[It takes a few extra moments for Emma to snap out of it; a few seconds of her trying to push past the shock while she reminds herself just to breathe, to move, to do something. This shouldn't be possible, it's not possible, but at least that thought propels her forwards to embrace him. She needs to touch him just to know he's really there, and her hold on him is immediately tighter than it has to be just for the sake of keeping him close.
It's not fair that this keeps happening - that they keep getting separated from their family, and they keep losing each other - but if this is going to be the thing that ends in them bringing Neal home, then for a few seconds, she's grateful for this.]
You're here. How are you here?
[Her question is soft and uncertain, filled with tears she's already fighting to keep back. He feels real enough to her, warm and solid and alive. Neal's alive. It goes against everything she knows, but it's better than what they got back home.
Neal deserves better, and Henry deserves better. If this is a second chance, Emma's going to take advantage of it. And maybe if he asks nicely, she'll let him out of the hold she has on him now.
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It's not fair that this keeps happening - that they keep getting separated from their family, and they keep losing each other - but if this is going to be the thing that ends in them bringing Neal home, then for a few seconds, she's grateful for this.]
You're here. How are you here?
[Her question is soft and uncertain, filled with tears she's already fighting to keep back. He feels real enough to her, warm and solid and alive. Neal's alive. It goes against everything she knows, but it's better than what they got back home.
Neal deserves better, and Henry deserves better. If this is a second chance, Emma's going to take advantage of it. And maybe if he asks nicely, she'll let him out of the hold she has on him now.
Maybe, when she's ready. Definitely not yet.]
Are you okay?