Universe: Happily Ever After... Again
Authors: Charna2210 (Obsessionsaremylife & mamaxunicorn)
Genre: Family/Romance
Summary: The hard part is done... the curse is broken, so what happens afterwards?
Title: Facing the Storm - Part 1
Time frame: Months after the curse is broken
Chapter Summary: Even though the curse is broken, it doesn't mean there aren't sleepless nights in the Charming's Castle.
Warnings: All Once Upon a Time episodes which have aired
Disclaimer: We do not own Once Upon a Time, that brilliant shown is owned by ABC and it's writers!
Starting note from Jenna:
Welcome to the 'Happily Ever After...Again' universe! It's going to be a series all about the lives of our favorite fairytale characters and their family as they adjust to their new (and old) lives in the curse-free fairy tale land.
This is my, and Charlotte's as well, first attempt at writing a joint story. I'd like to thank my brilliant partner for coming up with this wonderful idea and for sharing in my love for this wonderful show. It's a fun and rewarding experience, getting to write with one of your best friends, combining both equal yet different talents together to form a complete and whole story. This is only the first of many; I'm sure and so I hope you all get to enjoy our writing as much as we do!
Sometimes when she was alone, she would just shut her eyes.
To let it sink it that good had won once again, and for good this time. Emma had seen to it that the evil queen would not be bothering their family or kingdom again. That did not mean though that Snow was not grateful for being back home.
Even though she had been in a cursed life it was when she was back did she realize how much she was pining for a life which had been ripped away from her.
So every once in a while she would do this. Find a quiet spot and just shut her eyes, let her body soak in the fact that she was home; her family was home.
The sun had just set over their kingdom and she could already feel a chill in the air...a storm was on its way.
A small chirp suddenly disturbed her from her peaceful state and she opened her eyes, smiling at the sight of the blue bird perched on the ledge. She held out her finger and the small bird hopped onto it. Snow lightly ran the tip of her finger over its soft feathers and it chirped happily in response. "You better find your way home, little one." She cooed. "We don't want you getting caught out there."
The bird chirped its agreement and hopped off her finger, hovering around her for a moment longer before flying off towards the trees.
Snow smiled peacefully as she watched the blue bird fly against the grey sky, an image that took her breath away.
She was so transfixed with the image that she didn't realize that she was being watched.
James stood speechless as he saw his wife look out at the bird she had lovingly just sent back to its home, she always had a way with animals a quality that even the dreadful curse which tore them apart couldn't stop.
He shivered slightly as he thought of that terrible place, where he couldn't be with Snow and was actually married to Abigail for a while until yet again his and Snow's love broke through – they could never be away from each other and the 50 yards which was separated them now was killing him. He couldn't help but smirk at how that could be fixed though.
With just a few quick but quiet strides he had crossed the room and wordlessly slipped his arms around her, drawing her near.
Snow gasped at the sudden contact but instantly relaxed against its familiarity. She didn't even have to turn around to know the warmth of her husband's embrace. "Good evening, Charming."
James smirked at his nickname and rested his chin on her shoulder, pulling her closer to him shutting his eyes at the glorious feeling which was his wife in his arms. "Good evening, dearest Snow." He whispered lovingly causing Snow's heart to skip a beat.
She smiled softly as she raised one arm to place a hand on the side of his face, stroking it softly as she leaned into the embrace.
Their heads turned synchronized so they could share a short loving kiss both of them moaning slightly at the sensation. When he felt the smirk playing on his love's lips did James pull back.
"What is it my love?"
"You've very affectionate lately Charming." Snow smirked as James gasped out.
"Are you telling me I haven't always been?"
"Hmm..." She hummed leaning against his chest. "No." She murmured thoughtfully. "But even more so lately. Not that I'm complaining of course."
"Of course." He nuzzled his nose into her neck and she giggled at the tickling sensation.
"Twenty eight years is way too long without you, Snow." He continued, his voice lowering, taking a more serious undertone. She turned his face towards her with her hand and softly kissed his lips.
"We made it, James." She whispered, nuzzling her nose against his cheek softly. "Nothing will ever separate us again."
"I know Snow." He responded kissing her temple pausing before adding, "And heaven forbid if something ever did – I will always find you."
She smiled as she turned in his arms to look him directly in the eye. "Promise?"
"Always." He promised clearly before leaning down to kiss her on the lips. She sighed into the kiss, her whole body relaxing as she did so. Giggling slightly as their noises bumped together but it didn't stop them from continuing their embrace, swaying slightly on the spot as they clung to each other tightly.
It was only when a flash of light was caught behind their closed eyelids followed by the deep sound of thunder did they pull apart both looking at the dark sky.
The heaven opened up before they could even react and Snow gasped as the rain hit them.
James reacted quickly and pulled Snow behind him, pushing her into the room and closing the glass doors behind them. He laughed as he caught sight of his wife standing in the middle of the room her hair and evening dress soaked and she fastened a glare on him.
"Amused, dear?"
"You look positively lovely." He grinned as he sauntered over to her and she narrowed her eyes for a moment before she smirked and grabbed him by the lapels and kissed him square on the mouth. His response was immediate, his strong arms surrounding her, pulling their wet bodies closer together.
Snow gasped as her wet chest hit his, pulling back only for him to start kissing down her neck, nibbling at her pulse point.
"James." She groaned in frustration pulling his head back to hers to attach their lips together a squeal coming out of her mouth when he suddenly grabbed her and lifted her up causing her to wrap her legs around his waist.
Snow was so caught up in how her husband was kissing her that she didn't even realize that he was walking backwards towards their bed until she felt the sensation of falling. She giggled as she let out a tiny scream and her head hit his chin.
"Your majesty's, are you alright?" A guard who was outside their rooms asked, knocking on their door causing them to freeze.
James suppressed a groan as his hand came to rub his chin and Snow bit down on her lip to suppress a giggle.
"Yes," She called out, laughter ringing in her voice, "Yes, everything is fine, thank you."
James rolled off to his side of the bed, rubbing his chin and then removing it to check for blood. Snow rolled her eyes and scoffed, "My head is not that hard, Charming."
"I think my chin may be permanently damaged thanks to you."
Snow scoffed. "Oh I have not – when have I ever hit you chin..." She trailed off as her husband raised one of his eyebrows at her as she blushed.
"Hmm..." He pretended to think. "Yes you are absolutely right." He continued as she glared at him. "It's not like you hit it with a rock the first time we met." He smirked still rubbing his chin as the sting wore off.
"In my defense – you had just knocked me off my horse and couldn't believe I was a woman!"
Charming smirked again "Well how was I to know that I was knocking off the love of my life off her horse?" He grinned. "Though I have to say I much prefer this personal attack on my chin dear." He teased as his wife continued to glare at him.
"You better watch yourself, Charming before you find yourself otherwise attacked."
"Oh, I don't know about that..." He inched closer to her, his eyes upon her smouldering as he ran his finger lightly across her jaw line, sending shivers down her spine. "I think you love me far too much for that."
She let out a small sigh, leaning into his touch. "You know..." She murmured softy. "You are far too charming."
He chuckled softly and leaned forward to kiss her lips sweetly.
Snow smiled as they pulled apart, shaking her head as she gazed up at him. "It's decided – you are most definitely too charming for your own good."
James paused for a second before responding with a teasing smile. "I can't find anything negative about that statement."
Snow glowered again until she rolled her eyes and flopped down onto the bed causing her husband to chuckle. He knelt on the bed before falling down sideways next to her jostling her into his arms, giggling as she bounced.
James just looked wonderingly at her smiling at just how relaxed she was, the Snow before the curse was worried, not her normal self most of the time because the thought of the impending curse was in some ways worse than the actual curse.
But this Snow? She was just so vibrant, so happy and you now you could rarely see her without a smile on her face. His thought process was interrupted however by a yawn escaping her perfect mouth.
"Tired my love?" He asked stroking her black glossy hair which had now grown to just above her shoulders.
She hummed in response, cuddling further into his shoulder as her eyes fluttered closed. A content, peaceful smile played at her lips as her hand slid up to rest on his chest, pulling herself closer to him. "I've missed this."
He dropped a kiss to the top of her head and tightened his hold around her. "So have I, love."
"I didn't even realize how lonely I was..." She whispered. "Having to sleep without you every night..."
"Hush now." He ran his hand in soothing motions up and down her back. "No more of those thoughts. That world is gone, Snow."
"I know." She murmured, stifling another yawn, the smile returning to her lips.
James watched her struggle to keep awake only reacting if a particular loud clap of thunder. "You can go to sleep Snow." He whispered smiling lovingly as her eyelids fluttered weakly open. "I still be here in the morning."
A warm, sleepy smile passed her lips. "I love you Cha-r-ming." She yawned out causing him to chuckle.
"Come on." He placed his hands on her arms let's get changed for bed – you won't be comfortable in this Snow.
"You know me too well." Snow smiled tracing his lapels. "Though you won't be able to sleep in this."
"You know me too well dearest Snow." James laughed. "Come on – the sooner we change, the sooner we can return to bed."
"Promise?" Snow asked looking up at him through her eyelids.
"I promise dearest."
"Very well." She sighed and pushed herself out of his arms, rising to her feet slowly to gather her night clothes. He gathered his own and the couple quickly changed and then gathered back onto the bed, immediately sinking back into each other's arms.
Snow pressed a last, soft kiss to his lips before finding a comfortable spot on his chest. He rested his chin lightly against the top of her head and gently trailed his fingers along her arm. She hummed in contentment, snuggled in further and then within minutes was fast asleep.
He smiled at the sound of her deep, even breathing and the feel of her warm body against his sent him off into a peaceful sleep.
Emma glared pathetically at the shadows on the wall.
For some reason she found herself unable to sleep. Her history of moving from place to place throughout all of her life made her adept to change and no matter where she was she always found herself able to sleep there. Perhaps it was that she was just starting to find an actual home in Storybrooke that she suddenly found the change so difficult to deal with. Or perhaps it was because it was the most drastic change of all; after all it's not every day you suddenly find yourself living in a small apartment in Maine one day and then a fairy-tale castle the next.
She let out a frustrated chuckle at just how much her live had changed, not most foster kids could say that the reason they were in the foster system was because their parents sent them through an enchanted tree wardrobe to save them from a curse they would later defeat.
Her head still hurt just thinking about it.
She slammed her eyes shut in hope that she would stop thinking about it – that she be able to shut her mind off just for a couple of hours, she turned punching her pillow into shape frustratedly, cursing herself slightly when she jumped at the clap of thunder which tore through her chambers.
That was another thing that never bothered her, storms but now – it... well she didn't like to admit it but it scared her. She opened her eyes wearily as she saw a flash of lightening out of her glass doors followed almost instantly through the abnormally loud thunder.
She always thought that castles were supposed to be some sort of great, strong fortress but as the rain pounded heavily on the stone and a cold chill filled the room she found herself highly mistaken.
She flipped over onto her back and stared at the ceiling, her body tensing as she waited for the inevitable next clap of thunder. It came - and it came with a bang. Emma swore that it shook the entire foundation of the castle.
Before she knew it she was halfway to the door. Her hand paused on the door handle as her thoughts finally caught up with her. Where was she planning on going? But then a little voice in the back of her head told her she knew exactly where she was planning on going. She sighed quietly, mentally debating with herself for a moment or two and then finally pulling the door open.
She looked out into the darkness that the door opened too and shivered at the sudden cold which attacked her and made her make a quick dash into the open hallway. She didn't even give herself time to think before her body was pulling her towards the chamber of rooms were Mary and David – no, she mentally corrected herself Snow White and Prince James/Charming lived also her... her parents.
It was then she heard a noise and quickly hid herself behind a pillar as if she was in someone's else's house. She berated herself when she saw two guards make their hourly rounds and quickly hoped that she managed to shut her chambers door so if they did chance look inside they wouldn't think she had been kidnapped or something.
Even though good had won out as Henry said, Emma and her parents with the rest of the kingdom was still slightly on edge.
She waited until they had walked past before stepping from her hiding place looking back at the behinds of the guards gratefully that she hadn't been caught – not that she would have been in trouble, she did live here after all but... well she didn't really want to explain why she – 29 years of age was on her way to her parents chambers.
It sounded ridiculous to even her own thoughts. Emma had learned not to depend on anyone in her life, especially not those who were legally called her parents, or for a better word, guardians. She never would consider any of her foster parents actual parents for they never treated her like an actual daughter. And for years she regarded her real parents as low life losers who didn't even care enough about her to leave her in a hospital...
As her mind continued to think about how her life had turned around she found herself just outside her parents' rooms. And it caused her to think of the two people sleeping just on the other side of that door and guilt swarmed in the pit of her stomach. Mary Margaret...her mother had become her best friend during their time in Storybrooke and she'd never forget the day that the curse was lifted from her. The tears that filled her eyes as she finally realized who Emma was, the awkward hug that ensued or the pure love in her voice. And her father...Prince Charming...she'd never felt so protected, so loved then she did when she finally accepted the truth and he drew her into his arms.
With that thought she carefully opened the door separated them, softly closing it behind her and padded into the room where she stopped still at the image before her feeling guilty for intruding on the intimate moment of her parents just sleeping peacefully in each other's arms.
She smiled softly at the love her parents obviously shared anyone could see it – even in their alternative persona's you could see the love shining through, she knew that if things had gone normally by this age she would have been rolling her eyes at her parents mushiness – would have probably been doing it for years while secretly in awe of it... now? She was just in awe of it.
She was debating on leaving and returning to her own rooms to leave them in peace when the reason she was here in the first place scared her from her thoughts. The flash of lightening and clap of thunder made her jump and slightly bump into a chair closest to her causing it to screech on the floor. She froze shutting her eyes hoping she hadn't woken any of the sleeping occupants in the room. She opened her eyes slowly to see her mother gazing at her softly blinking the confusion out her eyes.
"Emma?" Snow's low, sleepy voice drifted across the room as she pushed herself up slowly.
Emma cleared her throat softly and her lips twitched in a half smile. "Uh...yeah...hi."
"What's the matter?" Her mother's tone of voice switched dramatically, from curious and sleepy to full on concern and Emma felt overcome with the sudden emotion building inside. No one had ever cared for her that much and to finally have that - the feeling was indescribable.
"N-nothing, nothing I-" She sighed, closing her eyes tightly. There was that wall again, building up around her heart to protect herself to not let anyone too close. She couldn't do that anymore, she shouldn't do it- she had no reason to do it. "I couldn't sleep." She admitted, finally.
As almost to prove a point thunder shook the castle again causing Emma to jump though luckily not bump into anything. Snow smiled sympathetically at her unused to seeing her daughter so timid, and if she didn't know any better almost scared.
Snow turned back to her husband who was still asleep and now buried into her own pillow now that she had left his arms, she rolled her eyes smiling softly as she turned back to Emma who was still looking timid.
"I remember the first night I slept in this castle – it was just before your dad and I had married and there was such a storm..." Snow giggled softly. "I didn't get a wink of sleep – because alone it this Castle makes everything seem so loud but the next morning the sky was clear, and only the dampness of the grounds suggested that there had been a storm the night before."
Emma stood there enwrapped by her mother's story, swaying slightly on the spot.
"When we had breakfast the next morning..." Snow continued, "Your father didn't even know there was a storm!" The two girls giggled slightly "he truly could sleep through anything – but the first storm that happen after we were married and so shared this room." She gestured to their surroundings. "I didn't wake once – didn't even know there was one."
"Why? Why are you telling me this?"
"Because things are less scary when you are with someone – someone who loves you..." Snow moved closer to her husband and patted the space which was created.
"Oh no – I couldn't." Emma protested.
"Emma-" With that motherly tone taking over Snow's voice, Emma knew she didn't stand a chance in arguing with her. "Please."
With a soft sigh, she relented and made her way over to the bed, carefully sitting down on the edge of the bed, eyeing the sleeping figure of her father warily.
Snow chuckled softly, catching her line of sight. "You don't have to worry about waking him up, Em." Emma's heart leapt at the nickname. It was something she had started to call her while she was still Mary Margaret and it crossed over once the curse was broken. It was so simple yet so affectionate and it reminded Emma that the woman sitting in front of her was indeed her mother.
Emma cracked a smile but Snow could still detect the hesitance within her. "Emma?"
Emma glanced down at her lap, ringing her hands together as she spoke with all the vulnerability of twenty nine years worth of rejection and loneliness, "When you said that...about the storm being not so scary with someone you love around...I never had that. Not anyone, especially not a-a mother. When I was little I wished that my mom, not any of the foster moms, my real mom - you - would just...magically come out of nowhere and hold me."
Snow's heart broke about the childhood her daughter had, cursing the witch and the curse which took her little baby girl away from her only to bring her back when she had grown up – when she had her own son.
"Em," Snow hesitantly placed her hand over her daughter's two hands rubbing her hand over them soothingly. "I know it's hard, I know that... if there was anything I could do to have stopped the curse I would have done it but we couldn't – we tried. We were in no-man's land that we had to give you up so you could save us and it broke my heart to do it." Snow tried to with-held her tears as Emma looked at her, tears glistering in her own. "But please don't think that from the moment I knew I was pregnant with you, I didn't love that I wouldn't have given anything to be there for you in storms. Don't think that your father wouldn't have wished the same." She smiled sadly.
"I know – Mom..." She tested the word. "I know, it's just so hard to take in."
Snow nodded. "I imagine it is." Silence fell between them. "But don't think that just because I'm physically only a couple of months older then you – that you still can't come in when you get too scared by the storm."
Emma scoffed lightly. "I am twenty nine years old."
Snow shook her head. "So what? Who is going to say anything? Who is going to care?" She gently reached out her hand and brushed a strand of Emma's long blonde hair away from her face and to her surprise and great relief and happiness, her daughter didn't flinch. "Certainly not me, certainly not your father. There are days I wish my father was still alive so I could curl up in his arms on a night like this. You are never too old for a parent's love and," She sighed heavily, "We do have a lot to make up for."
There was a moment more of silence where nothing but the rumble of thunder filled the room as mother and daughter caught each other's gaze. They were both hurting, both missing, both longing and above all, both loving. Emma startled as a bright light flashed in the room and she instinctively leaned closer to her mother. Snow smiled, observing her shift and squeezed her hands lightly. "If you need me for anything, anything at all, even if you think it's the most ridiculous thing in the world, I want you to come to me. I will always be here for you, Emma. Always."
"You're going to make me cry." Emma breathed out desperately trying to keep the tears back.
"Everyone cries." Snow replied before leaning up to kiss her on the temple. "And yet again – I will still be here."
"Mom." Emma fell into her mother's arms as Snow held onto her tightly rocking her slightly from side to side, rubbing her back in a soothing way which made Emma remember how much she had wished for this as a child.
"Come." Snow whispered pulling back. "It's late – we have a big day tomorrow."
Emma nodded smiling sadly. "Of course – I'll just go."
"Don't be silly Em." Snow grabbed her hand before she could go using her free one to pull the covers back. "There is plenty of room here."
Emma was hesitating slightly, her whole body aching to be held by her loving mother as she fell asleep just once and Emma knew turning it down would be depriving the little girl inside her who desperately wanted her mommy to hold her as the storm raged outside. She nodded without really thinking of it causing Snow to smile and lie back down as Emma stood up slightly only to snuggle back down beside her, feeling warmth she never knew existed as the covers was lovingly placed over her body, her mother drawing her into her arms.
A breath Emma didn't know she was holding released as soon as her mother's arms surrounded her. The weight that Emma had been carrying for all of her life slowly began to slip away from her shoulders as she relished in the feel of a loving embrace and she relaxed her head onto Snow's shoulder.
A smile crossed her lips as she felt Snow begin to comb her fingers through her hair, another affectionate gesture that she was deprived of. Snow placed another light kiss to her forehead and whispered, "I love you, Emma."
And just like that, the tears that Emma had tried to suppress all night sprung to the surface and trickled down her cheeks in salty streaks. She closed her eyes and buried her face into her mother's night dress. Never, not once, not by anybody in her life, was she told she was loved and to hear it from the mouth of the one person she always dreamed would say it was almost too much.
She didn't feel twenty nine years old in that moment, she felt like the five year old Emma that was trapped forever inside her head. She had a mother, a mother that loved her and she knew that despite her initial hesitance of her new residence in this strange land, this was where she belonged.
"I love you too Mommy." Emma whispered as Snow shushed her reassuringly stroking her hair in a calming manor. "I love you so much."
"I know." Snow kissed her forehead. "We're together again – we're a family, nothing is going to tear us apart again, I promise."
Emma nodded into her mother's shoulder, shutting her eyes at just the comfort at being held by her mother, the storm sounded far away as if it couldn't touch them and to be honest in her mother's arms Emma knew it couldn't. So for the first time in her life she slowly fell asleep being held by her mother.
Snow watched fascinated as her daughter fell asleep, she smiled at how peaceful she looked, like everything that had been weighing her down was now gone while she slumbered. Before she even knew it she had trouble keeping her eyes open even though she didn't want to miss a moment of her daughter sleeping, she had missed too much – she didn't want to miss any more.
But her body took now notice and closed her eyes almost without her knowing it, before long Snow joined her daughter in the land of dreams, still holding her protectively in her arms.
Finishing Note from Charlotte:
As my wonderful writing partner said this is the first time we have ever done anything like this and it cost me many hours of sleep of staying up to 5am because unfortunately we live in different time zones, I am of the opinion that it was so worth it though! And I hope that you dear reader think that it is too! So please leave us a note, review, PM on how we did for our first shot of writing together! Your reward will be the second part of this story ;) Also it's my birthday tomorrow and I think a review would be the best birthday present I could ask for! Well that and Josh Dallas but alas I don't think that's going to happen *sighs* so please review! Tell us how we did; the next part will be up sooner if you do ;)
