Luck or Fate?

The Beginning of the End

It's Monday, two days away from the Wednesday, and I'm at work trying to focus, but Killian is stuck in my head. I didn't see him yesterday, but I know he's busy trying to stop Cora. I'm writing up a report about the awful snowstorm last week, but I know it's not my best work. I finally struggle through the end and head home. Opening the door, I see Henry sitting on the couch doing homework.

"Hey, how was school?" I ask.

"Good. I'm so glad we have Thursday and Friday off. Four day weekend!" He says.

Suddenly I remember what he's talking about. Thanksgiving, I think.

"Thank God. I need a break from work." I plop down next to him.

"What are we going to do for Thanksgiving dinner, Mom?" Henry asks me.

I know what he means. Sure, just the two of us is fine. But having more people around is better, especially during the holidays.

"Well, I could invite..." I stop myself before saying his name. Of course he can't come. He's leaving... Before I can show any emotion on my face, I say, "... Regina and Robin. I bet they would like to come over."

"Yeah. That sounds great. The more the merrier."

I call Regina and invite her to Thanksgiving dinner. "Robin's also invited." I say.

"Thanks, Emma. The five of us will have a great time."

I count in my head and realize she means Killian. "Um, Regina. I have to tell you something."

I tell her the whole story, of how we went to the park and we sat on a bench and he told me. By the end, I have a few tears threatening to spill over and fall down my cheeks.

"Emma, I'm so sorry." She's quiet for a few seconds before she continues. "You know, this is worse than what I had to face with Daniel. You're never going to let him go, are you? Because you know he's just a car drive away."

The tears spill over and I'm glad I'm in my room so Henry can't see me. "Yeah, but this can work. We can make this work." I sniffle.

"I hope it can." She sighs. "Thanks again for the invite." With that, she hangs up.

I wipe the tears from my face and check the mirror to see that I look okay. My eyes are a little pink, but other than that I seem fine. I walk out of the room and tell Henry that Regina and Robin will be joining us. "Great." He says, looking up at me. But when he sees my face, he frowns. "Mom, have you been...crying?" He asks.

"How do you know me so well?" I ask him, sitting down next to him.

"I'm your son. I'm supposed to know everything about you."

I smile and start to begin my story again. "Well..."

Suddenly my phone starts buzzing. "Let me check who this is." I say, getting up. I grab it from the table and look at the screen. It's Killian. I pick up the phone. "Hello?"

"Emma," He says, out of breath. "We did it. We defeated her."

"That's wonderful." I say, unenthusiastic. "Congrats."

"Hey, I'm sorry I didn't see you yesterday. I should have texted you, but we were so busy. But now that that's over," He says. "I have some news for you."