A bit of fluff here. I love mama Regina, but I also just love Mama Mal

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Chapter 2

Emma watched her daughter out the window as Zelena gave her a magic lesson and sighed. Sure, things surprisingly seemed to have gone back to…well as close to normal as possible in the weeks since the curse broke, but Emma just couldn't find it in herself to relax. She was glad it was summer since she wouldn't be sending Amelia back to school any time soon. They'd still not found Snow and while others seemed to have "let it go", she could not, nor could her mothers, though they tried not to show their concern too much.

Regina had not taken any time and got right into Mayor mode once it was decided she was forgiven and was still mayor. Sure, not everyone agreed, but it didn't take long for her to go around and show she was genuinely a changed woman. She also worked closely with Graham and Ruby in making sure the town ran smoothly and that people weren't causing trouble. Sure, a few of the former nobles tried to make things difficult in saying they were too good for the job they'd been doing the last twenty-eight years, but once they realized no one was going to just give them anything simply for who they were, they got back to work.

Maleficent was thoroughly enjoying helping others again along with giving all three girls lessons on being dragons. She knew Emma wasn't completely into it and knew it was because the girl was nervous wreck. She hated her baby being under stress but was having a hard time helping her. She and Regina had tried to assure Emma that her job was done, and she didn't have to worry about protecting them, but they usually got brushed off.

"Emma, Ducky, she's fine out there with your aunt." Mal said softly as she came into the kitchen. "Zelena won't let anything bad happen to her."

"Not on purpose, I know that, but what if Snow slips in and…"

"Then the protection spell would send alarms blazing, sweetheart. You saw how well they worked when poor Jack tried delivering the paper the other day. First time I've seen a twelve-year-old almost have a heart attack." Mal chuckled. "There's no way Snow could just sneak in here."

"Okay, maybe not Snow, but Gold could." Emma looked down. "I let her get hurt once, Ma, I can't do it again."

"Oh, Emma." Mal said, wrapping her arms around her trembling daughter. "I'm so sorry this is happening to you. This is not how we wanted your life to be."

Emma shook her head. "Mama no. I…you have nothing to be sorry for. You saved me when I was five and have loved me and done everything for me. You're just as innocent in this as I am. I'm sorry, I'm just stressed. I don't want anyone getting hurt, but especially not Millie. I hate that she already was mixed up in this once."

"I know baby girl, I know." Mal sighed. "Honey, I know you've sort of shied away from it, but I think you should be right out there with your daughter learning magic. You have so much of it, and it can come in handy. I'd also love to get you flying like your sister. Emma, your dragon is beautiful and maybe if Amelia sees you do it, she'll be more apt to do it."

Emma sighed and pulled back from her hug. "It scares me, Mama."

"Why, darling?"

Emma bit her lip. "Magic is power, and Mom, Grandma, and Aunt Zelena have all talked about how it made them do terrible things. What if…what if I'm pushed to do something bad?"

Mal cupped Emma's cheek. "Honey, your mother, grandmother, and Zelena were pushed and manipulated to use their magic for bad. You won't be if you listen to that amazing heart you have. Besides, no one is going to teach you dark magic." She slid her hand down and took Emma's. "Please Emma, in the very least, it'll get your mind off things for a while. Come fly with me."

Emma could tell that this meant a lot to her mother, so she let out a breath and nodded. "Okay but can it just be me and you? Just once?"

Mal smiled and kissed Emma's cheek. "Just Emma and Mama." She said softly. "But, let's go out back so Millie at least sees you do it. I don't want her fearing her dragon side."

"Okay, we can do that. Mama, Millie is safe with Zelena, right? Lilly went into the salon today and Mom is at work. Zelena would know what to do if Rumple came?"

"Emma, your aunt would give him a run for his money and I'm here too." Cora said from the doorway. "Take a break and explore and enjoy this other side of you."

Emma gave a nod, took Mal's hand and headed outside. "Mama! Look what Auntie Zelena taught me." Millie shouted and, once she knew Emma was watching, she used her magic to douse a tree with water. "I'm taking the water from the ground, Mama!" The water putted out and Millie gave a small shrug. "It takes a lot of focus. That's what I gotta work on most, right Auntie Zelena? How to focus."

Zelena smiled. "That's right, munchkin, but you're doing so well." She looked at Emma. "Don't worry, I'm mostly teaching her control. We wouldn't want a live wired firecracker out there."

Emma smiled and kissed Millie's forehead. "I'm so proud of you, baby girl. Now, you be good for Auntie Zelena and Gramma Cora while I go fly with Nana Mal."

"You're gonna be a dragon?"

"I am, sweetie. It's a part of me that I need to learn more about."

Amelia bit her lip. "Will you tell me about it when you get back? Maybe if you like it, maybe I can go with Nana someday."

"Of course, sweetheart." Emma tapped her nose. "Your Nana will love that."

"Come on, Ducky, let's get going." Mal stated, taking Emma's hand. "Now, deep breaths and focus on your dragon. Let your natural instincts do the rest."

Emma gave a nod and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. She could feel herself shifting and did her best not to fight against it.

"Good job, Ducky." Mal said and Emma opened her eyes.

"Why am I such a light color while you and Lily are dark?"

"All dragons are different, my love. In our world, Lily and I would be night stalkers; meaning we would blend with the dark and keep watch over our brood. You, being lighter, would be a cloud skimmer, meaning you would blend in with the sky and clouds; you'd be our hunter and protector in the daytime. Every brood needs at least one night stalker and one cloud skimmer. Especially so since I am bonded to a human – your mother. Let me tell you, I'd feel very safe if you were watching over us in the day. I'm pretty certain Millie is going to be like you, though all young are lighter simply for their protection."

Emma smiled – well tried to and stretched her wings. "We'd be very safe at night as well." She blinked her eyes a few times, getting used to her better eyesight. "What do I do now?"

"Spread your wings and fly." Mal said, lifting herself into the air.

"Is it really that easy?" Emma asked, spreading her wings. She flapped them a few times, but nothing happened. "How…Mama, how do I do it?"

Amelia giggled. "Mama, you're whining."

"You can hear me?"

"I can. Nana made it look really easy, but you make it seem hard."

"Well, I'm new at this." Emma said with a pout, which made both Mal and Millie chuckle.

"Okay, my Duckie, focus. Spread your wings." When Emma did so, Mal gave a nod. "Now, slowly raise and lower them."

Emma tried; she really tried hard, but it wasn't working, and she got frustrated. "Lilly did this so easily! What's wrong with me?"

"You're thinking too hard on it, Sweet girl." Mal said calmly. "I've got an idea." She landed and came to Emma, wrapping her paw around Emma's wing and making them disappear into a puff of smoke.

The next thing Emma knew, she was on top of a very tall tree and her heart was pounding. "Mama! What are you doing?"

"You're going to have to learn this the hard way." Mal said and gave her a gentle, but firm shove out of the tree. She sighed as she watched her baby girl fall to the ground. "You can do it, Emma. Just focus."

Emma closed her eyes as she felt herself falling, not able to believe her mama just pushed her out of a tree. She tried moving her wings, but she just kept falling, so instead, she took what her other mother had taught her and focused on where she wanted to be. A light pink smoke surrounded her and then she was safe on the ground. She knew Mal would be disappointed, but she hadn't wanted to die.

Mal sighed and joined her daughter. "Emma, while your use in magic was great, that's not what you were supposed to do."

"I tried, Mama, I really did." Emma said, emotion in her voice and eyes. "I just can't do it. I swear there's something wrong with me."

Mal shook her head and transformed back into her human self, waiting for Emma to do the same. Once she did, she took her daughter's hand and lead her to a fallen tree. The two sat and Maleficent faced Emma. "There is nothing wrong with you, Emma." She took her hands. "You just have so much on your mind." She sighed and stroked Emma's cheek. "Too much on your mind. Come sit in front of me and lay your head back into my lap."

Emma sighed. "Mama I…"

"No arguing. Please, baby girl."

Emma sat on the ground in front of Mal and lay her head back into Mal's lap. They were in the woods so there was shade, but she closed her eyes, letting out a breath. "Mama, I know you want me to stop worrying about things, but I can't."

Maleficent softly rubbed Emma's forehead and then face, marveling over how much her baby girl had changed in the years. She gently used her magic and tapped Emma's nose. "There's more, Emma. I can tell."

Emma swallowed and was glad she had her eyes closed, she just hoped tears wouldn't escape them. "I can't help but feel hurt. I mean, I knew when Blue told us everything that Snow planned on killing me, but for some reason, until I saw those memories, I didn't fully grasp the situation. Mama, she did terrible things to mom and then she was going to kill me. I just…what did I ever do?" Her tears dripped down the side of her face.

Mal sighed and wiped at them, shifting a bit and sitting on the ground behind her baby girl, holding her. "Oh Emma." She kissed her temple. "You did nothing. I know it's hard to understand, I do know that, but it honestly…it didn't have anything to do with you personally. I know it seems like it; like it was against you, but she was going after your mom and using you as a weapon." Maleficent sniffed and wiped at her own tears. "Emma, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry we couldn't protect you from her. Honestly, we may not have known about you, but I swear to you we didn't want that kind of life for you. I can only hope that the last twenty-three years meant something."

Emma sniffed and turned, hugging her mother. "The last twenty-three years have meant everything, Mama. I'm so sorry if I'm making you think they haven't." Emma sighed.

"Honey, you have nothing to apologize for."

"Mama, I don't know how to stop thinking like this. I don't want to sit here and feel sorry for myself; I don't want to constantly worry about you, mom, Lilly, Amelia, I don't want to think that everything is changed. I want to be happy, Mama, and if I'm honest…I don't think I have been ever since I found out the truth. Yes, in some ways it was a relief as I found out you are my real parents, but in others, I…I've been terrified for what it all means." She sighed.

Mal held her daughter closer. "Oh Emma, I knew we should have let you forget about everything. We just…we thought you'd feel better knowing. Baby, you're not alone and never will be. Try not to worry about me or Mom or Lilly even. We've got us and you and Millie. I know you can't not worry about your daughter, but you don't have to worry about the rest of us." She stroked Emma's hair. "What can I do to help?"

"I just wish we could find her; I'd feel more…relaxed if I knew where she was."

"We will, Emma. I swear we will. In the meantime, can…can I try something with you?"

"Don't make me forget anything. It's too late for that, mama."

"I know. I'm not going to make you forget." When Emma nodded, Mal rest her forehead against her daughters. She closed her eyes and took some deep breaths.

"Mama…" Emma gasped, trying to pull away, but was held in place. She closed her eyes, letting out a breath. "Thank you." She whispered.

Mal finally sat back and stroked her daughter's cheek. "It's a mother's job to at least share if not take the stress of her daughter. Now, let's try flying again. I swear, once you get it, it will help you relax." She stood and pulled Emma up with her. "I swear to you, Graham and David are out looking for Snow. We will find her. In the meantime, don't let her ruin the life you have, baby girl."

Emma stood and nodded. "You're right. She didn't win and she won't." She took a breath. "Okay, let's do this."

After about another fifteen minutes, Mal perched on the edge of a cliff and smiled as she watched her beautiful baby girl fly in and out of the clouds. She really was a magnificent dragon and now she was comfortable, she could just imagine flying with her girls. She chuckled as Emma did a flip in the air, showing off. She closed her eyes and thought about Lilly, sending a message for her to come.

Emma was enjoying flying and the feeling of being free. Just the talk with her Mama and less stress, thanks to her mother's magic, made her feel lighter. She loved the feeling of the wind through her scales and the power in her wings. She had just come out of her third flip when she saw something dark approach. She knew it was Lilly, a part of her knew it, but another part of her wanted to challenge the other dragon.

Mal watched with fascination, ready to intervene should she need to. Part of her was sure Lilly would be the alpha, but the other part of her wouldn't be surprised if it was Emma. Though they were dark and light, she could tell they were twins as other than their color, they looked identical. She watched as they circled each other and her breath hitched as Emma was the first to challenge, fire escaping her mouth.

Lilly wanted so badly to fly back at Emma and challenge her, but after seeing her breathe fire and getting this weird sense, she simply backed off and bowed her head. "Emma, it's just me."

"I'm sorry, Lilly, I don't know what came over me." Emma said, backing off. "Honestly, I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Lilly assured her. "Come on, let's fly!"

"Girls, I'm going to go see your mother. You two have fun and don't forget to watch for the border. See you soon." Mal smiled before landing in her human form and going to talk to Regina.

"You're kidding." Regina said, looking at her wife. "Emma? I'd have put money on it being Lilly."

"Me too. I…I don't think I'm going to tell them about it. For some reason, I think Lilly would get upset knowing Emma is her Alpha."

"I think you're right. I normally don't like lying to them, but in this case, I think it's good."

About an hour later, the two were outside with Cora, Zelena, and Millie when two shadows passed over them.

"Mommy! Aunty Lilly!" Millie called, jumping up. "Oh wow, look at them!"

Regina smiled, watching. "They're magnificent."

The two changed into their human forms and Lilly play tackled Emma. Though they were laughing, Mal couldn't help but wonder what caused this.

"Lilly stop it." Emma said, laughing as she shifted and straddled her, holding her down. "What has gotten into you?"

Lilly tried not to show she was upset. "Why are you always better than me at everything?" She asked, pushing – or trying to – push Emma off her.

"What? I'm not." Emma said, letting go. She stood and pulled Lilly up. "Lilly, I'm sorry if I upset you."

Lilly sighed. "You didn't. It's just…didn't you feel it? When we were flying, did you feel like…like you were better than me?"

"No. I never feel like that, Lilly."

"No, not that you think you are but…I can't explain it. I guess I just hoped the dragon thing would be my thing."

Emma looked down. "I'm sorry. If you don't want me to…"

"Stop it." Lilly said. "That's not what I want." She looked up as they got closer to their mothers. "Mama, I want the honest truth; why did it feel like…like I had to…I don't know, respect Emma? Bow to Emma even? It felt a lot like when it was you and me, but I figured that was because you're my mom."

Mal looked at Regina and sighed. "I don't want to tell you."

"Too bad." Lilly said, crossing her arms.

"Do you want me to lea…"

"No, Emma. You stay." Lilly said and looked at Mal. "Well?"

Mal sighed again, but Regina stepped forward. "Lilly, it's nothing anyone could help. Emma seems to be an Alpha."

Lilly rolled her eyes. "Of course, she is."

"I don't want to be! I don't even know what that means!" Emma said. "Damn it! Why is it there's always something?" She was now yelling. "Why is it always me? Why was I the one Snow took? Why was I the damned savior? Why was it me that got attacked, that got pregnant and neglected, that is the weapon of choice? I don't want it! I don't want any of it and now Lilly's going to hate me again and I don't want it! I didn't ask for any of this!"

Lilly surprised everyone and wrapped her arms tightly around her sister. "Let it out. Get mad, get sad, but don't for one minute think I'm going to hate you! I don't hate you and I never did and I never could!"

Emma held her sister, trying to control her emotions. "I didn't want any of it, Lilly. Other than Amelia, I didn't want any of it." She was glad Zelena was occupying her daughter as she didn't want her to have heard what Emma said and took it the wrong way.

"I know, Emma. To be honest, I wouldn't want it either. However, considering it's just me, you, and Ma, I don't think you have to worry about an Alpha being a bad thing."

"She's right; you don't." Regina said, joining her girls and holding them both. "Now come on; let's have a good night."

That's just what they all did; Cora and Zelena even spent the night. Though they were happy, though Maleficent took a lot of Emma's stress, Emma still knew Snow was out there somewhere, probably making plans.

"Rumple, how am I going to turn the town against her if I do that?"

"Because, they'll think Maleficent did that and that Regina knew about it. They will both be locked up or worse."

"Yes but…she's an innocent child."

"So was Emma – well, she was an innocent fetus, but still."

"Yes, but it's different; Amelia is ten. I just don't know if I can kill a ten year old."