The Frog Prince // Mr. Gold

009. WATER LILIES

Emma thanks me for the glass of whiskey. She needed it and I needed my wine. We sat on the island inside of my kitchen, full of the gumbo. Emma praised my cooking, finishing every bit of it from her bowl. She had expressed that she never had the opportunity to try it before. While my cheeks flushed, she thanked me for my kindness. I've never had anyone stay with me before. This is new to me and I'm not sure what to expect.

My thumb slides across the brim of my glass, wondering if Mr. Gold made it home safely. I shouldn't care to be honest with myself. Giving me a job is nothing but a charity, he didn't do it because he actually saw something in me. All of that was erroneous thoughts. Yet, I can't help the idea of Mr. Gold's safety. He's crude and gentle. All at once. It drives me insane.

"Has Henry always been—like this?" Emma questioned, bringing me back to earth. My lips press together while I balance my dreamy gaze on her. Her blue eyes stare back at me, not catching my lack of attention. Lowering the glass, I shifted in my chair, attempting to understand what she could mean by that.

"What do you mean?"

"You know," Emma shrugged, running her fingers through her wavy hair. "With all of this story nonsense. He's so—stuck on this idea about a curse—it's unnatural. Regina doesn't seem too concerned....it's like, she's trying to ignore it and pretend everything is normal."

"Henry is a good kid," I tell Emma, giving her a momentary glance. If I wanted to be honest, Henry grew up privileged. He could and can have anything he wants in this world thanks to Regina. I've never seen anything but love come from her when it's about Henry. Regardless,  that wealth and love can't break his obvious isolation. He's adopted, with no friends, no other family, and no idea what is out there. This cursed thing makes sense. But I would rather not push the idea to make Emma feel guilty. She had every right to do what she thought was good for Henry, but I couldn't be too honest.

"He's confused and sheltered. He's lonely....when he came for hot chocolate at least once a week at Granny's, he spoke so much about everything. Like he hadn't spoken the whole day. So, whoever gave him the book thought it would help. Instead, it created this image that we are all characters...."

"Henry's teacher gave him that book," Emma admits after understanding my thoughts on the situation.

"Mary Margaret?" My brows raised, not surprised by Mary Margaret Blanchard doing everything she could for one of her students. She's a kind soul. Always cheerful and bright. Everything about that woman is blissful, but I can see the loneliness in her eyes too. Maybe that is why she gave Henry the book. Because she understands.

"Yeah. Mary Margaret is sweet. She offered me a room at her place—"

"Oh my god, Emma. That's perfect! Why don't you take it?" I questioned, turning more towards her in my seat.

"I don't think that's a good idea. I need to go back home at the end of the week and well...I'm used to moving around a lot..." Emma spoke as if she wasn't sure if she wanted to leave. Confusion washed over her face for a moment as she spoke, then fear. I watch in silence, raising my chin.

I've always wanted to get out of Storybrooke. Move to New York to start a new restaurant. That dream might not ever happen, but Emma knew the life out there. While I wanted to get out eventually, my mind told me she needed somewhere to ground herself. Emma belongs here. Placing a hand on her arm, I smile, hoping my words could give her some guidance;

"Something tells me that you want to stay here. For Henry, for yourself. I think it will be good for you to stay," I tell her and she listens with appreciation glistening behind those blue mirrors. "Think about it."

Emma pressed the back of her thumb against the tip of her nose while she blinked away from me. I can tell she wants to push back the pain of what she had done and what she had stumbled into. It must feel unreal to see her child after ten years. I can't even imagine.