Mifflin Street:
They'd spent almost an hour up that Cedar tree! One hour of torture, as far as Snow was concerned. An hour after which, they'd never see each other in the same light again. But now, all questions exhausted, they sat, studying each other in silence, until Snow finally spoke.
"We've been here too long. Let's go back. Come down with me?" Standing, she gathered the rope ladder, starting to push it out of the opening.
"I suppose so. I'm probably in trouble for nicking the pie, anyway. Still, I guess-" But as he spoke, his mother gasped in shock. "What's wrong?"
"Look?" Snow held up a section of the rope ladder, revealing a nearly perished piece of the rope, with only a few twines holding it together. "You were very lucky, young man. This could have easily snapped at any moment!" she yanked both sides, and the rope instantly fell apart. "See? You could have broken your neck!"
He looked at the pieces. "You're right. Now I remember. Gina did tell me never to use this tree anymore, until Robin gets around to replacing some of it. Roland hasn't used it for years. Marian's forbidden the girls from climbing it till they're at least my age! Sorry, I should have thought…"
"NOW you remember? Never mind. Normally I'd get you on my back, while I shin down, the way I came up. But you're getting way too big and heavy for that these days. So, let me climb down first, then I'll figure something out."
"Don't be daft, mum, that's a sheer drop! You were crazy to climb up it the way you did in the first place! Besides…I don't need a rope, do I?"
"What do you-" as she spoke, Neal raised an arm, offering her his hand, as his other started to twirl. she quickly realIsed what he was going to do. "Oh no, no, no!"
"You said you weren't ashamed of me! But do you trust me?" She looked doubtful. "I promise I won't poof us; how's that?"
"You won't…well, how do you propose we get down?"
Meanwhile, back inside the house…
"So Robin's going to San Francisco, while we're all heading for 'Hogwarts'?" asked Emma, as she helped Marian clear up, bringing things into the kitchen. "Sounds like he's going to have the better time of it, while you do all the childminding?"
Marian sniggered. "He's away for nearly a month, like us. He said he likes the idea of some decent heat and sunshine for a change. Scottish weather isn't uncertain, even in July. Gina and I wanted him to come along, but he insisted, because he hasn't seen Robyn, or should I say Margot, for a while. It'll be nice for them to spend some together. He's planning bringing her back here for a few months. She's going to be ten in August!"
"Already? I couldn't imagine living away from one of the girls. Having Henry leave home for Harvard was bad enough! Makes me appreciate what mum and dad must have been through when they lost newborn me."
"You know, when I was trapped in the Dark Realm, every night I used to imagine what Roland was doing. It was tough." She spotted Killian carrying the large pie bowl in. "Just leave that on the side there Kill? It's way too big for the dishwasher, and Gina often prefers doing that one herself."
"No problem, love. Anything else I can do, while I'm here?"
"No, Emma and I got this. Have you decided whether you're joining Robin on this trip of his?"
"Aye. Part of it. I'm thinking of taking the Jolly down the Western seaboard. I'll-" He suddenly stopped, looking out the large window. "Well that's something you don't see every day!"
As Emma and Marian followed his gaze, they saw the strangest site, of Snow White and her son, both standing upright, arms linked, slowly floating down from above, in the style of a Mary Poppins film, to land gently on the lawn directly outside the back door! Neal had a silly, smug grin on his face while his mother looked decidedly uncomfortable. Just before they landed, spotting Emma looking out the window, he twirled his fingers, making an open parasol appear in his free hand, and a ridiculous flowered Mary Poppins-style hat on his mother's head, much to her bemusement!
"Cheeky little bastard! Marian, don't do any more of that washing up! We need to get our mystery pie thief to do some work."
As Snow's feet finally touched down on the grass, she breathed a sigh of relief, with a breath she'd been holding since Neal nudged her out from the tree house, into thin air! The shock, of feeling she was about to plunge to certain death was immediately replaced by a sensation of floating, as she slowly started descending towards the ground below. "You promised me you weren't going to use magic!"
"I promised I wouldn't 'poof' us down. And I didn't!"
Snow rolled her eyes, wondering if Emma was a similar smart-ass at his age, had she known her. Though she did have a begrudging admiration for Neal's ability at such a tender age. "Does your magic extend to cleaning my brand new shoes? Or getting lichen and bark off a torn dress?"
"Sorry mum, best ask Regina for that one. Still…" he spotted them all looking at him from inside the kitchen and dining room windows, Regina sporting an odd knowing smirk on her face, her arms folded, ready to give him a ticking off. "She might be able to magic you another?" He held her hand tightly, trying to remain focused on his magic but looking at Snow's dress, something he hadn't picked up in before.
"You look really nice today mum. And is that a new hairstyle? You look better with it long."
Later that evening – The Rabbit Hole
"You're telling me my father's alive?" Lily was shocked, to put it mildly. "You said he was dead! The Dark One murdered him?"
"Lilith, I honestly believed he was. That his end came at the request of King Ludwig, who I told you I later…exterminated. However, I met Rumpelstiltskin this morning. He told me, and I am inclined to believe him, that Ludwig was in temporary possession of the Dark One's dagger, and one of the first acts was to command him to kill your father. Apparently, Ludwig also made him vow, while under his control, not to seek retribution for the act on him or his family. Oddly enough, this morning he thanked me for incinerating the bastard! Said I'd done him a favour."
"So how come he's alive?"
"As Rumple was forced to kill him, rather than wanting to, he collected his ashes and stored them. A little like he did to my own after Charming killed me the first time. Being immortal, it sometimes takes a while to come back, but it seems, eventually, he did. I gather he was restored in another realm. I don't yet know all the details but, the two people who do are standing right over there." Mal pointed to a couple in the corner. "The man is Jefferson, formerly the Mad Hatter. I gather he was the one who preserved the ashes, and later released him for resurrection. Interestingly, he's now a rather celebrated clothes designer living somewhere near you! And the woman-"
"Yes, yes, never mind all that!" Lily interrupted. "Tell me about my dad! Who is he? What's he like? More importantly, where is he now?"
"Patience, darling. I've yet to meet him, but I will soon. I was about to say, the one you need to talk to is that tall woman..." she pointed to a corner again. "That's Jefferson, and the woman's called Morgana, or Morgan le Fey. A fairy witch, she lives in the same realm as Zorro."
"Zorro? Like the Lone Ranger? Not exactly an original name, is it? How do you even know it's really him?"
"My dear, I've been around a very long time. And in all that time, I've met no more than eight dragons. I can remember all their names. The Sorcerer, who's been around for two millennia, knows of no more than twenty. I asked him. Zorro is also a Hebridean Black, a most unusual, striking, breed of dragon. From Morgana's description of his features, he's almost certainly the one. I'd recognise him anywhere. I'm told he now goes by the name of Magnus. So, I'm planning to travel back to her realm shortly, to assist in a teaching role over the summer. I thought you might like to join me?"
"Definitely. I want to see him. Does he know about me? Did he even know you were pregnant?"
"No, I only found out myself after he'd gone. I'm told he has other family, by a human, no less. I'm sure he'd be more than delighted to meet you."
"You quite sure about that? I can't see his partner being too happy when I show up!"
"My dear, we're dragons. Anyone who partners with dragons knows we're hardly monogamous; and I would certainly have expected him to have had other relationships, just like myself. You've clearly spent far too much time among humans! Personally, I've never found it a problem."
"I can see that! You're much more popular here these days than I remember. That guy behind the bar seems more than interested in you! You got something going on with him?"
Maleficent looked back to see the man in question staring right back, raising and jiggling a whisky bottle, to ask whether she wanted a top up. "Ah, you mean Guy? He owns this place and, yes, we have a certain understanding. I suppose in this town, you could even call him a boyfriend."
"Handsome fella!" Lily smiled back at the well-built man, nodding yes, that they would like more drinks. "Beefcake. You going to introduce me?"
"I will. But first, take a good look. His eyes. Notice anything?"
"His eyes?" Being a dragon, even in her human form, Lily's eyesight was much more powerful than any humans. So even though he was standing a good twenty feet away, she quickly spotted it. "The colour? Really bright green! Never seen that before."
"Look more closely, dear. What else do you see?"
"Well…he's got good eyelashes. Thick eyebrows but…hang on…his pupils!" Then she noticed the shape as he looked straight back at her. "He's…no? He's a dragon?" She was astonished. Apart from her own mother, she'd never met one of her own kind before. And definitely not a male!
"Correct. His dragon name's Cadmus. Come on, let me introduce you…"
It was only ten minutes later that Charming walked into the nightclub, looking for the person he'd arranged to meet, now sitting at a table with the Sorcerer and an older, balding man he didn't recognise.
"David, come join us? Morgana said you'd be coming. I'm not sure whether you've met Nicolas Flamel?" The stranger, whose skin seemed unusually pale, stood to take his hand. "Nicolas will be one of Neal's tutors over the summer. Come sit for us?"
As he shook the man's hand, then kissed Morgana on the cheek, the witch waved for one of the bar staff to replenish their drinks. "We'll just stay for one. David's invited me to join him for dinner somewhere else, isn't that right?" she looked up at Charming, who nodded back. "Nicolas, why don't you tell David here what we have planned?"
The Gold Mansion
Henry and Ella arrived back at his grandfather's home after the family gathering. Ella slumped into the sofa.
"So what do you think of my family?"
"They're lovely. You're very lucky. Can't believe I've just met a whole bunch of fairytale characters! And as for your sisters, they're sweethearts, all four of them. And Neal's bloody hilarious! You sure he's your uncle?"
"I was in the hospital the day he was born, which itself was a family crisis! I've got so much more to tell you about those guys. What did you think of my mums? All three of them?"
"Marian's lovely, she was fussing all over me. I thought Emma was quite serious though, like she's worried something's about to happen; and then as for Regina…"
"Go on. Just say it."
"She was nice, smiley, but I felt her eyes were on me the whole time! I think she suspects something. I noticed she and Emma seem quite close? Like they were doing that talking thing to each other, with their eyes, like they were both trying to figure me out? I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of Regina. I see what you meant about that 'Evil Queen' look!"
"Yeah. She can be a bit scary when she wants to. Funny thing is, whenever her temper starts to get the better of her, Robin's the one who seems to calm her down the fastest, even more than Marian. Her and Emma did have a kind of thing a few years ago, before he came back. They're all a weird bunch, but they're mine."
"You said Robin's the only one who knows I'm pregnant, but I'm pretty sure Emma and Regina suspect something."
"Does that bother you?"
"It shouldn't, but it does. I'd hate them to think I'm some sort of gold digging tramp who's put their son in an impossible position!"
"There's not a chance in hell they'd think that! Nor say it. If they did, I'd give them hell and leave!" He sat down on the sofa next to her, pulling up her legs to rest them on his, while flicking her shoes off to massage her feet. "Is that really what you think?"
"Well…let's face it, they've never met me before; then they find out I've been living with you, in your flat, for over a year; and to cap it all, I arrive here without a job and pregnant! Unemployed single mother? Not a good look, Hen!"
"You daft thing - just listen to yourself? You're going to be a published author this year. Did you see my mum's face when you told her? She was seriously impressed and it's not many people who can do that!" As he spoke, he lifted her legs back up, to stand and go over to a wooden cabinet. "You're going to be famous, Ella. Like you deserve. You've no doubt going to be awarded a degree, from Oxford no less! You're amazing! So don't you dare put yourself down like that."
"Thanks for the pep talk, Hen, but…" As she spoke, he retrieved a small leather carrier bag from a drawer. "I'll be happier when I'm doing something, rather than just being a baby incubator."
"All in good time, babe. Now…shut your eyes."
"What?"
"Shut your eyes..." He lifted a wooden box, the size of a cigar case, or a small chocolate box, from the bag.
She smiled. "Henry, I don't need any more gifts! You've been lovely enough already, and as for chocolates? I'm going to be-"
"Shut your eyes!" he interrupted, repeating himself.
"Seriously Hen, you really don't-"
"Will you just shut up, and shut your eyes!"
"Okay, okay, keep your hair on! No need to be rude!" she finally closed her eyes, trying to contain a smirk. "You're so annoying, sometimes!"
"Are they shut? Tight? No peeking?"
"Yes, yes, get on with it!"
"No peeking?"
"No peeking."
"Honestly?"
"Honestly! Cross my heart and slap me on the bottom and call me Dave! Just-"
"Open your eyes!"
She sighed in weary resignation, opening them, only to find Henry now kneeling on one knee, a small opened silver box in his hands, facing her. And in the box, a ring!
"Henry?" she immediately clamped her hands over her mouth in disbelief.
"I can't do much about the unemployed bit, but I can do something about being a single mum!"
Words failed her as she saw the silver ring, with a large diamond at its centre.
"Ella, I thought about this before you were even pregnant. I imagined what it would be like spending the rest of our life together, wherever we go. I imagined you and me with our own children one day. Then, just over a week ago, I found out that it could be real. I want this! I want to wake up every morning with your head on my pillow. I want to raise a family with you, love you and grow old with you. Jacinda Vidrio, Cinderella, will you marry me?"
Mifflin Street
Regina sat in their lounge, all the children now in bed, on the phone to her best friend, before retiring for bed. It had been a very long day.
"I agree, she seems like a nice girl. But they're both so young, Emma!"
"He's twenty eight? I arrived back here with a ten-year-old kid I didn't know about, when I was his age!"
"Yes, but…that's typical of you, isn't it?"
"Gee thanks! Regina, he's spent the last eight years living away from home! He's travelled the world, had girlfriends. I know it hurts but…well he's all grown up now, isn't he?"
She gave a loud sigh. "I know, but…"
"I think we're both feeling it, because he seems keener on this one! Did you see him fussing around her? I think Robin's right, if you say anything against her, Henry'll bite your head off. Or leave Storybrooke. And let's face it, she's a bright kid, isn't she? Degree, nearly a published author, sharp, very pretty. He could do a lot worse!"
"True. I guess as they're going to be living in town for a while, until he gets the travel bug again, I better get to know her. Her book on Caribbean cooking does sound interesting."
"Apparently, she rides too. You and Marian could invite her over to the stables?"
"Well, I-" but she was interrupted by someone lifting her phone straight out of her hand!
Looking up in surprise, she saw Marian standing over her, in an ivory dressing gown, which was hanging wide open. Her jaw dropped when she saw what she was wearing underneath! A sheer, black satin corset she didn't recognise, clung to her, while matching knickers and underwired cups of the hooked corset enhanced her magnificently!
"Emma, sorry to interrupt, it's Marian! Look, Gina's been on the phone for well over half an hour now, and I'm standing here wearing some seriously expensive lingerie, and horny as hell! I have plans for her right now, plus, we have a warm husband waiting upstairs, who I'd like to see me in this too; then I then intend to go torture him into submission, with Gina's assistance, until he finally reveals just what he's hiding about Henry and Ella! Could she call you in the morning?"
"Woah, Marian, waaaaay too much information!" Emma almost spat out her hot chocolate as she started laughing! "Okay, okay, I get the less than subtle hint! I'll clear off. Tell her we'll speak in the morning?"
"I'm sure an early night with Killian will prove far more enjoyable than talking to Gina! Bye Emma…" and with that, she quickly hung up the call on the blonde, while Regina still sat, open-mouthed, as she handed the phone back.
"I should be angry with you for that! But...seeing what you're wearing, I could forgive you. Where did you buy it?"
"Kathryn's," Marian shrugged her shoulders, the gown falling away as she turned, revealing a strapless back. "I took Snow shopping there, yesterday." She twirled, so her wife could take it all in. "You approve?"
"Very much. Perhaps I should also go change into something more suitable? Hang on, you went shopping with Snow? There?"
"She was depressed and needing some retail therapy. I gave her my slot at Clara's first, as she needed it more than me. She gave her the full treatment. Did you see what she was wearing? I thought she looked gorgeous! I chose it for her, along with a few other things…"
Regina stood, looking closer as Marian pulled her in. "It was a beautiful dress, until she went climbing that tree! Very different to what she normally wears? And the hair's definitely an improvement. But…wait, you didn't let her see you try that on, did you?"
"Course not. This one I tried in the changing room. And I bought a little something for you, too."
"Such largesse!" She lightly pecked her on the lips. "Looks expensive. What are we celebrating?"
"Being alive and having the perfect marriage!" She kissed her back. "Come on, let's go seduce our man. And you, while you're at it!"
"Keep wearing that sort of thing, and it won't ever be too difficult." She groaned in contentment as Marian pressed her body into her. "What was that about torturing Robin?"
"I spotted something. He and Henry kept giving each other some really cryptic looks, several times, when Ella was talking. He knows something, I'm certain! And as we both know, he's too good at keeping secrets. So I just thought...we could…encourage him, in the nicest possible way?"
Regina pulled Marian's mouth back down onto hers in a more heated kiss, before finally releasing her. "I can't decide whether you're devious, Marian Locksley, or just plain evil!"
"Why, both my darling," Marian squeezed her backside. "I only pretend to be good. Come on…"
The Nolan Flat
As she took off the necklace her mother gave her all those years ago, she stood in her underwear, looking at herself in the bathroom mirror.
She sighed. The image staring back at her was certainly a big improvement on what she'd seen two nights ago. Yet to remove her make up, she knew the grey under her eyes would no doubt show itself, but at least her hair looked good. Her mind went back to those long ago days when she was regularly praised for her looks. The fairest of them all? Perhaps once upon a time. But age comes to all, even if the process is so much slower in Storybrooke. Perhaps that's one of the few advantages of magic? As Emma had reminded her recently, she'd probably be nearly sixty if she lived beyond the town line! And look it! Marian said she looked ten yours younger after leaving Clara's. Ruby said something similar. Henry and his new girlfriend had also complimented her, especially on her new dress and hair. Did any of it matter? No, but it did make her feel a little bit better.
But what of the man whose attention she most wanted. Or feared. When she first walked back inside with Neal, flicking off that ridiculous hat he'd put on her, Charming had said how well she looked! And that her outfit was lovely. It was only clothes and makeup, but his approval, for at least something she'd done, however small, meant a lot to her now.
"I like your hair, Snow. It reminds me of when I first knew you! I've always thought you should grow it long again; it suits you!" he'd said. He'd also praised her dress, even if it was covered in muck from that bloody tree. For the first time in weeks, she'd seen a look in his eyes she thought she recognised. Interest? And now, with the crumpled dress on the hanger on the door, she looked closely at her figure as she stood in her new underwear. The rose pink bra had been hidden under the dress was Marian's suggestion, along with the matching panties ('knickers' as she'd kept calling them). What would David say if he could see her no? Would it turn him on? So many things about her used to – he was always quite the red-blooded type, after all! And for a moment she imagined herself undressing beside their bay window in the moonlight. In front of him, with Dorothy and Ruby either side of him. She pictured Ruby, looking approvingly, licking her lips. Walking to their marriage bed, David lifting her onto it as though she was as light as a feather. She imagined him stroking her, undoing the front clip of the bra, cupping her, before letting his hands roam south…
The ringing cellphone brought her out of her dream.
"Hello, Kathryn, how are you?" Although the woman formerly known as Princess Abigail in the old land, the daughter of King Midas was once thought to be married to David during the Dark Curse. After the curse was broken by Emma, Kathryn was reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Frederick. After their misunderstandings and apologies for past misjudgments, she and Snow had become friends once again.
"Just checking where you were? Considering what you bought from me yesterday, when David walked in here an hour ago, I was half expecting you to join him?"
"Sorry, where's 'here'? Where are you?"
"Standing outside the ladies' at Antonio's. David's here…with someone else. A woman."
Snow's heart sank. Neal had said his father was out on some sort of date tonight, but at the Rabbit Hole. Antonio's was the top restaurant in the area. It was expensive and…romantic. "Yes, I knew about that," she lied. "Tall woman, long black hair?"
"That's her. They seem quite close! What's going on, Snow?"
"Well…er…that's Neal's teacher over the summer. He's off to some sort of summer school for magic. David's just…getting the details."
"Well that's a relief! With them being so close, smiling and laughing and everything, I just thought…"
"It's fine, Kathryn! I knew about it. But, thanks for calling anyway. And for helping Marian and I yesterday…"
"No problem. If you decide to come here with him one night, I've got just the thing. It arrived today. Wear that, and I guarantee no one'll have eyes for anyone but you! Well…must dash. Fred's going to get suspicious if I hang out here too long! Bye." She hung up.
He's taken Morgana to Antonio's? The best, most romantic restaurant in Storybrooke? He's only taken me there once!
Her mind buzzed. Could she ever get him back? Would he ever want to come back? Then she remembered what everyone had been saying about her since leaving Clara's. And the look David had given her in the kitchen earlier. That meant something, right? There was still love in those eyes; she was sure of it! Now she needed to get it back. She needed David not only to forgive her fully and mean it. She needed to restore what they had.She needed him to fall back in love with her. Again.
And talking to Marian had given her an idea.
Mifflin Street
It was Robin's turn to take up the centre of the bed tonight. His favourite spot, if he was honest, because it allowed him to wake with both wives resting their heads on either side of his chest, with him cuddling them in. As he sat up against the bedhead reading, he watched as Marian reappeared in the room, with Regina. Regina started to remove her dress to hang, as Marian disappeared and walked in again, this time carrying a gift box.
"I bought you both a little something from Kathryn's?" she passed her the box, which had a pale-blue ribbon and bow around it. "I think you should open it in the bathroom?" she winked at her. "Robin, I've got a little something for you too, but I'll give it you in the morning, because…well, you'll see."
Regina disappeared into their ensuite. "That's kind. What are we celebrating?"
"I'll tell you all the details in the morning. But basically, Merlin found a buyer for that sister company we set up three years ago. You know, the one running the Unicorn out of Virginia? We've made a good profit. Killian and I were chatting, and we think it would be a good idea to invest it in a small cottage or something, somewhere hot, which we can all use for vacations and rent out when we don't use it. So…we thought it'd be a nice idea if we all went on a two-family jaunt, flying down to the Caribbean just before Christmas, to take a break and look around some of the islands? The presents I mentioned are going to be the airline tickets for everyone, and hotel rooms. What do you think?"
"Sounds wonderful my love, and well done with the business! Just before Christmas this year, you say? Might not be the best time though, what with Ella and Henry-" He stopped himself, remembering that no one else but him knew about Ella being two months pregnant. "Er…not being sure where they might be living?"
It was a small slip, but Marian picked up on it. "What do you mean? It's seven months away. Why should there a be any problem? Ella and Henry?"
"Nothing, just thinking aloud. Just before Christmas, you say? That sounds like a lovely idea. You mean spend Christmas over there?"
She knew him well enough by now. His little tell-tale signs; his diversion tactics. He was definitely hiding something! But she also knew he'd never break a confidence, which was one of the reasons so many trusted in him. He'd never outright lie to her, even if he was a former thief. No, she had to play clever with this one!
"No no, just a week before Christmas for everyone. Both families. Killian and I thought it'd be great to get everyone together. Still…" she slowly shrugged her shoulders as she spoke, letting the dressing gown fall to the floor, to reveal what she had on underneath. "I've more important things on my mind, right now!"
He stared back at what she was wearing. A beautiful black corset that clung to her like paint, and he had to prevent himself licking his lips! There was an erotic 'dominatrix' style to it, and he wondered whether she was wanting to have another master-slave evening like they'd enjoyed over a year ago. But in that outfit, she'd definitely be the master. Or the mistress! And as his mind flew back to the last time she wore something similar, he felt a hardening in his boxers.
"You look gorgeous. Why don't you bring it over for me to…examine?" Preferably with my teeth!
"Oh no you don't, I know you! And I know that look! No, this is only half the surprise. Gina?" She called into the en-suite bathroom. "Are you ready? Come on out and let's take a look?"
"Well…" came a nervous voice from inside. "Not that I'm not grateful but…you know full well that white isn't my colour, dear!" As Regina stepped cautiously out from the bathroom, her partners took in the full effect. Like Marian, she was also wearing a satin corset, but this one was a different style, though ivory white with black buttons from her cleavage to her crotch. She looked like she had the innocence of a fairy – but a fairy who wore bondage gear!
"Bloody hell!" Robin gasped, admiring the sight of his two wives as they came together in a hug. "You may want to reconsider that view, Gina? Like I thought on our wedding day, you're stunning in white!"
"She is, isn't she?" Marian took her hand, leading her to the opposite end of the bed, away from Robin. "I knew it'd suit her. Now, you be a good boy and stay there, while I…honour…our queen." She helped her onto the end of the bed on her knees. "And if you behave, I might just honour you as well!"
Meanwhile, at Antonio's
For David, it had been a wonderful evening, a chance to forget his current problems. They'd stayed at the Rabbit Hole a little while longer than intended, sharing a table and drinks with Merlin and Nicolas Flamel, while they explained the plans for the magical school, even inviting him to come and visit. The Sorcerer had also reminded him that, like Emma, Neal's magic was very powerful, and would need additional one-on-one guidance, which would be provided by the very woman now sitting beside him. As he'd married Snow White, a woman burned by dark magic, who detested it in all its forms, his initial aversion was obvious. But listening to them talking, he learned a lot about that hidden world he hadn't realized, and the dangers of not getting Neal adequately trained to harness his gifts properly.
Now, as he sat in the restaurant with Morgana, in a requested corner hidden from prying eyes, David felt an enormous weight lift from him. It could have been the company. The conversation never faltered, it had been upbeat and cheerful, as they talked about his early life, Neal and Emma, and his adored grandchildren. Morgana also seemed to be enjoying it just as much as him, and she talked openly about her fairy origins, the reality of what happened in Camelot compared to the myths, and her recent life. The only subject the didn't talk about, was Snow. She also talked freely about her relationships and her 'open' lifestyle, and by the way she regularly took his hand to stroke, on top of the table, and the flirtatious looks she continually gave him, David was left him in doubt she was interested in getting to know him in a very different way!
But as they shared a second bottle of wine, just enjoying each other's company, they didn't notice they were being watched. Or at least, David didn't.
"For heaven's sake, Kat! Will you just come and sit down?" Fred hissed up at his wife, who was peering around a column. "They're going to notice!"
"Teacher, my arse!" growled the former Princess Abigail, King Midas's daughter "Did you see that? She's all over him, like a rash!"
"Keep your bloody voice down. It's none of our business! Just come and sit down."
"Snow said she was Henry's summer schoolteacher. Magic teacher apparently, so she's a witch!"
"Even more reason not to interfere!"
"The looks she's giving him? I'd have a bloody fit if someone looked at you like that!"
"Look, Snow said she knows about it, so it's nothing to do with us. Just get back here…"
"She may have, but she wouldn't…wait! No, no, she's kissing him! She leant over and kissed him! On the mouth!"
Back in Mifflin Street
To Robin, just one of the many advantages to being happily married, to not one, but two, of the most beautiful women in Maine, was that his love life was spectacularly good, and never dull. He was a lucky bastard, and he was reminded of the fact in so many ways, every day. These were his true loves, and they were not only beautiful, but highly intelligent, kind and loving, and he couldn't survive without them. But they were also ruthless. And imaginative, especially in the bedroom!
Over the last seven years, after some initial stumbling and fumbling, they'd found many ways for three people to love one another intimately. They'd experimented with what they liked, and what they didn't. From toys and clothes, to so much more. Two years ago, they'd even visited two rather interesting clubs in Boston and New York, which had been a real revelation! Marian had even discovered she had a taste for bondage, much to her lovers' surprise. While she didn't enjoy the darker side of S&M, or anything that involved pain or humiliation, she did become keen on the whole restraint and dominance culture, which she would regularly indulge in when it was her turn to take control in the bedroom. Regina, on the other hand, enjoyed the thrill of deprivation; of making her lusty lovers wait for their relief, postponing the inevitable ecstasy, to enhance it even more. It could be frustrating sometimes for her partners but, as a result, over the years, Robin's ability, and patience to hold back on his own peak had increased dramatically. The simple biological shortcoming of his sex; that he could probably climax up to three times of a night, whereas his wives could achieve multiple orgasms and recover quickly, made him a better lover, concentrating on their pleasure in so many ways before allowing his own.
Now, unfortunately, his patience was being tested as never before.
Just over an hour ago, they'd tied his arms to the bedposts, ordering to lie quietly and watch until they were ready. It was a terrible tease, which they'd inflicted on him before. But never for a whole hour! He'd watched as they'd kissed, fondled, licked, massaged, tribbed and fingered directly in front of them. And he'd grown harder and harder within minutes. To the point of pain! Now, having watched Marian rise from between their wife's thighs, her lips and chin glistening, he silently hoped they'd turn their attention to him, at last. But they didn't.
Instead, Marian merely moved up to settle her whole body over Regina's, pecking her lips as she parted her thighs once again to allow her in, sated looks on both their faces. "You know, if eight years ago, you'd told me that I would fall hopelessly in love with another woman, marry her, and bear her child, I would have said you were quite insane!" Brown eyes shared an intense look. "But I did. I love you so very much, Regina Locksley. My queen."
"And if you'd told me I'd fall in love with my dead lover's widow, I'd ask for you to be put in a padded cell. But I did. I love you just as much, Marian. My queen."
As he watched them worship one another, he felt invisible. Worse, he felt invisible with an aching bulge in his shorts, that desperately needed to be relieved. He'd had more than enough!
"Okay, that's enough for me…" with a flick of his fingers, the ropes vaporized, as he sat up. "I'm done here. If you'll excuse me ladies?"
Finally distracted, they both looked up at him. "Robin?"
"I'm done," he turned for the bathroom. "It's one thing getting me frustrated, but to drag it out for an hour is just cruelty! Excuse me…"
"Robin?" Marian looked down at a now frowning Regina. "Don't be silly! Get back here."
"Nope. Not in the mood anymore," he called as he closed the door behind him. "You carry on."
"I don't think he's pretending…" Regina whispered as Marian rolled off her. "I think we pushed him too far."
Any thoughts she had that he was just being over-dramatic, for attention, were dispelled the moment she heard the power shower go on. "Yeah, I think you're right. It's my fault – we left him out too long!"
In the bathroom, Robin had briefly considered relieving his painful erection himself, but changed his mind as he softened. No, a cold shower would do the trick. I'll never get to sleep otherwise. He thought, as the icy water covered him. He didn't resent what they'd done, but the amount of time he'd waited for them to satisfy each other was just too much, even for him. So, he stayed in the icy water for a good ten minutes, before finally finishing and toweling himself dry. As he stepped back into the bedroom in a clean pair of boxers, it was to find both his wives, now both in more conservative nightwear, under the quilt, looking back at him.
"Are you annoyed with us?" asked Regina, a more serious look on her face.
"Not annoyed, just disappointed. I know you did it on purpose, but there's a difference between frustration and pain. As you should know by now."
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright, I'll live."
Take my turn in the middle?" Marian pulled her long legs out from under the quilt to stand. "I know you prefer it…"
"Actually, it's my turn anyway," he pouted. "But no, you take it. I've got an early start, so I won't want to wake you."
Regina sighed, rolling her eyes. "For heaven's sake, we're trying to apologize, dammit! Just…get in. You know it'll be worth it."
"To be honest, I'm no longer in the mood. It's fine."
"Robin, you sound like a child! Just get in. Gina and I are now going to make you the centre of attention. And if you've lost the mood, you know full well we can very quickly help you find it again!"
And that's how he found himself, only ten minutes later, lying back in the centre of the bed, fully restored, looking down, while both his wives did something, they knew drove him crazy. As Marian now held his fully erect cock at the base, she and Regina grazed their teeth either side of it, slowly up and down the shaft. He'd groan loudly, as they took it in turns to suck hard on the brim, sometimes bringing their lips together on the top. At one point, he hissed loudly when their tongues fought to try and push inside his meatus. As he closed his eyes, he willed himself not to come too early, wanting desperately to finish inside one of them, preferably both. For the second time that evening, he felt the discomfort return.
"Miladies, this feels wonderful but, I really need to release!"
Unfortunately for Robin, as they worked him together, ever closer to his peak, Marian's mind went back to something that he'd said earlier. Why it had happened just then, while she was attending to his pleasure, she'd never know.
But it did!
Caribbean holiday before Christmas? Problem for Ella and Henry? Seven months' time? Then the image of henry's girlfriend came to mind. How she looked. How she acted. Suddenly, a realization dawned, making her pull her head back.
"SHE'S PREGNANT!" she gasped, making Regina also pull back.
"I'm sorry?"
"Ella! She's pregnant!"
"What?" Now she had Regina's full attention. "What makes you say that?"
"Something Robin said earlier. That if we went on holiday, it'd be a problem for Henry and Ella!" as she spoke, the fully engorged penis that they currently held between them suddenly seemed irrelevant. "He stopped himself…but I got the jist of it! And she…she didn't drink anything, apart from water! And she kept touching her tummy!"
Regina, now completely focused on her, rather than the pulsing organ in front of them, dropped her jaw in surprise as her mind went back a few hours. "Henry never seemed to stop touching her! Like he was being all protective…"
"And she wouldn't touch the coffee!" Marian added. "Or the prawn salad. Or the cheese!"
"She kept drinking water. He was really fussing over her! I thought it was just that he'd missed her…"
"Robin," Marian looked up at him, finally letting go of his penis. "That's it, isn't it? Ella's pregnant?"
"Marian, please?" Could they have picked a worse moment? "You're asking me this, now?"
Both women were now back on their knees, facing him, all interest in what they were doing now forgotten. "Answer her question, thief! Is my son's girlfriend pregnant, or not?"
This was unbelievable! Two pairs of brown eyes now glared right back at him, as his twitching cock started to soften. He gulped.
Even for someone as blessed as him, sometimes, life could be unbelievably cruel!