Chapter 30: Under Oath
Emma frowned as she looked at the raw chicken she had just beaten into smithereens. She had been attempting to make Chicken Piccata. According to the person on the Food Network, the recipe was supposed to be easy. But like usual, when it came to cooking Emma had epic failure.
"Damn it!" She cursed out loud as she glared at the destroyed chicken.
"Emma," Jaime came down the stairs looking at her, "Is everything alright?"
"It's fine," She lied. "Just messed up dinner."
"That's okay, we can order in. Or I'm sure that Harry can make something when he gets in."
Emma rolled her eyes, but she was thankful for Harry's cooking. Otherwise, they'd probably starved to death since the only restaurant in Storybrooke was Granny's and after her trip to the asylum, courtesy of poisoned hot chocolate, she sort of refused to eat there again. Even though Ruby swore up and down she wasn't the one who put those drugs in her drink, Emma couldn't stand eating anything from the stupid place.
"He'll have to." She said, "This chicken is ruined. Otherwise, it's just going to be frozen pizza or peanut butter sandwiches."
"Emma," Jaime said. "It's not just the cooking that's upsetting you, is it?"
From the mouth of babes. She was finding that he son was a lot more introspective than she gave him credit for. However, she was not about to talk about her problems with a ten-year-old. "I'm just frustrated and hormones."
Jaime raised an eyebrow. He had taken the baby bomb in stride, not even asking her if Harry was the father. Of course, he had to be thinking about it though. He knew very well that his parents' slept in separate bedrooms.
"Don't." She said, "I'll be okay."
But she wasn't going to be okay, she knew that. She might tell Jaime, Harry, or even Ford that everything was going to work out fine and peachy, but it wasn't. The whole thing was messed up.
And she felt guilty.
For better or worse, Lacey Gold had tried to be a good friend to her, or as much as a friend as Lacey could've been. The woman's mind had been permanently altered from her ordeal and she needed all the support she could get.
It was relatively easy talking to Lacey too. She could see why Ford would've fallen in love with someone like her. In a lot of ways, Lacey was the opposite of what Emma was. She was dainty. Helpless. Ever since Emma could remember she had to be able to defend herself, Lacey didn't know how to do that. In fact, she seemed almost breakable.
Even after three months of rehabilitation. It was sort of sad, really, how damaged Lacey still was.
She couldn't go outside without being fully clothed and wearing dark glasses. The fact that she had to live this way was heartbreaking. It also was difficult for Lacey to make conversation. It was more than a little obvious that she had lived in a bit of a bubble all these years; Emma had found that the best thing to talk to her was books.
Maybe that's why Ford decided to stay in the apartment above the library.
It was a large apartment, more of a penthouse than an apartment but it was nothing compared to the house that Emma was staying at and she felt guilty about it. But Ford had told her to stay.
"As your attorney, I'd advise you to stay in the same place." He had said, "At least until the end of the school year. I know the custody case is settled and all but—"
He didn't need to tell her twice. She knew just how precarious the situation was, despite the fact that Regina had all but disappeared with a warrant issued for her arrest, she still worried custody of her son was going to be ripped away from her. It seemed absurd, but—she had spent so many years without Jaime that she wanted to make sure to do everything she could to not have the judge raise an eyebrow about the situation.
She was already planning on moving to Boston though, she had already given her lessee notice that she'd be moving back to the brownstone and had already been looking at firms. She wanted to go back to the DA's office, but with raising two kids as a single mother she didn't know how much of an option that was.
So, she was looking at more mundane work of transactional bits of law. Stuff that would keep her out of the courtroom and have the option to be at home more, she still didn't know how she was going to do it though. Transactional law especially bored her to death. Sure, the money was better, but it wasn't exactly what she was passionate about. That was and still was criminal law.
She shook her head, as she thought about her once promising career. It had all but staled in Storybrooke. True, working for a firm like Ford's would look great on her resume and she was sure he'd let her transfer to any branch in the world, but—but she wanted some independence again.
Not that there would be much, in terms that she was having his child.
After she found out that Lacey was alive, there was a time she thought about terminating the pregnancy. It had been unexpected after all, and would be more of a burden especially now. But she just couldn't. Even though it probably would've been the better option.
Finding out about the baby's gender the other day had made the baby seem so much real. Emma had started to slowly think about names, and now that she knew the gender she could plan the nursery. Though honestly, she sort of had been planning to go with a gender-neutral color like yellow, but still. It made clothes buying just a teeny bit easier.
She shook her head as she put her hand on her swollen belly. She knew Ford was right when he said she was showing, she wanted to deny it though to act like this pregnancy was still in its early days. That she still had time.
"Is the baby kicking?" Jaime asked breaking her out of her thoughts.
"Uh, no." She said. "I just—I just have been getting in the habit of touching my stomach all the time. I remember doing the same thing with you."
And both pregnancies she felt like there was a ticking time bomb involved.
She was thinking this when the door opened and an exhausted looking Harry popped in. He hadn't been here the past two days; apparently he had to attend some sort of big meeting concerning the education of his country or something. He was still in a suit, it was something she hadn't really seen him wearing these days.
But it didn't look so annoying on him, now that she knew what he did. That he wasn't actually the pretentious rich boy she thought he was. But a tireless government worker, and a fairly nice guy.
"Hey," She said. "You look exhausted and I'm sorry to say this but I—"
"You screwed up dinner," He said. "It's okay, I got some emergency takeout from London before I apparated back."
It was still weird hearing that word apparated. Or poofed, as Lacey had called it that one time when Emma thought the woman was totally nuts. She hadn't talked to Lacey much about magic since. She thought it might be too much for the woman, and it probably was. Most things were.
Except for reading. Emma had found that that woman loved reading and talking about reading, and really anything to do with reading. She was after all supposed to have been a librarian and she totally understood it after spending some time with her.
Emma's mind was taken over by the smell of food. "That smells so good, Harry. Are those noodles?"
They smelt so familiar. Lately, there had been a lot of things that seemed familiar to Emma. It seemed like somehow those lost memories, those obliviated memories were slowly but surely coming back.
"Yep, from London's China town." Harry said, "You used to really like them when—"
"When I was there." She said, "I thought they smelled familiar."
"You craved them with Jaime." Harry said as he looked at the chicken that had been left astray on the cabinet. "Oh man, really? Chicken picatta?"
"They said it was easy at least on the television."
He shook his head, "It looked like you pulverized it."
"She did," Jaime said. "She's upset she won't tell me what's going on."
"It's hormones," Emma said, "And just a long day where I realized I'll be wearing maternity clothes for probably the next several months."
"Okay," Jaime said taking the whole complaint about pregnancy weight gain for the hint it was. "I'm going to wash my hands."
Harry rolled his eyes as Jaime made his way up the stairs. "Good move. Or are you really complaining about your wardrobe? Really, I didn't notice that much difference."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't even start on how the fashion industry believes that women must love wearing pink when pregnant. And don't even get me started on the jeans. God, do I hate maternity jeans and their belly bands."
"That's not what you want to talk about though, correct?"
She nodded.
"What's going on?" He asked.
"It's more or less the same crap." She said, "I—I'm a mess. I don't know what to do with my life, and the guy I'm in love with is married. Plus, I'm getting fat and now I have these weird flashes of memory that I know was purposely taken away."
"You need some noodles." He said.
"I still love him," She said. "And I don't want too."
"Noodles," Harry said, "I know it's not the same as wine but—"
"I don't know why I can't be in a healthy relationship." She said, "I mean, of all the guys to be attracted to. And to be talking to this with my quasi ex-husband. But we haven't even filed the papers yet, so I guess that would make you my husband still."
"In name only," He said. "Unless, you want to start the proceedings sooner."
She shook her head, "No. I just have this irrational fear that she's going to come back and that—that we'll need to be together. But then I think what if Regina finds out I'm pregnant, what if she finds out the father is not you and that he's married. And God, she's going to portray me as a whore in court and get custody taken away."
"Now, you're being ridiculous." Harry said. "First of all, are you forgetting that Regina is a fugitive from the law for trying to kidnap you? Also, as a lawyer you should know that the best interest of the child factors that are used to determine custody only care about a parent's sex life if it has a direct impact on the custody dispute if it affects the child's life. I doubt your dalliance with Ford would even be looked at by a court."
"You sound like a lawyer," She said.
"Well, before I dabbled in politics I did a little law." He said.
"It's not as reassuring as it should be," She said, "Even though I know you're right. I just feel unhinged with that woman still out there. It doesn't help that Mary Margret's trial begins tomorrow."
Harry made a face.
"I still can't believe she's pleading innocent." Emma said.
"Have you tried talking to her since she made bail?" Harry asked.
Emma shook her head. "No, in fact, I have a restraining order. You know, I used to pride myself on judging character, but boy was I wrong about her."
"How about Daniel Mills?"
"What about him?" Emma asked, "The guy has been fairly upset about Regina's actions. He's actually getting his shit together. Graham told me he's hiring him as a deputy since architecture career is going nowhere. I know he married Regina, but I—well, I don't think he would've married her had he known how she truly was. I find it odd you brought him up."
"I know he and Mary Margret were hanging out together for a bit," Harry said with a shrug.
"Well, thankfully he had enough common sense to stay away from her." Emma said.
"People do make mistakes, you know."
Emma shook her head. "There's mistakes and well, there's—"
There was Mary Margret. Emma had decided she was going to attend the trial that day and frowned as she looked at the early morning cup of herbal tea she was sharing with Lacey.
"You look upset," The older woman said.
Emma sighed heavily. "Mary Margret's trial begins today."
"Mary who?"
"Mary Margret Blanchard." Emma said, "She helped Regina drug me."
Lacey raised her eyebrow, "She drugged you?"
Emma nodded, "Yes."
"So, she knows what happened to me?" Lacey asked.
"I doubt it," Emma said. "Mary Margret was more or less of a stooge for Regina. She's really sort of pathetic."
"But you're angry at her?"
"Yes," Emma said. "She drugged me I could've lost my baby."
Lacey nodded before she said, "I think, I wanted a baby."
"What?" Emma said caught off guard. "I mean, Ford and I were married before it happens. It only makes sense that I would've wanted a child before all this happened."
"Of course," Emma said.
"It's probably not going to happen now," Lacey said looking down.
"You don't know that," Emma said looking at the woman, though she knew it was more than likely that Lacey was right.
Lacey frowned, "I just—it's just so hard. I can't even go outside and read. The light still hurts so much."
"I'm sorry Lacey," Emma said.
"They tell me I'm doing better," The woman said. "But I don't feel better. I still have nightmares. I won't let Ford—"
She stopped and shook her head.
Emma knew what she meant, she wouldn't let Ford touch her. Emma closed her eyes, as she thought about the fact that Lacey's husband had only touched her months ago. Was that why he had came to her the other day? Because Lacey was so withdrawn from him.
She was thinking this when Lacey added, "I wish he would look at me like I was a wife again instead of an invalid."
Emma raised an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry," The woman said. "I shouldn't bother you with this sort of thing. You're not here to hear about my problems."
"You're my friend, Lacey." She said holding out her hand to her.
Lacey shook her head.
"What?" Emma asked, "Is it so hard to believe that we can be friends?"
"No," She said, "I just, I haven't had a friend in a long time."
Emma sighed heavily, she knew how lonely it must've gotten in that place. "Well, you've got one now. And you have Ford. And Betsey."
Lacey nodded and said something that sort of surprised Emma, "I want to go with you?"
"What?" Emma was a little caught off guard.
Lacey nodded. "If I'm your friend, I need to support you. And you look like you need support today."
Emma sighed, "But your health?"
Lacey shook her head, "And if she was working with Regina, well, I want a word with her too."
When you were a lawyer, courtrooms lost their luster. The first time Emma had been in a courtroom was as a scared teenager. She had been overwhelmed then. She wasn't exactly overwhelmed now. Yet she did feel pulse rate rise a little bit when Mary Margret was brought into the courtroom.
The teacher didn't look intimidating. She never did. In fact, she was wearing white.
Like Snow White, Emma thought as she thought back to that ridiculous fairytale book that Jaime had brought to her attention all those months ago. Mary Margret was Snow White there. A little ridiculous, considering the version of Snow White in that story was everything this woman was not.
And she doubted that woman would wear a white cardigan in the courtroom.
"Emma," Lacey asked. "Are you okay?"
She should've been the one asking Lacey that. After all, it had been hard for the woman to go here. She saw her flinch at the noises, and it was the courtroom. It wasn't exactly the loudest place to be.
She could just imagine how Lacey would do in another Storybrooke location, and she felt pity for the woman whose hand she squeezed back. "I'm fine."
Sure enough the trial proceeded. Mary Margret wasn't taking a plea deal like Emma had hoped.
And she was being represented by Sidney Glass of all people, whose license hadn't gotten suspended after all.
The prosecutor, George Spencer, Emma was unhappy to see wasn't that enthusiastic about his job. It had only been because of Ford she was pretty sure he was even trying the woman. He was a Regina crony so through and through. So many of them remained in Storybrooke. The mayoral position was left open it seemed no one wanted it. They were all waiting for Regina to come home which Emma thought was just outright ridiculous.
If she wanted to stay in this town, she'd halfway consider running just to wake them the hell up.
The opening statement was really not poignant on either side. What most people who didn't learn and live law knew was that most weren't. But there was something about how half hearted these proceedings seemed that annoyed Emma.
Maybe it was that she had to call Spencer to ask if he wanted to go over her statement.
He told her it wouldn't be necessary. That was something she never, never, did when she worked at the DA's office back in Boston.
In fact the courts in Storybrooke, were pretty obscene though she did have a number of eviction hearings that went relatively well. If only because she was representing Ford Gold and his properties.
"I call Emma Swan-Potter to the stand." Spencer finally said.
Lacey squeezed her hand in support as Emma got up to be asked about her ordeal.
The questions that Spencer asked were fairly to form. It really did nothing to benefit her case, just that she Mary Margret had gotten her to come into Granny's and that that was before she was drugged.
Of course, Sidney had a field day with that and said it was mere speculation. And then, and, well, then he asked Emma something she didn't expect.
"So, I see that you are expecting, Mrs. Potter."
"Yes," She said because there was no denying the obvious.
"I find that interesting, since I was under speculation that you and your husband's relationship isn't exactly your typical relationship."
"Excuse me," Emma said, "What's the relevancy to all of this?"
"You're not prosecuting here," Sidney said. "And just for the court to know this is relevant, because it concerns your character."
"I don't see—"
The judge cut her off. "Mr. Spencer isn't objecting, Mrs. Potter. Although, I do think this conversation is a little out there, Mr. Glass."
"I will be making a point, your honor. And as you mentioned District Attorney Spencer hasn't objected."
"Then continue." The judge said.
"Alright," Sidney said, "I'll be more direct. Who's the father of your baby?"
"What?" Emma was caught off guard. She hadn't told anyone, a part from Harry and Ford of course about the paternity of her unborn child. Sure, she had told her doctor, but her doctor was outside of Storybrooke. "What are you getting at?"
"Is the father of your unborn child Rumford Gold, Mrs. Potter. That's a yes or no question, by the way. And might I remind you, what happens if you lie in court."
Emma glared at him. She didn't want to answer him. The question had no relevancy, and as far as impeachment evidence was concerned she didn't see how it could be useful.
Instead, she looked at Lacey Gold who was already pale beyond belief. She could've lied in court, she thought about it. Maybe she should've, but Emma had always been one for the truth. Plus, she was a lawyer and she was on the witness stand. But looking at Lacey, Emma knew she was going to break her and that was the last thing she wanted to do to the poor woman.
"Ms. Swan?" Sidney asked again, "Is Rumford Gold the biological father of your baby?"
"I don't even see how this is relevant." She said as she felt her stomach cramp up.
She frowned. "I need to go."
"You need to answer the question, Ms. Swan. Surely, as an officer of the court you know that."
Emma frowned heavily, "Yes…yes…okay."
She then grunted over in pain, before she saw stars.
The good news was that the baby was perfectly okay. The bad news was that she needed to stay in bed, per the orders of her doctor. Stress was not good for her, and her blood pressure had skyrocketed.
No big surprise there.
They were running a few scans before they told her she could be released, but it looked good.
"Emma?"
It was Harry; he looked completely out of breath like he had just gotten out of a meeting. She had called him rather than Ford. As much as she did want Ford here, a part of her wanted Harry. It was odd how much of a comfort he had become to her in the past few months.
"Hey," She said, "You didn't have to come."
"Of course I did," He said. "You're in the hospital. You, you, could've lost the baby."
"I'll be fine," She said. "I'm just going to have to take it easy, not that that seems probable after what happened today."
"What do you mean?"
She then told him about the whole sordid ordeal. How Lacey Gold found out she was having her husband's love child in the middle of the courtroom.
"She came there to support me," Emma said. "I—I couldn't even see how she was at the end because of the baby. I thought I was losing her. But Lacey, oh God, she's far too fragile for news like that."
"Emma," He said, "I'm sure she's fine."
His tone seemed sincere, but there was something about the glint in his eye that said otherwise.
Emma shook her head. "You're lying, I can see it on your face.
"It will work out," He said, "She was going to know one day. There was no way Ford was not going to be a part of this baby's life."
She sighed heavily, "But in open court? I don't even know how Sidney knew about the paternity."
Harry frowned, "That is of interest. I always heard Glass was a puppet too."
"He is," Emma said. "Regina's lackey. You don't think that Regina is involved in this, do you?"
"It's likely."
"But how would she know—" Emma stopped herself, "They took my blood. You think they have a sample of Ford's?"
A weird look came over Harry's face and he muttered something under his breath that Emma couldn't quite hear.
"What?"
He shook his head. "Are you sure you and the baby are okay?"
"We're fine," She said. "I'm glad you came, Harry."
He nodded holding out his hand for her to squeeze. "Always. Get some rest, Emma."
"But I'm not…"
She found herself falling asleep. When she woke up again she was in a much larger room and Ford was there by her bedside.
"How's Lacey?" She immediately asked.
He shook his head, "I'm more worried about you, love."
"Ford," She said. "Lacey is so fragile, I need to know that she's going to be okay."
"No," He said, "You need to remain calm for your sake and the baby's. Lacey will be okay."
She gave him a skeptical look, "Then why are you with me, and not her?"
He shook his head at her. "Surely, she's not okay with you being with me."
"She doesn't know." He said.
"Haven't you ever checked on her?" Emma asked.
He looked at her monitor, clearly unhappy with what he saw. "She's fine." He said.
"You're just saying that because you're worried about my blood pressure." She said.
"No," He said, "I hired a healer to monitor Lacey and I asked them to give her something to relax."
"You drugged her?"
He frowned, "She was upset. And I didn't want her to have another episode. She'll be fine; I'm going to explain to her that things changed. They have. Obviously."
"No, Ford. You can't do that."
"And you can't keep punishing yourself for the fact that you and I have a relationship."
"It's not just that," She said biting her lip.
He rolled his eyes. "Really, then what is it, Emma? Is it that you're bothered by magic, because that has already been disproven."
"It's—"
He rolled his eyes, "Don't tell me you're willing to work on your marriage with Harry, you told me plenty of times you don't love him. So, changing that now—"
"It's just wrong," She finally spat out. But all she wanted to do was kiss him, "Your wife—she's in so much pain. We can't be—"
"Happy?" He said. "I agree what happened to Lacey was awful, and I'm going to help her. But I want to be with you, Emma. With you and our child."
"Daughter."
"Yes," He said. "I hope she has your looks."
"Ford,"
"What?"
"If you love me at least check on Lacey."
"As you wish."
The Princess Bride reference just about killed her.
She didn't even end up getting released from the hospital till the next day, and it was a huge ordeal. Harry had overdone himself with trying to make her comfortable and had even made her homemade chicken noodle soap. The stock, Emma came to find out was made from scratch.
"I didn't know that so much went into making soup." She told him. "I guess that's why a lot of people eat the crappy version that comes out of the can."
Harry wrinkled his nose. "I had enough of that stuff to last a lifetime. My aunt used to make me eat that garbage while she made me make her the real stuff."
"That sounds a bit cruel," Emma said with a frown. "Why do I think we talked about your relatives before?"
"Because we did," He said. "You having more flashes."
She nodded. It was weird, the more time she spent with Harry and got to know him, memories started coming a bit clearer. She didn't know exactly why though. Obliviations, Harry explained were complicated things.
"It might be weakening," He said.
"You think you could try to break through it?" She asked.
He frowned, "I would, but not in your condition. But I have to warn you, I really doubt I could do anything."
"I hate that they took away my choice, Harry. Losing those memories cost me a lot."
"I know,"
"I worry about Jaime going to that school because of it."
"It isn't the same now." He said, "I told you."
She knew, but she still wasn't comfortable about it. Realizing that Jaime would be spending the bulk of the next seven years of his life at a magic school made him nervous. She knew he had to learn how to control his power, and while the home school lessons he had been having with Hermione seemed to help the boy control his powers, it wasn't the same as actual magic school at least that's what Hermione and Harry told her.
"I'd like to see your world," She finally said. "Before—you know, Jaime goes to school. It worries me."
"I'm sure it does," He said as she ate her soup. "However, you can be assured our son will be safe when he attends Hogwarts and will be getting an excellent education."
"I don't like how far away it is," She said.
"You could always move back to London." He said, "I know it's not Tallahassee but—"
Tallahassee. That word seemed familiar. This time, Emma had her most vivid flash of all. She was in bed with Harry. He was younger and not as built as he was now, but she still found herself oddly attracted to him. Okay, a lot attracted to him based on the things he was doing to her in bed as they talked about Tallahassee.
Oh God.
She felt her face turning scarlet as she found herself looking at Harry.
"What?"
"We talked about Tallahassee before didn't we?" She asked.
"It was sort of a joke," He said, "Another memory?"
"You don't even want to know." She said shaking her head.
"Let me guess," He said, "We were naked in this one."
"Harry," She said as she felt her face turn even more red—if that was possible.
"Well, you were turning red. And Tallahassee often came up in bed." He said with a shrug.
"It's not funny," She said seeing the grin on Harry's face.
"But it is," He said, "You must have found it so odd considering you don't view me as attractive."
She had never said she found him to be unattractive. By most people's standards Harry was very attractive, she just had been so against the idea of him and her when he first came into town. It had just been so hard, knowing that she was married to a stranger. It felt like another one of her choices had been taken from her and that had already happened so many times in her life already. And that had impression had implemented on her so long that even after they became civil with each other, it was hard to find him attractive. But now, well, after that flashback she was sort of embarrassed.
"I never said you weren't attractive." She said.
"That's not what I mean, Emma, and you know it." He said.
She sighed heavily. He had a point there.
"It was a weird flashback, Harry." She said, "I mean, I—"
Viewed him as a friend? Yeah, until that flash. Oh, that flashback.
"It's okay, Emma." He said, "I share that awkward memory of Tallahassee too. Why don't we get you to bed? And not like in the flashback."
She glared at him, but, but, there was something there.
The next few days had been relatively low key. She stayed in bed. The doctor had been clear about the bed rest thing, and quite honestly sometimes it did feel good being in bed. But eventually, it got to Emma and she decided to call and see if Lacey Gold was okay.
She knew it was a little stupid. Really, what did she expect Lacey to say, that she was okay with the whole having her husband's baby thing.
Much to Emma's surprise though Lacey wanted to talk.
"Emma?" Lacey said, "This is a pleasant surprise."
Lacey actually sounded a lot better than she normally did, Emma was sort of surprised.
"I didn't think you wanted to talk to me," She said, "Lacey, I am so, so, sorry."
There was a pause on the other end of the line for a moment before Lacey talked, "I'd like to have tea. Talk things over, do you think you can come?"
Emma thought about it, she really wasn't suppose to get out of bed much but having tea was hardly strenuous. And even though she knew that things might get emotionally stiff, she needed to at least tell Lacey she was sorry.