Easter Traditions

A "Chocolate " verse tale

written with CJ Moliere

A/N: sequel to Being Neighborly

1

Preparations

There was nothing Rumple wanted more than to have his family together for the Easter holiday and that included Henry. He was overjoyed when Henry called him the week before to tell him that he was flying to New York.

"It's wonderful, Rumple. Henry should be with us. I know he has Emma and Regina but Bae needs to see him too...so does Rhee."

"I know, dearie."

"Has Bae told you what his plans are?"

"He said that he and Sorcha celebrated both Christian and pagan traditions over the holiday so I'm assuming he's going to introduce us to some of those. I'm actually looking forward to seeing how Sorcha's family celebrated."

"So do I. This world has as many different customs as ours. But...we do need to have something Easter Bunny themed for Carina," Belle pointed out.

"I know they have people dress up as Easter bunnies but I may be able to call on the services of a certain white rabbit..."

"You know the real White Rabbit? From Wonderland?"

Her husband giggled. "You forget, sweetheart; I've made a lot of contacts over the centuries...most of them owed me favors but the White Rabbit kept me informed of Cora's movements in Wonderland."

Belle grinned. "So will you be making me anymore special treats this holiday season?" The chocolate covered Rumples were her favorite and knowing her husband he always had some sort of sweet surprise for her. She was already having images of Rumple bunnies in her mind.

He shook a finger at her. "Now, now dearie, if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?"

"You can be such an imp sometimes; you know that?"

"I have a reputation to uphold."

Belle laughed and shook her head. "All right, I'll let you be an imp...sometimes."

Rumple bowed to her with a flourish. "Much obliged, dearie."

His eyes twinkled merrily. "And now . . . I have an important phone call to make."

He teleported up to his study, where he kept a few magical apparatus. Then he contacted the White Rabbit on one of his Seeing globes-this one allowed you to speak with others across worlds.

"Rumplestiltskin? It's been a while...but Cora isn't in Wonderland anymore."

"Oh I know that, dearie. She's here in this realm, causing havoc as usual." The sorcerer sighed.

"But that's not why I called you. I'm done with her . . .I've moved on, literally and figuratively."

Percy shook his head. "I'm not shocked. But thankfully Wonderland is peaceful now thanks to Cyrus the Genie, Alice and the Red Queen and the Knave. I will warn you though...avoid a black bottle at all costs should it show up in your world. The sorcerer Jafar is in it, now a genie."

Rumple grimaced. "Thank you for the heads up. If I ever see such a thing, or someone has it, I'll be sure to lock it away where no one can get it. Having THAT one loose would be Armageddon!"

"He attempted to change the laws of magic and succeeded...temporarily."

Rumple paled. "That would destroy the Balance."

"It almost did but we stopped him. I am proud of Anna. She's come a long way from being Cora's apprentice."

"Some people do overcome the darkness within," Rumple murmured. "Like yours truly."

"So what can I do for you? Do you need me to dig a portal?"

"Well, yes. For you to come here-to New York. You see, they have a tradition here called Easter, which involves a white rabbit called the Easter Bunny, and my little girl Carina loves him. So I was wondering-would you mind doing a bit of role playing, old friend?"

Percy chuckled. "Not at all. I will have to bring back some pictures for my family though. I'm not familiar with New York but I'm certain Will can show me where I should dig the portal."

"If he's been to this realm before, he'll know where," Rumple grinned. "Easter is on Sunday here. I'll explain more about it when you get here. It's a holiday about rebirth and transformation and spring. New beginnings."

"Ah...I see. Will was in Storybrooke briefly until I found him and brought him back here to help Alice."

"Then he would know where New York is . . . though it's a long way from Maine, dearie. And the magic here has its own laws. But as Keeper of Magical Objects and a Guardian of the Balance, I have to follow them in order to wield my powers."

"I'll be there as soon as I can. I will have to tell Will and the queen I am leaving though since I am their advisor."

"All right. Meanwhile, I need to prepare for the holiday. Belle and I will have a guest, besides my son and granddaughter."

"That's wonderful!"

"Yes, it truly is. I finally have some of that peace and relaxation I've craved for so long. As well as my family to share it." Rumple said feelingly.

With the arrangements settled with Percy, Rumple went downstairs and picked up Carina, cooing to her, "Do you want to see the Easter Bunny, Carina? Huh? You will-very soon!" Then he giggled and his daughter mimicked him.

Belle laughed. "Oh now we know she's our daughter all right! She'll be making deals in your shop with you when she's able to talk!"

"No doubt about that," he grinned. "If she's got her mother's brains and my business sense she'll be the best dealmaker in Manhattan. Right, my imp?" He playfully nibbled her nose.

"I'm almost sorry for your customers...almost."

"Depends on which customer," Rumple chuckled. Then he sniffed the air. "Is that cookies I smell? Sugar cookies?"

"What else. I'm even going to icing them. Which flavor would you like?"

"Chocolate!" her husband sang.

"Wait til you see what shapes I made them into. I was given a site to find unique cookie cutters from a woman at Godiva."

"Oooh! I can't wait!"

Belle smiled. "Sharon is also a crafter...she's making us a lovely baby blanket for Carina."

"How wonderful," Rumple exclaimed.

"I've seen some of it...oh Rumple you're going to love it...she has little spinning wheels and roses embroidered into it."

Belle smiled imagining the look on her husband's face when he saw the rose, cup, book and spinning wheel cookies she made for them but she was going to have to hide them well because he had a bad habit of sampling the merchandise.

"Sounds beautiful, Belle." He tickled Carina. "Right, little dearie?"

The baby smiled at them.

"Now . . .where are those cookies?" Rumple asked with an impish smirk. "Or are you going to make me hunt for them?"

"I am...and if I catch you trying to find therm before Easter you get none Mr. Gold!" she warned.

"Not even one?" he pouted like a little boy. "Where's the fun in that?"

"Not even one. I know you...you'll eat them all." She smirked. "But maybe, just maybe if I'm feeling charitable I'll let you have one."

"Now?" he pleaded.

Carina burbled and waved her fists.

She sighed. "Oh all right but one. ONE, Rumplestiltskin, and if you magic the rest you and the sofa are going to be friends until after Easter."

He held up his hands. "You have a deal, dearie."

Carina clapped her hands.

"May I have my cookie now, please?"

Carina began bouncing in her papa's arms as her mama departed to get the promised cookie, drooling all over his Dolce and Gabbana suit and Armani tie.

Belle chose one of the book cookies she'd decorated and put on a plate along with a glass of milk for him to dunk it in.

Her husband waited eagerly, playing with the baby.

"Your cookie as promised," Belle said, curtseying with the tray in her hand.

Rumple's mouth watered as he sat down with his baby girl. "Mmm! Look at what a lovely cookie this is, Carina! See how beautifully it's decorated?" he praised.

Carina reached for the cookie.

"You might have to share it, Rumple!"

"That's okay. Papa doesn't mind," he said, and broke off a corner for Carina to suck on. The baby was now eating solid food as well as nursing. And she still had a sweet tooth.

"Rumple, is there anything special I need to make for Henry...and he said Archie is flying here with him since he's a minor."

"Umm . . ." the sorcerer paused in eating his cookie for a moment. Then he said, "Henry likes cinnamon hot cocoa. And as far as I know he and Archie aren't allergic to anything. But if you're worried about dinner, make ham and lamb."

"All right. Will they be staying in a hotel or here?"

"No sense in them paying for a room when we have a guest room here," Rumple said.

"Plus we'll be having Bae and Rhee," she reminded him. "This will be a wonderful holiday!"

"It certainly will be an Easter to remember," agreed Rumple, then he drank some milk, sighing contentedly.

"I'd better go get the rooms ready. Would you mind if Carina stayed with you a bit?"

"No. We'll sing some Easter songs," he replied, then he made his hands into bunny shapes and sang about Peter Cottontail.

Belle grabbed her phone, put it on record and went into the first guest bedroom to get it ready, looking forward to hearing her husband's wonderful singing voice later.

Meanwhile, Henry and Archie were just getting settled on their aircraft, with Henry eating some Cinnabons they had purchased before departure, and hoping this vacation was going to be as fun as Rhee had said it would be. He knew that his moms would be spending time thwarting Cora, and after what had happened to his dad, they wanted him safely away from any magical firefight.

Archie was glad to be getting away from Storybooke. His time as a prisoner on Hook's ship terrified him, terrified him so much that he never told anyone exactly what happened to him. When he closed his eyes at night he could see Hook leaning over him, threatening to dissect him unless he gave them the information they wanted.

Henry hoped that Regina could figure out a way to change his dad back from a wooden puppet, which Cora had shrunk him into because August wouldn't betray any of Emma's weaknesses to her. But if not, then he planned on asking Mr. Gold.

Archie glanced over at Henry's backpack, holding the dolls of Geppetto's parents and his father.

"I hope Mr. Gold won't be upset with us for asking for his help," he confessed.

"But I thought he likes making deals," Henry objected. "And this is for a good cause."

"I know, Henry, it's just that...the one time I went to him...it didn't turn out well. It wasn't his fault…my parents switched the bottles...I just don't want to make the same mistake again and hurt someone else..."

"Things are different now," the boy assured him blithely. "I'm sure it'll all work out. My mom says if anyone can undo curses, it's Mr. Gold. She said that him being a white mage now makes him a cursebreaker," Henry whispered.

"I hope so. I'd like to reunite Geppetto with Donna and Stephen...it was the worst mistake of my life aside from not believe you about the curse."

Henry nodded. "But none of that was your fault. You were cursed too."

"I know but if I had stopped cowering before your mother sooner you never would've gone into those mines..."

Henry laid a hand on his arm. "It's like Mr. Gold says-desperate people do desperate things"

He sighed. "Well, I'm going to be more careful from now on. Do you know where we need to go...New York is a huge place!"

"Yeah. Rhee texted me. They're gonna meet us at the airport."

"Oh good. They don't mind my being there I hope."

"No. She says they're happy to have us."

"That's good. I'm a bit excited about seeing the city. Maybe we'll be able to stay longer than the holiday. It's been while since you and I have spent some time together."

Henry smiled. "I'd like that. I always wanted to see New York."

Archie ruffled his hair. In many ways Henry was like a son to him. He didn't know if he would ever get married and have a family of his own but having the boy in his life helped to fill that void in his heart.

In the seat beside them they could hear two children playing. One of them was holding a Jack Sparrow doll. "Gimme all your gold or walk the plank!" the boy said to his friend in a gruff voice.

Archie's hands began to shake.

He could feel the hook slicing through his shirt.

"The more you tell me no, the more parts I take cricket. What's it gonna be?"

"H...Henry...can you get me my...carryon bag please," he panted.

"Yeah," Henry reached beneath the seat and handed it to him. "You okay?" He knew the bag contained anti anxiety meds.

"Yeah...I'll...I'll be fine." He grabbed the bottle of water and swallowed two pills. "Sorry, Henry."

"It's okay. Mom says you've got PTSD or something from being kidnapped and a prisoner."

"I've been trying to keep it under control but once in a while something triggers an episode."

And it wasn't easy for a therapist to try to manage a medical condition on his own.

"Rhee said her dad used to get episodes too-because of how her mom died," Henry explained. "Only he doesn't now cause Mr. Gold helped him."

"I don't think he would help me with this..."

"Why can't you ask him? The most he could do was say no." Henry reasoned.

"All right, I'll try."

Henry nodded and offered him a Cinnabon.

Archie took it and bit into it gratefully. "You're getting me addicted to these."

"They're a good addiction. Like books," the boy laughed.

"Speaking of that..." Archie reached into his bag and brought out The Chronicles of Narnia box set he bought. "I was going to give you this for your birthday but I figured now would be good."

Henry's eyes lit up. "Wow! I always wanted to read these! Thanks, Archie!"

He chuckled. "You made me take you to see the first three movies a dozen times!"

"They were really good movies! Like the first three Harry Potter ones."

His hands caressed the books. "I'll have to ask Rhee if she's read them."

"You didn't like the rest of the Harry Potter movies? I thought you did when we went to see them."

"They were okay-till I read the books. Then I saw how they left a lot of stuff out . . .and put stuff in that really was unnecessary," the boy replied.

"That sometimes happens in the movies I'm afraid. I can only imagine what it would be like if they did the real versions of our lives."

Henry shuddered. "Something tells me they wouldn't portray us accurately." Then he looked at his new books. "I wonder if I'll have time to read one before the plane lands?"

"You should. I might rest a bit."

His medication tended to make him sleepy

"Okay!" Henry opened the box set and took out The Magician's Nephew.

Chronologically this was the first book though Lewis wrote it later than the others. He'd actually written The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe first.

"Wake me up when we get there," Archie said sleepily.

"Okay." Henry agreed, then proceeded to get lost in Narnia for the next two hours.

At the airport, Rhee paced eagerly about the terminal. She kept glancing at the board where the arrival times were listed.

"You got a hot date, sweetie?" teased an elderly man.

Rhee turned to look at him. "Me? Not with my dad and grandpa, mister. They're like the Mafia."

"Rhiannon!" Bae cried.

The last thing they needed was the NYPD thinking there was a new John Gotti in town.

The old man began laughing. "Can't blame 'em for that, sweetie. I didn't let my gal date till she was seventeen."

"Oh brother! That's like forever!" she sighed.

"When you're my age, missy, you wish you were seventeen again," the senior smiled.

"Why?"

"No worries, no health problems, and no responsibility," the old man laughed.

"Then I don't wanna get old..."

Bae slapped his forehead. "Rhiannon! Really!"

"She's a trip!" chortled the man. "I got no granddaughters so I enjoy her."

"Oh, but she's a handful!"

"Thanks, Dad!"

He could almost hear Sorcha asking him who she got her attitude from.

And it's not me, Cassidy!

Yeah I know...oh HOW I know!

He could almost hear her laughter. Now you know what you put your poor papa through.

"Dad! They're here!" she cried, pointing at the board.

Bae smiled in relief. "Okay, Rhee. Let's go greet them."

"Are they gonna stay a while?"

"Yes. I spoke with Archie, he said they'd like to sightsee after the holiday," Bae told her as they walked over to where the passengers would exit the plane.

"Cool!"

Bae smiled. He knew how much his daughter had been looking forward to Henry coming. Because he was a friend who actually knew what she was, and she could talk to him about things she normally couldn't with her friends from New York.

"Look, there they are! Henry, over here!"

Henry waved excitedly as he came through the gate. "Hey, Rhee! How's it going?" They high fived each other.

"Great! I'm glad you're here!"

"Me too! Hiya, Bae!" Henry greeted her dad.

"Hey, Henry," Bae shook his hand.

Archie held out his hand. "Hello Bae." He smiled at Rhee. "You must be Rhiannon."

"Hi, Mr. Hopper." She shook his hand, giving him her signature smile. They had been in Storybrooke so briefly she hadn't had a chance to meet him before. "You can call me Rhee."

"Rhee it is then."

"All right, guys. Let's get your luggage and we can go over to my papa's house. He's been expecting you," Bae said, responding to a text from Belle.

"Oh, that's good," Archie said nervously.

"Yeah and then you can see my apartment and meet my kitten," Rhee said excitedly. "We got her and Grandpa got Bitty from Tony when we saved his life during the blizzard."

"We heard about that blizzard on TV," Henry said. "What happened?"

"Tony slipped and fell while he was shoveling and hit his head. He was lying in a snow drift when Grandpa and I were walking to his shop and I saw him. He was almost frozen and Grandpa and I saved him by calling 911."

"He had a broken ankle too and my papa helped take care of his cat and dog while he was in the hospital," Bae added. "His cat, Figaro, had kittens. That's how we got Rhee's Amberle and Papa got Bitty."

"Whoa!" Henry exclaimed

"And Grandpa got robbed by these crazy thieves from Hook's ship!" Rhee told him.

Archie tensed again. "E...Excuse me!" He walked away.

"You mean they TRIED to rob him," Bae corrected. Then he looked concerned. "Hey, is everything okay, Archie?"

"I'm...I'm fine,' he said quickly.

Bae slanted a knowing glance at him. "About as fine as I was after my wife passed on. Did something like that happen to you over in Storybrooke? I know things over there have been rough."

"Yeah...I..uhhh...was kidnapped and held hostage for a few days..."

"Damn! By who? The Queen of Hearts?"

"And...Hook."

Bae scowled. "Figures. Don't get me started on him. He's the reason why my papa raised me alone. Not that my mama was any good either. She only cared about her own pleasure."

Archie took several deep breaths. "I try not to think about it."

"Well, my papa helped me with my own demons . . .after my wife was killed by these . . .religious fanatics who hunted down witches . . .he did something that . . .helped me put those memories in perspective. Not . . . not removing them but showing me a way to handle them without them hurting me. "

"What did he do?"

"He . . . it's a little difficult to explain. Think of it as magical therapy. He examined my memories and cast a spell of . . . peace over them, so I wasn't tormented."

"And it didn't harm you?"

"No. It gave me peace. From the guilt I felt." Bae said honestly. "My papa's a Guardian now, his magic is all for healing, protection, and defense."

"I may ask him. I'm trying to handle it on my own..."

"Sometimes you can't. I'm speaking from experience," Bae cautioned. "Well, if you ever want to talk, I'm here. And Papa is also."

"Thank you."

They walked to the car, and soon were driving down the road.

They were off to see the Wizard, Archie thought ironically. And who could tell what new surprises awaited them?