AN: Just a little idea that's been floating around my head, not entirely sure how long this story is going to be but I wanted to write it down.

Enjoy, Izzie475

A warm yellow glow scattered across the kitchen; the candles, crammed atop a small chocolate cake, were lighting up a hard-earned moment of bliss for the Davies household. But that's the thing about moments, they end.

'I wish for my family to be happy." It was the same wish Emma had made on her last birthday, the few before that she had wished for her and her husband's continued joy. So far the wishes had paid off, Emma had a bubble of pure ecstasy that she came home to, her now 2-year-old daughter Sophie and husband Darren had built a family from the ashes of her childhood. She was happy, not perfect, but with a fierce rage of contentedness to stave off the melancholy cloud that still haunted her dreams.

Sophie was staring half-confused, half-asleep at her mother's birthday cake from her nest in her father's arms. Their blonde hair previously turned fiery orange by the flickering candles, now hidden by the darkness, Darren's attempts to clap inhibited by his squirming daughter.

"Argh. Jeez, Soph, you'd think I was torturing you or something. Stop squirming monkey or else I'll tickle ya..." Emma laughed with Sophie, as she flicked on the light.

"Now monkey, it's mummy's birthday which means daddy has to wrangle you to bed alone tonight." At this Sophie began to mumble her disapproval. "Now that is just insulting Soph, I'm going to have to prove to you that bedtime with daddy is the best."

"Just make sure you actually bathe her not just get her covered in bubbles, please." Darren stuck out his tongue at Emma's teasing and muttered under his breath about the stubbornness of bubble bath.

Emma was just finding two plates for the cake when she heard a soft knock at the door followed by a louder one. Odd, it was too late for visitors or deliveries as they had been planning to celebrate earlier but it had taken Darren a long time, and a few attempts, to make the cake.

She opened the door confused for a moment until a child's voice drew her eyes downwards.

"Are you Emma Swan?" said a young brunette boy, in a smart looking coat.

"Yeah, who are you?" she was trying hard to figure out if she knew this kid. But she was pretty sure that she didn't, there was something him that was familiar.

"My name is Henry, I'm your son." his voice was excited, he smiled up at Emma in anticipation.

"What are you on about I don't have a son." Emma was really confused now. In her moment of panic, she had failed to notice the kid slide underneath her arm and into her home.

"Where are your parents?" she was worried now. Who had let this kid come here all on his own, who even is he?

"10 years ago did you give a baby up for adoption?" Emma's heart sank. "That was me." continued the kid.

"Darren," Emma called towards the bathroom, she needed him now. Her breathing was beginning to speed up, he was 10. Why hadn't she realised who he was before?

"Em? Who was at the door? You oka.." asked Darren but abandoned his question upon seeing Henry. "Hey there, you okay kid?" If Darren was feeling anything like as confused as Emma had been upon seeing Henry he was doing a much better job of hiding it.

For the first time Henry looked nervous he nodded, suddenly fascinated by his shoes. Darren stepped closer to Emma taking her hand and taking in her worried face. "He's my kid, Darren. He's that baby... The one in prison..." Emma trailed off unsure how she was supposed to be reacting to the sudden appearance of her secret prison child.

It had been hard for Emma to even tell Darren about her past let alone the events that had led to her prison time. However, Emma decided that she couldn't expect him to marry her unless he knew everything, so she told him. He had simply listened to her and in exchange released the details of his own past; which although not perfect definitely held better memories than her own.

"Oh wow," said Darren, properly looking at Henry for the first time. "Do you live locally then? Wait, I don't even know your name and I'm asking for your address. I'm sorry about that." Darren was rambling he often did when he was nervous, Emma gently squeezed his hand he smiled at her gratefully.

"I'm Henry, I'm not. I don't live here exactly.." Henry seemed to be uncomfortable talking about his home.

"So where is home then?" asked Emma, realising that he was probably stalling for time.

"Storybrooke Maine."

"Storybrooke? Seriously?" Emma said and Darren chuckled at the town's bizarre name.

"Okay then, Storybrooke Maine it is. Let's go or wait did you need something here?" asked Darren regaining his composure.

"I need your help." said the kid looking up at Emma expectantly.

"Could we discuss on the way to your house? It's pretty late?" asked Emma, she was beginning to get impatient with Henry and she couldn't shake off the uncomfortable feeling in her chest.

Henry simply nodded and made his way to the door. "Are you going to be alright it's quite a long drive to Maine?" said Darren.

"I'm fine," said Emma knowing that Darren wasn't really inquiring about the length of the drive but rather her passenger. "Anyway, you have work tomorrow. Just look after her, okay?" Darren nodded and gave Emma a quick peck before retreating towards his daughter's bedroom.

Emma grabbed her keys from the side and led Henry out of her apartment.