Summary: Snow makes wrong assumptions about her daughter's relationship with her stepmother. The Locksleys make a premature public announcement, and Jefferson returns from his trip from the future to inform Merlin of a very special baby.A new hero may be on the way...
The Following Morning – Granny's Diner
It was close to noon when Emma and Killian arrived, the latter slowly and awkwardly walking his stumbling toddler into the diner in fits and starts. She'd yell whenever he tried to pick her up to save time, waving her little chubby legs and insisting she be put down to walk, even if it did seem to take a lifetime.
"You know what, Swan, I reckon you were just like her at this age. A right little madam wanting everything her way!"
"Nope, I'm sure I was adorable and a complete delight!" she said cockily, carrying the baby bag behind him. "You on the other hand, were probably a right pain!"
"Gampaaa!" yelled the nearly two-year-old, having spotted David in the back of the café. She bounded clumsily towards him, as her grandfather, having seen her, rose from the table, dropping to his knees and opening his arms wide to welcome her in. As she latched onto him, he rose, happily cuddling her close and kissing her cheek, whispering something.
"Typical. We put in all the hard work – he gets the bloody cuddles!" said Emma, grinning.
Charming had proved himself to be a brilliant, loving and besotted granddad, and Emma often felt a tinge of sadness seeing them together, imagining how life would've been growing up with him, rather than in multiple orphanages and homes without a father. After her recent, albeit brief, falling-out with Snow, partly due to her own long-ingrained feelings of abandonment, the surprisingly angry reaction from Ruby had made her reconsider her opinion. Seeing David's chest and stomach scars, caused by his battling three guards to save her life, almost at the cost of his own, made her reassess and realise just how naïve she'd been, and what they had really sacrificed to save her life. She was now closer to Snow, but an even closer, unspoken bond existed now between father and daughter.
"Hi dad, she kissed his cheek before she sat. "Hi Neal! Where's mum?"
"In the back with Ruby and Dorothy, finalising next weekend's wedding. Rubes asked her for some help, and you know how much your mum loves that kind of thing."
"Yeah, I remember her with mine. Hard to believe it was over three years ago!" she gave him a sad smile. "But after the thing with Regina's wedding, I still think she's a bit sore!"
"With you, no, but probably with Regina. You know what she's like, she hates being misled or kept in the dark. Just like her daughter!" he grinned, squeezing her hand. "Anyway, it hardly matters now, does it? Seeing as Regina and Marian cancelled the formal wedding anyway."
"They cancelled?" Her mind went straight back to Saturday's magical wave. Was it linked?
"Well, to be fair, they're already married. It would have just been a blessing and a party. According to your mum's friend Penny, who does the town hall bookings, they cancelled all three optional dates. Guess there's no need now."
"I'll pop over there and see her. She had her phone off again all weekend and when she switched it on, didn't call me but gave me a brush off text. Something's not right."
"Well, you can save yourself a journey," he looked over her shoulder. "She's just walked in!"
Emma turned to see a grinning Regina talking to Henry as they entered. Immediately behind them, Marian and Roland walked in, followed by…Robin. Everyone seemed to be smiling and laughing. Emma stood, looking down at them. "Kill, could you order me the usual, and a coffee? I'll just be a couple of minutes."As Henry and the Locksleys came inside, a waitress showed them to a free table at the back, Emma walking up to her best friend.
"Hello stranger. Not talking to me any more?"
"Emma!" Regina looked up at the blonde in surprise. Since Saturday night, she'd been in a whirlwind of emotions, wrapping herself up in her little family. Since Robin had come home, Roland came back, Henry; and not forgetting the two nights of torrid sex! In the process, she'd disregarded her best friend. The woman who was almost so much more. She'd been unfair. "I'm sorry! Things have been…busy. I didn't mean to ignore you." She looked past her, to see Charming and the captain fussing around the toddler. "How's Hope?"
"Better with food in her, but don't change the subject. Why didn't you call me back? I left voice messages, I left texts. Even an email. I was worried, Regina! And I needed to speak to you about something urgently, but all you could do was send me that shitty little text!"
"You're right. Again, I'm sorry. I left my phone in airplane mode since yesterday and forgot to switch it back on. But I've been busy. I know Henry's fine, because he slept at ours. What were you worried about? Has something happened?"
"Not sure; but I need to talk to you. I was in here yesterday, with Merlin, when-" she stopped, looking over at the table behind her, shocked to see Marian lean over and blatantly give Robin a kiss. On the lips. Almost in view of her own wife! How the fuck can she be so blatant? "Look, can we talk somewhere private?" She flicked her eyes back at Robin. "It's important!"
Regina turned her head, seeing what she was looking at; seeing Marian smiling at him lovingly and guessing where this conversation was heading. "Just give me a moment, I need to check something first. Join me in the bathroom in a minute?"
As Emma walked over towards the restrooms, she noticed Regina lean in between Marian and Robin, to whisper something to them. Her wife and the former thief nodded, as though agreeing something with her.
A minute later she walked into the little make up area, to see Emma double-checking the stalls to ensure they were alone. "Gina, it's about Marian…"
She nodded back, half expecting this. "Go on."
"Remember that time we made that promise? The promise we'd always tell each other the truth, no matter how difficult or awkward?"
"I do. We do it to protect Henry. What is it?"
"I'm sorry to break this to you, but here goes. I think there might be something going on between Marian and Robin. You know that true love magic thing on Saturday night? Well yesterday, when we were in here, Merlin asked Robin directly if he knew anything about it, and he said no. You know I can detect a lie, Gina, and that was a lie! Whatever happened, he knew something." The brunette listened, saying nothing. "And then a little later, Marian came in. The two of them seemed more than close!" She stopped, waiting to see her reaction.
Regina sighed, looking down. "Anything else?"
"Just now, she kissed him on the lips, right behind you! Sorry, I know she used to be his wife, but something seems a bit-"
"Emma, she loves him! Always has, and always will. And so do I."
She'd expecting a very different reaction. "Sorry?"
"No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't call you back. I was trying to come to terms with something, and it was difficult to explain and I didn't want to until I was ready. It's true, Marian and Robin are together. But together with me."
"With you? She paused, in case she'd misunderstood. "You mean…"
"Yes. Marian, Robin and I are together now. The three of us. Together. In the same way Mulan, Aurora and Philip are together."
Emma let out a breath. "Woo, I wasn't expecting that!"
"Nor me. Marian and I have hardly discussed anything else these past few days. We've asked Robin to move in. He's agreed, subject to the boys being ok with it. We told Henry and Roland last night."
"Henry knows? Jeez Gina, I don't know what to say. Erm…congratulations, I guess?"
"Thanks. I had a feeling you'd be ok about it. Not sure about your mother though! Or the town."
Emma's frown disappeared, a smile gradually replacing it. "Ignore them. But you're happy?"
"Very! I, or should I say we, have the man we both loved in our times, back with us, Roland's home permanently as a result and…yes, I couldn't be happier!"
"Then I'm happy for you," she took her hands in her own. "So, that true love magic on Saturday?"
"The wave? Yes, down to all three of us, I'm afraid!" She gave a coy grin, blushing.
"That must have been somekiss, Gina!" she sniggered, "It was seriously strong! How'd it happen?" But Regina's suddenly bright red cheeks told her all she needed to know. "No, perhaps on second thoughts, don't answer that!"
"I wasn't going to!"
"Seriously, I'm really happy for you, Gina," she brought her arms around the queen, pulling her into a hug, resting her cheek against her own. "It took a while coming. You deserve your happiness!"
Regina hugged her back. "Thanks. You're a true friend."
Just as they held each other, the restroom door swung open, Snow walking in, with Ruby just behind her. "Emma? Regina?" she saw the entwined pair. "What are you doing? What's going on?"
The two women separated immediately, now feeling awkward at the intrusion.
"Nothing," said Emma. "Can't a girl hug her best friend these days?"
She scanned the faces of the two guilty-looking women. "Of course, but-"
"Thanks you for the talk Emma," said Regina, stepping away. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to join my family. Ladies, good day." she picked up her bag, walking out without looking back.
"Me too. Mum, I'll see you in a minute…" she followed the brunette out, leaving a frowning Snow and her own best friend looking at each other, confused.
"You don't think there's something going on between them, do you?" said Ruby. "After all those old rumours?"
As food arrived and the Locksleys started eating, Marian looked at the bearded young man opposite, who'd been yawning since they'd arrived. "Henry, I hope you don't mind me saying this but, you seem just as tired as when you went to bed last night? If you're having trouble sleeping, I've a couple of herbal remedies back home you can use?"
"Thanks, Marian, I might just do that!" How do you tell your stepmother that her and his own mother's screaming and yelling due to seemingly endless shagging last night, was the primary cause?
Roland hadn't looked up, still working through a mouthful of cereal, when he finally joined in. "Hen, did you get woken up by mum's nightmares?"
"Sorry Ro, nightmares?"
"Yeah. Her screaming! Mamma gets them too! Papa said she probably had nightmares, but I shouldn't ever go into their bedroom in case I wake one of them up in the middle of a nightmare. Apparently, it's dangerous! Before papa came back, they used to wake me up too! So, I put Play-Doh in my ears so I can't hear. I can lend you some tonight if you want?"
Henry had already collapsed in silent laughter, resting his head on the table, shoulders shaking, unable to speak. Regina's cheeks had gone scarlet, Marian's already pink. Robin looked like he was in pain trying not to copy Henry. "Don't-you-dare!" whispered Marian.
"Roland," the queen glared at Robin, desperate for him to pull himself together. "I'm sorry if my, our nightmares, have woken you up in the past. But it's still not a good idea to put Play-Doh in your ears! Going to sleep like that could be really dangerous! Let me see if I can find something for you? Perhaps a silencing spell on your room?"
"OK, that would be great, mum, thanks," he thought through the problem. "Though isn't it weird, how whenever you or mamma gets one of your nightmares, the other gets a little later? I don't know how you get to stay asleep during all the yelling!"
Robin managed to turn his face away just in time, as tea shot out of his mouth! He sprayed the wall nearby, and started coughing loudly. Henry, now completely gone, cupped his face in his palms to hide the tears streaming down. For Regina, it was bad enough Robin was in hysterics, but seeing how Henry clearly knew just what those 'nightmares' were, made it so much worse!
"Yes, Roland, it's a problem I'll admit…" Then turning to the man beside her. "Oh, for goodness sake Robin, pull yourself together!" As he was still trying to regain some sort of composure, Regina twirled her fingers, producing magic to make the brown liquid on the wall disappear, leaving it dry, as though it had never happened.
"Thanks Gina," he wheezed, his voice slowly recovering. "Sorry about that, folks! I guess I swallowed too much tea in one go. Must've gone down the wrong hole…"
"Probably accounts for the screaming!" muttered Henry, under his breath. Unfortunately, it was heard by all the other adults, setting Robin off all over again!
"HENRY!" Both mothers yelled, as one.
"Quite the racket going on over there, Swan!" said Killian, looking towards the commotion as Emma started on her food. "A lot of raucous laughter from Locksley and your Henry. He appears to be having a coughing fit. What's going on?"
"Mm?" she turned to see what he was looking at. "No idea – they're just happy, I guess."
He gave her a disbelieving stare. "What's so secretive, that you and Regina had to disappear into the ladies' rooms together?"
"What? Oh, nothing. Just asking her what she knew about that magic wave everyone's talking about. Merlin says it isn't a threat. I was just finding out what she thought., and why she hasn't been answering my calls. You know what she's like, Kill, getting any info out of her…" She looked him straight in the eye, trying to gauge if he believed her. Her father was distracted talking to Neal, as Hope continued eating. But Snow? She was staring hard at her, hanging onto her every word.
"And what did Regina say?" asked her mother. "Is there a threat, or not?"
"No threat. Anyway, you all set for the wedding next weekend?"
"I think so…" Snow knew she was deliberately changing the subject. No problem, she'll catch her before she left! "Ruby's dress looks spectacular. I haven't seen Dorothy's, mind, as Belle's helping her with that one and she's sworn to secrecy. Neal's going to be Ruby's page, and your father's giving her away. Decoration for the town hall and the catering's all done, so I think we're set."
"Who's giving Dorothy away? Who are her bridesmaids?" Just stop her talking about Regina!
"Again, it's a secret. Not even Ruby knows. But still, it's going to be wonderful. I love weddings!" As she said it, she saw Emma being distracted by someone nearby. Regina. "You know," a hint of irritation in her voice, "It's so nice to be invited to a wedding for a change, and made to feel you're part of it, and truly welcome, don't you think?"
Emma picked up on it immediately. That anger at Regina's snub was still just below the surface! "Mum, please don't? She's apologised already. You need to let it go!"
"As you've already told me," Snow huffed, "By the way, I need a word with you before you go. I-"
Regina chose that moment to arrive at their table, stroking Hope's hair. "Hello, everyone. How are you all doing?"
It took at least another ten minutes, before Snow finally got her chance. "Emma, we need to talk. Privately. It won't take a moment. David, would you excuse us?"
A minute later, Emma was back in the ladies' restroom again, virtually dragged in by Snow. "Mum - what the fuck?"
"Sorry, but this can't wait!" She turned serious. "Emma, she's a married woman! You both are!"
"Married woman – what, you're talking about Regina?"
"You're playing with fire, Emma. We had this last year, when you were ill. You've a lovely husband, and a daughter, and she has a wife! What on earth are you thinking?"
"Mum," she rolled her eyes in disbelief. "You really have got the wrong end of the stick!"
"I saw you! I walked in here, and you two were all over each other. Then you both pulled back, looking as guilty as hell! Emma, I-"
"NO, SNOW!" It was rare for Emma to use her mother's name these days. "Just SHUT UP and listen for once in your life, without jumping to stupid conclusions!" she barked back. "Just. ! There's nothing, absolutely nothing, going on between me and Regina! I'm happily married!" she growled. "She'd just told me something wonderful that's happened to her, and I was congratulating her! And that's it! What you saw was me hugging my best friend, probably the only real friend I've ever had! Nothing else! So, keep your bloody mouth shut for a change, before you start spreading any more stupid rumours!"
Snow shrank from the onslaught, which must have been heard outside. However, neither seemed to notice a flushing sound from one of the stalls, a tall brunette walking out.
Marian!
"Ladies," They shrank back, as the taller woman moved to the basins, silently pouring some soap on her hands, and washing them under the tap, still saying nothing. After drying them, she turned, glaring angrily at Snow. "If you'll excuse me?" she marched out. Snow and Emma froze.
She heard everything!
As Emma followed her out, annoyed that her mother had put her in such an awkward position, it was to see the Locksley family were near the front, standing close to the counter, Henry beside them. Marian seemed to be talking to Granny, who stopped what she was doing and walked out in front of the nearest diners.
"CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE?" the old wolf bellowed bellowed, gaining silence from all the diners. "Regina and Marian here, tell me they have something they want to announce to you all! So, quiet everyone!"
Regina stepped in front of them, prompting Robin and Marian to move either side of her. "Thank you, Eugenia!" said the first Elected Queen of the United Realms, standing ramrod straight.
"Good afternoon everyone! I gather there's been a lot of talk about a certain incident that happened on Saturday night? Some of you, those of you who have been touched by magic in the past, will have felt a hot blast of air and flashing golden lights." She noticed several of the diners nodding. "While those of you who have never encountered magic, will have just felt a warm breeze. Well, there is no need to be alarmed. There is no external threat!"
"How can you be sure?" Leroy yelled back. "One of the lads spoke to the Sorcerer Saturday night, and he said he wasn't sure who, or what, caused it!"
"Because WE were the cause of it!"
Regina waited, while a few gasps sounded around the room, followed by various um's and ahs of the confused. "That magic, was 'true love' magic, and it came from our house in Mifflin Street."
"So, which one of you woke the other one up?" asked Ashley, the former Cinderella. "Who was cursed? You or Marian?"
"It's not always caused by waking someone from a sleeping curse, Mrs. Herman. It can be caused by a realisation of love shared. By a willingness to accept your devotion to another human being is reciprocated."
"That happened last Christmas, didn't it?" asked Ruby. "I remember. But Merlin said yesterday's was much more powerful than that!"
"Indeed, it was, Miss Lucas! And that's because, not only did it involve Marian and I, but someone else. The two of us do indeed share true love, but…" she grasped Marian's hand, now feeling more nervous about reactions to the news about to break, "…we also both share that love with another. And we both realised, and accept, that we not only want, but need him in our lives!" she turned to look to the man on her left. "Him, being Robin here!"
A few gasps went around, and Emma was pleased to see Snow's was one of the loudest! Perhaps now she'll stop making assumptions?
"You see, some of you may know already, that Robin was the man Tinker Bell led me to many years ago, with fairy dust. He's my soulmate. He's the man I not only fell in love with, but the man who, four years ago, gave his own life to save mine. He's my True Love, just as much as Marian is!"
As various whispers went around the room, Marian stepped forward.
"I've only lived among you for nine months now, but I fell in love with Regina here within days of meeting her, and have been ever since. We even married just over a month ago. But long before I had even heard of her, or the Evil Queen, I met, fell in love with, and married Robin of Locksley, an outlaw from a noble family, cast out by the king. We had our son, Roland, and were happy, albeit always under threat. Later I lost him. He thought I'd been killed and, when I finally got here, it was only to find out he'd been murdered. So, imagine my shock when he was brought back to us last weekend?" She turned, facing him, but still spoke to their audience. "Like Regina, I still love Robin with all my heart, and the magic everyone felt on Saturday, was just a confirmation of what I already knew. He and I have true love; Regina and I have true love; and Regina and Robin hold it for each other, too!"
"So..." Regina took over again, "Robin has moved into Mifflin Street with us, and we now consider ourselves, to use the Briar's term for their relationship, a 'thruple'. A union of three souls, similar to the mayor's family. We've decided to make this public, to avoid any further silly rumours or panic about new villains arriving!"
Emma tilted her head back, glaring at her mother in triumph. Marian saw it, adding:
"And I would also like to say a personal thank you to Emma Swan-Jones!" Several turned to stare at the sheriff, Regina arching a brow, not expecting Marian's comment.
"You all know Emma well, and most of you know she is also Regina's closest friend, here in Storybrooke. They've been amazingly supportive of one another as they brought up Henry together, to become the remarkable man he is today." She beamed at the now slightly-embarrassed Author. "Emma's a remarkable woman, married to an equally remarkable man, my best friend and business partner, Killian. We value her enormously, so I hope after this, all the silly rumours around her and Regina will stop once and for all!"
Regina and Emma shared a surprised look, Emma guessing it was prompted by what Marian heard in the bathroom. Seeing Marian now staring straight back at her, Snow turned away, now feeling awkward, and tried to engage in conversation with Neal instead.
Jefferson's Mansion – Two hours later
The little group of four were assembled around the large coffee table in the living room. The mansion, jammed full of antiques and furniture collected over many decades from numerous realms, was one of the most valuable estates in Storybrooke. The owner's daughter appeared with a heavy silver tray full of tea, milk and cups, carried by her best friend.
"I have to say, Grace, I'm delighted to see this place restored to its former glory!" said Blue, admiring a painting of the girl's great-grandmother on the wall. "Especially after that incident with your father's 'friend. I did hear there was a lot of valuable treasures sold off…"
"Yeah. But dad got everything back, thank goodness. Thanks to Mr. Gold. And Belle…"
"Here we go…" Henry placed the tray down. "Merlin, you said you were expecting him by six?"
"I did, though travelling in the way he does, can never be precise."
"So what if he doesn't get back?" said Grace, getting increasingly anxious. "He said he'd be here by now! What if he can't get back?"
A large, warm hand settled on her shoulder. "Try to stay calm, my dear. Your father's done this many times before. If there's a delay, I'm sure it's for a good reason. I have every confidence in him."
"He said he had to time shift again, but he wouldn't give me any details! He just said to call you if he wasn't here by six tonight! Why you two? Do you know where he went?"
"We do," said Reul Ghorm. "He's on a mission, to find out something very important which could affect all of us."
"So, I guess he's gone to the future?" said Henry, more as a statement than a question. "If it was the past, he would have told Grace the details. That's why he couldn't tell us. Why didn't you go yourself?"
"I would willingly do so, Henry. I can travel between realms unassisted, but cannot transfer through time without my wand. The wand has a very specific tie to me, but it has been lost many years now. Grace's father has a very specific, unique, magic which allows him to travel backwards and forward in time without such a device. The hat is merely used for location and as a calendar."
"But even when he gets back, he still won't be able to tell us anything without changing it? So, what's the point?"
"He'll tell the Sorcerer…" said Blue, "and Merlin can then decide whether it's serious enough to intervene in some way. However, our initial impression is that what he finds out may well be very good, if not wonderful, news! At least that's what we hope."
Henry listened but…there were so many things he didn't understand. "But you're a seer, like Grandpa Gold! You should be able to see this stuff, surely?"
The Sorcerer smiled, benevolently. "Yes, to some extent, but time is an odd construct. I can see some of the futures of those living, but not those to be born or anyone of my own blood line. Time is remarkable, Henry. For example, with my wand, I have seen realms that exist in tandem with our own. I've met with your younger mother when she was a child in a cinema, no less! An in a realm where you were born, with your mother and father having reunited, bringing you up in a world without magic!"
"My dad's alive somewhere?"
"He is, but not as you'd know him. I've seen him married to your mother. And to another, with other siblings. I've even seen several versions of you growing up in Storybrooke! All of them based on points and events in time, which didn't happen in this timeline. It's a little hard to explain."
"Try me? I'm interested in this stuff. As it's the past and never happened here, tell me about the other ways I grew up?"
"Well let's see," he rubbed his beard, thinking. "I've seen Baelfire, Emma and their son, with your face but a different name, living and working here, with the woman you know as Regina having been banished to the Enchanted Forest in obscure poverty. I've even seen you grow up with your two mothers happily married to one another."
"Really? I always knew they had chemistry, but never realised that could happen."
"They have chemistry and magic. A very potent combination. They even produced a true-love child, with some assistance."
"Wow - that's weird!"
"Perhaps in this world, not always in others. Though it's fascinating to see how the smallest change of fate can change an entire world. Imagine you could go back in time and prevent Adolf Hitler being born? You, and your parents would cease to exist from that point on."
"You're right, it's confusing. So, Grace's dad's coming back to tell you something he's seen in the future, which could be a blessing, or a curse to be stopped, if it can be?"
"Precisely. You put the case well, young author." As he spoke, they heard noises from the hallway. And a key in the lock.
"Grace, I'm back!" yelled a voice from the hallway.
"PAPA!" she screamed, racing out the door to him, "You're late! I was worried sick!"
As they hugged, Henry's mind went back to when they reunited years ago, after the curse. After a schoolgirl known as Paige realised her father hadn't left her.
The Hatter's eyes brimmed with tears at the welcome. His mind also went back to that day, to the lanky girl who hugged him. So different to the tall, beautiful woman he held now, but still his little girl nonetheless. "Hello, darling! I promised you I would be, didn't I? Sorry if I'm a little late, but technically speaking, here I only left you..." he stopped, looking over her shoulder to see the Sorcerer smiling at him. "Merlin, what day is it?"
"Monday! Just as we arranged. Though we were starting to get concerned. How many days were you away in the other place?"
"About two weeks, roughly."
"Two weeks?" said Grace. "Papa, I don't understand?"
"I can normally come back to the same day I've travelled, my love. But I used a new hat this time, so…like a faulty watch, I needed to reset it."
"Welcome back, my boy!" said Merlin. "Now, it's evening and I don't want to take away any more of your time together than necessary. Perhaps we should step outside and talk?"
"Good idea," he spotted the Author. "Oh Henry, hi. Sorry, I didn't see you there!"
"Hello Mr. Hatter, it's good to have you back. Anything you can tell us about what you saw, or is it all strictly hush hush?"
Jefferson turned to see Merlin frowning, already moving his head from side to side to dissuade him otherwise. "Afraid not, Henry! I'm sure this man here's told you already, anything I said could really change your future, and not necessarily for the good!" then he looked up at his daughter. His beautiful daughter who he'd lost for so long that…his mind was made up, regardless of Merlin's view. "Actually…there IS something I can tell you…"
"Jefferson…no!" Merlin was emphatic. "You know how this works!"
"I do! But this is something different, Merlin. Henry, I'm not going to give you any details, but merely some advice. Advice that I beg you and Grace to listen to most carefully!"
"Go on, papa. What is it?"
He turned, pulling her hand into his, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. "I must beg of you, both of you! One day, you're likely to meet with a young man called Stephen Pringle. Remember his name well. Stephen Pringle! I beg you. Never, ever, EVER, get into a car with Stephen Pringle! Ever! Do I have your word?"
She hadn't seen him that serious for ages. "Sure papa. Stephen Pringle. Got it!"
His eyes fell on Henry, who was thinking. "Stephen Pringle. I think I've seen him in Harvard. Sure thing Mr. Hatter, you got it!" Jefferson nodded, giving Grace's fingers a little squeeze before walking away, opening the door to step outside with Merlin and Blue, leaving them alone.
"What the hell was that all about?" said Henry.
"No idea, but papa clearly knows something! Perhaps best we stay clear of this 'Stephen Pringle', I guess?"
The three walked outside and onto the front lawn, as far from the house as they could, to avoid being overheard.
Blue was the first to speak. "So Jefferson, what did you find out?"
"Well, firstly, the hat I used has problems, but I just about managed to fix most of them. It sent me forward nearly a year further than I intended, about twenty two months from now in total! But it still kept me in Storybrooke. I stayed there three days, found out what I needed, then hired a car and drove to Boston and New York."
Reul Ghorm was horrified. "To see Grace? That was much too risky, Jefferson! If she saw two versions of you, it could have had serious repercussions for everyone!"
"Do give me some credit, Blue!" he snapped back, testily. "I have done this sort of thing before!"
"Of course you have. Forgive me, I didn't mean any disrespect. Was there a birth around the time we thought?"
"Only three births recorded in Storybrooke for the whole of May! One, according to the register, fathered by Locksley. Honour Elizabeth. Honour spelt the British way, with a 'u'!"
"A girl?" the Sorcerer seemed surprised. "A sister for young Roland? How nice. Marian must be delighted."
"Interesting you say that! I saw the birth certificate, and Regina and Marian are both listed as mothers, with Robin as her father."
"Nothing odd there..." said Blue. "These days, adopted and co-parents are often put on certificates. It confirms legal responsibility, rather than biological."
"Ah, but here's the thing! I went to the diner and saw the child, and she was just over a year old. I got to speak to Regina while she was holding her. They share the same magical signature! That baby is definitely Regina's!"
Merlin smiled. "So, the Lake Nostos waters did their thing? Good for her, Regina always wanted to give birth to a child of her own."
"Yes but…there was something else. I felt very odd magic coming off the baby. Very strong white magic! But there was also something…different about her. So, I had planned to break into the hospital records office, to see if I could uncover anything else. That's when I nearly got caught…"
"Jefferson," Merlin sighed, "I asked to find out the basics, not put yourself at risk!"
"But I needed to know. As I said, there was something different about that baby. As it was, I didn't need to. Fortunately, I met up with Victor Whale. I offered him a drink at the pub in the harbour, to catch up."
"I thought he was teetotal?"
"Don't worry. He still is. Orange juice only, but he was still very talkative regardless! I mentioned I'd seen the Locksley child, and that she seemed very different. Without much prompting, he told me she has a very unique DNA."
"And?"
"It would appear that, although Regina gave birth to her, young Honour Locksley has the DNA of three biological parents. Regina, Robin…and Marian!"
Blue and Merlin looked at each other, a small grin growing on both. "That's interesting. Anything else?"
"It seems the Saviour also gave birth, within a day of Regina, and also to a girl! Elizabeth Swan Jones. Though I never saw the baby herself. So as I said, both girls were around thirteen months old. Oh, and at the time I left, Marian Locksley was also halfway through a pregnancy, herself!"
"Marian too? What a fecund little family," mused Merlin. "Well done, my boy, you did well!"
"Thanks. By the way, I brought you back a little present." He opened up his leather coat, pulling something long out of a pocket inside. "I think you may have missed this?"
"My wand!" gasped the Sorcerer. "How on earth? Where did you find it?"
"I met Rumple." Jefferson was one of the Dark One's very few trusted friends. "He knew instantly, before I even said anything, that I wasn't from his time! We got talking and I told him I was on a mission for you, but couldn't give details. He understands the situation and knows how much I hate time travelling! He said an item recently handed in by thieves for petty cash sprung his interest. He recognised it, and said that, as it wouldn't work for anyone else, I should hand it to its rightful owner, and tell him he probably owes him a favour but he would let it go this time! I think Belle helped persuade him on that point!"
"Thank you so much, Jefferson. I will indeed return the favour to you both!"
The Blue Fairy had a more solemn expression. "Whilst your trip has indeed been successful, you just now told Grace something of the future! We should wipe that memory before we leave, Merlin."
"NO! I BEG OF YOU, DO NOT DO THAT?"
"Jefferson, you know how this works! If she knows anything, anything at all, she may well damage that future! We really need to!"
"If she forgets it, she'll have no future anyway! And nor will the Author!"
"You need to explain. What significance does this 'Stephen Springer' have?"
The Hatter slumped, lifting his hands up to his face. "When I left Storybrooke, after something I was told, I travelled down to Boston. Grace had been living in Henry's apartment, as she does now, in the city. But… I discovered from Rumple that she'd been killed in a car crash three months earlier! Henry Mills had also been in the car, as a passenger. He was badly injured. A broken arm, his leg, and his neck was still in a surgical collar. But Grace never made it! She'd been sitting in the front!"
Blue's tone changed completely. "I'm so very sorry, Jefferson! That's terrible. And Stephen Springer?"
"he was the driver. He was killed too! It wasn't his fault, just some drunk kid coming the other way! Henry was still in quite a very bad way after I saw him. He was the one who gave me all the details about her death."
"Three months before, you say?" Merlin nodded silently, pondering what to do. "Well, I think, under those circumstances, we should let that particular piece of information, AND ONLY THAT PIECE, stay with young Grace and Henry, don't you Reul?"
The Blue Fairy nodded. "You never know, your intervention may even save the life of young Mr. Springer, too!"
Three nights later...
The three of them stood, once again, on the convent lawn, surrounding the large telescope. Once again, they looked at the same star cluster they'd studied days earlier.
"Four stars fully aligned. Polaris at the top and the fifth coming into place. You were right, Reul!"
The blue fairy smiled, partly satisfied. "It would seem so. Though as for the conception itself, nature will have to take its course!" Although she said it, the distant fifth star, still unnamed, brightened noticeably for several seconds in the surrounding darkness, before dimming again. "Please tell me you both saw that?"
"I did!" said Merlin, sporting a broad grin. "It would seem it's just happened. Our magical new healer may have just been created!"
