I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.
3: Earning It
Maleficent sat on her sofa and spent her afternoon looking for the best restaurant to take Zelena and Robbie. She and Lily had sampled several places on their own, enjoying mother-daughter time whenever possible. But, just because they liked some place did not mean it was Zelena's speed. Plus, it had to be someplace Robbie would be comfortable and some place where they would not have to put up with dirty looks if Robbie was fussy. She was so grateful Lily showed her how to search the town using her phone, otherwise this would be impossible.
By the time she decided what to do, Fenrir wandered in and dropped in the middle of the living room. She had no idea what Fenrir did with his time, but he did not seem to be causing trouble, so that was good. It was possible that he might want to go out as well. He was part of their family as much as anyone else.
"Fenrir, we're doing a family outing. Would you like to join us for dinner?" Maleficent asked.
Fenrir nodded, which was fine. Not many places would argue with the God-killer eating there and he could make himself any size to fit into any space. She made reservations, giddiness flowing through her entire body, and she found herself looking forward to this meal. Maybe it's because I haven't been out in a while. I have to explore the town again, keep busy. I can't keep relying on Regina to be my company, especially since she's going to need to snuggle into Emma every moment she has to fend off that potion chasing her and those babies.
Maleficent shook those thoughts away and then moved to figure out what she should wear. She wanted to show that she cared about this moment, to let Zelena know she cared. Zelena needed to understand she was important as an independent person and not an extension of Regina or Robbie. She heard the door open.
"Mom, you home?" Lily called.
"In my room," Maleficent replied.
Lily appeared in the doorway of her room. "Oh, looking for date clothes?" She smirked.
Maleficent scoffed. "It's not a date."
"It's a family date!" Lily threw her hands up with a grin. "I'm actually looking forward to it. We never hang out as a group like this. Why didn't you have this idea earlier?"
Maleficent chuckled. "You're making it seem like you don't want to see Tia Regina."
Lily snickered. "Not while Tia Regina is pregnant. Those babies are kicking her ass and she's super mean." It still was not common knowledge it was the potion kicking Regina's ass to avoid worrying everyone. "I think we can all see how she was the Evil Queen thanks to this pregnancy."
Maleficent nodded. "For me, I think it's funny how miserable the babies are making her, but we all know the moment those twins are born, she'll spend the rest of her life spoiling the hell out of those kids." No matter what Regina went through during this pregnancy, even if she almost died, she would love those babies with the same fierceness she loved Henry. And, Emma would do the same, as well as fight back that potion to the best of her ability.
"Well, she won't be alone. I'm looking forward to meeting these kids. What do you think their personalities are like if they can give Regina such hell? Can't possibly be two more Henries, right?" Lily chuckled again.
Maleficent rubbed her chin with her thumb. "I'm sure they're both sweethearts like Henry. Or will be when they finally come. Maybe being trapped in an enclosed space doesn't sit right with the twins. I'm sure it can't be fun to always have someone's knee in your face. I can imagine the same would be true of their mothers in the way of sharing space, so they more than likely inherited the attitudes. But, anyway. Are you really looking forward to this?"
"I am. I know I don't talk about it, but I enjoy hanging out with you. I mean, I love the family you brought me into. I've never felt this safe and happy in my life. You did what a mother is supposed to do." Lily grinned at her.
Maleficent inhaled deeply, a warmth spreading through her, but always halted by a bitter chill at her core. "I will never forgive myself for not being able to protect your egg, but I will do everything in my power to make sure you have a good life now." She meant those words from the bottom of her heart and soul. "So, if this goes well, we will definitely do these little family things again."
Lily smiled still. "I look forward to it. Now, let me go pick out some nice clothes, too. We gotta impress the other mother and daughter."
Maleficent could not help laughing as Lily went across the hall to her room. She never thought she would like living with anyone, but she enjoyed living with Lily. She enjoyed Lily. She was so lucky. Lily never blamed her for losing her egg, even if Maleficent might never forgive herself for it. She had been a fool then. No, don't worry about that right now.
Maleficent found a dress and laid it out on her bed. Then she texted Zelena the details of the outing. For a moment, she was upset Zelena did not respond immediately, but she had things to keep her busy and that was good because she did not want to think about why the lack of response was upsetting. A few minutes later, her nerves jumped at her phone's chime. A reply. It was just a simple devil emoji smiling, but the silliness got a chuckle out of Maleficent. Before she could think about that, her phone sounded in her hand. Zelena was calling.
"Yes, Zelena," Maleficent answered, phone to her ear.
"I'm currently trying to pick out an outfit for Robbie. What type of place is this?" Zelena asked.
"It's a Persian restaurant here, but I do believe the owners are from Agrabah in the Old World."
"No, that's not what I mean. Should I dress her like this is a ball?" Zelena sounded a little shy, like she did not want to get this wrong.
"Please, no. She'll be miserable. Dress however you like. This is supposed to be a fun and relaxing outing. The restaurant is just a regular place without any pretense."
Zelena sighed. "You're right. What are you and Lily wearing?"
"No idea what Lily plans to wear, but I'll snap a picture of my dress and send it to you."
Zelena chirped. "What a brilliant idea! These devices are truly magical."
"They do come in handy, although I can't take credit for the photo idea. Lily sends pictures of items often when we're trying to coordinate or organize in some manner."
"You have a special girl there."
"I know." She would always wish for more — more time, more influence, more memories, but what she had would also always be more than enough.
"I hope Robbie ends up like her."
"I'm sure Lily would love to hear that."
There was a brief moment of silence. "Well, let me try to figure this wardrobe thing out."
"Yes, see you tonight."
They disconnected the call and Maleficent snapped a picture of her dress before she forgot. A text came through a moment later. Black? We can't all just show up in black. That was true. It might frighten the other people at the restaurant. They wanted a nice quiet night out. Not something that might have someone call Emma, especially since this was as much for the Swan-Mills family as it was for them. Maleficent turned to her suits, all a different shade of cream.
"Oh!" She grabbed a nearly white suit and pulled it out.
She took a photo and waited. Now, that's more like it. Something that won't make a fool call the Sheriff the moment they see us. Maleficent smiled and replied. My thoughts exactly.
Maleficent busied herself getting Fenrir presentable. His coat needed a heavy brushing. It was like he rolled around in dust.
"What do you do, hang out in the woods?" Maleficent asked, quite seriously.
Fenrir only snorted, like he was offended by the question. She bathed him first, which he appreciated if his groans meant anything. He whined and lapped at the water when she turned on the shower head and ran it up and down his back. He also did not want to leave the tub until she reminded him of the brushing. Once his coat was shiny and smooth, she magicked him up a little bow tie. He grunted and shook his head, swiping at the tie with his large paw.
"We're not savages and we're going somewhere nice. So, we're all going to look nice," Maleficent said.
He snorted, but did not remove the tie. Maleficent then went to get ready. Shower, makeup, clothes. By the time she was deciding on jewelry, Lily stood in her doorway again and whistled.
"Look at you, trying to make all the omegas swoon," Lily said. She had the nerve to say that while wearing a red suit herself. She had on a black shirt with the two top buttons undone and black high heels.
"Well, all my dresses are black and Zelena made a point that we all couldn't be in black," Maleficent replied.
Lily nodded. "Good point. No reason to have people call Emma on us just because we like a certain color. Don't want to ruin her night."
"For all we know, she might want the excuse to leave. Who knows what Regina is putting the poor dear through." Not that Emma would ever abandon Regina, especially now.
Lily scoffed. "Emma loves it. She's just happy to be there for this pregnancy."
Maleficent nodded. "I understand that one. Have you talked to Emma about the pregnancy?" Had Emma or Regina told anyone else about what was really going on?
Lily chuckled. "She's not that comfortable with me yet and I also think she doesn't want to seem like she's bragging considering what her parents did to me and how my life ended up. Which makes her that much more considerate than her parents."
Maleficent sighed and shook her head. "They do lead me to believe that good and oblivious are the same thing. At least we know they're not targeting you since they tend to be just as careless around Emma. But, let's not think about it. I like this suit you have on. You got that from a store or Evelyn?" Regina's dressmaker delighted in outfitting all of them.
Lily waved the question off. "Now, let's get going. I told Zelena we'd pick her up. She needs to do things without magic every now and then."
Maleficent did not disagree. She put in her earrings, checked herself in her mirror. She straightened her cream-colored lapels and the collar of her tan shirt. If only I had a hat to go with this suit. But, she wanted her hair out, which was why she picked this particular suit. She was ready to go, ignoring little butterflies fluttering in her stomach. There's no reason to be nervous. This will be fine and we'll be able to do it again.
They got into the car, Fenrir riding in the backseat, and they drove out to the farmhouse to pick up Zelena. Maleficent did not mean to gasp when she saw Zelena, but she could not help herself. Lily did not say anything, but she smirked.
Zelena wore a mint dress that complimented her body to the point that it had to be made by the royal dressmaker. It fell down to her calves and had one, short sleeve. A white chain belt with several charms hanging from it dipped around her waist and matched her white, high heel shoes. A white necklace with charms drew attention to her bare collarbones.
Robbie was dressed in a similar manner. Green and white with matching accessories, but her dress was not as long, just at her knees and with two short sleeves. She had on white boots instead of shoes. She cheered when she saw Maleficent and Lily.
"Lily!" Robbie grinned. Okay, maybe she just cheered for Lily then.
Maleficent jumped out of the car to open the back door for Zelena. It'll be a weird fit. They had a car seat for Robbie, but then Zelena would either be sandwiched between it and Fenrir or Fenrir would be in the middle, leaving Zelena away from her daughter. Not great options.
"Well, you do clean up nicely," Zelena said, breaking Maleficent from her panicked thoughts.
Maleficent scoffed. "We already knew that. Your dress is gorgeous. Did you get that from Evelyn?"
"Yes. She swears white and light green tend to flatter me."
"She's not wrong," Maleficent said.
Zelena blushed. "Yes, well, it seemed non-threatening. Now, let's get Robbie in so we can be on our way."
Maleficent nodded and Zelena put Robbie in the seat with an ease Maleficent had yet to master. The damn buckles never worked right for her. Then Zelena got in the back with Fenrir in the middle. She did not complain once.
"Smooth so far," Lily whispered as Maleficent eased back next to her.
Maleficent rolled her eyes and they were off. The drive was short and pleasant. Fenrir played with Robbie, poking her with his nose. Zelena basically filled them in on how she got the dress. Regina had scheduled her and Robbie for a mother/daughter session and they both walked away with matching dresses. It was cute and so like Regina.
"Were you better behaved with Evelyn without an audience?" Lily asked. "Although I assume you know you're not likely to get kicked out of some place when you have Robbie with you."
Zelena scoffed. "You act like you don't get on Evelyn's nerves when you go to her to get one of your obnoxious suits done."
Lily smirked. "But, when I do it, it's cute. Isn't that what you always assume?" Lily blew a kiss at her.
"There is no assumption about it." It was hard to tell if Zelena was serious or not, so Maleficent and Lily laughed just for her to know she should not be serious about that statement.
They arrived at the restaurant and their group made the host pause, but he sat them, even Fenrir. A booster seat was carried to the table for Robbie. Lily complained about how she could only have one drink because she had to drive back. Of course, that was not entirely true, but they let her moan and gripe. Surprisingly, again, Zelena did not complain once.
They ate, they talked, and they walked around outside for a little while until Robbie fell asleep. They drove Zelena home, so she could put Robbie in her bed, but she offered them a chance to stay for a while. They took her up on the offer.
"I'm sorry I don't have much. I don't usually entertain," Zelena said as she poured them drinks from the single bottle of wine she had.
Lily waved that off. "It's cool. We know you're not usually here. In fact, how was it to spend the day out here?"
Zelena sighed and sat down next to Maleficent on the sofa. Their legs touched, but it was not unusual now. Maleficent sipped her wine as Zelena answered. The wine was delicious.
"It's strange. It served a purpose back when I was trying to destroy Regina, but now it seems far away from everyone. I'm not sure if I like it for Robbie, especially as she gets older. She'll want to be closer to her cousins and her best friend, the Little Charming," Zelena answered.
Lily nodded. "Well, you don't have to stay here. I used to move, like, every three months."
"Because of crime," Zelena pointed out.
Lily laughed. "Well, yes. But, other stuff, too. We can look for some place in town, closer to it all if you want. Maybe a condo in our complex."
Zelena glanced at Maleficent. "Maybe too close. Wouldn't want to wear out my welcome."
Maleficent scoffed. "Nonsense. We all enjoy your company, which is why up until the pregnancy, Regina was happy to practically let you live at her house."
"She's got you there. Emma didn't even try to kick you out," Lily pointed out.
Zelena nodded. "Maybe I should look. Regina might need help once the babies are born as well. It would be nice to be closer."
"That's the spirit," Maleficent said. She just wanted Zelena to understand she was wanted and loved.
"Yeah, now, when are we doing another one of these double mother/daughter outings? I liked this a lot," Lily said.
Maleficent and Zelena nodded in agreement and they worked out another excursion for them. This time, they also planned to take Henry. It would give Regina and Emma some time alone and also give their group some time with Henry where he did not have to do most of the work, like showing them around or hosting them in his home. Besides, he could probably use some attention from them before the twins were born. It would not do him well to see them all fawn over the twins after he did all the work with these other relationships.
"Maybe Henry and I will show you guys how to play mini-golf," Lily said. Of course, Maleficent and Zelena had no idea what that was, but it would be nice to find out.
-8-8-8-8-
After several outings with Maleficent, sometimes with their daughters and sometimes with Henry, but every now and then alone, Zelena had a realization that had her rushing to Emma's office. The sheriff's station was actually busy for the moment. Gang violence apparently. She appeared in the middle of a huge street fight, involving knives, swords, bats, and clubs with twenty people against their tiny sheriff's department of four.
"Okay, everyone, freeze!" Zelena put up her hands and froze everyone in place. "Okay, well, obviously not the good guys." The sheriff and her deputies were free to move about.
Emma looked around and shrugged. "Thanks for the help, Zee. What are you doing here, though?"
"I had a matter I wish to discuss. If we could…?" Zelena asked.
"Let me sort these guys out and then I'll meet you somewhere. I hear you've taken a liking to the pizza place."
Zelena nodded. "Henry knows good food. Pizza is possibly the best thing I've ever had." It was one of her favorite places to sit with Henry. Lily would also go there with her often.
Emma had the nerve to wag a finger at her. "No, no, no. You've had tacos."
"Yes, pizza wins."
"Guys, wings exist," Dorothy said.
Zelena grimaced. "You're just an all-around barbarian." She felt comfortable saying this as a joke after interacting with Dorothy several times in Granny's with Maleficent or Lily or Henry. Also, Ruby was friendly enough to try to drag Zelena and Dorothy into her nonsense if they were around.
"Are we just pretending burgers don't exist?" Mulan asked as she handcuffed one of the gang members.
Zelena gasped. "You eat burgers? From your figure I assumed you eat healthy all the time."
"Aw, Zee, look at you, complimenting people," Emma teased.
Zelena rolled her eyes, but before she could say anything David spoke up. "Do fries count in this argument or is it just a side dish for all of these things?"
"Side dish, Dad. Come on, act like you have some culture," Emma replied, which Zelena was happy about. She still could not bring herself to have a full, friendly conversation with David and Snow, even with Robbie and Little Guy being best friends. She would probably have to work on that eventually.
"Well, I'll leave you be, dear sheriff's department." Zelena wiggled her fingers at them as a farewell.
Emma rolled her eyes, but turned around to handle her job. Zelena vanished in a puff of green smoke and went to wait for Emma at the pizza parlor. It took Emma over thirty minutes to arrive.
"Sorry about the wait. We had to process all of those idiot kids and it's just a hassle," Emma said as she sat down across from Zelena in the booth.
Zelena waved that off. "It's fine. I was able to sample a new slice." She motioned to her meat lover's pizza. "It's so decadent." She had never had so many types of meat in a single meal, even when Regina did holiday meals.
Emma chuckled. "I often forget where you guys come from most meat is a luxury item. So, what's up? Gonna take Henry off my hands again, so I can spend the night getting yelled at for not thinking your sister is sexy enough as I try to set a romantic mood?"
Zelena could not help smiling. "You really love her, don't you?"
"With all my heart. I wish my pups weren't making her feel so awful all the time. But, we're in the home stretch now. I still can't believe it's twins and one hid behind the other for so long."
"We all expect no less shenanigans from your offspring."
Emma grinned, just a proud sire all around. No one would believe most of her home time was spent caring for an ailing mate, who was so miserable almost all the time she rarely had a kind word to say to Emma. Things would definitely improve once the twins were born, but for now, Emma's home life was a nightmare and she endured it with a smile. Hell, most of the time Zelena saw Emma and Regina, she was cuddling Regina and holding her and loving her up while Regina looked sicker than ever. It was a miracle Regina could get out of bed at this point, even though she was not supposed to.
"Do you want me to take Henry for the night? He likes the farmhouse. We've gone walking in the woods a number of times," Zelena said. They had gotten very comfortable over the past two months. She finally actually felt like his aunt.
"Yeah, he helps you and Lily collect stuff for potions. He's told me. He swears he can do potions, too."
Zelena laughed. "Technically, he can, but I hope he's not doing them unsupervised. While I make it seem fun and easy, potions are quite dangerous. How are you with your alone time when he's out with me living like a wildling?"
Emma waved that off. "Don't worry about me. Take him when you want or when he wants. I'm going to do what I need to do regardless. And this isn't about me. It's about you."
Zelena sighed and nodded. "Well, it's me and Maleficent."
A grin spread across Emma's face. "Oh, really? You know Henry already let it spill that you're dating."
"We're not!" Zelena said quickly. "At least I don't think we are. Sometimes, we go out alone, but most of the time, we have at least Robbie with us."
"Because you're a single mom. You can't leave the kid home alone and Maleficent wouldn't want you to. She loves Robbie."
Zelena nodded. "So, I'm trying to figure out if we're dating or not." This was what she needed to talk to Emma about. How did she know if she was dating Maleficent? Should she be dating Maleficent?
"That's definitely a conversation to have with Mal."
"And is it all right for us to date?"
Emma made a face. "Uh, why wouldn't it be? Is this some witch thing I don't know?"
"No, but Maleficent is my sister's best friend. Is it all right for me to date?" Media made it seem otherwise.
"Sounds like a conversation to have with your sister. Unfortunately, the babies have made her a crazy person, so she might say something she doesn't actually mean right now. I think above all Regina would want you to be happy, though. Maleficent makes you happy, so much so, you don't even complain about Regina kicking you out of the house anymore. I think you should go for it."
"Really?" For some reason, Zelena had not expected that.
"Yeah. Zelena, I don't know how many times I have to say this, but I want the best for you and I've noticed how great Mal is with you and how great you are with her. You make a cute couple."
Zelena sat back, needing to take in those words. "And you're not just saying that because you want to make sure Mal isn't lusting over Regina?"
Emma chuckled. "She's not, but that's not why I want this. Do what makes you happy, Zelena. Hell, maybe a life with Maleficent is your happy ending. And I know for a fact that your sister would want that for you and for her best friend. Go for it and go talk to Regina. Just remember if she's mean, she's not in her right mind. Even if she didn't like this idea, not-sick Regina wouldn't be mean to you about it."
Zelena took a deep breath. "You're right."
Emma reached over and grabbed Zelena's hand. There was always a warmth that came with Emma touching her. Henry was also very touchy and he hugged her at every turn. She loved it, even though she did not initiate embraces or touches really, but they offered her so much physical affection, she did not have to fight for it.
"I promise you, it'll be all right. Town's got a pool on you and everything. That's always a good sign." Emma grinned.
"A pool?"
"I got fifty bucks on you getting together before the babies come. I should check on that thing, actually."
Zelena sucked her teeth, but did not let go of Emma's hand. "You're ridiculous."
"I haven't always been this way, though. I get to be a little carefree around here, just like you get to be a little more down to Earth. We both get to enjoy the little moments that used to be just out of reach or denied to us. Now, you have true happiness within reach. Don't deny yourself."
Zelena smiled. "I'm glad you're my sister-in-law." It felt like luck to have Emma in her life now. She would never have imagined something like that when she first came to Storybrooke.
"The feeling is actually mutual. I never expected it, but I'm very happy to have you as my family, Zelena."
Zelena nodded. "I think I'll try my luck with Regina."
"Good luck, not that you need it. She wants you to be happy."
Zelena hoped that was true. She took a deep breath and vanished to the mansion. Regina had been put on bedrest not even a week ago. It made her more miserable of course. She was in her bed, looking worse for wear. Regina did not know, but Zelena had pieced together that Regina's potion had interfered with the pregnancy and that was why she was so sick. She was not sure how severe the potion was or exactly what it was doing, but Regina knew and did not want to tell her, which worried her more than hurt.
If Regina did not want to say anything, it was probably bad. Zelena had accepted Regina was protective of her and did not want to trouble her. Plus, Regina probably felt like the less who knew the better, as she was going to fight it and everything would be all right anyway. But, Zelena would not make a thing out of it. Regina would tell her if necessary.
"Zelena." Regina took off her glasses, as if to hide the fact that she was working in bed. Of course, the laptop gave her away a lot more than the glasses.
"Regina, how are you feeling?" Zelena asked.
Regina sighed, even as a bead of sweat slid down her cheek. "Well enough to get some paperwork done. What are you doing here? Did Emma send you to take care of me again?"
"No, we will never make that mistake again." Zelena chuckled, even though it was not funny when it happened. Regina literally blew the roof off the house. Zelena had to keep Henry that night as Emma calmed Regina down.
Regina arched an eyebrow. "Then, what are you doing here?"
"I need to talk to you about me dating."
Regina's eyes went wide. "You want to date?"
"Maleficent."
"You want to date Maleficent?" She said it like she did not understand and then all of the words caught up in her head. "Oh! You want to go out with Maleficent."
"Is that all right?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"She's your best friend. If this doesn't work out, you could lose her."
Regina scoffed. "You know what Maleficent and I have been through? I could no more lose her at this point, then you could lose me."
Zelena's brow wrinkled. "You mean that?"
"You tried to wipe me from existence and I still love you with all my heart, Zelena. I can't see what you could possibly do beyond hurting one of my children that could change things between us and I don't think you'd ever do that."
"Not on purpose, no. I mean, you do know I have Henry making potions, right?"
Regina nodded. "He tells me. Again, I trust you won't hurt him and you've been keeping him busy while I can hardly move. I actually appreciate it."
"I thought you'd be bothered since potions are your thing."
"No. I can cook with him, so there's that."
"You're very… What would Emma say? Oh, chill about this." Zelena was not expecting that, but it seemed like Regina was on the verge of being ill and was trying to hold it off.
"He's bonding with you, Lily, and Robbie. He doesn't have to see me like this as often as he would if you weren't around, which is also great, so he's not worrying about me. I appreciate that and I'm sorry I never told you."
Zelena blinked. "Are you all right?" Regina did not usually talk like this. Should I be worried? Is something wrong?
Regina brushed that off with a flick of her hand. "As all right as I've been during this pregnancy. Can't promise I'll be this way in the next ten minutes. So, back to what you wanted to discuss. By all means, date Maleficent. I hope you two make each other happy."
"You're being awfully nice and reasonable for once."
"Yes, well, I also need you to not tell Emma what you saw here, so she doesn't hound me about working and resting, but I also mean it. Date Maleficent. Whatever keeps you from coming into my house and messing everything up."
"My gods, Regina!" Zelena threw her hands up. "It's not messing everything up if I use the kitchen to cook a meal for you! You don't even do the dishes!"
"But, I have to see them!"
"Only while I'm cooking and then they get done! And you can't even see them from on the couch!"
Regina narrowed her gaze. "I know they're there."
"You're impossible!" Zelena threw up her hands and vanished. She needed those babies to be born as soon as possible!
Zelena had one more person to speak to before she had to go to Maleficent herself. Lily was out with the children. They had come quite a long way for Lily to be comfortable taking all of the children out, even though Henry was quite old. It was still a lot of responsibility and at first Lily shied away from it. Now, it was a weekend occurrence for her to have them all.
"What even is this event?" Zelena asked as she appeared next to Lily.
Lily was not even surprised. "Just an indoor obstacle course. Robbie and Little Guy can't get enough. They also fight a lot of kids, but don't tell Snow and her prince."
"Don't worry. You know I'm still avoiding talking to them." She scanned the indoor playground with so many bounce houses. "They fight kids?" That did not sound like her daughter and Little Guy.
Lily nodded. "You put them in this bounce house and they turn into little monsters. Henry thinks they get overstimulated and don't know how to react."
Zelena looked at the larger bounce house and nodded. "I suppose. Where is Henry?"
Lily pointed to another room across the way. "It's an arcade over there. He wins tickets so the kids can get cheap toy prizes. So, what are you doing here? I thought you had zany Zelena business to handle."
"I'm currently handling that."
"Oh, and wanted to check on Robbie?"
"I wanted to talk to you."
Lily glanced at her. "Everything okay? Need me to talk to the Charmings for you again?" She chuckled. Zelena could talk to the Charmings for little things, like taking Little Guy, but nothing beyond a few sentences. Maybe she would get there one day, but she was not sure what she would talk to them about beyond their children.
Zelena nodded. "Everything is fine so far. I was just wondering how you would feel about me dating your mom."
Lily scoffed. "You've been dating my mom for, like, a month. Why ask me now?"
Zelena gasped. "I have not!"
"You spent the night at our place last week."
"I passed out from exhaustion. Your mother slept on the floor with Robbie in some demented form of camping out."
Lily frowned. "Wait, you're serious? Fuck, I'm going to have to give back the money."
Zelena curled her lip. "You're in that accursed pool as well."
"There's a few of them, but, yeah. I claimed the dating one a few days ago. Now, we're waiting for you to publicly admit it, but it would seem we're a step ahead of you both. Okay, no problem." Lily took a deep breath. "Please, date my mom. She's never been happier according to her. She really likes you. I really like you. Wouldn't mind you being my stepmom."
Zelena made a gagging noise. "Please, don't."
Lily snickered. "What, you don't want to be my stepmom?"
"How is it I'm considered the annoying one?"
Lily smirked. "Well, one of us has been dating someone for at least a month, maybe more, and didn't know it, so there's that."
Zelena huffed and turned her attention to Robbie and Little Guy as they emerged from the bounce house and noticed her. They squealed and she bent down to give them both big hugs as they charged her. She had taken to hugging Robbie much more and Robbie seemed fully on board with that show of affection. They hugged her back and then went right back to their business. Zelena vanished. One more visit to make.
-8-8-8-8-
Maleficent was trying to decide if she wanted to make dinner or call for takeout. Lily was probably going to come back with all of the children and they were often picky, so it was easier to call out for things they liked than take a chance on making something that they liked yesterday, but decided today was gross. Before she could make her decision, the scent of Zelena's magic caught her attention.
"Zelena, what are you doing here so early?" Maleficent asked.
Zelena smiled. "Would you like to go on a proper date?"
Maleficent blinked, not expecting that. It took her brain a moment to process and for a second she thought she misheard, but there was the twinkle in Zelena's eyes that clicked her brain into place. She smiled and answered quite honestly. "I would love to."
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: first proper date and other stuff.