Chapter 20
"Oh Regina look at you" Cora smiled at her daughter. Regina stayed far from her mother not knowing what to think.
"Why are you here, and how I thought they locked you in Rumple's cell?" Regina sneered.
"Oh well Rumple had a little bit of squid ink in there so it was easy to get out" Cora just continued to smile at Regina.
"Why are you here mother" Regina harshly said. Cora moved forward toward her.
"Because I've missed you, and I am so sorry about the way things have happened in the past, but I love you Regina. You are my daughter I've come to reconnect with you" Regina knew she shouldn't trust her, but her heart was also missing her also no matter what had happened.
"How can I trust you" Regina asked,
"I will prove it to you" Cora said strongly stepping closer to Regina.
Regina stiffened as Cora hugged her tightly, she finally gave in and hugged her mother back. She knew she couldn't trust her but she wasn't going to push her away.
While Emma and Hook walked home he noticed something was wrong with her. Wrapping his arm around her, she tilted her head into his shoulder.
"What's wrong love?" he asked gently
"What if she is back, what if we never get to live normally with all the villains and magic around?" Emma said starting to really worry.
"It will be okay Swan, you are the savior after all. If Cora is back we will deal with her again, nothing will hurt you or your family as long as I am here" He said leaning down and kissing the top of her head.
"I just have this feeling like something is going to take me away from my family again, and from you" Emma stopped him and looked into his eyes,
"I cannot go through being away from you again" she finally admitted. Hook smiled
"I am not going anywhere, and neither are you" he touched her cheek as she leaned into his hand.
"I'm holding you to that" she smiled at him, taking a breath she placed her hand on his chest.
"We haven't really talked about us yet" she told him hesitantly,
"We don't have to talk about it Emma, if you are not ready I can wait. You have been through hell and back and I am with you until you wish me away" her shoulders visibly relaxed and she smiled up at him. She knew right then that she never wanted him to leave her side. She leaned up and kissed him slowly he hesitated at first but then leaned into it.
"What was that for lass?" he smiled at her.
"Because I never want you to leave" she said shyly.
"Then I never will" he took her hand then they finally went home. After placing a protection spell around the apartment, she put Henry to bed and explained to her parents what was going on.
"How could she get out of Rumple's cell though it's impossible" David stated
"It's Cora who knows, but if she is back then we need to be on alert. I already placed a protection spell around the apartment and Regina was doing the same at her house. Speaking of I should call her" Emma reached for her phone and quickly called, it was late but she hoped Regina would pick up. She didn't.
"Well Regina might be asleep, I will go over in the morning and check on her" Emma sat down again next to Hook holding his hand for comfort. She still had a bad feeling, and wasn't sure what is was, which was annoying her.
"Everything is okay Emma, even if Cora is back we can handle her" Snow said softly trying to comfort her daughter.
"I just can't get this bad feeling to go away and I can't tell what it is either" Emma sighed and leaned into Hook.
"We will get through this Emma, we are stronger as a family" David smiled at his daughter.
"By the way has anyone seen Ella?" Emma looked at Hook questionably
"Why would Ella be here?" Emma asked
"She came through with us to bring you here" Hook said and Emma jumped up.
"When was the last time anyone saw her?" she asked suddenly
"Before you went into the sleeping curse, so a couple weeks ago" Snow began then suddenly understood.
"Emma I am sure she is fine, maybe she went back" David offered but Emma wasn't convinced,
"No she wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to us" Emma was suddenly out the door grabbing her red jacket.
"Swan" Hook ran after her, David then ran too leaving Snow to watch Henry.
Emma went up to the pawn shop and started to bang on the door, she saw the lights on so she figured Gold was still there.
"GOLD" she screamed as Hook and David finally caught up to her.
"Emma what are you doing?" Hook asked
"He knew her, he could help" Emma said without looking at him still banging on the door. It finally opened to see Belle's worried face
"What did he do?" Belle asked grimly
"Oh nothing but I need to know something" Emma said quickly Belle motioned them in, Gold was standing behind the glass counter.
"Well that was rather loud and annoying" Gold said annoyed.
"Where is Ella?" Emma asked
"I haven't seen her since you where possessed by a demon bitch" Gold smiled and patted the vase Lilliana was currently in.
"You knew her, where could she have gone?" Emma asked again looking at the vase taking a step back, Gold noticed.
"Don't worry dearie, she won't get out. With Ella not sure maybe she went home but I assure you I don't have a clue where she is" Gold said putting the vase away.
"She wouldn't leave without saying goodbye, there has to be another reason. You can find people, so find her" Hook spat.
"That depends do you have something that belonged to her?" He sneered back at Hook.
"No we don't, but I would like to inform you on another problem" Emma said slowly
"Consider it payment for helping get that thing out of me" she looked at where he put the vase.
"Well I don't need payment, I still have that favor though savior" he smiled
"Whatever, anyway Cora may be back" At that Gold's smile vanished and he gripped his cane so tight his knuckles where white.
"That's not possible" he hissed
"Well Regina seems to think she is, she left something for Regina to find" She said again noticing Gold's uneasiness.
"Well then I suggest you be careful, if she is here that means she is here for a reason. I suspect it more than just a reconnection with her daughter" He relaxed his grip as Belle came over placing her hand over his.
"I suggested we all get some sleep" She said gently kissing Rumple on the cheek
"I will keep you updated if I can" Emma told him, after all she did owe him for helping her.
"If she is back Regina will be the first one she goes to, then I suspect she will come for me" Rumple said tightly
"Make sure you boy says in your sight also" He warned, Emma nodded and they left.
They walked back to the apartment in silence, Emma still felt that feeling and she knew something big was coming. Waking up Emma called Regina but still no answer without waking anyone she decided to go check on her. She kissed Hook's forehead and left to Regina's house.
"Regina are you here?" Emma walked in because no one answered. Then she felt it, the uneasy feeling of dark magic.
"Emma?" Regina asked coming downstairs in her pajamas
"Hey sorry, you didn't answer your phone last night or this morning so I wanted to make sure you were all right" Emma said still feeling on edge.
"There is something that happened last night" Regina started before Cora came in.
"Hello Savior" Cora said sweetly behind Emma. Emma turned to find Cora in sweats smiling at her.
"Regina what is going on?" Emma said positioning herself to defend.
"Emma she isn't a threat" Regina said stepping between her mother and Emma.
"How is she not a threat" Emma argued not taking her eyes off Cora.
"She is here for me" Regina said calmly
"Or she could be lying" Emma hissed
"I thought so too, but she isn't" Regina walked over and lifted her mother's arm revealing a leather cuff,
"Am I supposed to be impressed by a leather cuff? That looks like the one Hook and I wore on the beanstalk?" Emma asked confusingly
"This blocks her magic" Regina explained
"She put it on herself last night to prove she just wanted back into my life" Regina said again, Emma still didn't feel completely okay with it.
"Okay I'll believe you Regina but I still have my worries" Emma continued
"I know, but right now I would like some time with her alone" Regina told her.
"Of course I'll make sure you guys aren't disturbed, but please keep your phone on you just in case something comes up" Emma said. Regina nodded as Emma walked out the door.
"Well that went well" Cora said to Regina
"Actually considering Emma that was good" Regina told her mother, remembering Emma's anger and powerful magic.
"Well Mother what would you like to do?" Regina asked walking into the kitchen with Cora following her.
"Let's start with Breakfast then maybe a tour of Storybrooke?" Cora smiled as Regina nodded. Everything was set in motion.
thank you for everyone still following this story, we haven't seen the last of Ella or King Merrick. I am also thinking about bringing Jefferson into the story because I miss him so much in the show. Also I am writing a novel I might post it might not let me know if anyone would like to see it :) Again thank you for reading this story and the reviews!