A Twist of Fate

AKA A Christmas Twist of Fate

Chapter 2: The new family fights for their future and face their past. Who wiped their memories? It's now the beginning of season 2.

The Beginning

It's late January when Henry is discharged from rehab. He's going to have the implant surgery. An anonymous donor is paying for what insurance doesn't and arranged for the best team in the country to do the surgery. I think I know who it is but such an act of kindness with no strings attached would ruin his image especially knowing who he was in the Enchanted Forest.

I'm still getting used to the whole magic is real thing and that Henry was Right. I'm the daughter of two people I thought only existed in story books and a Disney cartoon. A princess. I thought was annoyingly naive even as a kid. I was more into Superheroes like the Power Rangers and Wonder Woman. As far as Disney Princesses I liked Mulan the best. Still wrapping my head around the fact Pinocchio is the father of my son. Which means Archie might be like an uncle or something. Can He still be his therapist or would that be a conflict? I still need to tell Marco the truth, or rather August and I need to.

I hope the old guy reacts well. I'm sure he has old world values in whichever version you're talking about. I know he won't be angry at Henry, he's just a kid. I hope he can accept him as family. I 'more worried about how this will affect his relationship with August. They just found each other after 28 years. Will he be angry at me?

I know my parents adore him. They met officially as His Grandparents a couple of days after Christmas. They can't stop planning how they're going to spoil us. It's embarrassing to me at least. I think Henry deserves every bit of it and more after what he's went though.

They're debating which horses that came over with the curse to give US! I'm not sure I'm ready for a horse and Henry will have to walk without help before he gets on a horse. My parents are amazing. They gave me up to protect me. Dad started his cursed existence as a John Doe in a hospital. He still has a nasty scar on his chest from Regina's guards. He nearly died making sure I got to safety in the wardrobe. I may not have liked David Nolin but I owe my life to Shepherd-turned-Prince David, my Dad.

I get to let Henry stay with me till the work on Regina's house is done, I hope I got everything he needs from his room at Regina's. He doesn't know that yet.

"Mom I think I should visit Tim Brenham at the cemetery I didn't know him that well in life, he was a year younger than me. Even Archie thinks it would help me heal. I just found out his real name was Tim Baker. He was the Grandson of Mr. Duke, the guy who brought the dog Christmas Eve. "

"I think he was distantly related to one of the royal families," I say. I want to cry when I think about close I came to being in the Baker's position putting flowers on my kid's grave for his birthday and Christmas. I start to tear up.

"What's wrong mom?" Henry asks.
"I'm just so grateful to still have you, Henry." He hugs me like He'll never let go.
"I think all the love I have around me saved," He says

First we go to pick up something for the poor child's grave. When we pile into the bug, we go straight to a small florist next to the cemetery. We pick a small balloon with a teddy bear with angel wings and a tan dog with floppy black ears and a black tail. He said Tim said he had once at school one of the few times he talked to him. When, we get there it looks like his parents are there doing a ritual.

His Mother says "hello Princess," and bows even though she's understandably crying. "You came to visit our son's grave on his birthday," his mom says. "He would have been ten at noon, today." She holds the stuffed bag. "You couldn't know this, your highness, but we had a dog like that in the Enchanted Forest. Oddly it was included in our fake memories. His name was Rags. Our Boy loved him in both of his lives. He died when Tim was 7. I like to think of them playing together again. Never forget how blessed you are to still have Henry even though he's different for now. He's still alive. "

"I do feel grateful, so does Regina. I didn't know today was Tim's birthday, But Henry just got discharged from rehab and we thought it would be a good time to go. Of course he had to miss the funeral, but we wanted to pay our respects. "

"Thank you. We're so grateful for all you've done as Sheriff and savior. We've been praying for Henry's Healing since we found out he was still the hospital. "

I hand her my number. "Call me anytime, if you need to talk."

"Yes, we need each other." Henry hugs her which she gratefully returns "I hope you know how great this little man is. He tried to protect the other kids. He's so much like your papa," she says.

"I know He's amazing. I can't believe I gave birth to such a strong kid. "

"I feel the same way about my Timmy. He was the most beautiful baby I ever saw. And a strong beautiful soul. That chant/song you heard was a version of 'Happy Birthday' in our home village.

"Thank you I need to learn about the culture I was born into." It's not your fault you were born just as the curse was hitting. You never even got to sleep in your crib for a night, or leave any drool on your sheets. You never got an official godparent, fairy or human. The mother, I find out, is named Diana. I say a quick prayer I learned in one of my nicer longer-term foster homes, then hug her again and take my little guy back to the bug.

"Wanna go get your first decent meal since Christmas, Kid?"

"Granny's? I've been craving her burgers and chocolate milk shake for too long," Henry says.

"I hope Granny has a big enough glass to handle the craving," I laugh.

We get to Granny's. Ruby is at the door to meet, then as soon as she sees the now famous yellow bug.

"I've missed your smiling face Henry," Ruby says. "Your usual, Emma?"

"Yes, Grilled cheese, onion rings, and chocolate peanut butter shake."

"I want a double cheese burger with everything, and fries, and a chocolate PB shake too, Ruby. I missed you too," Henry says.

"I missed you too," Granny says.

"Hey princess," a voice says

"August!" we both cry

"Did I miss lunch?" He asks.

"No, we just ordered, Charlie Brown," I say.

"I think I'll have "A chicken wrap with ranch," August says, "and some fries, and ice tea."
Ruby reaches over to hug Henry. "I'm so glad to see you out of the hospital."

"I wanted lunch from here. It's been too long," Henry says.

"I went the grocery store to make sure you guys have Henry's favorite foods. I also made sure you had Nutella for your whole wheat bagels; remember just because you put it on whole wheat doesn't make it a health food," August whispers.

"Yes, It does," I insist.

"What time do I need to be home?" Henry asks.

"You're not going back to Muffin Street at least right now. Regina said you could live at the loft while she makes sure the house is easier to get around in," I tell him. I won't be far from you. "

"I get to live with you and grandma and grandpa for a while." His eyes light up.

"What do you want me to call you, August?" Henry asks.

"Let me think. I'm still not used to the fact I have a son; one who better at being brave, truthful, and selfless than I was. Papa will love you.

Henry hugs him. "I love you. I have best family in the world any world. "

"You'll have your own room at the loft. If we didn't bring something from Regina's you need or want, just tell me," I say. "Your bed set, the three bears, all the stuff I brought to your hospital room, your alarm clock. August and I are figuring out how to move your TV and computer. What movies do you want?" Emma asks.

"I have a Disney collection to embarrass just about my entire family. I'm surprised the Snow White DVD hasn't met with an accident, even before she got her magic back. It's gotten lost a few times but mom always came clean with where she hid it. The VCR copy got eaten a long time ago.

"A truck load of embarrassment coming up. Anything else?" August asks.

"MY MCU collection," He says.

"Do you have 'Iron Man 2' or 'Captain America? I haven't seen them," I say.

"Yes I do, I think. If I remember right, 'Cpt. America' in PlayStation. I was going to watch 'Iron Man 2' the morning after it happened when I woke up. It should be on the top of my stack. "

August goes to pay the bill and finds out it's been taken care of. Mr. Gold takes his own sack and goes back to the pawn shop, smiling.

We go to take him home and get the rest of his things. "You want the Big Stitch that sits on your Bed Because I might need a car seat?" I laugh.

"Of course Mom, if you can," he says.

We get to our apartment. I make sure my parents are actually there. "My Parents," how cool is that? I'm finding letting go of my anger is easier than I thought. Me accidently seeing the scars he got fighting off the Evil Queens guards is helping. They would die for me like I'd die for Henry.

"Hi Mom and Dad, do you mind watching your new Grandson for a while. I want to get a few more of his things. I promise he's potty-trained. " Henry looks embarrassed.

"We insist, in fact. Snow knows Henry much better than I do. I want to catch up," Dad Says. "If she'll part with them, bring home lots of old photos."

"I plan to," I say. I want to see my beautiful boy as he grew up.

As I leave I hear, "Let the spoiling begin."

When I get there, Regina is on the Front steps, waiting.

"I'm not going to allow you to take everything Henry owns," Regina says. "He's my son too."
I notice she says 'too' this time. She acknowledges that we're both Henry's moms. That's a good step.
"I need some clothes and books and movies and such. I'd love if you could make me copies of some pictures. "

"I'm Glad you're asking and not just taking without permission. I do have copies of some adorable photos you and his new-found father will love. I'm sure you didn't look at him as they took him away. "

"I couldn't. It was an emergency C-section. I was sick. I wasn't going to anyway. I knew I'd want to keep him. I knew I wasn't ready. "

"I didn't know that part. Until I found out where you were when you were carrying him; I figured you had a text book pregnancy. A C section, ouch. All Gold told me was that he was a little premature. " Regina says. "The Pile you created is in his room."

I go to Henry's room. I think it hasn't been touched since I got his Christmas care package together. I think before that, the day he was kidnapped. His bed unmade, his captain America Blu-ray still in the play station. The giant sized Stitch is still waiting for Henry to return on his bed. I can sit him on the back seat.

I go to his closet to pick out what clothing I want him to have at the house. Let's see: I think he looks nice in that shirt. These seem to be his favorite blue jeans and they aren't too worn out. There's the Pjs I saw him when we were investigating the murder that didn't happen. I guess he could use his winter coat gloves. Oh yea, there is his scarf. I think I have seen him with it more than without it. He needs those. It's January; I don't want him to have to stay indoors whether he starts back to school while he's with me or not. I'll leave his winter uniform till it's decided when he's returning to school. His books are already there. I look at the note on a blue photo album. OH she made me a photo album.

I never knew Mom saw him as a baby much less held him. She almost looks like she knew Henry is family or it just my imagination. Awww… Baby Him dressed as Pumpkin, Awww… My Baby when He lost his first tooth. He was so cute His first Day at school. He had a uniform. Even in pre-K, he was so cute. Him "camping" with the 3 bears.

"I almost forgot this one," Regina says, handing me one of Henry dressed as Batman complete with fake muscles. This one brings me to tears. I think this was the first one he picked himself. He watched a Batman cartoon and became totally infatuated with this world's pulp heroes" Regina says

"OHH Batgirl was the first costume I remember clearly; I was 5 too. I think this calls for a double frame I say with a grin

"Would you like a copy of his report cards?"

"Of course, I want see how he did before he met me."

Back at the loft. "What do you want to do first," Snow asks her new grandson.

"Let's watch a movie," Henry says.

"What Movie?" David asks.

"Spiderman," Henry answers quickly.

"I'm not sure I saw it," Snow says.

"I only have fake memories of Spiderman, but hopefully that's enough to understand the movie," David says.

"I think it will," Henry says.

They start the movie. Henry climbs in Snow's lap which makes the princess overjoyed. Henry falls asleep by the climatic fight between Spiderman and the Green Goblin.

August and I come in with hot pizza which I immediately lay on the kitchen counter. I'm so glad I have empty hands when I get into the living room because I see something that I have to capture on my Cell phone. My sweet boy is curled up in my mom's lap! It's SO cute! I don't want to wake Henry but I figure my mom's lap is numb.

"Mom, Dad, we're back." We have two boxes of stuff in The Bug but I wanted to bring in Pizza first. "Since when do we have Pizza Hut?" I ask my parents. I look at the box again and see its Pizza House.

"Who knows? We might get some chains since the curse is broken," Snow says.

"They gave some samples out. It's just as good as the chain to me," I say.

"Did you say Pizza?" Henry asks, waking up. He's my son alright. I think the smell of Pizza would wake me from a sleeping curse. "I brought pepperoni and Sausage and mushroom. Yes, you smell Chocolate, I got a very large chocolate chip cookie. "

"Thank you mom!"

"Want to eat first, or unpack your things first?" I ask.

"I'll unpack, then eat," he says. "You brought my ceiling projector and my big Stitch. I missed you," he says to the huge blue alien. Henry unpacks and joins us quickly for pizza.

The child acts like he hasn't had pizza in a long time but then again maybe Regina never gives it to him.

"He's a growing boy. I remember I hit a growth spit about that time; of course I'd only been a real boy about 3 years then, so I had no idea what was going on," August says.

"I just had another 'Oh My Goodness' moment," I say. "I just realized again a fairy tale character fathered my son."

"A former puppet too, Princess." August adds.

"You'll probably have a lot of OMG moments now that the curse is broken," Mom says.

"Do we have any relatives I should look out for? Any strange Aunts or uncles?" I ask.

"Well, there is my Vampire Sister, Rose Red," Mom says, already cracking up.

"CUTE," Henry and I both say.

"I'm an only child," Mom says. "My parents were King Leopold and Queen Ava.

"I was raised an only child. The truth is more complicated," Dad says. "My mother was Ruth and my dad was Robert. They've both passed on."

Next we tear into the big cookie with milk. We learn so much about our extended family, at least I do. My son doesn't seem too surprised of course he has the book. Still, he's full of questions.

"So, Pinocchio, what are your intentions with my daughter?" Dad asks. I can practically hear a sword being drawn.

"I will only take our relationship as far as she wants. I do plan to be the best father to Henry I can be, living up the responsibilities that come with fatherhood. I also want to experience the pleasures that go with being the parent of such a great kid.

"Good answer, young man" Dad says, even though biologically August is now older than Dad with the curse.

After we clean up the table I say, "Anyone want see baby pictures of Henry?"

"We thought you'd never ask," They all say. My parents, August, and even my kid.

They have the same reactions I did to Henry growing up, When we get to Henry as Batman, I show them me as Batgirl. Mom says, "I have just the double frame to show those off in."

"Now for the piece de resistance," I say, taking out the picture of Mom holding new baby Henry.

"I've thought that was a fake memory since the curse broke. I thought she'd never let me hold her little prince even when cursed me," Mom says. Though it felt so right holding him like he was family. I know now why it did.

"Shows not even a dark curse can separate this family. You visited me in hospital. Who gave our baby a home when she arrived here," Dad points out. I'm crying again.

"I know its three weeks into January, but I owe Emma a viewing of 'Charlie Brown's Christmas'," Mom says.

"If Emma still wants it, then by all means my love, we'll watch a Christmas special In January." Dad says.

"I want it" I say.

"Come on, Princess; we're adults, August says.

"You afraid I'll call you Blockhead again?" I ask.

My parents laugh and my son applies level-three puppy-dog eyes. This is too much for August and he gives in. We sit down to enjoy the beloved special.

"Why's Charlie Brown's life have be so hard? He's a nice kid" dad asks.

You have to admit makes him a sympatric Character. Their Creator based him on himself. After we watch the Christmas Special and the New Year's special after that, August goes back to Granny's. I decide to turn in. I take a shower and get into my Pjs ready for a good night's sleep. I'm restless but when I fall asleep I see myself in the cemetery I was in earlier. I'm holding the Three Bears and some balloons, "Happy Birthday," I say. I look at the Grave it reads Henry Daniel Mills Swan. I wake up in a cold sweat. First thing I do is look in Henry's room. He's asleep, clinging tightly to his bears with standing guard at the head of his bed, He looks beyond peaceful and so cute! I lay a soft kiss on his cheek and go to get some coco.

When I get to the kitchen, my mom is up. It's 12:45 A.M. that's not like my Roomie. Then again she's now Snow White, My mom, a woman, I'm Just getting to know.

I find all of the things I need to make my favorite treat from scratch. I'm so glad my mom likes her coco the way I do. I get my Lilo and Stitch Mug with the saying, "You're different one of kind with both Lilo and Stitch.

"I had a feeling you'd be up," my mom says. She makes her own coco In a Snow White mug I bought her as a joke for Christmas last year.

"Motherly instinct?" I ask.

"Also, I'm worried about how My Students are taking their memories returning. What's troubling you, sweetie?'

"I'll start at the beginning, when I took Henry home from the hospital. He wanted to go to Tim Brenham Aka Baker's grave. His parents were there and his mom and I talked for a while. I had already though about what it would be like being in her position. She told me it would've been Tim's Birthday. I gave her my Cell number and told her if she need to talk call me. It made me think even more that I could've been the one who lost a child. She said she was praying for Henry that shows what a kind person she is.

"They've been like that in both worlds. His cousin Joseph is in my Room this year. When He returned, he was a mess between his cousin's death, and Henry still being in ICU, and the trauma they all went through. In the old world they provided baked good goods for the palace. They sent the best cake when they found out I was carrying you."

"Back to why I'm up," I say. I had a nightmare that was going to Henry's Grave on his birthday. I woke up in a cold sweat. I thought coco with cinnamon would calm me. I think that and talking to you is. By the way why is there a candle next Henry's bed?"

"That's an old trick Charming used when I'd have a nightmare as an after effect of the sleeping curse or about my parents deaths. It chased the nightmares away. You may not believe it but it does.

"Is that why Henry's sleeping like a baby that's just been feed?" I ask.

"Maybe that, or he feels safe with so much family around. Would you like to try it?" Mom asks.

"Sure, couldn't hurt." I finish my coco and go back to bed. Soon, mom's there with a big candle that smells like vanilla. She lights it and kisses me on the forehead. Despite everything, I think the younger me would be very jealous of grown me.

Next chapter: Henry Mets Geppetto and they confront Blue.