Gold's Antiques
The last twenty-four hours had been the most awe inspiring of Henry Mills life. He and his grandfather had never spent so much time together before, and it was clear Rumple relished his time with Bae's boy. Not only had he discovered he had magic inside him, but also how to better control this strange new power. And that his grandfather, the Dark One, was a surprisingly good teacher. Regina had previously told him how much the man in front of him had bullied and nagged her after she begged him to teach her. But Henry had only found him to be calm, patient and understanding. He assumed this was probably because he was Rumple's last link to the son he let down so badly.
The previous night, the ever-inquisitive Henry had asked many questions about his father. What he was like as a child, his friends, his adventures. He even asked about his grandmother, Milah. Rumpelstiltskin talked openly and effusively about Baelfire with tears in his eyes. And as he recounted their parting, due to his own cowardice, Henry noticed several tears roll gently down the man's cheeks before being quickly wiped away. He'd never seen him look vulnerable, and it wasn't long before it made him feel quite emotional himself. It was sobering.
Rumple stood, wiping his eyes before walking over to the Victorian crystal tantalus resting on the sideboard. Pouring himself a generous measure of scotch, he looked to his grandson. "Whisky?"
He nodded. "Yes, please, grandpa." Standing up, he stepped over to him, silently placing muscular arms around the older man's shoulders, bringing him into a gentle hug. "I never got the chance to really know him. But one thing I wish for, more than anything, is to have him with me right now."
"As do I my boy, as do I. In many ways, he was so much wiser than me. Hardly a day passes when I don't think about my Bae."
The two continued hugging silently, before Rumple stepped back, looking into his grandson's now reddened eyes. "He loved you, you know? The brief time you had. I'm certain he'd have been a great father, far better than the father I was to him." He turned away, to fill a second heavy glass with the old single malt, before handing it to the younger , he lifted his own glass to tap against Henry's.
"To Baelfire. The wonderful, much-missed son I never truly deserved. I pray he rests in peace."
"To dad. Till we meet again." Harry downed a large slug of the amber liquid, coughing a little at the afterburn. His mothers had forbidden him from drinking alcohol publicly, until he reached twenty-one, although they guessed he'd secretly indulged during his first term at Harvard. He never told them, obviously. However both grandfathers had a more liberal attitude. David's view being that it was better to learn how to drink in moderation early, allowing him to share in a glass or two of wine during dinner. Rumple, on the other hand, held the view the young man was now old enough to imbibe and should learn to handle everything. He also strongly believed teetotal adults should always be regarded with suspicion.
Rumple studied his grandson, noticing similarities between Henry and Baelfire. Henry was taller, more muscular, the genes no doubt inherited from his other grandfather, Prince David. Nonetheless, his eyes, smile and character were so very much like Bae's.
Before either man could say anything further, their moment was broken by a loud rapping noise, on the front door of the shop.
"We're closed!" barked the Dark One.
A moment later the rapping started once again. Irritated, Rumple walked into the shop, easing his head around the doorframe to see who'd be so stupid to disturb him. There was a figure at the front door.
"I said we're closed!"
Whoever it was, ignored the yell, rapping the door for a third time.
Sensing trouble, Rumple turned his head to face the side room: "Henry, remember the cloaking spell? I suggest you use it now, lad."
Henry knew his grandfather would only use that tone if something was wrong, so he didn't argue. Instead, he nodded, silently mouthing the spell taught to him only hours earlier, wrapping himself in a short silver mist t leave him invisible to all. Hearing voices, he stepped back into a corner of the room to watch.
Rumple used his magic to angrily wrench open the door, only to be faced by a tall man in his fifties, with grey hair, and a close-trimmed silvery beard. As he looked into his eyes, about to tell him to bugger off, he felt it. Magic! An overwhelmingly powerful aura of magic surrounding the stranger, who stood calmly before him.
An aura so strong, he could feel heat coming from him?
Before he could react, the man spoke up.
"Mr. Gold? Or should I say, Rumpelstiltskin?" His eyes piercing into the Dark One's, who for the first time in a very long time, felt almost intimidated.
"And who might you be?"
"My name's Merlin. You may have heard of me?"
Rumple froze, knowing full well the Sorcerer's reputation. He was facing a force at least as powerful as his own, possibly even more so. "Please. I come in peace, with a request. And in return for it being granted, I have information on your elder son."
Rumple stiffened at the mention. "My son's dead. I hardly think there's anything more to be said."
"Sadly, he is indeed, sir. However, Baelfire has not moved on."
Rumple's jaw dropped. "But he's in the Underworld! And the Saviour said…?" he stumbled for words.
"Emma was deliberately misled by Baelfire, in an attempt to keep her, and your grandson, safe. He never wanted her, and especially not Henry, to risk their lives in that Godforsaken place."
"You'd better come in."
He walked the man through and into the back room, temporarily forgetting, with so many thoughts screaming through his mind, that Henry was still cloaked in the corner, able to see them walk in. Rumple nodded silently for the man to continue.
"Before we start, I have a small request. Would you please allow Emma Swan-Mills to come and talk freely to her son? Without any further threat or hindrance?" Then before the Dark One could even respond, the Sorcerer turned to face the corner of the room, smiling. "Good evening, young man. It's Henry, I presume?"
Rumple was stunned. How the hell did Merlin see through the cloaking spell? Henry was equally surprised, assuming himself invisible to all, although he stayed in the corner, now feeling slightly nervous.
"Yes sir. Is it true? That you've got news about my dad?"
"I never lie, Henry." Then, to Rumple, "So...do we have a deal?"
Rumple nodded. "Very well, bring her in." He'd already sensed Emma's magic outside the building.
~oOo~
A minute later, Merlin returned with a now surprisingly awkward looking Emma at his side. She clearly realised that, as far as magical ability was concerned, she was in the company of much older magic, that far exceeded her own.
And Rumple wasn't going to let this opportunity go without at least a barb!
"Mrs. Swan-Mills. I've already told my grandson that he's welcome on my properties at any time, and free to come and go as he pleases. You, your wife and the rest of your family, are not! If you wish to speak to me at my home or shop, in future you will no longer barge through my door, and demand attention! Instead, you will knock and request it, or phone in advance. Is that clear?"
Emma nodded. "Crystal. And I apologise for my recent behaviour."
"Very well. If Henry wishes to see you, he's free to do so. Henry?"
Emma nearly jumped out of her skin at seeing her son suddenly emerge from the corner of the room. He wasn't there a moment ago? "Henry?" She moved forward to embrace him, but Henry put up his hand to stop her, his face showing no emotion.
"Do you have something to say to me, ma?"
He didn't look angry now, just sad. And she didn't seem herself, just wretched, hunched, with a haunted, tired look in her eyes, like she hadn't slept for a week? She also seemed nervous.
"I know I said it yesterday, but I really am sorry Henry. I shouldn't have…" As she choked, he saw her eyes starting to redden, tears welling. Okay, she's suffered enough, he thought and finally moved to bring his arms around her. She fell into them, gratefully, resting her head against his chest. "I'm sorry I'm such a shit mother."
He pulled her in tighter. "You're not a shit mother, mum, and I've been too harsh myself. It's okay. I forgive you." He stroked the back of her head like grandpa David always did, the two older men watched the touching reunion.
"Mr. Gold, perhaps we should leave them, and retire to another room to talk?"
Rumple nodded. "This way."
The Convent, earlier that day…
After Merlin spirited an unconscious Robin to the hospital with Blue, the fairies had muttered among themselves, awaiting news of the archer. At Annabelle's suggestion, Ruby, Dorothy and Tinker Bell joined Killian and herself in a walk, arriving at the Rabbit Hole, arriving half an hour later and settling around a table as drinks were served.
"So, you're really leaving Saturday?" Ruby hoped it wasn't true. The wolf had a soft spot for the reformed pirate and, having seen his handsome, but broken, face change when he first heard Emma tell him she had moved on and married, sympathised.
"Aye, love. There's not really much here for me now."
"Where are you going? Anywhere exciting?"
"There was a parchment waiting for me on my desk when I first returned to the Jolly. Zeus himself has suggested, at my discretion, to undertake some tasks. Starting with Neverland, then Agrabah, then who knows? It seems unwise to deny a God, don't you think? Especially one who's given me my life back, a new hand, and certain new 'skills'?" A small rum flask appeared from nowhere, held by his new limb.
Tinker Bell seemed as down as Ruby at the news. "When are you coming back?"
"Who knows? Someday. Perhaps never."
"You'll be back, Captain. I know it!" chirped Anna, determined to make him smile. "And you'll return in triumph!"
Killian looked deep into her eyes. This young woman, Merlin's daughter, wasn't just beautiful, she was stunning, a vision. What does she know? "Well, in that case love, let's drink to whatever future triumph awaits?" A small tray appeared in his free hand, with several filled glasses, which they readily took.
They clinked them together, toasting his good fortune and hopefully, his safe return one day. Merlin's daughter seemed to have an innate ability to lift everyone's spirits. She also seemed to have a wonderful knack of flirting, with everyone, men or women, without anyone taking offence or making assumptions. She mingled easily as though she'd known them for years.
"So, Anna, what are your plans? Are you staying for a while?" Tinker asked.
"I am, actually. Dr Whale asked dad for a bit of advice, as he just lost his main support and wanted help finding someone else. Dad offered to help, as he's on a sabbatical before going back to the UK, so he's planning to stick around here for a few months, and asked me if I wanted to stay too or head back to New York. As I have magic here, and as I'm no longer injured, I thought I'd like to get involved at the hospital, if there's something for me to do."
"Your father's a surgeon?" Dorothy looking across to her girlfriend.
"Well, yeah! A gynaecologist and obstetrician. One of the best actually! Professor Sir Merlin Sage, Royal College of Surgeons. Although he spends more of his time teaching these days, he still operates and he kind of divides his time between New York, London and Rio. I reckon he just likes keeping busy! My brother and sisters keep telling him perhaps it's time to take it easy but, well, he is an immortal, and he's going to outlive us all anyway. So what can you do?"
"He's immortal? So, you are too?"
"No, that's the bummer, for him unfortunately, though we've all got used to it. Dad's over two thousand years old! He's seen and done just about everything there is. Over the centuries, he's had over seventy wives and several hundred children, so we're just resigned to knowing that he'll outlive all of us."
"That's horrible! I can't imagine how awful it would be to outlive your children."
"I guess. Though dad has some sort of communication thing going on with Zeus, so he gets to speak to all his children from time to time, even after they've passed on! His former wives too. I really don't understand it, but it seems to works, and we're happy. The multiple deceased wives thing is tricky when he explains it, but he's actually a pretty great dad!"
Over the next hour the small group questioned Annabelle about her father and her siblings. She held them captivated with some tales of Merlin's adventures, while Killian supplied countless jokes. The atmosphere was good. Everybody seemed to be having a great time as the drinks continued to flow, some of them starting to get quite tiddly. Taking advantage of the atmosphere, Ruby leant closer in to Merlin's daughter to whisper in her ear, pulling Dorothy in closer so she could also hear.
"Annabelle, you're a doctor too, right? Can I ask you something?"
"Of course," she whispered back conspiratorially. "What do you want to know?"
Ruby's cheeks reddened, clearly anxious that they weren't overheard. Her girlfriend held her hand, nodding in support for her to continue. "We're a gay couple, Dot and me. Magic babies? Are they for real? I heard about them from someone who said they were."
"Magic babies? Do you mean babies created only with magic? Or babies created without sperm?"
"Well, both, I guess."
They stepped away from the others, so they could stop whispering. "Hmm. Well, that one's definitely dad's area of expertise, and he certainly knows about the magic bit. I'm a cardiologist myself, but I know a little about MRT." They looked confused, so she tried another angle. "Life can be created without sperm, though the research is in its infancy, and not really available to the public."
Ruby looked crestfallen, clearly having hoped to hear something different. "However, in the magical world, things can be a little different. You still need the male contribution, of course, but there is a way to, how can I explain it, 'fuse' key parts of the DNA of two separate eggs together." She could see she was still losing their understanding, so she simplified. "In other words, you could take eggs from both of you, combine them using magic, before adding the sperm. So, for example you could have a baby with Dorothy's eyes and hair, but with your legs and physical strength! The two of you would make up fifty percent of the baby's genes, and the rest from the male donor."
Ruby & Dorothy sat digesting this, a little quirky smile breaking out on Dorothy. "Hear that, Wolfie? So we could have a baby of our own, if we wanted?"
Anna chuckled at the pair's excitement. "Again, talk to dad? He knows about that kinda stuff, especially the magic part."
The Rabbit Hole
Another hour passed, before the Rabbit Hole opened its doors to another group of heroes, as Mulan entered, escorted by a very happy Aurora and Philip either side. Killian and Anna shared a knowing grin, as she invited the trio to join them.
"Mulan, lovely to see you back. Come join us? There's plenty of space."
The former warrior looked cautious. Although a master with the sword, and most forms of self-defence, she could still appear shy to most, and talking wasn't her strong point; even more so within a group; and even more so when two of those in front of her knew her condition. However, again Anna had an ability to put everyone at ease. She beamed at Prince Philip and Princess Aurora.
"Hello, I don't think we've met? I'm Anna Sage, Merlin's daughter?"
"We guessed." Philip smiled. Hi, I'm Phil, and this is my wife Aurora. Mulan's told us a little about you. And your conversation earlier?"
Killian couldn't help but notice how tightly Mulan clung tightly on to Aurora's hand. "May I order a drink for you all, as it it's my shout? At least according to that damn outlaw!" He smirked as he spoke, clearly making light of his friend's earlier comment.
"He already knows." Mulan whispered to Rory, not taking her eyes off the pirate. "He was there."
"Well I guess there's no point in keeping it a secret then?" said Aurora. "Anna, what you told Mulan earlier today? Well, let's just say it's emboldened us to make an announcement." She looked at her husband, who just smiled, nodding for her to continue. "Perhaps we should have done this a little earlier. A few people know about this already, but, well, after Ping came back home, we decided we want everyone to know that we're together. Mulan, Philip and me. We're together. The three of us. I know it's a bit unusual but-"
"I'm delighted for you all, truly!" Anna interrupted her. "I know for a fact, you'll all be very happy!"
"And may I also be the first to offer my own congratulations?" Killian added. "Phil, I know your wife's quite something merely from her reputation. And as for your girlfriend…"
"'Fiancée', Killian. Rory and I asked for her hand in marriage, and I'm delighted to say she accepted!" He looked adoringly at his partners. They erupted in cheers as Mulan's quirky smile slowly turned into a wider grin. Killian rose to give Phillip a hearty slap on the back, Mulan and Aurora meanwhile being hugged by Ruby and Dorothy in turn.
"Landlord, two of bottles of your finest champagne? We have something to celebrate."
~oOo~
As things grew more boisterous, further arrivals joined the party. Ruby was surprised to see Emma walk into the bar and, more surprisingly, hand-in-hand with Henry? Clearly, the pair of them had somehow cleared the air as they were both smiling.
Emma called across to the barman. "Frank, a pint of the usual? And for Henry - erm, actually, better make that two pints?" Henry looked at her approvingly, before they walked to the group of familiar faces.
"Everything okay now?" Mulan was the first to ask, pleased to see the lack of tension since last time they were here together.
"Um, yeah, we're good. I've been acting a bit of a dick recently, especially towards Henry. I've apologised; he's accepted, so we're good." She still seemed a little anxious, looking at him to agree.
He smiled down at his mother, bringing one of his arms around her shoulder. "Yeah, we're good." Then, on seeing Frank bring the champagne and glasses to the table. "So what are you all celebrating? It can't be about me and ma patching things up, surely?"
Mulan raised her left hand, showing off her new ring. "It's for us, Henry. Aurora and Philip proposed to me, together, and I accepted! We're toasting our engagement." She positively beamed up at her new fiancées.
"A polyamorous wedding? Really? That's fantastic! I've definitely never seen one of those before. Might be one way to drag Storybrooke screaming into the 21st Century."
Aurora sniggered. "Well, no date's have been set yet, and we still need to figure out how to do it, but Archie said the legal bits shouldn't be too difficult. This is Storybrooke, after all?"
Killian popped open the two bottles and filled most of the glasses, passing them around. Anna collecting her glass, stepping in front of the trio.
"Well, I for one, would like to propose the first toast? To Mulan, Philip and Aurora. The Briar family. May this gorgeous thruple always be truly happy together!"
The rest of the group chinked glasses and cheered. "Thruple?"
"Yes Captain. A relationship between three equals. A thruple."
"Fair enough, love, I guess I'll drink to that. Here's to the happy thruple!" He raised his glass as the rest cheered and sipped, sharing in the toast.
Emma smiled awkwardly at the happy trio, remembering what Merlin had told her just two hours earlier. "Talk to Fa Mulan. She may be willing to share information with you, that may help you see things in a different way." As she looked at the former Chinese warrior, she noticed that unlike her partners, she was merely lifting a champagne glass to her lips, without taking a sip. She also wore one of Aurora's slip dresses, rather than her usual jeans, tops and jackets, while her left hand unconsciously rested on her abdomen. And she also noticed the glow.
In the forest...
Regina and her sister had now left the hospital with the children. And Victor Whale had informed Robin that, as his condition seemed to be magical rather than medical, he was free to leave whenever he was ready.
"Robin, it's not often I discharge someone who I called time of death on, only a couple of hours ago?"
He decided to head straight for his son. So, as he stepped out of the hospital entrance, he remembered his new gifts. Picturing Roland in front of him, he focused, visualising himself flying across the forest to join him. Opening his eyes, he was more than delighted to find it had worked, the swirling gold mist coming off him as he appeared in front of the now awestruck boy.
"Wow! Dad, you can do it too? Just like Mum and Emma?"
"It appears so, my boy." He chuckled, enveloping his son in a bear hug. "You've no idea how I've missed you!"
"I missed you, too. So much. I still can't believe you're back," his smile then disappearing as he remembered something. "I'm sorry Gina's not your girlfriend anymore. I mean, you died. I like Emma, it's just…"
"I understand, my love." He wrapped his arm around his shoulders. "But she's happy now, and that's all I ever wanted for Regina. And if that happiness comes with Emma, then so be it. Now then, it's the first time I've had you all to myself for quite a while. I want to know everything my young man's been doing with himself these last five years?"
~oOo~
They spent most of the night talking in front of the campfire, with John, Tuck and Will eventually coming to join them. The forest folk were finally reunited with their leader and all seemed right in the world. However, Robin couldn't help noticing the dilapidated condition of their tents and hides, seemingly untouched after five years.
"John, how many of us are living here now?"
"Including all the families? About seventy, I reckon. Plus some of the former lost boys nearby. Why?"
"Well, I don't understand why you're all still living like this? When we arrived with the curse, this was only meant to be temporary, until we defeated the Sheriff and sorted ourselves out. After five years, I'd have thought you fellas would have organised some building around here? We have Will, Alan and all the guys with enough skills to do it, and we're surrounded by trees! These tents are pretty damp, and it's not the best way to bring up children. Surely you don't enjoy living like this, after all this time?"
Tuck was the first to answer him. "Rob, after you were killed, the Witch sent us back to the Enchanted Forest with Roland, thinking that's what we wanted. This place was in danger yet again, so we left willingly. However, trust me, you don't want to go back there! We had to survive on our wits. A year later, young Henry Mills decided Roland should be united with his new sister, so bright lad that he is, he figured out a portal to get to us. I gather the Dark One helped him."
John took up the story. "We came with him, Rob, to keep him safe and hoping things were better here. However, when we arrived, your Regina was still in a really bad way, so King George took advantage. He called an early election and won it. Regina was in no way fit to fight it. Once he got in as Mayor, the first thing he did was force the Saviour to step down as Sheriff, or have her sacked for mental illness. Something about it being wrong that one family held all the power in Storybrooke and an election for Sheriff was well overdue. He put Nottingham in, and won it. Most people say the vote was fixed. We're not allowed to vote, as it seems we're not residents. Bloody crooked if you ask me? Anyway, we started to fell some trees to build housing. Within days, Keith Nottingham arrives with orders that we're forbidden to build anythin', without a licence from the Mayor, and that we're trespassing? He said they'd torch anything that went up. Threats of arrest, the usual stuff? He's left us alone so far, but with the Charmings out of action, the Saviour all but lost and Regina the same, it's been tough."
Robin sneered at the thought of crossing swords with his old foes. "Some things never change, John. George and that bastard Nottingham were always devious little shits never to be trusted. So, perhaps it's time for change?"
The former outlaw stood up, facing the gathering, magic starting to crackle in his palms.
"We're going to build ourselves a village. Starting now!"
Gold's Antiques Shop
Rumpelstiltskin couldn't believe his ears; pulling out his prized 30-year-old single malt to replenish Merlin's glass.
"So he's still in the Underworld? I don't understand. Swan definitely said he'd moved on to the better place, and that he was happy?"
"He told her that in a dream, to protect her. He wanted her nowhere near the Underworld, and told her not to go. You know, he was furious when she ignored him. He felt she'd unnecessarily put Henry's life in danger."
"I can believe that. She even blackmailed me to get her there; just to rescue that disease-ridden pirate! If I'd only known my son was still down there, I'd have never left till I got him back."
"Well, to be fair he wasn't in the Storybrooke underworld. Remember, there are underworld versions of all realms, magical or otherwise? As I said, he offered himself for a mission from Zeus. What Robin and Captain Jones did in your version of the underworld after you left, so Baelfire is still doing in their versions of Neverland, the Enchanted Forest, Agrabah and several others. You should be proud of him, Rumple. Your son's quite the hero, even in death. He's already helped many thousands move on to a better place."
"By no doubt correcting the many errors of his father?" He recalled how many people he had killed over centuries.
"Yes, well, his grandmother's errors, too. Plus, many others. He's quite the character, your boy."
"Aye, he is, most definitely. I miss him so very much."
"You'll see him again, I'm sure of it. Hopefully a little sooner than you think if I have anything to do with it."
The Dark One arched a brow. "Meaning?"
"In return for your assistance in some serious matters, I intend to intercede on your behalf with Zeus directly. Seeing as Lord Locksley and Captain Jones were returned for rectifying many of Hades' crimes, I'm hoping the Lord of the Gods will grant a similar favour to Baelfire."
Rumple's eyes glazed at the thought of seeing his boy again and he knew, as did the Sorcerer, that there was nothing he wouldn't do to get him back. "Tell me what you need. If there's even a chance of returning my boy to me safe and sound, you can take the clothes off my back! My magic, anything!" Rumpelstiltskin hadn't pleaded with any man since he became the Dark One. However, the one in front of him, Merlin, had white magic at least as powerful as his own dark. And he had access to the gods. He could, just could, be his last chance to see Baelfire again.
Merlin looked searchingly into the Dark One's eyes, knowing he was deadly serious. "Well, hopefully it shouldn't come to that, though there are a few battles ahead and I would appreciate you by my side. However, in the meantime, there are some issues here in Storybrooke I'd like to address. I need to amend the curse you used to create it."
"You mean the curse the Evil Queen cast?"
"Indeed. She may have cast it, but you created it, which means you can amend it! I can show you how. There are anomalies here which need correcting. Most lives have improved since the Enchanted Forest, but many others have fared far worse. Storybrooke is also a magical magnet for all the misfits and malcontents of our worlds to enter. You can help me stabilise it."
"And if I assist you, you'll help me get Bae back?"
"I'll try. As I said, it'll ultimately be a decision for Zeus. I think I can encourage him to reward your son. However, until then, I can also help you in other ways; one being to locate your youngest son."
"My other...Gideon? How?"
"Well, it's hard to explain. You know I have the ability to split myself and enter other realms simultaneously? Up to ten at a time, as I recently discovered when I taught this particular gift to Lord Locksley. So...it's my intention to search each realm that has had a magical portal to Storybrooke over the last ten years. We may be apart, but I and my other souls are able to communicate with one another. It may take a while, but I believe that, provided he is still there, I, or should I say 'we', will be able to locate him."
The Dark One snorted in disbelief. "I spent the last five years trying to find him. What make you think you can?"
"I'm Merlin! I don't wish to boast Mr. Gold, but my powers are considerable and extend to many other realms. Now do we have that deal or not?"
The Dark One, feeling hope for the first time in forever, grasped the Sorcerer's hand. "For the chance of getting either one, or both, of my boys back? We have a deal."
"Excellent. Now, tomorrow morning, I wonder if you would kindly join me in the forest? I believe young Locksley and his men may require our assistance. But first, may I have another drop of that excellent scotch?"
Mifflin Street
It was around eleven in the evening when Emma arrived back home in a swirl of mist, on the porch, so as not to wake anyone. Regina, sitting in the living room, immediately sensed her love's magic, plus someone, or something, else? Although she'd tucked Honour in bed some hours earlier, the brunette rarely went to bed early, or slept for long these days, especially when her wife wasn't there. She got up and opened the door.
"Emma, who are-" she stopped at the sight of her son. The first time she'd seen him in two days. "Henry?"
"Hi mum," Henry spoke softly as me moved to envelope her in a hug. "Is Honey asleep?"
He was now a good eight inches taller than either mother. Regina gasped at the contact, but welcomed it, just grateful for his love. The last time she'd seen him he'd been furious at both of them. She looked to Emma, now, unusually, showing a small grin.
"We got talking this evening. I apologised to him, but properly this time, for the jail cell. And for being a dick. Everything. I think we're good now."
Henry reached a hand across to his other mother, "Yeah, we're good."
Regina held him tight. "So, you're staying home? None of that nonsense with Gold?
She immediately regretted her choice of words as he immediately stiffened, pulling back slightly, though not letting go of her shoulder. "Mum, 'Gold' is still my grandpa! Please don't go there? You really have no idea. But I'll stay tonight though."
Regina teared up. "Henry, what're we supposed to have done? We're your family! Why?"
"Listen. And I mean really listen to me for a change? I had three parents. Three! Two mums, one dad. A dad I hardly got to know. You've no idea how that still bugs me. Dad left ma, only so she could break a curse and get her family back. He never even knew I existed, till I was ten!" Emma flinched, remembering how she'd lied to him about Neal. "He was shot by Tamara and nearly died trying to protect ma, then he helped save me in Neverland, only to die trying to prevent your sister destroying our family! Yet again! He's a hero just as much as everyone else, yet now he's lying cold in the graveyard. This week, it was six years to the day since he died. Six years! But I was the only one, apart from grandpa, who remembered! And on the rare occasions you two do talk about him, it's always something snide from ma, or you making some stupid, sarcastic remark!"
It was Regina's turn to flinch. "I'm sorry Henry, I didn't realise it upsets you so much. In truth, I never got to know Neal, so I can't judge."
"Exactly! But the least ma could've done was remember him? He saved all of you!"
"You're right," Emma finally added. "And I'm sorry you feel you went through that alone. I wasn't in a good place this week, and neither was your mum. I know Neal and I had a difficult relationship, but I really did love him once, you know? He gave me you! Don't forget he did die in front of me."
"Yeah, but that didn't stop you going out with Killian a few days later, did it?"
"Henry!" Both mothers' responded simultaneously, one in shock, the other in pain.
He immediately regretted his choice of words, knowing he'd gone too far, yet again, especially when he saw the hurt in Emma's eyes. "I'm sorry, that was cheap, and I shouldn't have said it! I'm just… just feeling sore about him, you know? Especially now I know he hasn't moved on."
"WHAT? Henry, I saw him in my dreams! When we were on our way to the Underworld, he told me that he'd-"
"Dad said that to stop you going down there! To stop you getting killed. He's still there, doing what Robin and Killian did, but in different underworlds. He's saving people. He's working like King Arthur to fight off other demons, and move other souls from the river on to judgment? He's sort of acting for Zeus."
"How do you even know all this?"
"Merlin visited Grandpa this evening. I heard a bit of it in the shop, before I left with ma to go out. I called him back to let him know I'd be staying here tonight, and I asked him what Merlin had said about dad. Grandpa wants to go back down there, but Merlin told him they can't be sure which underworld realm he's even in? There's thousands of them! All he knows is dad isn't in the Storybrooke underworld."
The wives looked anxiously at each other, Regina noticing the look on Emma's face. No, don't even think about going back there again! Emma seemed to pick up on her thoughts, as she moved to take her hands in her own to calm her.
"Henry, I think that, under the circumstances-" However, her son interrupted again.
"I get it, I don't expect you to go down there! Not again. After all, it's only my dad down there this time." Emma felt like she'd been slapped, though Henry ignored it. "Besides, Grandpa will sort it this time, if he even can, with Merlin's help. Anyway…" he stopped as his phone chirped with a new text, reading it. "It's Rolly. He's still at the camp but Robin's just arrived, so he says he'll stay over there for another night, if that's okay?"
When it came to Roland, Emma always deferred to Regina, feeling it wasn't her place to decide. And when it came to Regina herself, she would always defer to Roland's father.
"Of course," she sighed. "I'm sure he'll be happier being with his father." Though it would be nice if he'd called me? It's like I'm non-existent! She thought gloomily, as her eldest son pecked her cheek and walked up the stairs before calling out, without looking back, "I'm going to go join them tomorrow. G'night mums."
~oOo~
Now they were finally alone, Regina not having seen her wife since she kissed Robin awake. They needed to talk. Something she'd failed to do since Emma disapparated from the hospital.
She stepped closer to the blonde, before slipping her arms around her slim waist from behind, pulling her close. "Emma, I know what you saw in the hospital, when Robin-"
"It's okay," she interrupted. " I was upset, and just needed to get away! It was a shock but, I got to thinking about things. He was your true love and soulmate, after all. And that stuff doesn't just go away, does it? At least, not according to Tink and Gold. I guess it just hurts, seeing it with my own eyes? You woke him up after Whale called time-of-death. That means you still love him. Fact."
She pulled against her even tighter. "But I love you! I didn't marry you to be a substitute for him. I fell in love with you!"
"And I fell in love with you. I still am, but-"
Regina's eyes watered, praying she wasn't going to say something they'd both regret. "Emma, don't you DARE even think about leaving me!" Her voice was trembling now. "I couldn't bear that!"
"No, I'd never leave you. That's not it; it's just that, well, I know you love me, but you love him, too. Probably even more so! There's no point denying it, I can ee it in your eyes. He's your true love and soulmate, so I got to thinking-"
"Emma, I will NOT leave you for Robin, not ever! I swear to you."
"Gina, let me finish? This is hard enough for me to say, so just shush a minute? This evening I got talking to Mulan…"
"What's she got to do with any of this?" She stopped, realising from her glare, she'd interrupted, yet again. "Sorry."
"When I took Henry to the Rabbit Hole to apologise, Mulan came in with Rory and Philip. They're engaged. All of them."
"To be married? The three of them?" Emma nodded. "How does that work? I thought she was a lesbian? Wasn't she with that girl from the supermarket - Mel, Melanie or something?"
"Melinda. And no, they were just casual. They'd split up quite some time back, and she's been living with Rory and Phil over six months now. I had a chat with her about things. Apparently, she and Phil were close back in their old realm, when Rory was under a sleeping curse and they were trying to find her. It was nothing physical. Phil's a bit too much of a stuffed shirt, to do something like that."
"You mean too much of a stuffed shirt to break his marriage vows? To commit adultery?" Her voice was laden with sarcasm. "Well what a bastard! Personally, I like Philip. After your father, he's one of the most honourable people I've ever met."
Emma ignored the attitude. "Anyway, later Mulan later had the hots for Rory, when a curse got him, but she also didn't do anything about it. And from what I gather, when Phil recovered and came back, Aurora got pregnant, so Mulan took off. She spent some time with the Merry Men after, before travelling around and winding up with Ruby in Oz."
"Mulan was involved with Ruby?"
"Maybe. I'm not sure. Probably not like that? Just as friends. When Ruby brought Dorothy out of her sleeping curse with a true love's kiss, Mulan eventually wound up in Storybrooke, not realising Phil & Rory were here. Apparently, after a night out and too many drinks, they confessed to Mulan that they both had feelings for her. She admitted the same thing, and she moved in with them a year ago. She's now nearly ten weeks pregnant, and we're invited to the wedding."
"She's pregnant? Goodness, I never saw that coming. Fascinating though it is to have Storybrooke's first 'three-way' wedding, what does that have to do with us?"
"Um…well it got me thinking. About you, me and Hood? Now, I know it's not the same thing but, well, Mulan had to learn to 'share' Aurora, with Philip. They learnt to somehow make it work between the three of them. So I just thought…"
"Emma, you said it yourself, Mulan was close to Philip! They may have been lovers for all you know. It's completely different. Besides, you hate Robin! You can't even call him by his proper name! What are you thinking?"
"Hold your horses! I don't actually hate him, and I'm not suggesting he move in or anything. I'm just saying that...well...he's your true love, as well as your soulmate. So-"
"WAS, Emma, was! And you can have more than one soulmate in life, you know? I have you!"
"Of course you do, but that doesn't change anything. You're in love with him, and please don't insult me by denying it! Gold already said that all the anxiety between you two, all the depression, would only increase until you finally-"
"Emma, please? Yes, I get it."
"Listen, I'm not suggesting anything permanent. Just that, well, I love you and I need you to be happy. I couldn't bear you going back downhill, not after everything we both went through. I guess I'm saying that, like Aurora, it's possible for you to have more than one love in your life? I know you love me, but Hood isn't going anywhere. He's the kids' father and, under the circumstances, I'm sort of adding a bit of, I don't know, flexibility into our marriage vows? So you can also be with him, when you need to, if it's going to help."
Regina glared back, astonished, unable to formulate a response. Until eventually, teary eyed, trembling with emotion: "I don't know what to say." She wrapped her arms around her wife's waist, pulling tightly against her. "You'd really do that? For me? Allow me to...be with him?"
Emma slowly nodded, giving her a smile, which the older woman noticed didn't quite reach her eyes.
As a tear slid down her cheek, Regina suddenly drove her mouth down onto Emma's without warning, sealing their lips in a hard kiss. It wasn't overly passionate, but it was desperate, and needed. And as they kissed, the two women just held each other in their embrace, silently reassuring one another of their love, until Emma's lips eventually peeled away to speak again.
"Bedroom – now!" And with that, holding onto her wife with one hand, the brunette waved her fingers with the other, instantly teleporting them to their bedroom.
As the purple mist evaporated, Emma reciprocated with a flick of her own fingers, leaving the pair of them still holding one another, but now both entirely naked, all clothing appearing in a single, neat, combined pile next to the bed. Both women shuddered at the cool sensation of bare flesh against flesh, Emma smirking, as she gently rolled Regina back down onto the bed, lifting her legs onto the mattress.
Regina silently beckoned for her to lie on top of her, Emma obliging by lowly parting the brunette's thighs before resting herself in between them, hips on hips, breasts on breasts, in their favourite starting position, enjoying maximum skin contact while still able to gaze into each other's eyes. The blonde instinctively made the first move, latching her lips back onto her lover's, before plunging her tongue into Regina's readily -open mouth, to ream the inside before pulling her head back, as Regina stared up into her eyes in total adoration.
"I have never loved you as much as I do now, my darling Swan."
"But I love you even more, and I will do forever, my queen." She answered back, before resuming their kiss.
~oOo~