Zelena sat down at the table in her kitchen. 'Take a seat,' she gestured to the two empty seats opposite her. Evie immediately did what she was asked, but Rainey wasn't as cooperative.
'Do we have to?' We're really tired. Portal travelling is exhausting, you know,' she whined.
Zelena smirked. This girl was a handful. She briefly felt sorry for the teenager's parents before she shook it off. 'Sit,' she said firmly.
Rainey huffed before she all but threw herself in the chair. 'what do you want to know?' She questioned.
'Which realm are you from?'
Rainey thought quickly and said the first one that popped into her mind 'Oz'
Zelena cackled. 'that's a lie, try again'
Evie panicked. 'Wonderland?' She said, but it came out as more of a question.
'Are you asking me or telling me?'
Rainey rolled her eyes. Zelena wasn't going to believe anything they said, so why not just tell her the truth 'we're from Storybrooke but we're pretty sure we're from the future,' she admitted.
'Ree,' gasped Evie, 'I thought you said we weren't going to tell!' Her sister was such a liar sometimes.
Rainey rolled her eyes again. 'She won't believe us, anyway.'
Zelena grinned wickedly at the two girls in front of her. 'Well, that's where you're wrong. I do believe you, but I want to know why you're here and who your parents are?'
'We don't know why we're here and we can't tell you who our parents are. It could mess up the timeline,' answered Evie.
'That's what a forgetting potion is for. If you ever manage to get back home, then I'd take one before you leave, and that way I won't remember our encounter in the future,' countered Zelena. They weren't leaving this table until her suspicions were confirmed.
The twins looked at each other, silently communicating again. 'If we tell you, you have to promise you won't tell them or anybody else,' said Evie earnestly.
'I won't,' promised Zelena.
Rainey sighed. 'Emma and Regina are our mom's,' she muttered.
Zelena smirked. 'I'm sorry I didn't quite hear that?' She lied.
Rainey slouched down in her chair and crossed her arms, but it was Evie that answered 'She said Emma and Regina are our mom's,' she repeated a bit louder.
'She heard us, Vee. just look at her face, she's known all along,' pouted Rainey. She hated when her aunt Zee got one over on her.
Evie looked at Zelena, who was now sporting a gleeful grin, which was actually quite scary. Seems like her sister was right. Their aunt had definitely known something.
'I didn't know, actually. I had my suspicions, but I thought maybe you were the brats of the two idiots,' she admitted.
'Huh, some things never change. You still call them that in the future,' laughed Rainey.
Zelena wasn't shocked at the news that her sister had children with the saviour. Any idiot could tell how much they cared about each other. It was painfully obvious, no matter how much they tried to hide it. No, she wasn't interested in that. what she was interested in, though, was herself.
'Hmm, and what else do I do in the future? She asked.
Rainey grinned cheekily while Evie smirked and cocked her eyebrow.
'Ha, nice try aunt Zee, but we're not telling you anything else,' spoke Rainey before she made the motion of zipping her lips shut.
She knew exactly how to handle her aunt. They were extremely close in the future and she was almost certain she was her favourite because she was the cheeky jokester and she was a lot like their aunt, while Evie was the prim and proper princess and a lot like their mom. Hunter, though, was a mama's boy, and Emma couldn't go anywhere without him. Sometimes she even had to sneak out of the house to go to work. Henry was a perfect mix of Regina and Emma, but he was older now and they didn't see him that much.
Zelena pouted. 'Fine. Well, I better show you two troublemakers to your room then' she would get some information out of them eventually, especially if they didn't want their mothers to know about them.
Over in the loft, Emma had just finished explaining to Snow exactly what had occurred tonight.
'You let Zelena, the kiddie catcher, take home two children?' shrieked the school teacher. Was her daughter insane? The witch had only tried to kidnap her brother a few weeks ago.
Emma groaned. God, her mother could be so dramatic sometimes. Yes, Zelena had tried to kidnap Neal, but she was unsuccessful. Emma and the rest had stopped her, and she had been locked up but they had all voted to give her a second chance which she swore she wanted, after all, they had done the same for every other villain and Regina had tried to kidnap children multiple times. Zee had actually been okay, and Emma had found herself spending more time with her whilst genuinely enjoying her company. Yes, they argued, but more often than not, it was just banter.
'I'm pretty sure the Kiddie catcher is from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, not Oz! but yes, I did, because where else was I supposed to put them? I couldn't lock them in a jail cell and we hadn't got any room here, plus they seemed comfortable with Zelena. They said they'd heard of her', sighed emma tiredly.
'You should have informed Regina. She's going to be furious when she finds out.'
Emma knew that Regina was going to be mad at her either way. It was the Mayor's natural state around her, especially since the whole Marion debacle, but she just couldn't find it in her to care right now. She would deal with an angry Ex Evil Queen tomorrow when she had gotten some sleep.
She rolled her eyes. 'Yeah, she probably is, but she would have been even more furious if I turned up at her door at one in the morning with three children to ask her to take them in. She's still not talking to me, so I'm going to get it either way,' she replied.
Snow shot her a sympathetic look. 'she'll come round, honey. She can't stay mad at you forever,'
Emma chuckled as she lay her head on her arms that were rested on the table. 'it's Regina mom, she spent over thirty years making your life miserable for a secret you told when you were like ten. She's like the Queen of holding a grudge. I guess I should just be grateful she didn't curse us all again.'
'Well, I saw her and Robin at lunch yesterday and they seemed pretty cosy, so I'm sure you haven't ruined everything,'
Emma scowled. She hated Robin, but she didn't exactly know why apart from the fact he had a face that irritated her, or maybe it was how he now had a wife and a soulmate and he was playing house with both of them.
'So, what are these twins like? Asked Snow, effectively bringing Emma out of her thoughts.
Emma thought about it for a second. There was something really odd about the twins and it was bugging her that she couldn't figure it out. They definitely seemed familiar, but she was certain she had never met them before. She thought back to the chat they had at the station.
'Well, they both seem very intelligent. One of them Vee, I think. She seems shy, and she's quite timid, but the other one Ree. well she's mouthy, and probably the trouble maker of the two. They both have magic and Ree said they were powerful, but Vee said something about not telling people that because of someone trying to steal their magic or something. They didn't really say a lot. I'm sure they'll be able to tell us more tomorrow. Now I'm going to head to bed. I'm exhausted' replied Emma, and she moved to kiss her mother on the cheek before she headed to her bedroom and got ready for bed.
Once she was in bed. She looked at the toddler that was sleeping beside her and once again noted how familiar he looked. It gave her a funny feeling, but she shook it off and closed her eyes.
Tomorrow, they would find out exactly who the strange children were and get them back home. Their parents must be frantic with worry.
Back at the farmhouse, the twins were lying in bed talking. They were lying on their sides, facing each other.
'Do you think we'll ever get home? I miss ma and mom' said Evie quietly.
She knew that her parents were technically here, but they weren't her parents, not really. Her parents loved each other, and these versions of them weren't even talking. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to meet her mom, she had heard stories of what she used to be like and it kind of scared her because at home she was the closest to her mom, they did everything together and one day she wanted to take over as mayor. She didn't know if she could handle a mom that didn't know her or love her.
Rainey sighed. She didn't know because while her Ma hadn't seemed to have changed much from what she had heard, her mom definitely had. She loved her mom, she really did, but she had always been closer to her Ma and aunt Zee. She wasn't interested in baking, reading or doing Mayor things like Evie was. No, she liked sword fighting, magic and defeating bad guys. She wanted to be a knight, not a princess. Her mom was mad at her Ma for something in this timeline and it was probably something Emma has done accidentally. Her mom was the worst at holding grudges, like one time her mom thought her Ma had forgotten their anniversary and she didn't speak to her for three whole days. It wasn't until Emma told her that she had actually booked them in for a weekend away and she had only pretended to forget, so it would stay a surprise, that her mom forgave her. They loved each other though and sometimes it was really how gross just how much. They were very affectionate, and they had each other's backs no matter what, and Rainey knew without a doubt that they wouldn't hesitate to die for or kill for the other. She just wasn't sure if they'd be able to work together long enough to find them a way home.
She grabbed her sister's hand and squeezed. She had always been the tough, unbothered, protective one. She was cheeky and loved to joke around. while Evie was the shy, sweet, and sensitive one. she felt things deeply, and she was super smart with a brilliant and cunning mind. They actually made a fantastic team.
'I don't know vee, but try not to worry, yeah? Even if they can't, once our actual parents realise we're missing, they'll come and get us. I swear,' she promised.
Evie smiled. Her sister was right. Her other parents would come for them. Just like they had when Heney had been kidnapped and taken to Neverland.
'Okay, Ree. Goodnight, love you,' she said as her eyes closed.
'Night Vee, love you,' whispered Rainey, her eyes also closing.
Both girls fell asleep hoping that tomorrow would bring them hope of going back home.
Emma Swan's eyes shot open as she felt a heavyweight on her stomach. She looked up blearily and came face to face with the biggest grin she had ever seen on a child. Hunter grabbed his mama's face in his hands and planted a big, wet kiss on her cheek. Emma was frozen for a few seconds, wondering where the fuck this kid had come from before the events from last night came rushing back.
She was brought out of her thoughts by the very cheery toddler 'Morin Mama' he said happily.
'Morning kid. My name is Emma, remember? I don't think your real mama would be too happy to find out you had given her title to a stranger.' she chuckled as she moved him off her and sat up before stretching.
'You silly,' he giggled. That was his mama. she looked exactly like her. She must be playing a new game. She was always inventing new games, and that's why she was his favourite. He briefly wondered where his momma was before he got distracted by his belly rumbling.
Emma smirked at him. 'you're hungry huh, kiddo?'
Hunter stood up and started jumping up and down on the bed. 'yep, Granny's?' He questioned, still bouncing.
Emma stared at him before answering. Did he just ask to go to Granny's? Did that mean that he had been in Storybrooke before? 'And what do you want from Granny's?' She asked.
He stopped bouncing and looked at her quizzically. 'you not, member?' He asks cocking his head to the side.
Emma once again noted how odd that sentence sounded. Why would she remember the order of a kid she had never met before?
'No, my brain hasn't woken up yet so you'll have to remind me.'
Hunter laughed again as he plonked himself in her lap, his tiny little arms going around her neck as he brought his lips to her ear and whispered 'apple pancakes' before giggling again.
Emma smiled and stood up with him still in her arms. 'one plate of apple pancakes coming up, prince hunter' she said as she tickled his sides.
She then grabbed her phone and sent a text to Zelena, telling her to meet them at the diner instead of the station. She asked her mom to watch Hunter while she got ready before she poofed him and herself to the dinner.
Zelana was sitting in a booth in the diner with the twins when she spotted Emma walk through the door with Hunter holding her hand. The patrons stopped and stared at her the same way they had when she walked in with the twins. Zelena had glared at them until they went back to their breakfasts.
Emma noticed the twins and Zelena straight away. She led Hunter over, and took a seat. The little boy immediately sat in her lap and she found she didn't mind how clingy he had became with her.
The twins smiled as their Ma and brother sat down. They had spoken again this morning and decided that they wouldn't tell their moms who they were, but if they figured it out, then they wouldn't lie either.
Emma smiled back at them and then sent a smirk towards Zelena. 'How was your night with the wicked witch?' She teased.
Raynie snorted, 'it was boring, we just went to bed'
'I had fun. How was your night? Was Hunter good? Could you understand him? He has a speech problem,' rambled Evie.
'God Vee, you're such a mama bear. You're only fourteen, it's weird. He's obviously fine,' scoffed Rainey.
'Well, I'm sorry that I care about people,' snapped Evie.
'That's enough, it's too early in the morning to be listening to you two bickering,' scolded Zelena, who still looked half asleep.
'Zee's right' started Emma before Zelena cut in.
'Sorry, can you say that again, but a bit louder? She teased before cackling at Emma's scowl.
'As I was saying, Zee is right. I'm sure you're both anxious and scared enough being in a strange place with even stranger people.' Zelena snorted while the twins dropped their eyes and Emma wondered what all that was about but continued. 'Without turning on each other, so no more arguing! Ree, there's nothing wrong with the way Vee acts that's just who she is and I bet sometimes it's nice to have someone who cares so much about you and Vee I'm sure your sister cares just as much as you do but she shows it differently. Now apologise to each other, she said seriously.
'Wow' thought Emma. Where the hell did all that come from? She wasn't even sure if she had ever spoken that motherly to Henry and he was actually her kid. It was weird, but again she shook it off. She must still be tired.
The twins looked at each other and smirked. It seemed their Ma was slipping into the parent role quite easily and they wondered how long it would be before she figured it out.
'Sorry, Vee, it's just sometimes you remind me of mom when you fuss and we definitely don't need another mom.' she giggled.
Evie giggled back, instantly getting her sisters joke, 'I'm sorry too, Ree. I know that you care about me,'
'Can we eat now, Mama?' asked Hunter.
'Yeah of course kiddo' she had given up on correcting him now and it did sound similar to Emma.
'Ruby, we're ready to order,' she shouted to the waitress.
Ruby made her way over. She hadn't noticed Emma or Zelena enter. She studied the rest of their guests curiously before she spoke.
'Oh, hey Em, Zelena. Who's are the sprogs?
'Wuby, me missed you,' shouted Hunter Excitedly as he tried to drive off Emma's lap and into the she-wolf's arms.
The twins cringed as they gave each other a knowing look. They had forgotten about Ruby. Hunter was Ruby's biggest fan back home, though she looked quite different here. It seemed Hunter still recognised her.
Ruby laughed nervously. 'Erm, Em, I've never seen this kid before in my life. How does he know me? She questioned.
Emma really wanted to know the answer to that question as well. Her theory about him having been here before seemed like it was less of a theory and more of a fact, but since Ruby definitely hadn't seen him before, she had no idea how that could have happened. She went to answer, but was beaten to it by Zelena.
'The boy is like that with everyone he meets. He did the same to me and he did it to you, to Emma. I think he's just very friendly,' she lied effortlessly.
She had seen the look the twins had sent her pleading for her to fix things and usually she wouldn't have because, well, she was wicked, wasn't she? But she was trying to change and the fact she knew these children were her family made her feel things that she would rather not analyze right now.
The twins sent Zelena a grateful smile for helping them, although it seemed like neither Emma nor Ruby really bought it.
Emma was really confused. The kid really sounded like he knew Ruby, but Zee's explanation did make the most sense. Unless... These kids couldn't be from here, could they? No, they said they were from a different realm, but she supposes they could have visited before. Magic beans do exist. She would definitely have to ask more questions.
Ruby looked at them curiously but didn't reply and instead asked them their order, which they gave her before she walked away.
It was long after when the bell above the dinner dinged and in walked Regina, Henry, Robin, and Roland.
Regina didn't notice her sister or Emma, but Henry did and instantly took off towards them.
'Hi, Ma, Aunt Zee. Who are these kids?' He asked as he eyed the children he had never seen before curiously.
'I wish people would stop looking at us like we're aliens,' muttered Rainey, too low for anyone but her sister to hear her, who then kicked her under the table.
Emma smiled at her son. He had always been bluntly curious, 'Hey, Hen, those two are Ree and Vee and this little man is Hunter. We found them in the woods last night and we're trying to find out where they came from, so we can send them back home.'
Henry nodded excitedly. 'Cool, can I help?' We could make it an operation!' He exclaimed.
Vee giggled at Henry's enthusiasm while Ree snorted at the fact her brother hadn't changed one single bit. He was thirty now, and he still got as excited about the possibility of an operation.
Zelena watched in amusement. She could hardly wait until they all found out exactly who these kids were because Emma might be slow to pick up on thighs, but Regina definitely wasn't and she just knew her sister would figure it out.
'I don't know kid, I can't imagine your mom would be happy. She doesn't even know about them yet,' she grimaced.
It was at that exact moment that Regina turned at the counter to see where her son had gotten to and spotted the Saviour and her sister sat in a booth at the back of the diner. Rage bubbled up inside her as she took in how cosy they looked together. She had no idea why it bothered her so much to see them together, but it did, and who were those kids that her son was talking to? She told Robin to order for them as she stormed her way over to the table.
'Miss Swan' she growled, completely ignoring her sister. 'have you decided to open a creche? Or did more of your children come to find you?' I wouldn't put it past you to have a whole hoard out there'
Zelena watched Emma's face fall at her sister's words. she knew Regina was upset with the blonde, but that was cruel. She and Emma had spoken about the Saviour's decision to give Henry up, and she knew how much the subject pained her.
'Regina, that was harsh,' she snapped.
'Mom!' gaped Henry.
Rainey's eyes widened. She had never heard her mom speak that cruelly to her Ma. 'jeez, that was below the belt'
Vee gasped. Her mom would never speak that hatefully to her Ma. Well, at least not the version she knew anyway. 'You shouldn't talk to her like that, it's mean,' she scolded.
Hunter, who was too interested in his breakfast, hadn't been paying attention so hadn't noticed Regina at the table yet.
Regina cursed herself internally. She had regretted the words almost as soon as they left her mouth and the pain she had seen flash in Emma's eyes made bile rise in her throat. She was about to apologise, but Emma spoke first.
'We found them in the woods last night. They said they're from a different realm but wouldn't tell us anything else apart from their names and that they have magic,' she answered professionally, ignoring Regina's barb about giving up Henry.
Regina studied the children closely, and she too noticed how familiar they seemed, but she also couldn't pinpoint why. She would get to the bottom of it though and luckily she had no meetings today so she didn't really need to be at the office.
'You should have come to me last night, sheriff. Especially if they have magic. Children with untrained magic can be very dangerous, you would've known that if you paid attention to our magic lessons.'
Emma sighed. She knew this was, coming, but it still didn't make it any less tiresome 'it was one in the morning, Regina, and your not exactly talking to me these days so I thought it would be best to wait until a reasonable time. Zee has magic too, and she was there so they were fine.'
Zelena smirked at her sister and Regina's blood boiled. Emma thought that Zelena was more capable than her at dealing with magic-user's? Or was it that she would rather spend time with Zelena these days? She had heard they had gotten closer, but she didn't realise it was to the point that they were having cosy breakfasts together and solving missing children cases.
'That isn't the point. This is my town and I should have been notified. It's my job to keep our citizens safe from unruly magic, not Zelena's,' she spat.
Rainey instantly became defensive. 'Erm, excuse me but our magic isn't unruly. We were trained by three of the best magic uses in all the realms!' she shouted. She did not like this version of her mom and found it difficult to think of her mom at home and this woman in front of her as one person.
Regina smirked at the child, whose brown eyes were blazing with anger and they looked familiar somehow, but she couldn't place why.
'I very much doubt that dear as all the best magic users live in this town and we've never seen you here before,'
Zelena outright snorted at that. The twins had told her earlier that she, Emma, and Regina had taught them magic.
Rainey stood up and Evie knew she was about to blow, so she stood up too and grabbed her hand to calm her down. Her sister had the same temper as their mom but usually, she or their ma was there to help her calm down before her magic reacted. She had never hurt anyone, but Evie knew that it was something that Rainey worried about.
'Ree, it's okay. Remember what Ma taught you? Count to ten and take deep breaths,' she instructed.
Emma looked worriedly at the teenager. 'is she okay? She questioned.
Evie wondered how much she could say without giving them away. she bit her lip nervously before she answered
'She has a short temper and sometimes she finds it difficult to calm down,' she informed the group.
Rainey did the exercises her Ma had taught her and felt herself relax. She squeezed her twin's hand in thanks before she sat down and avoided everyone's eyes.
'I'm fine. I just want to go home,' she said quietly.
Hunter, who had been quietly eating his breakfast, finally looked up and took in the Extra people who were now at the table. He turned and smiled brightly at Regina.
'Hi, Momma. Mama gotted me apple pancakes, look!' He said as he picked up the plate and shoved it towards Regina.
Regina gaped at him. Did he just call her Momma and did he refer to Emma as Mama? No, that can't be right. She must have misheard, right?
Emma chuckled at Regina's bewildered expression before she explained.
'He has this thing where he calls everyone his Mama although Momma is a new one.' her eyes shot to the twins who she noticed had their eyes downcast and she sent a questioning look at Zelena who shrugged.
Something definitely wasn't right here, and she really wanted to know what. She was just about to suggest that Regina meet them at the station when Robin came over.
'Babe, our breakfast is ready,' he said as he smiled charmingly at Regina before he grabbed her hand to lead her away.
Regina grimaced, she hated it when he called her babe and she particularly hated it in public especially since they had all been there when he had ditched her for his wife who he then decided he didn't actually love anymore before coming back and begging Regina for another chance. She had agreed but only if they took it slowly, but it seemed like he hadn't quite gotten the memo.
Rainey stood up again and Evie grabbed her hand and tried to stop her, but she was already pushing her way out of the booth. She walked straight over to Robin and glared at him.
'Get your hands off her,' she spat as she grabbed his hand and ripped it away from Regina's.
Robin stared at the teenager in front of him who he never met before and wondered why she was looking at him with so much hatred.
Zelena looked impressed at the feisty girl while Emma and Regina gaped at the nerve of her and Henry, well Henry had right at that moment come up with a theory, he had been studying the children quietly and he was quite positive had an idea of exactly who they were.
Evie followed her sister out of the booth and grabbed her hand and spun her around. Her green eyes were hard and Rainey knew she had fucked up, but she just couldn't bear to see that man touch her mother like he had any right, especially when her Ma was sat right there. She had seen the sad look cross Emma's features, and it hurt her, too.
'Rainey, you can't act like that to people. It's rude, and Robin has no idea who you are. Now apologise to him,' demanded Evie.
Emma stood up as well and came to stand in front of the twins and gave them a pointed look. 'Rainey? But you said your name was Ree, and how do you know who Robin is?' She questioned.
'Well done Evie. You've just blown it,' spat Rainey to her sister.
'Me? It was you who just lost your temper twice. You need to grow up, Rainey,' Evie shot back.
'Grow up? You need to grow down. It isn't normal for a fourteen-year-old to want to be mayor one day. you should be hanging out with your friends and doing dumb stuff. Not following your mommy to work,' scoffed Rainey.
At this point, the whole diner was starting at the scene in front of them all waiting with bated breath for what would happen next.
'That's enough' shouted Regina 'you both have some explaining to do right now' she turned to Emma 'bring them to the mansion Miss swan' she said before she disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke leaving Robin wondering what the hell was going on.