Almost a month had passed since the Evil Queen was resurrected by the dragons. It was a month of total silence and peace. You know except for the widespread terror of the townspeople after being informed that the Evil Queen was alive and well, without Regina's half to keep her in check. There was little the heroes could do besides wait until the Queen resurfaced again, but that hadn't happened in a month and instead of calming down, the people grew more afraid and nervous. That was what prompted their little visit today to the dragon mansion on the edge of town.

Regina was awestruck by the change she saw. Mal's house had always been large and exquisite, all dragons preferred to show off their wealth and status, and now that she was with the Queen one would expect a castle to await them. Instead it was a simple two story cottage made of stone. A garden of bright flowers surrounded it and a tall white stone fountain sat in front, sparkling water streaming out a the dragon centerpiece.

"Whoa." Emma said softly.

Regina cocked an eyebrow, looking around. She took a quick peek behind it, frowning at the sight of the small barn and the great tower that was Mal's new workshop, as well as a small apple orchard. She spotted the blonde dragon in the open field nearby with her sister, drawing in the dirt. "What's this?" The mayor asked as she quickly walked over. Zelena ignored her, as expected.

Maleficent paused to look up at her. "I'm preparing to create a portal."

"For what?" Emma demanded.

"Something was destroyed in the past. I want to retrieve it before it is destroyed."

"You're making a time portal." Regina said softly. "What is it you're trying to get back?"

"Does it matter?" Mal asked. "It won't cause any harm to the future, I assure you."

"Where is the Evil Queen?" Emma voiced. "You guys have been awfully quiet."

The dragon scoffed. "We like peace too, Miss Swan. Peace that you have interrupted." Maleficent finally stopped to give them her full attention, but Regina noticed that she kept her eyes focused on Emma and away from the secretly heartbroken brunette. They hadn't spoken since the day they'd broken up and it was rather heart wrenching to see the blonde so happy and bright while Regina felt like burning her counterpart alive. "The Evil Queen is probably home, at her castle." Maleficent continued to say.

"She doesn't live here?" Regina asked in surprise.

"You expect me to move in with someone that I'd only just started courting? What kind of woman do you take me for?" Maleficent asked mockingly. She waved her hand dismissively. "No, she and Lilith have been inseparable for the past 2 weeks. I believe I heard them say that they were planning to go down to the stables this morning." They all were very much aware that Regina hadn't gone down to the stables since the second time she'd lost Daniel and Regina silently wondered why they were going there today.

"Can we speak?" Regina asked. "Privately." Maleficent met her gaze for a moment before teleporting the two of them away to the apple orchard where they could speak in peace.

"How have you been, Regina?" Mal asked, seemingly with genuine concern.

"You first."

The dragon shrugged. "Fine, I suppose."

Regina shrugged as well. "Me too."

"Then why are you here?"

"The town is worried the Evil Queen is plotting something."

"She's not. She has to focus on herself right now." Regina frowned in confusion and the blonde went on to explain. "She has a new heart that she must adjust to, as well as finding a new purpose. It will take time for her to release all of her anger, although I sincerely doubt that will ever happen. At the moment she is preoccupied with getting to know Lily. There is nothing to fear...Unless you push her. Then she will snap as you are so prone to doing when pressed."

Regina sniffed, fighting back a scowl. "You've been ignoring me."

"I didn't think you were truly ready to talk, only to rant, scream, perhaps even beg. We have both made our choice. I simply made yours easier."

"By walking away?" Regina hissed. "By throwing us away?"

"I told you what I wanted in a companion and you couldn't give that to me while being a hero, while being friends with the Charmings. Now you will never have to be forced to choose between us."

"So you're just settling with the Evil Queen?"

"No. I'm trying something new. I'm trying to find my happiness. I won't change my mind."

"But Mal...She's not me." Regina hissed. "I am the one you love. I am the woman you fell in love with. She's just the product of a serum, a vessel for my evil with my face, that is all!"

"Maybe once." Maleficent said gently. "Now she's something else."

"I don't want to give you up, Maleficent." Regina said. "I love you, and I always will. This isn't over."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lily cocked an eyebrow, watching the Evil Queen stare up at the stable doors. Her hands were trembling and yet she had a fierce look of determination on her face, but still refused to take another step forward. They had been standing here for quite some time, staring at the doors as the Queen worked up the nerve to step across the threshold. Regina may've moved on from Daniel, but for the Evil Queen the wound was still fresh, even after all these years only to have salt rubbed in it after losing her stableboy again when Whale brought him back to life. His death was the catalyst, the unfortunate end to a forbidden love that made Regina become the Evil Queen in the first place. His death, no, his murder was why she hated Snow White and always would. Over the past couple weeks Lily was trying to help her half mother get adjusted to the new change and work through both of their terrible pasts. But it was a slow process, not that she'd expected anything different. The Evil Queen held a grudge for decades. Getting over that was going to take a lot of work.

"We don't have to do this if you're not ready." Lily said.

"No, I-I…" The Queen took a deep breath. "I can't give myself to Maleficent if a part of me still yearns for the past."

"You have to learn to let go." Lily whispered. "It's what held you back all these years."

"I want to learn, but…" her mother looked down at her hands. "I don't want to remember."

"We can do it together, you know." Lily put an arm around her. "Tell me about Daniel. Come on. Think about the good stuff."

"I'll do better than that." The Queen raised her fingertips to her forehead, drawing out some purple magic or something. Lily frowned, watching in fascination as she crushed the magic in her hand and blew on it. Shimmering images of a young Regina blinked into existence, smiling and laughing as Daniel chased her into the stables. Lily and the Queen followed, watching the different memories play out: Regina and Daniel stealing kisses and playing in the hay, hanging on the stable doors like children. Lily's eyebrows rose at seeing the Queen so playful and cheerful. Losing Daniel just destroyed all of that. She felt bad for all of her mothers after knowing everything they'd gone through. It was heartwrenching compared to her own story. The Evil Queen smiled sadly as the apparition of Daniel turned to them, eyes suddenly full of pain. He raised his hand to her and the Queen did the same, allowing their palms to touch for the briefest moment before he faded away. The stables seemed darker after that and Lily held her half mother as she struggled to control her emotions.

"You can cry, Queen. I won't tell anyone." Lily assured her. The Evil Queen shed a few tears, but ultimately wiped her eyes. "Shall we try?"

Her mother nodded and Lily went over to a pair of stalls with some horses in it, a pale gray one and a black one. She opened the stalls and lead them out while her mother retrieved the tack and expertly put them on the mares. She helped Lily mount up before smoothly swinging into the saddle herself. "Thank you, Lilith."

Lily smiled. "Anytime, Mom." She kicked the horse and started forward, missing the look of surprise and happiness on the face of the Evil Queen. Lily believed that it was about time that she start embracing all three of her mothers. She knew she was going to need and want them in her life. She just hoped that Regina wasn't too upset about her helping the Evil Queen. Speaking of Evil Queen, she wondered if that was always going to be her name or if she would go back to being called Regina. Either way, she would now always be Mom to the younger brunette.

/

When they returned home, Lily was surprised to find Regina and Emma already there, arguing with her blonde mother. Her redheaded aunt was busy finishing the portal in the dirt. "Hey!" She yelled, breaking up the argument. "What's going on?"

"Our guests were just leaving." Maleficent answered. She looked at the Evil Queen and cocked an eyebrow, asking a silent question. Are you alright? The Queen nodded with a small smile at their daughter. Mal smiled as well and Lily frowned.

"What?"

"You're wonderful, that's what." The Queen answered. "May I go and lay down?" She asked Mal, who nodded. She walked away, arms wrapped around herself.

"Is she okay?" Lily asked in concern.

"She is. Regina does that when she's tired."

Regina scowled. "Mal-"

"No more, Regina." The dragon roared. "We can talk later if you wish, but I have things I must do now. Good day." Her tone left little room for argument. Regina looked angry enough to actually do so, but Mal glared at her, eyes glowing, and the mayor backed off. She met the dragon's glare for a few minutes before storming off with Emma in tow. Mal sighed and rubbed her temples. Lily took off after Regina.

"Wait! Mom!" Regina whipped around at being called Mom. Lily paused to catch her breath. "How the hell do you walk so fast in 5 inch heels?"

"Practice." came the soft reply.

"You want to do something later? Catch lunch at Granny's maybe?"

Regina smiled softly and nodded. "Of course." Her smile faded. "Will the others be joining us or-"

"No, just you and me." Lily assured her.

Regina smiled again. "Say at 4?"

"Perfect." Lily dipped her head and ran back to her blonde mother.

"What was that about?" She asked.

"I'm having lunch with Regina."

Maleficent smirked. "You're really trying, aren't you?"

"I am." Lily said firmly. "I finally have a family now, I'm not about to let that go without the fight of my life. Now, could you tell me what this thing is?"

"A time portal, dearie." Zelena answered. "Step back, please." The dragons took a simultaneous step back and Zelena cast a spell, causing the drawings in the dirt to light up with golden light. She raised her hands, drawing something out of it. The horse suddenly leaped out of the portal and all three women dove to the side to avoid being trampled. Zelena quickly ended the spell before anything else managed to come through. The stallion was huge, bearing a flaming red coat and a broad white band down its face.

"Lily." Maleficent grinned. "Meet Rocinante, your mother's treasured steed."

"He's big." Lily commented. They both looked up as the Evil Queen stepped out of the house, curiosity peaked by the sound of the familiar neigh. She screamed the horse's name in happiness and ran towards him. Rocinante even ran to her and lowered his head to be petted. "You give the best gifts, Mom. But what about Regina?"

"Don't worry. I have something for her too." Mal smirked. It quickly faded. "If she accepts."

"You guys talk about your relationship? That why she was so mad?"

The blonde nodded. "She'll learn to accept it though. I've made my choice. It was best for everyone." They watched the Queen and her stallion for a little while more, smiling at seeing her so happy.

Lily did her best not to comment on her mothers' relationship. She felt they would work things out sooner or later. At least she hoped they would. Maleficent was in a pretty good place at least, no longer torn and depressed. Either that or she'd gotten really good at hiding it. The Evil Queen was an unstable slightly bipolar mix right now. She went from happy and carefree to violent and angry in split seconds. She never directed it at Lily of course, and Mal often just laughed when she got angry. She was more than used to the Queen's wrath at this point. There didn't seem to be any side effects from her heart transplant either. Other than a little fatigue every now and then. She had a lot to adjust to and instead of focusing on that she spent the majority of her time with Lily, getting to know her daughter. The Evil Queen even started to call Lily her little princess. Lily's relationship with Regina was a bit strained at the moment, having not spent much time with her since the day she and Mal broke up. The young dragon hoped to correct that today.

An hour later she quickly showered and got dressed in jeans and a blue shirt, putting on her boots and jacket at the door.

"Where are you off to, Princess?" The Evil Queen asked from her spot on the couch where she and Mal were playing a game of chess.

"Lunch with Regina. I'll be back tonight. I want to catch a quick flight afterwards. I'll call you before I do. See you. Love you." She called over her shoulder. She paused just to hear her mothers called back that they loved her too before making her way out the door. She arrived at the diner promptly at 3:50. She was getting better at punctuality, something Mal had insisted that she learn after a few missed lessons. Lily smiled. She might be getting good at this whole family thing. It was a bit exhausting but maybe it would get better as time wore on.

Regina was already there when she arrived and the mayor's face just lit up when she spotted Lily. Lily took a seat and ordered a soda from Ruby. Regina was already sipping some tea. "Mal didn't make you do this, did she?" The former queen asked immediately.

Lily shook her head. "No. You're my mom too and I thought we should spend a little time together. If that's alright with you."

"Of course. I was just surprised." Regina admitted. "I assumed you were plenty happy with the Evil Queen as your only other mother."

"She's only half of my other mother. You're a part of me too, you know." Lily said. It was true that she had never particularly taken to Regina as her mother. It seemed so weird, especially considering how crazy their lives were. Still, she wanted to try and get to know all of her parents.

"How is the Evil Queen?" Regina asked.

Lily shrugged. "She's managing. Mom is keeping her busy." Regina scowled in disgust. "Not sex, just playing games and talking mostly. I think they're kinda starting over. Both of them have been so stuck in the past…" she sighed. "Did you know about Aurora?" She asked off handedly.

"Mal's lost child?" Regina nodded. "I'm a bit surprised she told you so soon. It's a secret she's closely guarded for quite a while."

"Does the Aurora here know where her name came from?"

Regina scoffed. "I highly doubt it."

"Hmm. How's Henry?"

"He's doing well. How is Liam?" Regina returned with a smirk.

"I don't know what you mean."

"I think you do."

Lily rolled her eyes. "He's just a friend, I swear. Besides I'm not gonna date a guy who's in my mom's back pocket. He's cool, but I don't like him like that."

"All the same, I wonder how Mal will react. She's very protective, you know."

Lily smiled. She knew. It was strange. She had spent her entire life alone, without her mother. Now she couldnt imagine being alone and she felt like she had known Maleficent forever. "Mom is amazing." She said simply.

Regina smiled as well. "I know. That's why I'm not willing to give her up."

"Queen won't either."

"Then we'll just have to see which of us is better."

It was a pleasant afternoon of conversation and by the end of it both mother and daughter were completely at ease with each other. "Oh yeah, Mom wanted me to give you something." Lily reached into her pocket and pulled out the golden chain with the simple golden ring hanging off of it. "Mom used the time portal this morning to bring back Rocinante for the Evil Queen and this...For you." Regina's jaw dropped as she slowly took it. "Before you get upset about her changing things in the past she already took the necessary precautions. Everything is good."

Regina smiled softly. "Tell her I said thank you."

Lily nodded and checked her phone. "Oh shit. I hate to run but I'm way late for a magic lesson. Call you later?" Regina smiled and nodded. Lily hopped to her feet. "See ya, Regina."

"Bye, Lily."

/

Things afterwards started to change. Lily got better and better at fighting and flying and hunting. She had more than enough mothers to teach her about magic and she was soon quite adept at it. Mal even handcrafted a staff for her and Regina gave her a headdress with two horns on it, almost like her mother's except it turned invisible when it was on her head except for the horns. Not only that, but the Evil Queen made her a new outfit. Dresses were not her thing so the Queen made her a dress pants combo. Black and red with rubies embroidered into the fabric.

Things were still rocky between Regina, Mal and the Evil Queen. Lily mostly kept her nose out of it. She didn't want to intervene unless it was necessary but she could see that this was not going to be a quick battle even though Mal had remained strong in her decision in choosing the Evil Queen.

Lily was just coming in from a swim with Liam when she found Regina and the Evil Queen nose to nose with fireballs in both of their hands. "Hey! What's going on?" She waved her hand, extinguishing the fireballs. Her mothers turned to her. "Where's Mom?"

"She went to the bathroom." Regina said.

"Apparently I can't even do that without you two ripping out each other's throats." Maleficent growled as she stormed back in.

"Mal, can I speak to you?" Regina asked. "Privately." The Evil Queen scowled as Regina followed the blonde into her bedroom.

"Maleficent chose me." The Queen snapped. "She made her choice. When will she understand?"

Lily sat down, continuing to dry her hair with a towel. "What is it about my mom that you like?" She asked with a smile. She enjoyed hearing the Queen talk about Maleficent. Whether she knew it or not but she became especially passionate when it came to the dragon.

"I don't like anything about Maleficent. I love everything about her. She is fire incarnate. Something beautiful but dangerous." Lily smirked, watching her mother walk back and forth, listing off things she adored about the Dragon Queen. "I love her hair, it's like golden silk. Oh and her eyes of course. And those lips...She is an incredible kisser. She tried to help me, to save me, and I was too stupid to accept it. I was too stupid and wrapped up in Snow White to see it."

"See what?"

"That she loved me." The Queen answered. "I should've been there when Snow stole your egg and I should've flayed and roasted her and fed her to her pathetic husband."

"Okay, okay, calm down, getting a little too detailed for my liking." Lily said.

"I love how fearless she is." the Queen continued. "She is the Dragon Queen, the Great Beast, that has laid waste to a thousand armies and kingdoms! A force to be reckoned with. She fears nothing and no one and is completely honest about who she is."

"Here comes the power trip." Lily muttered. She grinned with the Queen smacked her on the back of the head as she walked around the couch.

"I would surrender all of my power to my most hated enemy if it meant that Maleficent and I could live in peace." There was a bit of a pause. "Or I could just kill said enemy." She turned to go into the kitchen and returned with a long knife. "So simple I almost forgot."

"Hey, wait a second." Lily quickly got up and moved into her path. "Wait. Killing Regina is not going to solve anything."

"Threats must be destroyed. People that get in my way are to be disposed of." The Evil queen said, as though reciting some lesson. "It's simple logic, my dear."

"No, that's Cora's bull. You are better than that. Imagine how much better it will feel if you win mom without any underhanded tricks."

"When." The Queen corrected. "And it won't be underhanded. I'll inform her of what's happening before I kill her. I'll even make it quick and painful." She looked at the knife with a deadly smirk. "Sorry, I meant painless." The Queen mouthed the words 'not really' to herself as she teleported behind Lily.

"Mom." Lily said, knowing that would get her attention. The Evil Queen spun around and smiled brightly, a genuine smile. She always did when Lily called her that. "Can I have a hug?"

"Of course, my dear." She practically skipped into Lily's arms and Lily hugged her tightly before snatching the knife. "No killing."

"Ugh! I haven't done anything evil in over a month. All of this remembering who I am is excellent. I appreciate the effort. But I do miss a bit of mischief and screams of agony."

Lily cocked an eyebrow. "Then why don't you go hang out with Zelena?"

"Who?" The Evil Queen frowned then realization dawned on her face. "Oh that's right, I do have a sister. Completely forgot that pretty little detail."

Lily smiled as she got an idea. "What about a spa day?"

"How is that more fun that torture? Speaking of fun things to do, did Grumpy survive after I stabbed him last month?"

"Yeah. Come on, it'll be fun."

"Now? And leave my precious dragon treasure unguarded? Not likely." She waved a hand dismissively until her eyes took on a dark glint once again. "How about I show you my dress?"

"I've already seen your 10,000 insane dresses." Lily said.

"I've been working on another one just for Maleficent. I would like your opinion." She waved her hands and smoke engulfed her for a few moments before it dissipated revealing the sexy and sleek purple dress that she had made. It hugged her every curve and sparkled in the light from the fireplace. It was a very dark purple with diamonds, amethysts and black gems sewn into the fabric. The Evil Cleavage was on full display. The Evil Queen's hair was brushed and neatly swept to one side and her makeup had been disposed of. She still managed to look flawless. "Well? Do you think she will adore it?"

Lily grinned as the door behind the queen opened. "See for yourself."

Maleficent's eyes grew wide when she spotted the Evil Queen. Her pupils even dilated and she licked her lips.

"I think I'm gonna head to bed. Later Moms." She grinned and went into her bedroom, putting a magical barrier to block any noise, whether it be screaming from Regina or moaning she didn't want to hear it.

/

Maleficent couldn't seem to tear her eyes away from the Evil Queen's body. She looked incredible.

"See something you like, Mal?" Came the seductive purr. The Evil Queen snapped her fingers and Regina disappeared, a powerful ward rising around the house to keep her out.

"Where did you send her?"

"To the lake. Don't worry, she won't drown. Not while our Princess cares for her." The Evil Queen scoffed. "However, Dragon, we have a small problem."

"And what's that?"

"You chose me. You brought me back. Why haven't you claimed me?"

Maleficent shrugged, eyes glued to the other woman's cleavage. "Where did you get the new dress?"

"I made it." The Queen grinned and spun, showing it off. "Just for you...to tear off."

The blonde queen growled deep in her throat, a primal sound that made the brunette shudder. Mal wrapped her arms around her waist and lifted her into the air. The Evil Queen giggled as she was carried into the bedroom.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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