Hey everyone, I had this whole idea for a fanfiction in my head I had been wanting to get out for a while. I know it is a long prologue but I hope you all like it!
Years ago in the Enchanted Forrest…
Regina lived a perfect life with her mother and father, as it appeared on the outside. She was wealthy, had privilege but not the one thing she wanted, freedom. All she wanted was to live her own life and marry for love. Her father Henry showed support, but not him or Regina could escape the clutches of her mother Cora. She was determined to make Regina queen no matter the cost, and no was stand in her way.
As Regina grew up, she developed a love for riding horses, and a deeper ride for her instructor, and her family's stable boy Daniel. All the young couple wanted was to be together, start their own life together getting married, having their own stables, and one day maybe children. Cora would never have it. When Regina rescued the young princess Snow White, Cora accepted King Leopold's proposal for her. The young couple planned to run away together but were caught by Regina's mother. They thought Cora was going to use magic to keep them apart, what happened, was worse than Daniel and Regina could imagine, she ripped the young man's heart out, killing him right in front of Regina.
Two months later the wedding preparations between Leopold and Regina continue to happen, when Regina made an unsettling discovery… she was pregnant with Daniel's child. When she told her parents, she pleaded to let her keep the baby, tell Leopold she was pregnant and that he was the father. While her father believed the idea could work, Cora had other plans. Regina's parents sent her away during her pregnancy, explaining to the king she was ill and as soon as she recovered the wedding would continue.
Nine Months Later
"A little more milady, push." The midwife instructed as Regina screamed. She had gone into labor that morning, her parents were called and waited outside the room for the arrival of the child. "Good, good, go again." Regina continued in pain. "Almost, one more big push!" Regina let out one more agonizing scream, feeling the child slip through body then a cry. "It's a boy."
"A boy." Regina repeated, in a way clarifying what the midwife stated. "Daniel." Was what Regina decided to name her child if it was boy. It seemed deeming for the father he would never get to meet. "Please, let me see him."
The midwife almost obeyed but was stopped. "What do you think you're doing girl?" Give that child here." Cora stepped in with Henry taking the child.
"No mother, please. Let me hold him once, just once."
"Forget it Regina. You will not ruin your chances to be queen over some dead stable boy's bastard." A guard came in, Cora handing him the baby. "I will take the child in the wood's and kill it myself."
"What, no! Mother!" Cora left with the guard not looking back at her daughter's broken face. "No please, please!" She tried to get up and go after son.
"Regina, Regina no. No!" Henry held her back, he didn't want his little girl to be more hurt than she was if she went after the baby and both were killed on the spot.
"Daddy, please. Please." Regina pleaded if she could not save her boy maybe he could.
"I'm sorry, Regina. I'm so sorry." He would not. It would be dangerous if anyone tried to defy Cora.
"It's not fair daddy."
What no one knew, Cora lied. She would have killed the child but wanted to make sure no one would ever find this child, alive or dead. Cora secretly had a magic bean to open a portal, using it she took the boy throwing him threw to another realm. She did not know where, nor did she care, now no one would ever find this child and stop her daughter from becoming queen.
In another realm
It was eighteenth century France. Phoebus, and Esmeralda were happily married, and kept in touch with their best friend Quasimodo, who would continue to ring bells at the Notre Dame church. As the three walked down the streets of Paris, they were near a dark ally and they heard a small screeching noise coming from it.
"Do you guys here something?" Esmeralda asked the men.
"What do you hear?" Quasi questioned.
"Something in the ally." Esmeralda walked closer to the sound, the closer she got it sounded like a cry. When she reached it, was clear what she saw, "Oh my goodness, a baby!"
"Who leave an innocent baby in cold alleyway?" Phoebus wondered.
"Someone cruel." Gently Esmeralda picked up the baby she then saw a necklace, and note in the basket the child was in. "It says his name is Daniel. The necklace belonged to his father who died, and his mother could not take of him."
"Poor little boy." Quasimodo softly rubbed the boys head. "So, what should we do? His birth family is long gone now.
"I suppose we could turn him to the authorities tomorrow." Phoebus recommended.
"He'll just go straight to an orphanage. Those places are cruel." Quasi reminded. Even though his master Frollo was cruel, he knew if he went to an orphanage it would be just as worse.
"Well what else is there to do? Keep him ourselves?" Phoebus remarked, but Esmeralda's look on her face, she was not against it. "Dear, I was not being serious."
"Why not? It would be better than leaving him not knowing what kind of fate awaits him. We've talked about starting a family, maybe this is how we start." Esmeralda recommended
"You would really want to do this? Become parents, right here and now?" Her husband asked.
"I do. We'll give him an amazing life, with two parents, and his Uncle Quasi." A smile appeared on Quasimodo's face at Esmerelda's statement.
"This little boy would be so lucky to have you both as parents. I would be honored to be his Uncle, any questions about being taken in, I can help. What do you say Phoebus?" Quasi asked.
Phoebus could see the pleading look in his wife and friends smile. He did want to start a family, but he did not imagine it would be this way. He felt as though this boy's life would be hard, did he, Esmeralda, Quasimodo really make it easier? He continued to think to himself, this boy would have the chance to have two parents, more than their friend Quasimodo ever had, and their dear friend would help with any questions the boy would have being abandoned. Maybe this could work, hard and happy aren't mutually exclusive.
"Well I suppose we have a new addition to our little gang."
Esmeralda and Quasimodo smiled with delight. Quasi jumped and clapped while the husband and wife kissed over their new son. "You may have started off rough, but you be so lucky." Said Quasimodo to the baby. "Do you know what you're going to call him?"
"I kind of like the name Daniel he was born with, maybe we should stick with it." Phoebus recommended.
"I agree." Replied Esmeralda. "Welcome to our family Daniel."
The years passed on. Phoebus and Esmeralda were happily raising Daniel. It was unknown to the family; he was spitting image of his parents. He had his father's light brown hair, warm smile, his brown eyes, and long fingers, were all his mothers. Soon had another child, a boy named Zephyr. Nothing but bright blonde hair like his father and bright blue eyes like his mother. Quasimodo also found love in a girl named Madeline, and they had a baby girl, naming her after her mother and calling her Maddie. Born with golden blonde hair like her mother but had the kind blue eyes of her father. Raising their family's side by side, the children nor their parents wanted for nothing, and had a good life… but it soon came to an end.
A war broke out in France, it was if the whole world was falling apart. Phoebus and Quasimodo were first to go and fight, but it did not go as planned. Phoebus was severely injured… Quasimodo did not make it. It was clear France was no longer safe for anyone. All anyone could do now was find a way to stay alive. Esmeralda found a way, to escape but it would mean never coming back; the remaining parents agreed. What they needed now was to give the kids their best chance, even if it meant leaving home for good.
As parents fled the city with their children, guns continue to fire, people being shot dead in the streets. As the family ran a gunshot followed by a scream was too close… Phoebus and Esmerelda turned to see Madeline was shot. The couple tried to carry, but even they did she would bleed out before they good find help, she was dying. Madeline last words were for the couple to take care of her baby girl, let her know her parents loved her.
Phoebus and Esmerelda reached the outskirts of the city with the three children. Their once beautiful city, they once called home, was a place they no one recognized. Quasimodo and Madeline were gone, leaving their baby Maddie in the care of her Aunt and Uncle. They had to protect the kids, it was now or never.
"Are really doing this?" Phoebus was prepared but wanted make sure his wife was too for this tremendous sacrifice.
"Yes, we have no other option. It's not safe here anymore, for anyone." She gave a smug look to bring humor in light of this tragedy. "You're not getting cold feet, are you?"
"Never." He replied with the same smug look. "Anywhere we go, we can always face it together." He finished then couple then kissed.
"Ew." Both boys responded getting a chuckle out of the parents.
"Where will we go?" Phoebus asked his wife.
"Remember how I told you I wasn't from here?" Esmeralda reminded as her husbanded nodded. "Well a fellow gypsy I know, has a magic bean, and it can take us back to where I was born, before my mother brought me. A land called the Enchanted Forest." She threw the bean, and a large green portal opened. "Everybody hold on." The family grabbed hands, jumping into the unknown.
In the Enchanted Forest
Lady Belle's kingdom was in great danger through a war between them, and ogres. One they were not winning. After losing their beloved Queen Colette in the battle King Maurice was left with no other option and called upon the help of the infamous Dark One, Rumplestiltskin. Little did Belle know it would change her life forever.
She agreed to go with him as his housekeeper in exchange for protecting her kingdom. Employer and the help, that was how it started; soon they grew to care for one another. Rumplestiltskin saved her from the Queens of Darkness, built her a library. Belle could tell he had a whole in his heart, even if he denied it, she would always tell him even if he didn't believe it, he was not ugly, he was not a beast. It wasn't as simple as a friendship… they fell in love with each other. Both however were held back. Rumplestiltskin could never believe a young, kind, beautiful woman as Belle would love him, she knew behind the darkness there was the man, and she just wanted to help him get rid of it.
One kiss that was all it would take, to relieve Rumplestiltskin of his dark curse. Belle did kiss him, they did more than that, and retrieving to the master bedroom, sharing a passionate night of lovemaking. This time, when they kissed, his curse began to break, Belle was thrilled, Rumple not so much. He accused her of working for his former student, Regina or as she became known as, The Evil Queen. She had to be. A woman as beautiful, kind, and smart as her would never fall for a monster like him. Rumplestiltskin tossed her out; he couldn't let go of his power for love, too many broken hearts, too afraid, a coward, just like when he lost Balefire. She left that day, not coming back.
Belle considered going home, but she had been locked up long enough, it was time do what she always wanted, be a hero, and see the world. At a local tavern she came across an opportunity to defeat a horrid creature called the Yaoguai. With the help of Mulan, her tracking skills and a little bit of fairy dust, she turned the beast back into the Prince he was, Philip. Mulan became injured, as was the prince, and Belle almost fainted after returning Philip to his form, all three of them went to the doctor. Mulan and Philip were treated for their wounds; Belle on the other hand was different. She was not hurt, or sick… she was pregnant.
She now had a new beast to face, the father of her child. Her friends offered to go with her, but Belle insisted it was a mission she must do alone. However she did not make it far, the Evil Queen she met on the road she met once more, and this time, Regina did not let her go, she took the former maid back to her tower, lied to Rumplestiltskin to think she was dead, and never said a word about the child.
"Push milady!" The midwife demanded.
Belle screamed in agonizing pain. Nine months had passed; she was still trapped in the Evil Queen's tower. Her belly continued to grow with her little baby resting inside.
Regina would not exactly give Belle all of the proper nutrition and living conditions for a pregnant woman, but she did hire a midwife named Eleanor to check on Belle every few months. The midwife had been the only one to show Belle kindness. Would sneak her proper food, stay as long as she could to just keep her company, even drew a picture of Belle looking down at her pregnant belly for her to show her child. It was because of Eleanor, this child would come out healthy despite the conditions, Belle would be forever grateful.
Belle's water had broken that morning; she began banging on the door, for someone to come help. The Evil Queen called for the midwife and told a guard to stand outside for the delivery. While Belle was chained up when giving birth, she still did not trust that the bookworm could find a way to escape and run away. Regina would not say what she had planned for her and her unborn, but she was about to find out…
"Almost there. One last push!" Eleanor demanded one last time.
Belle gave all her strength bearing down to bring her child into the world. Collapsing on her prison cot when the pressure was gone, her screams were replaced with the sounds of newborn's cries.
"Congratulations Belle. It's a healthy baby girl." Eleanor placed the squirming infant into the mother's arms.
Belle looked down at this new little person she brought into this world. She was beautiful. Blood and placenta covered in all. When she opened her eyes and looked up at her mother, stopping her crying, Belle swore this child knew who she was. She only wished Rumplestiltskin could be here to see their newfound daughter. He would love her, as much as he loved his long-lost son.
"She's perfect." Belle's tears now were not from pain, but from happiness. "Breath taking."
"Have you thought of a name for her?" Eleanor questioned.
"Rose." Belle responded. "Rose Colette. Her father gave me one once. As beautiful as she is. Colette is her middle, after my mother." She continued to stare down at her new baby as she talked. "My sweet rosebud."
"A lovely name." Said the midwife.
"Yes, she is a true beauty, just like her mother. Congratulations dear." The words might have been kind, but with a vicious undertone. Both ladies knew who it came from, the Evil Queen. She used her magic to send Eleanor back to her home, the woman was no longer any use.
"Stay away from my daughter." Belle's grip on tightened around Rose.
"Don't worry dear, I have no intentions of hurting your girl." Explained Regina. "Quite the contrary. I'll be taking her myself."
"Never." She held onto her child for dear life.
"It's so cute you are such a worried mother. However, I when I said I was taking her, I wasn't asking." Stated the Queen.
"Sorry to interfere with your plans your majesty; but the only one taking that child is me." A woman appeared out of nowhere, in a long black dress, a wand in her hand, with a conniving look on her face.
"Who the hell are you?"
"The Black Fairy. She's from a dark realm, stealing babies from their mother's arms."
"You remember from our last encounter; you really are a clever girl."
"Please, please I'll do anything either of you want, just leave my daughter alone." Belle went from protective to pleading.
"Oh, but your daughter is so special, has such potential. That she will never reach with you. You never deserved her father, why would you deserve her?"
Regina was prepared to fight this woman conjuring a fireball, but this ruthless queen, was no match. The fairy pushed her into the wall, then approaching Belle, ripping the child from her arms.
"No please no!" Belle attempted to reach for baby girl, regardless being chained. "No Rose, Rose!" She screamed for her child as the Black Fairy flew into the sky. When Regina was up on her feet, Belle pleaded. "Please, please, there has to be a way to follow them! Rose is in more danger there than you can imagine, please we must go after her!" She was so desperate; she was even prepared to work with the woman who held her captive for months.
"Oh don't worry, I will go after her. No one comes into my castle, threatens me, and gets away with it." Regina used her looking glass to summon the dark realm. "I will get that girl back. When I do, you will have nothing do with her. Rose will be mine."
Belle was about plead once again when Regina froze her in place, when she came to, the queen and the looking glass were gone. Belle laid herself down on the cot, crying herself to sleep. Rose was gone, even if Regina succeeded in getting her back, it would be her mission in keeping her and her baby apart. All she wanted to protect her baby. Belle had hoped to send her daughter to father and hold out for the day she and Rumplestiltskin would be reunited. Maybe even to her own father Maurice, anything would have been better than this. Now her family was torn apart, just as Rumple lost his first family.
In the dark realm
The Evil Queen had heard of this place but never been, now she could see why. The place was cold, the prisons were worse than hers at her castle, around every corner, people were in tears, looking broken. This fairy was evil as people said, and Regina would be lying if she said she was not impressed. For now, she had to focus on a mission, finding the girl.
Regina saw a young adult woman walking towards her, she pulled the woman aside to prevent anyone else noticing her and reporting to the Black Fairy. "I won't hurt you, if you tell me what I want to know." Said Regina as she saw the woman feared her in her eyes. "I'm looking for a infant girl, Rose, where is she?"
The woman stuttered as she spoke. "There—there is a girl named Rose here, but she is not a baby. She is thirteen now."
"Impossible, she was just born today." Explained Regina.
"Time—time works differently here." Explained the woman. "She may have been gone for a short time to you—but it has been years here."
It was surprising for Regina to hear. It had been mere minutes for her but years for the girl, years. The torture Rose has been through, she could not even imagine. Even with her, Rose would have better life. Regina was now more determined than ever to find her.
"Where is she?"
"In her cell, up head and to the left. Be careful—it is near the Black Fairy's chamber and mistress will come for you immediately once she notices the girl is gone and she will."
Regina could tell who the woman was talking about she called mistress. It was clear it she had to be careful; her demeanor lowered, and she released the hold she had on the woman for a while. "Your help noticed. Now go and tell no one you saw me."
The lady obeyed and fled. Regina made her way and saw the girl in the cell. She appeared to be sleeping, Regina took a moment and gazed at the child's appearance. She was pretty but could was thin through malnourish. Regina noticed bruises on arms, one on her leg, and big one on her forehead. No question who gave her the markings. Rose had long brown hair just like Belle's. She also had her facial features. Her long fingers, and ears, she saw them every time she met with Rumplestiltskin. Regina put the girls birth parents out of her mind and focused on her mission.
"Rose, Rose dear wake up."
When she woke Regina noticed first her eyes, not blue and sharp like Belle's, but brown and warm. Regina never saw it on her former teacher, but she knew it came from him. As Rose took in the woman's appearance her first instinct was fear. Could tell she was powerful and reminded Rose of the Black Fairy.
"Don't be afraid." Regina said in sweeting voice smiling. "I'm not going to hurt you."
"Who—who are you? What do you want?" Rosie still spoke in fear.
"My name is Regina. I am here to take you to somewhere better. You will never suffer again, if you come with me."
Rose was hesitant hated leaving everyone else here to suffer while she left. She knew one thing, the Black Fairy treated her differently than her other prisoners. She always said she had "special plans" for Rose, never said exactly what they were, and she did not want to find out. Rose always cared about helping the other souls here, never put herself first, maybe it was time to change that. Instead of helping others with their lives and fate, think of her own. Rose grabbed her things and followed Regina.
"How are we going to escape?" Rose asked.
"I came through a looking glass. I am certain she has one here, but I need to know where." Said Regina
"I do." Rose told. "She has a vault where she keeps magical items. There is a looking glass in there."
Regina smiled "Lead the way dear."
The two ladies made their way to vault, careful to avoid anyone seeing them that could tell the Black Fairy. When they got to their destination, Regina noticed the magical items were impressive, more than she had in her castle and some she never seen before. Rose pointed to the looking glass; Regina used her abilities to conjure her castle for the two of them to walk through.
"Okay this is it, ready?" Regina asked the child.
Rose nodded. "I'm really going to leave this place, and be free?"
"Yes, you will never be a slave to this woman again."
"Let's go."
As Regina and Rose held hands as they were about to walk through, when a burst of magic pushed the looking glass aside, no question who it was from.
"Quite an impressive escape attempt, dearie." Said the Fairy. "Not impressive enough to work."
"How did you find us?" Asked Rose.
"Nothing goes on here without me know." The Black Fairy then drew her attention to the Evil Queen. "I must admit, I didn't think you would follow. Perhaps there is more in you than I realized."
"Your mistake underestimating me." Said Regina.
A fight broke out between the two evil women. The queen began to throw fire balls, only one glazing the fairy as she dogged the others. The fairy blasted her magic knocking down queen, struggling for her to get up.
"You are a powerful sorcerer, but not powerful enough." Now the Black Fairy conjured her own fireball. "Pity you never got you're happy ending."
Then a sudden blast of magic threw the dark fairy across the room. As she attempted to get up a magical bind came up, preventing her from moving forward. Regina noticed Rose's hands glowing… the magic came from her.
"You have powers?" This was not something Regina expected from the girl.
"Yes, I was born with them. Mother insisted I learn and use them." Rose then turned the woman she was forced to call mother for far too long. "Now it appears the student surpassed the master."
"You won't get away with this Rose! I will succeed in my plans and you will assist me whether you want to or not!"
"I'm done listening to you mother." Rose said her final words. "No one decides my fate but me." She then went to Regina helping her up. "Now let's go."
The woman and teen made through to the other realm. It was only hours for Regina, but it felt like longer. The queen then looked at the girl, what happened in the dark realm still plagued in her mind. Not only did Rose have magic, but she defended her to the Black Fairy. Rose was put off by the new environment she was in. Everything was so clean, looked beautiful. She was finally free, and it was thanks to Regina. Neither of these ladies had anyone to stand up for each other the way they had just now.
"Are you okay?" Rose asked now acknowledging when the Black Fairy hurt her during the fight.
"Yes, I'm fine." Answered Regina. "Are you okay?" Addressing this now major adjustment for the young girl.
"Yeah, I am. Thanks to you." Rose replied. "You—you saved me."
"I—" Before Regina could get a word in, she was taken back by Rose wrapping her in a hug. The queen could not even remember the last time she was hugged. This actually felt nice to her, someone not seeing her as a monster.
"Thank you. Thank you." Tears began to form in her eyes. As grateful as she was for someone to care for her, Rose did not want to be a burden. "I—I will forever be in your debt, if you need me. I will not make you do anymore for me. I—I'll go now." Rose grabbed her things beginning to walk away.
"Where will you go anyway?"
"I don't know, I can go anywhere now. Maybe I can find a place that will let me do some work for them."
"You don't have to. I mean—you've spent your whole life alone, having to take care of others and look out for just yourself. You deserve to have someone take care of you for a change."
"Like what you mean, find my parents? I have wanted to do that as long as I can remember but won't work."
"Why not?"
"My so-called mother placed a spell on me when I was young. So that no form of magic could be used to find them. All I have left is a picture, a necklace, and book with an inscription inside."
Regina did sympathize with the girl, but Evil Queen inside of her was relieved. Now there was no way for Rose to trace Belle, or the Dark One. No one could find who this girl was or trace back to what she did to her. Regina looked at the things Rose brought she just told about. She saw the necklace, remembering always seeing it around Belle's neck. The picture was of Belle very pregnant, thinking the only person who could draw that was her former midwife. Then she noticed the book, remembering Belle did have it in her cell reading it from time to time. The title was Her Handsome Hero and read the inscription inside.
"To my child,
Never let anyone decide your fate but you. I will always love you.
-Mother
"I see where you got the saying no one decides my fate but me. Well I am offering the chance for you decide your fate now. You are welcome to stay; you don't owe me anything. I can give a good life, you would have your own bedroom, own carriage, you would be able to use your magic the way you want to. You could have a place to call—home."
"You really want me to stay here?"
"I do."
Rose was silent for minute thinking about the offer. She was hesitant at first, Rose grew up with other people; but no matter how many times her and the others would try to look out for each other, the Black Fairy would always tear them apart, hurt them for even trying to stand together or against her. Rose grew costumed to only looking out for herself, no one has ever looked out for her before. It seemed no one ever done that for Regina either. Maybe what the two of them needed was each other.
"It might be nice to stay here. Maybe the two of us can look for each other."
"I would like that very much."
The Evil Queen and the young sorceress hugged in their new arrangement.
Several days had passed, on the other side of the kingdom, Snow White and Prince Charming were planning for curse the Evil Queen had attended to cast along with the help of their allies. In their castle lived their friends Phoebus, Esmeralda along with their kids Daniel, Zephyr, and Maddie. Snow met them when she was on the run, and the family told their story of escaping a war from their land. They all soon became of band of six; always together and aided Snow in taking her kingdom back from Regina. After Snow and Charming got married they let the family of five move in with them. Esmeralda teaching dance to children in the local village, Phoebus became captain of the guard of the castle. Daniel even got his own horse he called Wildfire. Snow and Charming lived quiet childhood's, small families, it was nice to have a full home with a big family they always wanted.
As the curse grew closer, something grew in Daniel's mind. His parents sat him down and told him of his adoption when he was seven. He never felt unloved or unwanted in his childhood. His parents gave him a wonderful life, but it did not change the questions he had about his biological family. Why couldn't his birth family take care of him? Why did they just leave him in an alleyway? Did they ever love him? He couldn't go his whole life without answering these questions. Especially now, if this curse happened, he wanted to know the truth before he forgot everything he knew. It's why he sat his parents down asking for their blessing to find his birth family. Their response was they needed time to think about it.
"Phoebus, what should we do?" Questioned Esmeralda.
"I—I know this hard; but we knew this day was going to come. If we don't help him now, he's going to do it on his own one day. I think we should him find his birth parents." Phoebus replied but could see his wife hesitating. "You think otherwise?"
"I know your right. I'm—just scared. What if he chooses his birth family over us?"
"We have to believe that we raised Daniel the right way that he'll always come back to us. I believe he will. Do you?"
"I do. It just doesn't make this any easier."
"This never was going to be easy dear. Let me ask you a question though. If Maddie had the chance to be with Quasimodo and Madeleine again, to have more time with them; I would want her to take it. Wouldn't you?"
"Of course, I would."
"So why is Daniel any different?"
The next day the family along with Snow and Charming met with the Blue Fairy. As scary as this was for the family, Phoebus was right. Daniel would this one day no matter what. It would be better for him to do it with the support of his loved ones, than going on his own behind their back. With curse coming who knew when they were going to get the chance again. It was time.
"Alright, are you sure you want to do this?" Blue asked the boy.
"Yes I'm ready." Daniel said determined.
Blue looked to his family, his parents nodded, and she began. She waved her wand above his head. Then images began to appear, telling of Daniel's life story. The one thing none of them expected to see… was the Evil Queen.
"Isn't that—?" Young Zephyr began to ask. He had only seen the woman in the image a handful of times, and almost didn't believe it.
"Regina. " Charming finished that sentence.
"It appears so." Even Blue was stunned.
"Wait does—does, does that mean she's my birth mother?" The look on the Blue Fairy's face, told the answer. "I don't understand."
"Neither do I." Said Esmeralda. "How is that possible?"
"She met and fell in love with her family's stable boy Daniel. When—" Blue didn't need to say it. They all knew Snow told the secret how it cost Regina dearly. "When her mother found out about them—she killed Daniel." The image of Cora crushing Daniel's heart appeared.
"My own grandmother killed my father?" Questioned Daniel.
"I'm sorry Daniel." Blue offered her condolences.
"Ms. Blue Fairy I thought the Evil Queen did not have children." Little Maddie recollected the stories she was told.
"I thought not either dear. It appears her mother Cora sent her away when she was pregnant, so one would find out." Blue explained.
"They put off the wedding for a year." Snow White remembered. "Because Regina fell ill." Now it made since.
"But, what happened?" Daniel was almost afraid to ask the specific question. "Why did they give me up?"
"You weren't exactly given up, Daniel." Blue explained gestured to the images above.
It was shown Regina had just given birth. Cora taking the baby away, Regina fighting to go after him, to no avail. Then being thrown into a portal to another land. Daniel stood there, no words, Phoebus and Esmeralda feeling horrible for their son and grandson. His young siblings trying to comprehend what had just happened. Blue horrible just having showed, Charming completely dumbfounded, Snow, an enormous amount guilt.
"I—I wasn't given up. I was taken from her." Daniel stated.
"That's we saw found you in the ally. When you came through you just appeared there." Phoebus realized.
"I wouldn't wish for anyone to loose their child like that, not even Regina." David acknowledged.
"I feel like we tore apart a family." Esmeralda expressed her feelings
"Not you, me." Spoke Snow. "I did this. I told her secret, and that's why Regina has blamed me all these years. She lost her love, and her child, because of me." This was also a family of someone she cared about. "I'm so sorry Daniel."
"This isn't your fault Snow, it's Cora's." He would not say grandmother; she was not worthy of that title. "No in here destroyed that family expect her. Mom, dad, you said when I was little it didn't matter whose blood ran through my veins, you still loved me? Is that still true?" He never felt unsure than he did, knowing he was the son of a villain.
"Of course, it is." Esmeralda wrapped her son in her arms kissing him on the forehead.
"We have never cared son, and we still don't." Added Phoebus placing his arm on Daniel's shoulder.
"You'll always be my big brother. No matter what." Zephyr hugged Daniel.
"We love you do Daniel." Maddie followed her family's example.
"I love you guys too; and I'm glad you all feel that way… because I am going to meet her."
No one was thrilled with the idea of him going especially alone, but he insisted. Regina was already going to recognize him, if they all went, she could think it was an ambush. It had to be only him. Daniel knew this was a risk, but he had to this, on his own terms, for no one but himself.
At the castle Regina and Rose had been enjoying their time together. She introduced the girl to her father Henry, and he began caring for her like a granddaughter. Rose told stories of her life in the dark realm, Regina listening expressing great empathy for what the child went through. Regina told the story of her lost love, that she did horrible things and how she wanted to go to a new realm to start over with Rose and her father. She never said they would be getting there through a curse, but Rose was intrigued going to a new realm. All three were beginning to feel like a family. Regina and Rose were interrupted when the guards came up with a boy who approached the castle.
"Your majesty, this young boy rode up to the front of the castle, wishing to speak with you. He said he wouldn't leave until he did." The guard spoke holding onto Daniel.
Regina observed him, then placing a name with a face. "Yes, gypsy and soldier's eldest boy. Your alone?"
"Yes. My family knows I am here, but they are not coming. I also have no weapons on me." He held up his hands as proof.
Regina waited a moment before her answer. "You may leave us. Rose dear, would you also please give me and this young man some privacy." Rose agreed the guard released the boy, the two then walking away, now all that was left was the Evil Queen, and a peasant boy. "So, what is so important you wanted to discuss with me?"
"Uh—" He wasn't sure how to answer. How do you do you tell someone they are their long-lost son? "This might sound odd, but, fourteen years ago. Did you have a child stolen from you?"
That struck a nerve with the queen. "Who told you this? Is this why you came? To torment me, throw me off course for my plans?"
Daniel tried to clear things up, "No, no one sent me—"
Regina lifted him into the air with magic, then choking him. "Enough! Whatever your planning to I will not work, I will not be fooled by a child!"
"It's me, I'm your son." He struggled to get between breaths.
"My son is dead!" Regina shouted still in denial.
"I can prove it!" Daniel doing the best he could took his necklace, tearing it off, throwing it to the ground.
Regina glancing down, sees the necklace remembering. "Daniel's necklace. I kept it after he died." She stopped chocking the boy dropping him to the ground as he gasped for air. "And I put it, in the basket, he was taken it." It was not a lie, or a trick this was all true. "It's really you."
Regina placed a hand on his face, as if needing to physically touch him to make sure he was real, as he looked her in the eye, finally understanding the truth.
They sat in her chambers sipping tea, telling the story of their separation, how she always believed he was dead, and how, where he grew up. It felt incredibly awkward, but it was a nice awkward.
"We've been living with Snow and Charming for a while. My parents—" He stopped there, seeing the look Regina got in her face, he did not want to upset her. "My adopted parents and siblings. My adopted father is head of the guards for the castle, and my mother teaches dancing to children in town."
"Do they—know that you're my son?" Regina questioned, almost thinking if they knew the whole time and purposely kept them apart.
"We all just found out today. None of us knew anything until today." He wanted to keep as much blame off of his adopted family as possible.
"You were—happy? You had a good life?" It almost pained Regina to ask. Thinking her own child could have a better life than what she wanted to give him, but also wanted him to have one without him.
"I did. I never felt abandoned or unwanted. I was taken in by a family that loved me."
"I'm glad. If I had known you were alive—"
"I know, I don't blame you. My adopted family, they're okay with my being here. They want us to, have a relationship."
"Is that—is that what you want?"
"I do. I want to get you know, take it, one day at a time."
"I want that too. To finally be a family again."
The mother and son hugged each other for the first time in fourteen years. This was not awkward it did feel right. Regina was haunted by the loss of her lover and son for so long, she now the hole in her heart was beginning to fill again. Daniel, after many years of questions unanswered, was resolved, and he had a peace of mind. They could be the family they wanted to be.
"Regina, Rose said you were in here speaking to someone." Henry came into the chambers with the girl interrupting the mother and son moment. "Who is this young man?"
"Daddy." Regina walked over to her father. "This is Daniel."
It took the man a moment to put the pieces together; once he did a smile broke on his face. "You mean—"
"Yes daddy, he's come home." It then dawned on Regina she needed to properly introduce the two. "This is your grandfather, Henry."
Daniel then smiled, now he not only had a mother but grandfather. "It's nice to meet you sir." He offered a handshake
Henry was not going to give his long-lost grandson a mere handshake, he responded by wrapping the boy in a hug. "Daniel, we thought we never see you again."
Regina then introduced her son to the girl. "This is Rose. I rescued her from the dark realm. She's been staying with me."
"It's nice to meet you. Your mother is incredibly kind. She took me in when I had no one else." Rose spoke.
It was surprising to here after all of the misdeeds Regina did over the years. Maybe this meant she really could have a second chance. "That is wonderful to hear she helped you." Said Daniel.
"It'll be nice to have you apart of this—family." Rose tried to find the right words to describe what their little gang was called.
"That's all I want, to build a relationship with this family." Said Daniel.
"And we will. When I take us to this new realm, it will just be the three of us. No one will separate us ever again." Regina stated.
"What?" Daniel wanted to be sure he heard her right.
"When we go this new land. We will have the life we were meant to help." Regina repeated.
"What, no! I—I don't want that." Daniel was afraid Regina was going say this at some point in their conversation
Regina then became confused. "You just said that—"
"I do want to build a relationship with you, but not like this. I don't want to leave my parents siblings—"
"I'm your parent. Rose can be your sibling, and you have a grandfather."
"Phoebus, Esmeralda, Zephyr, and Maddie are my family as much as you are. They've been there my whole life—"
"I thought you were dead! I was tricked, I would have been there for you."
"I know, but we cannot change the past. We can make a future though, you, Henry, Rose my adopted family, we can all be together. Please." Daniel was practically begging.
Regina took a minute before answering. "No. I lost fourteen years, I will not lose anymore, and I will not share you with anyone."
Rose jumped in wanting to help settle to conflict. "Regina, I know this is hard, but sharing Daniel won't be too bad. It's better than—"
"Be quiet Rose! This doesn't concern you!"
"I'm only trying to help."
"You're a dark tainted orphaned girl I knew that the minute you were born, you cannot help!"
Rose noticed something in Regina's comment. The minute you were born it did not add up. "We only met a few days ago. How could you know anything about when I was born unless—" It then clicked in Rose's mind. "Oh my god. I knew you did bad things but—you did something to parents. Then the Black Fairy took me, and you only followed so you could take me which is probably what you wanted to do in the first place isn't?!" When Regina didn't respond, Rose had her answer.
"This new realm she wants to take us to Rose. She isn't going there to start over. She wants to cast curse to take us there, letting everyone leave miserable lives." Daniel told the truth.
Rose was beginning to form tears in her eyes. "I—I thought you were different. I thought you actually cared about me."
Regina walked forward cupping the girl's face in her hands. "I do care about Rose. I love you—like a daughter."
"Then prove it! If you know my birth parents, you can find them without magic. Please, help me find them!"
Regina would not answer the girl. If she wouldn't obey her son's desire, she would not do the same for who she considered her adopted daughter. "I love you both, too much to share you with anyone. I will not give you up."
"So—so that's it? My adopted family is willing to share me but not you. Rose wants you and her birth family, but you won't help."
"Are you really going to make us choose?"
"Yes. You two can either stay, we can be the family we were meant to be. Or I will let you both leave right now. Choose, me or them."
Daniel may not have answered immediately, but he didn't think about his answer, there was no choice. "Them."
"What?" Regina couldn't' believe it.
"Them." Daniel repeated. "I will always choose them. Now, I believe we're done, and I will leave." He looked to Henry. "I'm sorry, I would have liked to be apart of this family."
Regina was devastated. She didn't want to lose either of these children. "Rose?" Hoping her answer would be different than Daniel's.
"No. I will not stay with someone who lied to me. I'm sorry too Henry."
"Where will you go?" It didn't matter if the girl didn't stay with Regina, she was still an orphan with no family.
"She can come with me." Daniel offered. My family, Snow, Charming they'll be willing to take her in. Rose do you want to?"
Rose could see the look in Regina's eyes, pleading for the girl not to go. Rose almost didn't want to, Regina was kind to her, but it didn't take away what she did to her in the past. "Yes, let's go."
"Why?" This was something Regina never understood and wanted to know. "Why does everyone choose someone else, over me?"
"Because true family, would never make you choose. Goodbye mother."
"Goodbye Regina."
The teenagers left not looking back. All the dreams these two had of being a proper family, were now gone.
"Regina." Henry didn't know exactly how to comfort his daughter in this. Losing her son once again and a girl she considered a daughter. "Do you want me to send guards to go after them?" Henry did not think it was a good idea, but he was willing to try for his daughter.
"No. They made their choice. And I will find a way to get them back. One way or another."
Daniel returned back to his family with Rose and told the story of what happened at the castle. Snow and Charming were fine with the girl staying with them for time being. Everyone was devastated to hear what she had been through and Regina making her pain worse. No had no any issue having Rose stay.
Daniel was not one to break down often in tears, when he did; it broke his family's heart. Esmeralda was furious, she really had hope offering Regina a chance with Daniel would change her, Daniel could have the family he wanted, Snow did as well. Charming and Phoebus were not surprised, she was offered too many chances to change, and refused each one, this one, no different. Zephyr and Maddie felt for two teens also. All they could do was just be there for brother and his new friend. Let them know at least they were not going anywhere.
There was nothing more to be done now. Daniel knew the truth, but his dreams of a big happy family backfired. Rose was free, but any chance of finding her parents were gone. What was to come of these teenagers when the curse was cast.
Storybrooke 28 years laster
Regina succeeded in casting her curse. Now she was a little town in Maine she called Storybrooke. She was the mayor, and everyone was sentenced to miserable lives like the one she lived for so long in the Enchanted Forest. Snow White was timid schoolteacher named Mary Margret. Her prince charming going by his little-known birth name David, was in a coma in the hospital. Rumplestiltskin had his power, owning the town, but the student and former teacher respected the deal they made and minded their own business. Phoebus and Esmeralda were now known as Patrick and Erica. They were still together; Peter own the stables in town and Erica was music teacher at the school. They had their two children Zephyr and Maddie. Regina wanted to do one thing by her son and keep his adopted family together. Above all else Regina got Daniel and Rose back.
Daniel was considered the golden child. He was thirteen and in eighth grade; liked by all of his classmates, got amazing grades, never caused any trouble. He was not interested in playing sports, but he took an interest in the stables. He had his own horse he goes every day to take care of, and ride whenever he could. Like father like son Regina thought to herself, and no inkling of the past relation between Phoebus and Esmeralda.
Rose was different story. Like Daniel was also thirteen and in eighth grade, but was adopted, knowing nothing about her birth family. Rose had nothing of her dad, and only a book, necklace, and drawing from her mother that she kept in a box under her bed. She did cause trouble, but not picking on children or causing issues in town. She would get in fights for standing up for other children, and often called out teachers if they were not correct in class. The girl was too smart for her own good. She had huge passion for reading, grew more fascinated by plays and grew to love music. You could often hear her singing in the shower.
Regina cared for her children but was still not satisfied. She felt something was missing. Regina decided to expand her family and adopt. She was interested in a baby boy she heard about, but discovered he had a twin sister. Not wanting to separate the babies she adopted them both. She named the boy Henry, after her father, and the girl Sarah. Her name Regina meant queen, and Sarah meant princess she always said if she had girl, she would name her Sarah. Now the twins were ten years old.
Sarah was the quiet child. She never wanted to cause trouble, more often than not keeping her head down. She had blonde hair and hazel eyes. Sarah had one thing she enjoyed, and it was her art. She loved carrying her notebook and drawing it. Drawings of her siblings, as her twin brother grew fond of fairytales, she started drawing her own pictures of castles and dragons.
Henry was the other troubled kid in the family. He was considered the odd ball, thinking outside the box, pushing the limits which most people in Storybrooke found crazy. He had hazel eyes like his sister twin, but instead brown hair. He loved science-fiction and fairytales and became borderline obsessed with them. He imagined his older brother as a brave knight, his sister a powerful sorcerer, and him and Sarah a prince and princess.
The twins found out they were adopted a couple years prior. Henry became curious to find his birth mother. Sarah had always wondered, but never had the courage to want to follow through; once Henry got the ball rolling, she followed through. This also got Rose interested in finding her biological family. Daniel knew his biological family, his father and grandparents were gone, but he wanted to know more about his backstory. His mother did not talk much about it much. Each of the Mills children, wanted to know where they came from.
"This is it I found her! Guys I found her!" Henry shouted with joy, getting his siblings to join him in his and Daniel's room.
"Who did you find?" Daniel asked coming from downstairs. His mother was not home, and he was babysitting.
"My mom. Or mine and Sarah's mom. Her name is Emma Swan." Answered Henry.
"Emma Swan." Sarah said it out loud almost to confirm it was real. "It says she lives in Boston."
"We can go tomorrow! I'll look up bus tickets!" Henry began the process.
"How are you guys going to pay for that?" Daniel then realized it wasn't the first question he should ask. "How did you even pay for this without mom finding out?"
Sarah brought out a credit card from her pocket. "It's on Ms. Blanchard." She spoke of her teacher. When she and Henry began this process, they knew they couldn't use their mom's card, they get caught. Their mom only put's limited money on their older siblings and reads their statements. This was the only way.
"Sarah are you really okay with this?" Daniel asked. As quiet as his sister was, he knew Henry wouldn't do this without her.
"Not really." Replied Hope. "I know we're going to get in a lot of trouble, but this means a lot to Henry. I also—kind of want meet Emma too." Sarah smiled as did Daniel. He never seen the side of Sarah going after what she wanted, he was proud of it.
The three heard the door open downstairs. "It's me!" Rose shouted. Daniel, Henry, and Sarah breathing again after moment. The last thing they wanted was Regina to discover what they were all doing.
"We found our mom Rose; her name is Emma and she's in Boston." Sarah caught up her sister.
"That's great." Rose then addressed the documents in her hands. "I went in to get the paperwork when mom went on lunch break." She then focused on just Daniel. "This here tells me who my birth parents are, and background on your family history."
"Well what are you guys waiting for open it!" Henry was eager with curiosity.
"Henry take it easy. This is big for them." Sarah tried to sound as comforting as she could for a ten-year-old. "You guys okay do this?" Holding Rose's hand.
"Yea, I will be." Rose did want this but still needed minute. "Daniel can you go first? I can do this I just—need to not be first please?"
"Yeah okay." Daniel opened and began to look through his papers. Things he knew about his mom and knew who his dad was. Then he got to a background about his father. "Wow, it says my dad use to run the stables with Patrick here. Mom said he loved horses, but—never talked about what he did. I wonder why Pat never told me.
"Maybe he knows about your dad, you can go ask him." Sarah offered an idea.
"Oh, there's more." Daniel continued to read, then a look of confusion, but slight shock as well. "It says Patrick and his wife Erica actually took me in for about six months, they were even considering… adopting me."
"What?" Now Rose did not understand.
"Mom gave you up, then just, took you back?" Henry questioned.
"I don't know, it doesn't say." Daniel's was now stern, slightly mad. He could forgive if his mother couldn't take care of him for a while and someone else had to. Regina keeping it from him, keeping things about his dad, he was not okay. She always keeping things from all of them. Why was she so scared to tell the truth? "I do intend to find out though." He wanted to change the subject before his emotions clouded his thoughts. "Rose, can you go now please?"
"Yeah sure." Rose read through her papers out loud. "My mother's name was Isabelle French."
"That sounds like Moe French who owns the flower shop. Is that a coincidence?" Sarah asked.
"No, it says here, he's my grandfather." Her siblings smiled over her having a family member, but Rose didn't share in it. "It says she worked for mt father and eventually he let her go. After she got pregnant Moe… kicked her out." Rose struggled in reading these last few sentences. "She started suffering severe depression to the point she was hospitalized. Not long after I was born… she killed herself. My mother is dead."
"Oh Rose." Daniel was placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry."
In her mind, Rose was blaming herself. Her mother was kicked out, abandoned by her own father because she got pregnant with her. She wondered if that is why her birth father let her go as well. Did he not want her? It seemed like from what she had left of her mother she loved her. Why did she get so sick she couldn't fight to stay with her?
"It's okay. I just—wish I could get my questions answered." Rose stated holding back her tears.
"Maybe you can." Henry responded. "I know Moe kicked her out, so maybe you don't want to talk to him. It also says who your dad is in here. Maybe you can find him and talk to him."
Rose for brief moment didn't want to open herself up for more disappointment, but knew if she didn't, she wouldn't get her questions answered, period. She went back to reading and when she did, she dropped the papers in an instant. "Oh my god!"
"What? What does it say?" Daniel read and the twins gathered next to him reading. Then all with the same shocked expression on her face. "Oh my god. This says Mr. Gold."
"The guy who owns and the pawn shop and the town. He's you dad?" Henry couldn't believe it either.
"Apparently." Said Rose.
"He's always seemed really scary." Sarah stated her own opinion.
"Yeah." Rose still was absorbing this bombshell of news.
"Rose." Daniel wanted to do what he could to not add more to his sister's tension in this scenario. "Do you know what want to do?"
Rose silent for a bit. Of all the ideas she thought in her head her parents being this… one dead and another the scariest man in town. Did Mr. Gold know about her the entire time? Did Regina know about this also? These and many more questions ran a million miles an hour in her head. She wanted to just scream and cry, for life being cruel where people were taken from her or lying to her. Rose was not going to take any of this anymore, it was time she took her fate in her own hands.
"I'm going to talk to Mr. Gold." Rose answered her siblings.
"Okay. The twins got bus tickets for Boston tomorrow. We'll go with them tomorrow, and we'll pick a day we can all go to talk to Gold." Daniel started making a plan.
"No!" Henry responded. "I only got two tickets for Sarah and I to go."
"Get two more, we're not letting you two go alone." Rose redemanded.
"We have to go alone. You guys cannot leave because of the curse. If you try you'll get hurt again." Said Henry.
The older siblings sighed in slight annoyance in hearing about this curse again. Henry and Sarah had been given a book of fairytales by their teachers. Since then, Henry has come to believe everyone in town was a character from the book. Ms. Blanchard was Snow White, Rose was the child of Belle and the Beast, Daniel was still Regina's son, but she the Evil Queen. Rose tried to prove it wasn't real by stepping over the town line, when she did, she got knocked out by a branch that fell from a tree. Since then it encouraged Henry's idea and did not want her or Daniel near the town line. None of the siblings believed this theory, but Sarah went along with it. Daniel and Rose thought it was best to play along as well until one day, Henry would know this isn't real.
"Look, if we all go mom is going be suspicious. You guys should stay, you can talk to Patrick and Mr. Gold. When mom starts asking questions you can cover for us." Sarah thought of the best way to her older siblings to say that made since to them and Henry.
"Sarah's right. Please we'll be safe. We'll find a payphone when we get to Boston and call you, promise." Henry then pleaded.
Daniel and Rose didn't like the idea but knew if they tried to go with the twins then wouldn't go, or Henry and Sarah would try to stop them from going with the two of them. Fighting this would be futile. The best thing they could now, was make a plan the best way to keep the Henry and Sarah safe when they left.
"You will find a payphone… the minute you get to Boston and call, or will we will come after you both." Rose made her point.
"Deal?" Asked Daniel.
"Deal." The twins said unison, hugging their older siblings.
"Alright! We're all in and we'll make our plan. Team Mills!" Henry put his hand in the middle.
"Team Mills." Sarah followed.
"Team Mills." Then Daniel.
"Team Mills." Ending with Rose.
Little did team Mills know, digging into their past would open so much more than they realized.
Well I hope you all liked this, if your interested in seeing more, comment, follow, and fav. Thanks for reading!