Chapter 30
The Turnover
(Daniella's POV)
The weekend came quickly and to my surprise, Henry had already left the house to see Emma when I woke up on the Saturday morning. After the encounter with Jefferson, Henry had barely spoken to me. I asked him several times if it was because of the things that the Hatter said about me. However, he didn't reply. He walked past me each time I brought up the subject.
The house now seemed quiet save for the rustle of trees and the chirp of bird outside. I came downstairs to find Mama staring at something in her hands. When I walked closer, she looked up and gave me a smile. "You've slept in, sleepy head."
"What time is it?"
"Almost ten." She got up from the table, leaving an apple on the surface. "I'll make you some pancakes for breakfast. Just wait at the table."
I nodded and sat down. The apple on the tabletop looked bruised and rotten. I rolled it towards me and examined it. What's so special about this apple?
Soon, mother came back with a plate of pancakes in her hand. She took the rotten apple from me and set down the plate.
"Mama, why were you looking at this?"
Mother sat down as I started eating. Then, she replied, "It's from my tree."
"Your tree as in, the apple tree from home?"
Quietly, she said, "Yes. It's dying...a sign that the curse is weakening."
I stopped eating and put down the cutlery. "Daniella, what's wrong? Do you remember what I said? I won't let anyone harm you if the curse breaks. If the worst comes, we can go into my vault and find a way to go back to the Enchanted Forest."
Except, the broken curse would mean that I die before any of that could happen. Should I tell mother? Or should I...
"I'm going to see Rumple after you're done with breakfast."
I pushed the plate away, "I'm done."
"Daniella...you've barely had a bite!"
"I'm not hungry."
"Daniella..." Mother gave me a stern look as she pushed the plate back in my direction.
I slumped a little. "Fine." After hastily finishing one pancake, I put down the fork and looked hopefully at my mother. She sighed and took away my plate. Then, she said, "Meet me in front of the car in five minutes."
When we arrived at Rumple's shop, Mama strode over to the counter as the Imp's silky voice echoed, "Your Majesty, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
Leaning over the countertop, she held up the rotten apple and answered simply, "My tree is dying. Why?"
"Perhaps it's the fertilizer."
I stepped closer to Mama as she bit back, "You think this is funny. Well, I'll tell you what I think. I think it's a sign of the curse weakening, because of Emma. But do you care? No. You're content to just sit back and do...whatever it is you're doing, while all my hard work burns."
"Nah, that's not all now, is it? Come on, might as well get everything off your chest."
Mother scoffed and put her hands on my shoulders. "I don't know what you're talking about."
The Imp grinned and answered, "Henry. Miss Swan wants him."
"I am well aware of that. She'll have that boy over my dead body."
"The curse was supposed to take away Snow White's happiness. Perhaps you giving up Henry is just the price to keep the curse unbroken."
"I think I'd rather just get rid of her."
"Oh, are you so sure about that, dearie? You're going to be quite creative. Besides...wouldn't you rather lose one child than both of your children?" The Imp set his gaze on me when he said this. I felt my mother's hands squeeze my shoulders tightly. Then, she snipped, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Ah, it's a wonder that Daniella hasn't already told you what I said to her."
A horrible thick silence entered the room. I could feel my heartbeats thumping as mother turned me around to face her. Then, she asked, "What's Rumple talking about?"
I bit my lip as the Imp softly said behind us, "I don't think she wants to tell you dearie, but I will."
Mother narrowed her eyes and turned back to Rumple as he continued, "If the curse breaks, she'll die."
I held my breath and watched as an expression of horror overtook my mother's face. She took one glance at me before shouting at Rumple, "You knew, yet you didn't tell me?! And you told Daniella instead?"
The imp smirked, "Oh, I merely hinted it."
"But it was enough! You coward! Who tells a child the conditions of their death?!"
Rumple calmly replied, "What's done is done. But I would advise you to find ways to either prevent the curse from breaking, or well, to prepare for Danie-"
I felt my mother's hands cover my ears. "Shut up!" After a gasp, she seethed in realisation, "You want the curse to be broken. Why?"
"That's not something I care to discuss."
"Fine, don't bother. But I want to strike a new deal. One where I can get rid of Emma, without shattering the curse, which in my knowledge now, would kill my daughter."
"Unfortunately for you, a negotiation requires two interested parties."
Mother took her hands off my ears and held me close to her , she whispered, "I'll give you anything."
"Ahh, the thing is, you no longer have anything I want, your Majesty. But I will give you a piece of advice, free of charge: I'd plan a trip of your own. Because once the people have woken up, and remember who you are, and what you did to them, they are going to be looking for blood."
Before leaving, my mother seethed, "I will never leave Daniella, even if it means my death. We're done here."
Then, she dragged me out of the shop, leaving behind Rumple who softly giggled in a tone that sent shudders up my spine. When we got into the car, there was silence. From the back, I could see that mother was gripping the steering wheel tightly. "Mama?" Silence. "Mama!"
She sniffled and started the engines. In a determined tone, she replied, "You won't face death again, as long as I'm alive."
I remained silent as the car drove through the streets. A little faster than usual. "Mama?"
"What?"
I flinched a little at the strong reply but it didn't stop me from asking, "What does the saviour need to do to break the curse?"
"True love's kiss...which is hard to prevent since I've noticed that Emma and August have gotten close lately."
"So we just need to take out Emma."
"Without killing her, yes."
I thought for a moment. "We could put her under a sleeping curse."
The car stopped at a traffic light. "I don't have ingredients or the magic needed to make a sleeping potion."
"But if you had the ingredients-"
"Then it would work. Even in this realm, the saviour would fall into a coma."
My mind roamed down several tunnels. Wait a sec... "Jefferson!"
Through the mirror on the front of the car, I saw my mother frown. "What was that, dear?"
"His hat! He has tried to get Emma to make a hat in order to take him and Grace back to the Enchanted Forest. However, Emma didn't have an ounce of magic for it to work. If you could make it work, we'll be able to get the ingredients needed for the sleeping curse!"
There was a pause. Then, my mother exclaimed softly, "You're a genius, firefly."
(Regina's POV)
I was standing next to the window in my office when Jefferson came in. Daniella's voice alerted me of his presence. "Mama, he's here."
I turned around to watch the Hatter stride into the room with a glum expression on his face. He glanced briefly at Daniella who had moved from the couch towards my side. I still need to thank him for dragging her and Henry into his manor. However, I surpressed my emotions and greeted him. "Jefferson. So, you got my message."
"How could I miss it?"
I crossed the room to pour some drinks with Daniella closely following me. The Hatter continued, "What do you want?"
"Your help."
"And what makes you think that I won't kill you after everything you've done to Grace and I?"
I scoffed. "Because you don't have it in you. Besides, you know that if I'm dead, you'll never get back to your daughter." I paused to offer Jefferson a drink but he placed a placard inside the cup instead of taking it. Sighing, I set down his cup and spoke, "Daniella dear, can you get Jefferson's hat for me?"
My daughter nodded and crossed the room. She retrieved a box from behind the couch and walked back, handing it to me. I set it down on the table in front of Jefferson. He flipped it open and gasped, "My hat..."
"Yes. Now, I want you to use it again."
"I can't make it work. No one can. Not here, not without magic."
I laughed. "My daughter told me that whilst she was held hostage in your manor, you mentioned to the saviour that there's magic in every realm...even this one. You said, that it was the only way in which I could have woken up Daniella."
The Hatter quietly replied, "That I did."
"Yes, but anyway, you're in luck. Because I happen to have some magic. Not a lot, but hopefully enough to make one last journey."
Jefferson seemed to consider the offer for a second. Then, he grunted, "Where?"
"Back to our land, where there's a solution to a very delicate problem I have; how to get rid of the one person who could break my curse."
"Emma. And why shouldn't I let her do just that? End the madness and go home?"
I scoffed. "To your hovel? Why, when you can just stay here in the mansion I gave you? Believe it or not, we have a common goal. We both want our children back, and we can both get them if we work together."
Jefferson glanced at Daniella and countered, "You've already got her, why do you need Henry? He's the saviour's son."
"If the curse breaks, I'll have neither of them."
Jefferson raised an eyebrow and frowned in Daniella's direction. Then, he faced me and stated, "Fine. I'll do what you want but I also want you to write Grace and I a new story. A fresh start. Right here."
I bent towards Jefferson and said, "Well then, that's exactly what you'll have. After we take care of Miss Swan of course."
(Daniella's POV)
It was already late in the afternoon when we arrived back home after a full day of planning Emma's slumber. Jefferson was able to retrieve the apple that mother used to poison Snow in the Enchanted Forest. However, she had to give up the engagement ring that father had given her.
Henry was still with Emma so it allowed us to talk openly about how we would get her to eat the apple. My stomach grumbled so I went into the kitchen to get some of the leftover apple turnover from yesterday when mother exclaimed, "That's it! Do you want to make a turnover with me, just for the saviour?"
I smiled. It's been a long time since we made apple turnovers together. The last time was back in the Enchanted Forest. As I thought about it, it brought me good memories.
*Flashback*
(One month before the curse struck)
It was nearly midnight when the coronation ceremony of a new King in what used to be Xavier's kingdom ended. Xavier was my great grandfather and since my grandfather's eldest brother passed away a week ago, my mother's eldest cousin succeeded him and was crowned king. The celebrations were awkward since they had to invite us as we were technically family. However, Snow was also invited due to her royal status. At the coronation, they've smartly seated us on opposite ends of the room. However, it didn't stop my mother from glaring at Snow whenever it was possible.
When we arrived back in our own palace, my stomach growled in hunger. I wanted to get food but it was late and many of the servants had already gone to sleep, save for Yvette and Olivia of course. After they had prepared me for the night and blew out the candles on my bedside, I pushed way the covers. Making sure that they were gone, I pattered over to my wardrobe and threw a cloak around me. Then, I set foot on the cold stone tiles and scampered to my mother's chambers, hoping that she hadn't gone to sleep yet. Well, of course she hadn't. She never sleeps till way past midnight.
The guards standing in front of the door to her chambers said softly when I approached, "You should be in bed, your highness."
"I know, but I would like to speak to my mother."
They nodded and opened the door for me. I slipped inside and immediately felt warm air from the fireplace envelope me. I draped my cloak on the couch and walked into mother's inner bedchambers. She was taking out the pins in her hair when I came into the room.
She saw me through the mirror on her vanity, "Daniella? Shouldn't you be in bed by now..."
I came over and replied, "I don't want to go to sleep."
Surprisingly, mother grinned, "Actually, I'm not in the mood to sleep either. Seeing darling little Snowflake at the coronation made me lose my appetite at the feast."
Just when silence overtook the air, my stomach let out a grumble. I smiled as mother poked my stomach and said, "Well, that makes the both of us." She stood up and pushed her chair back. "I'll let you off past your bedtime tonight. But it's a one-off alright?"
I nodded as she continued, "Let's make an apple turnover, shall we?"
"Now?"
"Why not? The castle's asleep, save for some guards."
I grinned.
*Present Day*
The kitchen smelt delicious after the turnover was finished. I wanted to try it, even though I was aware that it contained the sleeping curse. Whilst my mother cut it up and packed it into a Tupperware box, she revised the plan with me.
"Tomorrow, I'll drop you off at Emma's place. Give the turnover to her and say that it's for her trip to Boston. Mention that I wanted to end this whole ordeal in a civil fashion."
The plan seemed alright but, "Wouldn't Henry be with Emma?"
"No, I've arranged for Snow to give him half an hour of tutoring. That will allow us to do the deed whilst they are both away from the apartment."
I nodded. I hope that this will all go well. As much as I want the curse to remain strong for revenge's sake, I've survived too many times to let death take me now.
*Midnight
The voices drew closer and closer, louder and louder. I held onto my mother tightly as she rubbed my back. Her whispers did nothing to comfort me for I knew what the mob would do. I didn't want to ask her if we were going to be alright, because I knew that we weren't. Then, the deafening grind of grandfather's coffin being rolled to one side rung in my ears. Footsteps flooded down the stairs. They turned and...men appeared. They rushed towards us and ripped me from my mother's arms. There were screams. Kill them, tear out their throats, make them suffer.
They held me down as I watched them tear like scavengers at my mother. I was forced to watch as a man drew out his sword. I was shouting for them to stop. Please, don't. Please. Please!
They took no notice of me. I watched the blade come down and something roll onto the cool stone tiles. I screamed.
"Daniella! Daniella! Wake up! It's just a nightmare!"
I bolted upright, sheets clad in sweat around me. Panting, I looked around me to see my mother beside me. "Daniella, you're alright?"
My mouth was dry. In a raspy voice I answered between breathes, "I, I, I think so..." Then, I threw my arms around mother. She returned the gesture, whispering, "It's fine now, mama's got you."
I gripped her tighter, just like I did in the nightmare. "Daniella, do you want to tell me what happened?"
I shook my head vigorously. Mother frowned in response. Then, she said gently, "I'll get you a cup of water. It'll make you feel better."
After she left, I fell back onto the sticky bed sheets and exhaled loudly. Holding my doll tightly, I stared at the ceiling and thought about the dream. It won't become reality, will it?
"Dani?"
I looked towards the doorway and saw Henry's head peek into my room. I sat up slowly and replied, "Did I wake you?"
He came in and sat on my bed, saying, "I think you woke up the entire neighbourhood."
I felt the edges of my lips lift up.
"You ok?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
"Nightmare?"
I nodded.
"What was it about?"
I eyed Henry with a look that told him that I really did not want to explain. However, he insisted, "Was it about the curse?"
Luckily, I didn't have to answer for mother's voice came through the doorway, "Henry, get back to bed please."
My brother turned around and said, "But there's no school tomorrow!"
"Henry!"
With a grunt, he walked past mother with his footsteps pattering loudly down the hallway outside. Mother handed a cup of water to me and whilst I sipped it, she whispered, "Do you want to tell me what happened?"
I gave a glance towards the door so she got up and shut it. Then, I said quietly, "The curse broke in my dream."
When mother sat down onto my bed, I curled up into her arms. "You were screaming dear. Why?"
Without looking up into her eyes, I mumbled, "They came into our vault and...well, they were looking for blood."
"Daniella..." Mother sighed. She cupped my face into her hands and whispered, "I won't ever let anyone hurt you, you know that. It's gonna take the whole world to tear us apart again."
I nodded and slid into my bedsheets. "Goodnight, Mama."
"Sweet dreams, firefly. You'll need rest for what you need to do, remember?"
*Late morning
Mother and I were just about the leave the house when the doorbell rung. She answered it and to my surprise, Emma was lead into the kitchen. When she caught my gaze, she gave me a quick smile before continuing to speak to mother. "I wanna make a deal with you about Henry."
"Oh, I'm not making any deals with you."
"I'm leaving town."
I nearly let the glass box of apple turnover slip from my hands and drop onto the floor.
"What?"
Disregarding our surprised expressions, Emma continued, "This...whatever we're doing, whatever is between us, is a problem. And I'm gonna go. But I have conditions. I still get to see Henry, spend time, visit, whatever."
Mother leaned against the kitchen counter and said, "And when you see him you'll still be in his life."
With a smirk, Emma replied, "In any deal, both parties are a little unhappy. But let's be honest, we both know that a world where I'm not in his life no longer exists."
Mother nodded slowly, "So what are you proposing exactly?"
"I don't know. We'll just figure it out as we go."
"But he's my son."
Emma glanced at me for a second. After a long pause, she stuttered out a quiet murmur. "Yeah." Then, she started to leave. Mother quickly turned around and took the box of apple turnover from my hand. "Oh, Miss Swan. Perhaps you would like something for the road?"
Emma was a little reluctant to take the box from my mother's hands. There seemed to be a silent conversation between their eyes before she finally accepted the box.
I followed them to the door. Mother put her hands on my shoulders as she spoke to Emma again. "If we're going to be in each other's lives, we may as well start being cordial."
Before the door closed, I added, "I hope you like apples, Emma. They're mama's famous turnovers. I'm sure you'll like it."
"I'm sure I will, kid."
When the door slammed shut, mother visibly let out a breath.
"Mama?"
"Hmm?"
"How will we know for sure if she'll eat it?"
"We'll know, dear. We'll know."
(Emma's POV)
I had only arrived back at the apartment for a couple of minutes when footsteps ran up the stairway. I opened the door and Henry barged in. "Hey, Emma! Everything okay? You sounded strange over the walkie."
I didn't know how to respond. Henry seemed so happy to see me and yet I am to destroy that happiness in the next few seconds. I inhaled and bit my lip. "Henry, I-. I can't stay."
"What?"
It broke my heart to see Henry's face fall at my words. However, I continued, "I have to go, leave Storybrooke. I spoke to Regina, we made a deal. I'm still gonna be able to see you, just not...every day."
Henry rushed towards me and screamed, "No! No! You can't trust her!"
"Henry! I have to, it's my only choice. It's the best for you. Every time I fight her, someone gets hurt!"
"No! You're just scared. This happens to all heroes, it's just the low moment before you fight back."
I sunk down to my knees and said desperately, "Henry! This isn't a story! This is reality. Some things have to change. You can't skip school. You can't run away, and you can't believe in curses."
"You really don't believe?"
I chose to ignore the question. "Henry, I made a deal, and I used my superpower. She's telling the truth, she's gonna take really good care of you."
"Yeah, but she wants you dead."
"Come on, Henry!"
"They both do! You're the only one that can stop her!"
I stood up and put my hands to my head. "Stop her from what? All she's ever done is fight for you. It just got a little out of hand. Look Henry, I'm sorry. But this is what is best for all of us."
I wrapped Henry into a hug, hoping that he would calm down. He whispered something into my hair. "Where did you get that?"
We parted and I looked in the direction of his gaze. I gestured towards the box of apple turnover. "This? Regina gave it to me."
Henry went over and sniffed it. Then, he exclaimed, "Apple!"
I frowned. "So?"
"You can't eat that, it's poison. Don't you see? The deal was all a trick! To get you to eat that! To get rid of the saviour."
"Henry, come on. Why would she do that when I just told her I was gonna go. Besides, Daniella was there...and she has no hard feelings towards me."
"Yeah she does! You're a threat to her mom's curse."
"Henry, you've got to stop thinking like this. It's not helpful, nor is it real!" I reached for the turnover and continued, "I'll prove it to you. I'll prove that the curse isn't real."
Henry immediately snatched the turnover from my hands. He stepped back and said, "Sorry it had to come to this, you may not believe in the curse. Or in me. But I believe in you."
I watched carefully as Henry bit into the turnover and chewed.
"See, kid? You wanna have some ice cream with that? Then, we can-"
Right in front of my eyes, Henry slumped onto the ground. What?! "Henry? Henry! Henry!"
I shook him before shakily feeling for his pulse. That's when I knew that I had to get him to the hospital.
(Regina's POV)
The phone rang and I stood up to answer, but Daniella picked it up first.
"Daniella Mills speaking." There was a long pause after that. Then, I heard her voice waver in a reply, "I'll...I"ll get my mother."
I walked towards her and took the phone. "Yes, who is this?"
I recognised the voice on the other end of the phone. It belonged to the nurse that looked after Daniella when she was in the ICU. "Madam Mayor, I'm calling to inform you that Henry has just been taken into the hospital-"
"What?!"
"Yes, he's there with Miss Swan right now. He's in critical condition. I think it'll be best if-"
"I'm coming right now. Thanks."
I slammed down the phone and in ten long minutes, arrived at the hospital. Daniella and I ran into the ICU to see Henry lying on the bed that David used to lay upon. Within seconds of our arrival, I felt a set of hands roughly grab me. I turned around as Emma dragged me into a storage room and threw me against a supply closet. I struggled against the force that the saviour used against me. Somewhere behind us, I heard Daniella's voice exclaim, "Mama!"
Emma paid no attention and shouted into my face, "You did this!"
"What the hell are you doing?! Stop this, my son-"
"Is sick because you! The apple turnover you gave me, he ate it!"
I felt my heart stop. "What?! It was meant for you!"
"It's true isn't it?"
"What are you talking about?"
"It's true isn't it?! The curse? All of it."
I tilted my head against the closet and closed my eyes, nodding slowly. I heard Daniella mutter, "Mama?"
Emma let me go and shouted, "I was leaving town, why couldn't you just leave things alone?"
I bit back, "Because as long as you're alive, Henry will never be mine!"
"He will never be anyone's unless you fix this. You wake him up!"
I grimaced through the tears that threatened to fall down my face. "I can't!"
"Don't you have magic?"
I shook my head and mumbled, "That was the last of it...and it was supposed to put you to sleep!"
Emma was about to reply when Daniella muttered again, "Mama?"
Emma turned to face Daniella so I immediately put myself between them. Emma exclaimed in slight disbelief, "You were aware of this, Daniella?"
"Of course she-"
"Mama?"
I turned around to see Daniella clutch her chest. I bent down and frowned. "Daniella, are you ok?"
In a quiet voice, she replied, "Emma believes. The curse...it's"
I finished her sentence in sync with my loud heartbeats. "It's weakening." Just as I said these words, Daniella suddenly slumped over. Luckily, I caught her in my arms.
"Regina, what the hell is going on?"
I ignored Emma and shook Daniella's body. No, no, no...not again. "Daniella, come back to me. Daniella, Daniella?! Firefly?!"
