The Only Exception (Swan Queen)

Chapter 25

Emma placed her hand on his shoulder before pulling him into a hug to try and calm him down and steady his now rapid breathing. He sighed before sinking into her arks and resting his head on her shoulder. "I can't even imagine what has happened since I left," he mumbled. "I've been so caught up on finding you that I haven't even called her," he whimpered.

Everything inside her clenched. "Mary Margaret made the call that you were missing," she whispered.

The boy stiffed. "Ma, what if-" he stopped, unable to finish his sentence, tears flowing freely down his cheeks.

"Hey, hey. It'll be okay. We both know that woman is stubborn as hell." She clutched him tighter. "I never meant for any of this to happen," she whispered.

"Yeah, I know, Ma."

It didn't take long to get hold of Mary Margaret. She was practically screaming through the entire phone call. It started off as a scolding for the state Regina's been in, but according to her she's okay. Completely distraught, but okay. She quickly turned to excitement at the mere mention of her coming home. Emma never got to explain the arrangement to her before she hung up.

She sighed, shoving her phone harshly into the back pocket of her jeans. "Trust Mary Margaret to jump to conclusions and not give me a chance to explain," she muttered.

"The whole town will think Sheriff Swan is finally returning home within the next half hour," he added in jokingly and Emma let out a soft bark of laughter.

Hank's eyes widened. "you were Sheriff?"

Henry smirked. "She was much more than that," he said cheekily.

Emma nudged him softly in the ribs. "Okay, kid. That's enough. Let's get you home," she said with a small smile. She turned to Hank. "I'll be back in a few days. Keep me posted on the case and I'll try to help you as much as I can."

Hank nodded. "Sure. Good luck, Swan," he said, shooting them a smile.

#

They headed out back to where the car was parked.

Henry's eyes widened. "This thing still runs?" he gasped, eyeing the bug.

"Be nice. She still has some life left in her," Emma responded, opening the door, and getting in.

Henry followed suit. "Still. The thing's older than me," he grumbled.

Emma smacked him playfully on the arm. "Oy! Respect your elders, Henry," she snapped back jokingly.

He muttered under his breath as he attempted to move the passenger seat to make room for his long legs.

She laughed. "You need to stop growing, kid."

He stared at her but didn't respond.

What was she expecting? He wasn't going to stay the same, small, twelve-year-old boy forever. She sighed as the thoughts over how much of Henry's life she's missed started flooding her mind. She frowned and attempted to shake them from her head.

She started the car with a bump causing Henry to grumble again about how old the Bug was. She laughed and took off towards Storybrooke.

#

After hours of light banter back and forth, and a quick stop at a diner for food, the car pulled up outside 108 Mifflin Street. It was dark outside and instead of being lit up like it used to be – it looked dead. All except for the light outside the door which was shining in the night, anxiously waiting for Henry's return, and the light that was seeping through the soft curtains of what Emma could identify as being Regina's bedroom.

She gulped as they got out of the car. She rubbed her now sweaty palms together as she walked up the familiar gravel path with Henry a few strides ahead of her. It was a case of Deja vu from when she first arrived in Storybrooke. But there were so many times where she had walked up this exact path.

The first time she came to Storybrooke.

Coming back after the second curse.

Coming over to comfort her.

Moving in.

Leaving.

Everything was coming back all at once and it hit her like a ton of bricks.

Henry stepped through the front door but Emma lingered for a moment on the doorstep peering in at the home she had left behind.

"You can come in, Ma," Henry piped up, noticing that she wasn't following him inside.

Part of her didn't want to go in. Part of her wanted to turn around and leave that very second, fearing the interaction she would have to have with Regina. But she followed him inside, stepping slowly into the warm hallway and closed the door behind her.

"Mom!" Henry yelled, his voice echoing though the empty house.

There was a loud thump and a crash from upstairs causing Emma to jump slightly in surprise.

"Henry?" her voice yelled back. The thumping continued and within seconds she was at the bottom of the stairs wrapping him into her warm embrace. She let out a soft, content sigh. "You're home," she gasped, burying her face in his shirt.

Henry let out a soft sigh, wrapping his arms firmly around his mother's shoulders. "Yeah, mom. I'm home," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."

Regina reluctantly pulled away, reaching up to cup his face. "It's okay," she whispered. Her eyes fluttered around the room until they landed on Emma's. Her soft, caring cocoa eyes melted her instantly. "Emma?"

Emma blushed slightly. "Hi," she said nervously, unable to say anything else.