Ch. 7-Hot Chocolate
Gold and David had eaten up the fries left by Mary Margaret and Mahveen while Henry was looking over what pies were available for dessert.
"How's everything folks," Red asked.
"Excellent," Mahveen said. "The burger was done exactly the way I like it."
"Granny always makes a mean meatloaf" David said, eating the last fry.
"Can I get anyone here dessert?" Red asked, taking away the dirty plates. "Refills? Something else to drink?"
"Hot chocolate, whipped cream and cinnamon with a slice of cherry pie" Henry said, sitting down.
"What else do they have Henry" David asked.
"Blueberry, Apple, Red Velvet and German Chocolate" Red replied, before leaving with the dirty dishes.
"Can I get a scoop of vanilla on my pie-please?" Henry asked, his big pleading eyes alighting on all three of his grandparents, but mostly they were focused on his grandma. David and Gold looked at each other and then looked at Snow. Since Snow was the one who was the voice of reason in this family, it was up to her to decide on the fate of Henry and his plea for ice cream. She sighed, looked at Mahveen, rolled her eyes heavenward and nodded in agreement.
"So, I guess Henry's getting a scoop then," Red stated, winking at Henry as he flashed a cheeky grin her way.
"May I have some coffee and a slice of the blueberry," David said" and Mary will have cherry and would like a refill on her ice tea."
"I'd like coffee and cherry as well, "Gold said "With two scoops of vanilla, if you please dearie." Ah, yes, the notorious sweet tooth was still in play. Henry looked at his grandma, wanting to get another scoop, but a quick glance showed Henry that Snow was not going to budge on that end.
"And you ma'am" Red said, pointing her pencil at Mahveen.
"German chocolate and a cup of coffee, please."
"Coming right up folks" Red stated.
"So, Mahveen," Henry asked," are you going to stay with us?"
"Do you mean in the town or at your home?" Mahveen asked back.
"Home" Henry stated as Red set his cocoa in front of him.
"I haven't booked a room at the Inn yet," Mahveen replied. "But I do think that's where I'll most likely be."
"Come home with me," Gold asked, taking Mahveen's hand in his. "I've plenty of room and I'd rather you stayed with me in case you have another episode than alone at the Inn."
"I agree with Gold," David said. "You being alone at the Inn with your, ah, condition, is probably not the best idea. Plus Gold being alone without magic and having a lot of angry people in this town out there is something I don't really want to deal with tonight."
"Can I stay over too?" Henry asked. "I mean, you and Mary Margaret have the baby and I can help keep an eye on Rumpelstiltskin for Operation Owl."
Mahveen had to stop her chuckle at Henry's plea. Plus, hot coffee would not feel good coming out of her nose. Mary Margaret looked at Gold, who smiled shyly, hoping that she would agree. With a quick glance at David, she agreed. Henry smiled and scooted closer to Gold and started chatting about how he liked (and he had to stress liked) pancakes for breakfast and he could make scrambled eggs now. All this in between slurps of hot chocolate and around the chewing of pie plus ice cream.
The emptiness and despair that Rumpelstiltskin had felt earlier in the hospital room seemed to lesson and even dissipate. A sense of feeling loved and accepted flooded his body. Having Henry next to him and wanting to be with him started to fill that hole he had been carrying around a long time over Bae.
