Regina was sitting on the rock, the same one she'd sat on a year ago in the middle of the night. The same one where Ruby had found her sitting upon. She was looking at the little creek with her knees pulled up to her chin, smiling to herself. Jack was nearby in his little wolf form, playing with a stick. Every few minutes or so he might run off and Regina would make a clicking sound with her mouth. Jack would answer it with a clicking noise of his own to let her know that he was near or run back and scrunch up his nose and she scrunched hers back at him and he'd run off to play again. Today had been a grueling day what with either trying to find a cure for Ruby's darkness or trying to break the aging curse on the town. At the very least find out who cast it, but they hadn't found much to go on. She longed to curl up in bed, but Jack had been cooped up all day so she'd decided to take him with her on a walk along the trails. It'd been awhile since she ventured to this spot, and once she found it again she had to sit down and enjoy how much things had changed. However, she knew they weren't alone. "Henry, do please stop spying on me. I think that's considered stalking." she heard him step out of the bushes.
"I didn't think you'd be here." Henry said, stepping into her field of vision.
"Henry, your scent is constantly here and don't think I haven't noticed that you wait for us to make our nightly Run." Regina retorted. "Now why are you following me?" She paused to make the clicking noise. Jack answered immediately only a few feet away.
"You changed. You never acted this way with me." Henry accused. "You didn't do what you were supposed to do. You just-"
Jack suddenly came barrelling out of the bushes, teeth bared and growling with his hackles raised. Regina chuckled as he placed himself between her and Henry. "He doesn't seem to like you very much." she commented.
"Tell him to back off." Henry took a step back and Jack kept coming.
"Jack, come here, my love." She opened her arms and he raced into them, shifting into his human form and happily burying himself in her neck. "You were saying, Henry?"
"Um...you changed-"
"So you'd rather have me miserable and dying alone in my mansion than being happy and living free with people that actually care about me?"
"No, but-"
"Henry, I think you should accept the way things are now and move on with your life. Don't waste it on me." She said. She glanced up at the darkening sky. "Get home to Emma before it gets too late."
"Fine then." He hissed. "You won't have to worry about me anymore. You won't even see me."
"Bye." She stood up and stretched and shifted into her wolf form. Jack followed suit, his tail wagging as he walked between her legs. Regina purred fondly and started back home. They arrived back at the den as the sun set and she went straight to her room and lay down on the bed, changing into her human form. Jack changed back as well, but he started sniffling when he couldn't climb onto the bed. Regina smirked and hung her leg off the bed, which he used to shimmy up. He curled into her side with a satisfied sniff. "Cute thing, you." she felt asleep a few minutes later and awoke early the next morning to find Ruby stretched out next to her. In the months past and Mulan had announced her pregnancy, her mate, Maleficent had saw to it to take care of her every need, whatever that might be. And now the warrior was close to giving birth. When Regina got up to fix breakfast, she found Mal already in the kitchen.
"Mulan is claiming she's starving so I'm fixing her something eat." The dragon said.
"Has the pregnancy been going well?" Regina inquired, picking up Jack so he could sit to the table.
"Well enough. She is close and I am very nervous."
"You won't be alone, dear." Regina assured her. "What about Ruby's situation?"
"Everything is almost set."
Regina nodded. "I think she's starting to rethink it."
"Power is seductive." Mal replied. "I don't worry about you two though. Things will work out."
"If you say so." she sighed. "Do you...do you think I did good with Henry?" She asked after a few moments.
"Absolutely. Don't worry about him anymore. He chose his path." Mal patted her on the head and resumed cooking. "You have another little boy that needs your guidance."
Regina looked over at Jack, playing with an apple in his chubby little hands. Her little boy. She was right. Her true family should be what she concerned herself with. Jack looked up and grinned happily and she smiled...before he threw the apple and she ducked as it landed on the table, knocking Mal's food everywhere. The dragon growled and slowly turned around. Jack screamed when she grabbed him and lifted him onto her shoulders. Mal grinned and swung him around to tickle him until he was gasping for air. Regina smiled. Her little boy.
Bath Time
"Jack, get out of the ball pit." Regina sighed. She was standing in the doorway of the large room filled with colorful little balls. Her son was somewhere hiding, refusing to take his bath. "Jacks. Come on, dear. I am very tired."
"No want bath." He called.
She looked around, trying to find him. "You have to take a bath."
"No. Mama, please." He whimpered.
"What's going on?" Ruby asked, coming to her side.
"The usual."
Ruby turned to the balls and dove into them. Jack squealed and two bumps racing each other in circles was all Regina could see. She smirked to herself until Ruby finally emerged holding their pouting son. She carried him to the bathroom and put him on the floor. "Now, into the tub." Jack continued to pout as he climbed into the warm bath, fully clothed. Ruby frowned. "You know that's not what I meant."
Regina magically removed his clothes and sudsed up the water with a smile. She picked up a washcloth and Jack tried to dive underwater, but he had nowhere to go. "Hold him, Ruby." Ruby pulled him up and held him still while Regina scrubbed him from head to toe. He fought valiantly, but ultimately succumbed to superior strength. When he was clean, Ruby picked him up and placed him on the floor while Regina magically blasted him with warm air, drying him off, and put on his clothes. "See? Now was that so bad, Jacks?" He only huffed.
"Looks like we don't need a bath tonight." Ruby said, gesturing to how wet they were from fighting Jack. Regina smirked as Jack ran out of the room. They dried off and went downstairs to where the other little ones were sitting, getting cookies from Tink for being good boys. Aaron was off pouting in a corner. "What's wrong with Aaron?"
Zelena glanced up. "Aaron didn't want to take a bath so he can't get a cookie."
"Jack didn't either." Ruby said, looking at her son who froze as he was about to take a bite of his prize. "Jack, do you deserve that cookie?"
"No." He said softly, looking up at her with pitiful looking eyes. While he had his head turned away, Regina leaned over and bit off the whole thing. He turned back around and scowled, reminiscent of Regina's mad face. "Mama, you ate my cookie!"
"You did not deserve the cookie. You did not want to take your bath." Regina said, trying to keep a stern face through a mouthful of chocolate. It was terribly unconvincing, but the cookie was delicious and she helped herself to another one. "Mmm. These are delightful. Want another one, Benji?" He nodded and reached for the cookie she extended, only to snatch it back. "Sike!"
"Regina, that's enough chocolate." Ruby said. The mothers and kids retired to the game room where Belle put on a movie for them to watch.
"What are we going to do about school?" Belle asked as the four mothers sat in the back of the room, watching over their little ones while lounging on a bed of pillows.
"You really want them to go to the one in Storybrooke?" Ruby frowned.
"I'm just saying they need proper schooling."
"You three are like the smartest people ever. You can't teach them what they need to know?"
Regina scoffed. "The crap they consider relevant in this world is confusing and nonsense. But what if the kids want to go to college or something. We wouldn't want them to be behind."
"Get them enrolled when they're old enough?" Belle asked.
"So they can be treated like crap for being our children?" Ruby suddenly snarled. "You know that's how they'll be." Her eyes started glowing. "I won't let them hurt my son."
"We know, Ruby." Regina said soothingly, stroking the wolf's hair until she calmed down. "We know, and we would never subject them to that. Perhaps when they're old enough to defend themselves at least."
"That would be perfect." Zelena agreed. "Wait until they're...maybe 10? Sound good?"
"I think that will work. And we can still make sure they're up to speed." Regina nodded. She looked at Ruby.
"I don't trust those children." The wolf growled. "You know how cruel children can be. They'll have our kids thinking that there's something wrong with them, that they aren't as good. I don't want Jack to feel like that."
Regina smirked. "Jack is our child, my dear. Never forget that. He is our perfect little boy."
Eating
"Damn it, Jack, stop spitting out your food." Ruby sighed, dabbing his face with a cloth. He turned his head so she couldn't reach him. Eventually she gave up and turned back to eating her own food, a grilled burger and some fries. Granny's was quiet this time a day. Despite moving away from town, she did love the diner and often took Jack in with her when she reported for duty or was just missing the familiar place or her Granny. Granny herself came over with some coffee and sat down, smiling at Jack, who returned it with a big grin. He adored his Granny and she spoiled him rotten by sneaking him treats and toys that Regina would have a fit if she found out about. Still, the spitting food thing needed to stop. "Jack, I swear…"
"He's a little boy, Ruby." Granny chuckled, watching Ruby struggle to wipe his mouth again. "You did the same thing when you were a babe."
"I know-" Her words were cut off by the 'ping' of her phone. She took a bite out of her burger and picked up the phone, smiling and chewing when she saw that she got a picture message from her mate. She opened it and immediately started choking at the sexy photo. Granny reached over to pat her on the back as she coughed up the half eaten burger. "Oh gods." Ruby rushed to get some water and returned with a sigh. Jack was looking at her like she was crazy. "I'm fine, thanks. Your mama is trying to kill me." She grinned and looked at the photo again. It was of Regina laying on the bed on her stomach, completely naked. That woman was just utter perfection and asking for a spanking tonight.
"What did Regina want?" Granny asked.
"Nothing. Just wanted to annoy me." Ruby chuckled to herself and picked up her burger again. She noticed Jack staring at her, watching her closely. "Jack, I'm fine. Relax." She assured him before taking a bite. Jack screamed and threw himself on top of her, knocking the food away and nearly making them fall out of the booth. "Jack, what the-" It was then that she realized he was about to cry. "No, Jack, don't cry. Please don't cry. I'm okay, I promise." she said, cradling him to her chest. "It's okay." She smiled to herself at her brave son willing to risk his life to save her from a cheeseburger. She looked down at the destroyed delicacy. Damn, that was a good burger.
Jealousy
Even with Jack around, Regina made sure to make time for her nephews. Aaron was the resident troublemaker, sporting dark red hair and blue eyes just like her sister. Benjamin and Spencer took after Belle with their darker hair and eyes. They were no less cute and she made sure to spoil them every chance she could get. She was going to be the fun aunt, of that she was going to make sure. She often worried about Jack's behavior with his mothers and if this would lead to future conflict. Especially how the way he reacted with Ruby and her burger and nearly jumping into the lake after Regina when he thought she was drowning. She got her answer one night when they set up for movie night. Benjamin ran into her arms and she picked him up and put him on the couch next to her. He grinned, making himself comfy. She heard a grunt and smirked as Jack forcibly made his way into her lap. "My mama." He said, glaring at Benji.
"Cut it out, Jacks. That's your cousin. Benji, you comfy?" He nodded meekly and accepted a bucket of popcorn from Ruby. The rest of the pack took their seats either with a snack, a drink or a child.
"My mama." She heard Jack mutter. He reached for Ruby, who sighed with a smile as she sat on the floor next to Regina's feet. He reached out and patted her head and shoulder. "My mamas."
Love
One morning when Regina and Ruby awoke, they were covered in flowers, dozens of wildflowers...and dirt. They sat up in confusion until they found the hopeful looking culprit standing next to the bed.
"Flowers for Mamas?" Jack said. "Pretty flowers. Pretty Mamas."
Regina smiled and pulled him into her lap, wiping off his dirt covered hands. Ruby magically collected the flowers in vases and placed them around the room, at the same time cleaning up all the dirt. "Sweet boy." The mothers purred over their loving child, kissing him and tickling him until he was out of breath. Their perfect little boy.
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The next event that drew their attention was the birth of Mulan and Mal's children. It was a long labor and rough on the mother. No babies were born, instead technically, eggs were laid. When Mulan's job was done, Mal had to take over, roasting the eggs with her fire and incubating them for another 6 hours. Mulan had to be healed with magic and slept for all of those 6 hours as she recovered. When the eggs started hatching, the entire pack gathered around the newborn sized eggs. A tiny fist broke out of one, followed by the sound of crying. Mal helped her newborns into the world, slowly breaking off piece by piece of the egg until a hole was big enough to pull them through. The newest additions to the pack was a little dark haired boy and a golden haired girl. Mulan named the boy, Shang, and Mal named the girl, Marie.
/
As the years swept by, each of the little pups of the Lucas pack grew into young wolves and their unique personalities started to show. Spencer was just like his brunette mother, a sponge for all things knowledge. By the time he was 9, he was fluent in four languages. Benjamin was the same way, only slightly different in that he was more concerned with learning everything there was to know about magic. He had plenty of teachers for that subject. Aaron and Shang were the typical rough housing boisterous boys, although Shang was far more disciplined and loved martial arts, whereas Aaron was very hard headed and started training to be a warrior. Marie was every bit a dragon princess, having adopted Mal's blonde hair and blue eyes and haughty attitude. Jack, was his mothers' son. With Regina's attitude, boldness and sass, combined with Ruby's loyalty, fearlessness and lust for life, he was the perfect blend of his mothers and was without a doubt the more mature of the youngsters. But the day was drawing closer when they would be allowed to go to school. The other children in town had not aged in the last 10 years and in fact whatever spell had been cast was starting to make them not even care or notice. Seeing as how the others didn't quite know what to do, they just let the kids continue through school, almost as though they were back under the curse. Emma had no leads on who could've caused it so there was little that could be done about that, but the mothers sought to make their kids' transition easier. They created a large metal box that would sit in front of the school and would only open to the touch of their children. With it, the kids could throw in their backpacks and it would magically send them home so they wouldn't have to carry it. They could even pop through if they wanted. Regina, Belle and Zelena had done most of the academic teaching. Mal, Mulan, Ruby and Merida had done the physical training and teaching a few ways to fight if necessary. Regina didn't want her son fighting but if the need arose, he was going to win. They had a reputation to keep of course.
Regina smiled, watching Jack adjust his shirt in the mirror. One of Emma's first acts as mayor was to do away with school uniforms since she hated those when she was a kid, so he had plenty to choose from. Since the weather was warm now, he chose a simple black t shirt and blue jeans with dark tennis shoes. He wore a symbol of the moon necklace around his neck and his hair, which was so long it brushed his shoulders, was neatly held back into a ponytail. He was a handsome boy, blessed with the good looks of both of his mothers. "You nervous?" she asked.
"Of what?" He replied, turning to face her. He was already tall for an 11 year old. Despite their agreement at starting school when they were 10, the oldest would be starting at 11 after arguing that Shang and Marie wouldn't be 10 at the time, so they'd waited another year.
"First day of school."
"It's not like they're going to teach me anything I don't know and you know I could care less about the other kids."
Regina smiled and kissed the top of his head. "I know you'll do well."
"Thanks Mom. Where's Ma?"
"I'm not sure, but I know she wouldn't miss your big day. Come on, breakfast is waiting." She took the lead down to the dining room where the pack was gathered. Benjamin was laughing as he used magic to make his omelette stand up and walk. Zelena scolded him and he finally started eating it. Aaron was shoveling his in his face and Spencer was already done. Shang and Marie were on their second plate. Jack quickly took a seat and Lily placed some food in front of him.
"Eat up, Big Guy. You excited?"
"I could honestly care less." He replied.
Lily laughed. "You guys gonna do any sports? Get involved?"
"No." They all said in unison.
Regina smirked and went looking for her mate. She searched the entire den and finally found her pacing beneath her apple tree, almost crushing Daniel's ring in her fist. "No, no, no. Go away." She was pouring with sweat and Regina bet she didn't get any sleep last night. "Stay away from my kids. Stop talking!"
"Ruby." Regina magically cleaned her up and pulled her close. Ruby all but crumpled into her and she slowly lowered them both to the ground. "Sssh. It's okay, Ruby."
"It's not!" Ruby snapped. "The darkness...it's talking. It wants to be used. I can't…"
"Everything is set, Ruby. Mal said we can take it out of you. You're the one who keeps putting it off. Don't let the darkness seduce you into staying any longer. You don't need it. You're strong enough without it." Ruby didn't look at her so Regina pushed her off gently and took her by the face, freezing when she realized that it wasn't Ruby's face she was looking at. Well, it was Ruby's, but it wasn't Ruby who was looking at her back.
"Hello, dear." Ruby growled, voice now a deep baritone and eyes glowing gold. A blackness started to spread across her skin, golden lines cracking the surface where her veins were. "You have made us weak with your love and making children." It said. "Your little wolf waited too long. Now...she's gone."
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