Second Chance

Pilot

Emma Swan-

New York City
__________________________

It's been 3 long years since Henry and I taken a little trip, and now that it's the summer holidays, it's about time we did in fact proceed to another vacation.

Henry stumbles out of his room, rubbing his eyes and yawning showing his full set of pearly white teeth. I smile widely watching my son so adorably wake himself up and smile back at his momma.

"Hey kiddo, fancy a little trip?" I beam with excitement preparing for Henry's astonishment to burst through his sleepy persona. He grins widely and picks up his pace, running rapidly towards my arms and holding me close.

"Yes! Yes!"

"Where would you like to go?" I ask, anywhere would be treasured in this moment, we've been working so hard as of lately. Henry is 7 and enjoying school and working hard, I am busy with work all the time, putting in extra shifts when I can to make sure our bills are paid and our rent is up to date and most importantly keeping a roof on top of our heads and food on the table.

"Grandmas and Grandpas" he giggles, clapping his hands and leaping off my lap to jump around the coffee table with excitement.

"Okay, get a bag ready then." I grin. Storybrooke, a small little town that doesn't go recognised by most people. It's quiet but so peaceful to say the least. My parents had not long moved to Storybrooke so it'll be a great experience "And remember underwear and your toothbrush!"

"Okay momma"  he bellows through the walls.

I proceed to packing my bags, filling it with all sorts of outfits, casual, fancy, sexy. Who knows what kind of people I'll meet while I'm away. May even bag myself a hot date.

Once I pack ever item imaginable, I drag my rather heavy suitcase to the trunk of my yellow bug. Henry is hot in my heals, with a smaller suitcase presumably full of toys and teddies. He hops in the passenger seat and cranks up the radio, thrilled to be setting off on this vacation.

"You ready?" I beam.

"Oh boy I'm excited" he nods, he would be though. He hasn't seen his grandparents since he was 4. No matter how many times I try to arrange it something happens. Like when he was 5, he had the flu. When he was 6, I was in a car crash and now 7, here we are. No more excuses.

Storybrooke
________________________

My yellow bug parks up at a local bay outside my parents little apartment. We rapidly climb the stairs and stand grinning at the door. Henry looks up to me with that sparkle in his eye and I can tell he is beyond excited to surprise them.

I nod, giving him the satisfaction he needs, encouraging his dainty little wrist to fall back and rapidly knock on the blue wooden door. He steps back and shifts nervously from his left foot to his right with excitement.

The door handle slowly turns indication someone on the other side is opening the door. We both grin, and bolt down the stairs, but not all the way down; just enough to hide behind the wooden banister.

"Whose at the door David?" I hear my mother.

"I don't know, nobody's here" he shrugs, that's when I hear my mothers heels tap against the hard wood floor to inspect herself.

"That's odd" she expresses with a puzzled expression, so Henry and I take that as our cue: instantly jumping up and screaming in their faces, scaring them in the process. "Oh my god!" My mother yells clenching her erratic chest. "Henry!" She coos, opening her arms wide and letting him crawl inside them.

"Emma!" My dad beams, taking me in his arms and squeezing me in a fatherly bear hug. "What brings you here?"

"Henry and I are on vacation, we're here for a while" I reply instantly hearing my dad chuckle from his heart with joy.

My mother squeals with excitement, swaying Henry side to side in her arms. "Grandma...can't... breathe..."

With that, we all burst into laughter and she finally lets go with her glossy eyes and wide smile. "I'm sorry! I just missed you. You were so small when I last seen you and now... now look at you" she beams.

"Almost a man" David chuckles, nudging Henry slightly with his fist. "Why don't we go out for dinner! Henry used to love granny's when he was younger" my dad suggests and right now, a grilled cheese sounds to die for.

"Just like his mother" my mom teases hugging me tightly. I wish I was closer to them. I wish I lived more local. I miss the two more than anything but Henry is settled in school and home in New York and I don't want to drastically change anything for him.

We head back to the diner, granny's and instantly the chimes that singsong above our heads fills my hearts. Already feeling as though I'm home. That split second where everyone diverts their attention to the door to see the new customer and all to quickly returns back to their conversations or tasks.

"EMMA!" Ruby screams, putting down her cloth and running to my arms. "I missed you!"

"Rubes, I missed you too" I giggle, hugging her tight. "We need to catch up!"

"That we do" she winks. "Tomorrow night! 8 o'clock"

I look to my parents almost as though I'm asking permission. I'm 24 and shouldn't be needing permission, but what I do need is a babysitter. They nod eagerly, probably ecstatic to have Henry to themselves.

"Okay, I'll text you"

We take a seat at the booth and finally order our foods. Mom and dad go for a traditional lasagne, while I go for my grilled cheese and onion rings and henry decides to tackle a special homemade tower burger and sweet potato fries.

The mood is high, the feeling is great. I feel as though I am home. I am comfortable and Henry is happy. Why did I ever leave in the first place?

Henry is on a high, sugared up on milkshake and ice cream for dessert. So we decide it's best to take him back to my parents where they have offered us a spare bedroom. The pros of having a 3 bedroom apartment. I get my own room and so does Henry without having to pay accommodation.

We leave the diner, saying a quick goodbye to granny and ruby. Once the door opens Henry bolts out the door unaware of his surroundings and instantly barges into a woman.

"Oh I'm sorry" Henry nervously shifts one foot to the other, but the woman ducks down to his level, smiling sweetly.

"It's okay" she smiles, standing back up and my heart drops. It can't be? Her eyes slowly drift to mine but it seems I'm paralysed. I cannot move in the time I'm needed to run the fastest. "Emma?"
———————
a/n: so there's the pilot, hit me with your thoughts and opinions. This may be a little slow burn but worth the wait, things will heat up from chapter 10 onwards ;)

So there's a cliffhanger, tell me what you think may happen, what you think the story is all about etc. I haven't written a huge giveaway synopsis because I'd like to keep you all guessing.

Come on my sweeties! Vote and comment 😘