As she spills out as smoke and a thick liquid from the place she hid, forms into herself, she begins to sing.
Once I know you looked right to me,
I saw your warm and loving smile.
But now you're cold and distant.
You've been that way for a while.
Now I'm here, I think of you.
My mood is neither gold nor blue.
Tell me you'll remember me, won't you?
He has never heard that song before, but he understands immediately that it's not just a song.
It's not magic either, not as he understands it. And he knows magic.
"I never forgot you, Hannah." he whispers. "I only thought Mommy was gone before you asked."
Once I watched her from a distance,
Saw her cry and try to smile.
And I wanted just to hold her,
Tell her all would be worthwhile.
Couldn't let her hear my voice.
If I did she'd have no choice.
Tell me that she's ready for us two?
Her eyes. The same eyes she'd always had, he remembered her insisting that they must be the same as they were before.
"She might be. But Hannah, you need to know. I'm not... not The Dark One anymore."
She ran to him and embraced him, the sounds of her small feet running the short distance in time with his heart.
Oh, I saw her take the power,
Saw the dagger take her name.
And The Dark One doesn't know me -
But I know that she's to blame.
Do not worry; she can't see All the gifts you've given me,
I will be what I am meant to be.
"Hannah. Belle and I. She- We. We're not sure that's what we want. Not anymore."
"You're saying she's not really Mommy?"
"No! No, that's not what I'm saying. Hannah, listen to me, dearie."
"Yes, Daddy?"
Those eyes. Was this why she wanted them to remain as they were? So like Belle's, he didn't want those eyes to shed tears he caused.
A song of this world was playing in his mind, words with lyrics of the eyes of one's own child. Sweet Child of Mine, by the band Guns N Roses.
Was this that magic of this world that she'd claimed existed? It wasn't magic, he more than anyone knew it wasn't! But results... are results.
"...We'll figure it out. You and Mommy and I."
A smile and a childish giggle as she held him close. "Come on, Daddy. Let's go tell Mommy I'm done with my time-out." Her small hand pulled at the fingers of his, and he let her lead him toward the door, his cane in his other hand.
There had been a too-familiar pang of fear at her words. Hannah, what did you have me do? But the question wouldn't come out of his throat.