accepting it when it was passed over to her. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, I'm sure it's much needed," she said, taking her own glass before joining her guests over in the living room.
The sun had long since set left the apartment in a soft glow, with laughter and soft music in the background. All had settled into their spots and most were a couple, if not a few, drinks in. Freya sat on the couch with Emma, Ruby, and Mary Margaret, all enjoying girls' night.
"Okay, Emma," Freya cleared her throat as she placed her glass down on the coffee table and turned to face the woman. Intrigued, she questioned, "So, Ruby has Billy, Mary Margaret has Dr. Whale…is there anyone that's caught your eye in the couple weeks you've been here?"
"Uh," she trailed off, her eyes darting between the three patiently waiting for her response. Before she could continue the atmosphere was interrupted by the shrill ring of Freya's phone. Sighing, she reaches over glancing at the caller.
"Oh! It's Regina. Let me…uh, take this," she cleared her throat and stood up to retreat to the kitchen. Emma studied her glass, ignoring the lingering gazes of Mary Margaret and Ruby.
"It's Graham, isn't it?" Ruby deducted with a teasing grin as soon as Freya entered the kitchen.
Emma's flustered look only confirmed her suspicions. "Oh, come on! The accent, the slight rugged appearance — what's not to love? He's practically a walking romance novel."
She took a sip of her drink, admitting, "We've all been there. But he only seems to have eyes for the one," she added, nodding towards Freya. "Shame she's too oblivious to see it."
"Tomorrow?!" Freya exclaimed causing the other occupants' discussion to quieten. Their curiosity peaked as they animately watched the one-sided discussion.
"Yes, is that going to be a problem, Miss Hemming?" Regina questioned, her tone reiterating that it was not open to discussion.
Freya spoke through clenched teeth, "No, not at all. Tomorrow is fine."
"Perfect. I expect to see you here at eight am sharp," she requested.
"Great," Freya responded, insincere.
"Oh," Regina added, "and do try not to drink anymore tonight."
"Will do," she agreed.
"Goodbye, dear."
"Bye," she mumbled as she hung up the phone and sulked back over to the group.
"Guess I'll be finishing this one off, eh?" Emma smirked at the sulking girl, sliding her drink across the table.
She lifted her head to shoot a glare at Emma, "You know this is your fault, right? Henry can't be trusted alone, so now I have to babysit. On a Saturday."
Emma simply shrugged taking a sip of the previously owned drink.
The next morning Regina stood in front of the mirror in the foyer meticulously applying her deep red lipstick. The morning light streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the space as she concentrated on her reflection. At the dining table, Henry and Freya sat opposite each other, an air of tension lingered in the room.
"I know you think otherwise," said Regina as she swiped the lipstick across her lips. "But I don't enjoy these Saturday city council meetings. Sometimes, they're just unavoidable." She set her lipstick down with a soft click and turned to face Henry, her expression shifted to one of seriousness. "Now, you know the rules."
"Yes on homework, no on TV, and stay inside," Henry recited, verbatim of what had been said countless times before.
"Good boy." Regina smiled, a flicker of warmth danced in her eyes as she gently placed her hand under his chin, lifting his gaze to meet hers. "Under no circumstance do you leave this house."
"You mean, don't see my mum," Henry said, his voice laced with a hint of defiance. Freya's eyes widened as she swiftly tapped his shin under the table, sending him a warning look when his eyes connected with hers.
"She's not your mother," Regina replied, her tone sharp and unwavering. "She's just a woman passing through." A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she picked up her designer handbag, her brow arching towards the pair. "Now, do as I say, or there will be consequences."
Regina's eyes snapped onto Freya's, subtle understanding passing between them. Although the warning was meant for Henry, the intensity of Regina's expression sent a shiver down her spine.
"I'll be back at five sharp," Regina said, her voice firm as she turned on her heel and closed the door with a swift click behind her.
As soon as the sound of Regina's car faded down the driveway, Henry sprung to his feet, the tension in him dissipating as excitement took over. Freya gently caught his arm, halting his movements. "Remember, I'm letting you spend time with her because I believe it's important. But as soon as I say we've got to go, you have to listen to me, okay?"
"Yeah," Henry nodded earnestly, his eyes alight with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. "Can we go now?"
"Let's give it a minute," Freya said softly, unwilling to risk Regina catching them. "But yes, soon."
"Hey, Emma. I was thinking we -" Henry said, barging into Mary Margaret's apartment without so much as a knock. He halted abruptly when he spotted Mr. Gold in mid-conversation with Emma.
"Henry!" Freya called, her footsteps hurrying up the stairs. "You can't just walk into people's apartments like that!" She turned to Emma, her cheeks flushed. "Sorry."
Emma waved it off, a small smile on her lips, reminiscing on just a short time prior when he'd first entered her apartment in Boston. "No worries. It's Henry being Henry."
"Hello, Henry…Freya. How are you both?" Mr. Gold greeted them, his tone smooth but his gaze penetrating, as if he was assessing their very souls.
"Okay?" Henry responded though it came out more as a question. Freya simply gave him a tight-lipped smile. She'd never felt particularly comfortable around the man, but he tended to have that effect on most people.
"Good. Give my regards to your mother." He nodded at Henry before bidding Emma goodbye, "And, um, good luck, Miss Swan."
"Do you know who that is?" Henry asked.
"Yeah, course I do," Emma said, busying herself with unpacking the boxes she was working on before the interruptions.
"Who? Cause I'm still trying to figure it out," Henry pressed, his brow furrowing.
"Oh," Emma paused, glancing at him. "I meant in reality."
"Is that all you brought?" Henry questioned. It's probably all she owns, Freya thought.
Emma sighed, her voice tinged with frustration. "Henry, what are you doing here?"
"My mum's gone till five. I thought we could hang out," he suggested a hopeful lilt in his tone.
"Ah, kid. I wish I could. But there's something I got to do."
Henry followed her outside, determination in his stride. "Please let me help." Freya trailed behind the pair, opting to remain silent.
"No! No, it could be dangerous," insisted Emma, her voice slightly raised.
"The pregnant maid is dangerous?" Henry challenged.
"She assaulted Mr. Gold," Emma shot back, exasperation evident.
"Cool!" Henry exclaimed.
"We have really got to work on your definition of cool," Freya interjected, crossing her arms as she watched the exchange.
"This isn't a game. She's desperate," said Emma, her tone sobering.
"How do you know?" Henry questioned, his brows furrowed in confusion.
"Because I know," replied Emma with an undertone of frustration. Pausing outside of the car, she turned to the woman who had been silently following the exchange like a tennis match. "Hey Freya, you wouldn't happen to know where she might've run to?"
Freya shook her head. "Unfortunately not, I've never even really spoken to her. Ruby may know though, she works with her and well…it's Ruby."
Henry proposed, "Well, then let's find her."
"Oh, no, no, no, no. There is no let's. You cannot come with me," she firmly stated.
"Then I'll look for her myself." Henry's eyes blazed with determination.
Emma promptly countered, "Then I'll find you and I'll bring you back."
"Then you wouldn't be helping the maid."
"I am just trying to be responsible here," she faltered, her voice softened as she tried to reason with him.
"And I'm just trying to spend time with you."
Freya watched the exchange, feeling the weight of their unspoken bond. "Well, at least now I see where Henry gets his stubbornness from," she remarked with a small smile, attempting to lighten the mood.
Meanwhile, Henry had climbed into Emma's car, turning to the pair with a determined glint in his eye. "Oh, that is really not fair," Emma sighed.
"So, the maid," Henry diverted, as Emma and Freya joined him in the car. Freya took the back as Henry had so courteously taken the front. "What's her story?"
The trio soon found themselves outside Granny's Diner standing across from Ruby, who was anxiously supervising the tow truck driver drop off her car.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Billy, be careful!" Ruby exclaimed, her voice "You almost shattered my wolf thing, Billy. It's good luck," she pouted, twirling a strand of her long red highlights.
"I'm sorry, Ruby. But look - it's fine," Billy apologised, gesturing to the wolf charm hanging on the rearview mirror.
Freya rolled her eyes briefly at the two, slapping Ruby's hand out of her hair. "Come on, Rubes, focus."
"Sorry," she apologetically mumbled, though Freya still saw her casting glimpses at Billy.
"Um, Ruby. What about her family?" Emma questioned, her brow furrowed.
"Oh, um, she's got a stepmom and two stepsisters she doesn't talk to."
"Wait," Henry interrupted, his curiosity peaked. "Stepmom, stepsisters, and she's a maid?"
"Henry. Not now."
"Look. I don't know what you've heard, but it's wrong. Everyone thinks she's not ready to have this kid, but she's trying. Taking night classes, trying to better herself…Trying to get her life together. Can you understand that?" Ruby persisted.
Emma nodded slowly, her heart aching for the girl. "I think so."
"Then maybe you should just stay out of it," Ruby suggested, her tone softening. "She's been through enough already."
"I've been through it too, Ruby, and I can help her," she insisted, pleadingly.
"Then, try her ex," Ruby suggested, her eyes darted away as she busied herself.
"Where can I find him?" Emma asked, her determination unwavering.
"He lives with his dad."
"Why didn't you tell me she sold the baby?" Emma interrogated, the trio now back in the diner after having gone to visit Ashley's ex, Sean.
"Because I didn't think it was important." Ruby shrugged, keeping herself busy with cleaning the counter.
"Really? Considering that's why she's running away."
"Look, Ashley's my friend. I don't like the idea of people judging her.
Freya's eyes narrow at Ruby's wolf charm on the counter, glancing outside to see the car gone. "Ruby, where's your car?"
"You didn't send me to Sean to find her. You sent me there to give her a head start," Emma said in realisation.
Ruby sighed, "Look, I'm only trying to help her."
"Yes, so am I. Ashley's in more trouble than you know, Ruby. Where is she? Don't make her deal with Gold without me."
"I can't talk in front of him. He's the Mayor's kid," she said, glancing down at the boy.
"Hey!" Henry complained, "I'm on your side."
"Henry," Emma spoke softly, crouching down to look him in the eye. "I need to find this woman. And in order to do that, I need you to go home, okay? So please listen to me. Seriously. She's not going to tell me anything if you're around."
"Okay," Henry relented, taking Freya's hand.
"Thank you," Emma said relived, turning back to Ruby as Henry and Freya walked outside.
As Freya and Henry walked out onto the sidewalk, Henry pulled his hand out of Freya's and ran over to Emma's car.
"Henry!" Freya scolded, placing her hand on the car door to stop him from opening it. "What do you think you're doing?"
"We have to go with her," Henry insisted.
"No, we don't. You have to go home before your mother gets home and finds out I disobeyed her orders…again," Freya sighed, cringing as the slight throbbing in her head returned from the previous night's activities and at the anticipated lecture she'd surely receive if they were caught.
Henry glanced hurriedly back at the diner door, clearly anticipating Emma to come out at any second. Turning back to Freya with sad eyes, he pleaded, "Please, Fey."
Sighing, she relented her grip on the door and allowed Henry to crawl into the car. "One day those eyes won't work on me anymore," she assured, sighing as she watched him squish himself on the floor between the front and back seat.
"Come on," he spoke quickly, pulling her into the car.
"Okay, okay," she muttered, following Henry's actions and climbing into the back seat. Shutting the car door behind herself, she asked doubtfully, "You really expect me to fit down here too?"
Henry rolled his eyes, insisting, "Just crouch down."
"Easy for you to say, you're not 5'6" in a tin can on wheels," she complained, but somewhat managed to hide herself down behind the seat adjacent to Henry.
"Shh, here she comes," he whispered, pushing her head down.
Freya rolled her eyes silently promising to herself that this was the last time she would let this kid push her around, though she knew the intention was futile.
Emma, unaware of the two stowaways, hops in her car and starts driving. Having received information from Ruby on exactly where Ashley was heading. A few minutes into the drive they were now heading towards the outskirts of town.
"What she'd tell you?" inquired Henry, popping up from the back seat. His sudden, unexpected appearance caused Emma to jump and swerve slightly.
"Henry! What the hell?" she chided him. "I'm going to Boston. You can't come with me."
"You can't go to Boston! She can leave. Bad things happen to anyone who does."
Emma sighed, "I don't have time to argue with you over the curse. I've got to get you home."
"We have to stop her before she gets hurt! We're wasting time!" Henry exclaimed, bargaining, "If you drop me off, we'll never catch up to her."
"Henry."
He persisted, "And then Mr. Gold will call the police, and he'll have her sent to jail."
Emma contemplated before reluctantly relenting, "…Buckle up."
As Henry sat on the back seat and put his seatbelt on, Emma muttered to herself, "Ashley, what did you get yourself into?"
"Don't feel too bad," Freya piped up from where she still remained hidden from Emma's view in the back. "He got me too…Also, I may need some help once we stop somewhere."
Emma, Henry, and Freya sat in the cold, sterile hospital waiting room. The latter of the three stood over by the coffee machine getting her much-needed boost of caffeine after the long, eventful day. A day that she could not wait to be over as the dull thump had now worked itself up to a persistent pounding.
Taking a long sip of the hot beverage, she walked back over to the pair just as the doctor came over to talk to them.
"Ms. Swan," she greeted politely. "Baby is a healthy six-pound girl and the mother is doing fine.
Emma gave a tightlipped smile in gratitude as Mr. Gold entered the waiting room, announcing,
"What lovely news. Excellent work, Miss Swan. Thank you for bringing me my merchandise."
Freya did not hide the repulsed expression that crossed her face as she shared a look with Emma. Mr. Gold walked past them unfazed as he went over to get a cup of coffee from the coffee machine.
"Well, well. Must be my lucky day," he boasted, offering, "Care for a cup, Ms. Swan?"
"A baby?" Emma questioned, concerned. "That's your merchandise? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Well because, at the time, you didn't need to know," he rebutted.
"Really?" Emma scoffed, crossing her arms. "Or you thought I wouldn't take the job?"
"On the contrary, I thought it would be more effective if you found out yourself. After seeing Ashley's hard life, I thought it would make sense. Do you?" He let her ponder for a second before continuing, "I mean, if anyone could understand the reasons behind giving up a baby, I assumed it would be you."
"You're not getting that kid," she declared.
"Actually, we have an agreement. My agreements are always honoured. If not, I'm going to have to involve the police and that baby is going to end up in the system. And that would be a pity. You didn't enjoy your time in the system, did you, Emma?" he asked, almost mockingly.
"It's not going to happen."
"I like your confidence. Charming," he pondered. "But all I have to do is press charges. She did, after all, break into my shop."
"Let me guess — to steal a contract?" she assumed.
"Who knows what she was after?" Mr. Gold disregarded her assumption.
"You know no jury in the world will put a woman in jail, whose only reason for breaking and entering was to keep her child. I'm willing to roll the dice that contract doesn't stand up. Are you? Not to mention what might come out about you in the process. Somehow, I suspect, there is more to you than a simple pawnbroker. You really want to start that fight?"
A grin took over his features, not often did someone take a stand against him. "I like you, Miss Swan. You're not afraid of me, and that's either cocky or presumptuous. Either way, I'd rather have you on my side."
She narrowed her eyes, her voice steady as she requested, "So, she can keep the baby?"
He shook his head lightly. "Not just yet. There's still the matter of my agreement with Miss Boyd."
"Tear it up," she spoke, determined.
He leaned heavily on his cane as he bargained, "That's not what I do. You see, contracts – deals – well, they're the very foundation of all civilised existence. So, I put it to you now. If you want Ashley to have that baby, are you willing to make a deal with me?"
"What do you want?" Her eyes narrowed as her gaze hardened.
"Oh, I don't know just yet. You'll owe me a favour."
Emma held his stare, unwavering as she took a couple of steps forward. "Deal," she spoke firmly, shaking his hand to seal it.
"Hey," Emma spoke softly as she, Henry, and Freya walked into the hospital room. "What's her name?"
"Alexandra," Ashley beamed up at them, gently rocking the infant in her arms.
"She's gorgeous," Freya cooed, smiling gently down at little Alexandra.
"It's pretty," said Emma with a warm smile.
"Thank you for getting me here," Ashley sighed, clearly grateful and relieved for their assistance.
"Mr. Gold was outside." She swiftly continued before Ashley could worry, confirming, "I took care of it – she's yours."
"She is? What did you do?" Her eyes widened slightly in a mixture of disbelief and curiosity.
"Made a deal with him," she said, dismissively.
"Thank you. Thank you."
Freya gently held Alexandra's hand, as she said to Ashley, "You're going to be such a good mum, Ashley."
"Thank you, I really hope so." She looked up at Freya with appreciation.
"Oh, hey, kid," Emma spoke hurriedly, glancing at the clock on the wall. "It's almost five. We got to get you home."
The trio exchanged quick farewells, their voices mingling in a flurry of panic as they ran out of the hospital and hopped in Emma's car.
"Pumpkin," Emma said out of the blue shortly into the drive, clarifying, "My code name. I was thinking in honour of Cinderella. Pumpkin."
Henry simply shook his head, while Freya's expression shifted from confusion to curiosity as she looked between the two. "Wait, what? Pumpkin?"
"You got a better one in mind?" Emma challenged Henry.
"Yep," he replied confidently.
"Well?" she pressed, a teasing glint in her eyes.
"I'm not sure you're ready yet," he shot back with a playful grin.
Emma chuckled lightly as she turned onto Mifflin Street, pulling up in front of the elegant white house. Henry and Freya got out, but Henry stopped when Emma called him back.
"Henry! About what you said at the hospital. About me being able to leave?"
"Yeah?" Henry pressed, a hopeful look on his face.
"See you tomorrow." Emma smiled brightly, and Henry beamed back at her before turning and sprinting up to the door. Meanwhile, Freya had unlocked the door with practiced ease and hurriedly shut it as the young boy darted inside.
"Go, go, go." She ushered him up the stairs as she spotted Regina's car pull into the driveway through the study window. "Leave it," she requested as his shoe fell off mid-run. They just made it to the top of the stairs when they heard the front door open.
"Henry!" Regina called out as she walked through the threshold of the house, placing her keys and bag on the side table before walking up the stairs.
Adrenaline pumping, they breathed a sigh of relief as they darted into Henry's room. He tossed his backpack down by the door and kicked off his remaining shoe as he flopped onto the bed, just catching the book Freya threw at him. She grabbed one for herself before joining him on the bed.
"Henry? What did I tell you you?" The sudden shift in Regina's tone sent a chill down their spines as her sharp footsteps got closer to his room. She swung open his door, holding up his shoe. "Do not leave your shoes lying around on the stairs. Someone could get hurt."
With a sigh, she placed his shoe down on the bed before she left the room, shutting the door behind her.
"That was too close," Freya commented as they both let out a breath of relief. She tapped his leg lightly as she stood up. "Go get cleaned up for dinner, please. I'll go see if she needs help."
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓'𝒔 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆
𝘏𝘪...𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘢'𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨?
𝘈𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦!
𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 6+ 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥! 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯/𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴!
𝘛𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯/𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥, 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺!
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴/𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 :)