The hard grind of raising five children, two of them babies, is beginning to take its toll. Robin's sister offers to help but there are underlying issues. Merlin and Archie offer some answers.
Meanwhile, Henry and Rumple plan for their European trip, and Belle receives an unexpected visitor.
The first three months after Hope and Faith were born, their parents were run ragged. They'd expected to be kept busy, but the sheer lack of sleep involved, coupled with the fact their older girls Honour and Margot still needed their love and attention, drained them all.
But Robin's sister Maria was the one who came up with a solution. As they sat over breakfast, drinking multiple coffees to keep them awake, Robin's sister looked at the drained trio.
"Listen, guys. You all look completely shagged out. You've got two new babies, a six and a seven-year-old and you'll never manage without some decent sleep! Why don't you let me and Carrie help? Why don't you move into the suite you've got at the Locksley, and let two, or even three of us, feed the babies in shifts?"
"Sounds like a good idea," Robin's cousin nodded. "Emma, Regina, you can both express your milk for nighttime feeds, then get some proper sleep while Maria, Sophie and I can take turns for part of the night each? Another couple of months time, they'll be on solid foods anyway, which'll make them sleep longer. Makes good sense, and you get to stay awake during the day!"
It wasn't difficult to persuade them. The mothers had been light sleepers since the births and, although feeling guilty for troubling Robin's sister, their first night having more than four hours uninterrupted sleep, decided it. The first night Regina woke up panicking, now not used to hearing an early morning yell from Hope, which would inevitably set off Faith. Stumbling into their nursery, anxiety quickly turned to relief when she saw Maria Locksley, Hope safely snuggled in her arms, as she sat in the nursing chair, with a bottle, now half full.
The blonde looked up at the former mayor with a tired smile. "She's okay, Regina," she whispered. "I heard her grumbling a little, but once I got this in her, she was fine! Go get yourself back to bed, Regina, because you're on the next shift."
She smiled down at her, the woman who always displayed the same natural kindness as her big brother. "I love you, Maria Locksley. You've no idea what this means to me," she whispered back, bending over and pecking on top of the woman's head in gratitude, before heading back to bed.
Several months later...
As another three months passed, some semblance of normality slowly returned to the Mifflin Street household.
At the six-month anniversary of the girls' births, Emma, now increasingly conscious of the fact she hadn't reduced her weight and figure to her athletic, pre-pregnancy levels, became obsessed with exercising. Daily runs, crunches, planking and all manner of regimes were endured daily until, during a morning jog, she slipped on wet grass in the forest and badly sprained her ankle. Help had arrived eventually, and she now lay on a gurney in Sherwood Clinic, with Robin and Regina at her sides. Caroline had been on duty that morning and had just completed an X-ray of the badly swollen left foot.
"Well the good news is nothing's fractured, just badly sprained. The swelling should start to go down in a day or two, but I'd recommend not putting weight on it and definitely no jogging on it for at least a couple of weeks."
"Two weeks? I can't be laid up that long! Carrie, isn't there something you could just give me to numb the pain, once the swelling goes down?" she moaned.
"What's the rush?" said Regina. "You've been running like crazy, and you spend hours in the gym. What's wrong?"
"I just hate being like this!" She moved her hands across her stomach, treating the residual curve of her belly as though it was a disgusting mountain. "It's six months! I just want to get rid of all this excess blubber - it's horrible! I feel like a freak!."
"Emma, you're being ridiculous," her wife sniggered. "You look absolutely fine! I'm carrying a bit of excess weight too, and you look slimmer than me!"
Robin quietly watched their interaction, feeling there was more to this.
"Yeah, but you're curvier. A bit of extra fat looks good on you." The moment the words left her mouth, Emma knew she'd said the wrong thing as Regina's sympathy turned to an icy scowl.
"Thanks!"
The blonde winced. "Gina, you know I didn't mean it like that! I'm just not…not…" he eyes began to tear up, and both her wife and boyfriend recognised the walls going up. Robin looked across to his cousin. "Carrie, would you mind leaving us for a couple of minutes?"
His cousin nodded, seeing the tension for herself, and left the room.
Robin hitched himself on the edge of the stretcher, taking the blonde's hand in his own, his thumb massaging her knuckles. "Emma, what's really bothering you, my love? It can't be the extra weight because you've lost most of it. We both think you're beautiful; you know that! So, what is it?"
"Beautiful? Like I believe that! You two haven't even been near me for ages. Do you know how long it's been we all had sex? Seven months! Seven bloody months! So, don't tell me you think I'm beautiful…" she almost growled the last part, looking away from him, and trying to avoid her wife's stare.
"Emma, you can't seriously believe I don't still find you beautiful?" Regina was astonished. "We haven't been intimate since we gave birth, because I'm so damn tired! Not because I'm not attracted to you! I don't feel attractive myself right now! I thought you just weren't interested., And besides, I'm not altogether comfortable about how I am right now…down below!"
"Emma," Robin wanted to make his own point. "I know I'm just the man in this, and my body hasn't gone through the sort of changes yours has, but I think it sounds like something Marian suffered from after having Roland. I think, from Merlin's memories, it's post-natal depression. I swear, to me, neither of you have lost your beauty. You're just exhausted from all the changes we've been through. As for sex, Emma, I thought neither of you wanted to, because you weren't 'ready'? I'd never put pressure on you but, whenever the two of you decide otherwise, I'm definitely ready and waiting!" He leaned down, placing a peck on the blonde's lips, quickly wiping a tear from her cheek.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take it out on you, I'm just feeling useless at the moment. We all said we were going to be completely honest with each other. I guess we're still learning?"
"How about we talk to Archie, together?" Robin suggested. "I've been seeing him these past few months about my anger management towards Zelena. Gina, you two became close friends with him after I died, so how about we get him over to dinner? Maybe he might have some ideas?"
Days later, over dinner, the three sat with the Storybrooke psychiatrist. Archie had a unique ability to get his patients opening up about all manner of things. Half of the town seemed to have used him and Regina knew he harboured more hidden secrets than even the Dark One. They now sat nursing drinks on the two sofas, one just for Emma's, who lay back with her bandaged ankle while they talked. The conversation had drifted across many subjects, some intimate, but Archie was never embarrassed or judgmental.
"So, you've asked me for my opinion? Well from what you've told me, Emma misses work. The Sheriff's Office gives her satisfaction and a sense of self-worth. Emma, perhaps you should consider reapplying for your old job or another role there? I think Hank would probably welcome you back. Regina, you said you don't miss being Mayor, but perhaps you need a part-time role? Your former paramedic interest is certainly one to explore, though I'm sure an intelligent woman like yourself would easily find a suitable vocation. How about managing the new Sherwood Riding School? Your equine knowledge is vast, and now David's time is stretched, I'm sure he would welcome it."
The brunette silently nodded. It wasn't such a bad idea.
"Now as for the intimacy. What you've been experiencing is quite common and Robin's right. It does sound like a mild form of depression, quite common in the months following birth. Regina, you said you worried about your physical capability for intimacy right now. So I suggest you talk to one of the gynae team about pelvic floor exercises and possibly internal weights."
Regina was more than surprised he knew about such things. "Often, the problem is more in your own self-confidence for intimacy, rather than any physical change. And Robin? Then there's your role. I admit I've never advised someone with two partners before, but you admitted you were nervous about putting any sort of pressure, on either of them, regarding intimacy. Yet I believe this concern, this love, has been interpreted by them into thinking you were no longer interested, or in Emma's case that she was unattractive. When in truth, from what you've told me, you were more than keen just didn't want to force the issue! Well perhaps it's time for you to take the lead in that area! Either Emma or Regina can decline, should they wish, but at least they'll both feel cherished. But they key thing is to keep talking to each other, openly and honestly."
"Thank you, Archie, we'll bear that in mind. Frankly, I think I'm also worried about getting one or both of them pregnant again. They've both gone through such an exhausting time, I don't think I could bear doing that to them all over again! Even with Henry away most of the time, we still have five children in the house! Emma and Regina both thought they were protected, but Merlin said my magic overrode it."
"Then talk to Merlin? He is a physician after all, and after two thousand years, I'm sure he's probably found a magical answer to contraception." He gave them a warm smile. "You know, I have great hopes for you three. I think you already make a terrific thruple, perfectly matched. This is merely a hiccup, I assure you."
The Gold Mansion
"So it's really over? Between you and Prince Eric?" Belle had just listened to her friend's sad tale.
"Yes. We basically drifted apart. And my father didn't help! Both our families were putting pressure on us for children, but Eric didn't see any rush. Then they got into an argument, because the Siren's took down one of his ships. He lost several of his best friends, and lost his temper with dad. So much so, that he threatened him if he ever took to the sea again! You know my dad's Triton, right? Then he told me to decide whose side I'm on, and to make Eric see sense. I gave Eric an earful, and left to stay with my sisters. But after I got back, he told me I had to choose. Him or dad!"
"That's when you came to stay with me, right?" Belle took her hand.
"Yeah. When I went back to him, we talked. I told him I came back here and stayed with you. I don't know why, but eventually I told him about us, as we'd always promised to tell each other the truth. What surprised me, was that he wasn't really upset. In fact, he admitted he had also been with someone while I was away. Princess Emilia? I never liked her before, and thought she was a bit snooty. So we talked and agreed we weren't the same as we were. He agreed we were probably better apart. It was emotional, but we still want to remain friends. But, basically, that's it! We're over."
"I'm so sorry! Still, thank goodness you didn't have children? That would have made it more difficult!"
"I guess so. Though dad's pleased, and so are my sisters. I think that's what really annoyed me! So I got angry with them, saying they helped the marriage break down, and said I wasn't staying."
"Oh Ariel, your family too? I know what it's like to fall out with your father. I'm so sorry!" She moved across to sit next to her friend and very briefly, lover, wrapping an arm around her. "So what's your plan? Where will you go?"
"I've no idea. I guess I'll drift around for a while. I don't want to see them right now, and I find I prefer the company of humans anyway. So, who knows?" She wrested a head on her shoulder, accepting Belle's comfort.
Belle remembered her conversations with Rumple about the mermaid. "You know, Rumple already knew about us?"
"Us? What, you mean when we were together? You told him?" The mermaid was mortified.
"No, I didn't tell him. He already knew. Everything! It's his magic, I guess. He knew about everything I've done since we separated. He agreed that my life was now my own, and I could do whatever I want, with whoever I want. And so could he. As you know, after we separated, I was lonely and depressed. I had a couple of short-term relationships, but Ariel, you were the first girl I'd ever been with, intimately. I knew you needed to go back to Eric, but after you left, I went off the rails. It made me want to explore my sexuality; so I'm not proud of it, but I had a few one-night stands."
Ariel collected Belle's hands in her own again. "With other women?"
Belle nodded. "And a couple of guys too. None of it was serious, but…I guess I learned something about myself."
"I did the same after I split with Eric. Just the once, mind. I guess I'm the same as you, a bit confused. But Belle, I have to admit, although you and I were only together a week or so, what we had was, for me, more than just sex! I'm sorry if that makes you feel awkward."
Belle pulled her even closer as they sat bunched up on the sofa. "No, it doesn't! I'm glad you felt something. Because I did too!"
"Really?" The mermaid's eyes glistened. "You're not just saying that to make me feel better?"
"Really." The brown-haired beauty answered, blue eyes now lasering on hazel. Both women knew exactly what was about to happen and didn't stop it. It happened almost in slow motion, Belle acting first. She pressed her mouth gently down on the redhead's, both sets of soft, cushioned lips immediately opening up. It was warm, tender, and needed. Within seconds Belle felt a warm, wet tongue invade her mouth and she welcomed it, swirling and slowly coiling her own around it, a satisfying 'mmmh' heard from within.
When they gradually separated, both a little breathless, Ariel whispered. "God, I missed you."
"I missed you too, Ariel, so very much! But I need to tell you something about me and Rumple."
"You're together again?"
"No, not exactly. But we are living together. He refuses to allow Gideon to stay anywhere but here! He's terrified of losing him again, and I must admit, my actions haven't helped. So I moved back in with him. It's amicable, so far. We're still technically married, but separated, and he knows about us. What we had. Strangely enough, he seems to approve! He said you're a vast improvement on the others…"
"Approve? Of you and me? I can't believe it! It doesn't sound like the Dark One to me!"
"He's changed, Ariel. Having Gideon back seems to have changed him, more than I ever did! I can't really explain it. He's given me a few conditions regarding Gideon, but has said I'm still free to live my own life. He's drawn up and offered to sign divorce papers as and when I wish. I still care for him Ariel, even if we're no longer together."
"So where does that leave us? What would he do?"
"He seems to be almost encouraging me to be with you! He said of all the people I've…seen…you were the most trustworthy to be around Gideon. Next month, he and Henry are taking a month-long trip around Europe. It was Henry's idea, though Rumple said he wouldn't leave Gideon behind. So he's asked me to join them. He even suggested you would also be welcome to join us on the trip."
"I still can't believe it! He knows you and I slept together, but still suggested we both go on a trip with them?"
"Yes. As I said, he and I aren't together like that anymore. He said he just wants me to be happy!"
"And do you still feel anything for him? What happens if you decide you want more with him? What if he forgives you for Gideon's kidnapping, and wants you back? Where would that leave me?"
"Why don't you talk to him? I'll organise it and take Gideon out for a little while. Talk to him and make up your own mind? Personally, I would love it if you could join us. I've never really travelled before and I'll admit to being a bit nervous about it. Ariel, it may be the wrong time to say this, but I have to admit I have real feelings for you! Please consider it?"
The redhead beamed back. "Belle, I definitely have feelings for you! Let's talk to Rumple before we decide what to do, yeah?" The mermaid moved forward to capture the beauty's full lips in another kiss. Slow, sensuous and definitely heated.
As they separated, she breathed into her mouth. "How much time till they're back?"
"At least two hours." Belle replied, as the pair rose to their feet, still holding hands. They pulled into a tight embrace, both heads tilting right to capture lips yet again. 'More than enough time…"
The Earl of Locksley
Robin, Regina and Emma gathered in a quiet corner of the Sherwood pub, talking with Professor Sage about their contraception issue.
"So I spoke to Victor about a vasectomy. He said it was straightforward."
"It is, Robin, but in your case, I would strongly urge you NOT to have it done! A vasectomy is extremely hard to reverse, and your future will almost certainly require you to be able to sire more young."
"But we've more than enough kids, Merlin!" Emma acted defensive. "Unlike you, we're all getting older! I love Hope and Faith dearly, but the thought of having any more..."
"I understand, Emma. However, there is another way! I've several powerful spells I can teach the three of you, that'll work better than any other form of contraception. They can be cast to last up to ten years at a time, until well past your menopause. It is much better than anything invasive."
The blonde's superpower went into overdrive. "I believe you…but there's something you're not telling us!"
Merlin sighed. "Well, you're right. It's something you'll find out in due course, anyway. The fact is, Zeus gave Robin his powers for a reason! The higher the powers, the bigger the challenge to come. He'll face challenges far greater than the Black Fairy, and he has been equipped accordingly. I can't be sure, but I have every reason to believe Robin may have become an immortal."
The little group went silent as the implications seemed to hit each of them.
Robin was the first to speak, seeming sullen. "If you're right, that means I have to experience Emma and Regina dying before me? And eventually my children? And my children's children, all while I carry on living? That's horrible."
"Robin, I've lived for just over two thousand years. In that time, I've married forty six women and sired one hundred and sixty four children, including the four you've met. If I had had a vasectomy, I would have been a very lonely man indeed, and many of my loves would never have been born."
"But I don't want to live forever!" he felt angry. "I want to grow old with Emma and Regina! I don't want to outlive them! That's a curse, not a blessing! I want to end up in paradise, with my family, not down here forever!"
The two women instantly placed hands on him in an attempt to comfort.
"I'm afraid, Robin, that is one of the great burdens placed upon you, as a result of returning you from death! There is always a price for powers such as ours. However, you should also know that I regularly see ALL of my family, my wives, parents, children and loved ones that have passed! It is complex to explain, but I believe you will have it better explained to you by someone far more powerful than me!"
"More powerful than you!" Regina shook her head. "Is there someone like that? Who?"
"Zeus himself!" said Merlin, calmly. "I believe the Lord of the Gods will grace Robin with his presence, in due course."
Emma was puzzled. "You said Robin could meet us all…once we're dead? So he could see me and Regina, and Marian? How's that going to work? Sounds like a world of pain to me!"
"Emma, it isn't quite like that. You remember at the convent, when we taught Robin how to split himself into multiple people? How Robin's chauffeur spoke to you separately, and without assistance from the man who took you on that date months ago? Well imagine that skill being available to everyone who'd ever passed? Imagine yourself able to spend as much time as you want with your parents, grandparents, children and former loves, all individually and at the same time? There's is no jealousy there. No envy, because everyone has as much time as they wish, with whomsoever they wish! So for example, once Regina has passed over, if she's fortunate she will be able to spend all her time with you, and her father, and Daniel, and Henry, and anyone else, all simultaneously. As will you!"
"But Robin doesn't get that? Hardly sounds fair."
"He will get that and a life down here. Part of me, for example, spent some time last month with my latest deceased wife, Anna and Rosie's mother, and several of my other partners, separately, while my physical body was down here. It's difficult to explain, but it works. But for that reason, Robin should never get himself a vasectomy or sterilisation. There are better solutions, spells which I can teach you right now."
"Great. Could you also teach the three of us to communicate with each other telepathically?" asked Robin. "You said it was possible."
Gold's Antiques Shop
Rumple had become surprisingly adept at using the tablet for web calls. He loved modern technology and embraced it, doing research on places to visit and stay during their month-long trip to Europe. His planning was meticulous. Now he needed to discuss his plans with his grandson.
"Hi grandpa," Henry's face came into view on the small screen. "What's happening?"
"Hello, my boy. Well, I've been doing research on my forebears. Obviously, my more immediate relations from there must be long dead; but I've been discovering where many of them came from and are buried. There is also a centre of magic in an area north of Aberdeen in northern Scotland. So I would like to visit the area early on. Perhaps after we leave Oxford? It might be good to start there first."
"Sounds great. I'll be coming up for the weekend break, so we can plan out and book the hotels."
"I'll organise and pay for that, dearie, once we've agreed where. You focus on your studies!"
"No, grandpa, I said I wanted to treat you! I want to pay for this! You've already given me plenty."
"Coin is of no interest for me, Henry. I spin gold, remember? I may never get another chance of a holiday with my grandson for quite some time, so indulge me a little?" He winked at the young man.
Henry grinned. "Well okay, let's argue the toss when I get back? Did you find out if Belle is going to come along? As you insisted we take Gideon, we'll need help, otherwise we won't get so much time for ourselves."
"All in hand. In fact, Belle will possibly be accompanied by a friend, who I believe can also be trusted around my son."
"Belle's bringing someone?" Henry wasn't sure how to feel about that, thinking the trip would have been a chance for the married couple to repair some of their trust in each other. "Who?"
"She's staying at the library flat. You remember Ariel, the mermaid?"
"Ariel? I thought she'd moved to another realm with Eric?"
"No longer, dearie. She arrived in Storybrooke earlier today. She and Belle are…close."
"Well, the more the merrier, I guess. I'm really looking forward to it!"
"As am I, my boy. As am I."
Meanwhile...
"Oh fuck! So, so good! Harder Belle! Push harder?"
Only a quarter of an hour ago, the two women had raced up to Belle's bedroom, hand-in-hand, urgency overwhelming them. They hadn't wasted time removing clothes as they wrestled each other onto the bed amid a flurry of frenetic kisses. As they hugged tightly, lips joined, hands urgently found their way under skirts and blouses, sliding into underwear as they fingered each other face-to-face, ploughing one another's most sensitive spots; within minutes Ariel reached her peak, followed shortly after, by Belle.
As breathing calmed, Belle gave her lover a sly grin as she withdrew her fingers from between Ariel's legs, bringing them up to her mouth to slowly suck them, in full view of her lover. Ariel sniggered, before copying her, removing her own to suck on them too. "Hmm – tastes like librarian? Rather addictive."
"I agree," whispered Belle, lustily. "Mermaid tastes so much better though. Need more..." The librarian sat up, still almost fully clothed, to turn, putting her hands under Ariel's skirt to swiftly pull down and remove the former mermaid's panties, moving closer to bend and drop a kiss on her thigh. Ariel giggled at the sensation, before twisting herself to pull down and remove Belle's own underwear, easing her thighs apart. They now lay on their sides, knowing exactly what the other was about to do. Each raised her left leg to interlock around the back of the other woman's, simultaneously raising each other's skirt, to attack the other's core with lips, tongue and fingers, both equally desperate to draw another orgasm from her lover.
Like the first, it took only a matter of minutes before, glistening with sweat, they peaked, almost together, with fingers buried and mouths clamped onto clitorises. Finally, the pair pulled apart, to lay on their backs, recovering.
Ariel sat up this time, to drop and deliver yet another kiss. "Fancy one more? There's something I'd like to try."
"Only if it means I don't have to get up!"
"Fortunately for you – it doesn't. Lie back, and let me do the work…" The redhead moved back between her thighs, chuckling slightly as she lifted Belle's right leg up and over her shoulder, before sliding her left leg under it then lifting her own right leg over the other's left. Belle immediately realised what she was about to do, so she pulled down a pillow from behind her, raising her hips to place it under her bottom. Hoisting both skirts up further, Ariel pulled herself in closer, stopping to use the fingers of one hand to gently part both sets of labia, before firmly attaching her now soaking pussy on to Belle's, grinding herself in.
"Ooh, so warm!" Belle groaned in delight. "Lovely. Push harder!" It was tricky trying to get the connection, both now trying to work each other to get the two buds connecting.
"No Belle, stay still, we're moving too much. Here, let me..."
When she did manage to get the two clits to line up and graze, it felt wonderful. Like a little electric charge running straight through them. Belle, now fully engaged yet again, lifted her upper body to grasp Ariel's arms, pulling each other ever tighter in as they sought another release. "This is wonderful. Oh god, don't stop! Belle, I think I...I love you!"
They were so engrossed, the pair hardly noticed the bedroom door swing open.
"Belle, I was calling you from downstairs! I didn't know you were back, I - OH, SORRY! I DIDNT REALISE YOU HAD COMPANY!"
~oOo~