Hi everyone! Here's the next chapter for you. I really hope you like it! I'm having so much fun writing this story. I hope you all are having just as much fun reading it! Don't forget to let me know what you think :) Enjoy!
Chapter 6
"Uh…then why are we still here?" Grumpy said from behind the reunited family. Hanna turned to look at the man she and Henry had declared Grumpy several weeks ago. He was easy to figure out. The fact that he was short made them believe he was a dwarf, then he was never in the best of moods, so they knew he had to be Grumpy. After a while, they were able to recognize all 7 of the dwarves. The two kids had a lot of fun matching the people of the town to their fairytale counterparts after Henry got his book.
"That my friend is an excellent question," David said as he turned around.
"And what was that smoke? And who did this? And why? And what was that smoke?" the dwarves asked the prince all at once.
"Magic! It's here. I can feel it." Hanna turned to see the Blue Fairy. It had taken Henry and Hanna a little bit longer to figure out who she was, but they eventually did. Hanna's eyes widened when she heard the Blue Fairy say "magic" and she turned to Henry, who smiled back at her. They couldn't believe that there might actually be magic in Storybrooke. They both had read all about it many times in the fairytales, but for it to actually be here was a crazy thought.
"Magic? In Storybrooke?" Hanna asked, wanting to make sure she heard right.
"You're the Blue Fairy. Do something magical!" Henry said with a grin.
She explained to the intrigued children that it was not possible. She told them things were different here. She didn't have a wand and there wasn't any fairy dust. Henry and Hanna were a little disappointed. They thought maybe…just maybe they would get to see a little bit of the magic that they've read so much about in the storybook. The group decided that they needed to find out who was responsible for bringing magic to Storybrooke. Grumpy and the other dwarves jumped to the conclusion that it was the Evil Queen who brought the magic here. Emma knew who was the one though and it wasn't Regina. She told everyone that it was Mr. Gold, and they all made their way to his shop.
As they were walking, Snow couldn't help herself, she had to talk to her daughters. She wanted to get to know them. She wanted them to get to know her. She knew both of her girls must be so confused and unsure about everything that has happened. She wanted them to know that it was okay to talk her her about anything. Snow thought that maybe she should wait for a better time, but she couldn't wait anymore. It had been 28 long years, and she decided she had waited long enough. "Is there anything that either of you want to ask us? I mean you must have questions."
Hanna could feel her heart start to race as she walked right in between her mother and her sister. She was definitely not ready to talk about any of this yet. She thought she probably did have questions she wanted to ask her parents, but she couldn't think of one at the moment. She didn't know what to say. She didn't feel like having a heart-to-heart conversation right now, or ever really. She didn't do things like that. She didn't allow herself to open up to people, except maybe for Henry. She knew kids were suppose to be able to talk to their parents about anything. They should feel comfortable enough to ask them any question that might pop into their head. Hanna did not feel that way right now. She had mixed emotions about being reunited with her parents. She was beyond happy that she had finally found them and that they remembered she was their daughter. She had dreamed about this moment her entire life. This was probably one of the best days of her life so far, but the other part of her was terrified. She grew up in an orphanage without parents. She had no idea what having parents was like or how she was suppose to feel around them. She wasn't sure that she was ready to let them in yet. All of these thoughts rushed through Hanna's head, and when she finally pulled herself away from those thoughts, she wasn't sure how much time had passed since her mother had actually asked the question. Oh crap, how long have I just been standing here not answering her question? I don't know what to say…As she felt herself start to panic, she looked up at Emma hoping that she would have something to say in response to their mother's question.
Barely a second had passed since Snow asked her daughters if they had any question for them when Emma answered, "The only questions I have are for Mr. Gold. Why did he double cross me and what did he do to this town?"
Hanna let out a sigh of relief and thought maybe she was off the hook for now. This gave her more time to become prepared for the next time her mother ambushed her with a question. Hanna knew she would have to talk eventually. Emma was in the spotlight now though, their mother pushing her to talk about everything. Hanna was perfectly fine with this arrangement. She was content walking in between the two as one tried to coax the other into talking. It seemed pretty fair actually. Emma was the oldest, so she should be the one that has to talk first. She might be older, but from how she was responding, Emma seemed to have the same feelings as Hanna. She was definitely not in the mood to talk about anything right now. She was having just as hard of a time with all of this as Hanna was. Luckily for Emma, she was let off the hook too when David noticed an angry mob running down the street.
"There you are. Come with me," Dr. Hopper said as he ran up to them practically out of breath. "I need your help. Dr whale whipped everyone into a frenzy. They're going to Regina's house. They're gonna kill her. No matter who she is and what she's done, killing her is wrong."
"He's right. Please, she's still my mom." Henry said as he looked to Emma for help.
"We have to stop them," Emma said looking at her parents.
"If the Blue Fairy is right and magic is here, Regina could have her powers back. She could be dangerous. You two are not coming with us," David said looking at the two ten year olds standing beside him.
Hanna and Henry just looked at each other, eyebrows raised. They both knew what the other was thinking. There was no way they were going to stay behind. They were coming. They turned back to the adults ready to object.
"No," they both said at the same time.
"We want to help!" Henry said.
"We want to come with you," Hanna added trying to turn on her charm. She thought maybe her parents might give in easier to her request since they had just been reunited and all.
David was very close to giving in, it was hard for him to stand his ground. The eyes of his sweet little girl looking up at him melted his heart. All she wanted was to come with them. How could he deny her that? They have been apart for 28 years. They just found each other again. He didn't know what to say. He looked to Snow for help. She, however, was use to saying no to those "Charming" eyes looking up at them and not because she was Hanna's teacher. Hanna had her father's eyes and had also apparently inherited his charming ways. Snow had practically grown immune to David's pleading eyes over the years. Hanna was good though, she almost got her mother to crack, but Snow stood her ground. She knew it wasn't safe for them to come along.
"Red, can they stay with you?" Snow asked as she turned to her friend.
"Of course," she responded, "we'll just hang out at the diner until you're done."
Henry and Hanna just looked at each other and decided to let it go for now. They would just have to come up with another way to avoid being left behind. Hanna received hugs from her parents, hugs that she did not return. One because she was not completely comfortable with all of this new affection she was receiving, and two because she was mad that they wouldn't let her and Henry come with them. The adults assured the children they would be back soon and made their way over to Mifflin Street.
Henry and Hanna sat down in a booth, neither one planning on staying there long. They were the ones that figured out about the curse in the first place. They were the ones who helped wake David from his coma. And they were the ones who made Emma believe and break the curse returning everyone's memories. They did not like being left out of the action and they weren't giving up without at least trying.
"You know we're not staying here, right?" Hanna asked Henry.
"Duh," Henry said raising his eyebrows at her.
"Okay, good. Let's just tell Ruby we're hungry or something and when she goes to the back to get our food we can just sneak out the front door."
Henry agreed to Hanna's plan. It was so simple that it might actually work. Ruby came back and the two kids pretended to be sad and defeated when they asked her to make them some grilled cheese. She bought their act and went to the back to prepare their sandwiches.
They took their chance. They went out the front door and made a mad dash for the Mayor's mansion. They ran for a few blocks then decided to slow down once they felt sure they were close enough to their destination that they could make it there even if Ruby noticed they were gone. They smiled and gave each other a high five for pulling off their little escape. However, they might have celebrated a little too soon, because as soon as they rounded the corner what was waiting right in front of them made Hanna and Henry stop in their tracks.
"Seriously guys?" Ruby said with her hands on her hips shaking her head. "Wolf senses…remember?"
Their shoulders slumped in defeat and their smiles quickly faded away. They had been caught. But they were so close. They had almost made it. The whole "wolf thing" didn't even occur to them when they decided to make a break for it. They were too upset about being left behind and busy planning their escape. They made their way back to Granny's and found two grilled cheeses and hot chocolate waiting for them when they sat back down in the booth. Hanna and Henry knew they weren't going to get another chance to leave. Ruby wasn't going to let them out of her sight now. So, they just ate their food and impatiently waited for everyone else to return.
"I hear you two tried to make a great escape," Snow said as she sat down in the booth next to Hanna. Emma sat down next to Henry and nudged him with her elbow while David pulled up a chair at the end of the booth eyeing up the two guilty looking children.
Hanna's stomach did a flop. She never planned on getting caught, so she didn't even think about what might happen if she did. Well, she definitely got caught and apparently her parents knew all about it. She wasn't sure what they were going to do. Would she get in trouble? Would they be mad at her? Hanna snuck in and out of places all the time. She's never gotten into any trouble for it though. Well…she's never had anyone really care enough to be mad at her for it. Isn't that what parent's do though? Get mad at their kids when they don't listen? She didn't know. She was starting to worry. Hanna just sighed and looked up at her mother. "Uh…yeah we did," she said as she winced, hoping her mother wouldn't be too mad.
Snow just raised her eyebrows and looked over to her husband. Hanna's eyes shifted to her father. Uh oh, Hanna thought, is he going to be the one that yells at me? Her eyes became wide with concern. What was he going to say? He was the one that told her and Henry they couldn't come in the first place. I guess it was him they had directly disobeyed. Great, first day my parents remember who I am and here I go not listening and getting myself in trouble. I am totally screwing this up. Why did I even try to sneak out anyway? I am totally ruining this day. I should have just stayed at the diner and none of this would be happening. They wouldn't be disappointed in me and I wouldn't be about to get in trouble. Hanna continued to think the worst when her thoughts were interrupted by her father's voice.
"Hey, don't look at me," he said to Snow, "she gets that sneaking out stuff from you."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Snow responded with a roll of her eyes.
Hanna looked at them, a little confused for a second. Then she realized what they had said and what it had meant. She let out a breath of relief. She wasn't going to be in trouble after all. They were joking around with each other about what she and Henry had done. Dodged a bullet there, she thought as she smiled at her parents.
"So where's my mom?" Henry asked. "Is she okay? Did she try to hurt anybody?"
"She's fine, kid," Emma started. "She didn't hurt anyone. We took her to the jail. We locked her up for her protection and for ours."
"Can I go see her? Please?" Henry asked giving his best puppy dog eyes, hoping it would work.
It worked. Henry was on his way to the Sheriff's Station with Emma and David. They agreed to take him to see her for a few minutes, which left Hanna sitting alone with her mother.
"So what about you?" Snow started "You didn't answer me earlier. Do you have any questions for me? You can ask me anything you want."
Hanna didn't know what to say. Now it was her turn to be in the spotlight, but she wasn't ready yet. She didn't even know where to begin. She didn't know what questions to ask. She knew she should have something to say, but nothing would come to her. Maybe I can pretend I didn't hear her….yeah I'll go with that. Hanna just looked down and played with the napkin that laid on the table, acting like she hadn't heard what Snow said.
"Hanna."
"What?" the girl replied trying to sound innocent so it seemed like she really hadn't heard what her mom had said.
"Hanna, please talk to me," Snow said as she pushed the hair out of Hanna's face, tucking it behind her ear.
Hanna pulled away at Snow's touch and slid to the far end of the booth away from her mother. This was too much right now. She couldn't handle it. She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I just don't know about all of this. I think I just need some time, okay?" She wanted to talk to her, but she didn't know how to yet. She couldn't even look up at her mom right now, afraid that she hurt her feelings.
Snow just nodded her head. "Okay," was all she could manage to say. She had tried to get Emma to open up to her. Charming told her not to push it, but she didn't listen. She pushed it. Emma reacted the same way, saying she just needed some time. Maybe she shouldn't have pushed it with Hanna either. Snow thought maybe since she was younger she would be more willing to open up, but it seems that, like Emma, Hanna has built up some walls of protection around herself. Snow hoped that she would be able to get through those walls and get her girls to open up to her. In the meantime, she would just have to be patient.
Hanna felt guilty, but she didn't know what else to do. She needed to be alone for a minute. After her attempt at sneaking out earlier, Hanna didn't think her mom was going to let her out of her sight, but maybe she would let her at least go to the bathroom by herself. "Uh," Hanna started. She needed Snow to let her out of the booth, but she didn't know how to get her attention. Hanna was used to calling her Miss Blanchard at school, but she wasn't her teacher anymore…was she? She didn't think she should call her Mary Margaret or Snow either. She didn't know if she was ready to call her mom yet though. She just decided to avoid calling her anything at all. "Umm can you let me out please? I uh need to go to the bathroom."
"Oh, sure," Snow said as she got up from the booth and Hanna walked toward the bathroom. "Oh, and Hanna? Don't even think about sneaking out the bathroom window," she told her with a grin on her face.
"I won't," Hanna said trying not to smile.
After taking a few minutes to herself, Hanna felt calm enough to make her way back to the diner. She saw Emma, Henry, and David had returned from visiting Regina, but by the looks on everyone's faces, Hanna knew something had happened. The three adults were talking very fast to one another with serious looks on their faces. Henry was sitting in the booth looking upset about something. Hanna wasn't sure what was going on, but she planned on finding out. She sat down in the booth across from Henry. "What's going on?" she asked him.
Henry looked up at her with worry in his eyes. "It's my mom. Something's after her. It's called a wraith, it's some sort of soul sucker…I don't know. It came while we were there. They made it go away, but it's going to come back. It won't stop. They're trying to figure out a plan to get rid of it."
Hanna listened to what her friend had told her. She could tell by his voice that he was scared. He didn't want anything bad to happen to Regina. She understood that. Even though she was the Evil Queen and was the one who cast the curse sending them all here and separating Hanna from her family, she was still Henry's mom. The mayor might not have been the nicest person and she scared Hanna a bit, but she didn't want her to get her soul sucked out by some wraith thing. That would only hurt Henry, and Hanna didn't want that. "It's gonna be okay. They'll figure something out," Hanna told Henry with a smile.
"Oh and be prepared to be left behind with Ruby again," Henry started, "there's no way they're going to let us come with them."
Just has Henry finished, David, Snow, and Emma came over and stood at the end of the booth where the kids sat. "You guys are going to stay here with Ruby while we go get rid of this thing," Emma told them.
Henry looked at Hanna and raised his eyebrows as if to say I told you so. Hanna just rolled her eyes, she didn't like being left out of the action especially for the second time in one day. However, she knew better than to try and fight it, so she just nodded her head in agreement. The three adults smiled at the children and assured them they would be back soon. Just before they left, Snow lifted her hand slightly towards Hanna, like she wanted to give her a hug or something. However, she quickly pulled her hand back thinking better of it. Snow remembered what happened only a few minutes ago when she tried to touch her youngest daughter. Hanna didn't react well, and Snow didn't want to push it. She just gave her daughter a gentle smile and left with David and Emma. Hanna noticed what happened, and it made her feel guilty. She felt bad for pulling away from her mother earlier. Hanna knew Snow was just doing what all mothers do, comforting her child. It made Hanna feel so uncomfortable though, and she didn't know why. There was a part of her though, as she watched her parents walk out the door, that wished her mother had given her a hug before she left. Hanna felt it was her own fault though for pushing her away earlier and made a mental note to try really hard to allow herself to open up to her mom the next time she saw her. She hoped it would be sooner rather than later because she really felt so guilty right now.
It felt like it had been hours since Hanna and Henry were left behind at the diner. It hadn't actually been that long, but time seemed to be dragging in the minds of the two children. They desperately wanted to know what was going on and more importantly know that everyone was okay. They were getting antsy, they couldn't take it anymore. They needed to know. Hanna and Henry both knew they weren't getting past Ruby again, she was watching them very closely. They thought maybe, if they turned on their charm, they could convince Ruby to take them to find their parents instead.
"Please, Ruby," Henry said with his best puppy dog eyes. "I just need to know that they're all okay."
"Please take us," Hanna said using her charm she inherited from her father. "I just got my parents back, and I really want to see them."
Ruby just looked at the pleading children standing in front of her. She knew she should say no. She should make them stay right here. It wasn't safe for them to go. She should do as their parent's wished and keep them away from the potential danger that was out there. However, against her better judgement, she agreed to take the kids where they wanted to go, and before she knew it they were making their way into town hall.
They walked in on a very frightening sight. Regina had David held up against the wall with branches that seemed to pop out of the wallpaper. She looked like she was about to rip out his heart.
"Mom!" Henry shouted, trying to get her attention before she did what he thought she was going to do.
Hanna stood there watching the scene play out in front of her. She saw her dad held against the wall struggling to breath. Regina pulled her hand back when she heard Henry and made her way over to where the two kids were standing. Hanna watched as David was released and fell to the floor gasping for air. Ruby ran over to check on him. Hanna didn't move. She didn't know what to do. She looked around the room and wondered where Emma and her mom were. She tried not to let herself think the worst until she heard Regina tell Henry they were gone. He had asked her where they were, and she told them they were sucked into a portal. Hanna shook her head she wasn't sure she heard the mayor correctly. They can't be gone. This can't be happening. I just got them back. I just found them. No, no, I don't believe it. Hanna pulled herself from her thoughts and walked over to her dad. She looked up at him, "Is it true?" she asked him, hoping he would tell her that it wasn't and that Emma and her mom were just in the other room. But, the look on his face told her different. David nodded his head as he pulled his little girl into his arms. Hanna allowed herself to be embraced by her father as tears ran down her face. She was going to try to open up to her mother the next time she saw her, she really was, but now she may never get the chance. She didn't know if she would ever get to see her mom or her sister ever again.
