Finding You Always

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Finding You Always

Chapter 38: Home

"Welcome to Storybrooke,"

She read the sign, as they drove by and Emma slowed. The sign had seemingly appeared out of nowhere and now there was a town upon them.

"You weren't kidding about this place being in the middle of nowhere," Melanie mentioned. Emma smiled.

"It seems like it, but Storybrooke grows on you. There's lots of woods around the town so it kind of seems like the town just pops up out of nowhere sometimes," Emma explained.

"I guess that makes sense," Melanie said, as they drove along Main street. Emma waved to many, who had stopped to gawk at the car, as it rolled by. People waved back upon realizing who it was inside the car.

"Seems like you're a celebrity," Melanie teased. Emma rolled her eyes.

"Being the daughter of the Mayor and the Sheriff in a town like this will do that," Emma replied.

They drove almost to the other end of town before a lovely two story house came into view and two people could be seen waiting on the porch. Emma parked in the driveway and got out, as the two people ran to her.

Snow and Charming enveloped her in a hug on either side, with Charming cradling her head, a familiar gesture that made Emma feel warm and safe. She loved her college life, but being home gave her a feeling of warmth and safety that she had been missing.

"Oh Emma...we've missed you so much," Snow gushed.

"I missed you guys too," Emma said, as she pulled back and motioned to her friend.

"Mom and Dad, this is my friend and roommate Melanie," Emma said.

"Mel, these are my parents, David and Mary Margaret," Emma continued.

"It's so nice to meet you, Melanie," Snow gushed.

"We're glad Emma has a close friend while she's away from home," David added.

"It's nice to meet you both too," Melanie said.

"Let's go in for some hot chocolate. Then when the twins get home, we'll go to Granny's for dinner. Granny and Ruby can't wait to see you," Snow said.

"Ruby is my Godmother and Granny is her grandmother," Emma explained to her friend.

Snow put four mugs in front of them at the table and sprinkled three with cinnamon.

"Emma tells us that you're from Portland?" Snow asked. Melanie nodded.

"I've lived there my whole life, though I spent most of my summers in Seattle with my dad. He's an attorney and my mom's a detective for the Portland P.D.," Melanie explained.

"Any other family?" Snow asked curiously.

"Not really, I had an Uncle from New Jersey, but he mysteriously disappeared when I was really little. We never found out what happened to him. But my cousin Owen lived with us for a while until he went college. We kind of lost touch then, but I think he lives in New York now," Melanie responded.

"That's terrible," Snow said. Melanie shrugged.

"I don't really remember him, but my mom still keeps the case file. It's a cold case now, but she's hoping someday, she'll find out what happened to her brother," Melanie replied.

"Well...we hope she gets closure. And we're glad you're going to spend Christmas with us. It wouldn't be right for you to be alone while your Mom is away," David said. Melanie smiled.