At the first sounds of Belle's voice, Emma tensed. She wasn't ready to face anyone, not even her closest friends and family. But really, it was better that it was Belle. She couldn't have explained herself to Snow, she'd be too ashamed to do so in front of Henry, and Graham... What if he thought her lingering issues were because of him? Because he wasn't enough, which couldn't have been further from the truth? No, it was good that it was Belle who'd come down. If anyone could understand what she'd been back then, it was the girl who'd fallen in love with the Dark One.
But Rumple had been willing to try and change for her. Why wasn't Emma enough to inspire the same?
That was the thought that had Emma's eyes slowly opening and looking over to where the pretty brunette stood, a book in her hand. A familiar book. A much hated book. And she couldn't help but crack a smile.
Aislinn squirmed in her mommy's arms. It was morning and morning was playtime, not naptime or cuddle time, and why was everyone so serious? So Emma released her, allowing her to do her little scoot-crawl back to her toys. "No. I mean, yes, tea would be nice, no, nothing's wrong." Except it was. Something would always be wrong in some ways, but she didn't know how to say that.
She should have moved on by then. She should be over it. And, to be honest, she wasn't sure if she ever would be.
She moved back against the edge of the couch and put her head in her hand, rubbing at her temples. "Just not feeling so well this morning is all." That was all. She'd be fine. All she had to do was let everything settle and she'd be just fine.