Chapter 4

She was my mother, of that there could be no doubt. Her glossy dark brown hair brushed her shoulders in an similar way to mine before I grew my hair out to its current length. High arched brows, identical to mine, raised in shock as she took in the delicate features, that make up my face, that were being mirrored back at her. Even her eyes, which were a far darker shade of brown than mine, had the almond shape as mine, and I found myself questioning how I could have ever thought that the woman I grew up calling mum could have been mine, when this clone of me existed. She raised a perfectly manicured and trembling hand to her face.

"Is that really you?" She whispered, ignoring whatever tense conversation they had been having before I entered, her warm hand coming to rest on my cheek. I couldn't stop myself from leaning in to her touch.

I gave her a soft smile, nodding hesitantly before glancing pointedly at the other two people in the room, unsure of how much I could say around them. Her gaze followed mine, quickly catching on to what I wasn't saying. A calm mask came over her face, and she gave a tense smile to the young couple, her hand retreating away from me.

"We will be going now." She said coolly, turning to address them. "Please have let me know when Emma brings Henry back." She faced towards me once again, reaching a tentative hand out to guide me out of the apartment and back down the stairs, passing a bewildered Ruby on our way. I raised an eyebrow at her, suppressing a frown at the strange look she gave me as we left.


We sat across table from each other in a diner, seemingly the only one in town, called Granny's. A stilted silence stretched across table as my mother watched me fidget lightly with the edge of my coat, avoiding her piercing gaze. She glanced up and away as an older woman approached the table, glaring darkly at her.

The older woman started to say something when she noticed me, and a puzzled look came over her wizened features. She pulled a notepad swiftly from her apron and smoothed out her expression into something bordering on professional. "What do you want?" She bit out, still glaring slightly at my mother, who took the rude treatment in stride.

"Coffee, please Granny." Mum said, glancing my way. "Valkyrie? Would you like something?"

"Same for me, thanks." I said, narrowing my eyes at the other woman for her persistence glare. A hint of surprise appeared in her eyes as she heard my accent, but she quickly nodded and toddled off towards the kitchen. I watched her leave and scoffed. "Bloody Americans, they act like they've never even heard an Irish person talk before." I muttered, shaking my head and turning back to my mother.

She met my glaze with amused eyes. "I think they're more confused with the company you're keeping than your accent darling." She said, running her eyes over my face once more. Her hand flexed, like she wanted to reach out again, but was restraining herself.

A furrow appeared between my eyebrows. "Are you persona non grata in this town or something?" I asked, trying to sound casual as I leaned back into the soft leather of the bench. Briefly, I tried to remember the last time I was able to have an actual moment of rest this month. Or year come to think of it.

Across the table my mother sighed, the humor sapping out of her gaze. "Or something." She hummed. The silence stretched out for a few awkward moments.

"What should I call you?" I asked suddenly, realizing that I didn't even know her name, other than mom.

She furrowed her brows. "Well my full name is Regina Mills," she hedged, looking nervous, "but I wouldn't object to you calling me mom, if you'd be comfortable with that?" I grinned back at her.

"I wouldn't mind that at all." I replied, watching a genuine smile grow on her face at my words.

The moment was ruined as the older woman, (Granny perhaps?), deposited our drinks in front of us with a heavy clang and scurried off. I picked my cup up, and took a heavy sip, thankful for the energy boost the caffeine would provide.

Regina reached out for her cup when a look came over her features. She opened her mouth, closed it, and glanced away, looking hesitant. "How much… that is how much of your time before you were taken so you remember?" She asked quietly, her dark eyes searching for something in mine. My brow furrowed again.

"I was taken?" I exclaimed, forcing my voice down when I saw the suspicious look Granny was sending me. "By who?" I hissed out, already thinking of all the ways I could and would destroy the person who took me from my parents… and gave me my other parents and baby Alice…

Ok, maybe dial back the torture a smidge.

Across the table, Regina was seemingly steeling herself. "Alright, I guess I'll explain all that I can, stop me if something sound familiar. This all began about 2 years before your birth in another land…"