Author's note: Here's the epilogue!

Again, thank you SO much for continuing to read and review. I cannot tell you how much I've appreciated all of you for the last 7 years. Every single one of your reviews has made me smile, and even now I still cannot believe how such a simple story idea grew into something that touched so many readers.

7 years ago, I would not have anticipated the impact that this story would have, and I will always be grateful for each and every one of you.

Chapter 69

One year later

"Got everything?" Regina stood back and watched as Emma struggled to cram items into the bed of her, formerly David's, truck. Her lip twitched with amusement.

"Stop laughing." Emma hesitated as she held up an overpacked duffel and scanned the extremely full truck. "This is all important. I need all my stuff."

"I'm sure you do." Regina sighed and stepped forward, seamlessly rearranging the numerous suitcases, backpacks, camping equipment and other random items to make room for the duffel. "There. I think you're all set."

"Thanks." Emma looked at her watch. "Guess I should probably get going then." But for a moment, as she looked at her mother, she wasn't so sure.

For the last year, she'd thought about nothing more than her long anticipated post-grad solo road trip, painstakingly mapping out her journey. First she'd hit up New York, then maybe DC, Tallahassee, Chicago, or Seattle…wherever she'd feel like going once she was on the road. Perhaps she'd camp out in the desert and sleep under the stars. Or make it out to California and stalk celebrities, or to Arizona to hike the Grand Canyon.

And now that the day was finally here. Now that graduation was over and done with, and high school behind her, it was finally time for her trip across the country. Emma had been accepted to Boston University, but after much debate, she'd ended up deferring for a year so that she'd have time for her road trip.

Regina stepped forward and wrapped Emma in a hug. "Promise me you'll call whenever you can. And be careful. Don't do anything I wouldn't. If you leave a drink unattended, do not drink it again. Don't trust everyone you meet, and keep an eye on your purse at all times."

Emma rolled her eyes out of habit. "Yes I know. You've been telling me this for months now, Mom. Don't worry."

"I'll always worry. It's what mothers do." Regina pulled away from their hug, but kept her hands on Emma's shoulders. She studied her daughter, and Emma could see her mother's eyes shine with tears.

"Look at you." Regina said. "It feels like you arrived in Storybrooke just yesterday. You were about this tall," She bent down slightly and indicated a spot in the air about a foot off the pavement. "And look at you now. All grown up."

"I was not that short."

"I still remember taking you to kindergarten that first day. You didn't want me to leave." Regina said wistfully. "And I didn't want to leave you, either."

"Mom…" Emma protested playfully, rolling her eyes with mock-annoyance. "Don't be so lame."

"Like I said, it's what mothers do."

"Yesss, but I'm an adult now. You can stop."

"No matter how old you are, you'll always be my baby." Regina pressed Emma to her again, squeezing her tightly. "And I'm going to miss you so much."

Emma still couldn't believe her mother had agreed to this. But to her surprise, Regina had fully supported Emma's dream, even eagerly helping her research different locations to visit.

Storybrooke would always and forever be her home. But learning about her true origins had opened Emma's eyes to a world beyond her small town, a world that she now couldn't wait to explore. She knew where she came from and where she belonged.

But who was she outside of Storybrooke?

(Emma would go on to drive around the country, meeting all kinds of interesting people that for once had nothing to do with being fairy tale characters. She'd visit the Statue of Liberty and experience New York pizza for herself. She'd drive through the Midwest and see the corn fields and go to football games. She'd camp out in the desert on her way to Vegas, and then hike parts of the Pacific Crest Trail, and then finally reach the Pacific Ocean when she'd arrive in Seattle. And of course, she'd send her mother postcard after postcard.

She'd go on to major in Psychology at Boston University, and hate her freshman year roommate, but then move in with a group of amazing friends she'd grow close to, though none would ever hold a candle to her first and very best friend, Jasmine, who had decided to go to college closer to Storybrooke and major in Zoology. The girls would keep in close touch, of course.

Emma would then move to Boston, where she'd finally fulfill her dream of becoming a PI. And she would become a damn good one too. She'd purchase a gorgeous apartment overlooking the city with floor to ceiling windows, and of course she always had room for Regina to visit.

Years later, she'd fall in love with a boy, someone she'd meet on the job, one of her targets, a petty thief of sorts. They'd quickly move in together and plan to start a new life, and he'd promise to retire from crime.

He'd then go on to leave and break her heart, closing her off from romance for a very long time.

And when she'd turn 28, Emma would realize she was pregnant with her ex's child. Devastated and shocked and still heartbroken, she would decide to pack up her yellow bug, one of the last things her ex would leave behind (David's truck would have long broken down and be beyond repair) and temporarily move back to Storybrooke, where Regina would be beyond excited to welcome her daughter home.

Emma would give birth a boy she'd name Henry, after the grandfather she'd never met. Regina would be proud beyond belief.

She'd decide to stay in town, and eventually take up the Sheriff position after Graham would decide to retire, and she'd realize that she far preferred being Storybrooke's Sheriff over being a PI.

For the second time in her life, she'd realize that she belonged in Storybrooke.

And finally, Emma would reunite with Killian, the boy from high school with whom she'd gone on a few dates and prom with, although it had never been anything serious. Until now.

But that's a story for another day.)

"Don't forget your jacket." Regina handed Emma the bright red leather jacket that she'd gifted her daughter for graduation. Emma had initially balked at the color, having grown accustomed to a more neutral wardrobe. Besides, leather jackets were cool, but red didn't exactly scream badass, did it?

As usual, Regina's taste in clothing had been impeccable, and Emma had realized the jacket suited her perfectly.

"Thanks Mom." Emma said as she pulled on the jacket, smoothing it over her the t-shirt she wore underneath. It was almost too hot out to wear a leather jacket, but she already knew she would find ways to wear it with every outfit for years to come.

"I guess this it, then." She hugged Regina one last time. "Bye, Mom. I love you."

"I love you too."

Emma got into her truck, started the engine, and waved to her mother. She started down the road, the very same road she'd traversed thirteen years ago on her way to Storybrooke, the place she'd never imagined she'd grow to love and call home, where she'd find her mother and the place she belonged to above all else.

(It had been a hard journey, she had to admit. Her younger self had understandably been scared and hurt and unsure if she could trust Regina. But it had been worth the fight.)

And now, Emma couldn't wait to find out where this road would take her next.