Character recap
Emma & Neal's kids- Baelfire (Henry in the show, Regina didn't adopt him so he's named after his father), Hope, Nara
Regina & Robin's sons- Roland (Still Regina's step-son) , Henry
Snow & David's son- Emery (Basically Baby Neal but Neal is alive so name is Emery)
Belle & Rumple's daughter- Jane
Pinocchio & Andalasia (Giselle from Enchanted's daughter) kids- Salem, Haven
Regina is Rumple's daughter
Let the Birdies Fly
Seven years have passed and fortunately, happily ever after has stuck this time. Everyone found their happy endings and thankfully no curses or villains have come along to try and steal them. Now it's time for the next generation to find their own happy endings and eternal love...
Hope's sixteenth birthday was just a day away and Emma, Snow and Regina were helping her prepare for her ball tomorrow. She had already tried on about five different ball gowns. The four of them looked into the mirror.
"You're so beautiful. You're growing up so fast." Emma said.
"Thanks mommy." Hope smiled.
"Now beautiful, you need to pick a dress." Snow stated.
"None of them are right." Hope whined.
"Must you always be such a diva?" Emma asked.
"Never in history has a woman in this family attended a public affair without a show stopping dress."
"You're being dramatic." Emma said.
"Now, that she gets from you." Snow joked to Regina since Regina always pointed out how Hope reminded her of Snow when she was a child.
"I am not dramatic." Regina flipped her long raven colored hair which was half way down her back now. They all just looked at her for a moment. Who was she kidding?
"I have picked up a lot from you, grams. You know, like your style..." Hope said with a sweet smile.
"What are you getting at?" Regina asked.
"Can I wear one of your dresses? Please!"
"Why do you want to wear one of my dresses? You can wear any dress you can dream of."
"I'm obsessed with your closet. Ever since I was a little, I've dreamed of wearing one of your dresses."
"Which is why you sneak into my closet and try them on?"
"... I haven't done that in years."
"Go ahead."
Hope screeched and hugged Regina then ran to her closet. They lagged behind her. By the time they got there, she was already like a kid in a candy store. What to choose? So many choices. She waited forever for this moment, she had to choose the right one.
"Stay away from those seductive velvet ones." Emma said.
Hope frowned. That's kind of what she was leaning towards. "But... But..." She grabbed the royal blue velvet dress where the back was out and crystals were down the back. "... This one's my fav-"
"No." Emma cut her off.
"There are girls my age who are married and I can't wear a dress?" Emma just looked at her, not budging. "Fine... Second choice then..." Even though in her head, she just knew she would talk her mom into it later. So she picked out a light blue ball gown that still had a little edge to it.
"I like it." Emma said. Regina and Snow concurred.
The next day, everyone attended the ball and a beautiful ball it was.
"Princess Hope of Misthaven." Hope was announced and made her entrance into the ballroom from the balcony then descended down the grand staircase in the light blue ball gown. Emma didn't budge and Neal wasn't having it either. She did love the dress but that other dress was breath taking. Her raven colored hair was in an up do with a bang which brought out her blue eyes and the jewelry set off the entire outfit. She was beautiful, the fairest of them all just like the generations before her.
Neal met her at the end of the stairs and she shared a father/daughter dance with her loving father, followed by a dance with Grandpa David then Grandpa Rumple. It was a beautiful day and one of Hope's favorite birthdays so far.
Emery was dancing with his girlfriend, Melody, Ariel's daughter. They haven't been together very long but they were madly in love.
Salem was dancing with his wife, Jaime who was the daughter of Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen. His sister, Haven was with her husband, Phillip Jr., Aurora's son.
Jane and Henry were both single so the aunt and nephew danced together for the night.
Nara, the youngest of the generation danced with her daddy in between hanging out with her best friends, Princess Mia's children and the servants' children who live in the castle too.
Baelfire, now twenty-one, escorted Cinderella's daughter, Alexandra to the ball. They had been together for years. In their world, people aren't generally together that long without tying the knot but they were different and everyone thought they were weird. In their world, you don't question love. When it's right, it's right. You don't wonder who else is out there, have you experienced enough, are you in the right place in your life? However, there is a reason for everything.
Bae and Alexandra danced the waltz in synchronization with everyone else. Roland was single and came to the ball alone but was dancing with Jasmine and Aladdin daughter, Kamille who was one of Hope's best friends. Alexandra kept looking over at Roland through the entire dance and there's no one more observant than Bae.
Finally, the dance ended, Bae pulled away and stood in silence.
"Bae, what's wrong?" Alexandra asked.
"Us." Bae replied simply.
What? They were at a ball, was this really the time? Yeah, it kind of was.
"Whatever do you mean?" Alexandra questioned.
"We're not right. We haven't been and we never will be." Bae replied.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because, it's time we were honest with each other and ourselves. Everyone's wondering why we haven't married and it's because it's not true love and deep down we've always known that. Neither one of us wants to be with the other. You're in love with Roland, you have been for a while. I know it. I don't know if you know but I see it. The fact is, we started out as a sweet crush and stuck together because it was comfortable and it became settling because neither of us believe that we can actually have the person we actually want and it's not fair. If we believe in hope, faith and true love, we should act like it so... perhaps, I'm a little bothered that of all the people in the world, you had to fall for my great-step uncle/cousin/best friend or whatever but I guess the heart wants what it wants. If you love him, you should follow your heart."
Alexandra was stunned. She didn't see it coming. "Well, who are you in love with?" She had no right to be jealous but she kind of was...
"You don't know her... It sounds crazy but even though it's been years and I only saw her a few times and there are worlds standing between us... I know she's my soulmate. I will find her... We're okay, right?" Alexandra just nodded her head. Bae kissed her forehead sweetly.
A ball is a magical experience and special ones will always stand out in memory. The best part about this one is, no villains crashed it!
All the young ones were at an integral point in their lives, ready to take risks toward their happy endings and personal growth. Doesn't mean their parents were all ready to let the birdies fly but it had to happen at some point.
The next day...
Jane found Rumple in the den deeply researching something. His way of coping with losing Belle was to take interests in her interests. So he was always reading books or trying to learn something new. He was already very intelligent, wise and a few centuries old so now it's on a whole new level. That also meant that he was less into magic and a little more into science and knowledge which made it easier for him and Jane to relate to each other. He still dabbled in light magic from time to time. He can't let it go completely.
"Papa." Jane called.
Rumple turned to the young beauty. She reminded him so much of her mother. "Yes dear?"
"I want to talk to you... Mom, always wanted to travel the world and she never did so I thought it would be fun for me to."
"That's a wonderful idea. You wouldn't mind if your old papa tagged along would you?"
"No! I was hoping you'd ask." Jane hugged him excitedly.
Rumple was excited for the father/daughter trip but he also wasn't ready to let his baby girl go yet. He wouldn't know what to do if he lost her too.
-v-
Baelfire galloped on his white horse through the forest to The Apprentice's house. He knocked on the door and the white haired old man answered.
"Prince Baelfire, what brings you?" The Apprentice asked.
"A question. You've traveled through realms without curses and such, correct?"
"Yes."
"Is there a way that I can do that?"
The Apprentice smiled. "You're the author, you've possessed the power ever since you fully came into your powers."
"Well, thanks for the heads up." Bae said sarcastically.
"You were bound to ask at some point or figure it out yourself. I'm guessing you don't want to travel to another world for your writing, so why?"
"For true love." Bae stated then went back out and hopped on his horse. "Thanks." Bae took off.
-v-
Meanwhile at the castle, a fiery argument was taking place between Regina and Henry.
"Why are you always on my back? Leave me be!" Henry yelled.
"I am trying to keep from making decisions you'll regret!" Regina yelled.
"I'm an adult. I can make my own decisions. I'm leaving!"
"Where are you going?" Henry walked out. "Ooh." Regina balled her fists and took a deep breath.
Snow entered the room. "What was all that about?"
"I'm really close to hurting your brother." Regina replied.
"It's a phase. You just have to let him breathe. He's going to do whatever he wants anyway. He's eighteen, he's trying to find his own identity."
"He's slowly been spiraling out of control for the past seven years. He's dabbling in darkness, I can tell. I want to stop him before he goes too far."
"Well you're not alone. We can all handle it as a family."
"Where is he going to sleep?"
"He'll be all right. I lived in the forest when I was his age, thankfully, Granny took me in soon after. It toughened me up. We taught them all how to survive so sometimes we have to let them. If he's not back by tomorrow, he's tougher than we thought. Trust me, that first night is brutal, especially when you're used to the royal life."
Regina shook her head. She was so terrible to Snow back then. Doesn't make sense to be that hateful. It takes too much energy and ages you quicker and no one has time for that when you live in a world where you're genetically blessed to age slowly.
"What if something happens to him? What if someone hurts him? Or a troll or ogre eat him or something?"
"That's not going to happen. No one's going to hurt him. There's still too many people afraid of you and Rumple and they love me so he'll be fine."
"Some people still hate me too, those are the ones I'm worried about."
-v-
Roland caught Henry before he left the castle.
"What the hell is your problem? Why were you talking to mom like that?"
"Don't worry about it." Henry started walking away but Roland grabbed him and pinned him against the wall.
"Clearly, you've forgotten who you're talking to." Roland said.
"You're not tough."
"Don't think because I'm pacifist, I won't hurt someone over my mom. There's a time and a place for everything."
"She's not even your mom."
Roland was frozen for a moment. He couldn't believe his own little brother, would say that to him. Once Roland unfroze, he slowly let Henry go. "Good day. I hope an ogre doesn't eat you in your sleep. It's getting colder. Don't freeze."
Henry walked out as Bae walked in. "Hey." Bae said but Henry kept walking. "What's wrong with him?"
"The little demon did something he shouldn't have, I don't know what. I think he used dark magic. Anyway, he got into an argument with mom so now he's leaving."
"We're just letting him? It's getting dark."
"Sometimes you have to learn the hard way. Let him fall."
"Kind of cold, is it not?"
"I'm not saying I won't give him a hand when he does." Roland replied then they went to the family room, everyone in the family was gradually gravitating there. When Robin finally got home, he went there too and Rumple and Jane came to visit. At this point, everyone was there, except Henry.
"Where's Henry?" Robin inquired. They explained. He was ready to go drag his little butt back here but everyone told him to give him a day.
"I suppose this isn't a good time to tell you all I'm going to the world with no magic, or I was going to but with Henry acting like this, maybe I shouldn't just yet." Bae announced.
"Why would you want to go to the world of no happy endings? That is a better name for it, considering there is some magic there." Hope said.
"For true love." Bae replied.
"That girl whose picture is hanging in your room?" Nara asked.
"... Yeah."
"What about Alexandra?" Roland asked.
"We ended it. We were settling. We both want to be with other people."
That made sense to everyone since their relationship seemed to be going nowhere.
"How are you getting there? You harvesting magic beans or something?" Neal asked.
"No. Benefit of being the author and one of the most powerful beings to ever live."
"You should go. If you think you know the one for you, you should find her. You shouldn't put love on hold. We'll handle Henry." Regina said.
"In that case, I want an adventure too." Emery said.
"Cool." Bae replied. They high fived.
"I want to go!" Hope exclaimed.
"No." Emma said.
"Seriously?" Hope questioned.
"You're too young, it's dangerous." Emma said.
"We have ogres, trolls and dark magical creatures. How is it any more dangerous than it is here?" Hope inquired.
"You don't go anywhere alone." Emma replied.
"I'm going with my brother and my uncle, I can't be anymore protected."
"They don't even know where they're going to live. It's not like here. You can't just sleep in the forest... Anyway, the answer is no."
"Daddy?" Hope turned to Neal hoping he'd have something different to say.
"You heard your mother."
"This is so not fair!"
"We're leaving too." Jane informed.
"We're going to travel the world." Rumple said.
"Just come back to us and be safe, all of you." Neal said.
-v-
The next day, since Emery made an on a whim decision to leave the world temporarily, he had to speak to his true love before he left.
Emery and Melody met on the beach like they usually did. It was midway between their two kingdoms, well three if you count the one under the sea where the maternal side of Melody's family resided.
"I'm leaving this world for a while. I'm not sure for how long but it shouldn't be too long. Since you can cross worlds, you'll come and see me right?" Emery asked.
"Well of course my love. Was there any doubt? I can't go too long without you. You know that seashell I gave you so that you can call me? It works in any land. Just call when you're by any large body of water and I will come." Melody explained.
"Okay." Emery smiled then kissed his love. He stared at her for a moment, taking one last mental image of the beauty and her raven colored hair and big green eyes until he'd see her again... Then he went home.
Bae was in his room packing lightly when Emery came in.
"Are you ready?" Emery asked.
"Just about." Bae replied.
Emery looked at the drawing of the beautiful girl on Bae's wall. "This is the girl?"
"Yeah. Her name is Vella." Bae's eyes sparkled.
Hope rushed into the room. "Great! You're still here. You have to convince mom and papa to let me go!"
"No one even wants us to go, they just can't stop us." Bae said.
"And anything for love. Family motto." Emery added.
"You don't want me to go, do you? You never want to do anything with me." Hope said.
"That's not true." Bae continued packing. He didn't seem very convincing but he meant it...
"It's always been true... I just want a little adventure. I can help you. In fact, you need me."
"Why is that?" Bae asked.
"Because the three of us are stronger together. In a world where magic barely exists, a magical boost would be beneficial and likely needed. Plus, it's a lot easier for the three of us to cross worlds together."
"Fine. I'll talk to them." Bae responded.
"I can't believe I had to do all that convincing to get my own brother to let me come along with him."
"I love you, sis." Bae walked over and kissed Hope on the forehead. "Don't forget it." He left the room and went to his parents' room.
"Hey son! You've come to say your goodbyes or see you laters?" Emma asked.
"Not just yet... You should let Hope come with us." Bae said.
"Really?" Neal wasn't convinced.
"You know we'll look out for her."
"Big brothers can't protect little sisters from everything." Emma said.
"Why? Because Uncle Pinocchio couldn't stop you from getting knocked up at seventeen? One, it was destined. Two, the chances of Hope meeting a guy a couple centuries old and following in your footsteps are not likely. And three, she's not you and she's going to make her own mistakes as we all do."
"No, she's not me. She's me, combined with mom and grandma which makes it even worst." Emma said.
Bae and Neal both laughed. It was true, Hope was a combination of the women who raised her, who she admired and who she wanted to be like even though she didn't have to try at all.
"That means she also has all of your strengths and sensibilities which means she will be fine. Besides, we need those qualities with us."
Emma sighed. She and Neal looked at each other. They didn't speak but they were so in synch, they could basically communicate telepathically. It wasn't magic, it was the magic of love.
"Okay..." Emma and Neal said in unison.
Hope ran into the room and hugged her parents. "Thank you! I love you! I will come back in one piece, I promise. I'll be good." She kissed their cheeks. "I don't want you to think it's easy for me to leave you all. It's not but I have to let go sometimes... And so do you... I have to go get ready." Hope ran out of the room.
They got the few things they needed and met everyone in the family room to say their "see you laters." Although they didn't plan to be gone forever, to leave everything they knew behind was scary and no one really wanted them to go but it was time for the birdies to fly.
"One last thing." Emma took off her engagement ring and handed it to Bae. "In case you need this… As you know, this ring has been in our family for generations and true love follows it wherever it goes."
"Thanks mom." Bae hugged her.
"Be careful and try to bring me back some new music if you can." Emma said.
"You got it."
Bae, Emery and Hope held hands and focused on New York City and they're combined powers began to take effect. An orb of light blue smoke appeared around them then they disappeared. It was a lot easier to do it this way than using his power as the author to cross worlds. Besides, Bae would rather not use his powers as the author for personal gain... These powers would have certainly been beneficial years back when all the curses were taking place...