Killian finally meets his elder son, and Emma has a nasty falling out with her parents.
Granny's Diner
It had been a very long day at the café. Takings were up, but the recent departure of Lizzy, one of their best waitresses, and Emily, had just added to the heavy workload of the two proprietors. Mike, their wizard of a chef, stepped out from the kitchen after a twelve-hour shift and looked fit for bed.
"Ok girls, you sure you've got everything covered?" The exhausted man sat at the counter, enjoying the cooler air. He was a marvel in the kitchen and, following recent staff changes, had thought nothing of extending his hours to cover the shortfall, even though he had a wife and two kids back home.
"Yeah, Mike. We've only got half an hour before closing. You get yourself off now. Steffi's going to be mad at you being late home yet again. Go give her a kiss from me, and apologise for us, would you?" Dorothy felt truly dreadful for once again wrecking her chef's home life due to their staffing problems.
"Don't be silly, she's fine Dot. You'll get sorted out with some more staff soon enough. Anyway, she and I were thinking. You two haven't had a decent day off in a while. Why don't you let Steff and I take care of Nathaniel for a day or two next week and you clear off for a break? You need it, and the girls love him. You know he'll be in safe hands!"
"You serious? You'd do that?" Ruby overheard the conversation and joined the pair, as he pulled a coffee from the percolator. "He's teething, you know? That's why we're so wrecked. He's messing up our sleep something rotten!"
"Yeah. Been there, done that! You try it with twins? Go on, it'll be fine. Next Thursday morning works for us. Come pick him up Friday afternoon? You've got cover, so we can manage here."
Dorothy beamed at the thought of a first decent night's sleep since his birth, seven months ago. "You, Michael Fowler, are a godsend!" She wrapped her arms around him, delivering a loud kiss to his cheek. He returned it by tilting her head to give her a brotherly peck on the forehead. The moment she stepped back, Ruby did exactly the same to him. "Thanks Mike. I think we'd have been sunk without you."
As the man said his goodbyes, He opened the door to be met by a small group coming in. Oh shit, customers!
"Sorry, we're getting ready to close!" Ruby yelled across. "If you want food, we-" She stopped the moment until she recognised the new arrivals.
"Killian?"
Dorothy beamed with delight at the new arrival. Especially the man who gave them their son. "What are you two doing back here?" She stepped forward, instantly taking the former pirate into her arms.
"Hi Dot." Killian drew his arms around her, kissing her on the cheek. "It's nice to be back."
It was only then Ruby saw Rosalind coming up behind him, with a baby in her arms. "Rosie? How wonderful to see you again! Anna said you two had got married, but I haven't seen her for a while. I had no idea you were pregnant?" The two Lucas women instantly crowded the younger mother to look at the baby.
"Oh my goodness – he's a stunner! How old?" asked Dorothy. "And can I hold him?"
"Three months, and please do! He weighs a ton, mind." She passed the baby across. As Dorothy cradled him in, Ruby drew close to see the tiny bundle. As they did, he finally opened his eyes at their voices.
"Oh my! Hello beautiful? He's got your eyes, Kill!" said Ruby. "And he ooks like Nat!"
"Really?" Rosie shook her arms, enjoying the respite. "We'd love to meet his big brother. When he wakes up, of course!"
"Stay the night?" said the wolf. "You can see him first thing then! I'd love to see what they make of each other."
"We'd love to, but dad's got a little gathering for us, with Reul and the fairies tonight. So there'll be no shortage of babysitters there! Let's come over in the morning?"
Mifflin Street
When Merlin had taught the Swan-Mills and Locksley trio the new contraceptive and reversal spells, he had deliberately added something extra. The spell, easily reversible, would last for twenty years, more than enough time for both women to reach their menopause. After which, they would have no need for contraception. However, what he didn't tell them, was that he had also given them a little 'boost'. A small but highly effective add-on spell that would significantly improve and increase their libidos, coupled with a feel-good shot of magic.
So now, after a solid three-hour lovemaking session, Emma, Regina and Robin lay side-by-side-by-side, thoroughly exhausted, yet satisfied. A thin layer of sweat across all three of them.
"That was utterly, utterly, utterly…" Emma groaned, hardly able to finish a sentence, let alone stand.
"I know, right?" Regina agreed. "If that spell doesn't work, we're definitely both pregnant again!"
"I ruddy hope not!" said Robin, still panting. "That'd be eight kids between us! In that case, I would definitely cut my own balls off before you even got your hands on them!"
"Three hours without stopping! Three hours! Robin, whatever the hell did Merlin just do to us?"
"Whatever it was – I'm not complaining! That was without doubt, the best sex I have ever experienced! Emma, I hope that's the last I ever hear about you thinking we don't find you just perfect in bed!? And Regina? I hope that's the last I hear about you thinking you have a problem…below stairs?"
She couldn't help grinning. "Not after you spending so much time with your head down there! It felt like you were having a banquet, and I was the main course!"
"Was that a complaint? A good thing, or a bad thing?" He asked, anxious they may have both felt uncomfortable.
"Good!" said Emma and Regina almost simultaneously, before giggling again at their joint reply.
"That said," Emma tried to sit up. "I could really do with a shower right now! But I really don't think I have the strength to drag myself in there. Anyone mind if I forego, for once, till the morning?"
"Well, if you mean do I mind sleeping in a bed with the loving aromas of my two fiancées still on me, having just spent half the night making love? Then not at all. Gina?"
"No argument here. We shower tomorrow. Let's get some shut eye and tomorrow, we need to plan the wedding. Emma, your mother, Bridezilla, keeps reminding me we've done nothing about it so far."
"Well, I'm in your hands, miladies. What say you get Snow over in the morning and get started? I'm sure she would be thrilled to help."
"Better if she minded the children. I don't really want her faffing about. But, I still want a proper dress!" added Emma. "Gina, how about we go to New York together to get sorted out? Robin could take care of the girls."
"Good idea," he agreed. "Why don't you make it a long weekend? Go Friday morning, get back Monday. You haven't had a break together, just the two of you, since I moved in. Go on, it'll do you good!"
"That…is one of the many reasons I fell in love with you, thief!" Regina leant over, kissing his lips, before pulling back and licking her own. "Hmm. You still taste of Emma!"
Hearing that, Emma herself leant over to deliver a kiss. "No…he definitely tastes of you, babe!"
Robin just grinned. "I taste of you both. I don't care – I'm just happy!" before wrapping his arms around his naked loves, drawing them to him. They were all soundly asleep within minutes.
The Gold Mansion
Neither Belle, Ariel nor Rumple, slept well that night. As Rumple lay wide awake, his ever-present Dark One spirit, in the form of the imp, was, as usual, tormenting him.
"What the hell were you thinking, spinner? Ye all but gave her away to the mermaid! Ye could have had her back, man! Where's the sense, eh? All ye needed to do was take her heart! You know how this works. Take it, squeeze it, order it and they will follow! Belle, the mermaid, anyone! Ye could have it all!"
Normally, Rumple was used to ignoring the endless taunts, jibes and threats of his inner darkness, which always appeared in the form of his own ghost, invisible to everyone else. This time, he couldn't resist reacting:
"I'm not doing that to Belle! I'm not going to control her!"
"You're ridiculous! Ye could have the lot! Even those two frigid dykes at the town hall ye defrosted! You are the Dark One! You have my powers! You've done it before - use them!"
"Not on her. She deserves better."
"Then you're a fool! A waste of space. You're in here blubbing, while she's in there with her new lady love, makin' the beast with two backs? Doesn't that bother you, you spineless wimp? The mermaid's in there with her right now, probably a fingerin' and a fiddlin'...!"
"Shut up! Leave me!" he curled into himself on the bed. But the malevolent force that had remained glued to him for centuries, just carried on taunting him:
"That was a shock earlier, wasn't it?" he cackled. "Seeing your girl with her on that bed? Slamming into each other like a pair of rabbits! Well it seems when the Buck's away, the Does do play? Still, this town is full of man-hating dykes anyway, so she'll move on and open her legs to some other fair maiden, no doubt."
"BE GONE!" he screamed back, even though he knew the voice and image was coming from inside him. It had been a very long time since the darkness had got under his skin so much, and he knew he was losing it!
"Shame. Belle was such an improvement over that first icy sow ye married! Perhaps she'll go back and fuck the witch again, after all? She-"
But Rumple reacted without further warning, spinning on his bed to launch a large fireball straight at the voice. Obviously, it passed straight through the demon, exploding against the wall to char the paintwork. He instantly cursed the pointless stupidity of his reaction.
"Temper, temper now, Dark One! Ye know, killing the Witch would be quite straightforward really. Just borrow Belle's heart, send her over there with a decent knife, get her to seduce her, then order her to slit the bitch's throat in her sleep! Easy! You've gone soft, man!"
Rumple hadn't looked at the tormenting imp directly for many years. However, as he looked at the damaged wall, he saw his demon looked somehow …different? Like a slightly lighter grey in pallor. His serpent eyes looked much more tired. Like he was…suffering? Tired? Knowing how easily he invaded his thoughts he decided to roll to his other side, curling into himself into a foetal position in an impossible attempt to sleep.
Later that evening...
Belle had been sobbing quietly in the next room. For the last half hour, Ariel had been lying on top of the bed quietly, beside her, holding her gently while she wept. They'd both heard the raised voices along the corridor.
"Who is he yelling at?" Ariel was more than confused by the seeming anger coming from next door.
"The Dark One. Emma told me it's like the imp version of him, all grey scales and evil eyes. It never leaves him, and it constantly torments him. Has done for centuries! It's like a living, breathing entity. Merlin said only he can see it, but he can't kill it. Just suppress it."
"Oh god, that poor man! There must be something we can do?"
Belle shook her head. "No. Merlin said he's had better control over it than anyone else ever has, but it will always exist…till he dies."
"What happens when we get to a land with no magic then? Does it just…disappear?"
"I don't think so. It's in his soul. I guess it just disappears inside him until he comes back."
"If I was him. If I had his wealth. I think I would just stay away for good! He'd suffer less. Why did he even come back to this place?
Belle already knew the answer. Me!
Granny's Diner
The following morning, Emma and Regina met for coffee, inviting Snow and David to join them, primarily to let them know the news that a wedding date had been set, and to discuss how they were going to arrange things.
"So you're booking the rooftop at the Town Hall for October, and going to New York this weekend to choose wedding dresses? You taking some of the older ones with you? Or meeting Harry there?" asked David.
"Perhaps. If he can make it. Although he's coming home in two weeks anyway. Robin and Maria are looking after the babies. I'm wondering if you could take care of Honour and Margot for us?
"Well I'm free, so I can, though not sure about your mother. Snow?" David looked across to his true love.
Snow White had hardly said a word since the couple had announced their plans for the weekend. Snow, normally enthusiastic, a picture and symbol of hope to all, now seemed…sullen.
"Mum? Hello? Are you in there? Dad asked if you're okay to look after the kids this weekend?"
"Hmm? What? Oh sorry, I was just thinking. Something about child-minding?" She didn't quite seem 'with it'?
Regina and Emma looked at each other, confused by her seemingly disinterested reaction. "Snow? anyone at home?" Regina snarked. "You don't seem particularly happy about it? Your daughter finally gets a white wedding?"
"Oh yeah, sure. White wedding…dresses…nice," she said, with no enthusiasm in her voice whatsoever. "Yes, we'll mind the children…as usual. Sorry, could you excuse me? David, would you mind picking up Neal from Kathryn's later?" The former princess stood, exchanged an odd resigned look with her husband, turned and walked straight out without saying another word.
"Mum?" Emma called her, but she didn't answer or turn back.
"What the hell was that all about?" said Regina
David picked up his coffee and sipped it slowly, a little sigh heard after the first sip.
"Dad? What's going on? I thought she'd be pleased! What's wrong with her?"
"Isn't it obvious?" he said, as though talking to a moron.
"Why don't you enlighten us?" asked Regina, a little more caustically, then intended.
"Regina. Would you mind giving me a moment alone with my daughter?"
That surprised her. She and Emma shared everything! Oh well, she'll find out in due course. "Sure. I'll go and talk to Archie over there. Give you a 'father-daughter' moment!" She couldn't help the tone, standing to leave the table.
Emma slid on the bench closer to him, her voice lower. "So, what's wrong with her? What is it?"
"Emma, can you imagine what it would be like, having given birth to Hope, to find when she's all grown up, that she never visits you, unless she wants something. Doesn't keep in touch, expects you to call her, never the other way around. Doesn't spend any real time with her own mother and one day, she comes back to tell you she's gotten married! Then, when she has a baby, she only invites you around when it suits her, or to ask you to do some child minding. Later, when she tells you she's going to have another wedding here, in your town, she doesn't ask for your help, advice or support. Just child-minding. How would you feel about that, Emma?"
His words were delivered so calmly, it took her breath away. Nonetheless, she was being criticised. So Emma did what she always did. She retaliated. Angrily!
"Well, it's not like I had a fine example of parenting, did I? You put me in that fucking wardrobe from day one and sent me away! I was twenty-eight before I even met her! And she always hated Regina! Do you even wonder why I'm so independent? I had no choice. It's not like I had a mother to go to, is it?" she barked, her mood having changed in an instant.
Her father looked straight back, no anger, but only sadness. "But you've had one for the past eleven years, Emma. And we've been through this so many times. You HAD to go in that wardrobe, otherwise you'd be dead!"
"Bullshit! We could have been together, somehow, but you just gave me up!" her reasoning was now gone.
"I see we'll never convince you otherwise!" he replied, witheringly. "I'd best be going." He stood to leave. She was astonished. He seemed too tired to fight back.
"Well forget about the babysitting then," she added, for good measure. "We'll find someone else to look after them!" She instantly regretted the words the moment they left her mouth.
Charming looked at her sadly, shaking his head, before turning around and heading to the door. He stopped, turned, clearly about to say something final, but thought better of it. He walked out instead.
"What the hell was that all about?" said Regina, now returning to their table having heard the shouting.
"Nothing!" Emma was too irritated to speak.
Unfortunately a voice from the counter did!
"You're a fucking idiot, Emma!" said Ruby, clearly angry.
"Ruby?"
"I said you're a fucking idiot! Have you ever seen your father's chest? I have! There's still a bloody great scar close to his heart, from when he got speared through, by one of her guards!" she pointed at Regina. "Snow and I battled to save his life! We thought we'd lost him! Your father took on THREE of the royal guards, single-handed! With you in one arm, and just a sword in the other. Just so he could get you away from there, to safety!" Her inner wolf was fuming. "Their orders were to kill you! So don't you dare say it was bullshit! If David hadn't done that, you would DEFINITELY BE DEAD! NO EMMA SWAN! NO HENRY! NO FUCKING WEDDING TO PLAN!"
Emma was shocked at the sheer anger flowing from her supposed friend. "Ruby, this has nothing to do with you!"
"It has, because I was there! You've just treated your father like shit, and I won't hear you talk to him like that! Not after everything he's done! Just…get out! I don't want to see you in here right now. Just go!"
"Mrs. Lucas, you're being hysterical!" Regina stepped in between them, intervening.
"Really? Tell me, Regina, you may not be evil any more, but does Emma have any idea how many babies and children you and your guards murdered? As a result of you not getting what you wanted? No, probably not! Without his sacrifice, she wouldn't even be alive! Just…just take her and get out of here!"
Regina hadn't been spoken to like that in one hell of a long time! In earlier days, she would have incinerated the bitch in an instant. But now? She just stood, open mouthed in shock at the venom before her, before she felt a tug on her arm. 'Gina, please? Let's just go?"
Silently nodding, she held the blonde's hand, before disapparating them both to the first place she could think of.
~oOo~
Moments later they appeared on one of the cliffs overlooking the bay, seeing as the breeze of the ocean always seemed to calm her wife.
As Emma felt the cool fresh air on her face, she opened her eyes to see a sight she definitely wasn't expecting!
"Regina -over there? Is that…?"
"The Jolly Roger? Yes, so it would appear."
Meanwhile...
A few minutes after Emma and Regina left, calm soon returned to the diner. Ruby had explained to Dorothy what had happened a little earlier, as her shouting had been heard throughout the building. Assuring their customers that all was well, Dorothy went about cleaning one of the tables.
As he did, the small bell tinkled on the door as new customers arrived.
"Rosie, Killian! Hi! Get a decent sleep last night?"
Rosalind Jones walked in, carrying a large baby bag, and looking a little exhausted. As did Killian, coming up closely behind her with a baby in his arms. "As well as could be expected, I guess, when you've got this one attacking your boobs for a snack half the night!" the weary mother replied.
"I swear Dot, she's talking about the baby – not me!" added Killian, making the women chuckle, but earning a light slap from his love.
"Oh shut up, you!" snorted Rosie. "I wish you could grow a pair to ease the load!"
"I know that feeling too well." Dorothy sympathised. "Our little mite used to bite me! Thank god he's now on solids. Don't worry, it won't be for long."
"Hey, why don't you both come in the back and have breakfast there? You'll get to rest up on a sofa, and I'll bring the drinks? Then I'll go bring Nat down to meet his father."
"Sounds wonderful. I may fall asleep again, mind."
"That'll be no bad thing. We're three mothers here, remember? Let us help…"
~oOo~
The next hour was an emotional one for all four of them. Killian got to finally meet the son he's helped Dorothy and Ruby create, for the first time, and the Captain was overawed and smitten by the tiny bundle.
"You know something? His eyes remind me of Liam, my older brother!" he breathed, looking down lovingly at him. "You're an incredibly lucky man, young Nathaniel! I lost my own too early, but you've got not one but two wonderful mothers here to love and cherish you all your days. Just love them back. And always know, should you ever need it, that this worthless dog of a father will come running. Gladly, in fact."
Ruby and Rosie sat side-by-side, listening, both misty-eyed. "There's nothing worthless about you, Killian Jones," breathed Ruby. "You've given Dot and me the most precious gift ever! We'll always be in your debt. And Rosie's, for allowing this to happen!"
Rosie smiled back, picking up her hand up to squeeze it. They took pictures of the two baby boys, side-by-side, in Killian's arms, in his mothers' arms, even in Rosie's. And then everyone together as a group. The two couples had become an odd, extended family, with an unspoken bond now made between the four adults, linked by their sons' father.
After a night of broken sleep, Rosie started to fade. Seeing her sinking comfortably into the sofa, Dorothy gathered a small throw, placing it around the woman as she finally succumbed. She whispered to the other two. "Listen, why not let her sleep here a while? I can take care of her if she wakes up. And Rubes, why don't you and Killian both take Nat and Liam out for a walk in the park? They could both fit in the pram and could do with the fresh air. I'll give you a call when Rosie wakes up? Besides, Susie and Nick have the front of house covered anyway!" The pair agreed, gathering the two boys for their first outing together.
And that's how Ruby and Killian found themselves pushing the large pram around the edge of Storybrooke Park's lake. Conversation never stopped and Ruby spent the time filling him in all the details of their friends and associates over the last year. About Mulan's baby, the changes her husband, Mayor Philip, had brought and the new people in town. They were interrupted when Leroy and his new wife, Nova, walked by, with two young boys, aged no younger than three of four, in tow. Killian shook hands with both.
Killian had never seen the usually miserable dwarf look so happy. "Congratulations, the pair of you!" said the former pirate. "Ruby tells me you recently wed? The children…?"
"We adopted them when Robin and Mr. Gold brought them all back from the Black Fairy's Realm. She'd kidnapped these two years ago, but sadly their parents had long perished. So Leroy and I decided to give them a home."
"Well good for you! There's been too many people around here that grew up without the love of good parents. I wish there were more as charitable as you two!" He meant it and was genuinely impressed. As the couple viewed and talked about the tiny boys in the pram, Ruby spotted Snow sitting quietly, hunched and alone, at a nearby park bench.
Bidding farewell to the little family, they walked closer to her. "Snow? You okay?" As the princess looked up, her recent tears were obvious. "Snow, whatever's the matter?"
"Oh – Rubes! Sorry, you caught me by surprise. It's…it's nothing. I'm fine."
"Snow, really! You're my best friend, and we've known each other for years. Clearly there's something wrong! Look…Killian, could you take the babies off while we have a little chat?"
Before Killian could agree, Snow's eyes lit up as she quickly brushed off another tear. "What…Killian? Boys?"
'Um…yeah, we're taking Natty and his bro…Killian's baby, for some fresh air. Kill, would you mind?"
"No. Killian, please? It's lovely to see you again. You have a son too? May I see him?" The crop haired woman jumped up to gaze inside the pram. As she did so, both babies, happily snuggled together, open their eyes at her voice. The matching pale blue told her so much…about the donor! Killian watched her eyes intensely, knowing she was already making the connection.
She couldn't help herself "Oh Killian, he's beautiful! So handsome. And his eyes! So much like Nathaniel's!" Ruby knew her tone was asking her the obvious, unsaid question that would no doubt follow.
"Yes Snow. Killian's Natty's son." Best lance the boil now, I guess? Thought the wolf.
"You're…you're their sperm donor?"
"Killian's a lot more than merely a sperm donor, Snow. He's Natty's father. He helped us."
"Well that's lovely but…aren't you married now? I did hear something about you and one of Merlin's daughters. Does she know?"
Again, wanting to defend him and before he could even say a word, Ruby stepped in again. "Rosie not only knew, she gave Dorothy and I her blessing! She's a wonderful woman, Snow. Killian is his father, and we won't keep either of them out of Nat's life. Just the opposite, in fact!" She leaned over and gave Killian's hand a squeeze in thanks.
"That's wonderful. Killian, you're a very special man to do that for them. Any mother would be proud to have you as their son-in-law." Her mind clearly going back to his time as Emma's love. A very different time.
"Thank you, Snow." He said, now feeling awkward. "However, I think you and Ruby needed a few minutes alone?"
~oOo~
As he left with the baby carriage, Ruby sat, pulling her best friend closer, pulling an arm around her shoulder. "Now. No buts! Talk!"
It took but a minute for the tears to finally flow, as Snow confessed what she had been feeling. "It's though she never wants me near, Ruby! Like I'm only good for babysitting, and family gatherings. She never calls me, unless I call her first, and I feel like I'm invisible! Ever since she and Regina got together, I feel I've been shut out? Henry keeps in touch, but not his own mother."
"I'm so sorry. I thought it might be something like that. I heard her talking to David earlier on. I listened in. Sorry, a bad habit of mine but wolf hearing, right? She asked what was wrong with you when you left. David told her what he thought was the problem, but she just shouted back at him. She said something snide and insulted him, and I'm afraid I lost it! I just flipped and kind of kicked her out the diner! So I guess at some point I need to apologise to her."
"Emma insulted David? But they're so close! What did she say?"
"It was about when David had to put her in that wardrobe to save her! He said he had to, but she called it bullshit! Sorry Snow, but you know how much I love David. I wasn't going to allow her to dismiss what he did."
Snow loved her children dearly, but she couldn't bear anyone disrespecting her man. Not after everything he'd done for all of them. "She actually said that?"
Ruby nodded, pulling her in tighter. But a hint of the old steel entered the princess. "Rubes, it was me who insisted we put her in that cupboard! David didn't want to. Odd, isn't it, that she winds up marrying the very woman who spent most of my life trying to kill me? And who we both know would have killed her on sight! David tried to stop me removing Maleficent's egg, but I coerced him. You know, Emma can curse, swear and shout at me all she wants. Heaven knows, Regina's done it herself enough times. But I won't have her doing that to David!"
She sat for a moment, considering her options.
"Perhaps this time I won't go crawling back asking her forgiveness, like I always do? Perhaps this time, I won't put up with Regina's endless stupid tantrums and barbs! This time, I think I'll just wait till Emma makes the first move."
"You do whatever you think right, Snow! You're my best mate, and I've your back you on this. Personally, I don't want to apologise, until I know she's apologised to you."
"You might have a long wait there, Ruby. She's as stubborn as me! But thanks. You're my best friend too." She kissed the wolf's cheek.
The Gold Mansion
Earlier that morning, Belle had come downstairs, exhausted from a sleepless night, to find no sign of Rumple. Or Gideon. As she walked into the kitchen, everything appeared to be spotless. She looked for a note, something he would often leave in the past, when he disappeared before she rose. But this time, nothing.
Why would he even bother telling me? It's not like we're together, is it? He let me go, after all.
Ariel appeared a few minutes later, wrapped in one of Belle's dressing gowns. She'd had a pretty bad night herself, as Belle spent most of the night sobbing into her shoulder. "Something wrong?"
"I'm not sure."
After discovering the Jolly Roger moored in the harbour, with a small group working around it on the quayside, Emma and Regina had quickly established that neither Killian nor his crew were on board. Questioning some of the workers at the dockside, they discovered that the ship had arrived last night, bringing a large cargo of all manner of merchandise from Agrabah, and that their captain was not intending to reload and sail for at least a week.
Emma wasn't sure how she felt about facing him again, so she was slightly relieved he wasn't there in person.
"So, are you going to tell me what happened in the diner? Why were you shouting at David? He seemed fairly calm to me. And what was it you said about them looking after the children next weekend?"
"It's not important. It's just…he said something about us not including mum in the wedding. That I only call her when I want something. I guess I got angry."
"Enough for the wolf to snap your head off? Seems a bit extreme…"
"It's the way he said it! Like I was being selfish and not involving her. I guess I snapped, and called something he said 'bullshit'. He didn't answer, he just shrugged off…"
"Well, they'll no doubt come running back with an olive branch, when they're ready. I wouldn't worry about it."
~oOo~
It was an hour later when Emma received the text:
Mum: Your father's taking me away. We leave on Thursday for a couple of weeks.
That was unusually abrupt for her! Emma guessed her dad had already spoken to her. There were no emoticons, no kisses, no symbols, no loving words. So, she assumed her mother was just being petty, so she replied accordingly:
Emma: That's short notice. Where you going? What brought this on?
It took a few minutes for the reply to come; which also took her by surprise:
Mum: New York. He felt I needed it. I can put up with your shit most of the time. Regina's spitefulness, too. You may cut me out of your life, but I won't have your father's sacrifice insulted! You WILL apologise to him!
It was so unlike Snow, that it hurt Emma more than she would admit. "Wow," was all she could manage. Emma had fallen out with her parents several times over the last ten years, but usually she was the one getting angry. It had never come from her mother.
'What the hell did you say to David that brought that on?" Regina looked over her shoulder, reading the text.
"I said nothing! He just said I was shutting mum out of the wedding; and stuff like that."
"Well, thank goodness you did! She can be a pain in the neck. She'd have taken over the whole day if we'd let her get involved. But that can't be all of it, surely? What was that about an insult? What did you actually say to him?"
Emma was now feeling uncomfortable. "I don't want to talk about it right now. Perhaps later." As she brushed her off, she remembered Ruby's words:
"Have you ever seen David's chest, Emma? I have! There's still a bloody great scar close to his heart, from when he got speared through by one of her guards!"
"We thought we'd lost him..."
"If David hadn't done that, you would definitely be dead…No Emma Swan…No Henry!"
Then she thought about Snow. Her father's words about cutting her out. He'd never raised his voice once, which had made her even more uncomfortable. Was she being fair? Was she just using them whenever she needed something? Her mind ran through recent events. Her wedding to Regina almost two years ago. Remembering the look on her mother's face when she told her they'd already married in New York, without warning. When a few months ago, she told her they were going to be marrying Robin. She'd never once asked her for help, for advice. Just…looking after their children. Now, she realised that her father may have had a point.
"Emma, just leave them be. Your father's said something stupid and he's probably overprotecting her, as usual. Let them stew for a week or so, and they'll be back, apologising and desperate to have the children. So let's just get on and plan the wedding!"
Emma nodded without saying a word. Sensing, uncomfortably, that something might have permanently shifted in her relationship with her parents.
~oOo~