A/N: It's been too long since I've updated! Gah! But good news. I re-read the story, took lots of notes and made some plans! This story is nowhere near finished, guys! Stay with me! Here's a little something to kick us off!
Storybrooke, Maine
Chapter 14: A Little Unsteady
When Emma walked through the door into Granny's diner, she spotted August sitting in a booth in the far corner of the room. Upon seeing him, Emma didn't' halt her stride. She walked straight across the room and slid into the seat across from August, her face steady.
"Hey, uh… this is a surprise," August said, hesitation in his voice.
"I get it."
August waited for more, but when Emma said nothing else and instead picked up her menu, he frowned in confusion. "What do you get?" August asked carefully.
"That you were just writing silly things in your sleep."
August nodded quickly in agreement. "That's all it was."
"Yup. You've got nothing to hide. You just brought me here to be a nice guy. To help me out," Emma said, her eyes scanning the menu.
August sighed at her words, expecting an argument to commence, but instead Emma put her menu down and met his eyes. With a soft smile on her face, she said, "that list… no one can be that crazy, right. So you did some sleep… writing. People do that," she said with a shrug.
August gave a small nod of agreement as he listened.
"I've been thinking about it and I get it. Mary Margaret actually helped me understand. You read some of the book with us. You flipped through the whole thing. Some of it got stuck in your head and you wrote it down during the night, while you were sleep-walking. You didn't even know what you were doing… That's all it was… right?" she asked, testing him.
"Right," August agreed, a smile of relief forming on his face.
Emma smiled further. "Let's eat. I got a pay advance. Dinner's on me this time."
"If you insist," August agreed, his smile growing larger.
Xoxo
An hour later, Emma was walking through the chilly streets of Storybrooke, wearing a firm frown on her face as her arms were crossed over chest, holding her jacket around her bulging belly. August lied. She saw right through his words, his expressions, his nervous demeanor. He didn't fool her for a second. Her superpower rarely failed her before and right now, she was positive it was accurate. And that scared the crap out of her. How could someone believe something so crazy? August brought her to Storybrooke, not to help her, but so she could break some ridiculous fairy tale curse he thought to be true. It was all insane.
Emma's first instinct was to jump into her car and drive the hell out of town. Get as far away from the delusional man as she could. With every step, her thoughts of leaving town only increased. Then she felt something push against her tummy. Emma stopped walking, her eyes going to her stomach. She couldn't help a small smile as her hands molded around her rounded belly.
"Kicking me again, huh? That I mean I should stay or go?" Emma asked her unborn child.
"Emma!"
At the sound of Mary Margaret's voice, Emma looked up to find her room-mate running towards her.
"You were gone a while. I was getting worried."
Emma smiled at her concern. "I'm fine. August is a liar, by the way."
Mary Margaret frowned. "Are you sure?"
"Yup."
Mary Margaret took a moment to absorb the information, her eyes falling to the cement.
After a moment of silence, Emma called her friend's name, questioning her frown.
"You're leaving," Mary Margaret said, unable to hide the sadness she felt at the thought.
Emma's brows furrowed in confusion at the emotion in Mary Margaret's voice. "You want… you care if I stay?"
A gentle smile took Mary Margaret's face. "I know we've only known each other for a short amount of time, but I just… I trust you, Emma… And I'd like to think we're friends, not just room-mates."
"We are," Emma said, a smile appearing on her face.
"So to answer your question, yes; I want you to stay," Mary Margaret said with confidence.
Emma went to open her mouth to speak, but Mary Margaret interrupted saying, "I know you're worried about August. I am now too. But not everyone here is crazy, Emma… Well, the mayor is a little. And quite frankly, mean. And intimidating. But aside from her…" Mary Margaret sighed, getting her mind back on track. "I know I've enjoyed living with you. I'd hate to see you go because of one man and his crazy thoughts. If you're truly scared or worried about him, we can talk to Graham. Get an order of protection or something. Keep him away from you… but Emma, he's also the reason you're here. And to be honest, I'm glad for that. I'm glad you're here."
Suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, Emma felt tears welling in her eyes.
"Oh, no, Emma, I didn't mean to make you cry. I'm sorry," Mary Margaret apologized through a frown.
"Stupid pregnancy hormones," Emma complained, brushing away her emotions. But she couldn't help her feelings. No one had ever wanted her to stay. Expect one person. And he betrayed her. He let her down in the worst way… could this be different? Would Mary Margaret let her down?
"So…" Mary Margaret started with a hopeful smile. "What you say? Will you stay?"
It took a moment of thought, but then Emma nodded while wiping away a few tears that managed to escape her eyes. "I, uh… I guess I will," Emma said, deciding to take a chance on Mary Margaret. To take a chance on Storybrooke.
A large smile spread to Mary Margaret's face as she stepped forward, surprising Emma as she wrapped her friend up in a fierce hug, causing a small groan of pain to escape Emma's lips.
"Oh, the baby, I'm sorry!" Mary Margaret apologized while loosening her grip. "I'm just so happy that you're not leaving," she said over her friend's shoulder.
Emma put her arms around Mary Margaret, an unsure smile taking her face. "Me too."
TBC…
Thoughts before you go? Please and thank you! :D As always, send story prompt/ideas my way! I'd love to make 'em come to a computer nearest you! See you soon!