For the hundredth time in the past couple of days, Emma Swan found herself pacing.  That was all, just pacing.  Back and forth, back and forth until she felt she was going to become some weird cartoon and fall through the floor.  At least then it’d make the stories coming from Henry seem more realistic. Â
Ten years.  Ten years ago she had decided to leave him.  She wasn’t a mom, she could never be a mom.  Maybe with Neal…no, she didn’t even want to think about it and as far as her son would know, his dad wasn’t alive.  She didn’t need him knowing he had a father out there somewhere, a father that had made her believe he loved her only to abandon her  and let her rot in jail.  He didn’t deserve that, hell he almost didn’t deserve her there.  But that Regina…there was something about her that just wasn’t right.  Or maybe this wasn’t right?  Her being here, her meddling in something that maybe just wasn’t her right.  She did, after all, sign any rights away ages ago.  So what entitled her to be here now?  She didn’t feel right about it…but she also didn’t feel right about leaving, at least not just yet. Â
She promised the kid a week and a week was exactly what he’d get.  After that, she’d leave without looking back…she had to for him…and herself. Â
Her pacing finally stopped as she heaved a sigh.  She was going to have to talk to him, to get more of the story about his mom and prove to him that she wasn’t some crazy, evil queen….just maybe an overly strict mom.  But…how?  She was damn sure she wasn’t all that great with kids.  But maybe…maybe there….and then a slight thud broke her thoughts, brows furrowed as she rushed into the small bedroom of the suite.  She groaned as she shut her eyes tightly, pinching the bridge of her nose gently.  Figures he’d come just as she thought about him…and she was still completely not armed with a game plan. Â
"Kid…does your mom know you’re here?"