Resolution Chapter 10

3 months later

"Are you sure you're ready to move out?" Regina asked Roland.

"Yep! Don't worry it's not like I won't be home plenty often. I'm not passing up your lasagna!" Roland grinned.

"If you're sure…"

"We'll be fine."

"I know but…"

Roland hugged her tight. "Always love you mama Regina" He smiled his most charming dimpled smile.

"You know when you say that, all I see is the five year old boy who first called me that."

"The apartment is a ten minute walk from your office…"

"Is that an invitation? You know if it is, I'll be over at least once a week."

"I'd like that. So'd Eimi and Douglas."

"You sure? I don't want to intrude, you are, as you tell me, 'all grown up now'."

"You know they like you almost as much as I do."

"Okay."

Regina knew Robin had already had a similar conversation with Roland. Separation anxiety wasn't just kids on their first day of school! And it wasn't like Roland was leaving town. Much closer to home than Henry and Violet were when they moved into the old Apprentice's house, shortly before their wedding.

The high pitched squeals of laughter of Dillon and Zita grew louder. Regina and Roland turned around and watched the twins having the time of their lives with their birthday present from Robin and Regina. The two were riding on the driver's seat of the pony cart, being pulled by their miniature ponies. Rebecka and Mulan's nearly two year old daughter Xian was giggling, sitting in the back seat of pony cart. Regina was proud how well the twins were doing, despite their shrieking laughs, guiding the cart. The ponies were very placid natured though. Violet was walking beside the cart, keeping an eye on where the ponies were going.

"Bet they'll be doing dressage in a couple of years." Roland grinned.

"Yeah, I think so too. But I'll leave that up to Violet, she's their mother. I'm merely the grandmother."

Roland laughed "Merely the grandma. There's no merely with you, mom."

"Do you think I'm overly involved? You know the situation, but still I don't want Violet and Henry to think I'm trying to take over."

"No, that's not what I meant." Roland said reassuringly. "I meant you love all of us, give all your heart to us. You even did that for me back in the Enchanted Forest right after you met me. Best time of my life there was when you were there. I had a mom again. I barely remembered my mom. But you came into dads and my life, and even though you and dad argued a lot, you always made sure I was okay. Then it got even better with you being my mom here in Storybrooke."

"Not while my sister was masquerading as your mother, not while Robin was gone though."

"Despite that, you did everything you could for me. I was worried for you when dad was gone. Henry said you were really sad and no one knew how to fix it. Then Little John and the Merry Men took me back to the Enchanted Forest. They thought it would be better for me emotionally, but it wasn't. I worried about you being so sad and missed you. I thought maybe if I was there I could help you be less sad just like I did during the missing year when you were separated from Henry."

Regina hugged Roland "You are going to make me cry."

"Ah mom, I knew you would anyway." Roland chuckled.

"Are you sure you don't want us to help you get a house? The offer is still open. Henry said he'd pitch in some money too."

"We're fine, mom. Eimi, Douglas and I like living in an apartment."

"Hmph. You don't have to live out the struggling actors' lifestyle in every detail."

"We'll be fine mom. If we need help I know I can ask any time."

"See that you do." She said mock sternly.

"So, mom, just what did grandma and grandpa get the twins for their birthday?" Henry asked his other mother Emma.

"It wasn't just them, Killian and I went together on it too. You'll see soon enough." Emma grinned.

Henry groaned inwardly, so not only did mom not hold back grandma and grandpa but encouraged them along with Killian. Henry had a bad feeling that this was starting a competition between the two sides of his family on presents for the twins. He could probably talk to them to not to make it a completion, but it was too late for this year.

"Things happening pretty quick out there."

"In Washington?"

"Yeah. A lot faster than last time. After 2016. Ugh, that took almost two years to fix. This time everything just kind of fell apart when Gold got sent off."

"Yeah. Special Election in August, so less than a year this time. Thankfully congress had an opposition party majority this time so Speaker of the House is acting president until after the election. Hope this is the last time this happens though."

"Me too. Regina wants to do a town hall on it, even though we're not affected by it."

"Mom just wants to make sure everyone is okay. You know her. Takes being mayor uber responsibly."

"She wants that blogger we took in to do an informational bit at the town hall."

"Oh yeah, Lita. She's a good kid."

"She's just a few years younger than you, kid." Emma grinned.

Henry shrugged. "Being a teacher and dad makes me feel older."

"Oh yes, you're so ancient now, a quarter of a century old."

Henry laughed "Well, I will be twenty-six in August."

"I have clothes older than you." Emma teased.

"Yeah that red jacket that's falling apart at the seams." Henry teased back.

"It's not falling apart, it's just broken in."

"Very broken in" Henry laughed.

******************************************************************************8

The party was being held at the park. Snow had decided it would be a community party. Regina gave in once it was agreed it would also be a party for Roland's graduating class. The extended family was becoming so large it was almost a community party already. Regina was keeping an eye on her shy cousin Valeria and her adorable daughter Leira, making sure she wasn't overwhelmed by well-meaning folks. The community still mourned Enrique and wanted to help Valeria and her daughter. Right now Snow was talking to her in the gazebo. Regina had suggested the gazebo to Valeria because it would limit the number of people that could crowd around. Leira was playing with Cedric near the lake. The two were watching Cedric's remote control miniature sailboat go back and forth across the shallow part of the lake. Rowena was watching them nearby in case of a mishap.

Robin chuckled walking up behind her. "I overheard David giving Roland tips on apartment living in Storybrooke."

Regina rolled her eyes and turned toward Robin, cuddling up as he embraced her. "Do I want to know what David said?"

"Nothing to worry about, just pretty basic stuff. I think Roland was just humoring him, pretending to listen."

"It's what I do." Regina smirked.

"So, I know you still feel concerned about what's going on outside our town. You think they've finally learned."

"Hopefully, at least for a while."

"So you think the special election will turn out positive?"

Regina nodded. "I thought they'd learn from what happened in 2016, but this time it fell apart even faster. It did that because Gold set it up to. I think he was going to try to take over when it did. But with him exiled, once everything he set up fell apart, the agencies designed to investigate this kind 0f thing went all out. Thankfully, congress was controlled by the other party this time, so that speeded things up too. The news media had to start reporting on it, so most people know something bad happened again."

"You want to make sure everyone here knows what happened out there "

"Yes. It did affect us this time."

"Enrique."

"Yeah. So people need to understand what happened, and that it appears to be getting fixed out there as well as here."

"That's why you want Lita to talk to everyone."

"Yes." Regina looked over to where Lita and Davu were sitting with their families at the picnic benches. Lita and Davu had married a couple of months ago. Lita and Davu were among the few people who had begun visiting places outside of Storybrooke since the political situation changed for the better in March. With Regina's permission, Lita's family began to visit Storybrooke on occasion. Her grandmother, mother and younger brother Laurent were here today. Lita had one surviving great grandmother but the 98 year old woman was too frail to travel anymore. But Lita had taught her great grandmother how to use the internet and Regina had met her over the phone. Lita's little brother Laurent and Grace had developed a friendship. It seemed to bring out the tomboy side of her youngest child even more. The two were currently playing some kind of two person dodgeball with a bounceball belonging to the twins. Both children's clothes were dirty and grass stained. Grace had changed out of the light purple sundress she'd worn earlier for the family picture. Thankfully, Grace was now in jeans and t-shirt like Laurent. She'd never even think of telling her daughter anything was wrong with her nature like her mother had. If Grace preferred being a tomboy, so be it. Grace would have the freedom to be one that had been taken away from her.

Regina empathized with the people who just wanted to stay in relative safety in Storybrooke, never venture out again. She had experienced that feeling several times. The first time was just 4 days after she'd made the decision she could be a good mother to Henry, driven back home from Boston with him in the infant car seat. Before Henry was born she hadn't paid much attention to the world outside of Storybrooke. But after she brought him home in mid August she had found herself curious about this world she'd brought him home from. She began to watch the news from outside of Storybrooke…. September 11. 2001. She'd watched the TV news in frozen horror, holding newborn Henry in her arms. What was this realm she'd cursed them all to? She wanted no part of anything outside of Storybrooke. She'd keep her son safe from the terrors of this Land Without Magic.

For a time, after the curse broke, Henry's stories about Boston and New York had brought her a bit of curiosity back about this world. Then came the awful trip to New York to rescue Robin and Roland from Zelena. That had definitely soured her on New York, as had it Robin. The fallout of the 2016 election made her protective toward anyone she cared but especially the children, not just her and Robin's now four children, but Robin's niece and nephew, little Neal Nolan, Collette Bae Gold, even Henry's then girlfriend Violet Morgan. She didn't feel safe about anyone traveling outside of Storybrooke until things resolved for the better in 2018. The young people's stories after the past election, manipulated by Gold, had brought some of that back. Yet somehow she'd been more angry than fearful this time, more determined to do something if she could. She hadn't been the only one. Perhaps it was because she knew Gold had been behind it this time.

After things began to right themselves outside of Storybrooke she'd thought they might lose some of their seven college student refugees. But Carl was the only one that left. He'd even offered to let her use the memory potion to make "completely sure" Storybrooke "would stay hidden". Regina had refused. "You earned those memories, even though you aren't staying." She told the young man who'd joined Storybrooke's firefighters on a whim, and found he'd liked the job.

Carl laughed and hugged her "You're every kids' or young adults' mom here. I'll miss this place. It's been a great few months."

"Give me your phone" Regina said, then typed in her cell phone number. "If you ever get in trouble and aren't near where someone can help you, I want you to call me. We'll find you and make sure you're safe." She said, handing Carl back his phone.

"I'm hoping once I finish my chemical engineering degree I can get on someplace where I can make firefighting equipment even better and safer. If I do I promise I'll figure out some way to get it to you for the team here."

"Thank you, I hope so too."

She'd watched him drive away in his car until he was out of sight. She truly did hope his dream came true.

Davu and Lita weren't the only ones that had married in the past three months. Robin's nephew Matthew had married Gian two weeks ago. Snow had persuaded the two to let her plan their wedding. Persuading Gian had taken little work, he was utterly fascinated by Storybrooke and the pasts in the Enchanted Forest.

"Maybe you should retire from teaching and become a full time wedding planner." Regina teased Snow.

"Oh, but I wouldn't know what to do with planning weddings of people I don't know. There's plenty of people in Storybrooke I don't know. Besides, I like teaching."

"You met Gian less than six months ago."

"But he's so open and eager to know about everything. And I've watched Matthew grow up. I know Robin's niece and nephews almost as well as I know your children."

"Especially Roberta, what with her mentoring Neal."

"And his adorable crush on her. He thinks Roberta hung the moon." Snow chuckled.

"Five years is a lot at their age. He'll likely get a more realistic view of her when he's grown."

"Or they'll fall in love." Snow smiled.

"Matching making now?"

"It could happen. Weren't you about Neal's age when you met Daniel?"

"A bit older, and he was just two years older than me." Regina found she could talk about Daniel now, with just a small chord of sadness. "I thought he was so mature and handsome…" Regina smiled faintly.

"Thank you for scaring Phillip Jr off the last day of school." Susie said to Hope. He had become interested in girls late in the school year. But as with most of his other interactions, his attempts to get girls attention were generally overbearing and often unwelcome. Such was the case with Susie Marshall, Hope's former best friend and one sided crush.

Hope hadn't seen Susie since the last day of school and things had been strained between them since Hope had confessed her feelings to Susie early this year. Hope was surprised that Susie had sought her out, despite the rescue from Phillip Jr's unwanted attention. Hope grinned "it was fun."

Susie giggled. "It was! He was so scared!"

It was the end of the school day. Hope knew mom and dad were both coming to pick Grace and her up because it was the last day of school. Roland, Douglas and Eimi were staying late for a party for the graduating class. Hope walked past the hallway where Susie had her locker, glanced that way and saw Phillip Jr was bothering Susie. Hope turned down the hallway and said. "Get away from Susie."

"Go away witch girl. You're a witch just like your mom."

"So what if I am?" Hope felt a surge of anger and boldness. Mom had told her what happened in New York. How Zelena saved her, and wanting Hope to know she loved her too. Ever since then Hope had felt less ashamed about her birth mother, less vulnerable to bullying about it. "You better leave now or I'll turn you into the pig that you are." Hope let her hands glow faintly green.

Phillip Jr scrambled backwards in fear, but then snarled "Witch girl, just like your mom!"

Hope feinted releasing a spell and Phillip Jr fled at top speed.

"I hope he doesn't get you in trouble over that." Susie said

Hope shrugged. "Not worried."

Now two weeks later Susie was here, talking to her. Maybe their friendship hadn't been ruined, just like Matthew told her.

"I'm sorry I don't like you the way you like me, but can we be friends again?" Susie looked at Hope earnestly.

Hope grinned "Sure!"

After about a half hour the twins had been shown how to unharness the ponies from the cart and were following Regina and Violet's lead in brushing them down and feeding them carrots. Then Henry led the ponies to the horse stables near the park. Once Henry got back, Emma went over to the twins and squatted down to their level. "hey kiddos you want to see your present from your other Grandma and her family?

"Yeah!" Both loudly squealed.

Emma winced and stood back up and walked toward the lake. The twins followed her eagerly.

"I don't see it, but I think I know what it is" Robin whispered to Regina as they followed everyone down to the lake.

"I think so too."

Once everyone was gathered at the shoreline, Emma turned to Lita with a grin "Okay, release the mirage field"

Lita pressed a button on a handheld device and suddenly a large rowboat sized simplified replica of the Jolly Roger appeared on the lake. Although the shell of the boat looked a lot like the Jolly Roger, the boat itself was just a sailing rowboat. The rowboat seat was more than large enough for an adult to sit comfortably, as Killian demonstrated for everyone, while small child size seats were in the bow area. Henry was glad he'd worn shorts today as he picked up the twins and carried the excited children to the boat. After the twins were on the boat Killian assisted Henry aboard.

"So it's big enough for both Violet and I to ride along." Henry noted.

"Yes. Emma thought it best we make it a family sized one as they're too young yet to do this on their own."

"You did put life jackets in I hope." Regina said to Emma.

"Of course. Killian?"

"In the footlocker. One for you and Violet as well, if you need them."

Seeing the glares of both Regina and Violet Henry put one on as well. Once Killian pulled up the small anchor the boat began to drift out on its own in the light breeze. Killian furled the sail and Henry controlled the tiller.

Once the boat was out in the center of the lake, Regina turned to Emma and the Charmings. "Okay, let's not make this a competition okay? I think we both went a bit overboard this year. "

"Agreed." David quickly said with relief.

"Did Marco make that? He's getting up there now. Robin and I felt guilty about getting Marco's help with the sleigh-pony cart and it's a much simpler design… but Marco insisted that he must play a part in its creation."

"August did the boat." Emma said. "He convinced Marco to let him. I think Marco did some of the detailing but it's mostly August's work."

"He has his father's skills, I have to say."

"He doesn't think he's as good. But looks good to me."

August had never married nor had children, when asked he said something vaguely about a price he paid. The man still was enigmatic after all these years. Regina suspected he'd known about what the Blue Fairy and Isaac had done for years before it was revealed. The majority of people in Storybrooke that knew August, felt a vague unease about him. Not a sense he was evil though. But would he help or do nothing when needed, and what information was he hiding? Henry and to a lesser degree Emma, were two of the few people that didn't react that way. Regina just felt a general low level annoyance at his game playing. It reminded her too much of Gold.

On the other hand, Marco felt guilt for the part he'd played in separating Emma from her parents. He felt his years of estrangement from August, and their somewhat uneasy parent/child relationship afterward was a just price for his actions. But Marco loved children and loved creating toys for them.

"So how'd you get it out here to the lake without anyone else seeing it?" Regina asked Emma.

"You're not the only one to research spell variants, Regina." Emma grinned. Belle let me look through a spell book Gold left behind. Minor stuff he probably already knew by heart and had no use for."

Belle sighed, "My gift to the twins just looks so inadequate next to a beautiful pony cart and ponies, and that boat."

"Not at all." Regina said. A personalized book collection that they'll cherish is hardly a small thing. You picked ten books a piece for Zita and Dillon based on their personalities and things they like, and not just books for now, but a couple books for when they can read on their own."

"It's important to inspire a love of reading as young as possible."

Regina nodded. "Don't worry about this with the boat and pony cart. We're not turning this into a present competition. I think we just got a bit carried away this year. This is the first year the twins are old enough to understand what birthdays and presents are; that made some of us grandparents get a bit silly. We've agreed to have calmer heads on gifts from now on." Regina smirked ruefully.

"So as the only levelheaded grandparent do I get to be the present arbiter?" Belle smiled.

"Maybe!" Regina laughed.