Growing Pains

As the sun's rays filtered through the bedroom window, Henry stirred from his sleep. Scratching at the day old stubble on his cheek, he lay on his back willing himself to get up. Like Emma, Henry enjoyed sleeping in late Saturday mornings. He would procrastinate as long as possible before getting out of bed. However, suddenly remembering what day it was, he leapt from his covers and grabbed his pillow.

Today was his little sister's sixth birthday and like every one before this one, he intended to be the first to wake her. As he squeezed the object in his hands, he decided this time she would be playfully awoken with an honorary pillow fight.

Henry carefully opened his door and looked out into the hallway. Seeing no one, he crept silently towards Evangeline's room. Taking a moment, he stopped by the banister and caught the sound of his mothers speaking to one another in the dining room. His smile broadened as he realized that he would have his chance to execute his plan.

"Henry is awake." Regina said as she nonchalantly stirred her coffee.

"How do you know?" Emma asked tilting her head to catch any sounds.

"When you have a son who developed the need to sneak out at every available opportunity, you acquire an acute ability to hear the slightest creak of a door." Regina replied.

"So uh, then you knew exactly what time I got home from drinking with Ruby last week?" Emma gulped.

"Yes dear. Unlike our son, you don't have the knack for sneaking about. Especially when you are drunk." Regina smirked.

"That explains the sudden need to clean out the garage that Sunday." Emma shrugged smiling.

"And you did a wonderful job despite the hangover." Regina laughed.

Emma shook her head before resuming reading her newspaper.

Henry tip toed over to his sister's room and carefully opened her door. He smiled as he looked over the young girl's room. Walls painted in bright shades of yellow and blue were covered by pictures of random cartoon characters taped haphazardly about. A small table with chairs, where he had gladly partaken in afternoon tea, was littered with his old and worn action figures. Her once pink bed sheets replaced with her latest obsession with all things Marvel.

Henry recalled how he had laughed until his belly hurt, when, after returning from the movie theater with Paige and Evangeline, he had watched his sister run into her room to gather her bed sheets into her tiny arms and carry them into his mothers' room. There she had proceeded to dump the items onto to the floor and declare that she would no longer sleep on her bed unless decorated with her new heroes.

Emma had done her best to hide her own laugh behind her hand as she watched her wife unsuccessfully negotiate with the little girl on how her current bedding befit her status as princess. To which Evangeline's only response was to raise her hand and point at Emma as she pronounced, "But Mama is a princess and she has nothing pink."

It was then that Emma had lost her battle and laughed aloud nearly falling from their bed. Regina had pinched her nose and shook her head as she realized she had just been outsmarted by her five year old.

Yet the debate over bed sheets could not hold a candle to last night's dilemma.

Both his grandmothers had been looking forward to this particular birthday for months. According to Enchanted Forest customs, the sixth birthday was a very special event. It was at this age that a royal child was presented to the court, dressed in exquisite finery to dazzle the attendees. Many times, arranged marriages were discussed on that day. Henry had shaken his head in disbelief at how medieval fairytale land was.

Therefore, it was no surprise that both women had gone out of their way to oversee not only the decorations but ultimately impressed their choice on a proper princess outfit on the girl. Although both his mothers had tried to convey their desire for a small affair, their mothers overruled the idea.

Henry chuckled as he remembered the moment Mary Margaret and Cora arrived, dress bag in hand, calling out sweetly for Evangeline to come down from her room.

Being always courteous, Evangeline had sat quietly while her grandmothers had proudly unveiled the largest and puffiest monstrosity of pink taffeta that Henry had ever seen. He turned his head sharply in Emma's direction.

"Wait for it." Emma said, winking.

Evangeline grabbed the dress, and with a perfect smile, handed it back to Mary Margaret.

"Thank you Grandma. Thank you Nana. But I don't want to be a princess."

"Excuse me?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Pardon me dear?" Cora followed.

"I don't want to be a princess." Evangeline repeated.

"Then what do you wish to be?" Cora questioned.

Evangeline held up her hand before rushing back up to her room. She returned with a large cardboard box and positioned it in front of her grandmothers. Mary Margaret lifted the lid and gasped. Cora peeked over the brunette's shoulder then glared at Regina.

"You must be joking." Cora hissed

"I'm afraid not mother." Regina replied

Mary Margaret reached in with shaking hands and removed a miniature version of a knight's armor, with dark breeches and cotton tunic included.

"There is not one stitch of pink anywhere." Mary Margaret whined.

"Never mind that, she has chosen an outfit beneath her class. I would have at least expected a princely high coat!" Cora exclaimed.

Evangeline's eyes filled with unshed tears as her lips began to tremble.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Regina turned a fierce look towards her mother and mother in law.

Mary Margaret fell to her knees and grabbed Evangeline into a tight hug. She felt terrible for making her grandchild feel unhappy.

"No sweetie you didn't do anything wrong. I was just being silly. Of course, you can be a knight. Isn't that right Cora?" Mary Margaret smiled.

"Certainly darling. Pay us no mind. You may wear whatever you want. It is your name day after all." Cora ran a hand through her granddaughter's hair.

"Thank you so much! This is gonna be the best birthday ever!" shouted Evangeline as she ran back to her room.

"Well I guess I should see if I can rearrange the theme. I do hope there is a way to change pink frosting." Mary Margaret sighed.

"Stop your worrying Snow, you very well know I have magic. Now let us go to your home and look on that contraption that displays the random pictures and figure out what a knight's name day would look like." Cora exasperated.

"How many times must I tell you it's called a computer? Sometimes Cora, I can't help but think you do that simply to annoy me." Mary Margaret stated before stomping out of the room.

"Now what would be the fun in that?" Cora smirked.

Before following Mary Margaret, she stopped beside the box. Sniffing disgustedly, she waved her hand over the costume inside. Peering in once more, she smiled, satisfied, before walking out of the family room.

As soon as the front door shut, Evangeline peeked around the doorway.

"Is it safe now Mama?" Evangeline asked.

"Yes sweetie. The coast is clear." Emma answered.

Evangeline walked into the room and bounced happily down into the couch beside her blonde mother.

Regina looked at her wife then at her daughter.

"Why did our daughter just ask if it was safe?"

"Well here's the thing, we may have just played our mothers."

"Explain." Regina eyebrow rose.

"Look in the box." Emma smirked.

Regina looked in and was surprised by what she found. Pulling out the garment, she found the original old and faded costume replaced by a fancier one. Holding it up, she quizzically looked at Emma.

"It's true that Eva wants to be a knight. But knowing our mothers, there was no way they would have gone for it. So we decided to spring on them that ridiculous outfit knowing one of them, hopefully Cora, would pitch a fit and help us with something better." Emma proudly replied.

"I really didn't like the pink dress." Evangeline said as she scrunched up her face.

"Did you see that thing? I was itchy just looking at it." Emma added.

Regina agreed that the choice their mothers had made was atrocious. However, she was uncomfortable with condoning her daughter's part in the deceit.

"Please don't be mad, Mommy. If you want I'll wear Grandma's dress." Evangeline uttered.

Regina, seeing the look of disappointment on her daughter's face, immediately sat beside her.

"Nonsense. I will not subject my daughter to the abject humiliation of parading around in that ridiculous outfit. You, my sweet girl, will be the finest dressed knight this town has ever seen," Regina brightly smiled.

"I love you Mommy." Evangeline wrapped her arms around Regina.

"I love you more my heart." Regina replied.

Henry was not surprised but in awe of his sister's performance. However, being the daughter of the once infamous Evil Queen, Evangeline was sure to have the innate ability to get what she wanted, especially if it involved a bit of trickery.

Henry stepped further into the room and stood beside the bed. He could make out the Eva shapedlump beneath the sheet. Readying his position, he lifted his pillow above his head. With a shout of, "Happy birthday!" he delivered the first blow. As he prepared for the return hit, he was shocked instead when the blanket was thrown off to reveal a tousled haired but smiling Evangeline.

"Very funny Henry. You're lucky my pillow is too far on the floor for me to reach." Evangeline laughed.

She opened her eyes and found Henry standing there, speechless. His eyes were wide open and his mouth slightly agape. She scrunched her brows wondering what was wrong with him.

"Henry, what's wrong?" Evangeline asked.

"What the hell happened to you!?" Henry suddenly yelled and nearly tripped over the toys laid about the floor as he took a step back.

Evangeline, frightened by her brother's outburst, brought her hands up to her face. She frowned as she ran her fingertips along her head then looked down. Reaching over to her nightstand, she nearly knocked her lamp in her haste to rummage through the drawer. Grabbing her small hand mirror, she trembled as she brought it up to her face, and screamed as she looked upon her reflection.

"What the hell was that!?" Emma exclaimed.

"I am not quite sure, but it sounded very much like a scream." Regina replied.

Both women were quickly heading towards the entryway leading into the foyer when they suddenly came face to face with their teenage son.

"Moms." Henry greeted nervously.

"Henry what is going on?" Regina asked.

"Yeah kid we thought we heard someone scream." Emma stated.

"Uh...yeah about that. It's a really funny story." Henry laughed.

"Then let's hear it." Regina said crossing her arms over her chest.

"Sure. But before I start, you both have to promise me you won't panic." Henry pleaded.

"That is absurd. I do not panic. In fact, I take offense that you think I would do such a thing." Regina huffed.

"Regina..." Emma started.

"You know it's the truth. The only one who is prone to panic is your mother." Regina declared.

"Yes I know. But can we just humor him so we can hear what he has to say?"

"Very well. I promise I will not panic."

"Now was that so hard?" Emma teased, smirking.

Regina glared.

"Ok kid what did you..."

Emma turned to find Henry fussing with something beside him. She quirked her brow at the sound of hushed voices. As she was about to question him again, her son looked at her with a strained smile.

"So, you see I got up this morning to go wake Eva like I always do and something strange happened."

"Strange in what way? Is Eva alright?" Regina questioned.

"Yes, she's fine." Henry turned his head and shook his head before looking back at Regina. "Well, fine might not be the right term."

"What's wrong with your sister?" Emma worriedly asked.

"Henry, did something happen to Eva?" Regina panicked.

Henry bit his lip, then suddenly reached out to his left and dragged something into view.

Standing there was a teenage girl dressed in nothing more than one of Henry's t-shirts.

Regina gasped as Emma slapped her hand on her forehead.

"Who is this girl?" Regina exclaimed.

Henry opened his mouth to answer but was cut short by his mother's raised hand.

"On second thought, I don't want to know." Regina shook her head.

Henry furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Oh kid, does Paige know?" Emma asked.

"What does Paige have to do with anything?" Henry asked confused.

"I am not concerned about whether or not our son's girlfriend is aware of his dalliance. What I am concerned with is the fact that there is a half-naked girl standing in my foyer. And where is Eva?" Regina shouted.

"That's what I'm trying to tell you. Eva is..." Henry implored.

"Don't tell me your sister saw anything. You will be in big trouble if..." Emma growled.

"See what? I have no idea what you are talking about." Henry flustered.

Henry looked at the girl who shrugged her shoulders.

"Dear, you seem like a nice girl however under the circumstances I do believe it best if you went home." Regina said as sweetly as she could.

Henry stared at his mothers as he suddenly became aware of what they were insinuating.

"I can't believe you both think I snuck a girl into the house. And, that you thought I did something with her! That's just gross."

Both teenagers looked at one another and scrunched their faces in disgust.

"Henry! How could you say such a thing?" Regina exclaimed shocked by his rudeness.

"Yeah kid, that's not nice." Emma said disappointedly.

Henry began to laugh uncontrollably. This day could not get any stranger. He looked over to the girl who had the smuggest look on her face.

"Ok, I admit you were right. Don't rub it in." Henry said as he playfully shoved the girl.

"Henry Swan Mills, I did not raise you to lay your hands on a woman." Scolded Regina.

"I hardly even touched her. Besides Eva..."

"Speaking of your sister, I will ask you again, where is she?" Emma looked up the staircase.

"For crying out loud, that's what I've been trying to say! She's right here." Henry grabbed the girl by the shoulders and pushed her forward.

Both women stood with their mouths agape at Henry's declaration.

"Hi Moms." Evangeline said with a small wave.

Regina clutched the tumbler of cider within her shaking hand as she brought it to her lips, taking the entire contents down in one swallow. She quickly refilled it and proceeded to take another drink.

"Regina, I don't think you should be drinking at a time like this."

"Really Emma. Because I believe being...what is it you and Ruby call it... oh yes, I remember, shit-faced is exactly what I need to be."

"Regina..."

"No, don't you dare tell me to calm down. That young woman in the family room cannot be my daughter. My little girl is turning six today not sixteen." Regina crumpled onto the couch, her head in her hands.

"Oh honey, I know how you feel." Emma sat beside her wife, taking her hand.

"How could you? I don't even know how I feel."

"Well shocked is definitely expected. But if it's anything like what I'm feeling, I bet you're scared out of your mind."

"I am absolutely terrified."

"Then imagine how Eva feels. She woke up like that and her mother just ran out of the room at the very sight of her."

"I don't know what to do."

"Well the first thing you should do is to wipe the tears from your face. Then you should go to her. She needs her mother now more than ever."

Regina nodded her head before leaning in and gently kissing Emma.

"I have no idea how you are not as shaken by this as I am."

"Well let's just say I've had some experience with my grown child showing up out of the blue." Emma smiled.

Regina laughed before kissing her wife again.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now go talk to our daughter."

Henry looked up from where he sat beside his sister and saw his mother awkwardly standing by the door. He patted Evangeline's knee, before getting up and walking towards Regina.

"Just breathe, Mom. You got this." Henry smiled.

Regina nodded and then made her way into the room.

She stood beside the couch and looked down at the child quietly sitting there. She took that moment and examined every part of her. The long, dirty blond hair that fell in soft waves across narrow shoulders, so very much like Emma's, but just a shade darker. Then there was the button nose and pouty lips that were strikingly similar to her own. However, it was when the girl turned to look at her and she was met with brilliant, crystalline blue that her heart skipped in her chest. She had only ever seen eyes like that twice. Once on the face of a stranger and then on the day her sweet baby girl was placed in her arms.

"Mommy..." Evangeline cried.

"Oh Eva, my dearest heart. Mommy is right here." Regina sobbed before falling beside her daughter and taking her in her arms.

"I'm scared." Evangeline whispered.

"No need. You're safe." Regina replied

Evangeline clutched her mother tighter.

"Code red!" Emma shouted as she barged into the family room.

"What's wrong now?" Regina stood from the couch and made her way towards Emma.

"I just got a call from my mom. She's on her way here. She said something about wanting to help Eva get ready. She also said your mom told her, and I quote, shedid not want me to muggle it up. She does understand I have magic right?" Emma replied.

"Darling..."

"Cause I'm the freaking Savior. Hello! I was born with magic." Emma declared.

"Dear..."

"Just because I'm not some infamous villain doesn't mean I can't conjure myself out of a situation."

"Emma!"

"What?"

"I need you to focus. We have a far direr situation on our hands than if my mother believes you are an adequate practitioner or not."

"Sorry Regina."

"It's quite alright. Now, why don't you call her back and tell her to not come?"

Emma nodded her head and pulled her cell phone from her pocket.

"Mom, I don't think that's gonna work." Henry called out from his spot by the window.

"Why is that dear?"

"Cause Grandma just parked in the driveway and Nana is with her."

"Everybody hide!" Emma shouted before dashing about the room.

"That is ridiculous. They know we're here." Regina said.

"Then quick woman, work your magic and cloak us." Emma screeched.

"Since you are clearly not in your right mind at the moment, I am going to disregard the fact that you just called me woman and ordered me to do magic." Regina scoffed.

"Sorry." Emma smiled sheepishly.

The doorbell rang and everyone in the room jumped.

"What are we going to do?" Emma whispered.

"Emma sweetheart, it's Mom!" Mary Margaret called out.

"Snow I believe they know that already. You did just phone the girl." Cora snarked.

"I am aware of that Cora." Mary Margaret replied before knocking. "Why aren't they opening the door?"

"Regina, it's your Mother. Open the door. Do not subject me to tolerating this heat along with hearing Snow's whiny tone."

"I am not whiny." Mary Margaret whined.

"Whatever you say dear." Cora smirked.

The door opened to reveal Henry smiling.

"Hi Grams. Hello Nana. What brings you here so early?" Henry said as he bridged himself in the doorway.

"Hello sweetie. I told your mother we were coming over to help Eva get dressed." Mary Margaret replied as she attempted to step past Henry into the mansion. She furrowed her brows as Henry all but stopped her.

"Well, Eva is still sleeping. So Ma says you guys should come back later. Okay, bye." Henry uttered as he tried to escape back inside.

"That simply will not do. Eva should be up and eating a hearty breakfast. That young lady has a long day ahead of her." Cora stated as she stepped forward but also found herself blocked from entering. "Henry dear, why are we unable to come in?"

"That's crazy Nana. You can come in, just not now. Maybe in an hour or two..." Henry nervously rambled.

"Henry what's going on?" Mary Margaret asked as she tried to peer around her grandson.

"Nothing?"

"Oh for goodness sake. I will get to the bottom of this." Cora stated before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

"Incoming!" Henry yelled.

"Do you think they fell for it?" Emma peered around the doorway.

"I cannot believe you sent our son to deal with his grandmothers."

"Hey, your mother is less likely to singe her grandson then she would me. I just hope she doesn't find out."

"Find out what dear?" Cora said as she materialized in the room.

Emma screamed.

"Are all Charmings prone to hysterics?" Cora asked her daughter.

"Mother, what are you doing here?" Regina asked as she tried to shield Evangeline.

"I am here to help my granddaughter dress for her name day. Where is my little darling?" Cora explained as she looked about the room. Her eyes widened as they fell on the figure standing behind Regina.

"Regina, you did not say you had company."

"This would have been so much easier if you had come back as Henry asked."

"What are you prattling on about? And who is this scantily clad young woman?"

"Mother I need you to trust me for once."

"But I do trust you. What is going on?"

"Something rather peculiar happened this morning. And although it is not bad, I do believe you will be in for a shock."

"Come now, Regina. I doubt there is much that can shock me."

"I hope you are right. Just remember, I did warn you." Regina reached behind her and grabbed her daughter's hand. "Mother, this young woman is my daughter."

Cora frowned as she looked at the young girl.

"You've adopted another child?!" Cora exclaimed.

"No mother that's not..."

"I understand your need for children, but do understand you already have a great responsibility in raising two as it is. And taking on another one will be quite difficult at your age. No offense dear."

"I am quite capable of many things at myage. However, you're not understanding what I am trying to tell you."

"Then explain it to me clearly."

"This is my daughter, Evangeline."

Cora laughed as she shook her head.

"I am not a fool Regina. And unless I have been under a sleeping curse for the past decade, this girl cannot be my granddaughter."

Regina through her hands up and stepped away.

"Nana it's me, Eva. Mommy isn't trying to fool you." Evangeline stepped closer towards Cora.

"Impossible. Eva is but a sprig of a child."

Eva took her grandmother's hands in her own and looked her straight in the eye.

"I don't know what happened. But I do know, it had nothing to do with those infernal pixies." Eva smiled.

Cora eyes widened as she truly looked upon the young woman standing in front of her. Only Evangeline knew of her distaste for those wicked little creatures. She brought a shaky hand up and cupped the child's cheek.

"My beautiful girl." Cora uttered.

"Hi Nana." Evangeline said before throwing her arms around her grandmother.

The tender moment was interrupted as Mary Margaret stormed into the room.

"The next time you plan on poofing in uninvited, I expect you to take me with you." Mary Margaret glared at Cora. "Now will someone explain to me what is going on?"

"Mom I need you calm down." Emma said as she made her way to her mother's side.

"I will not calm down. First, you have Henry barring my way inside, then she unfairly uses her magic to get in. And why is she hugging that girl?"

"Snow I do not believe you are ready to hear the answer." Cora smirked.

"Don't you tell me what I am ready for or not. I'll be the judge of that. And really Emma, why didn't you just tell me you had company." Mary Margaret rambled before composing herself. "Hello there, my name's Mary Margaret. And you are..."

Suddenly Mary Margaret stopped, her hand held up in greeting. She traced the young woman's features with her eyes, inspecting every detail. She gasped, her hands flying up to her mouth.

"How can this be?" Mary Margaret whispered.

"Mom, you ok?" Emma clasped her mother's shoulder.

"Eva, is that you?" Mary Margaret nervously asked.

"You know who I am?" Evangeline asked surprised.

"How could I not. You look so much like Regina at that age." Mary Margaret laughed.

"That's very perceptive of you Snow." Regina said.

"And you're not freaked out even a little?" Emma asked.

"Why should I be? Because my five year old granddaughter is now a grown teenager overnight?" Mary Margaret smiled strangely.

"Here it comes." Cora whispered to Evangeline.

Mary Margaret looked at everyone in the room before her eyes rolled up and she fainted to the ground.

"Mom!" Emma yelled before kneeling beside her mother.

"Henry, go quickly and get your grandmother some water." Regina stated as she knelt beside Mary Margaret.

"You see my dear, hysterics are definitely a Charming trait." Cora laughed.