AN: Thanks for all the incredible responses! Keep them coming! I know replies get long, but I love that so many are still following me on the incredible journey that is this story. See previous chapter for explanation on realms. Now that the realms are united, everyone is on Storybrooke time and aging for adults is very slow due to the Chalice.
Thanks for the great reviews! Keep them coming! The feedback gives this story life, so please consider leaving a review! Unless you're a troll, because then your reviews get deleted. You can also follow me on Tumblr Lilacmoon83. All my stories, plus artwork is posted there, as well as all things Snowing and Charming family. So give me a follow!
Also, someone did ask about what season we would be in by now, so I decided to do a season breakdown:
Season 1: Chapters 1-30 (30 chapters)
Season 2: Chapters 31-67 (36 chapters)
Season 3: 68-83 (15 chapters)
Season 4: 84-102 (18 chapters)
Season 5: 103-122 (19 chapters)
Season 6: 123-151 (28 chapters)
Season 7: 152-193 (41 chapters)
Season 8: 194-234 (40 chapters)
Season 9: 235-on
This story is now updated bi-weekly. As always, reviews on all stories are very much appreciated, so please consider leaving reviews. :)
Below is a comprehensive list of face claims and all can be googled.
Face Claims:
Leo Charming Nolan: Matt Lanter
Eva Charming Nolan: Bailee Madison
Summer Charming Nolan: Joey King(young) and Luna Blaise(older)
Bobby Charming Nolan: Logan Lerman
Christopher Sean: Dr. Paul Sakura
Aphrodite: a blonde Ginnifer Goodwin
Xander(Robert) Nolan Charming: David Cubitt(the actor they cast for Robert in canon)
Clayton(even though he's finally dead): Vincent Irizarry
Mephisto: Formerly, Henry Fonda. Newly – Jeff Kober
Amora the Enchantress: Laura Dern
Seth: Rami Malek
The Major, Patricia Donovan: Camryn Manheim
Zorro: Galen Gering
Nick: Danny Pino
Angela: Jordana Brewster
Hermes: Nakia Burrise
Prince John: Paul Giamatti
Sir Hiss: Jesse Eisenberg
JJ: Garrett Wareing
Nora: Mae Whitman
Queen Serenity: Sarah Michelle Gellar
King Endymion: Freddie Prinze Jr.
Apollo: Amir Arison
Artemis: Rachel Leigh Cook
Drizella Tremaine (1.0): Melanie Lynskey – Drizella Tremaine 2.0(Ivy Belfry) is still Adelaide Kane.
Rodmilla Tremaine: Angelica Houston
Johnny Clayton(Junior): Paul Telfer
Natalie Zearing: Melissa Roxburgh
Thalia Zearing: Stacey Haiduk
Hera: Melissa Archer
Zeus: Greg Vaughan
Dione: Arianne Zucker
Athena: Catherine Sutherland
Nyx: Selma Blair
The agents:
Agent Tessa Green: Sasha Alexander
Agent: Brian Dorsey: Scott Porter
Agent Danielle Harding: Ellen Tamaki
Sirius Clayton: Billy Zane
John Clayton(the first): Hank Azaria
John Clayton(the second): Thaao Penghlis
Malina Pizarro: Alicia Coppola
Dr. Hector La Guerra: David Dayan Fisher
Adam Rodriguez: Santo
Cote de Pablo: Irina
Zia: Camila Banus
The Dragon Queen(Zia Troyano): Julia Jones
The Dragon King(Esteban Zhu Ling): Michael Copon
Mendoza: Javier Bardem
Tao Xang Li: Jay Laga'aia
Queen Nubia: Nadia Bjorlin
Ali Larter: Goldilocks
Le Fou: Josh Gad
Joe: Bobby Cannavale
Frankie: Ezra Miller
Grimm: Sam Rockwell
King Runeard: Alfred Molina
If I missed any, let me know and I will add to the face claims. :)
Here are individual responses to reviews:
Ghostwriter: Yep, Jekyll is gone for good finally! Thanks, glad to know it was a fun read, albeit a crazy one. Glad you enjoyed it.
Jennifer Baratta: Yep, everyone is happy that Jekyll is finally gone. Glad you enjoyed!
Alissa: Yep, he's dead. For real. Like no longer exists dead. I like that it was his own arrogance that killed him too. Eva's podcast is exciting and so is the time lapse. Glad to know that you're still hooked and I'm glad you love it so much. To know that you read it more times than most books is a huge compliment. :)
Number Ten: No, haven't seen Duck Tales. I used to watch the original when I was a kid. I prefer my cartoons the OG versions, lol. These Lunarians are from Sailor Moon. Yep, Jekyll is finally dead! Yeah, he was a villain for a while. About chapters 123-145. And then again from back around 200ish to 234. Yeah, Goldie and Grimm are definitely scumbags. But yes, Runeard may be the real threat now. Glad you're enjoying!
Guest100: So glad you're enjoying it! There will eventually be some more Charming grandkids in the future. :)
Zariah: Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it and that I could impress you, especially 235 chapters in. Tonight's chapter is interesting. Thanks for the name suggestions. I went another direction, but I think you'll like them. Yeah, the fight was incredibly intense and Charming was the hero we love. Nah, I'd never kill Charming. But glad I could give you the suspense enough to worry for a moment. ;) Yep, Goldie and Grimm are on the run and Runeard is going into hiding too. Nope, and we get a flashback of Rodmilla's takedown in this chapter. It's very satisfying. Glad you enjoyed it so much!
Grace5231973: Yep, Jekyll is gone! Definitely worthy of a celebration! Glad you're enjoying!
JDubReaderWriter55: Yep, Jekyll is dead! He's actually non-existent now so that's even better. Yeah, the other baddies escaped, for now. They would stay away if they knew what was good, but they don't so I'm sure we'll see more battles in the future. Glad you're enjoying! I know you'll enjoy this one too.
The Gray Jedi 2020: Thanks, glad you loved it. It is quite a long read, but I'm glad you stuck with it and still wanted more. Yeah, I meant descendant and will go fix it. I think it's pretty minor though. I did the season breakdown above for you and everyone. This chapter starts season 9. It's about 2025 in the United Realms. It's stated somewhere back around the end of season 7. But now that a year has passed, it's about 2026 in the fall/winter I'd say. So almost 2027. Probably not on Maui and Moana, though I could change my mind. At this point, I'm trying not to introduce more characters and have rather decided to use Moana to expand the lore a bit more around the truest loves. Emma represents fire. While she has a general use of magic, it often manifests like white fire. Leo is thunder/lightning. Eva is wind, Summer is water/bubbles, Bobby is Earth, but can basically use them all. I don't know anything about Avatar really. The elemental power is not based on that. Amora may return. I haven't ruled that out, so we'll see what happens with that. We'll get some happiness for everyone for a little bit, before we take on the remaining villains. Aw thanks, that's a really great compliment about this being the best Once fic out there. Thanks so much! Hope you continue to read and review. :)
Sexystarwarslover: Yep, he was the worst and he's finally gone! Yes, this was a celebration well earned. Thanks, glad you like the casting choice. Yep, Final Reckoning, thankfully, it's final for Jekyll. Yeah, we'll have to explore more with Fandral and Thor. Yep, someone has a crush and it's adorable! I know, Snow's reaction is so different than Charming with his daughters. Yeah, putting that necklace away is certainly for the best. Yep, Truest Loves Children of the Sun. Yep, I love Snow teasing him, even though she knows he's not going soft by any means. I couldn't resist the Office reference there with the stairs. Yeah, Emma is being protective of her baby brother. Yep, no matter what Goldie and Grimm do, Henry will always print the real stories. Yeah, August is a good person to run the network and I'd listen to a Charming family podcast too! Yeah, Jekyll is not going to win! I love Bobby's embarrassment too. Yep, written in the stars. Jekyll is a coward and it was an epic battle with Charming as the victor. Jekyll is gone forever! Yeah, the villains that escaped will be back, but for now there will be some peace! Glad you're enjoying it!
AnonSnowing: Yeah, unfortunately, he got that necklace and it wasn't ordinary at all. Yes, Rose and Belle would love Cibola's library. Lol, in the anime, they are from the moon, but I decided that's not true here. I doubt it. I'm pretty fond of the Marvel version of Thor. Yep, someone has a crush! Yes, the stone is Maui's fish hook is disguise. Yep, that Tao is related to Maui. Tao was not very trusting at all and probably led to a lot of problems. Yep, the stone can capture all the elements so it needs to be protected. Yes, Charming has lots of muscles and Snow knows them all, lol. Yeah, couldn't resist the Office reference there with all those stairs. Yep, Bobby won't have that obstacle if he gets serious with Zia someday. Yeah, it's probably Bobby that will deliver the killing blow to Void. Yep, Jekyll stole that necklace. As my sister said when she was little, he's a big stupid head. I wouldn't put it past shows like SNL. Yep, the Enchanted News Network. Yeah, Jekyll is scarier enough to put fear into Rodmilla. That's pretty bad. Lol yeah, I love the Snowing banter going up the stairs. Yeah, that was actually easy so it's no wonder that something crappy happened after that. Jekyll is a coward had to stack the deck against Charming. And he still lost in epic fashion, but that was a close call. But that monster is nonexistent now and they are safe. Goldie is a stupid brat for sure. Yeah, the villains are going into hiding for a while, but still time to celebrate! True love always wins! Glad you enjoyed it so much!
Finding You Always
Chapter 235: Perfect
Snow relaxed on the beach and enjoyed the sun beaming down on her. She had plenty of sunscreen on, thanks to her husband and she wore an enticing white string bikini. She sensed him look over at her from his place beside her and enjoyed the sight of him in only a pair of swim trunks. It had been a year since they had been rid of Jekyll and it had been one of happiness and bliss. They knew the lull likely wouldn't last forever, but they had soaked up every second of it.
Shortly after Jekyll's demise, their kids had presented them with a beach house that they had built for them with magic on the island of Mu, located in a nice little secluded cove on the island. The people of Mu were very respectful to not trek this particular part of the island too often and they had accepted the gift from their kids with gratitude.
Since then, they had spent many long weekends and even a whole week here and there at their beach house.
"Oh Charming...this is bliss," she said, as her hand found his.
"It is...you look like you need more sunscreen though," he mentioned, as he looked over at her with appreciative eyes. She looked at him with equal appreciation.
"You just like rubbing sunscreen all over me," she said.
"I do...very much, but I don't want you to burn," he replied.
"Then you better get to work, handsome," she said, as she sat up and pushed her shoulder length ebony hair off to the side. She had mostly kept her hair at that length, but her husband, much to her delight, had let his hair grow out slightly. Not long by any means, but much more for her to run her fingers through. It had gotten almost that long once when they had been held captive in Atlantis for a year. It was just a little longer than that these days and she loved it, which she had been sure to tell him on many occasions.
She sighed and enjoyed the feeling of his strong hands rubbing the sunscreen all over her back in what was purposefully a sensual manner.
"Do you still wonder when the other shoe is going to drop?" she asked, as he sent delightful shivers down her spine when he placed a kiss on the back of her neck. He slid his arms around her waist and kissed her shoulder.
"A bit...but then I take you in my arms and I know that, even if it does, there is nothing we cannot face together," he replied, as she turned her head and their lips met in a soul searing kiss.
While he considered Runeard's disappearance worrisome, because it meant that he was hiding and waiting for an ideal moment to strike, he had not been idle in the last year by any means. He trained regularly with Fandral, Zorro, and James. The kids kept a regular training schedule with them and with Rumple and Regina for magic. Xander, Lancelot, and several others often joined training sessions as well.
He had only waited a few days following Jekyll's demise to gather a team and lead them to Pleasure Island to establish law and order on the island. It had been risky, even with Jekyll gone, but it had been a big success. It was also how they learned of Runeard's escape, as well as Goldie and Grimm's as well.
Almost a year ago
"Are you sure about this, Dad?" Emma asked.
"I am...the lawless know that when they commit a crime, they can come here and be untouchable. That has to change," David replied.
"And with Jekyll gone...he's the big thing that was keeping us from doing what needs to be done, because he was so unpredictable," Xander added.
"Rodmilla still has magic, but it was nothing compared to Jekyll's. Even if we can't rely on magic here...the new added modifications to our weapons, courtesy of Hyde, will ensure we can handle her," Fandral said.
"What about Runeard?" Snow asked, as she held onto his arm.
"That's why I'm here," Bobby answered. Snow tilted her head to the side.
"You know I don't like that answer," she fretted.
"I'll be fine, Mom...I can handle him," Bobby assured her.
"That...and he doesn't seem like the type that will take on all of us at once," David said.
"Then you think he's already gone?" Leo asked. David nodded.
"He may be lurking though...that's why no one goes anywhere alone," he said, as the Jolly Roger docked and Killian left Smee to shore her up, while he grabbed his cutlass and gladly joined them. He hated this place, perhaps more than the rest of them. To him, it represented the man he had once been and nothing would be better than seeing it go down.
"Another adventure," Snow mused, as hopped down from the ship and then lifted her down with him, knowing full well she was capable of getting down herself.
"It is...but I will warn you, this place is pretty gross," he said.
"I know, but I'm not ready to let you out of my sight ever again," she replied. This was actually the first time they had left the castle since they got home the night after Jekyll's demise and she was still experiencing some anxiety when she couldn't see him. Jekyll had been very effective at coming up with ways to separate them and though he was finally gone, it would take a while for that anxiety to disappear. They had too many close calls that way, not to mention curses, so she wasn't sure it would ever disappear completely. That was okay though, because she didn't plan on letting him go too far from her ever again.
"Well...there is no one else that I trust watching my back more than you," he said, as he lifted her chin and kissed her tenderly. She smiled and hooked her hand on his arm, as they made their way toward Rodmilla's castle.
"Besides, I wouldn't deprive you of seeing this witch go down either," he added.
"Okay...each team has their assignments," David announced.
"Arrest anyone doing illegal activity, but our real targets are Rodmilla Tremaine, King Runeard if he's still here, Goldilocks, and Elias Grimm," he said. They nodded and dispersed.
David led his team toward Rodmilla's palace, Fandral led his toward Jekyll's lab, and James led his team toward the tavern, while the final team split into pairs to comb the entire island.
"Mmm...have I ever told you that I love your take charge voice," Snow said, as they recalled that night. She was now facing him and he was putting sunscreen on her neck and chest.
"You've mentioned it a few times, but it's not something I'll get tired of hearing," he replied, as he massaged the lotion into her skin.
"That night...seeing Rodmilla go down like that was very satisfying. I try not to take satisfaction in the detriment of others...but I like to think she's the exception," Snow said. He kissed her shoulder.
"Oh she is...after everything that woman has done to us, especially you, she deserves everything she gets," he said. She nodded. It was a long time ago, but the woman had gleefully taken a woven, leather whip to her back and enjoyed every single lash she spent on her. She had encouraged her deranged daughter to pursue her husband multiple times, and had planned a whole host of horrors to use on them if her magic had been more powerful than theirs. Fortunately, it proved that it wasn't on that night.
Almost a year ago
"Mother...please!" Drizella pleaded. Rodmilla pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers, trying to stave off a headache. She loved her daughter, but she was quickly noticing that it was a mistake to break her out of the mental ward.
In the chaos created by Jekyll, she had made her move and poofed her daughter home. But now that the psychotic doctor was dead at the hands of Charming, she knew it was time for them to do exactly as Runeard had and stay on the island in hiding. She had already put a magical barrier around the castle and she hoped that their organic magic failed, due to the nature of the island, where her synthetic magic had been successful.
"Drizella...we cannot risk it. Dr. Jekyll is dead and in his hubris, I'm sure Charming will lead an all out assault on this island. We must stay in the castle," Rodmilla said, as an all out tantrum ensued from her mentally ill daughter. Nothing seemed to help her. Without medication, she was unhinged and lived in an alternate reality. The first thing she had done upon arrival is put on her wedding gown, insisting that she was getting ready for her wedding to Prince Charming. With medication, most of the time, it made her catatonic. Truthfully though, she had interfered so much in Dr. Hopper's treatment of her daughter over the years that it was difficult to know if it was possible that none of the treatments had ever been given the time needed to help her. But she wasn't about to admit that she might have had a hand in her daughter's current mental state and chose to blame it all on everyone else, particularly Snow White. Irrational as it may have been, it was hard not to be jealous of Snow's good fortune. She had everything and Drizella wasn't the only woman that had felt slighted by her very existence. It was much easier to blame her than face one's own shortcomings.
"Everyone is always standing in my way of marrying my Prince Charming!" Drizella sobbed, as she sat on the floor, sobbing all over herself and the dress.
"Drizella...pick yourself up and change out of that dress! Enough of this insolence!" Rodmilla scolded. But her daughter just screamed at her more. The time for discipline was far too late.
"Drizella...please," she pleaded, as there was a rumbling beneath them and she cried out in surprise, as Bobby burrowed up through the floor.
"What do you think you're doing, young man?!" Rodmilla growled.
"Getting around your ameteur shield," Bobby replied.
"Guards!" she called, but the doors slammed open on the castle and Snow and Charming waltzed in.
"How did you get past my shield!?" she demanded.
"Oh please...my husband defeated Jekyll and his synthetic magic. Yours was nothing for the Chalice now," Snow answered.
"Then why did your boy burrow up through and wreck my floor?" she questioned.
"Oh that was a bet and I won," Bobby said, as he looked at his older brother. Leo rolled his eyes and fished out a twenty dollar bill from his pocket.
"I told you I could burrow through stone," he said proudly.
"Don't get cocky, kid," Leo chided.
"I don't understand! Your magic isn't supposed to work here!" Rodmilla panicked.
"With Hyde's modification to the Chalice, I guess it works just fine now," David said smugly.
"Yeah and the kid is kind of like the holy grail of true love's magic and doesn't really play by any rules," Emma added, as she put her hands on her baby brother's shoulders.
"Charming...you're here!" Drizella squealed.
"Oh crap…" David said, as backed away from her approaching form.
"Why is she out of the mental hospital again?" Eva asked. Regina smirked at Rodmilla.
"Because she was hoping that Jekyll would be successful and she'd be able to lead some all out assault on us," the former Queen surmised.
"Yeah…Jekyll was never going to win," Summer said, as she stood on the other side of her father. David smiled at her, as Drizella ran toward him again, but tripped on the train of her ridiculous dress. She crawled toward him, but Summer put her in a bubble.
"Let me out of here, you little brat!" she screeched.
"Honestly, this is beyond pathetic," Leo said, shaking his head.
"Agreed…" he said, as Snow raised the Chalice and the sobbing woman disappeared.
"What have you done with my Drizella!?" Rodmilla exclaimed.
"Relax…I sent her back to the mental hospital where she belongs," Snow responded.
"Argh…I hate you!" Rodmilla shouted, as she raised her gloved hand and released a fireball at her.
"Nope…" Bobby said, as he intervened and caught the attack with his bare hand.
"Impossible!" she cried, as she watched him sustain no damage from the attack and take control of it, before squelching it in his palm.
"It kind of is when you train with Mr. Gold and Nana Regina," he replied. Regina smirked.
"It also helps that you have unlimited potential," she agreed.
"You're under arrest, Rodmilla Tremaine," David said, as he cuffed her. The guards protecting her castle that had not already fled were also arrested by Emma and Leo.
"Well...that went about like we thought it would," Snow said.
"Almost," David replied, as he pulled her into a passionate kiss.
"Now it's as it should be," he said. She gave him a dreamy smile, as she hooked her hand on his elbow and they left the now abandoned palace.
"Mmm…I did enjoy that a lot," Snow agreed, as their lips parted. They were laying together in the pearly white sand and the sun began to dip in the sky.
"Yeah, busting an entire island full of criminal activity made it quite the night," he agreed, as he leaned over and kissed her again.
"How about a walk in the surf?" he asked, as he got to his feet and pulled her up. She laced her fingers with his, as they set off along the beach. It may have been a tropical climate in this part of the United Realms, but it would start to get chilly once the sun went down. The other teams had also been extremely successful in taking down the criminal network on the island as well.
Almost a year ago
Fandral burst into Dr. Jekyll's abandoned lab and Rose shuddered. His lab, in any form, always brought back bad memories of that time where she had been Jekyll's focus and he had drugged her with the intention of raping her back in the Land of Untold Stories.
Her hope when she had escaped that land that he would never seek to leave it and try to come after her. He had not, but when he did find his way to New York and stepped through that portal, laying eyes on someone that looked exactly like her, she knew that his madness would be unleashed. And this time, they had not been able to contain it. His obsession with Snow had gone to new heights and more rejection had driven him insane beyond anything she thought possible.
"There is something very wrong about a portrait of Snow in a place like this," Rose said.
"Then you had better prepare for another level of wrong," Zorro commented, as he found a flash drive labeled Snow White.
"Probably a digital shrine," Rose said.
"We'll give it to her and David and let them dispose of it. It's hard to say what level of sickness he has on this. He had his Nano devices spying...everywhere," Fandral replied.
"Then it would be wise for them to get someone that can make sure there is no way any of whatever is on there can get out onto the web," Rose said.
"An excellent idea…" Fandral agreed, as he put the flash drive in an evidence bag.
"And then there is this," Zorro said, as he held up what looked like a strange mold of some sort.
"The gloves…" she said.
"At least we know his were destroyed and the ones Rodmilla has will soon be confiscated," Zorro replied.
"Except that something else is missing," Rose said, as she pointed to a large mold on a stand and it resembled a staff of some sort.
"What is that?" Zorro asked.
"Jekyll was creating a staff that would harness the power of the children's star gems, thus controlling them and the elements," Fandral replied.
"The staff is gone…" Rose realized.
"Runeard," Fandral said.
"But if he doesn't have Jekyll's gloves to extract them...it's moot, right?" Zorro asked.
"Jekyll needed them to extract the gems without killing the host. We do not know that Runeard needs the same to get the gems," Fandral replied.
"He's right...we know so little about his powers," Rose realized.
"We will catalogue all this as evidence and transport it to the lab in Storybrooke," Zorro said, as they continued to search through the lab.
"Once we're done, we'll close this off and have Hyde and Hiram come in. I think they are better equipped to make sure there is nothing else that is a danger here," Fandral said, as they finished up.
Snow sighed, as they walked together.
"Hey...we'll find Runeard. He's not hurting our kids," he assured her. She nodded.
"I know...I'll just be glad when there are no loose ends. The Major says that General Mendoza and the other remaining heads of those families have gone completely dark and it's been a year. That can't mean good things either," she replied.
"I know...but whatever comes at us, we'll defeat it," he promised, as their lips met again.
"I think we should go inside and get warm," she suggested, as they walked back toward their beach house. Runeard and the remaining families were still out there, but they had also discovered that Grimm and Goldie had escaped a year ago as well.
Almost a year ago
The tavern door was smashed in, as James made his entrance with Aphrodite's hand in his, causing the patrons to scatter.
"Did you have to kick it in?" she asked in amusement.
"It's more fun," he replied, as they walked toward the bar, noticing that Grimm was nowhere to be seen.
"We're looking for Grimm and the first one to tell me where he is...might get a better deal," James offered, but no one came forward.
"Really? No one?" he asked.
"We don't know where he is. Charming made mincemeat out of that doctor and he took off," one replied.
"Dammit…I hate when he's right. He just doesn't let it go," James muttered. Aphrodite smirked.
"Oh, you're one to talk," she teased.
"Maybe…I guess I should have known he wouldn't think twice about abandoning this dump," he said, looking around with distaste.
"Hey...this may not be up to your standards, Your Highness, but this is our place to blow off steam!" a large man interjected, as he decided to face the Prince.
"What's in the ashtray?" James asked, as he took a napkin and picked it up.
"Yeah...this is not tobacco, which means that's all we need to arrest everyone in here," the Prince said smugly. The large man demonstrated his strength by breaking a chair in half over his knee and prepared to use one of the broken, splintered pieces as a weapon. A few others got brave and drew their knives or daggers.
"Cretins," Lancelot said in distaste.
"Look at where we're at," James said, as he drew his sword.
"We knew this was going to be a brawl," Xander said, as he drew his and the fight ensued. Aphrodite rolled her eyes at the violence and stepped off to the side, looking behind the bar. She noticed a safe that was wide open and empty and looked up to see her husband and the others cuffing all the patrons. It was a quick battle for them and the riff raff was quickly subdued.
"Empty safe," she said.
"Then he did run...we should go for Goldie's studio next and see if he took her with him," James replied.
"What I don't get is how those two got past the checkpoints, first coming in from Washington and now out," Lance said. One of the arrested patrons chuckled.
"Idiots," he commented.
"You have something to say?" Xander questioned, as he grabbed him and sat him down in the chair.
"I know how they got in and out...you have a weak spot in your little checkpoint operation," he said.
"Who the hell are you?" James questioned.
"Sid Phillips…" he said, as James ran his name on his phone.
"Ah...that's quite a rap sheet. So you're Goldilocks' estranged, drunken piece of crap husband," the Prince said. Sid seethed.
"Tell us where the hole is," Lancelot demanded.
"I'm not talking until I get a deal," he hissed. James grabbed him by the arm and pushed him along to file him out of the tavern.
"You can talk to my brother. He'll decide if what you have is worth any deal," James said.
"Ugh...that guy was really gross," Snow recalled, as they made it inside and decided to make dinner together, after they put their pajamas on. For her, that was one of his shirts, which was oversized on her. He pulled on a pair of sleep pants and a sleeveless shirt, as he made them pancakes.
"He was...but at least we know that Goldie and Grimm aren't getting back in here without getting caught," he said, as they ate together.
"Mmm...but it doesn't stop them from doing their dumb podcast," she said. He smiled.
"True, but Eva and Paul's is way better and more popular," he said, as they recalled the second part of that night.
Almost a year ago
After arriving back on the mainland with all the prisoners, a prison van was waiting for them and they were loaded into it. Xander and James followed it to the prison. Sid Phillips was held back though and taken to the station. David watched him in the interrogation room through the glass, as Emma pulled his physical file.
"He's a real douche...and says he knows how Goldie and Grimm have been getting in and out. He wants a deal," she said, as he looked at the file.
"Wow...why is this idiot still walking free? Drugs, picking up prostitutes, assault and battery, theft," he listed.
"He does his time, sometimes months, even a year or two. Too many got out while you and Mom were cursed in Boston though and Seth was in control. He's managed to keep from getting caught doing anything since then and has been working at the cannery," Emma replied.
"Which means he's in something if he wants a deal," David said.
"You'd be right about that," Zorro said, as he and Fandral arrived.
"We tossed his place and found nearly a kilo of poppy dust," Leroy said. David snorted.
"Yeah...no deals with this garbage," he said, as he burst in and slapped the folder on the table.
"Okay...no deals and you're going to tell me what I want to know, before you're hauled off to prison," David said. Sid crossed his arms over his chest.
"Then take me away, cause I ain't talking without a deal," he replied.
"We tossed your place and found the drugs. With your rap sheet, it's enough to put you away for at least thirty years," David retorted.
"Fine...do your worst, Charming," he goaded. David kicked his chair out from under him. Sid cried out in agony, as his chin hit the table and fell to the floor in pain, his blood now filled with blood.
"You know what, prison is too easy for you. It's more punishment to keep you here in this room with me," David said, as he started rolling up his sleeves.
"You're bluffing...you're not going to do anything to me," Sid said.
"You're right...I'm not going to touch. I don't need to," he replied, as he unsheathed his sword and it glowed with power.
"You wouldn't...I'm not scared of you!" Sid claimed.
"A change in the octave of your voice suggests otherwise...and if you think for a second I'll shed a tear after ridding the world of one more abuser, you're pretty stupid," David said, as he used brought the sword up and looked like he was prepared to bring it down.
"Help! Someone help me! He's crazy!" Sid cried, but started to panic more when no one came.
"No one is going to stop me...no one cares. No one will miss scum like you," David said.
"I guess prison is looking pretty good about now," he added, as the sword glowed the man screamed.
"Okay...okay…I'll tell you!" he pleaded. David stopped and stepped back.
"The cannery...that's where they're getting in. They're hiking through the river valley, through the woods, and sneaking out behind the cannery," he revealed.
"Good...that's an easy fix," he said, as Emma came in and cuffed him.
"Get me away from him," Sid pleaded.
"Nice show, Dad," she replied, as Sid looked at them and realized he had been duped.
"He was a horrible human being...so he deserved it," Snow said, as they finished up.
"Yes...but I'd like to keep good on my promise to JJ and find Goldie, as well as Grimm. I promised that she'd pay for killing his cousin," he replied.
"And you will," Snow assured him, as they sat down by the fire on the sofa.
"They may be hiding for now and still doing their dumb podcast, but I know you and Emma will track them down," she said confidently.
"Thanks...and you're right about their podcast. Eva and Paul's is way better," he agreed, as they shared a kiss.
"So...what should we do on our last night of vacation?" he asked, as he slid his hand sensually up her leg.
"Considering I forwent any undergarments beneath this shirt, I'd say that you can guess exactly what I want to do," she replied, as he pulled her into his arms and she straddled his waist. He smiled and their lips met, as passion took over them and burned hotter than the fire before them.
"Good evening and welcome to this week's edition of the Truest podcast. For those that might be tuning in for the first time, I'm Dr. Eva Nolan Charming Sakura, yes that Charming, and I'm coming to you live from Storybrooke, Maine. As always, I'm joined by my husband, Dr. Paul Sakura, who is helping me keep up with the chat for all those in the chatrooms.
"As many of you know, this podcast marks number fifty-two and our one year anniversary and last week's podcast did bonkers numbers when we had my parents on as our guests," Eva continued.
"Though they're notorious for hating attention, they did enjoy hearing your questions and giving their feedback," Paul added.
"We don't have a guest tonight, but as an inaugural podcast, I decided it was a good one to do a summary of events from the past year since so many of you like to know the goings on here in the United Realms," Eva said.
"Eva doesn't always get your fascination, because she was born here, but I do and yes, this place can be as amazing as you think, though also surprisingly normal," Paul replied.
"Very normal. Though times can be crazy here, Henry's book doesn't always cover the down time around here. But after my father defeated Jekyll, a few other threats went missing," Eva said.
"I have to interject for us normies that his battle with Jekyll was anything but normal," Paul joked.
"True...but after that, if you've followed your latest chapters in the book, my father organized a takedown of a place that was a haven for criminal activity, known as Pleasure Island," Eva said.
"For frame of reference, Pleasure Island appeared in the story Pinocchio, but it's pretty far from that version," Paul replied.
"Very far. It is an island that broke off from Neverland and magic can be tricky there. It either works differently or not at all, thus why it became Jekyll's place to build his lab," she said.
"As you can imagine, with him gone, so was his unpredictable nature and David made his move. Most of the miscreants were arrested, but you all know that two escaped and live among you out there," Paul said.
"Yep...still doing their garbage podcast about how terrible my family is," Eva said, rolling her eyes. He chuckled.
"From the words of a wanted murderer and a two bit writer," Paul added, taking his shot at them.
"But enough about them and more about the year in general. Pleasure Island was a huge crime takedown and sliced the drug trafficking numbers in half," she mentioned.
"Other than that...it was a pretty quiet year for the most part," Paul said.
"It was...Emma is still Sheriffing, Leo is running the reserve, Summer is graduating college in the spring, and Bobby is being a mostly normal high school sophomore," Eva replied.
"Who has a girlfriend now," Paul said.
"It's so cute," Eva gushed, knowing that her baby brother would be mortified.
"Looks like we have a question about magic in the chat. They want to know about how your parents dealt with Bobby's magic when he was a baby," Paul said.
"Oh, that's a very good question. As you know, there was no magic when we were born or when Summer was born. But Bobby was a different story," Eva replied. Paul chuckled.
"Yeah...this story is a riot," he said.
"One day, baby brother nearly shook the house apart and toys were flying around his room. Summer was only about seven at the time, but she had a good handle on her bubbles by then. She put the toys in bubbles so my Mom could get to him," Eva explained.
"And he proudly announced to your parents that he was making booms," Paul chuckled.
"So...my parents immediately went to Mr. Gold's shop and called my Aunt Regina," Eva recalled, as she told the story to her listeners.
About a year after the Final Battle with the Black Fairy
David parked the truck and helped Summer out, while Snow got out with Bobby in her arms.
"Boom!" Bobby giggled, as they felt the pavement vibrate beneath them.
"No more booms right now, honey," Snow chided, as they walked toward the shop.
"Terrible news!" Leroy cried.
"What is it, Leroy?" David asked in irritation.
"There's been reports of earthquakes all over!" he exclaimed. They exchanged a glance and Snow winced.
"We're aware and we know where it's coming from. We're going to take care of it," David said, as they walked into the shop.
"Boom!" Bobby said and giggled, as things in the shop began to float around.
"Well...hello to you too, young one," he said in amusement, as he waved his hand to return all the objects to their place.
"You look stressed," Gold mentioned.
"Go ahead...make fun of us," David said.
"Oh, there's nothing to make fun of, though it's amusing to see that having magical children has finally caught up to you both. Your boys are especially destructive," he mused.
"Boom!" Bobby said, as Regina arrived.
"Okay...this is Maine and we don't have earthquakes, so what the hell is going on?" she asked.
"Nana...I made booms!" Bobby called.
"Yeah and he made toys fly all over. I got to use my bubbles to help Mommy!" Summer said, as Regina picked her up.
"Well...you are always a good little helper," she praised and then chuckled.
"Regina...this isn't funny. He has no idea what he's doing," Snow said.
"I know...I'm just enjoying a little poetic justice," she mused and David rolled his eyes.
"We don't want to suppress his powers or anything...we're not like that. But we need to do something until he's old enough to learn to control them," David said.
"Agreed...there is a spell I can use to make his powers dormant until he's a bit older," Gold said.
"Is it safe?" she asked.
"It will mix right into his apple juice and he won't taste it," Regina replied.
"Yes...and the only other solution is one of those blasted cuffs and I know how we all feel about those," Rumple added.
"And it can be reversed?" David asked. Gold nodded curtly.
"There's an antidote you'll be able to give him when the time is right without him noticing either," he said. They exchanged a glance and then nodded. He went to his potions cabinet and selected the correct potion, before handing it to Charming.
"What's the price?" David asked out of habit. Gold smirked.
"You know me better than that by now," he replied, as he handed it to him. David nodded.
"Thanks," he said.
"Boom!" Bobby said, with a giggle and they couldn't help but laugh.
"Okay Mister...let's go home and get you some juice," Snow said.
"Juice!" he called in excitement.
"Nana...can you come too?" Summer asked. She smiled.
"Of course sweetie…" she promised, they left the shop with a wave to Mr. Gold.
Paul chuckled, as she finished the story.
"Never a dull moment around here...though it's been a little dull lately," he mentioned.
"It's been a welcome dull, but this family always keeps things interesting," she said.
"This family also grew too," he mentioned.
"It did...my Aunt Natalie had her baby and Rose Red had hers, which kind of makes a new cousin for us, even though we're not technically related in any way. But our family is pretty close to Rose and Fandral's," she mentioned.
"Yep...normalcy has set in here," Paul said.
"Normal for here anyway. But today, we went to our normal jobs, got take out at a normal diner," she replied.
"At 1980's prices," Paul chimed in. She smiled.
"Thankfully, inflation hasn't reached Storybrooke and now we're here with all of you. So I guess we'll open up the phone lines and take some calls," Eva said, as they continued their weekly broadcast that had become very popular.
Natalie sighed, as they arrived at the prison and she looked at it skeptically.
"You know...you don't have to do this. In fact, I'm not crazy about you doing it and neither is your brother or entire family," Zorro mentioned. She smiled at him and shifted the baby in her arms.
"I know...but he keeps using his allotted computer time to email me and I'm doing this so he'll stop," Natalie said.
"Your brother is Supreme Sheriff of the United Realms. He has to make one call and Johnny gets no such privileges," Zorro reminded.
"I know...but this place is miserable enough, so I'll hear him out, answer his questions, and that will be that," Natalie said.
"What if it's not?" he asked.
"It will be," she insisted, as she turned to him and he took the baby in his arms.
"Thanks…I won't be long," she said, as she kissed his cheek and went inside.
She was checked in and then let into the visitation room. A few minutes later, Johnny was brought there and let in, as the guards stood by in observation.
"You came…" he said.
"You keep emailing me," she replied, as he sat down.
"That's because I have to learn everything through the news these days," he said.
"So...you have questions, I assume," she said.
"I don't get to see him, I suppose?" he asked.
"No…I don't think that's a good idea," she replied.
"He's my son!" he hissed and the guards tensed up. He knew if he raised his voice, they would remove him immediately.
"He's my son," he stated in a calmer tone. She shook her head.
"The last memory I have of you is watching you beat the crap out of a husband and a father, because you wanted to know where Cibola was," she replied.
"You wanted to know too," Johnny accused her.
"You're right...I did, but I never condoned violence. Neither of us grew up knowing any other way...but it didn't take me long to know that it was wrong," Natalie replied. He snorted.
"I should have known you were a Charming all along...a lot of things make sense now," he said.
"I am...but you don't have to be a Clayton. You can turn your life around. It's not like you're on a life sentence here," she reminded him.
"I'm a little over a year into a ten year sentence," he said.
"And with good behavior, you'll be up for parole in less than half that time. If you do the work...I'll advocate for your early parole," she replied.
"You'd do that?" he asked in surprise.
"If you really make an effort to be better and not just so you can get out. Trust me, I'll know the difference," she warned.
"And my son?" he asked.
"He's a Charming...the Clayton name will die with you. But if you can prove yourself, you can have a place in his life eventually," she replied.
"A place...and us?" he asked. She shook her head.
"Johnny...we're over," she replied.
"Because you've moved on with someone else?" he asked.
"Even if I hadn't...the history between us is pretty sour," she replied.
"Fair enough," he replied.
"Can…can I at least see a picture?" he asked. She thought for a moment and realized that it would go a long way if he had something to be better for. She took her phone out and let him swipe through several photos.
"He's beautiful...he definitely looks like a Charming," he mentioned. She smiled.
"He's the best thing that's ever happened to me," she agreed.
"What's his name?" he asked.
"Levi," she replied.
"A strong Hebrew name...meaning joined in harmony," he said. She nodded.
"Levi Jason Nolan Charming," she said. He smiled.
"Jason...a strong Greek name meaning to heal," he mentioned. She nodded.
"Maybe he'll help you heal," she said.
"Maybe he will...thank you," he replied. She nodded and the guard outside opened the door, indicating that her visitation time period was over. She stood up and looked at him.
"I'll send you some pictures to your email," he promised and he smiled, grateful that she was doing that when he didn't feel he deserved anything from anyone, let alone her.
"Thank you," he said, as he watched her go. He had really screwed up and lost her forever, but maybe he could still find his way. The cursed and evil Clayton name would die with him and he found that he wasn't upset at all about that.
He heard the baby on the monitor and looked over at his sleeping wife. It had only been an hour since feeding and so he knew that it wasn't that. Gently, he got out of bed and kissed Rose's hair, before journeying to the nursery next door to their chambers. He peered into the two cribs and found that his son was still asleep. Gently, he lifted his tiny, crying daughter into his arms and quietly took out of the room so she wouldn't wake her brother.
When Eva revealed that they were having twins again, they had been shocked, but overjoyed.
"You want another story, don't you little Princess?" he cooed to her, as he took her down to the library and took a seat in the comfy chair. His daughter looked up at him with wide blue eyes and he opened the current edition of Henry's book.
"How about more of Mama and Daddy's story?" he asked, as he proceeded to read to her. It wasn't a surprise when Rose found him asleep in the chair with their sleeping daughter against his chest a couple hours later. She smiled at him and leaned down to kiss his forehead, while their son cooed at him from her arms.
Astrid and Gunnar were three months old now and these two were their last they had decided. Fandral heard his son and opened his eyes to find Rose smiling at him.
"Guess we fell asleep, little Princess," he cooed, as she was also roused by her brother. Rose leaned down and kissed him tenderly.
"Our little night owl wanted another story I see," she mentioned.
"She did, indeed...I told her all about her amazing mother," he replied.
"I do hope it included parts about her amazing father as well," she said.
"If you mean the parts where her beautiful mother saved me from certain death and stole my heart...then yes, I read all about that," he replied, as one of the staff entered and bowed curly.
"Good morning Bianca," Rose greeted.
"Your Majesties...there is a summons on the device in your study," she said.
"It must be Sif…" Rose replied.
"Calling to see you and the twins, no doubt," Fandral said, as he rose from his seat.
"You know she loves you too," Rose replied.
"Perhaps, but she loves you and the children more. But then I know how that is," Fandral said, as they ventured to the study to take the call...