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Emma raced down the stairs while attempting to pull on her jacket. She grabbed her keys and turned to see Mary Margaret at the breakfast bar.

"I made breakfast," she said hopefully, indicating to the plate next to her.

"Oh, I, uh, I have to pick Henry up, sorry."

"That's alright, I'll leave it for David," she said, a bit too nonchalantly, and Emma could see her swallowing her disappointment.

Emma really did want to stay but she wasn't sure if she could handle it yet, so far she had avoided most of the family meals, opting instead to eat at Granny's. She supposed she should make an effort, after all this was her family now, and she didn't want to lose Mary Margaret as a friend.

"How about dinner?" she suggested.

Mary Margaret visibly perked up. "Sure! Dinner sounds great! I'll make something everyone loves, I know Henry likes lasagna," she mused.

"Lasagna sounds great, I'll see you at dinner," Emma called, already on her way out.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hey kid, what do you want to do today?"

Henry grinned up at her. "I'm up for anything. How about we go see Gramps?"

"Sure," Emma grinned back, "Why not? You don't have any plans with your friends today, do you? Mary Margaret's making lasagna for dinner."

"Nope," Henry jumped into the bug and started bouncing up and down in his seat.

"What's got you so excited?" Emma asked.

"I get to spend the whole day with my mom, have a sword fight with Gramps, then eat Mary Margaret's lasagna while being with all three of you. How can this day not be exciting?"

Emma laughed, "Who said David would agree to a sword fight?"

"You think he can say no to his only grandson?"

Emma smiled. She didn't know about David but she knew she wouldn't be able to say no to Henry.

"So tonight can you and Mary Margaret tell me some more about what it's like over there?" He asked. " I mean, Gramps was telling me what he could remember, but that was 28 years ago. Plus he kept saying his memory wasn't what it used to be. Typical Grandpa line, right?"

Emma could tell Henry was relishing the experience of having grandparents for the first time in his life. She wished she could be so accepting of her parents, but a lifetime of abandonment had taught her that even those who had promised never to desert her would ultimately leave her high and dry. She found it hard not to believe that, eventually, these wonderful, incredible people would see how truly damaged she was. That they would realize their mistake in thinking they could ever love someone so beyond repair. She just hoped that day was a long way off.

She pulled up outside the stables where David was spending the day and Henry wasted no time in racing inside. When Emma followed she found him clinging to David's arm.

"Please, Gramps, please?"

"Henry, I'll let you know when you're ready to start riding them," David laughed, swinging him around. "You need to be patient, alright?"

"Alright," Henry grumbled, "I'll try."

Emma studied David as he asked Henry if he'd done his homework for tomorrow. She wasn't sure how she should react around him. He seemed to genuinely love Henry, and she knew he and Mary Margaret were head over heels for each other, but Emma didn't know how he felt about having her around. It was still a little awkward between them. After all, she was just starting to forgive Mary Margaret, and she was her best friend! David was a stranger. A really nice stranger, but still.

Henry was ranting about how pointless homework was, and how he shouldn't have to do any chores because he was technically royalty when David cut in.

"Nice try, Mister, but even princes have to pull their weight. Speaking of, why don't you muck out the stables? It might convince me you're becoming responsible enough to actually ride a horse."

Without hesitation Henry grabbed a shovel and bolted out the door. Emma went to follow him when David stopped her.

"Emma, I was wondering if I could talk to you?"

"Sure, David," she said, surprised, "What's up?"

"It's just that… we haven't spent very much time together – and I know that's not your fault – but I wanted you to know that I'm here for you, and even though I really am trying to give you time and space I would like it if we could get to know each other a bit more. If that's okay?"

Emma's initial reaction was to place up her walls and she was about to tell him that it probably wasn't the best idea when she remembered her resolution that morning to make an effort. "That sounds nice."

David let out a sigh of relief.

He was about to say something else when Henry barreled through the door and announced that he was done.

"You can't possibly be done!" David cried, "Not that quickly!"

"Go check," Henry insisted.

David ducked out of sight and returned a second later looking perplexed. "Wow, you're better than I thought!"

"Thanks," Henry beamed, "Come on Emma. Let's get something to eat. Before he checks the back of the stables," he added in an undertone.

Emma laughed "Sure thing, kid."

"Hey," Henry called back to David, "You're coming to dinner, yeah? It'll be just the four of us!"

David looked up at Emma. She could see the pure joy in his eyes was tinged with grief, at the memory of all the dinners they should have spent together. That they would have spent together if not for the curse. He gave a sad little smile.
"Yeah kid, I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Please review and let me know how I can improve, as well as what you like / what you don't like!