Silence

Silence is defined as the complete absence of sound. That much is true but it can be the bearer of a hundred different beasts. Beasts by the names of insecurity, fear, pride, control, over thinking and isolation thrive on silence. They want you to be weak because when you are weak you are vulnerable. And when vulnerability makes an appearance human nature takes over. Emma would not allow her voice to be silenced.

Not again.

After spending her life under the thumb of those who had not bothered to pretend to care, she was not going to let people who genuinely did take over either. As long as one had 'good intentions' it seemed to not matter the consequences their actions would soon have on others. In the stillness of the flat she gave it a once over. Her parents had been up later than usual with Neal who had refused to go to bed until his Em' came home. They had fallen asleep on the couch to The Lego Movie and snuggle-time. She pressed a slow kiss to his forehead and a mouthed, "Don't forget me." Her heart was already missing him.

She was gone.

The duffle bag of belongings had already been placed in the rear of the Mercedes that was quietly parked a short distance away. Wordlessly they began the journey. Henry was wide-eyed in the back seat watching the only town he had ever known fade away. The mansion that him been his home seemed darker and menacing with its pristine lawn and foreboding black and white color scheme. They had talked about this moment, here it was. No one is ever ready for the big moments even if they saw them coming.

The chance to be a family of their own making, the three of them in a new city with a chance at real happiness. Emma and Regina would no longer have to seek each other out in the dead of night. Hide their affection behind barbs that had long lost their venom or divvy up time with their son, the one thing that would always and forever come first. Tonight they would all be free of the chains that held them.

From tonight onward if anyone gasped when Regina entered a room it would be her regal demeanor or stunning good looks that would capitalize their attentions. To the outside world she would just be another beautiful face. The only thing that may well remain dark and foreboding would be if anyone messed with her son, her soulful eyes or heaven-forbid they mess up her coffee order.

The only thing perishing at dawn was the past.

No longer would the weight of being the savior, former Evil Queen or the Truest Believer follow them around. Pretentious titles that gave no thought to what it would take away from each person, and absolutely none given to how life would forge it out of human flesh. Before each was born someone had given a stamp of approval. When it came down to it Emma knew this was a choice all their own. They were not running they were finally going to be in control.

Warm, soft-flesh interwove itself with Emma's left hand and she smiled despite her worries. She slid into the middle and an arm encompassed her. Henry had fallen victim to sleep when she had taken a peek into the rearview mirror and chuckled.

Regina had been right they could have it all.