Zelena was relatively new to the modern world, so the concept of moving pictures confused the hell out of her at first. She had to force herself to learn, however, when Aria came home from school demanding to watch a movie. And it wasn't just any movie: it was that damned Wizard of Oz wannabe.
"Mommy, can we watch the Wizard of Oz? Miss Blanchard said it was a classic Halloween movie!" Zelena was beginning to see why her sister hated the princess so much, as the words from her daughter's mouth made her blood boil.
They hadn't told Aria about her mother's past just yet, letting their daughter enjoy her childhood in Storybrooke without the burden of having a villainous mother (and father). She knew of Oz and magic, obviously, but not that her mother was the infamous Wicked Witch, or that her father literally ruled hell. Zelena was going to kill Snow for bringing up that inaccurate film- it was going to ruin Aria's perception of her forever.
"Sure, sweetness. Go get changed, and I'll make us popcorn" The redheaded witch kissed her beloved firstborn on the head and went to check on the twins. If this turned Aria against her, Storybrooke was going to have one less royal.
"Look mommy, it's the witch!" Aria said, using Zelena's mass of curls to hide behind, buried in her shoulder.
"I see that." She said with gritted teeth- this version made her look so…ugly.
"Why is she mad at Dorothy?"
"The house landed on her sister, and Dorothy stole her shoes." Ugh, why did she say that? Now Aria was going to think all she cared about were shoes and other trivial things.
"Oh." The little girl blurted out, holding on to a fistful of Zelena's hair.
"She's scary." Oh, this was fucking fantastic. They hadn't even gotten to the flying monkey part yet.
"It's just a movie, munchkin." What else was she supposed to say to comfort her daughter? That she wasn't real?
The movie progressed, and they had reached the part in the woods with the monkeys when Hades came home. He glanced at the tv screen, and without thinking about it, blurted:
"Oh hey look kiddo, it's your mother!" If looks could kill, Zelena's icy stare would have put him in the ground ten times over. He didn't get it. Everyone knew who his wife's fairytale persona was, except- shit. Double shit.
"Is she scared of you?" He whispered, glancing at Aria. The girl's eyes were wide, staring at the TV screen, and then back at Zelena.
"What do you think?" Zelena hissed, gathering their child in her arms, smoothing her hair.
"Mommy was the Wicked Witch?" Aria placed both hands on Zelena's cheeks, as if trying to reconcile the image of the green skinned, grotesque looking witch with the woman she knew as her mother.
"A long time ago, yes." Aria tensed, but Zelena was quick to squash any fears.
"I'm not that woman anymore, baby. I'd never hurt you. Never. No matter what anyone says, I love you." The demigoddess surprised her by immediately reaching for Hades, who looked apologetic. Zelena had excused herself, feeling hurt and betrayed by her own blood.
They had watched the movie a few days before Halloween, and Aria had continued to avoid her like the plague. But it wasn't for the reasons she expected.
"Go on, princess. Show Mommy who you want to be for Halloween." Hades prompted, sending the child upstairs to change into her costume.
"With my luck it'll be a witch hunter. Complete with a pitchfork and everything. Angry mob not included." Zelena scowled, letting her husband know just how angry she was at him at the moment.
"I wouldn't be so sure. I had a little talk with our demoness, and I think she understood."
"Then why hasn't she acknowledged me in any way?"
"She wanted it to be a surprise." Did he mean the costume? And then they were interrupted by an impatient yell from the top of the stairs.
"Surprise!" Zelena's heart swelled at the sight, and she couldn't help but tear up. Aria was dressed in an exact replica of one her mother's Oz outfits, complete with hat and a broom.
"I'm you!" Her little girl was beaming, awaiting Zelena approval.
"I love it, munchkin! Mummy thought you were angry with her." She bent down to hug her daughter, looking up at Hades, who also had a tear in his eye- though he'd never admit it.
"I helped." He admitted, leaving the two of them alone to give Cerberus his daily elk bone.
"Sorry I thought you were scary." Aria suddenly paused, like she just thought of something.
"Will you be my twin for trick or treat? We have to match." This was a magical request Zelena was more than happy to oblige, changing into a duplicate outfit in a swirl of green smoke.
"Did daddy tell you what to say when you ask for candy?" The mini-Zelena shook her head, no.
"Nope." The elder witch conjured a ball of green fire to make her next point.
"Wicked always wins!" Aria grinned, trying her best to make a small fireball of her own.
"That's my girl!" Zelena took her hand, leading her out of the house to start the night. Hades wasn't too far behind with the twins, dressed as a toned down version of his Disney self.
"Now let's go show Storybrooke how to have fun Mills style!" Hades chuckled- every now and then his wife's voice would take on that mischievous tone that was so iconic.
"Take her on a broom ride, dearest." And with their daughter's large doe eyes, how could she refuse?
"This town and its bloody witches!" Will Scarlet mumbled after a cackling redhead and her mini me zoomed by on a broom, nearly knocking him over.
"Speaking of witches, where's Regina?" Little John commented, helping his friend regain his balance.
"Probably inside, she doesn't do Halloween." Alan added, the party walking down the street to the Rabbit Hole.
"Oh really? Shows what you know." Little John responded, pointing to Raina in the scarily accurate Evil Queen outfit. Like Aria, she also had a matching twin.
"I'm going inside before one of them puts a spell on me or something." Will declared, getting drunk. And he could have sworn his beer had turned to apple cider at some point…