Summary: David is finally able to go back to work, Ruby's going to be induced, and Emma tries to find out more about her parents' odd relationship with the wolf.
The Diner – One month later
Weeks passed before David Nolan finally walked into the Diner, with Snow, for the first time since his head injury, almost two long months ago. Since leaving hospital, he'd suffered blinding headaches and had to go back in after he'd fainted once, and had to remain off work. Finally, he was given a clean bill of health by Doctor Whale to go back.
Granny was the first to welcome him, hugging him tightly, followed by most of the diners coming up to him, shaking his hand or hugging him and wishing him well. It was a good ten minutes before he was finally able to sit down with his family at the table. Emma had watched the entire performance, smiling to herself at just how much her dad was loved by the town. Snow White was born the only daughter of a king, while David was merely the son of a poor shepherd. Despite that, his kindness and bravery had made him a hero and worthy king in all their eyes. And she couldn't be more proud.
"This one's on the house," said Granny, placing a plate of pancakes in front of him, a jug of hot maple syrup and a large coffee. "But don't get used to it!" Although her face was as severe as always, her eyes told a different story.
"Granny, you're a wonder! And these smell delicious! I hear you're planning on retiring?"
"What?" Emma hadn't heard anything. Granny retiring?
"Word travels fast!" she looked across at Snow. "Some people never could keep a secret!"
"Hey - I never said a word," Snow defended herself. "Ruby told him!"
"When's this happening?" Emma asked, slicing a piece of apple on Hope's plate. "Will Ruby and Dorothy be able to take over the diner, after the baby?" Dorothy was now getting ready to work full time as a deputy sheriff, under David, once he returned to work. Was she going to be leaving again?
"Mike's offered to buy a stake in the business, so he can share the load with her. Dorothy wants to stay on as a deputy sheriff. I'll be giving it up in three months…" she looked across at Marco, who was sitting quietly in a far corner reading his paper, coffee in hand. As he looked up at her, a shy smirk appeared on her face, instantly picked up by Snow.
"Do I take it things are going well with Marco?"
It was rare for Granny, the formidable Eugenia Lucas, to blush. But she did this time. "You always take things too far, Snow White! No, but we have an…understanding. At our age-"
"So he'll be moving in?"
"No. I'll be moving in with him. Into his cottage, next to the workshop…"
"Eugenia, I'm shocked!" David responded, a mocked look of outrage appearing. "I thought you were saving yourself for me! Now I find you're going to be living in sin with another man?"
"Oh, shush you!" she flicked a towel at the back of his head, making them chuckle, as Ruby appeared, waddling uncomfortably towards them.
"Hi!" said the heavily pregnant woman, looking at David. "She's let you out at last?" After his last blackout, Snow had gone ballistic when her husband said he wanted to go back to work. She'd even arranged for Merlin to visit, to persuade him to wait till he'd fully recovered.
"Yeah, I'm feeling a lot better. How about you? You're blooming, Rubes!"
"Blooming enormous! Don't lie, David, I'm the size of a house! The sooner I get this little bugger out, the better."
"Bugga!" said Hope, smiling, her mouth covered in tomato sauce.
"Oops, sorry!" Ruby blushed. "Force of habit. I'll go, before she learns some more words!"
"Don't be silly," David stood, pulling out a chair. "Come sit? Hope's dad swears worse than that, most of the time!" he grinned at Emma.
"Hey, cheap shot! That's my husband you're talking about!" called Emma, defending Killian, who was out on the Jolly. "Even if it is true!"
Ruby laughed. "I'd love to, but I just popped out to say hello. Dot's going to be driving me to the hospital later. They're probably gonna induce me…"
"Induce?" queried Snow. "So…you're having the baby today? Two weeks early?"
"Looks like it. Vic said it's getting pretty cramped in here…" She stroked her belly. "This fella's a big one and, what with the wolf genes and all, he didn't want any complications. So, he warned us he may need to induce."
"You want me to come with?" Snow was already on her feet, moving to her and taking her best friend's hand. "David, you can take care of Neal and everything here, right?"
"Woah, woah, it's fine Snow! It may not happen today. But of it does, it's all in hand."
"Let us both know if you need anything," David was already at her other side. "We're here for you!"
Emma watched them, both parents showing support for their friend, with a twinge of jealousy, even now. Her dad had explained their reasons for helping the wolf and her wife get pregnant, and she'd tried to understand. Was she just being selfish? Her little brother wasn't upset, and nor was anyone else. Was it the fact her own mother had encouraged it? Snow almost seemed to want David to have a child by another woman living in their town. She was the one who suggested he be the donor. It felt that her mother was closer to Ruby than her own daughter, and that irritated her more than anything David had done. Was she, the supposed Saviour, so horrible that she couldn't appreciate the joy of the woman and her new wife having a child of their own, even if they needed a donor? She'd spoken about it to Killian, but he didn't see the harm. On the contrary, he said that if he was single and unattached, and a kindly couple needed a donor he would possibly step up! Should she talk to Archie? He was able to drag things out of her during her depression after Hope's birth, after all. No, this wasn't that bad. But she wanted to discuss her feelings with somebody.
There was only one person close enough who could fit the bill.
Storybrooke Riding School
Emma pulled up at the riding centre around four o' clock, after collecting Hope from her toddler group. Getting her out of the back of the car and into the buggy, Killian currently at home looking after Lizzie, she spotted horses being ridden in the lower field. She hadn't been anywhere near the town's riding centre and stables that her best friend had restored, for nearly a year. She hardly recognised it! A number of the dilapidated buildings were refurbished, some possibly with magic, and fresh paint and woodwork appeared everywhere. It looked brand new.
Pushing the buggy closer, towards what looked like a new raised viewing platform, she spotted someone she recognised. "Robin?"
"Emma?" the owner of the Sherwood pub smiled. "Don't see you around here very often?"
"True. I've never been good with horses, despite Killian and dad trying to induce me to ride. I needed to talk to Regina about something. I texted her earlier and she said she'd be here. You seen her?"
"Down there..." he pointed across to the right of the field, where in the distance, a huge horse, much larger than the others, was cantering fast with two riders on his back. Even from here, she could hear the heavy clumping.
"That's one big old horse!"
"Fast too. That's Chester, my old thoroughbred. Almost eighteen hands tall. Beautiful, isn't he?"
Then Emma recognised the riders, when the one at the back shrieked. "Is that – Regina and Marian?"
"Yep. They ride the others separately, but often ride Chester together. Because of his size, their combined weight works better. Otherwise, it's usually only me, John or Philip that ride him. He's a gentle soul, but we don't let the children on him, just in case…"
"He's impressive!" they watched as the two women, Marian clamped tightly behind Regina, her hands around her waist, slowed and turned the magnificent beast, ready to go again. The large thoroughbred's pace changed into a trot, and Emma was struck by how easily both women rose to it, on their stirrups, as one. She knew her best friend was an expert rider, but it was clear that Marian was also experienced in the saddle. Seeing them move so seamlessly together, she felt a twinge of envy for the taller woman. Envious of being so close to Regina? She tried to brush it from her thoughts, which weren't helped by Robin's next comment.
"Magnificent together, aren't they?"
"Mm? What?"
"Mari and Gina – the way they ride him together," he looked with pride at his fiancées. "The way they rise to the trot together like that. It's so much harder than it looks!"
"Erm…yeah, I guess. I'm not much of a rider myself, though I've done it a few times with Killian. Look, I can pop back later, yeah? I'll give her a call…"
"Nonsense! Just hang on a minute, I'll get them back up here." Without another word, he brought two fingers to his mouth, to let out an ear-piercing whistle, that made her jerk in surprise.
"Foooooeeeeeooooo!"
Within seconds, the enormous horse stopped, looking up and across at them, before bounding across the field, despite his riders' best efforts to stop him. Emma remembered Marian telling her something about Robin's party tricks with his horse. She tried not to look too impressed. "Where's Honnie?"
"Back at the inn, with John and Elsa."
"Elsa? She's back?" Why didn't she know her best friend after Regina, was in town? After she married Little John, they'd intended to live in or around Storybrooke, but royal duties and a feud with other countries had still been an issue.
"Yeah. You remember she abdicated? Anna and Kristoff came over too. Apparently, there was the little matter of a war to deal with, so they had to stay for a while. They arrived via Merlin's portal late last night. She said she was going to call you this morning?"
"Call me? Do they even have phones in Arendelle yet? I-" She was interrupted by the horse, which now seemed bloody enormous, arriving in front of him, its front rider looking annoyed.
"We were enjoying our ride, thief!" Regina glared at him, irritated. "That's the third time you've interrupted us like that!" she spotted Emma and Hope, the two-year-old grinning up at her, gurgling, which seemed to soften her. Slightly. "Silly horse! Any particular reason, or did you just want to show off in front of Emma?" As she spoke, Marian's equally helmeted head appeared next to hers, on her shoulder, cheek to cheek.
"Hi Emma. Do you ride?" she asked.
"Not really. I've never been a horse person. Especially around stupidly big ones like him!"
"Chester? Oh, he's a big softie really, a pussycat! You should have a go! I promise you, you'd love him! Here, you can take my place while I look after Hope, if you like? I'm sure Gina wouldn't mind?" Giving her wife a fleeting kiss on the back of the neck, below her riding helmet, the tall brunette quickly flicked her right leg backwards. Flicking her left out of the stirrup, and spinning like a ballerina, before landing smoothly on both feet. "Go on - up you go!"
Emma was, in truth, nervous around horses. She remembered riding on one with Killian, back in Camelot. Even though he held her in his arms, she'd still been terrified when it went faster. "It's okay Marian, really. Besides, I don't have any riding gear! It's fine…"
Regina glared down at her, smirking. "Which by that, she means she's scared stiff of horses, isn't that right Em-ma?" she smirked. "I can't see her even getting up here, let alone riding him!"
Emma hated being made to look small in front of others, and never backed down from an obviously blatant challenge - and Regina knew it!
"I'm not scared of them, your Majesty! I just haven't had the benefit of growing up around them, and taking riding lessons, like you and a few other spoilt, pampered royals I could mention!" she growled back.
"Well you're a princess, aren't you? And technically the heir to Misthaven! So it's time you learned…" she waved her fingers, and Emma gasped when she felt her jeans, jacket and sweater disappear, to be replaced by pair of cream, tight fitting breeches, riding boots, polo shirt and tweed jacket almost identical to Marian's, before a riding helmet appeared on her head!
"What the hell?"
"Suits you, Emma," said Robin, looking her up and down, impressed. "You look good in breeches! Hot!" The last word earning a frown from both his lovers, which just made Emma chuckle.
"Hot?" asked Marian, her brow arched.
"Fashionable? Elegant? Sexy?" he replied, deliberately winding them up. "What? It's true - you both know she does!"
"Stop digging yourself in even further, thief!" said Regina, knowing what he was up to. "Emma, come on up behind me. And hold on!"
She looked up at the enormous animal. Even getting a foot in the stirrup was going to be difficult! That's when she felt her entire body being lifted, gently, into the air. "What the hell?" she gasped, as her torso turned, depositing her four-square right behind Regina's back. "Gina - did you do that?"
"No. That was our loving future husband over there - after he'd finished admiring your 'hot' outfit!" she glared down at him. Though he merely smirked back, calling "have fun, you two!" Regina made a clicking noise with her teeth, pulled on the reins gently and Chester slowly turned to walk away, leaving Marian now lifting up Honour for a cuddle, Robin by her side, watching their departing figures.
"I'm surprised you suggested she take your place, Marian!" he said, when they were out of earshot. "I'm pretty sure they still have feelings for each other, despite everything."
"I'm quite certain they do!"
"So why did you? Are you trying to test her?"
"No. Those two are like magnets. Something more than just best friends. If I tried keeping them apart, I think it would just make them closer. Plus, if Merlin's right, when Honour and this one's sister grow up…" she kissed Hope's cheek, "…there's a very real chance Emma and Killian will be our in-laws."
Once they pulled away from Marian and Robin, Regina guided Chester slowly towards a corner of the large field, turning to face a long diagonal strip, planning to canter across it. Emma, clearly nervous, was pressed tightly into her back, her head having no choice but to rest on her shoulder, their helmets clunking together from time to time. "So, you wanted to see me?"
"I was hoping for somewhere private to talk! Not bouncing up and down on a horse with your ass on my lap."
Regina sniggered. "There's people who'd pay good money for that! Now, what's the problem?"
"I'll tell you. But I won't be able to talk if you make this bugger start galloping…"
"Very well. We'll wander around down there for a while. Make it quick though."
Several hundred yards away, Marian tried to see what was going on in the lower field. "What are they doing? She's just walking him around down there."
"Probably just chatting. Emma said she needed to talk, but she didn't say what about. Why are you looking so concerned? I thought you just said-"
"I'm fine, okay?" she snapped back, before realizing she'd been too abrupt. "Sorry. I'm just-"
"Concerned? Nosey?" That earned a hard glare from her. "Sorry."
Meanwhile, in the lower field...
"You're seriously saying David, our noble Prince Charming, is Ruby's donor? And that Snow wanted this?"
"Crazy, right? They couldn't get on the adoption list, and apparently the woman who runs the clinic's dead against same-sex couples."
"Ha, I can believe that! That'd be Linda Milligan, a right bitch! And that's coming from the Queen Bitch herself! Her husband had had enough, and left her some time ago for Dan Forrest, one of Robin's former Merry Men! They make quite a nice couple, actually. So I can imagine she hates all gays and bisexuals! She blanks me every time she sees me. Horrible woman!"
"Well anyway, mum persuaded dad, and he agreed. Ruby's getting induced today."
"So you're about to have a step-brother? Why's that so bad? And why are you so worried? It's not as though David's going to leave Snow, and move in with a couple of lesbians now, is it?"
"Of course not! It's just…" she found it hard to explain and the words dried up. It was hard to see the blonde's face, so Regina twisted her neck.
"You're jealous! Of a new baby?" The look on her face said it all. "Does Neal know?"
"He's fine with it. And I'm not jealous! It's just…just…not fair. I'm not exactly angry with dad. It's more mum, if I'm honest. She was the one pushing it. Her and Ruby…"
"Interesting. Well, those two have always been incredibly close. Even before she met Charming. Several of my informants told me that there were rumours going around the Court…" she stopped, not sure whether she was just inflaming things.
"Rumours? What rumours?"
Too late. She was glad Emma couldn't properly see her face. "Just…silly rumours. It's not important."
"About Ruby and mum?"
"Yes. And Charming. Probably just silly spiteful servant bitching, though."
"You can't just stop there! We don't lie to each other, remember? Tell me what you know - and remember, I can spot a lie!"
Storybrooke Hospital
Ruby was induced at around eight thirty that evening. Despite concerns about complications, it proved to be a textbook birth, and Doctor Hilary, with Doctor Whale in close attendance, delivered the baby about five hours later. The boy, at just over nine pounds, was bigger than the average, but healthy.
"Hold still Rubes! Dorothy, come in a bit closer. Now, say cheese?" Victor, a close friend of the couple, took at least a dozen pictures before handing her phone back. "You make a beautiful family, ladies. He's perfect!"
"Thanks, Vic! You too, Hilary. You did most of the work, after all."
"All part of the service. I asked Doctor Whale to join us because I wasn't sure whether the wolf gene would lead to any complications. But all seems good, and you've got a seriously handsome young lad there. You decided on a name yet?"
"We have. But we thought we'd wait till he meets his father, before we announce it."
"That's fine, I'll just put Baby Gale on the records. You've got a few weeks to decide, but…" then she realised what the mother had said. "His father? But I thought-?"
"The two of us will be raising him, but…" Ruby looked up at her wife. "We hope he'll also be involved too. Not all the time, just a fatherly influence. Kansas, could you send a text to Snow?"
"Snow White?" said Hilary, confused. They nodded. "No need to text her. She's waiting outside."
"She's here? But it's one thirty in the morning!"
Grannie Lucas couldn't sleep, expecting their call. And she never had problems sleeping! She told them to call her, regardless of the hour, with the news. So, when the old wolf picked up her phone at just before two in the morning, seeing Ruby's name, she was ready. "What's happening?"
"What's happened, is you've becoming a great-granny!" the voice at the other end sounded tired, but joyful. "Congratulations!"
"I'm supposed to say that to you, my girl! Congratulations, to both of you. So, you have a son?"
"He's beautiful, granny. There's definitely a look of you in him. Quite terrifying!"
"Oh shush! I can't wait to see him!" she yawned, a little too loudly. "I'll be over shortly."
"No granny, don't. It's really early and you need some sleep, like we all do. Hilary reckons we can leave here in a few hours anyway, as it was a textbook birth. We were going to come straight over to you, if that's okay?"
"Of course, you don't need to ask. I won't be getting any sleep anyway. Come when you can."
After saying their love and best wishes, the old wolf finished the call, looking at the new ring on her finger. "And I've got some news for you, too, my girl!" she said to herself, stroking it with her thumb.
