Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or the characters. This is just one of the
many sandboxes I like to play in. :)
AN: I'm so grateful that so many are enjoying this story. There is much ahead, including lots of Snowing romance and Charming Family Feels among the drama, adventure and danger.
During hiatus, I will be updating on Sundays as a rule. This one is day late, because I wasn't home most of yesterday.
Currently Emma is 10 in the story. We are only a couple chapters away now from a major time jump in the story.
As you would guess by now, this story is AU, though I will be including many canon events, I will also be including new elements.
Pairings: Primarily Snowing - With eventual OutlawQueen.
Lots of Charming Family feels ;)
Thank you for all the awesome reviews and feed back. Here are some individual responses:
EmmaAthena2013: There is much ahead for all our characters. As for Emma, she was very little last time she saw the Swans. She may or may not recognize them. I don't want to reveal too much, but stay tuned! :)
sexystarwarslover: Glad you liked it so much, especially the Robin/Regina interaction. Things will definitely be a bit different in this story with Regina on a path to redemption a bit sooner. And Rumple has no magic yet, but he never forgets, unfortunately for her. As for the Swans...it's going to get interesting. ;)
Emmamme: I'm glad you liked the interaction with Robin and Regina. With Robin's help, Regina may be able to let go of her anger much sooner. As for the Swan's...it's going to get interesting. ;)
RumbelleDefender: Randomly flaming Snowing fans' works is a big waste of your time. And anonymously is just cowardly. I love Snowing and nothing you do or say is going to change that. And that probably goes for all the other Snowing fans you flamed with your generic copy/paste message. Snow's not perfect and neither is Charming. They are as flawed as any characters on the show(Rumple included). And Snowing is boring? Really? That's the best you can come up with? Yep, if loving and stable relationships built on love and trust are boring, then I guess Snowing is guilty. But that's your opinion and one many do not share, so kindly step off.
I feel badly for true Rumbelle fans(the ones that don't lash out at Snowing fans) on the state of Rumbelle's relationship, just like I feel badly for OutlawQueen fans.
It sucks how he keeps choosing power over her. He did it again in 5x22 and it sucked. But lashing out at Snowing fans will not fix Rumbelle.
End Rant.
Finding You Always
Chapter 29: Suspicious Minds
Ruby eyed the couple curiously, as they entered the bed and breakfast side of Granny's. With the return of memories had come a lot of broken marriages and confusion. They had never filled so many rooms before and only had a few left.
"Can I help you?" She asked. She was trying to place them, though she didn't know everyone. A lot of people were just common villagers, but these two just didn't seem to fit that profile.
"We need a room for a couple days," he said.
"Yes...we're passing through, but this town is so lovely and quaint, we decided to stop," the woman gushed. The man looked nervous.
"You're from out of town?" Ruby asked, as warning bells went off in her head. But she kept calm.
"Name?" She asked. The woman was about to answer, but her husband cut her off.
"Cook. Nathan and Linda Cook," he answered. Ruby watched the confusion on the woman's face. It was a fake name for sure, but she didn't let on like anything was amiss and handed them a room key.
"Enjoy your stay," she said with a smile, as she crossed back into the diner.
"I need to run to the Sheriff's station," Red told Granny.
"Problem?" The elder woman asked.
"I'm not sure yet," she replied.
"Dear...why did you give them my maiden name?" Linda asked.
"We're trying to get away from it all, honey. I just thought it would be fun to leave a little bit of mystery," he lied.
"Oh…" she said, trying to wrap her head around it. He could tell she wasn't convinced.
"Honey, did you take your pill?" He asked.
"Um, no...I forgot," she replied, as she fished the bottle out of her purse and took it. Any questions she had soon faded from her mind.
"Sheriff's station," David answered, as he picked up the phone.
"Your wife is a menace," Whale snapped from the other end.
"Excuse me…" David said dangerously.
"You know, just because she's some princess, she can't just go traipsing wherever she wants in this hospital, not while I'm in charge," Whale ranted.
"Okay, you better start explaining what you mean, because if you insult my wife again, you're going to need a dentist to replace your teeth after I knock them out," David snapped. He heard Thomas chuckle.
"Your wife went venturing into the basement level of the hospital. It's the psych ward and it's restricted. Then she released a patient and she's coming your way with a dwarf and the woman she broke out," he explained.
"Look, if Snow decided this woman didn't belong in there, then she didn't. Things are different now that memories have returned," David reasoned.
"Fine...but she could at least ask me for the keys instead of picking locks!" he said in exasperation. David tried not to smirk and swallowed a chuckle.
"I'll make sure she asks for the keys next time," he joked.
"Why do I even both with you? Of course you see nothing wrong with your princess wrecking havoc in my hospital," Whale spat.
"Relax Whale and let me worry about my wife," David replied, as he hung up.
"Still wish I knew who that guy is," he mentioned.
"He's an ass, but I'm sure he's harmless. Any insight, Regina?" Thomas asked. The former Queen rolled her eyes.
"If you must know, he's a doctor from another land that I brought to ours. He was looking for a heart strong enough for his...experiments," Regina answered.
"Experiments?" David asked.
"Whoa...like Dr. Frankenstein?" Thomas asked.
"Not like him. He is him," Regina replied in a bored tone.
"Now I'm really glad we picked Dr. Sakura," David mumbled.
"What?" Thomas asked.
"Nothing," David replied.
"So...he needed a heart for his monster?" Thomas asked.
"I'm not in the mood for twenty questions," she snapped.
"Well, it's not that far fetched. This world thinks we're all just stories, including Frankenstein. And they got most of it wrong," David said. Thomas snorted.
"Tell me about it. The versions in this world couldn't even give either of us real names," Thomas joked, as Snow came in with Grumpy and another woman behind her. He smiled and stood up to greet her with a kiss.
"Causing trouble already, my darling?" He teased. She rolled her eyes.
"Whale is such a baby. One little picked lock is no big deal," she replied, as she hugged him and put her lips to his ear.
"But you can put me in handcuffs tonight if you want to, Sheriff Charming," she whispered. David grinned wolfishly, after he got over his momentary shock.
"I'm going to hold you too that," he whispered back.
"You better," she replied, as she led him over to where Grumpy was standing.
"This is Belle. She was friends with Grumpy when he was still Dreamy," Snow said.
"Dreamy?" David asked with a furrowed brow.
"Long story. It's in the book. Belle, this is my husband David," Snow said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," she said.
"Likewise. You were locked up in the hospital ward all this time?" He asked.
"Apparently. I don't remember much, except that she locked me up back in our land," Belle said, pointing to Regina.
"So...you have no curse memories?" Snow asked. She shook her head.
"Why was she locked up?" Grumpy growled.
"I don't answer to dwarves," Regina hissed back.
"She wanted to use me against Rumple if she needed to. I was a bargaining chip," Belle said, glaring at the Queen.
"Rumple..." Grumpy said.
"You're the one he loved," David interjected, causing all eyes to go to him, prompting him to explain.
"When I was trying to find Snow after she fell under the sleeping curse, he wanted to make a deal. If I hid something inside Maleficent in her dragon form for him, he would enchant my mother's ring to lead me to her," David explained.
"I didn't want to make a deal, but I was running circles in the infinite forest. I accused him of not knowing anything about love. He said he knew more than people would think and that the woman he loved had died," David continued.
"He thinks I'm dead?" Belle asked. All eyes turned to Regina
"Like I said, I was saving you for the day I needed something. But he made it clear that he had no interest in stopping the curse from breaking so I was content to let him keep thinking that," Regina said indifferently.
"We'll show you where his shop is," Snow said, as she took the other woman's hand.
"Everything will be fine," she assured her. Belle smiled.
"Thank you," she replied, as she walked beside Grumpy, as they followed Snow and Charming to the pawn shop.
"Well, I better get back to the hospital. Sleepy is covering my post, which means he's probably asleep. See you soon?" he asked hopefully. Belle nodded and hugged him. Then she looked nervously at the door.
"We'll let you handle this on your own, but if you need to talk, I'm here," Snow told her.
"Thank you for everything, Snow. I'll see you soon," Belle said, as she watched the couple join hands and leave her in front of the door. She took a deep breath and went inside.
He didn't turn, as he heard the bell chime.
"Can I help you?" he asked, still keeping his back turned, as he placed a few precious items in his wall safe, one being a chipped cup.
"I really hope so," the accented, female voice said playfully. He froze. He turned and had to grip the counter in front of him.
"Rumple…" she said, as tears brimmed in her eyes.
"No...not this isn't possible. It's a trick!" He refuted. She cautiously stepped toward the counter.
"It's me, Rumple," she assured him.
"No…she said you were dead," he hissed.
"She lied. She locked me up and I've been in the basement of somewhere called a hospital all my time in this strange land," she explained.
"I felt like I was always in a daze. I didn't even know my own name and then suddenly everything was clear. The fog cleared and I knew exactly who I was. I kept calling for someone to free me, but I figured they were all still scared of the Queen," Belle said, as he took her in his arms, marveling that she was actually real.
"How did you escape?" He asked.
"Snow and Grumpy heard me calling and she picked the lock. They took me to the Sheriff's stations then and I told my story. Snow's husband guessed who I was once I mentioned you. They led me here," she explained. He hugged her tightly and then sobered.
"Regina is going to pay…" he growled.
"Rumple no…" she pleaded.
"She has to Belle! I may have no magic here yet, but what she did cannot go unpunished," he growled.
"No...no more vengeance. I understand there is no magic in this land. It's a fresh start for us," she insisted. He sighed. He did not just let people get away with it when grievances were committed against him...except when it came to Belle. And he had no magic, so Regina would get away with it for now.
But someday...he would bring magic to this town and then he would see to her misery...he would just make sure to keep his hands clean so as to not upset Belle when the time came.
"Fine. Then at least let me take you home and get you something besides these rags to wear," he said. She smiled and nodded, but not before leaning in to kiss him. He smiled and she took his arm.
"So...this is the land where your son is?" She asked.
"It is," he answered.
"Have you found him yet?" she asked.
"Things are a bit complicated. I'll tell you everything on the way home," he promised.
"Thank you so much, Your Highness," the elderly man said profusely, his head bowed, as he shook Charming's hand.
"We're just glad we could help and in this land, you can just call me David," he insisted. The man shook his head.
"You and Princess Snow will always be royalty to us. Our true leaders," he insisted and his elderly wife nodded, completely enamored by the young couple.
After dropping Belle off at Gold's shop, David let Snow tag along with him on his rounds. After all, they both missed having adventures together, especially ones where their lives weren't in imminent danger.
They came upon the elderly couple, who were being robbed at gunpoint. There was a lot of anger in some now that memories had returned and it was clear they were stuck in Storybrooke. Some were not taking it well and many were acting out. It was keeping him, Thomas, and the dwarves busy.
David had tackled him and arrested him. Happy and Grumpy were escorting him back to the station, while David took the couple's statement.
Once they finished, Snow noticed her husband's stare in the distance and followed it. They weren't far from the stables.
"What are you thinking?" she asked.
"That maybe we should bring Emma out here this weekend and go riding," he replied. She smiled.
"She'll love that," Snow replied.
"We may not be returning to our land in the foreseeable future, but we can still teach her," he said. She nodded and leaned her head against his arm, as they walked back toward the town square.
"I should get back to the station," he mentioned. She nodded.
"Emma will be getting out of school soon. How about we meet you at Granny's in a couple hours?" She suggested. He smiled and kissed her tenderly.
"Can't wait," he said, as he kissed her again, this time, more passionately. They parted and she watched him go with a dreamy smile on her face, before heading for the school.
Charming saw Ruby running toward him, as he neared the station.
"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you," she said.
"What's going on?" He asked.
"A couple strangers checked into Granny's this morning...from out of town," she said nervously.
"You mean from outside Storybrooke?" he asked. She nodded.
"I even peeked when they were getting their stuff out of their car. It had Massachusetts license plates and I think they gave a fake name when they checked in," she replied.
"What makes you say that?" he asked.
"Because when the husband gave the name, the wife looked confused, like the name wasn't right," she explained.
"Do you remember the names?" David asked.
"Nathan and Linda Cook," Ruby answered. The first names tugged at his memory. They seemed familiar, but he couldn't place why and sighed.
"Okay...regardless, we need to act as if nothing is amiss. If they're from out of town, they'll probably come to dinner at Granny's. We'll be there too and you can point them out to me. We'll go from there," he said. Ruby nodded.
"And to think I used to complain that this town was boring," she joked. He chuckled.
"I could really use some boring for a change," he mentioned.
Granny's diner was bustling with the dinner crowd that evening. There were less missing fliers plastering the windows today, Snow noticed and that made her very happy. People were finding each other and happiness was slowly returning. Snow herself was happier than she could ever remember, albeit slightly guilty.
Outwardly, she was glowing, but she wondered how she would explain it to people once she started showing. How she was the unknowing recipient of a drop of true love potion that would allow her and only her to have children in the next eighteen years(never mind that the potion was created unknowingly with hairs from her and Charming).
Her eyes scanned the diner, finding her seven brothers there, all with mugs of beer. They would, of course, be overjoyed for her and Charming. She saw Archie with Marco and curiously, they both seemed reluctant to meet her gaze. She found that very odd and wondered if she had done something to offend them.
Red smiled at her from behind the counter and she smiled back. Red would always support her one hundred percent, as she was the closest thing Snow would ever have to a sister and Granny adored Emma, so she would naturally be excited with the news of their growing family. It was then that Snow realized that she would have happiness and acceptance from the people that mattered to her most and that was all that mattered. If anyone else had issues with her, then it was their problem. She was going to be happy.
"Mommy...can we get a booth?" Emma asked. Snow smiled and nodded. Their usual booth remained empty and they slid into each side. Ruby delivered two hot cocoas with cinnamon promptly and didn't miss the couple from out of town at a table nearby.
Ruby didn't like the way the man's eyes seemed to wander to Snow and Emma when he thought no one was paying attention.
Before she could say anything to Snow, Mr. Gold and a woman she didn't recognize came into the diner. Then she remembered Snow telling her about the psych ward incident earlier.
"Are you sure you're up for this?" Rumple asked worriedly.
"Rumple...I've been locked up for years. I want to interact with people again," Belle said, as she took his hands.
"I'm just worried. I'm not well liked and I don't want people to take that out on you," he said.
"Snow doesn't seem to hold it against me for loving you," she replied. He sighed.
"Belle...not everyone is as understanding as Snow White and her Charming," he warned.
"I can handle anything, Rumple. I'm not made of glass. Now, I'm going inside, because I want to meet my new friend's little girl," Belle replied. He smirked. As strong willed as ever.
"Well, I did promise you a hamburger," he relented, as they stepped inside.
"Belle!" Snow called. The brunette smiled and stopped at their table.
"This is my daughter Emma," she said.
"It's so nice to meet you, Emma," Belle replied.
"You too. I read about you in my book!" Emma said excitedly.
"Your book?" Belle asked, intrigued.
"Emma has a very special book. Maybe we could get together tomorrow afternoon. Being a book lover, I know she'd love to show you," Snow said. Belle nodded with a smile.
"I'd love that. I'll join you tomorrow after school," Belle promised, as she followed Rumple to their table.
In the few short hours he'd been in this town, Nathan had concluded that Storybrooke was weird.
The diner windows were plastered with missing persons fliers and he couldn't figure out how or why a small town had so many missing or lost people. Then it had only gotten more bizarre from there. The short men at the counter, laughing boisterously were calling each other by dwarf names that he recognized from the story of Snow White.
Finding little Emma had been easier than he imagined. She walked right into the diner and was greeted by name and he watched the raven haired beauty she was with sit down with her.
When Emma had called her mommy, he was skeptical. Emma was fair haired, but as he examined them, he could see matching features in their faces, notably their eyes, chins, and fair skin. And the question of Emma's fair hair was answered when a man walked in not long after the brunette they had been talking to left for her own table.
Tall, blonde, very fit, with handsome, chiseled features that would turn any woman's head. But it was the star displayed on the man's hip and the glimpse of the holster beneath the man's jacket that gave Nathan pause. Emma's biological father was the Sheriff in this crazy town and that made what he needed to do a whole lot more complicated…
David dropped a kiss on Emma's head, before he slid into the booth beside Snow, kissing her soundly on the lips, before handing her an envelope.
"What's this?" She asked.
"Open it," he replied. She did so and pulled out the thick sheet of paper, gazing at it. She looked up at him with watery eyes and he grinned. It was Emma's amended birth certificate. It now read Emma Ruth Swan Nolan, with David and Mary Margaret Nolan listed as her biological parents.
"I didn't know a piece of paper could make me so happy," she whispered, as she rested her head on his shoulder. He kissed her hair.
"Me either," he replied, as they watched their perfect little girl leaf through her book, just as Ruby approached.
"Let's see, grilled cheese for Emma, burger for David, and lasagna for Snow," Ruby said. Snow smiled.
"With a side of veggies for Emma and David and a side salad for me," Snow added to their order. Emma crinkled her nose at the word veggies and David chuckled.
"Coming right up. Oh and David, your two o'clock," she said cryptically. Snow looked confused and David glanced at a couple about two tables away.
"What is that about?" she asked.
"Don't stare, but Red says that couple checked into Granny's earlier from out of town," he whispered. Snow turned to face him and then used her peripheral vision to observe them. The man was obviously watching them, but trying to seem like he wasn't. His nervous mannerisms gave him away though, while the woman he was with seemed oblivious.
"It's not possible...unless they have a magical item, right?" She whispered. He nodded.
"As far as I know," he replied.
"Maybe we should get dinner to go," she fretted. He caressed her cheek.
"They're outsiders here. We're going to enjoy dinner with our baby. I'll keep an eye on them, but they would be stupid to try and get near my girls," he replied. She smiled and kissed him softly.
They enjoyed dinner as a family, just as he insisted, and he felt a little at ease when the couple paid their check and seemed to return to the bed and breakfast for the evening. It wasn't long after that they made the short drive home to the loft...
