AN: It seems my inspiration is sticking around so here's another chapter. To the question about Zelena and if the twins were replacing her: In a sense, yes, the twins are replacing Zelena in terms of Regina's sibling. However, fear not, I'm sure the wicked witch will be making an appearance at some point. Thank you to those who reviewed and followed. I really appreciate it. On to the story!


Chapter 2: Bonds

Scotland: Tilford estates (1969)

6 years later

The sound of light giggles and pitter pattering footsteps rung through the halls of the stone estate. The Victorian style and somewhat cold manor had finally started to feel like a home over the past six years. The once bare stone walls now held bright twinkling fairy lights. The dark and airy ceilings, bits of tinsel and jars of fireflies hung by strings.

The foyer was richly decorated. To the side was the Christmas tree, decorated with red and gold baubles and gold fairy lights. Above the fireplace were four red embroidered stockings.

The old fireplace was lit, warming the room. For Annabeth Tilford, the warmth she felt was not of the fireplace but rather the sight of two twins sat in the center of the room. The flames of the fireplace illuminate their cherub faces, reflecting in their deep brown eyes as they giggled over the toys given to them.

The ginger sighed wistfully from her place at the table, resting her hand under her chin. John and herself didn't have the time to have children of their own. Not when Gellert was running around. And after his fall in 1945, Annabeth Tilford née Ross, was faced with devastating news. She was infertile.

This news, she thought, would drive a wrench in her and John's marriage. Thankfully, it brought them closer together and over time, she came to peace with her inability to have a child. It was during this time when her older sister Isobel ran off with her own muggle. A minister, if she remembers correctly, Robert McGonagall. The last she'd heard, the couple was expecting another child.

"Mum!" "Mum!" The feeling of something tugging on her skirt pulls Anna from her thoughts. Looking down at her two munchkins, their eyes bright and twinkling and their smiles wide, Anna can't help but smile back in turn.

"Yes, darlings?" asks Anna pulling them both unto her lap, chuckling when they giggle and squirm in her arms.

"When is father going to come 'ome?" asks Jacob, his little nose scrunched in confusion.

"Ye, we want to give 'im 'is presents." says Wilhelm following suit. Glancing up at the clock above the fire place; half past nine. Frowning slightly, she replies "Perhaps you two should finish your supper and head up to bed." She nods to the Christmas pudding and mince pies on the table.

Jacob nibbles on his bottom lip, something he does when he's not sure, she notices, before looking to Wil. The two seemingly communicate silently for a minute before turning back to her shaking their heads.

"We want to wait for papa." Wilhelm says, a glint of defiance in his eyes as he nods his head in certainty.

Laughing under her breathe, Anna shakes her head. So stubborn, the two of them. Looking into their eyes filled with determination to wait for their father, she can't help but wonder how anyone could possibly give them up. How could someone look into those deep chocolate pools and not be ensnared completely? She couldn't even imagine denying them the right to wait for John, let alone abandoning them. She loves them both so much that she sometimes forgets what life was like before them.

Anna can't bring herself to think if she and John had gone elsewhere that night, if she hadn't insisted on going down to the docks. Running her fingers through their curly dark locks, she smiles as she hears the front door open.

"Father!" "Papa!" the twins shout, climbing down from her lap and running towards John who has just walked into the room. The bearded man stoops down just in time to catch the boys. He spins around until they dissolve into a fit of giggles.

"Hello boys, Merry Christmas!" exclaims John hoisting the boys over his shoulders. "Shouldn't you boys be in bed?"

"Merry Christmas Papa." says Wilhelm.

"We've got a present for you and mum," explains Jacob. At this, Annabeth raises an eyebrow. A present for her as well? She voices her question and gets twin nods in response.

"Uh huh, you've got to close your eyes though" says Wil, smiling sweetly at them both.

Anna exchanges a look with John, both smiling, before closing their eyes. Suddenly, Anna gasps as she feels a wave of magic roll over her. Opening her eyes, she hears John exclaim his surprise as well.

Flowers, flowers everywhere. More specifically, poinsettias and ivies.

Turning towards the twins who were now sat by the tree with ivy in their hair, she couldn't believe the scene before her. A part of her had an idea that maybe the twins possessed magic of some sort after they were obviously sent here by magic, but for the most part, it was just a passing thought after years of no accidental magic.

Evidently she was wrong, as the twins do have magic, as well as amazing control. She's never been more thankful that her sister left her the family estate. It's listed as a wizard household so magic is permitted.

The sound of coughing and chocking has her turning towards John, who in his surprise had fail to notice the poinsettia in his mouth. Anna hurriedly covers her mouth to muffle her laughter. Perhaps their control needs some more work after all.

"Do you not like it?" asks Jacob, him and Wilhelm frown seeing their father cough up their present.

"No, no we love it darlings," Anna rushes to comfort them. "Your father and I are simply surprised is all." That seems to do the trick because the twins are back smiling in no time. Catching John's perplexed expression as he observes the twins who have went back to playing with their toys, Anna smirks. She knew her boys were special the second she first laid eyes on them. This is fate at work or a mother's intuition, who knows?


Enchanted Forest: Mills Estates

6 years later…

Winter in the Enchanted Forest was harsh. The tall trees did little to shield you from the bone rattling, cold winter breeze. The snow fell heavy and felt more like dump than a sprinkle. The forest was bleak and bare, many of its inhabitations migrating for the season. Not a sound could be heard other than the occasional wolf. Those who remained were greeted by cold, frosty mornings and a cold mist at night.

None of this, however, matter to a certain young heiress. Young Regina Mills isn't allowed outdoors during such dreadful weather.

"It isn't befitting of a queen," she repeats after her mother. But as she stands on the steps of the estates, she wonders if this is true. Surely mother won't mind if she plays for a bit. With that thought, the little brunette runs into the snow. It's cold, really cold. Perhaps she should have worn something warmer instead of her lilac dress. Luckily she wore her boots. She shivers before reaching down and taking a handful of snow in her hand. She has never touched the white substance before. She clenches her first around it, giggling when it passes through her knuckles. The cold no longer bothers her; she's having too much fun.

"Regina!" she hears her name and turns to see her father on the estate steps looking at her. "Daddy! Look I've got snow!" she smiles up at her father, waving her fist in the air.

Henry Sr. smiles at his daughter before glancing behind him.

"Yes, that's lovely dear, but we shouldn't linger. Your mother doesn't like that."

Regina frowns looking around at all the snow around her. It was all so wonderful but mother won't let her have any fun with it. Because she is going to be Queen, is what mother always says. Regina didn't want to be Queen; it didn't seem very fun if you can't even like snow. This angers the little girl.

She stomps her foot in the snow. "I don't want to be the stupid Queen anymore! I want to play in the snow."

Her father smiles sadly at her. "Now, dear it isn't so bad. Come in before you catch a cold."

"No! I want to play."

"What in the world is going on here?" demands Cora coming through the open door way.

Henry Sr. freezes, his words stuck in his throat. Cora walks around him, towards Regina.

"Regina what have I told you about going outside?"

The five year old whispers a response under breathe as she looks down at her feet and wrings her hands.

"Pardon? Speak up child!" yells Cora.

"Not to do it, mother" says Regina biting her lower lip.

"Exactly, so you disobeyed me" says Cora sounding more vex by the second. Regina remains silent, fearing what would happen if she spoke.

"Go to your room and stay there Regina," orders Cora. "You are to get no dinner

tonight."

Regina gasps at her punishment. Henry, seemingly finding his voice, speaks up.

"But Cora isn't that a bit harsh? Today is the winter solstice after all."

Turning towards him with an eyebrow raised, Cora says "Excuse me?"

Henry sighs in defeat. "Nothing dear," he says, casting his eyes downward to avoid those of his disappointed daughter.

Turning back to Regina, Cora says "Well? What are you waiting for? Get out of my sight!"

Regina runs pass both her parents into the estate. She runs until she reaches her room where upon entering, the doors shut behind her. Throwing herself unto her bed, the little girl feels nothing but anger and disappointment. Disappointment at her fathers lack of ability to protect her from her mother. Anger at the snow that has her locked in her room and without dinner.

Glaring at her frost patterned window, she hisses vehemently, " I hate snow."


AN : Did you see what I did there? It's hard to miss. It wasn't planned, it just sort of happened. Please leave a review to let me know how you think the story is progressing. Thank you for reading.