[Author's Note: For the sake of continuity with my stories I continue to use the

apartment that I designed a while back where the Charmings have a new apartment,

3 bedroom/2 baths; but it looks very similar to their old apartment just with a

couple added things and added space.]

Chapter 1: Nightmares

Emma Swan sighed as she walked down the stairs from Henry's bedroom.

It had been a stressful few days for all of them. Telling Henry that Archie had died had been one of the most painful things she had ever done. She had never given bad news to someone before, not like this, not when it counted. As a bail bonds person she had always given bad news to people but that was just part of the job. None of the people she sought out meant anything, they were just another paycheck. Same could be said with being the sheriff in a small town. Though she had to uphold the law and sometimes be the bringer of bad news, none had been harder than to give bad news to a family member.

Family.

Though she loved her son and loved her parents in a way she had never loved anyone before and trusted that the love was real the concept of family was still new to her. To all of them, Henry included. For twenty eight years they had all been without each other, eleven years in Henry's case but apart from one another the same.

"What the hell do you know about family hu," were the words that rang in Emma's head as she continued on her way to the kitchen table, words from a guy who she had hunted down on her last job before moving to Storybrooke.

Nothing had been her reply and she still knew nothing about family except that she had one.

As if to combat those negatives, Emma's mind thought back to the first real conversation with her parents. Though she'd add a few before they all knew the truth, and they had some shortly after the curse had been lifted, Emma's real connection to them as a whole had been a few days ago as they waited for Henry after school.

"We don't have to go through any of it alone, we're family."

The words echoed in Emma's mind. She didn't even see as Mary Margaret came and sat across from her, placing a cup of hot chocolate and cinnamon on the table.

"You okay," Mary Margaret asked taking Emma out of her thoughts.

Emma looked at her parents who were looking at her with concern. Diverting her eyes from them, Emma's eyes glanced down to the swan pendant that she hadn't realized she'd been caressing. She quickly placed her hand down as if the pendant were on fire.

Mary Margaret looked at David, curious as to why their daughter had done that, the look in Emma's eyes didn't go unnoticed either as if by seeing the pendant and dropping it quickly it held some kind of power over her. Mary Margaret didn't press the issue, not directly anyways.

"You seem kind of distracted," said Mary Margaret.

Emma looked down at her hot cocoa, "I'm fine," she said taking a finger full of whipped cream. After swallowing that and taking a sip, knowing her parents would want more than just a typical answer, "I just wish I could make things better."

Mary Margaret smiled and placed a hand on Emma's, "Hey, he's a tough kid. He'll bounce back from this."

"I know he will," Emma replied as she looked up at her parents. "It's not just Archie's death. He's terrified that Regina could come after him. Henry's been having nightmares for a couple night's all ready because of that. How do I reassure my kid that I'll do everything I can to protect him when I'm scared of the same thing?" Emma looked down into her cup. "I was away from his life too long. I can't lose him again. And I know the circumstances were different but if I ever lose Henry it won't be my choice this time."

"Hey," said David, "You're not going to lose him. The kid practically has a whole army ready to defend him."

Emma looked up, "I can't ask you to put your lives on the line like that or anyone else for that matter."

"You didn't," Mary Margaret replied. "He's your son." Mary Margaret looked over to David and back at Emma, "Our grandson. We would do anything for him and for you."

Emma let out a slight smile.

Their conversation lasted another ten minutes but was interrupted by a scream upstairs. Emma quickly moved her head in that direction and immediately got up from her seat.

"I've got it," she said to her parents all ready making her way upstairs.

Emma quickly opened Henry's door and walked in. He was trashing about on the bed, his blankets scattered on the floor.

"Henry," she said touching his arms to keep him from moving. Still he did, his legs kicking the air that his confined hands couldn't. "Henry," she called out a little stronger. "Henry, wake up," she called to him.

Henry's eyes opened quickly, first looking up to the ceiling. Once aware that he was awake Henry sat up and fell into his mother's arms.

Emma caressed his head and neck, "Shh, you're okay. You're safe now."

Henry hugged Emma tighter as she continued to sooth him.

Once Henry's breathing slowed and returned to normal Emma pulled back and looked at Henry.

"Want to tell me about it?"

Henry looked down, "It was the same as last time. My mom materialized in the middle of the room and took me with her before you, David, and Mary Margaret could wake up. She always comes at night in the dream because she knows that's when you'll be the most vulnerable."

"Henry listen to me, I'm not going to let that happen okay? Regina can't get to you, not when she knows how well protected you are. She won't risk it."

Henry took a deep breath, "Maybe you're right."

Emma looked over to Henry's nightstand. "Why don't I go downstairs and get some matches so we can light your candle tonight, it'll keep away the bad dreams."

"It's not helping anymore."

"I'm sure there's something else we can try. What do you say to you come sleep with me, isn't that what kids do when they have nightmares and can't sleep?"

Henry smiled at his mother's failed attempt, "I'm eleven."

"Right okay well how about I stay with you tonight?"

"I suppose I can work with that," he said with another smile.

Emma smiled back, "Good, now let's get you tucked in again. That must have been some nightmare," she said getting up to pick up his blankets.

Shortly once Henry was tucked in Emma got on the bed with him. He then rested so that he was next to her, Emma draping her arm around his small form.

"I will find a way to make those nightmares stop kid, I promise," she said to him.

"They're just nightmares," Henry replied.

And true they were to an extent. A lot of kids had nightmares, even adults had them but Emma knew better now that she wasn't living in what was once considered her real world.

After Henry's sleeping curse he had the unfortunate side effect of entering a netherworld where the nightmare was real. She hated to think what could happen if his new nightmares became real too.

"Try and get some sleep Henry," she said placing a kiss on his head. "I'll be here all night."

Henry yawned. Emma knew the boy was tired, "Okay," he said to her.

As Henry drifted off to sleep, Emma stayed awake.

She glanced to the window. The moon was full tonight and in a close distance she could hear a howl.

Yes Henry would be protected. He wasn't just the mayor's kid anymore. He was hers, the son of the savior.