ONCE does not belong to me.
Chapter 1: Going Back
Regina ran around her condo trying to get everything together before they were due at the airport. She had told them over and over when they were supposed to be ready but like always they left everything to the last minute.
She had already packed everything for Mary-Alice and Sammy now all she needed was for Aiden to be ready, he always needed to triple check everything to make sure he wasn't missing anything.
The town car was going to be there any minute to take them to the airport and she needed the bags to be ready to be taken down.
"Aiden, come on we are running late" She called down the small hallway. She moved around into the living room where she found Sammy asleep on one side of the couch and Alice on the other staring intently into a frame.
"Why don't you put that in your backpack" Regina suggested and the little girl nodded before getting off the couch and running to the pile of suit cases by the door. "and put on your jacket"
A couple of minutes later Aiden finally came out of his room and help take the bags down to the car that was waiting for them. They greeted the driver with a couple of hugs like they usually did and they were off to the airport.
"You ready?" Aiden asked from behind from his seat next to Mary-Alice. He knew about Regina's history with this town.
"Am I ready to walk into a town filled with people who hate me? No, I don't think I am." Aiden gave her a sad smile.
"We don't have to do this. We can always just spend the holidays somewhere else" He says quickly, he wasn't going to force Regina to do anything she wasn't ready to do.
"No, this is what you've wanted since you were nine and you deserve it" she said "If you want to go to a town filled with Fairy Tale character's who am I to deny it. Plus you're sisters' are looking forward to it too."
"Why wouldn't they? A town filled with magic, who wouldn't want to go there?" a small 'yeah' is heard and Regina looks down at Sammy smiling. "See, Sammy gets it"
"Aiden, sweetheart, for a seventeen year old you really like Fairy Tales. Aren't you worried the 'ladies'" She said using air quotes "as you call them will find that weird?" She asked teasing him. He had always been like this. Ever since she told him and his mother who she really was, he was always wanting to hear stories about Fairy Tale Land. She thought that with time that would stop, but now ten years later he was still the same seven year old she had ran into at Central Park.
"You let me worry about the ladies" he said trying to be smooth.
"Okay, Casanova"
The rest of the plane ride is pretty quiet. The girls have fallen asleep and Aiden has his headphones on listening to music. This leaves Regina to ponder her thoughts.
Was she ready to confront all off this people?
Was she ready to see him again? The boy who told her she was dead to him when the curse broke, the boy who ignored her month after.
Was she ready for all the memories that were likely to resurface once she got there?
Was she ready to feel magic again after so many years without it?
She lets out a sigh and tries to convince herself that she is ready for this. Even if she wasn't ready there was no way she was going to break the promise she had made. No matter what, she was going to make this trip happen.
When the plane landed in Maine they stretched for a bit and got ready for the drive to Storybrooke. Alice sang along to songs on the radio, sometimes in the company of Aiden and Sammy was content with watching the scenery pass by.
They had stopped to eat at a small dinner were the contest of who could fit more fries into their mouth ensued between Aiden and Alice making her and Sammy make disgusted faces every time the contestants tried to talk.
"How does she do that?" Aiden asked after his little sister had beaten him. Regina shook her head after all this time he should know better than to go up against Alice with something that involves food. After a victory hot chocolate Regina ushered everyone back to the car.
Finally at around one in the morning they came across the 'Welcome to Storybrooke' sign. Twenty minutes later she was parking in front of her old house.
She shook Aiden awake and then Alice. She unhooked Sammy from her seat and started towards the house.
There was an envelope taped to the door that said 'Welcome Back' in neat hand writing. She rolled her eyes and grabbed the key inside of it. She opened the door and reached for the light switch. When the lights came on she hurried and put the girls to bed and since it was their first night in this house that meant they would be sleeping with her.
After that she and Aiden started to unload the bags from the car. By around three in the morning they were all finally asleep.
That morning found Mr. Gold at Granny's putting in an order. Ruby looked at the man like he had grown a couple of extra heads, it was strange to see him smiling and been so nice.
"Did you get all that, dear?" He asked Ruby.
"Yeah" She said handing the cook the order.
As Mr. Gold waited Emma walked into the small diner to get her usual to start her day. Ruby smiled at the blonde and motioned for her to have a seat at the counter.
"Gold" She greeted the old man sitting a seat away from her.
"Sheriff Swan" He greeted back. "Miss Lucas can you also add a couple of muffins, apple if you have any, to my order, please"
Pretty soon his order was done and Ruby set a two take out bags in front of him along with a cup of coffee. With a curt nod he walked out of the dinner with the bags leaving a confused Emma and Ruby behind.
Regina was sleeping peacefully when the sound of someone knocking reached her ears. She disentangled herself from little limbs and made her way downstairs to the door already knowing who it would be.
"It's too early" she groaned at Mr. Gold.
"Good morning to you too, dearie" Regina scoffs at this and motions for him to walk in. "Where is everyone? I brought breakfast."
"They are still sleeping, which is what I should be doing." Regina took the offered coffee and took a sip. It was then that light footsteps were heard.
"Uncle" was practically screeched before Sammy's little arms wrapped around Gold's legs. Regina took the bags from him so that he could reach for the small girl.
She never could off imagined that Rumplestiltskin would play such a big role in her life, she was glad he did. He was great with the kids' and herself too.
"Sammy why don't you go wake up Alice and Aiden so we can all have breakfast" With a quick nod Sammy was off to get the others. "and put on your socks, the floor's cold"
"She's still talking in one word phrases" He points out as he watches the little girl run away.
"Yes, but now she does it less. She's starting to have actual conversations from time to time." She explains.
"What does the doctor say?" He asks.
"That we shouldn't force her. He says that as she gets older she'll start to be more outgoing and talkative" Mr. Gold nods and makes his way towards the kitchen.
"When that time comes I'm probably going to miss our one word talks" Regina chuckles at this and rolls her eyes at him. "By the way, I do hope you guys found everything with the house alright"
When Regina had told him that they would be spending a couple of weeks in Storybrooke he had immediately started to get the house ready for them.
"Yes, we did. Thank you for getting everything ready for us." It's then that the kids come bounding through the kitchen entrance greeting their 'uncle' at title Gold had taken for himself upon his second visit to Regina in New York.
Soon Gold had to leave them to tend to his shop but not without making plans to meet the next day or later on the day. The family then started to unpack their things and putting them in their respective bedrooms.
When the afternoon rolled around and the need for food became too much for the kids Regina suggested a home cooked meal but the kids really wanted to take a walk around the small town and so they decided on Granny's.
"Look at it this way, if you're going to make an entrance what better way than this." Aiden suggested to Regina who seemed to be nervous as she drove the short distance from their house to the dinner.
"How is walking into a dinner during lunch rush with three kids an entrance?' She questioned jokingly.
"Because we are a whole bunch of hotness, you're hot, I'm hot, Sammy is cute and Alice…well she's Alice" a 'hey' in protest was heard from the back seat making everyone chuckle. "You're a whole different person now. It doesn't matter how you walk in there now, what matters is that you won't be walking in there alone" he tells her and it makes Regina fill like she's invincible.
"You are an amazing person" Regina exclaims making Aiden shrug trying to ignore the small blush covering his cheeks.
"That and I can't wait to see the place explode with drama" He says already making various scenarios of what was about to go down.
Regina shook her head at his giddiness and parks by Granny's. As soon as she got out of the car she could feel the stares start. She went to open the door for Sammy who jumped into her arms as soon as the door opened.
"Let's get some food" She said and started to walk to the dinner. Aiden was the first to walk in, his blue eyes looking everywhere. Alice didn't even take the time to look around she found the closest booth and was already looking through the menu.
When Regina walked in holding Sammy the quiet murmurs began accompanied with glares and confused looks. She ignored all of them and shoved Aiden towards the both Alice had taken over.
"You're back" Regina looked up to meet Ruby's questioning gaze. Ruby's eyes wandered around the booth taking in everyone else.
"Not that is any of your business, but yes, we will be spending the holidays here this year" Regina says motioning to everyone at the booth.
"Does he know you're back?" Ruby asked while pulling out a pen to take their orders. It had been ten years since she had seen the other brunette and she was kind of glad to see her again.
"I don't see why it's any of his business" Aiden could sense the tensed mood so he decides to change the topic.
"I'll have the lasagna" Ruby finally takes her eyes away from Regina and starts taking their orders.
They were happily eating, well as happy as someone who is constantly being glared at can eat when the Charming Clan walked in, all looking rather angry and confused…big surprise there.
"It's true" Snow exclaimed when her eyes found Regina's.
"Nice to see you again, Snow" She greeted knowing full well it would get on the other woman's nerves.
"Wait! She's Snow White?" Aiden asked and Regina nodded "Okay, there was something definitely wrong with that mirror. There's no way she was the fairest of them all."
It's then Snow finally realizes that Regina is not alone.
"Not the time, Aiden" Regina reprimands even though inside she's laughing joyously at the face Snow just made. "Okay guys, seems like our lunch will be cut short" with that Regina pulls out some bills and drops them on the table.
She slides out of the booth and reaches for Sammy's hand. Once Alice was out of the booth she reached out for her Regina's hand.
They moved around the Charming duo and left the dinner ignoring Snow's snarky comments. When they were just a few feet out the front door a mass collided with Regina making Sammy let go off her hand and fall to the ground. Regina for her part instantly bent over to reach for Sammy who was already crying her eyes out. She didn't even make the time to see who it was that had bumped into her.
"You're okay, sweetie" She tried to reassured bringing her into her arms.
"I'm so sorry" the culprit said from somewhere to the side. "I didn't see where I was going" Regina recognized that voice.
"Emma" Emma for her part froze when Regina finally stood up and faced her. They stared at each other until a whimper snapped Regina out of her trance and her attention turned back to a sobbing Sammy. She held her close to her chest and rocked her trying to calm her down.
"It's true. You're really back." She exclaimed not once taking her eyes of off Regina. Suddenly anger took over her body. "How dare you just show up here after ten years"
"I'm not doing this now, especially not in front of my children" With that Regina takes Alice's hand and they make their way to their car, Aiden following close behind keeping an eye on Emma.
"Children? So what? You left one kid and went and got yourself three?" Emma called out after her following close behind ignoring Aiden's glare. Regina handed Sammy to Aiden and went to face the blonde.
"You will not bring my kids into this" the jabbed her finger into Emma's chest to make sure her point was clear.
Emma was seething but one look at Alice's scared filled eyes and Sammy's tear filled ones made her stop whatever she was going to say next. Her eyes met Aiden's who was glaring back ready to step in and defend his mother.
"This conversation isn't over" Emma told Regina.
"What conversation?" With a huff Emma was gone.
"Fairy Tale people have issues" Aiden brought up trying to lighten up the mood "Bet you don't want to be a princess anymore huh, Alice?"
"Who was that, mom?" Alice asked as she wrapped an arm around her mother's waist ignoring her brother's question.
"That was Emma Swan, Snow White's daughter and Storybrooke's sheriff" Sammy's eyes go wide and Regina chuckles at the sight.
They walk around for a bit. Regina points out all the different characters making her children look around in awe. Eventually Sammy starts to fall asleep and they decide to head home to warm up a bit.
"Okay anyone that needs a shower go and take one" With that the oldest kids head upstairs. Regina sets Sammy down on the couch and places a kiss to her now messy black hair before covering her with her favorite ducky blanket.
She heads to the kitchen to get started on a fast and easy meal. She knows she can expect many visitors that night. She's not looking forward to it but the faster she gets this over with the faster they can leave her and her family alone.
Everyone had already eaten when seven rolled around. Regina was giving Sammy a bath while Alice and Aiden watched a movie downstairs.
"Did you have fun today, Bear" Sammy gives her a playful growl then breaks out into giggles.
"Kinda" she answers pointing to the tiny red spot on her knee that she must off gotten when she fell. Regina has had two years to become accustom to how Sammy communicates so she knows what she's trying to say.
"Yes, I'm sorry about that, Bear." She kisses her daughters nose making her laugh "But I'm going to talk to all the mean people so they'll leave us alone"
"No more mean people?" This was the first time since arriving in Storybrooke that Sammy had used more than one word to communicate. This usually happen with Regina and the kids, but there were those rare case when Sammy would also use more word with other's like Gold.
"No more mean people" Regina assures and pulls her out of the tub. She wraps her up in a towel and takes her to the bedroom to get her changed.
Downstairs Aiden and Alice were so engrossed with the scary movie they were watching that they barely register the doorbell going off. They looked at each other, each willing the other to go.
"You go" Alice tells her older brother.
"You go" Aiden says.
"What if it's the killer" Alice says with wide eyes.
"Then we'll miss you" Aiden tells her jokingly earning a swat to the chest from Alice. For an eight year old she sure did have some strength. Aiden got up and went to open the door once it ranged again.
"You suck as an older brother" Alice calls out after him.
"Love you too" He calls as he opens the door to reveal Emma accompanied but the Charming Duo and a very grown Henry. "MOM!" He yells into the house "THERE'S SOMEONE'S LOOKING FOR YOU"
Aiden motions for them to walk inside then walks them towards the living room. Regina comes downstairs holding Sammy ready to reprimand Aiden for yelling in the house, but then she sees what's playing on T.V.
"Aiden, how many times have I told you not to let Alice watch scary movies" she completely ignores the other people standing in the room. She moves towards the couch and sets Sammy down then goes to change the channel to some cartoons "The last time she watched one she had to sleep with me for over a month."
"Sorry" He says giving her an impish smile that lets her know he's not really sorry.
Regina shakes her head and moves her attention towards their current guests. Her eyes seek out Henry's who seems to be having an internal battle. She tells Aiden they will be in the study and to watch Sammy.
Just as she starts to walk Henry does something she did not see coming.
*So you guy's interested?
Chapter 2: jkhg