Broken OUAT

Chapter 2 - Going Home

It had been over four years since Emma and Neal had left Storybrooke, moving all the way to Ohio, and Neal hadn't changed at all. He had gotten worse. He became controlling and the abuse was much worse and more frequent. He was out drinking almost every night, and that was when he was at his worst. He made it clear that Emma wasn't to speak to her parents. Emma had tried calling them, but Neal had caught and punished her. Emma had tried to leave. She tried running away only a few months after her and Neal had moved.

About a month after moving, Emma found out she was pregnant. This had been her main reason for trying to run. She didn't want this kind of life for her child.

On February 9th 2015, Emma ended up giving birth to a little boy, who they named Oliver. Oliver David Cassidy. Neal had been pissed when Emma chose the middle name, but he wasn't going to argue in front of the nurses.
Neal had been out drinking when Emma went into labor, and he missed the birth. Just like when Henry was born, Emma was alone.

On June 1st 2017, Emma gave birth to another son. Parker Andrew Cassidy. Neal couldn't be bothered to be there for his birth either.

Oliver was now a little over 3.5 years old. He had his father's brown hair, and in a lot of ways he reminded Emma of Henry. This wasn't to say he didn't get anything from Emma. He had her green eyes and chin.

Parker looked more like Emma than Neal. He had inherited her blonde curls, though they were a bit darker than Emma's. Parker had light blue eyes, and Emma was sure he had gotten them from his grandfather. Parker was now sixteen months.

Emma had recently found out that she was pregnant again. She had cried for hours after finding out. Caring for the boys was hard enough, especially without help. Just the thought of bringing another child into this fucked up situation killed her. She hadn't told Neal.

Neal had never hurt the children. He had threatened several times, but he never carried out that threat. The only one he hurt, was Emma. The boys were always there to witness the abuse, and it was obviously affecting them.

Oliver had become clingy, not wanting to leave Emma's side. He had recently began to have nightmares as well, which involved bedwetting.

Emma had tried to leave when she was pregnant with Parker, but Neal had caught her. Emma was scared of what he would do if she tried again. If he hurt the boys, she would never forgive herself. If he killed her, the boys would be left with him. Emma thought of calling the police, but Neal had threatened her if she even tried.

But everything changed one day, just days after Emma found out she was pregnant.

Emma had just gotten Parker to bed, and was now tucking Oliver in. She had just finished telling him a story about their family.

"Mommy. Can we go see them?"

"Who?"

"Grandma and Grandpa and Henry."

Emma swallowed the lump in her throat. "Maybe someday, monkey."

"Would they like me?"

Emma felt the tears well up in her eyes, and blinked them back. "They would love you." She whispered. "Your Grandma would practically smother you with love. Your Grandpa would enjoy teaching you to sword fight. Your big brother would be thrilled to have a little brother. Your Uncle Leo isn't much older than you, and I bet the two of you would get along great."

Emma didn't know any of this, of course. She had no doubt in her mind that her parents would love the boys just as much as they loved Henry, but she didn't know about the rest of it.

Just then there was a loud bang as the front door flung open. Neal was home. Emma started to get up, but Oliver grabbed her arm.

"Don't go." He cried. Emma could see the fear in his eyes.

"I have to." Emma whispered. "It'll be okay, I promise. You just go to sleep."

"Mommy..."

Emma gave his small hand a gentle squeeze. "I love you monkey."

Oliver smiled. "I love you more mommy."

"I love you to the moon, and back." Emma kissed his forehead. Then she left the room.

"Emma. Where are you?" Neal called from downstairs.

Emma pried her son's hands off of her wrist, before heading out of the room and down the stairs.

"I'm right here."

"Why isn't there dinner on the table?" He demanded. Emma gagged at the strong smell of alcohol on his breath.

Emma looked at the clock. "It's 8:00. it got cold. I can heat it up for you." She was surprised he had come home so early. He usually stayed at the bar until well after midnight.

Neal punched the wall causing Emma to flinch. "You can't do anything right. Forget it, I'm going to bed."

Neal headed for the stairs, but on the way he stepped on one of Oliver's legos.

"Fuck." He swore. "How many times have I told that kid to keep his fucking toys off the floor."

"Neal."

"No, he's getting it this time. He's going to learn a lesson." Neal growled as he took off his belt.

Emma's eyes went wide. "No, please don't. He's only a child. He didn't know any better. Neal don't!" She cried.

Neal was already halfway up the stairs. Emma chased after him and grabbed him by the arm. "Stop. Don't hurt him."

They had just gotten to the top of the stairs. Neal slapped Emma before shoving her against the wall. Emma could taste the blood in her mouth, and knew that her lip was busted. His hands went to her throat and he squeezed. Emma couldn't breathe and she was sure she was going to die. Part of her wished he would get it over with, but she couldn't leave her boys. She clawed at his hands and he let go, just to punch her in the eye. He turned to make his way toward's their son's bedroom, and Emma grabbed him by the arm. Neal turned around and shoved Emma, causing her to fall down the stairs. Emma hit her head, before blacking out.

When Emma woke up, it was to someone shaking her.

"Mommy? Mommy wake up. Mommy."

Emma opened her eyes and looked into the eyes of her older son. He wasn't wearing a shirt or pants, only underwear. He had welt marks on his arms, back and stomach. Emma choked back a sob.

"Oh my god." She whispered. "Oh baby, I'm so sorry."

Emma tried to pull her son into her arms but he cried in pain.

"Where's daddy?" Emma asked him.

"He left. He left after he hit me." Oliver whispered.

Emma looked at the clock. It had been 45 minutes since Emma last checked the clock. She figured he couldn't have left more than half an hour ago.

"We're leaving." Emma said as she stood. She immediately felt like she was going to be sick, and tried to focus on taking deep breaths. Emma stumbled into the bathroom and gasped at what she saw in the mirror. She didn't have time to clean up. They needed to leave, now.

Emma made her way up the stairs and began to pack. She packed mostly for the boys, and only what they needed. She turned around to see Oliver standing there, tear stains on his cheeks. Emma grabbed a shirt and pants and helped him to get dressed. Every time he cried out in pain, broke Emma's heart.

When Oliver was dressed she headed to Parker's room. Emma picked up the sleeping toddler and headed downstairs, Oliver right behind her. The last thing Emma grabbed was the photo album. It was filled with pictures of the boys.

Emma got the bags and the kids into the car before getting in herself. She checked her mirror to make sure Neal wasn't pulling up, before putting the car in drive.

"Mommy. Where are we going?" Oliver asked as he clutched tightly to his stuffed dragon.

"Home. We're going home, baby."