Regina watched Mother and child bond in a way that only horrible events can create. It was bittersweet. She wondered if Mal realized she was rocking Ember, ever so slightly, as they sat together on the couch. One of his hands reached out, blindly searching for Regina. She slid her hand into his. She cradled it in her lap and caressed his knuckles with her thumb. Ember sighed in Mal's arms.
They sat there on the couch, Mal rocked, Regina grounded him, and unbeknownst to them all, Lily sat on the steps, witness to everything up til that point.
The blonde heard her son's breathing slow.
"Sleep, Baby, you're safe here." When she thought he was asleep, her worried blue eyes turned to Regina.
"Who did this, Regina?" The tone of Mal's voice left no room for argument. She wanted answers and she wanted them now. Regina's own eyes filled with anger.
"The Charmings with the help of the blue gnat." Mal's eyes burned the brightest green Regina had ever seen them. A loud, uncontrollable growl thundered in her chest. Ember sat up from where he had been dozing, but still conscious of the conversation around him. None of them saw Lily exit the room and leave the cabin out the back door.
"You can't hurt them, Mama." Mal's breath caught in her throat.
"They hurt one of my babies, again, little one. They need to pay." Ember stood from where he was still sitting on Mal's lap, not able to have a serious conversation while perched there. He took a deep breath and went to run his hand through his short hair, but encountered long instead. Then he tried to cross his arms, but that made him more aware of his breast. Next he placed his hands on his hips, and felt the way they flared out from his much smaller waist. Finally he settled for keeping his hands at his sides. He hoped they found a way to change him back soon, he didn't think he would last long trapped in this body again. He brought his attention back to the matter at hand as he stared at his real Mother.
"I'm not defending them when I say this, I'm protecting you. I will not have this town turn on you. They have just started to accept you and I don't want the idiots, who used to be my parents, make this out to be your fault. Not to mention, I don't want have to explain to Neal that my Mom burned his parents to a crisp." His green eyes bored into the eyes of Mal's dragon. "Please, promise me." The green slowly bled away into blue. Mal left a huge sigh escape her lungs.
"Fine, they get a reprieve this time, but I make no promises for the future."
"Thanks, Mom." He wiped the remains of his tears from his face. Mal rose from the couch and stood before her child. She cupped his cheek, her thumb stroked the soft skin there, so different from rough stubble she was used to. She gently placed her hand over Ember's fingers, where they were subconsciously scratching at the cuff.
"My dear, Ember. I promise you with all that I am, that we will find a way to get this infernal bracelet off. But I want you to know that even if this is the appearance the rest of the world sees, you will always be my son. I love you more than life itself, dear one." Maleficent leaned forward and kissed her son on the forehead.
A burst of magic expanded from where Mal's lips were pressed against his skin. It engulfed the room then raced across Storybrooke. The cuff landed on the floor with a thud. Ember gasped. Mal's eyes went wide. Before her stood her son, in his true form. His clothes fit exactly how they should, his hair was in the style he chose when he got his make over, and every inch of him was hard, lean muscle.
He ran his hands over his chest and stomach. His hips were narrow again and one discreet pass of his hand, he was relieved all parts were accounted for. He looked down at himself one more time before his deep laugh filled the room. He threw his long muscular arms around his mother and lifted her off her feet. He spun them around a few times, before setting her down.
"I love you, too, Mom." He said into her hair. Her smile was radiant and her heart was full. She pulled back and studied his face.
"What just happened?" Mal laughed, not really caring what caused his transformation, just happy to see his smile and hear his laughter.
"True Love's kiss." Regina volunteered from her perch on the arm of the couch. Her smile matched theirs. Mal's brow furrowed.
"I thought that was just a romantic kind of thing."
"I did too, my friend. Until Ember, here, broke my curse when he kissed our son, after he accidentally ate a sleeping curse." Regina laughed at her friend's confused face. "It's a long story, better told another day, dear."
Mal shrugged and continued to celebrate with her son. His happiness was contagious and before Regina knew what was happening she was pulled into a impromptu dance party. The dragon waved her hand and music began to filter into the room from the surround sound, the beat was fast and they all began to move their bodies to the rhythm. Ember pulled Regina to him and dipped her. A sweet kiss was placed on her lips before he righted her again. They were all laughing when his cell phone began to blare from his pocket.
He pulled it out and Regina turned the music down. He pressed the device to his ear.
"Hello?"
"You need to get to Main Street now. Lily needs you." Ruby sounded frantic.
"We'll be right there." He hung up and pulled Regina and Mal to him.
"Lily's in trouble." As soon as the words left his lips they disappear into a puff of white smoke, .
~~SQ~~
The sight that greet them on Main Street was utter chaos. The citizen were running everywhere. Grumpy sped by, screaming dragon at the top of his lungs. Ruby raced over to them.
"She was confronting the Charmings about something. I was in the diner, I didn't hear it all, but David drew his sword and she lost it." They all looked at the large beast in the center of the street. Lily had finally found her dragon. Her scales were black with a green shimmer when the light hit them just right and her eyes were blazing amber. She was focused on her foe, crouched down to their level and ready to attack. As Ember's eyes traveled to where his sister was looking, his heart leapt into his throat. David was pulling his arms back, ready to let his sword fly.
"NO!"
He didn't waste a moment before he was in motion. His long legs ate up the pavement under his feet. He caught the glint of the metal as David released his sword. He jumped into the air, searing pain erupted in his shoulder. He landed in a crouch, his instincts making him look for the next attack.
Regina's hand covered her mouth. She could clearly see the sword protruding from her Prince's shoulder. She began to cross the space between them, but was pulled to a stop by Mal's strong hands. Brown eyes turn to Mal and then back to Ember. He was drawing in large heaving breaths, steam poured off his skin.
"Stay here. He's about to shift." Regina nodded. She pressed her hands to her stomach, as she watched the scene unfolding in front of her. She was so focused on her injured lover, that she never heard the sound of their son's fast footsteps as he approached.
"Mom! Is that Aunt Lily? What happened to Dad? Is he okay?" She jumped when his voice sounded beside her.
"Yes, that is your Aunt Lily. Some bad things happened today, Henry. We will discuss it later, at home. I need you to go into the diner with Granny. I need to know you are safe." He reluctantly nodded, wanting to be in the thick of the action, but he could tell his Mom was on her last bits of energy, so he entered the diner and slid into a booth. His face was pressed against the window.
Regina turned back to Ember. He pulled the sword from his shoulder. Mal stepped closer to her wounded son. She took the weapon from him and gripped each end. With a little effort she bent the metal until it snapped in two. She threw the pieces toward the Shepard. Her glare made David swallow hard. More concerned with her child, she returned her focus to the man.
"Sweetheart, you need to breath through it. The first time is always the hardest. It will be okay, Ember." Mal sensed her son's dragon clawing its way to the surface. She backed away to give him space. Lily swayed from paw to paw as she waited for Ember to shift.
Each breath caused smoked to puff from Ember's nose. He pressed his hands to the cold asphalt. White smoked began to swirl around him as he allowed his dragon to finally stretch it's legs. The cloud engulfed him and the entire street around him. When it cleared, everyone stared in awe of the sight before them.
"He's beautiful." Regina and Mal said at the same time. They smirked at each other. Ember was enormous, surpassing the size of both Lily and Maleficent's dragons. His body was covered in golden scales that glinted as if they were lit by their own sun. His feet had long lethal claws and his large, leathery wings were tucked in close to his back.
He studied his surroundings with his large green eyes. Smoke billowed from his nose. As his large head turned, his gaze landed on the threat to his family. He rose from his crouched position and stood to his full height. His chest burned with a fire that needed an escape.
Regina, who watched her Prince from the sidewalk, saw what was about to happen. As much as she hated the couple standing across the street, she knew Ember would never forgive himself for what he was about to do. She ran to the center of the street, directly in front of the Charmings.
"Ember, don't!" The dragon's florescent green eyes focus on the woman protecting her prey. He leaned his large head down. Regina caressed the hard scales on her love's face in a tender gesture. "They're not worth it, darling. Your family is safe, you are whole."
A softness bloomed in the beast's eyes. Regina could see all of the love she had for this man reflected back in those green depths.
"Maybe your Mother could take you both for your first flight? Hm?" Her hand couldn't stop stroking the dragon's face. She turned to Mal and noticed tears in her friend's eyes. Ember followed her gaze to the woman who, in such a short time, had become the best mother he had ever known. The golden dragon's face transformed into what one would consider a dopey smile.
Regina laughed. Only Ember could figure out how to make a terrifying, fire breathing, beast look like a happy puppy.
A large cloud of smoke formed further down the street where Mal had transformed into her black dragon. Regina leaned forward and placed a kiss on Ember's muzzle. He nuzzled the woman, almost knocking the Mayor off of her feet, then joined his Mother and Sister. They carefully made their way down Main Street, making sure not to damage a single building, least they all face Regina's wrath.
Regina shielded her eyes from the sun when she looked up to see three small figures in the sky, soaring amongst the clouds. She was happy things worked out the way they did. She pulled her attention away from the happy dragon family on their first outing, to the two idiots who still stood nearby. Her eyes turned cold as they focused on David.
"What the hell were you thinking?" He swallowed.
"One minute we were arguing, the next she started to transform into a dragon. I reacted on instinct." He rambled out. "I'm sorry. I never meant to make things worse than they already are, Regina." Snow snapped out of her shock and looked at him.
"She was going to kill us, David. Why are you apologizing? And how did Emma turn back to that? The bracelet was suppose to be magic proof." Regina stared daggers at the fool.
"His Mother shared true love's kiss with him." Snow turned a little green.
"No." Snow gasped out. Regina rolled her eyes.
"If there was any questions in your little pea of a brain, they should all be obliterated by now. She is his Mother." Snow stood there with wide eyes. Regina shook her head. "Shepard, take your wife home before I rip her heart out, right here in the middle of Main Street." David nodded and grabbed Snow's hand before he pulled her in the direction of the loft. Their voices carried back to her on the wind.
"What about Emma?"
"He's happy, Snow. Lets just leave him alone." David's sad voice responded.
"But..."
"Drop it, Snow!" His voice echoed on the buildings around them.
~~SQ~~
Regina walked into the diner where Ruby was keeping Henry company. Her eyes were pure amber. Her wolf unsettled. She slid into the inside of the booth when Regina approached.
"What happened today, Regina? I've never seen Lily so furious. From what I heard, she said David and Snow did something to Em." Regina looked between her son and the wolf. He wasn't little anymore and she knew he would ask a thousand questions until he go the answers he sought. So she took a deep breath and proceeded to tell them of the events that took place that day.
After she finished, they both sat in stunned silence, until Ruby growled deep in her chest. Her fingers were clenched on the table, Regina could see divots appearing as it gave under her strength.
"Henry, go in the back and ask Granny to make you some hot chocolate, please." He nodded and left the table.
"Ruby, look at me." Bright amber eyes met her steady gaze. "I know it's wolf's time, but you need to get yourself under control." Ruby tried to take some deep breath, but her anger was getting the best of her. Her teeth elongated in her mouth. "Pup!" Regina's voice was firm and help a power that no non-shifter should ever be able to produce. The brunette's wolf calmed and her eyes settled into their normal green. "I know your instincts are screaming at you to rip the idiots apart. Believe me, I want nothing more than to rip their hearts out and watch them turn to ash in my hands." Ruby's lips spread into a predatory grin."But, we have to handle this situation how Ember sees fit." The wolf tilted her head to the side.
"Ember?"
"Em chose his new name." Regina smiled softly. "And he wants to have a party to celebrate. Can I count on you to help me make that happen?" Ruby nodded enthusiastically.
"Did somebody say something about a party?" Henry bounced from foot to foot, almost spilling the drink in his hand. Regina smiled at his excitement.
"Would you like to help us plan your father's naming ceremony?" He grinned and nodded.
~~SQ~~
After they got a good start on organizing the party, Regina invited Ruby to join them at the cabin, while they waited for the dragons to return. She poofed them to the house. Ruby and Henry lost themselves in a video game, as Regina put together a lasagna to stick in the oven after the rest of their family arrived.
Instead of joining the wolf and her son, she went out and sat on the back deck. Her eyes scanned the sky, looking for the three little dots that would be the dragons. She must have doze off a bit, because she was jolted awake by the sound of Mal's dragon feet landing on the ground. She quickly transformed into her human self and made room for her children to land. Lily came next, she was a little unsteady when she reached the ground, but for a first landing, Maleficent was quiet pleased.
Regina's eyes scanned above her for a glimpse of Ember. When she spotted him, her eyes went wide.
"Ember, slow down!" Mal yelled at her son, a moment too late. He approached the open space behind the cabin much to fast and overshot his landing. His big body crashed into the a few of the tree's at the edge of the yard and toppled them over. He rolled onto his large feet and shook the hit off, like a big dog who just came out of the rain. Regina couldn't help the laugh that escaped. Even in dragon form, Ember was still Ember.
Maleficent smiled up at her beautiful children. She was so proud of them.
"Okay, dears, you need to clear your minds and picture yourselves as human." They both closed their eyes. Ember's magic responded first and he was transformed into his human self within seconds. "Well done, dear one. Although your landing could use a little work." He shrugged his shoulders. Lily opened her eyes and glared at Ember, who simply stuck his tongue out at her. "Lily, focus. You can do this, sweetheart." She took a deep breath and imagined herself as a human once more. A wide smile graced Mal's lips when a cloud of crimson smoke surrounded her daughter. When her transformation was complete Lily was wrapped in her mother's arms. "I'm so proud of you."
Lily teared up. She couldn't remember the last time someone said those words to her.
"Thanks, Mom."
"How is it possible that the worst day, also turned out to be one of the best?" She pulled Ember into their family hug.
"That's just life, Mama."
"I guess so. "
As she watched them walk across the lawn, all of the events of the day caught up with Regina. She relived the moment she watched him convulsing in front of her on the docks, the moment he fell apart in Mal's arms, but what hit her hardest was the moment she watched the sword slide into his flesh. Before she realized what she was doing, she was running across the ground that separated them. When she reached Ember, she launched herself into his arm.
He wrapped his strong arms under the swell of her butt and held her close.
"Upstairs." She whispered in his ear. He made to put her down so they could walk into the house. Instead she wrapped her legs around his waist and buried her face against his neck. He carried her into the house. Mal covered Henry's eyes with her hand, as they turned the corner to go up the stairs.
"Silencing spell you two."
"Mom!" Ember's exasperated voice made her laugh.
"Well that is nothing any of us want to hear."
"I wouldn't mind." Ruby whispered next to her and was treated to a swift smack from Lily.
"Ewww...child present!" Henry whined.
Ember rolled his eyes at his family's antics and continued to carry his precious cargo to his room.
~~SQ~~
When they reached his room, he tried to sit the woman down on the bed, but she refused to let go. He sat on the edge of the bed with Regina wrapped around him. His fingers stroked her hair.
"Talk to me, Sweetheart." The woman refused to meet his eyes, as she began to unbutton his shirt. He remained quiet while she guided the fabric off of his shoulders and threw it on the floor near by. Regina's fingers traced over the faint scar that was left behind from the sword. It was then she turned her tear filled eyes to Ember.
"I could have lost you."
"I'm right here, Regina." He gathered her hands in his much larger ones and pressed her palms to his chest, so she could feel his heart beat. She concentrated on the thump, thump, thump she could feel under his skin. They sat like that for a long moment, before she looked into his eyes.
"Don't you ever pull a stunt like that ever again, Ember Swan. I can't lose you." Ember stood up, with Regina still wrapped around him. He turned them around and deposited her onto the bed before situating himself between her legs and placing one hand on each side of her head. She trailed her hands up the bare skin of his sides. He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
"I am never..."
Lips pressed against Regina's forehead...
"...ever..."
...her eye lids...
"...ever..."
...her chin...
"...leaving you."
...until finally they caressed her own lips softly. He sat back and stared at her flushed cheeks. He waved his hand and placed the previously suggested silencing spell on the room. Regina raised an eyebrow, before pulling her cell out of her pocket, and shooting a quick text downstairs.
~~SQ~~
Downstairs Mal's phone buzzed. She lifted it and read the text.
TheQueen (6:03): Lasagna goes in the oven at 375 degrees for 45 mins. Thank You.
The blonde rolled her eyes and went to preheat the oven.
~~SQ~~
While Regina was typing, Ember had worked the buttons of her shirt apart until a black lace bra was revealed to him. He licked and nipped up her smooth stomach, up the valley of her breasts, up to her luscious mouth once more. Their tongue's tangled for dominance. Regina allowed Ember to take control of the kiss, he explored her mouth, nipping the tip of her tongue with his teeth as he pulled away.
She sat up and pulled her shirt off the rest of the way. When she laid back down, her hair fanned out against the pillow. She was so beautiful, Ember couldn't believe she was his. He kissed down her taut abdomen, then popped the button on her slacks and slowly pulled her zipper down.
He inserted his hips between her legs once more, and kissed his way back to her mouth. He rolled his hips so his arousal pressed against her through their clothes. His teeth bit at her earlobe. Her hips began to rock against him.
"Mmm...are you wet for me, my Queen?" She moaned at the words. He caressed her skin with his hand as it traveled between them. When he reached the waist of her slacks, he slipped into her underwear. The slickness of her folds, made him smile. "So ready for me."
"Yes." She hissed. She grabbed a hand full of his hair before crashing their lips together. "Now do something about it, Mister Swan." A fire lit in his eyes, which had nothing to do with dragons. He pulled himself away from her and got off the bed. He quickly divulged himself of his jeans and boxers. Her eyes roamed his hard body. He strode to the foot of the bed.
His fingers wrapped around his lover's ankles and with one swift pull she was at the bottom of the bed with her legs draped over the edge. With a snap of his fingers the rest of her clothing disappeared until she was laid bare before him. She braced herself on her arms as she waited to see what he would do next.
He knelt on the floor between her legs. His lips kissed and sucked a path up one leg and down the other, never touching her where she needed it most. When he had given both extremities equal attention he placed his face next to her center and inhaled deeply.
"You smell so fucking good, Regina." His dilated eyes met hers and held her gaze as he leaned forward and took his first taste of the woman. Her eyes closed and her head fell back, as his tongue made long strokes from her entrance to her clit. He spread her open with is fingers and made several more wide strokes with his tongue, never focusing on one spot.
"I have to admit, I find he sight of you on your knees for me, very arousing." Her smokey voice sent shivers down his spine. She leaned forward and curled her fingers into his hair, not directing his movements, but connecting herself to him. On his next pass, he dipped his tongue into her entrance. He heard a small gasp above him and more liquid flooded his tongue. At last he focused several fast swipes to her clit, before sucking on the little nub. The fingers in his hair tightened further. "Ember."
"Hmm?" The vibrations from his mouth, caused her hips to buck into his face. He laid his arm across her hips to keep her still. He brought the fingers of his free hand to her entrance and pushed inside of her. She tried to roll her hips to meet him, but found herself held mobile. His movements sped up, and he began to curl his fingers inside her, hitting the spongy spot of flesh inside that made her moan loudly. When he thrust into her once more, he sucked her clit into his mouth and flicked his tongue over the tip. She exploded around his fingers. He kept moving inside her until he saw her sag against the bed.
She flung an arm over her eyes. He kissed her inner thighs be before standing between them.
"We're not done, my love." She cracked her eyes and looked down at where he stood. He lined himself up and pressed into her in one smooth motion. "God, you feel so fucking good." He placed his hands next to her chest on the bed as he built up a steady rhythm. He pulled her hard nipple into his hot mouth and sucked. His teeth grazed the sensitive tip, as he released it. He lavished its twin with the same attention.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulder, dragging her nails down his back. He hissed at the sensation. He found her clit with his finger and stroked it in time with his thrusts. She lifted her hips to meet his, and threaded her fingers into his hair once more, before pulling his ear to her lips.
"Come for me, Ember." He jerked into her one last time before he came inside of her. He circled her clit until she fell over the edge of her second orgasm. The feeling of her walls as they contracted around him was heaven. He pulled out of her one last time, before gathering her into his arms. Ember laid down on the bed with her situated on top of him. His stroked her hair as her breathing returned to normal.
"I love you and I'm never leaving you. So your stuck with me whether you like it or not." He rubbed circles across her back.
"Love you, too." She mumbled into his chest. When his hands reached her ass, he landed one firm smack. Her breath hitched in her throat and her hips jerked against him. "Mmm..don't start something we can't finish, my dear."
"Who says we can't finish?"
"We need to get cleaned up for dinner, my darling. It's going to be bad enough that they know what we were doing up here, they don't need to notice the scent of it on us, too."
"Ugh, okay." He groaned, not ready to break their connection. He rolled them over and kissed her firmly on the lips, before tearing himself away and entering his bathroom. Her eyes followed the sway of his tight ass, as it disappeared around the corner. After he was gone from her sight, she let her mind wander.
When she thought of their future, she realized she wanted to see Ember experience fatherhood, but she didn't want it to be through adoption. She wanted to see a blonde haired little girl chasing her daddy around the house, playing hide and seek with him, and giving good night kisses to the wonderful man in the next room. Most of all she realized she wanted to be his in every way possible. Mal had been right, it was time to embrace the future and stop living in the past.
~~SQ~~
The next day, Ember sat in Katheryn's office. He looked at the law degree proudly displayed on the wall. It never ceased to amazing him, how far Regina would go to right the wrongs of her past. The Mayor had worked diligently for months on a potion to enable Katherine to come and go from Storybrooke, so she could pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer. The woman had worked hard and now provided legal advice to any citizen who needed her services.
The door behind him opened and the blonde walked in.
"Hi, Em. What brings you here today?"
"Actually, it's Ember now." She smiled.
"Congratulation."
"Thank you. I was wondering if you could draw up some papers for me."
"Of course. What kind of papers are we talking about?"
"Visitation rights." She stood and retrieved a notepad and pen, before returning to her chair.
"Okay, tell me what terms you want to to include." Her pen hovered above the paper, poised to dictate everything he said. He took a deep breath and began to tell her about the events of the past few days and all of the terms he hoped the Charmings would agree to.