The Price of Gold

"A dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep."- Disney's Cinderella

If you want your life changed- "Then change it!" -Rumpelstiltskin

Is that statement easier said than done?  We all have thoughts of experiencing a "Cinderella moment" in our lives.  The moment that transforms us from a life of unfortunate circumstances and/or poverty, anonymity or even loneliness- and then with the wave of a wand, or a winning lotto ticket, or opportunity knocking on your door, or even a magic phone call, one's life is positively and forever changed. 

I am a believer in people having the power to change most anything, yet somewhere deep down inside I also hold on to the hope that a little dose of magic exists.  But in reality sometimes personal "will" isn't enough and a little magic may be needed to change one's circumstances.  Sort of like the bullshit many of us are experiencing right now with those of us who are scared about our uncertain futures, without jobs, without money, losing our homes, wondering how we're going to take care of our families, failing at achieving a dream, letting ourselves/family down, or fearing that life is going to throw us back into a life of wretchedness- all desperately needing some sort of magic to help us out of a huge mess and give us hope that will lead us back to our happy place.

For some, the idea of magic once lived, now it has been tossed away as a foolish childish notion because reality proves no magic exists.  As much as I hate to face it the bottom line is...there is no such thing as magic, and I know that I, a grown woman, shouldn't believe in magic- and that makes me sad.
It's all an illusion and believing in the power of magic is what gives it its power to begin with.

Rumpelstiltskin actually says some positive things and warnings to Cinderella about what she desires,  but she is so smitten with the magic of magic and desperation to change her life that she ignores his advice and is more willing to make a deal than believe in her own positive and magical power.  Ultimately Rumpelstiltskin does the only thing he can do with such an easy mark- he uses her; But why?  Was it a test?

Maybe it was destiny and not a magic spell that played a role in Cinderella's good fortune.  After all she claims she wasn't really interested in "riches".   Life isn't about the things we have.  It's about being part of a family, the giving and receiving unconditional love, having a place to call home, having a positive purpose and becoming an inspiration to others...even if and when you have to go back to an undesirable set of circumstances.

Is it possible that in this beautiful fairy tale some genuine magic really does exist?  How much would you be willing to sacrifice for such magic?

Trickery:
Rumpelstiltskin is usually the trickster. Is he easily tricked by the altered contract? Or does he really know there's no such thing as magic, only the people who believe they believe in magic?

Fear:
The characters are boxed in by fear. They have to start deciding which people, things and situations, if any, are worth fearing.  Fear is another thing that is brought to life or given power to, only when you believe it to be true.  Rumpelstiltskin and Regina have won power over the characters in this adventure.  

Mirror-Mirror:
Take a good look at yourself.  Change and transformation are always possible!  But one must be warned that putting painful emotions away in a metaphoric box or hiding them away in a deep dark corner cell of your mind or heart will only delay your growth. 

In ONCE the identity and/or lack of identity issue is paramount.  Again the characters' don't know who they are and this journey may prove their way to discovering their truth.  Emma doesn't know who she is or where she really belongs.  She will be learning more about herself and how the choices she's made and makes contributes to her own personal growth.  Growth on all levels needs to be nurtured.
In this episode I felt as if the characters and Emma are talking directly to Emma; as if the story and its characters are telling Emma her own story so she can actually see it from another/outsider perspective and face it head on. But what the hell do I know?!

Watch the clock: 
Stop wasting precious time. Time is a very important theme in this fairy tale.  The time on the clock tower basically shows us the same hours.  And note that Henry's room {and a few other rooms} contain more than one/many clocks.

Circles:
The circle motif was all over the episode.  All of the people in the ONCE universe are connected.  We also see them in a redundant cycle; they even make many of the same mistakes.
Emma makes a deal with Mr. Gold to give Ashley her baby- Is this a sacrifice on Emma's part so she can help the little family, or is it just a vicious cycle of deal making and mistake making with no end in sight?
The characters may have to go around in circles a few times before they can find their way back home. 

Things to note...Questions to ask...

• Why is Emma the only one who can leave Storybrooke?  Plus she can do what she wants...Umm...Is she a Candidate?!   Maybe it's just about free will and choice. Or something very different
• Henry constantly defies Regina and breaks rules; he doesn't even listen to instruction when it comes from Emma.  So I guess nobody is going to tell him what he can't do!
• An important note- Henry is the one who loses his shoe on the steps and not Cinderella.
• Emma's boxes of personal stuff- where did it come from?  Was it shipped there?  Did she go and pick it up?  Did she just wish for it to be there and "POOF" there it is?! 
• Why can't Henry figure out who Mr. Gold is?
• Henry is the one who informs Emma that if anyone leaves Storybrooke bad things would happen. Hmm...that brings me back to a special time in LOST when Jack is told and believes that bad things happened on the "Island" when he left. 

✔  Golden LOST Thread Woven into the Tapestry of this Tale
     All you have to do is read through my recaps and look at the photos to see that the golden thread is right there.
Side Note: word is that Damon Lindelof served as a consultant on the pilot.   Eddy Kitsis described Damon Lindelof as his and Horowitz's godfather. Adam Horowitz said that Lindelof's name "isn't on the show, but his DNA is in it," and that he will continue to advise the two.
With that said, here is a few of the many connections to note...
★  Damon Lindelof makes an appearance via his Comic Book
★  I feel that in ONCE we have "Realms" and in LOST we have "Planes"
★  What is real and what is not
★  "Don't tell me what I can't do"
★  In The End Hurley has similar dialogue with Sayid about "You can't let other people tell you what you are, Dude. You have to decide that for yourself"
★  Ashley was offered a lot of money to give up the child to a good family, just as Claire was in Raised by Another
★  No one thinks Ashley knows what she's doing or will do 
★  Cinderella/Ella/Ashley's man's name is Thomas; as was Aaron's father/Claire's lover; Raised by Another
★  Tallahassee
★  Geronimo Jackson sticker
★  Cobra- Expose
★  The (unborn) child's name is Alexandra
★  Glass - Looking Glass- (Slippers, wolf, unicorns)
★  Code 
★  Deals and Cons
★  Black and white
★  Roots
★  Boon-Boone
★ Bloody Snow Globe
★ 4, 8

★  Seven: Sevens, like Threes, deal with magical forces.  Seven deals with esoteric, scholarly aspects of magic.  Representative of scholarly activities, mystery, and the focused search for esoteric meanings. Seven deals with the activation of imagination and manifesting results in our lives through the use of conscious thought and awareness.  Ruled by Saturn, Seven can represent impractical dreaming, but with a deeper understanding of the aspects of Seven, you can quite deftly utilize its magical vibration to your own benefit.
★  7 Chakras are in the basic model used in various eastern traditions and philosophies.

**All photos posted here are chosen for a reason.**
Enough of my rambling...Here is your episode recap!  Enjoy!

The Enchanted Forest
Cinderella's stepmother and two stepsisters leave for a big event in a horse drawn carriage. Sad servant Cinderella sweeps the path as she watches the beautiful fireworks display over a grand castle in the distance. Her fairy godmother appears and tells her not to despair as she will attend that ball.
Cinderella- "Who are you?"
Fairy godmother- "I'm your fairy godmother.  I'm here to change your life."
Cinderella reveals that she was forbidden to attend by her stepmother. The Fairy godmother shows Cinderella a powerful magic wand; one that will take her to her ball and to her "Prince and to..." In one moment she is turned into black smoke and Rumpelstiltskin appears in her place.
Cinderella- "What did you do?!"
He tells her there's no need to be frightened; as he picks up the wand he says "I got what I wanted". Cinderella tells him fairy godmother was there to help her, but he questions "Was she?"   In a sing-song manor he asks her "Do you know what this is?"
Cinderella looks at it in awe and claims it to be "Pure magic".
Rumpelstiltskin corrects her "It's pure evil. Trust me...I've done you a favor.  All magic comes with a price. Go on 'bout your life.  And thank your lucky stars you still get something to go back to."
Cinderella only sees the negative in her current life situation, so Rumpelstiltskin gives her simple advice "Then change it. You can't handle this {the wand}".

Cinderella stops him from walking away, claiming she can handle it and pleads that she will do "anything to get out of this".   She asks him if he knows how to handle that thing.  Insulted Rumpelstiltskin introduces himself, bows before her and replies "Of course I do".  Cinderella wants his help.  Rumpelstiltskin can help her.   He asks if she can shoulder the consequences; then she'll owe him a favor.  He wants something precious; with this wish will come riches more than she'll know.  Cinderella doesn't care anything about riches, she just wants out of here.  Rumpelstiltskin again tells her to fear not, and assures her that his needs are small and all she has to do is sign on the dotted line.  Overzealous Cinderella doesn't even read the document, but signs it anyway.  They have a deal.  Rumpelstiltskin waves the magic wand and turns Cinderella into a clean, pretty gown wearing woman.  The glass slippers are there waiting to be worn. 

Rumpelstiltskin- "Every story needs a memorable detail. Let's see how they fit, shall we? Now, you have a good time... but be sure to watch the clock!"

In Storybrooke
The bell tolls 8:00 on the clock tower.
Emma and Henry walk past the library. {The windows are all covered on the inside with newspaper.}  Henry wonders if it's OK for them to be out in the open like that.  Emma, walking Henry to a bus stop, is totally cool with it all; including how Regina may feel about it.  Henry calls her brave; especially for their mission- Operation Cobra.  He wonders if they should have code names to call each other. Emma wants to just be called "Emma".  {So, is that her 'code name'?}  Henry boards the small Storybrooke Elementary school bus.

The siren on the black and white sheriff's car driven by Graham is sounded.  He needed to get her attention (as it seems a hard thing to do) to offer her a job; even though Emma notes there doesn't seem to be a lot of Sherff-ing going on around there.  He is giving her a chance to see it all up close; even informs her there's dental.  He gives her his card and tells her to think about it, "Stay a while".

At Granny's, pig-tale, short-short wearing Ruby delivers a mug of hot cocoa to Emma, who is reading the newspaper. {Headline is- COMA PATIENT WAKES UP}   Regina enters and asks Emma how her walk with Henry went.  Confident Regina knows everything and she's not worried by Miss Swan any longer.  She did a little digging into who she is and what she found out was quite soothing. "It all comes down to the number 7."    Apparently that's the number of addresses Emma's had in the last decade; her longest stint anywhere was 2 years.  "Really, what did you enjoy so much about Tallahassee?"
Emma informs Regina she found a place; but Regina already knows about her lease-less stay with Miss Blanchard.  "In order for something to grow, Miss Swan, it needs roots. And you...don't have any. People don't change, they only fool themselves into believing they can."   Regina insists she knows Emma; all she asks is that as Emma carries on her transient life that she thinks of Henry. "Perhaps consider a clean break. It's gonna happen anyway. Enjoy your cocoa."  Regina walks right out.  When Emma stands up she spills the cocoa on herself.  Ruby has a laundry room Emma can use. {Hmm...cleaning up your own mess or washing away of things.}

In the laundry room annoyed Emma throws her stuff in the washer and takes a blue button down shirt off the drying rack to wear.
Ashley/Cinderella is upset that the sheets are pink.  Emma asks if she's tried bleach to which Ashley reveals she's pregnant.   Ashley shares that last night she felt contractions; the doctor said the baby could come any day now.  She tears up explaining that when the baby comes "No one thinks that I can do this. No one thinks I can do anything. Maybe they're right."
This strikes a chord with Emma and she advises Ashley to "Screw them!"   She tells 19 year old Ashley that she was 18 when she too had a kid.  "I know what it's like. Everyone loves to tell you what you can and can't do, especially with a kid. But ultimately whatever you're considering doing or giving up- the choice is yours."
Ashley- "Its not exactly what you might think it is."
Emma- "It never is.  People are going to tell you who you are your whole life.  You just gotta punch back and say 'No, this is who I am'.  You want people to look at you differently- make them! You wanna change things you're gonna have to go out there and change them yourself because there are no fairy godmothers in this world."

Mr. Gold is the neighborhood Pawnbroker.  He locks up for the night and looks as if he hears something as he walks away. {Sign shows OPEN - return 10:00}
Ashley breaks the glass door with a white brick and opens the locks by reaching inside the door.

We're shown hanging glass unicorns and two ugly petrified looking dolls {or marionettes}, and keys hang on the wall near the paintings.  As she's about to break into the combination wall safe that is hidden behind a painting, Mr. Gold says her name and asks her what she's doing.
Ashley- "Changing my life."    She sprays him with spray; as he backs away grabbing for his eyes, he falls over knocking over gold chess pieces and he falls to the floor he hits his head.  He's left bleeding from the left side of his forehead. As he lays unconscious on the floor Ashley steals his keys. {That's curious- she steals the keys yet looks like a combination lock.}

While primping herself in her mirror Regina gives Henry the rules for his sequestered stay at home.    
She claims to not enjoy these unavoidable Saturday City Council meetings; she thinks Henry thinks otherwise.  Henry listens while he reads his {Damon Lindelof’s} Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk comic book and agrees to her rules/terms.  "Yes on homework, no on TV and stay inside." 
She again reminds the good boy "Under no circumstance do you leave this house."
Henry- "You mean don't see my mom."
Frustrated Regina replies  "She's not your mother! She's just a woman passing through. Now do as I say or there will be consequences. I'll be back at five sharp."
Henry listens to her exit and watches her leave via the window, grabs his backpack and leaves.

At Mary Margaret's place Mary hands Emma a plate of breakfast.  Emma is on the floor unpacking her handful of possessions from cardboard boxes. {See, John Locke was right- everybody needs boxes. lol}  Mary wonders if the rest of her stuff is in storage, but this is the entirety of Emma's things. She's not sentimental.  Apparently it makes things easier when she has to move.  A knock at the door announces Mr. Gold's arrival. He's there because he needs help from Miss Swan.  "I'm looking for someone."
Mary excuses herself to take a bath and give the two time to chat privately.  Mr. Gold shows her a photo. "Her name is Ashley Boyd. And she's taken something quite valuable of mine."  He didn't go to the police because "she's a confused young woman. She's pregnant. Alone and scared.  I don't want to ruin this young girl's life.  But I just want my property returned."   One of the advantages of Emma not being the police is discretion.
Mr. Gold- "Let's just say it's a precious object and leave it at that."

Mr. Gold shares the last time he saw her was last night; that's where he got that head injury.  "It's so unlike her.  She was quite wound-up rambling on and on about changing her life. I've no idea what got into her.  Miss Swan, please help me find her."   He doesn't want to go to the police as nobody wants to see the child born in jail.
Emma realizes she is the reason for Ashley's motivation and offers to help "her".
Henry barges in and makes eye contact with Mr. Gold; Henry looks at bit uncomfortable. Mr. Gold wishes Miss Swan "good luck" and leaves.
Henry is nervous- "Do you know who that is?"
Emma- "Yeah, 'course I do."
Henry- "Who? 'Cause I'm still trying to figure that out."
Emma- "Ah! I meant in reality."
Henry questions her belongings "Is that all you brought?"  Henry wants to hang out with her, and although Emma wishes she could, she's got stuff to do.

As they hurry to Emma's car Henry begs to help with Emma's new search for the dangerous pregnant lady.  Emma notes "She assaulted Mr. Gold."   Since Emma won't let Henry go with her Henry will look for her himself.  Emma's trying to be responsible; if Henry tags along she will have to bring him back, hence, she wouldn't be looking for the maid.  Henry goal is he's trying to spend time with Emma.
Henry-"The maid...what's her story?"


The Magical Wedding
Cinderella happily watches the fireworks she once admired from afar. She knew what they meant something special was happening at the palace, "Now they're for me. For our wedding."  Prince Thomas and Cinderella kiss. 

The happy couple descend the stairs into the ballroom. Cinderella wears her glass slippers.  In attendance is The King and Prince James Charming and Snow White.  The King dances with Ella, as he is thrilled she joined their family and he hopes their family will soon grow.  Cinderella dances in her fragile glass slippers.  James congratulated Ella as he knows they will be very happy.  Snow cuts in on Ella's dance as Snow informs her "Do you know what an inspiration you are to everyone?"  Ella claims all she did was get married.
Snow- "All you did...was show that anyone can change her life. I'm proud of you."
They two twirl around in circles as they drift farther away from each other.  Ella twirls right into the path of Rumpelstiltskin.  He's proud of her too.  He leads in their dance.  He's there to be sure she's still OK with her end of the bargain. "You know- true love, riches, happy endings. Did you get everything you desired?"
Ella did get everything she desired and wonders what price Rumpelstiltskin is requiring for this boon.  Rumpelstiltskin wants something she doesn't yet possess; it's something he knows is coming. "Your first born."  Rumpelstiltskin twirls her away from him.

Thunder and lightning disturb the sky. Ella is packing her belongings as she knows she must run away.  The weather wasn't agreeing with her hunting hubby so he returned early.   She tells him she's pregnant. This makes her prince happy as it is what they wanted.

Upset Ella tells him that it wasn't her fairy godmother who sent her into the magic of that life, it was Rumpelstiltskin.  She stupidly and not understanding the price of magic, made a deal with him for that life.   She promised the tricky imp something...their baby.   Ella realized she's going to lose it all.  The Prince doesn't care what the imp said "Magic may have brought us together but it didn't create this love."
Ella can't break the deal she made with the powerful Rumpelstiltskin, so the Prince suggests they simply make another deal.

Emma and Henry question Ruby about Ashley's out of  the picture boyfriend.  Billy is towing Ruby's car.  As her car drops to the ground she warns Billy to be careful of shattering her good luck glass wolf-thing that hangs from the rear view mirror.
It is revealed that maid Ashley has a stepmother and two step sisters that she doesn't talk to. Henry pegs her for Cinderella.  Ruby thinks whatever Emma's heard is wrong.  Everyone knows that Ashley isn't ready for this kid, but she's been bettering herself and trying to get her life together by taking night classes.  "Can you understand that?"   Emma does.
Ruby advises Emma to stay out of it {Ashley/Sean's business}, but Emma, having been through it, insists she can help Ashley.  Ruby points Emma in the direction of Ashley's ex{X}, who lives with his dad.

Emma pays a visit to Sean Herman to reveal she's looking for Ashley Boyd; who is in trouble.  She thought Ashley may have come to see him.  Mr. Herman approaches informing Emma that his son doesn't have anything to do with that girl anymore.  He's sorry for any trouble she's in, but there isn't anything they can do to help Emma.  Mr. Herman condones Sean breaking up with Ashley; as he's not going to let his son throw away his entire life over a mistake. "Well what are they going to do, raise a child in the backseat of a car?"
Emma- "Some people only have the backseat of a car."   Mr. Herman isn't going to let that happen to his son.   Henry may be overhearing the conversation from the car.
Sean suggests they help her look.  Emma whispers to Sean "If you want to come-come", and he should stop letting someone else make decisions him. If Ashley runs away with this baby she's going to be in some serious trouble.  Mr. Herman demands Sean "Inside. Now."  Sean walks away.  Mr. Herman confides that if he knew where she was he'd help; but he went to a lot of trouble to get her that deal. Ashley is being paid very well to give up the child. He found someone who's going to find that child a good and proper home; someone who is going to see to it that everyone is happy.  Emma wonders who Mr. Herman is to judge whether Ashley is capable of providing that.
Mr. Herman- "Look at her. She's a teenager! She's never shown any evidence of being responsible. How could she possibly know how to be a mother?"
Emma feels that maybe she's changing her life, but Mr. Herman feels everybody says that.
Emma realizes the mystery person is Mr. Gold.
Mr. Herman- "Well isn't that why you were hired...to bring him the baby?"

Continuing their drive, Henry advises Emma not to make Ashley double cross Gold; no one has ever broken a deal with him. Emma is happy to be the first.  She feels that anyone who wants to be a mother should be allowed to be one.

Back at Granny's Emma asks Ruby why she failed to mention that Ashley sold the baby.  Ruby didn't feel it was important; Ashley's her friend and she doesn't like the idea of people judging her.   Emma picks up Ruby's glass wolf-thingy off the counter realizing Ashley has Ruby's car and she got a head start.  Emma informs Ruby that Ashley's in more trouble than she knows.  "Where is she? Don't make her deal with Gold without me."
Ruby can't talk in front of the Mayor's kid, although Henry claims to be on her side.
Emma- "Henry. I need to find this woman. And in order to do that I need you to go home. So please listen to me. Seriously. She's not going to tell me anything if you're around."
Henry agrees and leaves.
Ruby- "She left town. Said she was gonna try Boston. Thought she could disappear there."  She left about a half hour ago.

Emma takes off in her car  to chase after Ashley.   Henry pops up as he was hiding in the backseat of the car. Nosy Henry wants to know what Ruby told Emma.  Emma's going to Boston and he can't go with her.

Henry is upset!  "She can't go to Boston! She can't leave! Bad things happen to anyone who does."
Emma doesn't have time to argue with him over the curse; she's got to get him home.
Henry feels they have to stop her before she gets hurt.  Stop wasting time!  If Emma drops him off she'll never catch up to her and Mr. Gold will call the police and have her sent to jail.  Emma tells Henry to buckle up.  "Ashley...what did you get yourself in to?"

The Enchanted Forest
Grumpy leads Cinderella, Prince Thomas and Prince James Charming down into a cold dark mine they converted to hold their special prisoner.   Rumpelstiltskin is the most dangerous man in all the realms.   Ella wonders how they'll get him there.
Grumpy- "His strength is also his weakness.  His deals- he can't resist making them and we already know who he wants to deal with next. You."
Prince James shares they sent word with one of Snow's birds; he's accepted a meeting with Ella "You're going to tell him Doc heard something with his stethoscope; two heartbeats."
She's to tell him it's twins.  And if he wants both (which he will) she's to propose a new deal.

Grumpy opens the wood box to reveal a red quill that the Blue Fairy cast a spell on.  Whoever signs with the quill will be frozen and their magic made impotent.  All she has to do is get him to sign the contract.  Ella questions the use of magic yet again. "Isn't that what is causing these problems to begin with? What if this magic also has a price?"   If that is the case Prince Thomas will pay it as he will do whatever is necessary to save them and their child.
They lead Ella to the cell that will house Rumpelstiltskin; once he's in there he'll never get out. Ella agrees to the new deal.

Storybrooke
As they speed toward the exit {border limits} of Storybrooke Henry points out Ashley's/Ruby's crashed car on the side of the road.  Ashley sits in the woods and announces that her baby is coming. 

In pain/labor Ashley wants to keep on to Boston, but Emma knows they don't have four hours.  Emma drives to the hospital and assures her she won't let Gold take the baby.   Emma asks Ashley if she's really ready for this baby; because she sure wasn't ready.  "If you wanna give this kid its best chance it's going to be with someone who's ready so know what that means! Your whole life is gonna change- once you decide that it's yours- cause running away can't happen.  You have to grow up- You can't ever leave! Understand?!"   Ashley understands "I want my baby"

The Enchanted Forest
Cinderella waits in the dark for Rumpelstiltskin.
"Well, well, well...You're starting to show" says imbibing Rumpelstiltskin.  A little bird told him she wanted to speak.  Cinderella informs him she'd like to alter the bargain although that's not what Rumpelstiltskin does.  Ella thinks he'll want to, as she's having twins.  Rumpelstiltskin touches her pregnant belly for a better look.  Ella claims she is willing to give up both as their Kingdom is poor, they're losing money, the crops are dying, they can't support themselves or their people.
Suspicious Rumpelstiltskin wonders "And you would trade your other child for...comfort?"   Ella feels she can always have more children but she can't make crops grow where the soil is dead.  In exchange for their other child Rumpelstiltskin will see to it that their land is once again fertile.  He immediately agrees to the new deal and feels it's more than fair "If what you're saying is true."
She says it is and all he has to do is sign on the dotted line.

Rumpelstiltskin peruses the newly written contract.  Ella presents him with the red quill. Rumpelstiltskin is curious about her lovely red quill and asks where she got it.  Ella says it came from her Castle.
Rumpelstiltskin- "You know the only way to stop me...is through magic."
Nervous Ella says she's not trying to stop him.
Rumpelstiltskin- "Of course you're not. Because as we all know...All magic comes with a price! And if you were to use it to say...imprison me...then your debt to me would only grow....and we wouldn't want that now would we?"
Impatient Ella just wants him to sign the contract.
Rumpelstiltskin- "Are you sure you're happy with this new arrangement?"
Ella simply hands him the contract and he signs it.  Once signed, a magical force field freezes Rumpelstiltskin; but he's sure to threaten "No one breaks deals with me, Deary. No one. No matter where you are, no matter what land you find yourself in...I assure you...I will have your baby "

At Storybrooke Hospital
Emma nervously paces the floor.  Henry tells Emma she's different; she's the only one who can do it.  
Emma- "Break the curse? Yes, I know, you keep telling me that."
Henry- "No. Leave. You're the only who can leave Storybrooke."
Emma acknowledges that Henry left to find her in Boston
Henry- "But I came back.  I'm 10- I had no choice.  But if anyone else tried to go...bad things would happen. {Anyone expect Emma} You're the savior. You can do whatever you want. You can go."  Emma looks longingly at Henry.
The Doctor tells Emma the baby is a healthy 6lb girl and the mother is fine.  Mr Gold is there to hear the lovely news.  "Excellent work, Miss Swan. Thank you for bringing me my merchandise."

In The Enchanted Forest
Grumpy and Prince James toss Rumpelstiltskin into the Kingdom's paddy wagon.  Ella asks Thomas "Did we really win?"   He feels they did.  Ella was so afraid that they failed and that she'd have to go back to that terrible life. "But nothing would have changed."

Noble Thomas tells her as long as he's alive she'll never go back to that life.  They kiss.  Thomas touches her belly and asks "How is our little Alexandra?"  He picked out a name that Ella feels is more like a prison sentence.
Ella gets a pain, claiming it's the baby. Concerned Thomas feels it's too soon; maybe it's due to stress and excitement.  Ella is dizzy.  Thomas leaves to get her water from the well.

At the well, Thomas hears a rustling noise in the woods.
Ella's pain passes and she calls out for him. A rustling noise is heard in the woods.  She goes to the well but only finds his cloak.

A lock is being secured on the paddy wagon gate.  Upset Highness Ella asks Rumpelstiltskin what he did to her Thomas.  Rumpelstiltskin sits calmly and says he hasn't done anything as he's been otherwise engaged.  But he did warn her "All magic comes at a price. Looks like someone has just paid."
Prince James doesn't want Ella to listen to Rumpelstiltskin. 
Rumpelstiltskin- "No you won't. Until that debt is paid. Until that baby is mine! You're never gonna see him again. In this world or the next, Cinderella! I will have that baby!"

At Storybrooke Hospital
Mr. Gold has to bang on the coffee vending machine to retrieve his beverage. It must be his lucky day; he offers Miss Swan a cup.  Mr. Gold didn't reveal to her that his "merchandise" was a baby, because at the time she didn't need to know.  He thought it would be more effective if she found out herself. "After seeing Ashley's hard life, I thought it'd make sense...to you. I mean, if anyone could understand the reasons behind giving up a baby I assumed it would be you."
Henry looks nervous.
Emma adamantly tells Gold- "You're not gettin' that kid."
Mr. Gold has an agreement and  his agreements are always honored; if not he'll have to involve the police and that baby is gonna end up in the system. "And that would be a pity. You didn't enjoy your time in the system, did you, Emma?"
Mr. Gold likes Emma's confidence. "Charming. But all I have to do is press charges. She did after all break into my shop."
Emma guesses to steal a contract.
Mr. Gold- "Who knows what she was after."
Emma feels no jury would put a woman in jail whose only reason for breaking and entering was to keep her child.  She's willing to roll the dice that contract doesn't stand up.  She wonders what would come out about Mr. Gold in the process. "Somehow I suspect there is more to you than a simple pawnbroker. You really wanna start that fight?"
Mr. Gold smiles, "I like you Miss Swan. You're not afraid of me and that's either cocky or presumptuous, either way I'd rather have you on my side."
He isn't willing to give up the baby because he only deals in "deals/agreements".   He doesn't just tear up agreements. "You see contracts...deals...well they're the very foundation of all civilized existence. So I put it to you now...If you want Ashley to have that baby...are you willing to make a deal with me?"  He doesn't know what he wants just yet, but Emma will owe him a favor. 
Emma- "Deal."

Henry and Emma visit Ashley and Alexandra in her hospital room.
Ashley thanks Emma "for getting me here."  Emma tells her Mr. Gold was outside and she took care of it; the baby is hers because she made a deal with him.
Emma notices the time; it's almost five and she has to get Henry home.

Regina zips up her dress as she readies to leave from her rendezvous.  Her secret lover is showering.  She will see him again at the next Council Meeting and reminds him not to forget the socks he left under the bed.

On her drive to bring Henry home Emma blurts out "Pumpkin" as her code name; in honor of Cinderella.  Henry has another name in mind but isn't sure she's ready yet.
Emma drops him off and tells him even though they know she is able to leave that she will see him tomorrow. 
Henry runs into the house and in true Cinderella fashion while running up the stairs to his room he loses one (left) of his shoes.
Regina calls out for Henry, as she's told him not to leave his shoes lying around on the stairs; someone could get hurt.

Sean visits Ashley and Alexandra at the hospital.  He apologizes for leaving her, but now he's back. Sean brought a present for his girl; a pair of fancy shoes. "I don't know if they're gonna fit."

Emma phones Graham to ask if the Deputy job is still open. "Maybe some roots wouldn't be so bad."
He doesn't even care if Regina is OK with it; it's his department.  Emma watches Henry pace through his upstairs window

Evidently Graham socks reveal he's been having a roll in the hay with the Mayor.