War Paint
The US Army was a duty to her father. He lived for her and Mama and served his country like the gentle king he should have been. On the bad days, something screamed inside. "He hated war. Why?" But, then something would scream back just as loudly. Because he was kind. Because he was good. Because he was the bravest man that I have ever known…
Until she sang the words: "And even though it kills me now. I know you did it. I know you did it, to make me proud."
He heard her singing at her father's funeral. Sgt Leopold Blanchard's daughter saw how even in grief, she managed to raise a smile. Remembering how Leo used to gush about his little Snow and his beloved Eva.
David had made the man howl one night on patrol in Iraq. You see, he'd imagined a child of about six or seven running to Leo as he recounted how she'd barely let him go even to hug his chuckling wife. The emerald green eyes that had him captivated from the moment she was born, fair skin and dark raven hair as black as coal in maddening curls.
"No! My dear boy, she is twenty four. But, I don't blame you for thinking that. I still see her as a child. My beautiful, headstrong baby."
"You must miss them." David said gently. "Your wife and daughter." Leopold turned, and for as long as he lives he'll never forget his teary beam. "I miss them like you miss your mother, every minute of every day. But, I know I'll see them soon. Perhaps… you could come to dinner when we get back? Maybe meet Mary-Margaret?"
He never imagined that just six weeks later he'd be meeting her like this. He never wanted to meet her like this, seeing the pain in his widow's eyes as she hugged her daughter.
Damn bomb.
"That was… Honey he would have loved it."
David walks to them, thankful that most of the well-wishers have gone to the wake so he can do this privately. "Excuse me, Ma'am. I'm…" However, before he can even finish, Mary-Margaret gasps.
"David. Mom this is David." And those emerald orbs light and Eva lets out an almost contented laugh.
"You- you know who I am?"
"Well, I should think so considering my Dad talked of nothing but, the "charming" David Nolan."
"I am nothing compared to him."
"You saved his life." Eva whispered. "When he was injured by that stray bullet. You stayed, stopped the bleeding. He came home to us last Christmas because of you."
He couldn't hear it anymore. The praise, the gratitude, it was all undeserved. He should be in that coffin, not Leo. "I'm sorry… I have to go." David staggered out, a lump of tears choking his throat. Before either of the women could say another word he walked away guilt clinging to him with every step.
A furious knock awoke him a few hours later, having barely slept, he fumbled to unlatch the door and when he did he was met by the lioness gaze of one Mary-Margaret Blanchard.
"Miss Blanchard how did you? What are you doing here?"
"I came because you left. Because talking to you about him for five minutes actually made today bearable. And then you left, and my mother cried. And I'm furious, I'm furious because you left and he died."
Without thinking he moves and she nestles herself in his chest. It feels warm and safe, not like anything she's ever felt before. "I'm so angry." "I know." Without thinking he drops a warm and sweet kiss to her forehead because it's what he imagined Leo would do and invites her inside for some hot chocolate with cinnamon.
"I don't think. I've wasted enough of your time…" Cutting her off, he surprises her by his next words.
"I'm not taking no for an answer."
"Well, aren't you a real Prince Charming? Okay." She sniffs and smirks. "One hot chocolate. Then I'll be out of your hair." For a moment he starts to tell her that he has a name but, she just smiles like her father and says: "I don't care. Charming suits you. Charming."
One hot chocolate turns into two and then into some whisky that he hadn't even remembered he had. It was gathering dust so it seemed only right they raise a glass to him.
"To Leo." She chimes solemnly.
"To Leo." They clink their small glasses and he watches as she takes a small swig of the amber fire liquid and grimaces. "Oh that is." She lets out a flurry of coughs and then he takes one too because he can't have her choking on ridiculously strong alcohol alone.
"Charming no!" She giggles but, it's too late. "Oh Sh… I'm sorry."
"Don't worry Soldier. I can handle it." Her eyes shine mischievously. "I don't doubt it Snow."
Then suddenly, she stills, frozen in shock. "What did you call me?" He can't even lie; she doesn't deserve to be lied to. Not today. Not ever.
Sighing, David says it again. "Snow."
"He told you their nickname for me? How is it even when he's not here he still manages to embarrass me in front of boys?"
"Don't blame him it was my fault." He insists as they abandon their drinks on the coffee table and she shuffles closer to him on the soft, nutty brown couch. "Yeah right, how much did he tell you?"
"Why don't you guess Blanchard?" A playful smirk dons his lips and she is up for the challenge. "Okay. I get it right you take off your shirt." Mary-Margaret declares.
"Strip Poker! No… Mary-Margaret." David chuckles.
"I believe the correct answer is "YES Mary-Margaret. I would love to Mary-Margaret."
"Look we've had a drink…"
"David relax, I'm joking."
"Oh." Failing to hide the disappointment in his voice she cups his face in her hands, looks into his eyes. "How about Kiss Poker?"
"That I could do."
She sets out the rules they get a question each if you get it right you get a kiss if you get it wrong you miss out.
"Ready?"
"Bring it Snow."
"What's my profession?"
Ha. She couldn't have picked an easier question. She was a teacher at Story-brooke Elementary and that fact alone was her dear father's pride and joy.
"You're a teacher."
She claps her hands and stares at his lips longingly before she slowly kisses him. "Mmm. Correct." It's wonderful. Kissing this woman is wonderful and she pulls back and rests her for-head against his own.
"Now, what do I do?"
"Really Charming?"
"Alright this one is a freebie."
"Why, thank you." Mary-Margaret curtsies with her voice before feeling several cheeky kisses being pressed happily to her lips which she links into a long one. "That was cheating Honey."
The smile is back and she loves it. "Then why do you look so happy about it?" "Touché."
Over an hour later they are still kissing but, it's all grown more passionate and loving. They've lost count of the questions but, they know an awful lot more about each other now.
"Hmm… Biggest dream?"
"To be married to your True Love. Your Prince Charming and surrounded by tons of kids."
"Bingo. MA!"
"And you?"
When his gaze says exactly the same only for her she gasps. "Holy bananas!'
Her daddy had found her Prince Charming.
"Holy bananas." He mimics besotted. Then, after one final, tender kiss she settles herself in his chest and they close their eyes. The pain of the day bringing something entirely new. The possibility of True Love.
I hope you like it because I was thinking about making it more than a one-shot.
