Chapter 3: I Had It All
On the night of the twins' birth, young Snow White was admiring the garden outside of her future mother's home when, suddenly, Rumplestiltskin appears right next to her.
"I bet you're one happy little girl!" he says.
Snow jumps back with fright, not noticing the man until then.
"I'm sorry," she begins to feel nervous when she gets a better look at his filthy features. "I, I thought I was alone. Why would I be extremely happy right now?" she asks curiously.
"Why, because you're about to become a big sister, of course!" Rumplestiltskin replies.
"You must be mistaken. I have no mother yet, and Regina isn't expecting a child", Snow kindly responds.
"Oh, but she is, she is! In the stables! Right now!" Noticing Snow's doubtful expression, he gives her a light push.
"If you don't believe me, go see for yourself!" Rumplestiltskin giggles as Snow makes her way to the stables.
Snow optimistically runs into the stables to find Regina and her stable boy gazing lovingly at the two babies in her arms, occasionally stroking their cheeks and kissing their heads.
"Regina?!" Snow asks.
"Snow!" Regina calls out in sudden panic, unsure of what to do.
"I, I didn't know you were having a, or two babies!" Snow says full of excitement. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Snow, I'm so sorry! Please don't be hurt, dear", Regina tells her.
Handing one baby to Daniel, Regina motions for Snow to sit next to her.
"This, Snow, is Lucia. And that," she says smiling up at Daniel and the baby he's holding, "is Daniel and Daniela."
Snow looks down in awe at the smiling baby in Regina's arms.
"She's beautiful! They both are!" she exclaims with tears of sudden joy filling her eyes.
As Regina leans over and hugs the child with her open arm, Snow exclaims, "I bet my father will be so pleased! Why isn't he here?"
Regina kindly explains to Snow how she fell in love with Daniel before she met the king. To her surprise, Snow seemed sympathetic toward the new family's situation.
"I'll go tell my father," she says as she starts to get up. "He wouldn't want to break up a family!"
Regina reaches up and grabs Snow's arm.
"No, Snow! Snow, dear, please, you have to promise me that you won't tell anyone. I don't know what's going to happen just yet, but it will all work out! Please, let's keep this our little secret, for now. We'll decide what to do later", Regina begs the young child.
Snow leans over and hugs Regina before leaving for bed saying, "Okay, we'll figure it out later. I won't tell anyone, I promise!"
000
It is night time in Storybrooke. For years Lucia and Daniela have been watching and learning. Lucia is on the bed reading while Daniela is at the window with a pair of binoculars.
"I don't get it," Daniela says.
"Get what?" Lucia asks.
"The curse! 28 years day in and out, the same thing. What did she want out of the curse?" Daniela asks.
"Revenge on Snow White!" Lucia responds.
"Why don't we just go after Snow?" Daniela suggests.
"You're not thinking clearly," Lucia tells her.
"No, your not! 28 years and we can't see our own mother!" Daniela protests.
Just then Daniela spots a boy walking alone.
"Lucia! Look!"
Here they both look through the binoculars.
"What is he doing?" Lucia asks.
"Let's find out!" Daniela says and they put down the binoculars, grab their coats, and race out the door.
They leave the inn and follow Henry to the border. They watch in amazement as he passes through the town line.
"Did you see that?!" Daniela exclaims in amazement.
"It doesn't make sense! How can he leave Storybrooke?" Lucia wonders aloud.
000
It was agreed that during the day, Daniel would keep the babies safe and sound in the stable furthest back. Regina would visit whenever she could find an excuse to go out to the stables alone, but besides those few sacred visits, the family wasn't complete until nighttime.
Daniel enjoyed caring for his daughters. It was a constant reminder for him of how lucky and blessed he was to have such a beautiful family. However, there was a voice in the back of his head constantly telling him to treasure these days because after two weeks, the family of four would be reduced to an odd number.
Suddenly, one of the babies let out a cry. Finding Lucia whimpering in her bed, he picked her up and held her close. He loved being there for his daughter, but it broke his heart because he knew that soon enough, this precious little girl would be in someone else's arms.
Kissing the soon settled baby on the head, he murmurs, "I'm so sorry, Lucia. I don't want you to be in anyone's arms but your mother's and mine, but it was the only thing I could do to save you and Daniela and Mama. I had no choice. You'll always be my little girl, our little girl."
One of Daniel's many tears landed on the baby's cheek, causing her to stir and snuggle deeper into the warmth of her father's hold. Never wanting to forget this moment, he goes over and picks up Daniela and cradles his beloved daughters in his arms, studying their precious little faces until he was sure that every single detail was packed in his memory, never to be forgotten.
000
Hours later, Lucia and Daniela are waiting by the town line. Suddenly they see a yellow bug coming to Storybrooke.
"Daniela!" Lucia grabs her sister's arm in shock.
"Okay, how is this happening?! Strangers don't come to Storybrooke!" Daniela says.
"28 years...the baby in the book... Sounds familiar?" Lucia says gasping at her realization.
"You're not saying that... that's Snow White's daughter?!" Daniela asks.
"The savior!" Lucia exclaims.
"What is the boy doing with her?" Daniela asks, reading Lucia's mind.
"Let's follow them and find out!" Lucia says.
000
It has been a week since the twins' birth.
After she was certain her parents had gone to sleep, Regina slips out of the house, as she does every night, and heads over to the stables where Daniel and their daughters await her.
As she enters the stables, she hears Daniel struggling in the back with a crying baby.
"Hello, darling," Regina says as she leans over the infant in Daniel's arms and pecks him on the lips.
"Oh, Luci Lu!" she coos as Daniel places the wailing baby in her arms.
"I think she's having her first nightmare," Daniel informs Regina.
Regina looks down at the upset baby and lays her index finger gently on the baby's little nose. Within a matter of seconds, Lucia had settled down at the subconscious reminder that her mother was there to protect her.
"How did you do that?" Daniel asks in full admiration, impressed at Regina's quick adaptation to motherhood.
"They each have they their own remedies," Regina tells her love, hugging her baby as the infant nestles her head in the crook of her mother's neck and wraps her little fingers around a lock of Regina's long wavy hair.
As Daniela begins to cry in her sleep, Daniels rushes over, picks her up, and says, "Could you help me with this little one? She's always more feisty!"
Smiling, Regina reaches out and links pinkies with the flailing baby. Daniela quickly calms down at the knowledge of her mother's presence.
"I'll have to keep that in mind for future purposes!" Daniel chuckles.
"They just need to be shown that Mama and Daddy are here for them," Regina says lovingly, stroking Daniela's little cheek and using her other arm to hold Lucia against her chest.
"Oh, that reminds me!" Daniel says as he walks over to the saddle hanging on the wall, careful not to startle his sleeping daughter.
He returns with two hearts shaped lockets in his hand.
"I want our girls to know that we are always with them," he says, opening the lockets to show that they each contain a small inscription that reads:
No matter what you think, no matter what anyone tells you, I do love you.
"Oh, Daniel! They're perfect!" Regina exclaims.
He hands her one of the lockets and they fasten the gift around the girls' necks.
Sitting in the corner of the stables, Regina and Daniel continue to hold their sleeping beauties as they lean into each others embrace.
"My precious girls," Daniel whispers as he kisses the top of Regina's head and watches her play with her daughter's fingers.
"Daniel...," Regina doesn't know how to say what's on her mind.
"What's wrong?" Daniel asks, suddenly becoming alert and protective.
"It's just... What are going to do? We can't keep hiding our family in the stables, someone is sure to find out. Plus, it's not fair to the girls! But if my mother were to find out... Or King Leopold! The dear man! I am to be his wife!" Regina says, suddenly feeling helpless.
"We'll figure something out," Daniel says, trying to calm her down.
"We have to run," Regina whispers as it dawns on her.
"Are you sure you want to leave everything? Your parents? Your new duty as Queen? Snow? You're very much needed here," Daniel reminds Regina.
"Daniel, I don't want to be Queen! I am needed here with you and our daughters more than anywhere else!" Regina declares.
Daniel realizes that if they run, they very well may be able to keep both of their darling daughters.
"It would be a shame to raise these amazing girls without you there every second of the way," Daniel says, giving in.
"When I come tomorrow night, I'll bring supplies, enough to last us until we escape this kingdom," Regina offers.
"We'll leave then," Daniel confirms, leaning down to kiss one, true love.
000
Back in Storybrooke, Henry and the savior, followed by Daniela and Lucia, reach a big mansion on Mifflin St.
"Here! Let's hide behind here!" Lucia says as she grabs Daniela's hand and pulls her behind a bush. Daniela looks through the bushes by the house and recognizes the woman talking to the blonde woman and the boy.
"Lucia! It's-"
"Mom!" Lucia interrupts.
They look in amazement and take in what they see. Overhearing the conversation, they watch their mom run to the boy and hug him and are hit by a wave of confusion.
"I was worried about you, Henry! Where were you?!" she asks.
"I found my real mom!" he yells.
Lucia and Daniela are stunned. Their mother has a son? Has she given up on them? Would she still want them? He was also the savior's son?
"It's not fair!" Daniela says as she walks toward the house.
"What are you doing?!" Lucia asks, surprised at her sisters thoughtless acting.
"I'm going in there!" Daniela says.
"Are you nuts?!" Lucia whisper-shouts from behind the bush. "We can't just go in there!"
"Watch me!" Daniela says as she continues her march up to the house.
"Dani! Dani! Listen to me! Now is not the time!" Lucia tells her.
"Then when is?" Daniela yells. "When do we get our happy ending?!"
"We will, but not now!" Lucia tells her, trying to be reasonable. "We have to be careful with our timing!"
"I hate you!" Daniela says as she walks away, knowing that her sister is right.
000
As young Snow lies in bed, waiting for her father to come tuck her in and kiss her goodnight, she thinks of all the things she will get to do with her new sisters as they grow up together. They will play dolls, go berry picking, attend balls... The list goes on and on! Snow is excited to be the best big sister she can be! What excites her even more is the thought of then all growing up together under Regina's care. She loves it when Regina did her hair, she was certain that her sisters would to! She could just picture it now: the four of them braiding each others hair every night before bed, huddling together in front of the fireplace in Regina's sleeping chamber, sleepovers with everyone cuddled up in Regina's bed. Snow was purely overjoyed!
Her daydreams were interrupted by the sound of someone entering the room.
"Father!" Snow called out.
"No, dear, it's me," came a voice Snow was not expecting.
"Cora?"
"Yes, darling. Your father was so tired, poor man. He fell asleep as soon as he laid down for a quick rest."
"He has been working hard lately," Snow agreed.
"I just came in to tell you goodnight for him," Cora said as she sat down on the edge of Snow's bed.
"Oh, how nice of you!"
Cora smiles at the young girl.
"I know Regina would've come in, but I can't seem to find her anywhere!"
Snow was about to tell Cora where she can find her daughter, but she quickly remembered her promise to her future mother.
"Anyways," Cora pushes on, "how was your day, dear? Your cheeks must be this rosy for a reason!" she says as she gently strokes the back of her hand down Snow's cheek. Knowing how close Regina and Snow have become, she knew that this young girl knew where her daughter has been.
"Oh, I just had some fun outdoors! The rabbit that usually visits the garden brought her bunnies with her today. It was beautiful!" Snow covered for Regina.
"Oh, how lovely! Nothing is more beautiful than the relationship between a mother and her children", Cora says with a saddened tone.
"Is something wrong?" Snows asks worried at Cora's sudden change in tone.
"Oh, it's just... No, it's silly,"
"You can tell me!" Snow insists.
"Well, you see, dear, Regina and I used to be as close as a mother and daughter can be, but lately... Lately, I feel like she's been drifting away."
"Whatever do you mean? You're her mother! She loves you so!" Snow tries to comfort the seeming upset Cora.
"I know she does, dear. It just feels different when I'm with her. I know there's something important she's not telling me," Cora says.
Snow feels torn. She understands the importance of the relationship between a mother and her daughter, especially after loosing her mother to a fatal illness. Though she wants to help the elder woman, Snow knows she must keep her secret with Regina.
"It breaks my heart," Cora continues.
Snow's heart gave in.
"I think she's in the stables," Snow informs the woman.
"Ah! Thank you, dear!" Cora says, happy to get what she wanted out of Snow.
"Now, you must get some sleep! It's getting late! Goodnight, dear", Cora says as she pats the girls leg and exits the room with a devious smile on her face.
000
Back at the inn, Daniela is furious with Lucia and refuses to speak to her.
"Will you please just talk to me?" Lucia asks.
"No, because you don't understand! I want to see her!" Daniela says.
"I know! I want to, too!", Lucia says trying to comfort her sister. "But we have to be smart with this. Mama is the most powerful woman in Storybrooke, we have to stay on her good side. Considering all she's been through, she may not believe us if we suddenly walk up to her and tell we're her daughters. We have to handle this delicately."
"Do you have any idea what my life was like?! The woman I lived with beat me and cut my treasured hair for going outside!" Daniela exclaims.
"I know," Lucia sighs.
"No! You don't know! You were doted on by people, but me..." her voice trails off. Lucia knew her sister knew that there was more to the story, but she knew better than to argue about that right now, her sister needed her.
"I found my mama and I..." just then Daniela starts to breakdown.
Lucia goes to sit next to her on the bed.
"Just let it out," she says comfortingly, putting her arms around her sister.
"I...I just... I just want my mommy!" she exclaims. "I want my mommy!" she cries again. Daniela breaks down into heaving sobs in Lucia's arms.
000
Thanks to Snow, Cora knows where her daughter has been sneaking off to during the nights.
After a week of watching her daughter sneak out to the stables, Cora notices that this particular time, Regina brought a large bag with her. Her bag was full, almost as if she had packed for a long trip... It then dawned on Cora who her daughter was sneaking out to see and what her intentions were that night.
Cora decided to follow Regina to the stables.
She watches as Daniel runs out from the back of the stables and meets Regina in a tight embrace.
"Everything ready?" Regina asked.
"Yes!"
After placing a gentle kiss on Regina's lips, Daniel says, "This is the best thing to do. We could never raise our family here."
She decided that she's heard enough.
"Family?! You think I'd ever let you have a family with a stable boy?" Cora scoffs as she strides into the stables, trying to keep her temper undercover.
"Mother!" Regina exclaims in a voice more fearful than Daniel has ever heard from his fiancé.
"Regina, dear, did you really believe that you could hide this relationship from me?"
"Mother, I-", Regina begins.
"Save it!" Cora snaps. "You have all you need, all you could ever want, at the tip of you fingers and you're choosing to live a runaway life with a stable boy?"
Daniel moves to stand right behind Regina, putting his arms around her waist, letting her know that he is there for her until the end.
"Mother, I love him!", Regina declares, grabbing Daniel's hand. "This is all I want. All I could ever need!"
"You don't know what you want!", Cora screams to her daughter.
That was enough to awaken the sleeping babies in the back of the stable. They both begin to cry.
Daniel and Regina's hearts break. Both of them not knowing what to do, Daniel tightens his hold on Regina as she grips his hand so tightly that he might've let out a yelp if he wasn't in such a state of unnerving shock.
They both watch Cora's face as she realizes what exactly was going on. Her daughter wasn't running away with the stable boy to start a family, they were running because they already have a family.
"You...", Cora was speechless. She didn't think her daughter was capable of such a rebellious move.
"I want to see them," Cora declares.
Not wanting to make her mother even more upset than she already is, the couple led the devious woman to the back of the stables, terrified for the fate of their beloved daughters.
"Oh, how precious!", Cora exclaims in a tone so loving that it chills Regina to the bones. "What are their names?"
"Daniela and Lucia," Daniel answers, seeing as to how Regina was far too horrified to speak, though she tried.
"Well, Daniela, Lucia," Cora says bending over to stroke Daniela's cheek. "Say goodbye to Mommy and Daddy!"
"No!", Regina screames, lunging for her children, but it was too late. A purple cloud of smoke had already engulfed them and taken them somewhere else. Regina was left sobbing on her knees in a purple fog, with Daniel right beside her.
After taking a moment to process that he will probably never see his little princesses again, Daniel slowly stood up, angered.
"How could you?!", he yells at the wicked, chuckling woman. "Those babies were your grandchildren! More importantly, your daughter's daughters!"
"What mattered more is that they were yours. The blood of a stable boy never mixes with that of royalty.", Cora simply puts, adding emphasis on were.
"Those babies are innocent! They have nothing to do with this!", Daniel yells.
"You're right! This is all on you.", Cora informs him.
And with that, she plunges her hand into Daniel's chest. Regina looks up from her mourning and screams, "Mother! Stop this!"
Grinning at Regina, Cora yanks her hand out of Daniel's chest, at her daughter's request. Only, her hand isn't empty as Regina prayed; it contains his plump, red beating heart.
Never breaking eye contact with Daniel, who now kneeling on the floor was writhing in pain, his eyes of love, sorrow, and apology, Regina pleads, "Mother..."
Cora watches Daniel suffer as she slowly tightens her grip on his heart, letting out a devious laugh that grew as Daniel's heart beat its last and the man toppled over.
Regina ran to her love, scooping him up into her arms.
"Daniel! Daniel, please!", she sobs. "Come back to me", she pleads, kissing him on the lips.
"Silly child, it's too late for true love's kiss," Cora finds humor in her daughter's hopes.
"No... No! Mother why have you done this?!", Regina sobs even harder than she thought possible.
"You are to be queen, my dear. Nothing will stand in your way now. I have told you before, love is weakness. It will only bring you down.", Cora responds harshly.
Regina let out more sobs while caressing her love's still face.
"I loved him," she murmurs, praying that he will open his eyes and embrace her, stroking her hair and making her feel safe once more.
"In time, you will thank me," Cora coldly informs her daughter right before she disappears into a cloud of purple smoke, leaving her daughter to greave over her losses.
She had two other little problems to deal with now.
