Cora's Storybrooke, Chapter Ten: The Return
Author's Note: This chapter takes place during the events of "The New Neverland." Please enjoy and review!
Characters:
Cora Mills
Belle French
Mother Superior
Regina Mills
Mr. Gold
Emma Swan
Mary Margaret Blanchard
David Nolan
Kilian Jones
Neal Cassidy
Granny
Archibald Hopper
Dr. Whale
Leroy & Dwarves
Wendy, John and Michael Darling
Tinkerbell
Felix
"Henry Mills"
"Cora, wake up!" cried an excited Mother Superior next to Cora. She had fallen asleep in her lawn chair on the docks, basking in the warm sunlight.
"What?!" the Mayor groused, displeased to be roused from her nap.
"Look at the horizon!" the Blue Fairy shouted joyously.
The mast of a large ship could be seen as it cut through the clouds. It was heading towards them.
Cora leapt from her chair. "Blue, use the magic mirror for your ear and get Belle and the rest of them over here now!"
"It's a cellphone, Cora," Blue groaned. She drew her phone and dialed Belle's number, excitedly informing her that the Jolly Roger was headed for Storybrooke.
Ten minutes later, many Storybrooke citizens lined the dock with Belle, Cora, and Mother Superior standing at their head.
"I guess this means you're not Mayor anymore," Dr. Whale leaned forward to say to Cora. "What will you do with your time?"
Cora furrowed her brow. "I haven't given it much thought."
"You should," Archie remarked. "Now that Regina can take over, you can do anything you set your mind to."
"And idle hands are the Devil's playthings" Mother Superior added.
Cora was glad that Regina was coming home, but she would miss her time as Mayor of Storybrooke. She had grown accustomed to the job, and would feel sad without something to do.
The Jolly Roger drew nearer to the dock. Cora could see Hook at the ship's helm. Next to him was-
"Neal?" Belle asked. "Is that Neal up there? I thought he was dead!"
Granny stamped one foot. "If he's back, good! He left a mess in his room!"
Cora saw that Mr. Gold was standing stoically behind his son and the pirate.
Emma, Mary Margaret and David were deep in conversation. Cora noticed with a jolt of happiness that Henry was standing with Emma, who had her hand on his shoulder.
Pleased as she was to see so many familiar faces, there was one in particular that her heart beat for. Cora saw Regina chatting merrily with an unfamiliar blonde woman in ragged attire.
"Green?" Mother Superior wondered aloud. "I wonder how that happened."
At long last, the ship docked, and Charming lowered the gangplank.
Henry Mills stepped foot in Storybrooke once more, and the gathered crowd cheered. The boy surveyed the crowd with a small smile.
"Henry!" Cora cried, running forward to be the first to hug her grandson. She practically smothered the boy in her arms. He gently put his arms around Cora.
"Hello," he said, smiling, moving forward so Granny could hug him.
That felt rather impersonal Cora thought. But then, he's been through an ordeal. He probably needs time to recuperate.
Emma was next to walk down the gangplank. "Hello, Cora," she said, smiling, but speaking in her typical flippant manner. "Never thought I'd be so happy to see you."
"Likewise," Cora smiled, patting the savior on the back.
Mary Margaret and David descended, hand-in-hand, after their daughter.
"Snow! Charming!" Cora called, stepping forward to hug them both together. "Welcome home!" When she stepped back from the hug, she saw both of them looking rather confused. "How about we catch up later?" Cora offered. There are probably people here they want to see more than me.
"I hope you saved some affection for me," drawled a familiar, roguish voice.
"My Captain!" Cora grinned, smiling at her old friend.
Hook took his former boss' hand and kissed it. "It's a pleasure to see your lovely face," he said genuinely.
"How was Neverland?" Cora asked.
"Unpleasant. Very unpleasant. We have a lot to talk about in the coming days. But I think she'd rather tell you all about it." He gestured behind him.
Regina Mills stood before her mother, a smile on her face, her arms outstretched in greeting and tears in her eyes.
"Oh, my darling daughter," Cora said, tears beginning to fall from her eyes as she slowly walked forward to reunite with the one she loved most. "Words can't describe how much I missed you."
Regina rushed forward, embracing Cora with so much vigor that it nearly knocked Cora's breath from her body. "We did it, Mother!" she whispered. "We saved him. We brought him home, and we're all safe."
Cora reached up to wipe a tear from her daughter's cheek. "I am so proud of you, Regina. So proud."
"I told you I'd see you again," came Belle's voice.
Cora turned, and she and Regina beheld Belle and Mr. Gold in each other's arms.
"That's the last time I don't listen to you," Gold said lovingly. "We never could have stopped Pan without your help. You're a true hero, my love."
"Not me, Rumple," Belle said. "Cora's the real hero."
Regina squeezed Cora's shoulder in praise.
Gold turned to behold both of his former apprentices. "Now that's a sentence I never thought I'd here."
Cora stepped forward, eyes playfully narrowed. "The crocodile snaps at the little bird, even after I sent you a gift."
Rumple grinned. "Maybe so, dearie, but Belle was the one who found Pandora's Box."
"Papa," came Neal's voice. The man had crept up behind his father. "Give credit where credit is due."
"Bae is right," Mr. Gold said, extending his hand to Cora. "You did us a great favor by retrieving the box from those miserable boys." He pointed to indicate John and Michael joyfully reuniting with Wendy. Baelfire walked over to join them. "And congratulations on not destroying, enslaving, or otherwise harassing the town," he goaded her.
Belle clung to her lover's arm. "Be nice, Rumplestiltskin. Cora has been fantastic!"
"So has Belle!" Cora added. "I'd say we've become good friends." Belle winked at her.
"Great," the Dark One muttered. His former lover and his true love being best friends was hardly the welcome-home gift he had been expecting.
Regina raised her eyebrows high. "You made a friend while I was away, Mother? You're getting more and more used to that heart all the time."
Cora playfully brushed her daughter's sleeve. "Oh, hush, Regina. I made lots of friends. And I studied literature, with Belle's help."
"Really?" Gold asked. "The Cora I knew wasn't much of a reader."
"Rumple!" Belle chided. "Behave! And yes, I read Cora The Little Engine That Could."
Cora raised her chin in pride, but Regina and Rumple were both laughing.
"Mother, I'm glad you've been pursuing new interests, but The Little Engine That Could is a children's story. Can't you handle something a bit denser?"
Cora smiled indignantly. "I think I can."
The crowd began to settle as Emma raised her voice to speak. "I have to admit, there was a minute there I didn't think we were going to get out of that place."
"Well, we did!" David cut in.
"And we owe it all to her," Mary Margaret indicated Regina. "Regina helped save us all."
Cora and Belle began to applaud and the rest of the townsfolk politely followed suit. Regina looked taken aback at such praise.
"Everyone back to the diner!" Granny ordered. With a cheer, the throng began to travel back to the mainland.
"Hold on!" Mother Superior shouted. "Our friends have just traveled a great distance. I say we allow them to refresh themselves as they see fit, and we'll hold the party this evening."
"But you promised us a party now!" Leroy bellowed. A few people yelled in agreement with the dwarf.
Mother Superior gave Cora a look that clearly read, "Help!"
"The party will take place at 6 PM at Granny's," Cora announced. "Everyone go home and prepare your favorite dish so we can celebrate as a community."
Even Leroy didn't find that suggestion unreasonable, and the slightly disheartened crowd dispersed. Cora returned her attention to Regina.
"Mother, there's so much I want to tell you," Regina said, "But right now, I really need to take a shower, change, and lay in my own bed."
"Please, do!" Cora encouraged. "We have all the time in the world, my love."
Regina walked down the dock, leaning down to embrace Henry before she left. Henry responded with a stiff hug.
Give him time, Cora thought. The Mayor suddenly felt a cold, metallic sensation on her shoulder. She turned her head to see that Hook had grabbed her shoulder with his signature appendage. "Would you mind if we talked now, my dear Cora? I have a lot on my mind."
"Anything for my Hook," Cora grinned, following the pirate up the gangplank.
Twenty minutes later, Hook was sitting on one of the Jolly Roger's railings while Cora paced the deck.
"You can't be serious!" she groaned.
"Would I go to the trouble of bringing you all the way up here for a private conversation if I wasn't?" Hook scowled.
Cora paused in her stride to see Belle, Gold, David, Emma and Henry seemed to be conversing about something. Henry was pointing to one of the taller Lost Boys, as Pan had called them.
"You know who her parents are," Cora said, anguished. "They won't accept you. I've learned from my time here in Storybrooke that people can learn to forgive, but I don't believe that the Charmings would ever think you were suitable for their daughter."
"They already have," Hook shot.
Cora became even more flustered. "And what about Baelfire?"
"Aye," Hook said sadly. "There's that. I promised not to get in the way."
"You do realize that you're competing for the same woman against the son of your previous true love," Cora noted.
"It makes more sense when you don't explain it," Hook shrugged. "And I understand why you're upset. Cora, I know you're fond of me, but you'll always be my best friend."
Cora rolled her eyes. "That is not what I'm saying. Do you automatically assume that every woman pines after you?"
"Don't they?" Hook asked with a winning smile. "You have a heart now, Cora. Even you must be susceptible to my manly charms."
"Believe me, I'm not. And you might have more difficulty with the women of Storybrooke. While you were away, we discovered that you pillaged nearly every stick of eyeliner you could find."
Hook pouted. "You can't not bring out my eyes!"
"You're insufferable," Cora laughed. "But I'm glad you're home. And I do love you, Hook. I love you like a son."
"Aren't I technically older than you?" Hook asked.
"Perhaps we shouldn't think too hard about these things," Cora chuckled. "Nevertheless, if you're going to pursue the hand of Emma Swan, be careful. Mistakes aren't something that family can accept. They couldn't accept mine or Regina's, so I doubt they'll accept yours." With a sad smile, she left the ship.
Author's Note: Thanks for all of the great feedback you've been giving me in your reviews! I look forward to reading even more.