Family is Everything [Jefferson Hatter || OUAT || Mad Red #5]

Chapter 25

Rose Red was being lowered closer to the pool of the River of Lost Souls when Jefferson, Jake, Emma and Killian ran in, "Rose!" Jefferson shouted as he saw her being lowered some more.

"Oh my God," Emma said.

"Rose, I'm coming!" Jefferson said as he saw the narrow beam leading to the platform and he stepped onto the beam.

Jake, Emma and Killian watched as Jefferson walked along the narrow beam, Jefferson breathed heavily and steady as he crossed. Jefferson almost stumbled and fell but regained his balance. He got onto the platform, just as Rose Red was about fall into the water, he reached out for her and pulled her to safety, helping her to sit up.

"I got you!" Jefferson looked at his wife bloodied and bruised face seeing her unconscious, "Oh, Rose..." Jefferson said.

Rose Red woke up and looked at him, "I told you to let me go. You shouldn't be here. Nobody should," Rose Red said weakly.

"I never listen, darling," Jefferson said.

Rose Red gave him a small smile, "You're impossible," She said.

"I've been called worse," Jefferson said.

"I know... You're a mad man Jefferson Hatter," Rose Red said.

Jefferson chuckled softly before pulling her into him, "You're safe now," Jefferson said.

Back at the boat, Mr Gold, Milah, Giselle, Will and Brennan were waiting for the others to return with Rose Red, "So... You're married now. That's real," Milah said.

"Look, about your, uh, unfinished business..." Mr Gold said.

"As I said it's not Killian and definitely not you," Milah said.

"Then why..." Mr Gold said.

"It's Baelfire and Rose Red our children. I should have been there for them. Not... Punished them because I'd... Grown to hate their father. I was selfish. I thought if I could... Change that, do something generous... Maybe I could finish what I need to," Milah said.

"So you want to talk to them," Mr Gold said.

"Yeah, so I can really apologise to them," Milah said tearfully.