I know a lot of you that follow my stories are SQ shippers. Please remember, this is SQ in a mother/daughter way, not a romantic way. I just say this because I don't want people all mad at me for possibly putting Emma with someone.
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Chapter 3
Regina looked up from her book and smiled at her family. They were a clearing her wife had found where there were fields of flowers, a small creek that led to a pond, and some trees for shade. She currently was leaning against the cool scales of her white dragon daughter as the three dragons laid in the sun, just relaxing. Amelia, also in her dragon form, was splashing in the creek as she chased frogs.
"You know, I'm squishier than she is." Mal said, causing Regina to chuckle.
"I know that, my love, but your scales get too hot in the sun."
"She just likes me better." Emma said, her eyes fixed on her daughter. She growled as she felt a nip to her tail. "Lillian." She warned, internally smirking as she knew her sister had to listen to her.
"I hate Alphas." Lilly grumbled, rolling over to warm the other side of her.
Millie came back and curled up by Regina, her head nuzzling her mother's neck. "I like being a dragon, Mommy. I just chased a frog into the water."
"You're not hurting him though, right?" Emma asked, snuggling in with her daughter.
"No mommy, I'm not hurting them."
They were all quiet for a bit before three dragon heads snapped up and looked towards the woods. Emma put her arm around both Millie and Regina.
"Emma, I'm fine sweetheart." Regina said softly. "What do you all sense?" She hated that she didn't have the heightened senses as the others.
"There's someone there. Just standing and watching." Emma said, her voice low. She was about to get up when Mal made a noise.
"I've got this." She said and started making her way over. She took a deep breath, smelling the air and then blew fire into the air.
"It's just me." Ruby said, her hands up in defense. "I'm sorry, I…I wasn't exactly sure how to approach a gang of dragons."
Lilly chuckled at that and shifted to her human self. "I don't blame you. What's up?"
She looked worriedly from Emma back to Lilly. "I heard something today and I didn't want to keep it from you."
Emma put her head down, honestly wanting to just close out the world. Regina sighed and rubbed Emma's neck. "You take Millie and let us handle this."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
Emma looked at Millie. "Wanna go surprise your Auntie Zee?"
The little dragon quickly got up and flapped her wings. "Yes!"
"Emma, wait." Ruby said. "Watch over her. Don't let her out of your sight and do not let her eat something someone else gives her."
Emma couldn't communicate through to Ruby, so she simply nodded her head. "Mom, you'll fill me in later?"
"Yes, sweetheart." Regina said. They watched Emma and Millie fly off and then Mal shifted to her human form as well.
"What's going on? Is she going after Millie again?"
Ruby sighed and nodded. "I'm so sorry. I don't know where she is or I swear I'd tell you, but I overheard Leroy telling Belle that he saw Rumple this morning. I asked her what was going on and she told us that she saw him as well and as soon as she told him to turn himself in, he left. However, she said he had taken a vial with him and though she couldn't be one hundred percent sure, she thought it was a vial containing water from the river of lost souls."
Both Mal and Regina went white, and Lilly knew that was serious. "What does that mean?"
"It means instead of a simple sleeping spell that True Love's kiss can break, he wants Millie dead." Regina said, tears in her eyes. "I don't get it! Why go after the innocent ones?"
"I don't know. I'm sorry." Ruby said, honestly meaning it. "I've been tracking them both, but I get to a point where it has me going in circles. It drives me crazy."
Mal sighed and lightly touched Ruby's shoulder. "It's magic. I've tried too and got the same results. We appreciate you trying and for warning us. Honestly, that means a lot." She looked at Lilly and Regina. "Now we just decide what to do."
"I think we need a family meeting. Am I right that Emma and Millie went to Zelena and Cora's house?" Regina asked, reaching out with her magic.
"Yeah, that's where they are." Lilly confirmed. "I hate to say this because I know Emma's so stressed, but we should really discuss this soon. We don't need something horrible happening." She looked at Ruby. "Don't tell anyone you've told us. I think it's best that Rumple and Snow don't know that we know."
Ruby nodded. "I agree. Neither Belle nor Leroy knew I was coming. I would have told Belle, but I don't know if I can trust Leroy or not, being he was such a Snow supporter back then. I don't even think I should tell Belle because the less she knows, the better in case Rumple tries anything with her."
"You're right. About all of that. Thank you so much for being on our side."
Ruby smiled softly at Regina. "I hope you do trust me. I am on your side, Regina. If I found Snow, I can't even promise I wouldn't rip her apart right now."
Mal smiled softly. "I can feel that in you, in your Granny too. That's why we trust you. It's honestly hard to trust anyone, but you, Granny, and Blue are on the top of our list along with David, Kathryn, and Graham." She looked at her family. "We better go. Ruby, can I take you back with us?"
Ruby shook her head. "It may be a waste of time, but I'm not done trying." She then shifted into her wolf form and ran back into the woods.
"Lilly, take us to Grandma's." Regina said, holding her hand and her wife's.
"Me? But I'm not as good at that as Emma is."
"You're fine, dear. Just focus. We trust you."
Lilly nodded and closed her eyes and the next second, they were at Zelena and Cora's, though they were on the roof.
Mal couldn't help her chuckle. "Hey, you got us here at least."
"Sorry." Lilly said, looking down.
"Don't be." Regina stated. "I'm proud of you, sweetie." She took their hands, and they were then by the front door.
Once everyone was inside and after a back-and-forth argument, Millie was included, they all sat and discussed everything. Emma held Amelia on her lap, trying so hard to just not cry. She was sick of all of this and just wanted it to be over. "Maybe I should just take Millie away for a while. I have enough in savings to get an apartment in Banger or some other small town. I don't want to be in the city, but we can move a couple towns over."
"Mama, I don't wanna go. I like my magic and I love our family." Millie said, giving a pout.
"And I like you alive." Emma said, a bit harsher than she meant to. Millie jumped off Emma's lap and ran up to the room she'd use when she slept here. Emma sighed and put her head in her hands. "Fuck!" She said, tears in her eyes.
"I'll go talk to her." Cora said softly. "As much as I'd miss this, I think you're right, Emma and if you two do go, I want to come with you." She kissed Emma's head on her way to go comfort Millie.
Lilly, who had been deep in thought, looked up. "That's it!"
"What's it?"
"We make them think we're leaving. We spread the story that Emma and Millie are moving and we're all going for a week to stay with them. Do you really think Rumple would be able to resist trying to take over while you two are gone? But instead of leaving, we do our own magic in the woods and once they're lured out, we pounce."
"That's not a bad idea." Zelena said.
"But?" Lilly asked, knowing there was a 'but'.
"However," Zelena smirked, "Rumple will know. Just as your Ma can sense his magic, he'd sense ours. She bit her lip. "I think the only way to get to either one of them is to use Millie."
"No." Emma said firmly. "I will not use her."
"Maybe you could use a look alike." Lilly said. "Can any of you do magic to make me look like Millie? I can be her and go out to the park or something where they'd see her – me – and try to get her – me."
Regina narrowed her eyes. "It's not a bad idea, however I think they'd sense right away that something was off if Millie were by herself."
"I don't want to put anyone at risk." Emma said. "Besides, couldn't they sense if it wasn't really her?"
"Not right off, no. Rumple doesn't know Millie or her magic, nor does he know Lilly's magic. He wouldn't suspect anything." Zelena stated. "The question is, what do we do once they come for you?"
They were all quiet for a few moments. Cora came in and sat back down. "She'll be down in a bit, she just went to use the rest room. She's feeling better."
"Thanks, Cora." Emma said, standing and pacing. "Is there a way to stop him from using magic if it's Rumple that we lure? If it's Snow, that's easy, I can just knock her ass out."
"What are we talking about?" Cora asked and Zelena brought her up to speed as Amelia came back in.
Emma looked at her daughter and held her arms out. "I'm sorry I snapped at you, sweetheart."
Millie hugged her mother. "It's okay. I'm sorry I got mad too. I know you just are trying to keep me safe and if we hafta move for a while, then I won't get mad. I will be sad, but I understand."
"I feel the same way, baby girl, but we think we may have a plan." She looked at Lilly. "I don't like it, but it's better than nothing."
"Emma, I want to do this."
Cora stood and went to a cupboard, digging around. "Now, something tells me he is protecting Snow, therefor, she won't be so easy to 'knock on her ass'. However, put this on her and all magic is quelled. If it turns out its Rumple, this black one will work on him." Cora said, handing Lilly two different cuffs.
"What if I could get whichever one comes for me to take me to the other one?"
"As much as I'd like that, I think we need to just take what we can get. Maybe having one will help us get the other." Cora stated.
"What happens then? I mean, do we lock them up?"
"Yes. Then we will have a town hall meeting and decide what to do." Mal said. "Lilly, you're sure?"
"Yes."
Two days later, Emma and 'Millie' were coming out of Granny's as green eyes watched. They were arguing and eventually, Millie ran away from Emma as the blonde sighed. The girl simply went into the park and into a play tube and Emma sat on a bench.
Snow stayed to the edge of the playground before going to the tube. "Amelia? Are you okay?"
The girl looked at her, shocked. "You're bad. You gave me bad stuff and said bad things about my family."
"Honey, I was trying to protect you. If your family isn't bad, why are you over here alone? Why isn't your mom coming to see if you're okay?"
'Millie' looked down. "Mommy's been busy trying to find you and Mr. Gold. If you just go to her, she won't be busy anymore."
"I can't, sweetie."
"Why not?" Lilly could see Emma behind them, getting closer.
"Because your mommy is bad like your grandmothers. She wants to hurt me, and I can't just go to her." She took out the vial and held it up. "If you drink this, you'll see the truth."
Lilly, now seeing Emma was close enough, let out a laugh. "You want to kill me, you tried killing Lilly, and you took Emma when she was still a fetus in her REAL mother's womb. You're the evil one."
Snow narrowed her eyes. "You're not Millie!" She grabbed at the vial, but Emma grabbed her other arm before she could take the cover off. She felt a cuff on her wrist and knew it was over…for now. "You got me, Savior, now what?"
Lilly came out of the tube and drank the potion that would undo the spell. She changed from Millie back to herself and glared at the woman. "I voted we make you drink your own poison, but Emma said we're not allowed to do that. You deserve to pay for what you've done!"
Emma took the vial from Snow and nodded over to Graham who came over and placed handcuffs on the woman. "Snow White, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of Amelia Mills, endangering a child when you gave her the sleeping curse, the kidnapping of Emma Mills when she was only a fetus, and perverting the course of justice."
Snow glared at him. "Why are you still working for her?"
"This is not for Regina; this is for Emma and Amelia – two innocents in your sick game." He read her, her rights and put her in the cruiser. He then looked at Emma. "Good work. I'm assuming the main objective is to get it out of her as to where Rumple is and what his plan is?"
"Yes, but…but I still think she should be locked up. I don't want her to make any deals."
"Emma, that's why I added on perverting the course of justice and…well technically your kidnapping. It was done in that world, so I'm not sure those charges would stick. She doesn't have to know that and if I offer to take those off, maybe that will get her to open her mouth."
Emma held the vial. "Do you need this for evidence?"
"I don't want to touch it." He said but took his phone out. "I do need a picture for proof and something, preferably from Blue, saying what it is. I'd rather it be her than either of your mothers, just so no one can say there was favoritism going on."
"Right." As he took a picture, Emma sent the magical signal and Blue arrived. "We have the vial." She said, carefully handing it to her. "Is this what we thought it was?"
Blue opened it, sniffed it and poured a tiny drop onto a blade of grass that instantly died. "Yes. Water from the River of Lost Souls. If Millie, or anyone, would have either drank that, or even had it thrown on them, they'd have died instantly." She said to Graham who took notes. "This is as deadly, if not more so, than a gun, knife, or any weapon." She looked at Emma. "If you take this home, make sure it is locked up tight."
Emma shook her head, taking the vial. "I want to empty it so no one can get at it." She looked at Graham. "Is that okay or do you need it?"
He wanted nothing to do with it, but also wanted it around for evidence. "I don't think you should do that just yet."
Lilly took it. "I'll take it to moms, they'll know what to do."
Emma hugged her sister. "Thank you for doing this today. I want to talk to Graham for a bit. Meet you at home?"
"No problem, Ems. See you later." Lilly then left in her turquoise smoke, Blue leaving as well.
"Graham…I know it's not normal or orthodox but…can I listen in on the interview? Or even maybe talk to her? I have so many questions I need to try to get answers to."
"I can't have you sit in on the interview, Emma, I'm sorry. I will ask her if she'd be willing to talk to you and get back to you. If you text me what you want to know, I can try asking her."
Emma sighed. "I mostly just want to know why me? Why my daughter? But I don't know if she'd answer you. I figured it was a long shot, but you get no where if you don't ask." She looked to the car, the woman still glaring at her. "I just wish I knew what I did to make her hate me so much."
He put a hand on her shoulder. "It wasn't you, Em." He said softly and it was then Emma noticed how blue his kind eyes were and she felt herself blush a little. If he noticed, he didn't say anything. "I know that's a hard answer to take because it does seem so personal, but it wasn't you. You know there's a history between your mother and Snow. That's all this has been about, Emma."
"I know, but…but I'm innocent in all of that. So is Millie." She hated that she had tears and that Snow could see them. "Millie hasn't done a single thing to deserve that woman wanting her dead."
"You're right and she will be punished for that." He said softly, his other hand going to her other shoulder. "Emma, go home and be with your family. We've got her and she won't be getting out soon. Blue made it so no one can use magic in the station so no one will be getting her out, including Rumple."
"Now we just have to find him." Emma said softly.
"We will. I promise you, we will." He hesitated before gently stroking her cheek. "You go home, Princess."
Emma was mezmorized and felt her eyes slowly close as she leaned forward. BANG! BANG! BANG! She gasped and looked to the car to see Snow kicking the window. "It's hot in here! Either get me to the station or let me out, lover boy!"
Both Emma and Graham blushed, and he let her go. "I'll call you if I can get anything out of her."
Emma nodded. "Thanks." She watched him go and sighed, feeling a little better knowing Snow was going to be behind bars. As she turned, she let out a breath and rolled her eyes. "I thought you went home."
"I did, but moms sent me back to see what was taking you so long." Lilly said with a smirk. "Wait until I tell them it was because you were making out with Graham."
"I wasn't! I didn't! Lilly, please don't. I have no idea what that was about, but can we please forget it? I've got enough on my mind."
"Yeah, I get that, but Emma, have you even had sex since you got pregnant with Millie? I mean, maybe it would be good for you to have a little romp with him in bed. I can keep Millie overnight."
Emma had started walking and rolled her eyes. "Why does that matter? When was the last time you had sex then?"
"Last night." Lilly said with a smirk.
Emma stopped and gaped at her sister. "What? With who? I didn't know you were seeing anyone."
Lilly shrugged. "We're not official or anything because her family would disown her if they knew she was with me."
"Her? Wait, because you're a woman or because you're you? Either way, I'll kick their asses if they insult you."
Lilly chuckled and put an arm around Emma as they continued walking. "Thank you, sis, but it's because they don't think being gay or bi or anything like that is okay."
"Who is it? I won't tell anyone."
"It's…Emma, it doesn't affect our work, but it's Paige. Please don't be mad."
"I'm not mad, Lilly." Emma said, side hugging her sister. "I'm so happy for you. Does she make you happy?"
"I am…until we have to hide it. I mean, I get it. She doesn't want her family to hate her, but I mean, we're almost thirty for crying out loud." Lilly then shook her head. "I see what you did! No, we were talking about you and Graham. Let me take Millie tonight and you call him over."
Emma scrunched her nose. "I…did he and mom have like a thing? I mean, I don't really want to sleep with someone who slept with mom."
"Eww, no I don't blame you, but no. She controlled him, but she loved Ma so much that nothing sexual went on between them." She faced her once they were in the drive. "Emma, you haven't had sex for over 10 years. You haven't had anyone give you that kind of love and affection and I just think you'll feel better if you got that."
Emma gave a shrug. "He doesn't love me though. Besides, look at what happened last time I had sex. I got pregnant and abandoned. I can't do that again."
"He's not August! Besides, you've got magic now; I'm sure there's something moms can give you to prevent pregnancy."
Emma sighed. "Lilly, I'm not like you. I…I'm just not in the headspace to do something like that right now."
Lilly took both of Emma's hands. "I get it. I'm sorry that I came off pushy. I…Emma, I just hate seeing you like this all the time." She felt tears in her eyes. "You're always under so much stress. You always look like the weight of the world is on your back and I hate it. I hate that there's nothing I can do to help."
Emma blinked her own tears back. "What you did today helped a lot, Lilly. When we can just be us, it helps. I love having the Salon to escape to and I couldn't have done that without you. Lilly, you do more than you know to help me. You keep me grounded, you make me laugh, you love my daughter as if she was yours, and I know that if something were to happen, you'd protect her as your own. You have no idea what that means to me. I worry too much; I know that, but until I know that my baby is safe, I just can't focus on anything else." She sighed and hugged her sister. "I'm going to try and celebrate the fact that Snow has been caught, but I'll do it my way, okay?"
Lilly hugged Emma back and wiped the blonde's tears. "Okay. You're right, you know. I would protect Millie with my life. I know how much it stresses me out and she's my niece; I can't imagine what it's like to be her mother and have this going on. Just know, I'm here for you, Ems, for anything."
Just as Emma was about to answer, there was a blood curdling scream and Emma felt her heart drop. "Millie!"
Lilly took Emma's hand and used her magic to take them to the little one. It took a moment for her brain to process what she was seeing and to realize everything was okay. Lilly, however, was in panic mode. "What the hell is happening? Millie screamed and…"
She saw everyone look at them and then realized the scream was a scream of excitement. Both she and Emma sat on the ground right outside, both filled with relief. "I'm sorry, Auntie Lilly. I didn't mean to scare you." Millie said from her saddle. "David gave me a pony!"
"I know I should have asked first, but we just got this guy in and I thought he was perfect for her. I know how much you and Lilly loved your horses." David said to Emma, who had her hand on her chest and was taking deep breaths.
"It's okay." Emma assured him. "I just…I mean after what we just did to get Snow and knowing that Rumple is still out there when I heard her scream I…" Emma tried hard to swallow the lump in her throat and blink her tears back. "I was so scared."
Millie used her magic and shifted to Emma's lap, holding her mother. "I'm sorry mom. I didn't mean to scare you. Please don't cry."
"I'm just happy you're okay." Emma said, hugging her daughter tightly. "Now, what's this guy's name?"
That night, Emma secretly used the video baby monitor she'd had gotten when Millie was a baby to watch over her. She couldn't sleep and when her phone rang, she also couldn't stop her smile to see it was Graham. "Hey Graham."
"Emma, I'm not waking you, am I?"
"Nope. Can't sleep."
"Well, deputy Lucas is taking over for the night. Mind if I stop by? Snow said some things that I think you'd like to know."
"Sure. Would you mind if we sat out on the porch though? Millie's sleeping."
"No problem. I um…well I may already be here."
Emma chuckled and got out of bed, throwing a robe on over her tank top and boy shorts. It was still nice and warm outside, so she also grabbed two bottles of beer. She handed one to Graham and sat on the chair next to him, putting the monitor on the table. "You just figured I'd be okay with a midnight visit?"
Graham took a drink and grinned. "It's technically eleven twenty, but yes, I assumed you'd be okay with this." He looked at her. "She gave us a lot of information on Rumple. It was as if once she started, she couldn't stop. She was crying and said she's just gotten in over her head."
Emma scowled. "I don't feel sorry for her for a minute."
"I don't expect you to and neither does she. She freely gave us information and said she'd plead guilty for everything."
"What did she give you?"
"What I can tell you is she's had Rumple in her ear ever since she was a child. He had been molding her and having her do his dirty work since before her mother died. Apparently, he has a son who came to this world through a portal and he was meant to come with him, but couldn't give up his power. Now, he thinks his son is here and has been wanting you to find him. Apparently, he was told that you would find him before breaking the curse, but since you were brought here, that never happened."
"So, way back when he wanted me to leave town, he was hoping I'd find his son?"
"Apparently, yes."
"I don't get it though. If that's what he wanted, why go after Millie?"
"According to Snow, he said that if everyone thought Regina poisoned her, you'd leave town, therefor you'd find his son."
"I…that makes no sense. How would I even know about him?"
"He'd have come to see you. However, she said now that she's been caught, he may either get desperate or stay back."
Emma sighed and slouched. "I can't take much more of this. I honestly can't. I'm so damned stressed." She felt tears in her eyes. "I'm losing my hair because of how stressed I am. I'm not even kidding. My stomach is constantly in knots, my heart is always pounding, my hair is coming out in clumps, I want to cry all the time. I just don't know what to do."
Graham reached over and put his hand on her knee. "Emma, I get it, but please remember, we're all here for you. Between me, David, Ruby, and now Thomas, we have someone patrolling at all times. You have alarms here, both magical and otherwise, between your house, Lilly's house, and your moms' house. I know it's not enough, but we're doing all we can."
"It is enough. Honestly, I could have a twenty-four seven guard watching her and I'd be this stressed." She closed her eyes. "I wish I could relax more; I wish…fuck." She sighed, feeling her tears fall. "I wish life was different. I love my moms and my sister and my baby girl and Cora and Zelena, but I wish things were different." She gave a self-deprecating chuckle. "Wishes are a waste though because here we are, and I can't change that."
He took her hand and kissed it. "We can't change it, but we can do all we can to make sure things turn out right. I mean, you've been returned to your real parents, you have an amazing business with your sister, your grandmother has been cleared of what she was accused of against Eva, you have a beautiful daughter, and you're one of the sweetest people I know. You have a lot going for you."
Emma bit her lip. "Do…do you like me, Graham?"
He blushed a bit. "I know this may be weird for you because I've always been this age and have watched you grow, but yes, I do like you Emma. Over the last few years of getting to know you, I've realized I want to know you more. But I understand if you don't want the same."
Emma smiled softly, wiping her eyes. "I'm not against it, Graham, but I have a bit too much on my mind to start a relationship. However, I completely value your friendship and if it turns into something more, so be it." She bit her lip. "Is that okay?"
"That's more than okay, Emma." He smiled as they heard Millie shifting in her bed. "I think you should probably go to bed. Will you sleep easier if I stay out here tonight?" He sat back in the chair, putting his feet up on the table. "It's pretty comfy."
Emma chuckled. "I wouldn't want you to do that." She used her magic and a hammock appeared. "But if you're going to, that will be more comfortable." She then handed him a key. "In case you need to use the bathroom."
He took it, his fingers lightly running against her hand. "It would be an honor."
Emma licked her lips and after a brief hesitation, she stood on her tip toes and lightly kissed him. "Thank you. Ring me if you need anything." She said, pulling her robe closed and going into the house. She couldn't stop her grin as she stood against the door and locked it. She was stressed, she hadn't lied about that, but maybe, just maybe there was a happy future for her.