Hey guys! Happy Once premiere weekend! I timed writing this chapter with Sunday's episode in mind- it worked out pretty well. Family bonding cuteness in this one, and the conclusion of the "Lost Caroline" adventures haha. Enjoy :)
She had become lost in her work. Regina did this quite often when she was angry; letting her mind amerce in contracts and business transactions was like slipping under water, going to a place where her emotions couldn't get to her. She and Robin barely fought like they had done earlier, but nothing could erase the fact that they were two of the most stubborn people on the planet.
Almost drowning in papers, Regina caught sight of the time, something she hadn't done for hours. It had been just about three hours since her fight with Robin- it was nearly eleven. That was her problem, her natural tendency to overwork herself.
Putting down the paper she was holding, Regina rested back in her office chair and signed. She knew she had to face Robin and get everything sorted out, not to mention the fact that she hadn't seen her kids since she dropped them off for school.
Getting up and leaving her mess of work behind, she began thinking about what she was going to say to her husband. Things weren't supposed to be this awkward between them- sure he had said some things that were hurtful, but underneath it all, she knew he still loved her. That's what she loved about their relationship- she trusted him completely, and so did he with her.
When she entered the living room, she noticed Robin sitting on the couch watching some show on tv.
"Hey," she said softly, sitting next to him and trying not to make herself seem awkward.
Glancing to his side, he raised his eyebrows at her calmness. "Hey."
After about three seconds of silence and Robin pretending to watch the show, Regina knew she had to say it.
"I'm sorry," they both said at the same exact time, causing them to laugh and give one another sheepish looks.
"I'm sorry that I wasn't as understanding the whole Henry situation as I should've been," Robin began, once she granted him full passage to continue, "you're his mother, and I can't imagine how hard it is to see him grown up like this. But he's still Henry... He'll always be Henry."
Regina sighed, her enthusiasm falling rapidly. "Just thinking about it, Henry, our Henry, in love..." She managed a small smile, knowing it were true. "I suppose all of the kids have to grow up eventually. That just reminds me on how old I'm getting- and that's definitely not a good thing," Regina said, giving him a smirk. "But, when I thought about it a little deeper, I realized that it doesn't really matter that I'm getting old, because that reminds me that I have an amazing husband by my side to get old with. I get to grow old with my best friend."
Robin returned the smile, knowing she was right. Every year they had spent together had been a year of happy memories.
"You know, we'll be married for ten years in a couple months," he stated, finding it hard to believe himself, "how'd I get so lucky? It feels like just yesterday you introduced yourself to me and had that godstricken look on your face when you saw my tattoo."
Regina laughed, the tension between them dissolving away like it hadn't even happened. "Well what was I supposed to think? You were the last person I was expecting to see."
They had to do something special when their wedding anniversary came around; but that night had different plans for the family.
Not yet aware that her three children were wandering around Storybrooke, Regina leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss, followed by wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I can't believe Caroline is going to be ten next week," she told him, "now she's the one that's really getting old."
He smiled, gently rubbing her back. "Speaking of Caroline, I haven't seen her since this morning."
He was right. With all the events that occurred, Regina hadn't had a chance to check on her.
"I'll to do that right now," she said, getting up off the couch and starting for the staircase.
It took her approximately thirty seconds to realize that none of her children were in their bedrooms.
She came rushing back down the stairs, her eyes wide and stricken with horror.
"Robin! The kids are gone!" She shouted, causing him to turn off the television and stand up to face her.
"What do you mean they're gone? It's almost eleven thirty!"
She had to pause for a moment to catch her breath. "Caroline and Roland aren't upstairs, or- or down here..." Putting a hand to her head, she gave him a look of complete dismay. "Dear God, we've lost our kids. We are officially the worst parents in the history of ever."
Coming towards her, Robin got out his phone and called Roland's number, swearing when the call went straight to voicemail. Regina checked the backyard and the garage.
"Hey, it's going to be okay," Robin told her, putting his arms on her shoulders to calm her down.
"Going to be okay?" She repeated, "Robin, they're out there in the dark, wandering around and doing who knows what. Things are not okay."
"Yes, but we live in Storybrooke," he reasoned, "a tiny little town- they're safe, wherever they are."
She shook her head. "Something always goes wrong when it's dark- it doesn't matter how big or small the town is."
He knew she was right. After letting her go, Regina grabbed her keys and started for the door. A perfect end to a chaotic day.
They drove around the streets in an endless worry; Regina began to fear the worst. She couldn't imagine her sweet daughter lost in such a dark and terrifying world, knowing firsthand what it was like. Even Robin was getting nervous. That was, until they spotted the rusted old pickup truck that temporarily belonged to Henry. They were headed home- after a quick conversation with Henry and a confirmation that all three kids were in the car; it was an easy drive back to the house.
Regina was more than relieved to return home, this time with her entire family. It was beyond all of their bedtimes, and every single one of them just wanted to sleep. But the first thing Regina did upon entering the house was encircle her arms around her daughter and hold her close. Thankfully she was still light enough to be lifted up.
"Why would you take off like that?" She asked, her voice heavy with concern and worry.
Caroline bit her bottom lip. "Well... I heard you and Dad fighting, and... I got sad. I thought you were going to get a divorce."
Pulling away from her, Regina gave her a confused look. "A what? No, Caroline... Your father and I love each other very much, but that doesn't mean we can't have arguments here and there. Now what are your excuses?"
Roland and Henry exchanged looks. "We were looking for her, that's what."
"So you two aren't trying to kill each other anymore?" Robin asked, giving his wife a surprised look.
Henry shrugged. "That's old news. And besides, we couldn't let Caroline go off by herself."
It was a sudden comfort to know that her kids all looked out for one another.
"Where did you go?" Regina asked, looking back down towards the girl.
"Just the woods," she muttered, suddenly interrupted by a yawn, "I walked around."
Sighing, Regina used her index finger to tilt her chin up in her direction. "Well you need to get to bed- we're not having a chaotic day like today. I can tuck you in if you want."
She couldn't say no to that deal. Sleep was depriving her mind of all other thoughts; the events at Zelena's house seemed so far away. All that mattered was her was the comfy bed she had waiting in her room.
After saying goodnight to her brothers, Caroline changed into the first pair of pajamas she found in her drawer, brushed her teeth, and practically jumped onto her bed, feeling all of her worries and stress fade away. With her lights still on, the view on her wall completely filled her view. She was so used to seeing the paining that covered her wall from corner to corner, the nine year old could tell someone all about it with her eyes closed. Ruby had painted it herself when her nursery was first getting assembled. Her parents had explained that it was the Enchanted Forest, the realm where her family previously lived. Her mother had left just months before she was born, something she couldn't quite understand. With all the beauty painted on her wall, Caroline couldn't imagine how amazing the realm would be in person. It made her envious that everyone else had been there except her- even if Roland were only four, it still counted. The rolling green hills, the galloping horses, the space... It all seemed perfect to her. She loved Storybrooke, but something inside of her always wanted more.
"You've had such a big day," Regina remarked, entering her room and sitting down on her bed.
Caroline nodded, resting her head against her pillow.
"Are you going to deliver your invitations tomorrow?"
"Everyone already knows they're coming, I mean we do a party every year." She reasoned, "but I'll still give them one."
Regina gave a sigh. "I promise you'll have the best party yet- are you sure everything is okay?"
"Yeah," the nine year old replied quickly, "I just wish we could, I don't know... Do something else."
She already knew what the answer would be- there's not a whole lot of choices in a town like Storybrooke.
"I know," Regina said, pulling the covers back so Caroline's small body could fit herself underneath. "But I have a surprise for you- how do you feel about doing something with me? Just the two of us."
Instantly, she saw her daughter's eyes light up with interest.
"What would we do?"
"I know you think there's nothing exciting to do here, which is somewhat understandable, but... What would say to a chance to head out on a boat and go whale watching?"
"Watch whales?"
"Yeah, I heard it was fun," Regina replied, "turns out Killian has a friend that owns a small boat on the docks- and no, it isn't a pirate ship."
For the region being mainly lumber and fishing, Caroline had never been out in the ocean farther than a few yards.
"Sounds fun! As long as we can actually see some whales." She said, letting out another yawn.
Regina smiled. "Great! But you have to promise me you'll have a good day in school tomorrow. We'll leave right after."
"Just you and me?"
"Unless you want your father to come."
She shrugged. "I'll think about it. It's my birthday week, after all."
A queen, just like her mother.
"Okay. Well you think about it over a nice, long rest. But no sleeping in," she instructed, reaching over to turn off the light her lamp gave off. Before she got up, Caroline asked one last question.
"Mom? What would I be like if I crossed over the line? I mean, what memories would I have?"
Pausing to think for a moment, Regina gave her a look through the blackness between them. "Now what kind of question is that? Ironically, I'm the only person that hasn't been under any sort of memory curse."
"I asked what memories I would have," Caroline corrected, "not that I'm thinking about crossing the line. I'm just curious."
"Well you certainly wouldn't remember me," Regina began, "or your brothers, or Dad, or Emma, Snow, all of them. You would probably have a completely different personality, which is sad, because yours is the best in the world. I don't know what I would do if I lost you in my life. Words cannot describe how much I love you." Regina finished, sending her a smile. "And I don't know if memoryless Caroline would enjoy horses as much as you do."
Fetching her favorite stuffed chestnut horse off the ground, her mother handed it to the girl and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"Night, Mom," Caroline muttered, seconds before sleep overtook her senses.
In the morning, the house was teeming with an array of different smells. It was nearly seven, and although it was early, Caroline was in higher spirits. Nobody knew about her encounter with Zelena, and she had the promise of going out onto the ocean after school. Since it was a Friday, Caroline spent extra time picking out her outfit- a flannel top, her good pair of jeans, and her riding boots. It had been about three months since she had been able to ride her horse, Luna, since the stables were being refurbished.
Making her way downstairs, she was welcomed by her mother and father, as well as Roland, who was sipping a glass of orange juice while sitting on one of the barstools.
Caroline climbed up onto the stool next to him, watching their mother pour batter into their waffle maker.
"Hey, thanks for... You know, looking for me last night." She said quietly, "it was nice. But I'm perfectly capable of finding my way back home."
Roland smirked. "Yeah, but that's what family's for. I have to be the one that keeps you in check."
Rolling her eyes, the nine year old poured herself a glass. "It was Henry who found me. You were on the other side of town when we picked you up."
Nudging her with his shoulder, Roland gave her a defensive look. "It's the thought that counts! You better promise me you won't run away like that again."
Caroline wasn't used to him taking so much time out of his teenage life to talk to her. Still, it was nice knowing he cared.
"That comes from all of us," Regina added in, presenting both children with a plate of cinnamon bun waffles and syrup. It was sort of a tradition for the family, something Regina had made one rainy day that stuck with them through the years.
"Let's hope today runs a lot more smoothly," Robin said, starting on his breakfast.
After eating, Regina worked a quick braid in her daughter's hair, gathering her invitations and getting everything and everyone situated in the car. For once, they were going to arrive at school at a reasonable time.
"When I get my license, you'll never have to drive here ever again."
Regina simply rolled her eyes. "Henry can drive, so can Emma, Killian, Will, Ruby, and David. They're all capable of driving you two to school, but it always comes back to me."
She had a point, but Regina still enjoyed her motherly duties. All she had to do was think back to a time when she was the outcast, when Henry didn't trust her and didn't want her as a mother. Now that she had gained that right again, she wasn't going to let it go.
"You be sure to act happy when you're handing those invitations out," she explained when they arrived at the school, "make them all excited about coming."
Caroline knew she was right, but something in the back of her mind told her that her classmates wouldn't be too excited about being invited to her birthday party for the tenth time, practically the same thing every year.
But this time, this time she had a feeling that things would be different.
So, as you all can probably guess, Caroline's party will be a pretty big part of the storyline ;) You're all invited too, as long as you bring a present with you (what ten year old doesn't want a present?). There will be people at the door checking, so don't think you can get in without one.
Anyways, who wants to see Regina on a boat? Lots of mother daughter fluffiness awaits :)
