Summary: With David still in a coma, family and friends all rally around. Merlin offers Emma a suggestion that might just bring him back to them. Meanwhile, after nearly ten weeks abstinence since the birth, Regina wants her love life back. Time for a visit to Doctor Hilary.
Storybrooke Hospital
David remained in a coma for another three weeks, his breathing controlled by a ventilator and his brain continuously monitored. Although Whale had told them all, repeatedly, that full recovery, or even consciousness, was by no means certain, the family had all rallied around his bedside daily, talking to him, telling him stories and willing him to wake. Throughout the days and weeks that followed, nearly everyone who knew him had visited. It was only after the first two weeks that Snow was finally persuaded to go home at night, so Neal could at least have a semblance of normality. After Snow, Emma visited most, reminding him how important he was to them all of them and how much they loved him. Emma and Regina had even once tried using their magic on him, though as his problem was physical, not magic, it had no effect. Apart from the occasional spike of activity on the monitor, nothing changed.
It'd been Merlin who suggested trying something different, when he called in one morning to pay his respects. Emma was sitting by his bed at the time.
"Have your daughters seen him yet, Emma?"
"Hope has. I brought her in here a couple of days ago; but Lizzie, no. Why?"
"It might be nice for him to hear them. The sound of babies is a surprising stimulant to the mind! It might even be worthwhile asking Regina to bring her own daughter along, at the same time."
Emma brow arched in suspicion. Merlin was a weird one! From what she'd been told, he was over two thousand years old, lived many different lives, all at the same time, and had a magical ability the likes of which none of them understood. She knew it was pure white magic, at a level that even the Dark One was wary of. While she never felt threatened, as he always came across like a wise, avuncular uncle, the sheer power behind his magic was felt by anyone with the gift. He was just different. Even the colour of his eyes. Violet irises! Different to anyone else she'd ever met. When he focused on you, he seemed to be looking into your soul! And he knew things about their future. And her past. Things she'd never told anyone, even Killian. And she'd come to realise he rarely said anything by chance!
"Regina's daughter? But Honour's not even related! What do you know?"
"The Locksley's youngest is touched by an unusual healing magic. It's a great and rare gift. I think perhaps when combined with that of your own youngest, it could become very powerful. They could help him, without even being aware!"
"Help him? Merlin, they're barely two months old! And anyway, Regina and I, and even Robin, have white, healing magic. And you're supposed to be the greatest sorcerer who ever lived? So, if the four of us can't help, how can they?"
"I'm not even sure they can, but isn't it worth trying? Our magic may be strong, but theirs has an innocence of youth. Young Honour's also has a unique quality about it which, I believe, may come from the fact she has not just two, but three, biological true-love parents. I've never seen anything like it. Your daughter also has powerful magic. Complementary magic, which may be the result of your own parents' true love magnified by yours with Captain Jones. They may not know it for some time, but the power's within them."
She studied him. Those deep searching violet eyes, that had seen so much. "I know you're telling the truth, but there's more to this, isn't there? Something important you're leaving out?"
"Nothing bad, I assure you. You already know the reason why I can't say, Emma. Cause and effect. If you knew, you'd change your future, and that can't be allowed to happen."
And so, later that afternoon, after mentioning Merlin's comments to Regina and Marian, the three of them drove back to the hospital in separate cars with the babies on board, Robin and Killian minding the other children. As they rolled the buggies into the room, Emma was pleased to find, as Whale told them would happen, that David's ventilator had been removed. In its place, a light mask lay over his face supplying oxygen. But he was breathing on his own!
"It's nice to be able to see his face again, Emma," said Marian, as Regina unbuckled and lifted Honour from her chair. "Your father's a very handsome man."
"Who you regularly flirt with, I've noticed…" said Regina, with no hint of annoyance, just resignation. "As you seem to do with so many people these days!"
Emma chuckled. "Don't you realise, she flirts with everyone, Gina?" She moved closer to the bed, on David's left, with Lizzie in her arms. "How else do you think she has Gold and Belle eating out of her hand? Even Killian's not immune to that one!" She nodded in Marian's direction.
"A-hem, I am still here you know?" the taller brunette responded, grinning, but her brow arched. "Besides, I don't flirt! I just take an interest in others. You two should try it sometime? Can I help it if I'm just naturally…affable?"
"You do know Henry thinks she looks like Gal Godot, don't you?" Emma continued, pretending she hadn't heard her. "He even got Killian to watch her on Netflix the other week. They both seem to think she's hot!"
"Firstly, who is this 'galgadow'? And second, why are your son and your husband discussing me? Should I be concerned?"
"It's Gal-Gadot, two words, and you should be flattered, darling!" Regina winked at her. "She's an Israeli actress; a rather stunning one too, as it happens, and I'm inclined to agree with Henry. There is a definite resemblance! She's the one who played Wonder Woman, in the film we watched a few months ago. Robin's rather likes her too, though I'm not sure I feel comfortable knowing Guyliner thinks my wife is 'hot'!"
"Well I'm flattered! Anyway, stoph talking about me; what about these two? What did Merlin say we should do here?"
"Nothing specific, just that they should meet dad. He said Lizzie's got strong healing magic and Honnie's is even stronger. That it could help him somehow. You know what Merlin's like, Marian, he always has a double meaning to everything! Perhaps we should just…sit them up either side of him on the bed, stand beside them so they don't roll off and…see what happens?"
"Probably not much, considering neither of them can even sit up yet!" said Regina. "No harm in trying, I suppose." She lowered Honour, face-down, on to the right side of David's exposed chest, as Emma did the same with Elizabeth on his left. Both mothers continued holding them by their waists, to prevent them falling. At first, Lizzie wrinkled her nose at the odd sensation of his chest hairs rubbing against her cheek. Then she shuffled, worm-like, along a couple of inches, dropping her lips onto the warm skin with a gooey kiss, her head bobbing up and down at the weird sensation.
Then she spotted Honour, inches away. Suddenly, both babies' heads seemed to jerk up, as one, and they immediately started shuffling closer, trying to reach one other. Lizzie slipped back slightly, so Emma raised her, moving her closer.
Marian watched closely, remembering what Merlin had said about them previously. "Gina, move Honnie closer to Lizzie. Let them touch each other?" She did so without question, until their tiny hands touched. The moment they did, two of their mothers felt tingling. Magic! It wasn't like their normal magic but…similar. A warmth. A recognition. Honour rested her head down on her side, and Elizabeth followed suit, both staring at the other as they lay either side of David's chest, their faces inches away, in wonder at the eyes staring back at them. A smile spread across the blonde baby's lips, and the other emulated her, as their fingers remained touching. It was an odd, poignant moment.
"Merlin told me those two would probably be more than friends…" Marian spoke softly, so not to spoil the moment. "He said it's even possible they'll one day be true loves! He thought that was why you two felt you needed to be close, when you were both pregnant. They were pulling together already." Both women pinked slightly, remembering the awkward moment Marian blew her top!
"Look!" she gasped, pointing at the monitor. The steady peaks and troughs on the screen had suddenly transformed into huge spikes and dips. "Something's happening!"
Emma and Regina also looked up at the monitor, both stunned. Did the babies do that? Marian was already moving to the door. "I'll get somebody but - keep them on him!"
"Gina," both babies were still silently gazing at each other, Elizabeth now dribbling on his chest. "Not that I'm not pleased but - what the hell have we given birth to?"
The queen shuffled her head side to side, equally confused. "God only knows!"
A minute later, another woman burst through the door, Marian following her in. The woman, clearly a senior nurse, looked over at the two babies resting on the patient's chest. She walked over to the monitor, quickly turning the sound up. As she listened and studied the screen, she turned to Emma.
"That's a very good sign!"
"Meaning what? He's starting to wake up?"
"Not exactly. But his brain's definitely responding to a stimulus. He's not as deep as he was. What just happened?"
"Merlin suggested we bring the babies here, and we rested them on him. That's all!"
"Well I'll go page Whale. He needs to see this! If his brain's responding, there's a lot more hope he'll recover without any mental impairment. But it's still early days. And I-" she stopped talking, once she heard Regina gasp loudly, to follow what she was looking at.
Charming's eyes were open!
The moment they realised David Nolan had woken from his supposedly impenetrable coma, the room became a buzz of activity, with the nurse calling in Victor Whale, and somebody else in a white coat they didn't know. New machines were quickly set up around him, and a crowd of medics buzzed all around the patient. An older nurse suggested to Emma and the Locksleys that perhaps it would be best if they waited outside, just in case there was an 'event', which wasn't explained but seeing as they didn't want the babies witnessing anything awkward, they agreed and left the room.
Half an hour later, Emma returned, leaving Elizabeth with the others, to find her father now propped upright, bandages removed from his head, and a much healthier glow which he certainly didn't have earlier. He was obviously looking completely drained. But he was alive! Emma couldn't help stop a single tear falling, as she walked over to the bedside.
"Dad!" she spoke softly, resting a hand on his, before dropping a kiss on his brow. "You know, you had us really worried there, for a while?"
"Sorry, kiddo..." his voice was hoarse, croaky, after not having been used in weeks. "I don't really remember much. Jenny told me I'd been out of it for some time? What happened?"
"Try not to talk. You had a tube down your throat till this morning…" she wiped his brow with the damp flannel nearby. "A runaway truck missed the lights, and slammed into the side of your patrol car. Your head hit the side. You've been out over three weeks."
"Three weeks?" David gasped at the news. "Where's your mother?"
"Shush! It's okay, I just rang her. She's been living here most of the time, but she's gone home to change and pick up Neal. She's be here soon." Emma went on to tell him what had happened. How quite a few people had called in on him, fearing the worst, and how they all worried he wasn't going to make it. She told him everything, except the bit about Ruby! Finally, how Merlin had suggested they bring Lizzie and Honnie to meet him. And the magic that finally brought him back.
"If he hadn't been here to suggest it, I hate to think what might have happened…"
It was his turn to comfort, squeezing her hand, seeing her watery eyes. "I'm sorry I put you all through that! "
"What've you got to be sorry for? Not your fault Geoff Shaw had a heart attack behind the wheel!"
"Geoff? Heart attack? Poor guy. How is he?"
"Dead at the wheel when they got to him. They said it was a massive stroke."
"Oh god, poor Annie! I better go see her." Emma gave him a sad smile. Her father was always considering others less fortunate, even more than Snow. She put it down to the fact he was born to a common shepherd family, not royalty, like her mother.
"You'll do no such thing!" said a gentle, but firm, female voice entering the room. "At least, not until you're fully recovered." Agatha, the senior matron, gently chided him. "And try not to talk! You've had a breathing tu-"
"I already told him!" Emma interrupted the scolding. "Can we give him some water?"
"Yes, but tiny sips. Anything more, and he might vomit it back up. Doctor Whale's out of surgery soon, so he'll be popping by. Mr. Nolan, as I'm sure your daughter's told you, you've been through a major head trauma. You've been fed by an IV drip for the last few weeks, so your body's going to take a little while to adjust, so small steps, I'm afraid…"
Ten minutes later, Snow appeared, striding fast into the room, Neal walking in behind her.
She discovered her beloved's eyes staring right back at her, for the first time in nearly a month. The eyes that, at her lowest ebb, she thought would never recognise her ever again. Without saying a word, hardly noticing Emma standing near, she clambered onto the hospital bed, lowering herself down beside her husband. David just instinctively knew what she wanted, and opened his, albeit very weak, arms to her, pulling her in to him. As she settled her head onto his chest, the tears she'd held back for so long finally came, and she wept uncontrollably as she collapsed into him.
Seeing Snow in so much pain, Emma realised just how much her mother had just been putting on a brave front for too long, in an attempt to give hope to everyone else.
"Come on, bro," she rested an arm around Neal's shoulder. "Let's give them a couple of minutes alone, yeah?"
The Nolan farm
Two days later, they brought him home to the farm.
"How did you manage?" he asked, seeing some new lambs and their ewes in a pen, as they drove up the long drive in the back of Killian's SUV, approaching the farmhouse.
"Robin got his men onto it…" said Killian, at the wheel. "Seems George Greene used to be a pinder some years ago. He dealt with the animals, while Alan-a-Dale led the team managing the crops. Tiny helped. Quite a few people rallied around here while you were gone, mate."
"David…" Snow squeezed his hand a little tighter as they came to a stop outside the front of the farmhouse. "Before we go in, there's something I forgot to tell you. Emma and Neal know about Ruby and the baby. That it's yours…"
"They what?" That threw him. "I thought they were going to wait till after the birth?"
"They were, but Emma overheard Ruby talking to you, when she was by your bed and you were unconscious. She didn't take it well, so I decided to tell her and Neal straight away. I thought it was for the best! I'm sorry David!"
He sighed, loudly. "Well…they had to find out sooner or later, I guess. How'd they take it?"
"Neal's fine about it. But Emma? Well, she hasn't spoken to me since."
As he slowly shuffled in through the front door, supported by Snow, the resulting "Surprise!" from everyone took him by surprise. The Locksleys, Ruby, Dorothy and several of the Merry Men were there to welcome him back like a conquering hero, rather than just a guy who had hurt his head in a car accident.
"Hi dad!" Neal was the first, racing to hug his legs.
"Easy there, bro!" Emma followed, moving to hug him. "He's a bit shaky on those legs right now!"
Regina was next, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Glad you're back with us, Charming. You put them through quite the time there!"
"Not from my choosing, Regina, believe me! I gather little Honour played a big part in waking me up?"
"True. Still not exactly sure what happened exactly..."
Marian was next up, hugging him, before Robin shook his hand to patted his back. After that, Tuck and George Greene followed, before he faced Ruby, who stood before him, a sad, quirky smile on her face. She hugged him, before putting her hands on his cheeks, giving him a light peck on the lips.
"And how you feeling, Rubes?"
"Big, bloated and very pregnant! I should be asking you the same question?"
"Tired. Unbelievably tired."
"Can't say I'm surprised. Well don't hang around down here too long! Go get yourself up to bed. Snow's been very lonely these last few weeks…"
"Thanks for taking care of her. Both of you."
She stepped back and Dorothy took her place to hug him, also giving him a kiss. Emma seemed to be the only one to have noticed. Also on the lips? What was it with those two? Her mother was standing next to him, and seemed completely relaxed about it.
"Did Snow tell you the sex?" He looked back at her, confused. "Of the baby?"
"I haven't said a word!" said Snow, standing proudly beside him. "Despite what certain people think…" she arched a brow in Regina's direction "…I'm perfectly capable of keeping a secret, now I'm not eight years old. I left it for you two to tell him."
Ruby rested her hands on her baby bump. "David, we're having a boy."
"Really?" his face morphed into a big grin. "That's wonderful, Rubes!" even as he said it, he looked across at Emma, who'd stepped further away from them, heading to the kitchen. Ruby saw him look across, his grin now being replaced by a frown.
"Emma knows it's yours, David," she whispered in his ear, so they couldn't be overheard. "I tried talking to her but…she's avoiding me. And Snow."
It was a good ten minutes before he walked into the kitchen, to find Emma, standing alone, looking out of the window.
"That's one hell of a large glass of scotch you got there, my love!"
"It's not scotch. It's rum. What can I say? Killian's tastes seem to have rubbed off on me." She turned and looked at her father's tired eyes. "The doctors told you, you need to sleep!"
"I'll be going up soon. But I needed to speak to you first. I know you know about Ruby's baby. It's bothering you, so I need you to talk to me."
David was so like her. He didn't beat around the bush. Nonetheless she wasn't expecting this quite so soon. "It's none of my business, David, whether you choose to be a donor, or not!"
"Does it bother you, that I am?"
"Why should it?" she avoided his gaze, looking down after downing another hefty slug of the rum.
"Because you just called me David. Not dad. And you're avoiding the question. Does it bother you?"
"No, of course not. As I said, why should it?"
He stepped in front of her, wresting his hands on her arms. "For someone who's got a superpower for this sort of thing, you're a terrible liar, Emma! Now, look at me, and talk to me. Tell me what's wrong?"
She frowned, still avoiding his eyes. "Was it really mum's idea? Or did they ask you to do it?"
"Help them get pregnant? It was your mother's idea, and she persuaded me. We only offered it to Ruby and Dorothy after we agreed. It was their only hope, other than going over the town line. If they had, there's no guarantee Ruby would survive." Emma nodded in understanding, but still kept looking down. So he gently, but firmly, pulled her into his chest, despite her initial resistance, wrapping his long arms around her. "But I don't think that's what's got you so upset. I remember when we were back in Neverland, how you reacted when your mum said she wanted another baby. You misinterpreted it, thinking we were somehow replacing you, when that couldn't have been further from the truth! We just wanted more children, like you have now with Hope and Lizzie."
Resting her head on his chest, she stayed silent, feeling awkward but enjoying their hug regardless. That stopped when she felt warm hands on both sides of her cheeks, forcing her to look up at him, seeing the tears in his own eyes threatening to fall. "Emma, I love you so very much! You're my only daughter, my first-born, and I am prouder of you than you could ever imagine! The greatest regret of my life, by far, is not being there to watch you grow up into the wonderful woman you are today. And as a mother, watching you with Henry, and now those lovely girls of yours, fills my heart with so much joy. I could never, and would never, replace you! Because you're irreplaceable."
She sniffled, wetting his top. "I hate it when you say stuff like that," she forced her face down, hiding back in his chest. "You make me want to cry." Before finally, "I'm sorry…"
"Nothing to be sorry for. We just wanted to give Ruby and Dot what we have. Family."
They continued cuddling for several minutes without saying anything, until finally: "You scared the shit out of me, you know? You nearly died! Then mum would have died..."
And I'd be an orphan. Again.
"I'm sorry. I never even saw the truck jump the lights…"
As they talked, still hugging each other tightly, they never noticed two figures silently watching, from outside the kitchen doorway. "You think she's okay?"
"No, but she will be," she gave her a sad smile. "David always finds it much easier to get through to her than I do. She opens up to him. Probably because they're alike. He gets her, and never judges."
"Sounds like the perfect dad for any girl."
"Or boy. He's that way with Neal too. And could be to your boy too, whenever you need him?"
"Oh, we'll definitely need him, Snow! And you!"
Storybrooke Hospital
After the short visit to the Nolan farm, Robin and Marian headed to the Briars, to drop Roland off for the night. Regina went in her own car, back to the antenatal clinic. As it was only for her own check-up, Honour went with her father and Marian.
"Well I'm pleased to say you're completely healed, Regina," Doctor Hilary smiled. "The infections gone. Still having any pains?"
"No. Everything seems to be back to normal, I guess."
"Good. Though something tells me, by that, that it isn't quite! Care to talk about it? Remember, I'm your doctor as much as Honour's and, trust me, I've heard most things!"
Regina shivered. "Well, there is something. I'm a bit concerned about…intimacy."
"By that, I assume you're talking about sex after the baby? Perhaps getting pregnant again?"
"No, not exactly. I went on a contraceptive bill for the first time, two weeks after the birth. But…I haven't been able to…"
"Regina, these issues are the most common worries for all new mothers! Could you be a little more specific? I'm sure I can help."
"Well…" she was acutely embarrassed, not sure whether she should say anything. "It's not that I don't want to…" oh god, this is painful! "I do! But I'm worried about everything…down there!"
"You're worried whether it'll be painful? Or as satisfying for you or your partners?" The queen nodded. "Regina, we're both women, so may I be frank?"
"Please."
"Our vaginas are incredibly resilient, though it's quite common for things to feel different in the first few months after a birth. We can feel dryness, soreness, fatigue, low libido, loose muscles, depressions and all manner of things. But we do recover!"
"Being 'loose' is the thing I'm worried about, more than anything else. I've no issues with my libido, especially now that Robin and Marian are sharing the night feeds. I'm just worried about…satisfying them. And feeling satisfied."
"And I'm guessing you're worried about not being as 'tight' as you were, before you became pregnant?" Her patient gave a small, embarrassed nod. "We all worry about that, Regina. I certainly did after I had my son, Joey! But really, it's unlikely they'll notice the difference, and if they do, well, they'll make allowances as they love you. We can prescribe vaginal cones, like little weights, to strengthen your pelvic floor. However, you know, most issues when it comes to sex are down to our own self-confidence, because the mind is by far our most powerful organ. That's why Archie Hopper's surgery's always full! You'll work it out, but, if you have any problems after…well, you know where to find me!"
Two hours later, Marian walked in through the front door, followed by Robin carrying a fast-asleep Honour over his shoulder.
As he took her upstairs to her cot, Marian walked through, finding her wife in the kitchen. "Something smells good!" Then she noticed Regina was dressed to kill, wearing a silk, knee-length, dark blue evening dress, albeit with an apron over the front, hair up, and face made up. "Darling, you're all dressed! You look gorgeous - are you going somewhere tonight? I thought we were eating in?"
"We are. I just felt like dressing up for you tonight," she turned, giving her wife the softest kiss on the lips. "I haven't since having Honnie. I'm also cooking something special. Where's Robin?"
Marian wrinkled her nose, moving in to steal another kiss. "He took Honnie straight upstairs, as she's out cold. We fed her at Rory's, so he's going to try changing her without waking her. He should be down in a minute. Something smells amazing in here! If you've gone to the trouble of dressing up, I'm gonna go shower and do the same. You want anything before I go up?"
"Just you down here before seven!" she kissed her yet again, this time with slightly more passion, pressing her back against the fridge door and pressing herself into her. "And fetch a bottle of that Spanish Rioja Reserve? There should still be a couple in the cellar. Best bring both."
After Marian tipped off Robin that they should both dress for dinner, they shared a quick shower. Feeling his growing hardness against her back while he rubbed the shampoo into her hair, she turned, draping her arms around his waist. "Someone's feeling frisky?"
"Can you blame me?" he kissed her. "I'm in a soapy hot shower with a beautiful naked fiancée!" he pressed her against the shower wall. "We've got time before dinner…"
"I'd love to - but we did agree not to, until Gina's feeling up to it too, didn't we?"
He groaned. "True. But I'm only human, Marian, and you are very, very-" he cupped her bum cheeks, lifting her up to rest against him. Despite the heat of the shower, she shivered as she felt his now very prominent erection rubbing against her crotch.
"Now you stop that! You know I find it harder to stop than you do once I get going. Now's not the time! Besides, Gina's super glammed up down there, and she's cooking us something special. I think she's feeling better…"
"Better?" his brow arched. "As in…?"
"As in she just snogged me in the kitchen, and told me to get two bottles of our best red out of the cellar! I think Our Majesty is feeling a little fruity tonight! So…" she pushed him back, freeing his trapped member. "…you'll have to put that thing away for the moment. You never know your luck. Our little period of voluntary celibacy may be over sooner than you think. So keep your fingers crossed, that Honnie doesn't wake up anytime soon!"
