Chapter 55
Jefferson laid on his back staring at the ceiling a smile on his face that just wouldn't leave. The curse was broken, he had Grace back, Aurora was not only alive, but she was his again. Really his this time, and she was laying right beside him.
She was sleeping on her right side her back up against his side. She was all but naked laying in her silk panties. Her head was resting on his out strength right arm and her left fingers were intertwined in his. Everything was perfect. He watched as she quietly slept. But after a few moments, her breathing started to grow deeper like she was running from something thing in her dream. Jefferson could see her eyes darting under her eyelids.
"No…No…" She muttered in her sleep. "Not again…" She started to twist away from him while she dreamed.
"Aurora," he leaned over taking her carefully in his arms. "You are dreaming. It's the aftereffects of the sleeping curse. It's alright you are safe."
"Fire… It's everywhere!" She moaned still sleeping.
"It's alright you are safe. I got you. Do you feel that." He asked wrapping his arms around her protectively. "I am right here Rory. It's not real."
"It's not real." She muttered still twisting in his arms like she was turning in circles trying not to touch the fire which surrounded her.
"You are safe Aurora, I promise you."
"I am safe with you." She whispered.
"Yes, you are, I got you. Now look to your right, there is a door can you see it?"
"A door on my right?" She paused and Jefferson held his breath hoping this trick would work. "Yes, but the fire is blocking it."
Jefferson laughed. "You are witch, wave your hand and make it go away."
"My magic doesn't work here."
"You didn't have your magic before. You can do it."
There was a long pause and then Aurora muttered, "It worked."
"That's my girl." He kissed her on the forehead. "Walk through it and you will have truly beaten the curse. Now walk out that door and that room will never haunt you again. You will have control over it. You can come and go from the dream world as you like."
Aurora didn't respond with words but her breathing returned to normal and rolled over in his arms to lay on his chest. She brought her right hand up and clutched at his chest right over his heart.
Her hand over his heart made him feel a little nervous for a moment. Regina always loved playing with the idea of taking his heart and had actually done it that night he thought he had lost Aurora. He relaxed back taking Aurora's right hand in his left giving it a kiss. But Aurora is no Regina, he thought before lowering it back into place over his heart, where it belonged.
He hadn't planned on sleeping. He had told Aurora he was going to watch over her so she could sleep without having nightmares, like the one he stopped her from having. The last thing he wanted to do was fall asleep and wake her with his own terrible screaming nightmares. But the light coming from the window woke him. Aurora was still laying on his chest and his left hand was still holding her right over his heart. He looked at the clock it was seven am. He had slept at least five hours without having a nightmare. He couldn't remember the last time he had slept that long without waking up in a cold sweat screaming about something horrible from his past.
He leaned down and kissed Aurora's forehead. Aurora smiled at the kiss moving slightly to look at him. "Good morning." She whispered before she broke into a yawn.
"I didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep it is still early."
"I may just do that!" Aurora pulled back and stretched a moment before laying back down on her side her back to him. "Unless you have other ideas."
Jefferson smiled wickedly as he rolled over his hands moving up her body. "You know I always will have other ideas, but what are you thinking?"
"I was thinking breakfast ideas," she laughed "But I like where your hands are going, so go on." She giggled as Jefferson kissed her neck.
"You must really like touching me there. Your hands keep come back to my hips." She teased
"Well, you never would let my hands properly explore this part of your body before."
"You have touched me there many times."
"Yes, but almost always with a layer of evil clothes in between my hand and your skin."
Aurora laughed. "I didn't realize clothes could be evil."
"They most definably can be when they are keeping you from such pleasures you have and are currently enjoying."
"Well if you put it that way then I agree." She turned giving him a kiss, her fingers playing at the scar on his neck. She felt him flinch when her fingers touched the scar. "I could make it disappear for you."
"Does it bother you that much?" He asked her.
"No, I love it."
"Love it? How can you possibly love it?"
"Because I am grateful you have that scar. It is the proof you are still alive, that you survived and can be here to kiss me." She kissed the scar. "But I know it bothers you."
"And I knew it would bother you." He muttered.
"It doesn't"
"Aurora."
"It doesn't I swear." She pulled back her fingers playing with the scar Rumple gave her in the Tower Room during her last training session with him. "I understand you want to keep it because it reminds you of a lesson you learned."
Jefferson moved closer. "I was terrified that day. I thought he was going to let you die, all because he thought I had slept with you." His fingers traced over her small scar recalling how he had held her while she almost bled out in his arms. He leaned his head against hers. "You really do understand me better than anyone else."
"And if you ever feel you don't need it as a reminder, I am here to make it disappear."
"It seriously doesn't bother you?"
"I love you; a scar isn't going to change that. Do you want me to remove it?"
"Not yet. I don't feel like I have earned to have it removed yet."
"You have nothing left to atone for you have Grace, and me back. You are free of Regina and Rumple."
"Cora left the scar for a reason. To remember how I choose to believe Regina and leave behind my daughter."
"You were doing it for your daughter."
"I told you before just because you believe something to be the correct action doesn't always make it so."
She nodded at him. "If you ever change your mind, all you have to do is ask me."
Jefferson looked at her a moment before smiling. "I love you more than you will ever know." Before she could answer he pulled her on top of him so her back was on his stomach. His left hand traveled up from her waist to her breast while his right hand traveled downward. He ran his fingers over the outside of her panties hard and fast which made her moan and arch up slightly to meet his hand. After a few quick motions, he felt wetness on his fingers through the thin material.
"Do you still want breakfast?" He whispered in her ear, "Or is it something else you want?"
"I want what I always wanted…" Aurora paused a moment biting her lip as Jefferson's fingers played at the lace on the top of her panties.
"What is it you always wanted?" he teased wanting to hear her say it.
"You." She finally got out the word.
Just then the doorbell rang.
"Who would that be this early?" She wondered sliding off to the side of him.
"Grace!" Jefferson exclaimed remember he had told them to drop her off first thing in the morning. He jumped up and looking for his clothes. "I don't understand why that child can't sleep in one morning?"
"Did you ever think she doesn't sleep in because she wants to come back home to you?"
Jefferson paused his pants half the way up to look at her. "I never thought about it that way before." He flashed her a happy grin.
Aurora smiled "Wait you can't wear those leather pants, this isn't the Enchanted Forest." And with a snap of her fingers, Jefferson was fully dressed in one of his Storybrooke outfits. "Do I have to sneak out the back again?" Aurora asked as the doorbell rang again.
"No, you are staying…" Forever Jefferson thought as he leaned over to kiss her softly on the lips. "I spent twenty-eight years here without Grace, or you, all by myself. I am never sending you away again. This bed, this house, they are ours now." He played with the ring on her finger. "Shower, clean up and come down for breakfast I want to break the news to Grace first. I don't think she will have a problem she loves you, but I just need to talk to her myself."
"I understand." She smiled as he kissed her again. She pulled back as the doorbell rang again. "Go… she is waiting."
He pulled back and rushed out the door. He ran through the living room and slid on the polished floor hitting the door. Spotting his vest and Aurora's corset on the floor from where they had thrown them last night he picked them up not knowing what to do with them he threw them in the closet.
"Grace darling!" He exclaimed throwing up the door and giving her a hug. "It is so good to see you again!"
"I was worried Papa, you don't usually take so long to come to the door." She followed him back inside and towards the kitchen.
"There is nothing to worry about in fact I have news to share with you. News, which I hope you approve of. News, that I hope you think is good. I am like 99% sure you will think it is a good idea. I…"
Grace took her father's hand. "You are rambling on like you are nervous. Tell me what it is papa?"
He looked down at his daughter a moment before dropping to his knees to be on her level. "I did something last night that will affect the rest of our lives and I didn't really get your opinion on it before I actually did it, but I think you have given me the approval more than a few times in the last few days..."
"What was it? You said it was good news? But you are starting to freak me out. Is everyone alright?"
"I asked Aurora to marry me." He watched as Grace's eyes grew big and she stood there a moment not saying anything.
"Oh, papa!" She screamed throwing her arms around him. "Please tell me she said yes!"
"Caught by the Hatter and thrown in a padded cell like some commoner. You must be beyond livid right now." Cora coldly commented appearing in the corner of George's cell.
"It wasn't Jefferson, it was his doctor friend and that stupid witch, Maleficent had to curse instead of killing."
"Yes, that seems to be us witches' faults. We curse when we should just save time and kill the people who hurt us. But then again if that was true you would be dead and maybe your wife wouldn't have killed herself when she realized she could no longer bare you an heir. Just think about it a moment. She may have remarried and been able to have children with another Prince or Lord if I hadn't cursed her for your infidelity."
"I should have taken out his loved ones first as your lesson taught me all those years ago."
"In my experiences, men do not learn their lessons quickly. They seem doomed to make the same mistakes over and over again. Are you ready to finally learn, and get what you want?"
"Are you going to free me from this cell?"
"Oh no, not today."
"I can't help you from inside this jail cell."
"You are once again incorrect. You will help me. You see you are going to have to earn that freedom and trip back to our realm. But first I need to know I can trust you this time."
"You two are really going to get married?" Grace asked as Aurora entered the kitchen.
"Yes, I said yes so quickly I didn't even give your father a chance to get the question fully out."
"That's right you did, and it was going to be a brilliant speech about how I would always protect you and fight for you until the end of time."
"Oh, I am sure it would have been amazing to hear. I mean you did grow up with Rumple and Hook as your father figures and we all know how over the top they can be."
"Me over the top. Never." He teased handing her a plate.
Aurora chuckled taking it and joining Grace at the table. "I do hope you approve of all this, Grace."
Grace looked from her father, then over to Aurora and back to her father as he joined them at the table, the bright smile never leaving her face. "Yes, yes I approve! I am so excited! Can I help plan the wedding?"
"Sure thing, it is something we will have to do together." Jefferson felt relief at his daughter's reaction.
"It can be one of the first things we do as a family!" Grace beamed as she dug into her scrambled eggs.
Cora left a note from George on the ground outside of Phillip's door. She knocked but disappeared before he could open it. He picked up the letter looking up and down the hallway, before taking it back inside with him and closing the door.
"A princess shouldn't be doing dishes." Jefferson came up from behind her making her put down the dirty dishes.
"It is Queen now, but we aren't in the Enchanted Forest. This is only a mansion, not a castle."
"Mansions are this world's castles, but even if we aren't back home, that doesn't mean I can't treat you the same way I would there. I can do it later."
"We can do it together."
"My lady," he teased, "please let me pamper you God knows you deserve it."
She smiled.
"What was that smile for?"
"You really haven't changed, have you? Still putting things off for later." she teased him back.
"I don't' know I think the young me would have just let you clean it all up." His laugh was cut short by Aurora who kissed him. "What was that for?"
"Just because I finally can."
"Yes, we can." He pulled her close kissing her as Grace walked into the kitchen.
"I know you two love each other but can you please go more than five minutes without kissing or else we are never going to get anything done around here." She commented as she placed her dish in the sink.
Aurora blushed and Jefferson laughed letting her go to pick up his daughter, "What my dear Grace is there that needs to be done? And don't you dare say the dishes, because we already agreed to put them off until later!"
"Victor."
"Jefferson? What are you doing here?" He quickly gave the paperwork back to the nurse. "I knew it had been too quiet all day. Is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine I need to ask you something." He looked around the busy hospital. "In private."
"Yes, yes of course. My office is down this way." He pointed down the hallway.
"Yes, I remember."
"OH, yes." He stopped a moment outside his open office door. "Wait, a second the keypad. How did you get down here? In fact, how did you get down here before to release Belle?"
"Regina's code." He started falling back into the chair in front of Victor's desk.
"Her code?"
"She is so predictable. It is Henry's birthday."
"You got it on the first try?"
"No third."
Victor raised his eyebrow.
With a huff Jefferson explained. "I tried the date of the first day of the curse and then her father's birthday. But my next guess would have been Daniel's birthday or death day, but I only know one of those, so lucky it was Henry's birthday."
"Alright, we are all alone what is you have to ask me?" Victor asked closing his office door.
"I need to know if you will be my best man again?"
"Best man?" Victor blinked in surprise. "You took Aurora back? Wait, you said best man, you asked Aurora to marry you?"
"Yes, and Yes." He looked at Victor suddenly feeling unsure of his actions. "I thought you would be one of the few people who would approve."
"Approve? Jefferson, I think it is fucking fantastic! Of course, I will be your best man." He hugged his friend close. "I am just surprised it took you this long to take her back!"
"I know I should have listened to you and my heart the night she showed up. I spent last night with Rory at my side, we shared our bed together again. I got to hold her, kiss her, make love to her."
"So, you two have finally done it." Victor raised an eyebrow at his friend. "The lights last night that was you two?"
"Oh God Yes!" Jefferson smiled. "It was amazing. Better than anything I have ever experienced before."
"God, that is saying something, because God only knows how many experiences you have had."
"And it is only going get better and be so far beyond amazing once she gets comfortable and more daring with the whole act. So, the question is when are you and Ruby going to finally…?"
"My dear friend." Victor moved closer putting a hand on his shoulder. "We did it last night too." His smile widened as he pointed to the mess of files on the floor. "She also stopped by again on her lunch break and well that is the reason half my files are back on the floor."
"No way, you didn't?" Jefferson laughed. "In your office, twice? The curse has changed you."
"It's changed us all." Victor stepped back going to his desk pulling out a bottle of MacCutcheon Scotch whiskey. "This calls for a drink."
"Yes, more than one, but just only one now." Jefferson took the glass Victor offered him. "You are working after all."
Victor held out a drink and Jefferson paused before he took it. "What could possibly be bothering you today of all days?" He asked him.
"I feel so guilty, feeling this happy again. Maybe the happiest I have ever been since my time in Neverland with Aurora."
"You shouldn't feel guilty."
"But I should. Alice had to die to make me free to be with Aurora now. Not a day goes by that I wish I could have saved Alice, but damn it, Victor, having Aurora back at my side again…" He trailed off shaking his head. "I should be ashamed of myself not happy."
"My friend." Victor once again placed a caring hand on his friend's shoulder. "I understand you completely. My pain and regret over Elizabeth, it never goes away. As you fully know I still miss her and I never will forget her, but it is our loss that makes us realize once we find that type of happiness again you must do whatever you can to keep it for as long as you possibly can."
Jefferson shook his head in agreement. "I want you to bring Ruby up tomorrow night to the manor and we can really celebrate then. We just have to celebrate because my life finally seems like a fairy tale you always called it. All my dreams have come true but one and with you, as my best man I am one step closer to my happy ending."
"To happy endings!"
"To happy endings." Jefferson agreed both they both drained their drinks.
After dinner, Jefferson had cleaned up the dishes while Aurora had taken Grace up to get ready for bed. He walked up to the stairway to Grace's room stopping just out of sight as Grace asked Aurora "What was your childhood like in the castle? I bet it was amazing."
He leaned back against the wall wanting to hear her answer. He had never pushed her about life before her parents were killed mainly because he didn't want her to push about his childhood.
Aurora stopped brushing Grace's hair looking at her in the mirror. "I don't remember much. I was only five when Maleficent killed my parents and I managed to get away with the Fairies."
"I am sorry, I shouldn't have said anything."
"No, it's alright. It is every girl's dream of being a princess, right?"
"Yes," Grace whispered.
"I remember servants waiting on me. Brushing my hair, picking out my clothes, I had a tutor for lessons. Mother was making me learn needlepoint and I hated it even then, way before I had Belle telling me how I was doing it all wrong, and Jefferson just breezing through it. OH! I had a pony. Now I know your father hates horses, but mine was beautiful. I learned to ride her before I could even walk."
"No way."
"I swear it." Aurora smiled. "Her name was Bloom and she was chestnut brown. One of her caretakers even taught me how to put these purple flowers in her mane. I put so many in that it looks like she had purple hair." Aurora giggled at the silly memory. "I used to daydream about how I could be the one to brush her hair and take care of her once I was big enough. I don't know what happened to her." I hope Maleficent didn't' kill her.
"And what was lifelike with the Fairies? Father always told me they were not to be trusted."
"Oh, he only says that because he grew up under Rumple's influence and Rumple hates Fairies for their part in his son leaving home." She ran the brush through Grace's hair again as her thoughts drifted back to her childhood. "But the Fairies who took me in risked everything to do so, they even gave up their lives to protect me. They taught me some healing spells and simple protection spells though I didn't get good at protection spells until my time with Rumple."
Aurora stopped brushing remembering her past. "They were very kind and caring they made me a cake for my seventh birthday. It was horrible because they tried to make it without magic…" she laughed softly. Flora and Merryweather would argue over the color of my dresses pink or blue but I always like Fauna's green the best."
"Is that why father got you that green necklace?"
"Yes, I let it slip one night over cards in Rumple's tower room, that green was my favorite color. Your father has a mind like a steel trap! He remembers everything and anything." Aurora gave her a tight hug. "In case you haven't figured that out yet."
"Trust me I know all about how he never forgets anything. This one time I had gotten into my mother's things and I had broken her favor tea set oh!" Grace stopped suddenly realizing maybe she shouldn't be talking about her mother in front of Aurora.
"Go on I bet he didn't let you forget about for weeks."
"He got so mad, I thought he was going to kill me. He wouldn't let me use real china again for months. He did glue it back together but because of the glue we could never use it again."
"Is it the one hanging in the kitchen?"
"Yes, that is the one."
"It really is quite lovely. Your mother had wonderful taste." Aurora smiled at her in the mirror. "I want you to know you should never worry about talking about your mother in front of me. She was very important to you and your father, and you should be free to talk about her, or her things, or adventures you all had without having to worry about me. I am here for you Grace, and I would do anything for you. But I don't want you to think I am here to replace your mother and banish her memory from this house or family."
Grace blinked back tears shaking her head yes, she whispered. "Did you ever meet my mother?"
"No, the night before your father was going to take me to see her world was the night, we both thought we lost each other. But I know your father knew her since they were young children, going on all kinds of crazy adventures, together."
"If it wasn't for Uncle Victor's drawings, I don't think I would remember what she looks like."
"Now that is something I can relate too. I lost my mother when I was five and for the longest time, I couldn't remember her face. In fact, the only reason I can see my parent's face clearly now is because of a painting your father and I stumbled upon in King Midas's Castle. Charming's mother was right in telling me that I looked just like her. So, enjoy those drawings, and keep them close. I bet you as you grow up into a young woman you will look just as beautiful as she did."
"Do you really think so?" Grace turned to face Aurora.
"I know so, you are already a beautiful little girl. And after the wedding, you can officially be a beautiful young Princess!"
"I will really be a Princess?" She asked still not believing it.
"Yes of course, what do you think once I marry your father, I will kick you out?"
Graced hugged her tight "Well the step-mother in fairy tales are not usually as nice and caring as you are."
"There are my girls!" Jefferson announced letting his presence be known as he enters the room.
"Papa!" Grace exclaimed jumping up and rushing over to jump into his arms. He carried her over and sat down on the bed with her on his lap.
"Look at your hair. Did Aurora use magic to get all the knots out?" He ran his fingers down her straight hair.
"No papa." Grace laughed.
"I just know how to use a brush better than you," Aurora smirked at him.
"Well, with all that hair I would hope you would be better at it." He picked Grace up under his one arm standing up as she broke into giggles. "I do believe Aurora can do your hair from now on. I resign."
Aurora stood so he could pull the covers down. He placed Grace down as she commented. "Maybe I can have something different than that little braid."
"What's wrong with the little braid in the front?" Jefferson raised an eyebrow at her.
"Nothing papa but I am going to be ten soon so maybe something new is called for."
"Yes, the big double digits. You are growing up so fast. I think I need to take you to Neverland. What do you think Aurora are you up for going back to Neverland?"
"Oh no, papa I want to grow up! I am so tired of being little."
"Sounds just like her father."
Jefferson laughed.
"I have to agree with Grace no Neverland."
"I thought you loved Neverland?"
"I did. But we can't grow our family in Neverland, and I know you promised Grace a little sibling after the wedding."
Jefferson gave a soft smile his mind remembering the night he had proposed to her and their drunken conversation in bed.
"Don't tell my dad but I love my name. Jefferson Jones. The J's just work so if we have a son I would like to name him Jamison. It's a good Irish name and sounds good with my last name."
"Jamison Jones…" Aurora rubbed her belly thinking about the whole idea of having a son with him. "I like it."
"You do?"
"Yes, it has a nice ring to it." She giggled still quite drunk, flashing her hand with her wedding ring on it, at him.
"Yes, a little sister… or brother." Grace exclaimed bring his thoughts back to the present.
"Well, then I guess I just have to get used to you getting older than." He playfully tapped her on the nose. "But now it's bedtime."
"Mother!" Regina jumped up as her mother reappeared in her vault. "Where have you been? I was worried."
"Making sure our allies will be ready to act, once we plan out our next steps. Did you see to the monster you have created?"
"I didn't create her, though I may have made her worse." Regina wrapped her hands around herself trying to warm herself up. "I don't think we can trust her, but one thing is certain, she will do her share of damage when we release her."