The Author

Welcome home

"Call Henry. We're on the road nearing the border now."

Belle did as she was told and used her cell to call Henry. She waited to speak until she heard Henry's greeting. "We're close to the town line," she said to Henry with the phone pressed to her ear. She waited for a moment to hear his response and quickly replied, "... ok."

"What did he say?"

"He said he'd meet us there in a few moments to lift the cloak. He said that it'll be obvious when we've arrived."

Just as Belle had mentioned, a shimmer on the road began to undulate before their eyes. At first they thought it was a mirage, but then the 'Welcome to Storybrooke' sign suddenly appeared at the side of the road and beside it Henry.

It had definitely been a long time since they had seen him and Henry was no longer the boy they once knew. He had definitely grown up handsomely, as evident by the princely suit he donned. The Navy blue blazer, black vest, rouge Windsor tie and shined Oxford shoes were very becoming of him as if he had been raised by royalty, which wasn't too surprising considering his lineage. But the way he carried himself seemed very kin to his grandfather, Mr. Gold. He stood alone with hands in his pocket at the border's edge waiting for them.

A gold shimmer passed through them as Belle and Gold crossed the line in the Cadillac. As soon as the car crossed the border they came to a stop. The hairs on Belle's arm began to rise and a strange but not unfamiliar tingly sensation ran through her entire body. They were entering magic. Rumple closed his eyes briefly as his entire body became saturated by it. The ache in his leg disappeared instantly. He inhaled deeply, drinking in the air as if sipping on the finest wine and relished in the moment.

Belle looked over at him with concern and asked with a raised brow, "Are you ok?"

As if abruptly waking from a blissful dream, he came to and answered nonchalantly, "Yeah... yeah, I'm fine."

Henry waved to them as they got closer and Rumple came to a slow stop before him. As soon as Rumple placed the vehicle into park both he and Belle slowly stepped out of the car to greet him.

"Welcome back," he called to them with a small smile and open arms. Among the many things that had changed about him, Henry's voice had certainly deepened and it was more noticeable in person. Henry came over to Belle first, greeting her with a hug. "I'm so sorry that it wasn't under happier circumstances."

Unsure how to greet his own grandson, Henry quickly smoldered the awkward moment and boldly hugged his grandfather. Rumple slowly wrapped his arms around his grandson and when the moment passed he pulled back from him to get a better look. "I see you've been doing well for yourself," Gold observed.

"Yeah," concurred Belle, "You, uh... You're looking very sharp."

Henry blushed and replied, "I've been busy... running the family business, among other things."

"Where's your car?" asked Belle innocently as she scanned the road for his vehicle.

"I didn't use it. I used magic to get here," smiled Henry as he looked down on Belle.

"Oh," she said embarrassed. "Yeah. Of course you have."

"It's ok. It's been like, what? Seven years? So for seven years you've both lived in a world without magic. I think by now you've just simply grown accustomed to living without it."

"Yes, well, it certainly is like riding a bicycle," said Gold as he turned to head back toward the car.

"I would imagine so," agreed Henry. Seeing that Gold was in a rush to get into town Henry continued, "Hey, so... speaking of rides," his interjection causing Gold stop in his tracks to face him again. "I didn't want to be rude and just disappear, so I was wondering if I could get a lift back into town?"