Home, Sweet Hope
Now that the battle was over everyone else ran out to Main Street too. To her surprise, Lilo saw Stitch. Her eyes hadn't lit up like that for four years, she ran into his arms. On another note, as Jane ran out, she saw Belle's lifeless body lying on the ground and Rumple kneeling over her.
"Mom!" Jane ran to her mother with tears streaming down her face. "Nooo!" Rumple embraced his baby girl.
Everyone's heart broke for them. They loved Belle too but there was nothing like losing a spouse or mother.
Cruella and Ursula thought this a good time to sneak away since everyone seemed to be distracted by the fallen loved one but not so fast… Emma used her powers to stop them in their tracks and went over to them.
"Where do you two think you're going?" Emma questioned.
"Oh dear, just leaving you all to pathetically mourn over your little princess alone." Cruella said.
"Think again. We're going home and there's no way we're going to let you two roam freely." Emma said.
The Huntsman who was the sheriff in the town came over and handcuffed them. Then Emma went over to The Charmed Ones and Maleficent.
"Piper, Phoebe, Paige, Maleficent, thank you for all of your help. We couldn't have done it without you. We just need one last thing, a portal back home." Emma said.
"We can help you with that." Piper said then she and her sisters drew the biggest triquetra they've ever seen on the nearest wall and said a spell which opened a portal where the triquetra was.
"Everyone, calmly but quickly go through the portal home." David announced and people followed the instruction.
"Mal, I'll miss you. Sorry, you can't come home like you want." Emma said.
"It's okay. I'll be with my family. That's most important. I'm glad I was able to help you save yours." Maleficent replied.
"Well that's what a good fairy does right? Help give people their happy endings?" Emma responded.
"You just remember not to allow anyone else to make you question your good instincts. You wouldn't want to lose yourself and your mind like me and grandma Regina."
"I hear you. Bye Mal."
It took a while for everyone to get through the portal. Neal picked up Belle's body and carried her. Regina was staring at Cora's body on the ground so Robin picked up Cora and carried her. All the evil she's ever done couldn't erase Regina's love for her. Of course, she absolutely hated what she just did but she herself had done worst. The royal family went last then the portal closed once everyone went through. The Charmed Ones and Maleficent went back to their lives.
-v-
Home, sweet home. It was a rough week for everyone. They just wanted their lives back but that one week created some damage in different ways for different people. It also took them years to physically get the Enchanted Forest back up to par after the first curse and now they have to fix it all over again. It looked like a tornado came through the land. It was a disaster. Hopefully, this ordeal won't cause the people of the kingdom to lose the peace they worked so hard to regain.
The mood was somber as the family and their beloved help entered the castle. Rumple had completely shut down at this point and Jane couldn't stop crying. Regina held her little sister in her arms. She looked at Rumple. Anyone could see he was beginning to disassociate but he needed to be present. He and Jane needed each other now more than ever.
"… Dad?" Regina called softly. It was the first thing that got his attention. It was the first time she called him "dad" outside of the curse but she didn't keep his attention for long. He quickly retreated into himself again. "We'll plan a proper ceremony for Belle."
"We're all here for you, both of you." Neal said.
Later, Regina sat alone by her apple tree. It was one of the things that wasn't totally destroyed in the curse but it hadn't been nurtured in a week so it wasn't at its best. She was retreating into herself too while she could, must be a family thing.
"I thought I'd fine you here." Snow said when she entered.
"How did you know?" Regina asked.
"I know you." Clearly. Snow sat next to her. "I know you're trying to be strong for everyone and you don't like to look vulnerable but…" Snow hugged her. "It's okay to cry."
"Why would I do that?"
"Because you lost your mother today and I know what that feels like."
"It should make you happy. If it's possible for Snow White to hate anyone, it would be Cora."
"How I feel about Cora is irrelevant right now. You love her and I love you."
As hard as Regina tried to hold back tears, a couple managed to fall anyway. Regina embraced the hug. She couldn't let herself fall apart. Her mother's death wasn't the only thing bothering her either but she had let it out a little if she was going to save face for everyone else. Robin could see through the façade but everyone else she could probably get away with fooling.
They held a parting ceremony for Belle. That night the entire kingdom lit candles in honor of her memory. She was loved by all and would be dearly missed. They named the kingdom's library after her and Pinocchio drew a big portrait of her to hang in the library's foyer. Rumple kept the ashes at his castle. He was still disassociated with reality so Jane stayed at the family's castle. Everyone was concerned about this living situation, having Jane separated from her father at this time but Rumple wouldn't even eat and hardly got out of bed. Wendy was looking after him until he got better but until then it was best for Jane to stay with the rest of the family.
Regina had a simple burial for Cora. She didn't make a big deal out of it and she knew that the family would be there just to be supportive but she didn't want them to have to do that so just Robin, Snow and Neal were there. She got a moment alone before it was all said and done.
"Mother, I love you. I always have. I wish you could've changed. I wish we could've really been a family but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. It's possible to be happy and have it all. I'm sorry you never got that but hopefully wherever you are, you've learned what true happiness is.
-v-
Emma had been a bit different since she's been back home. Everyone has that one event that changes them and this last curse was her event.
Snow and David found her in her room and both sat on the sides of her.
"What's going on with you?" Snow asked.
"I'll be fine. It's really not a big deal." Emma replied.
"Talk to us, princess." David said.
"There's nothing to talk about really. I just never really believed that I could save everyone. I'm so dependent on you all."
"You've always been independent, Emma. The main reason you would get in trouble as a kid is because you would run off on your own and do the opposite of what I would tell you to do. Yes, I know it's a trait you inherited from me but that's not the point. The problem is not that you're dependent on us, you just needed the confidence. You're a hero and you always have been." Snow said.
"Don't forget that." David added.
"It's always been easy for me to be good, to do the right thing, make the right choices but yet I came so close to actually killing someone. I couldn't think of a better solution?"
"We are all tested at some point. You were at your breaking point but you didn't do it. You stopped yourself." David said.
"But would I have done that if you all weren't there?"
"We didn't force you, ultimately, it was your decision. It just shows how strong you are. That was the hardest week of your life and you got through it. You're even stronger than you were before, even if you don't feel that way now." Snow said.
"Believe in yourself. You're not the savior because it was convenient, you're the savior because it's your destiny." David said.
"Am I really a savior? I've never saved anyone on my own. I'm the savior because of you two and because Rumplestiltskin decided I should be. I wouldn't even be able to break the curses without Bae."
"If it were that simple, anyone could have the title. We're all in it together but without you, we wouldn't have ever gotten our happy endings. We wouldn't be sitting here together right now." David repeated part of a speech he gave at her twenty-eighth birthday. He meant every word. She needed to be reminded.
Emma sighed. "I love you, mom and dad."
They hugged her. "We love you."
"And thank you for saving us." Snow said.
"Again." David added.
-v-
One early morning, Regina got up early and magically fixed the castle back to normal like she did before. Now she was in the kitchen zoned off in her own world sipping tea. Robin walked in and kissed her, bringing her back to reality.
"Good morning, my love. What's on your mind?" Robin asked as he sat next to her, hand resting on her thigh. There was no need to refute, he knew when something was bothering his wife.
"Just concerned about… Jane, Henry…"
"Why Henry? He's fine."
"He was possessed. An evil creature took over his body. He tried to kill me."
"Like you said, he was possessed."
"But why me?"
"He attacked me too."
"Why us? Why me first? Twice." Robin opened his mouth to speak. "Do not say he was possessed."
"He was!"
"Yes but The Dark Eyed Beings work by having you act on dark thoughts that are already in you. Everyone has them lingering somewhere."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying our son hates me. I told you I would get a kid that hates me. It's karma."
"You're paranoid."
"I am not!"
"I'm sure there's an explanation. You think he hates me too?"
"Maybe."
"What reason would he have to hate us? Every child in this house adores you. You're like their favorite person in the world. Other than that incident, we have no reason to believe that Henry has anything against us."
"He's my son so believe me, all types of crazy can be going on in his head and we would have no clue."
"I don't believe that."
"Oh really? Ask Snow and Leopold. Oh wait, you can't. I had him killed. He never saw it coming." She took a gulp of her tea.
"Our son loves us, Regina. He would never hurt you or anyone else."
"We say that now until he poisons one of the apples on my tree and gives it to me so I fall into a long sleep but that wouldn't last so maybe he'd go my mother's route. Then I'll suddenly die of a mysterious illness." She drank more of her tea. "You know, this really isn't strong enough." She poured herself some whiskey and started to drink but Robin took it before it touched her lips.
"Let's leave the habits from the curse in Storybrooke." Robin said. Regina sighed. "Remember you always said, evil isn't born. It's made."
"I don't know. Sometimes. Maybe. But maybe it's genetic or something, a psychological problem. When at least three generations of your family have psychological breaks, for lack of better words, you start to wonder."
"We'll talk to him." He kissed her.
"Thank you." She kissed him again. "I think I'll go riding for a while." Regina changed into her riding clothes then went out to the stables where she found Snow getting ready to take her horse out.
"Snowbell." Regina said.
"Hey mom." Snow replied.
"Didn't expect to find you here."
"Yeah, riding is a good time to think."
"Yes it is!"
"I'll race you."
"Are you sure you want to light my competitive spirit?"
"Mine is already burning." Snow replied with sass. They hopped on their horses and raced across the yard. The race was close, they took turns leading but Snow won this one. "Good job Leo! You're getting faster boy!" Snow praised the horse.
"Don't get used to it." Regina said. They began to just stroll around the acres of land. "So what's bothering you?"
"Everyone seems to be bothered by something now, huh? It's just we worked so hard and so long to get the kingdom back to the way we knew it before. I never expected to have to do it again. It's sort of an overwhelming task. Is it me or does it look worst this time?"
"It's pretty bad."
"The castle looks great by the way." Snow referred to the fact that Regina changed it back to normal.
"I wish it was that simple to fix the kingdom but at least this time it's only physical. Before we had to regain everyone's trust and cut down the crime and a list of other things."
"So what are we going to do this time?"
"Last I checked, you were the reigning queen Snowbell."
"Ugh! I hate when you do that."
-v-
Two years ago, Regina found Snow overlooking the garden…
"We need to talk." Regina stated and sat across from Snow.
"Okay…" Snow responded.
"I think it's time you take the thrown as queen."
"Uh… You know, I think I'm good."
"What?"
"There's really no need for me to take the thrown now really."
"Yes it is because it's yours to have. You were supposed to be queen a really long time ago. I never really wanted it in the first place."
"Why does it matter? We're all in it together anyway."
"Yes but I do all the hard stuff. It's your time Snowbell."
"Snowbell? No, brat?"
"It was getting old but I'll go back to it if you keep debating me on why you shouldn't be queen. Why don't you want to be queen?"
"I just don't see the point." Snow gazed into the beautiful garden.
"You don't believe you can do it." Regina realized. "Why? You've run the kingdom before. In fact, there was a time when you took it from me."
"For about a year and I didn't do that great of a job. You've been queen for what, half a century."
"Don't say it like that, you make me sound old as hell. Besides, I was a terrible one for most of it."
"Not because you weren't capable of being a good one. You've been a fantastic queen for the past twelve years."
"I wasn't in it alone and you won't be either. Believe in yourself Snow. You will be a wonderful queen, the queen you were always meant to be. Now I know it's easy to slip back into Doubtful Donnie territory but if I'm staying on the hope train, you can hop back on too. You like to lean on me and I guess in some ways, you've done that ever since I saved you from that horse. As a daughter, we're always wondering if we can ever be as good as our mothers. Can we live up to their legacy, their expectations? Will they be proud? Regardless of if it's me or Éva, you can do all of those things. You can be better than us."
"I'm not getting out of this, am I?"
"Not at all… You and David will make a wonderful king and queen." Regina smiled and walked away.
-v-
Present…
Regina and Snow continued to ride their horses…
"You always ask me like you don't know what to do. You need to take some of the advice you gave to Emma." Regina said.
"We just work better together." Snow replied.
"You came up with most of the ideas the last time."
"We did that together! You, me and David. You said I wasn't in it alone remember. This is stressing me out. Have you looked at this kingdom lately?"
"We'll figure it out… Henry tells you things that he doesn't tell me right? I mean, you're his sister."
"Uh… I suppose. Why?"
"Does he hate me?"
"What? Doubt it. Where is this coming from? His being possessed? Mom, come on, he loves you. He used to boast about you all the time, "My mom's the prettiest. My mom's the smartest. My mom's the coolest."
"But he doesn't do that anymore."
"He's twelve now." Snow pointed out. "I know how the Black Eyed Beings work so I know what you're thinking but what pre-teenager doesn't have something against the people who have to tell them, "No," all the time?"
"You think I'm too strict?"
Snow shook her head. "No!"
"I'm not strict enough?"
"You need to get out of your head for a while. I don't think he really has anything against you but if he does just don't lose hope. Losing hope only makes things worst. Stay on hope train."
"Oh. Do you pick up that doubtful thing from me?"
"There's a good chance."
"I guess trying to kill you didn't help."
"I didn't want to say it but..." They laughed.
"Why do you let me have so much influence on you?"
Snow laughed. "You raised me. It kind of happened naturally. I didn't ask for it."
"I'm so sorry. I've got you all messed up." They laughed again.
-v-
Later, Regina and Robin went to talk to Henry in his room. It was all Regina could really think about. Meanwhile, she was trying to be there for Jane as well but this was just lingering over her head.
"Henry, you know we love you right?" Regina asked. He was reading a book and it must've been good because he didn't look up from it.
"Yes." He replied, still reading his book.
"We know what happened in Storybrooke was very traumatic but you can always talk to us about anything at all." Robin said.
"Kay."
"Do you need to talk about anything?" Robin asked.
"No."
Regina took the book from him. He didn't say anything and still didn't look at either of them but the annoyance on his face was apparent. "Are you angry with us for some reason?" She asked.
"… No."
Ugh! Still one syllable words! Let's just get to the point. "Do you hate us?" Regina asked.
"Regina!" Robin exclaimed.
"… No." Henry answered after a moment.
"Do you hate me?" She asked.
"… No."
"Can you give us more than one syllable? Look at me." Regina instructed. Henry didn't do it automatically. It was the slowest turning of the head and meeting of eyes in history. "We love you, Henry. There's nothing in the entire universe that could ever change that." She kissed his forehead then hugged him and Robin joined.
"We're going to go but we're always here and you have a castle full of family you can talk to at any time." Robin said before they left his room and closed the door behind them.
"He'll be fine." Robin said.
"He hesitated." Regina pointed out.
"I'm beginning to think you're only going to accept whatever idea is in your head."
"You're in denial. We can't afford denial. I don't want to believe it either but we need to stay on top of this or we can lose our son." Regina said.
-v-
Bae was in the family room finishing a painting of a pretty girl when David and Neal entered mid laugh.
"Hey Sport! You've gotten really good at that! No magic. Your uncle Pinocchio taught you well." Neal said.
"Thanks papa." Bae said.
"So who's the girl?" David inquired.
"That's definitely not Alexandra." Neal said.
"No. Her name is Vella. I met her when we were in New York."
"Oh!" David and Neal smiled. They wanted details. Bae told them all about her, smiling and eyes glistening with every word.
"The young lad has met a young lady, has he?" Hook entered the room.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be off with Tinkerbell somewhere?" David asked, something about the pirate still annoyed him for some reason.
"You see, since The Blue Fairy is gone, Tink got her wings back and she went back to fairy land to help reorganize things up there." Hook explained.
"You must be going through it." Neal joked.
"A little… She'll be back soon… I hope… Anyway son, I thought this a good time to make up for one of my past sins."
"We've already worked through our issues." Neal said.
"Not us. Ursula." Hook said. They were surprised but it made sense, sea witch, pirate… "She wasn't always a villain, unfortunately, I helped push her in that direction. I want to give her back her happy ending. Then maybe you all can let her go."
"I don't think that's a good idea." David said.
"All the woman wants to do is sing. Happy people don't have time to make other people miserable."
"He has a point." Neal said.
"So what's next, you're going to ask us to let Cruella go too?" David asked.
"No!" Bae exclaimed. "Now that would be a bad idea. She's just crazy. Her happy ending is killing people again and the last author took that ability away from her which means if she gets free and finds out I'm the author, she's coming after me."
"I guess she has life then." Neal said.
"What about Ursula?" David asked.
"She's a safe bet?" Bae assured.
"Good taste, lad." Hook said as he walked over to the painting.
"Thanks grandpa."
"If you ever need love advice, don't be afraid to ask." Hook said.
"I think he's good between me and grandpa Prince Charming." Neal said.
Hook's mouth was wide open. "Grandpa Killian doesn't get a say? That's cold." Hook said before he left.
"Look, we took these at the amusement park." Bae showed them a photobooth pictures.
Neal smiled. "You know your mom and I went to an amusement park for our first date, after a concert. At least you didn't have to break in."
"I know. It's the same one. Mom, told me… I'll be back." Bae left the room.
"Think he realizes he's in love?" Neal asked.
"Not yet." David replied. They smiled.
-v-
Emma walked past Regina's closet then stepped back and looked in. Hope and Nara were in there in fashion heaven, having a darn fashion show.
"Hope! What are you two doing in grandma's closet? You are going to get all of us in trouble!" Emma exclaimed.
"Uh… It was calling my name." Hope said.
"I just tagged along." Nara said.
Emma waved her hand to put Regina's stuff back in its place. Hopefully she didn't miss anything. "Let's go! Stay out of here!" The girls walked out of the fabulous wardrobe closet. A gown that Emma hadn't seen before caught her eye. "Ooh!" She got wide eyed and excited, totally distracted by the dress. "No. No." She turned back around left the room.
-v-
The Charmings all migrated to the family room.
"I for one, am so happy and grateful that we are all together again." Emma said.
"We shall never be apart again." Snow said.
"You know, Hope and I weren't cursed in Storybrooke." Emery informed.
"What do you mean?" Snow inquired.
"We were aware of everything the entire time." Emery replied.
"Just awful." Hope said.
"Wow. I'm sorry you guys had to stay there like that. There's no telling what powers you three have in store." Emma referred to Bae, Emery and Hope.
"Who was in my closet?" They heard Regina yell. Emma put her head in hand… Truth is, Regina knew exactly who it was. Hope was Snow's mini-me according to Regina. According to Snow, Hope was Regina's mini-me. Hope wanted to be just like Regina. When it came down to it, she was a blend of all the women she grew up around which made her sweet and dangerous in the best way, all at once.
Regina entered the room with two mini versions of a couple of her dresses.
"I promise I'll stay out of your closet from now on!" Hope said quickly.
"No you won't but I have rules." Regina said calmly. She knew Hope too well but she knew she meant it in the moment.
"Okay…" It wasn't the reaction Hope was expecting but she'd take it.
"These are for you two." Regina handed Hope and Nara a dress a piece.
"They're like yours!" Nara exclaimed.
"Our favorites. Thanks grandma!" Hope said and they hugged Regina.
"You mean, all I had to do was break into your closet?" Emma joked.
"Don't try it." Regina said.
"Wait, I've been plotting on a couple necklaces since I was ten. You don't even wear those anymore." Snow joked.
The family was finally starting to fall back into their routine and getting comfortable again. It would take a bit longer to bring the kingdom back up to par but it would happen over time. As long as they remained a strong family unit, the kingdom would be just as strong.
Things gradually got easier for Jane and Rumple. She was soon able to go back home but he still wasn't quite the same. Losing Belle was a hard blow to his heart but with eternal love all of them could get through anything…
Hope you enjoyed... There will be a part 3. It'll be the last part to the "Eternal Love" series. "Eternal Love III" will be up this weekend.
