Emma goes back to work in the Sheriff's Department, little Neal has a falling out with his mother and Regina gets a surprise visitor.

Mifflin Street

The following morning, the Locksley's gathered for breakfast. Henry had stayed over for the first night since his father had returned from the underworld. As Robin stood by the cooker, making ever more pancakes, Regina sat at the head of the now extended table, Emma to her right, sipping steaming hot black coffee as she looked with pride over her entire family. The pair smiled contentedly at the domestic scene. Hope and Faith sat in their highchairs, with plastic beakers and plates, happily chewing pancakes along with everyone else.

"Look at them all, Regina?" said a still sleepy Emma. "It's hard to believe there's six of them now. Nine including us! We did this. I've spent most of my life alone, so I never imagined in a million years I'd have all this."

"Me neither. Are you ready to don the Sheriff badge again tomorrow?"

"Sort of. Though strictly speaking, I don't take it until Hank steps down, after we get back from the honeymoon. He's going to go over all the rotas and changes tomorrow. Apparently, we've got a couple of new starters, but he's still short of decent night shift cover. I might even ask dad to help. We're going to go see Mayor Phil together and see if we can get more budget. I'm still a little unsure about going full-time though. I kinda got used to this…" she looked at the toddlers. "Not sure I can leave them that long."

"I know what you mean. I'm still deciding whether I want to take on managing the stables and riding school, like your father wants, or getting started on the paramedic course."

"Phil's looking for a Deputy Mayor. You'd be a shoe-in for the top job when he stands down. You know it all, anyway."

"No. I definitely don't want that again. I was mayor a long time, without even having an election. I remember that meeting when Spencer was forced out. After he took over, Philip won the first honest election by a landslide, and I think he's done a remarkable job, considering his background. I know he wants to stand down, but I don't think he should. As for me, I remember what Merlin said. About atoning for my past? I think I want to get on with that, instead."

"Well I think you'd make a brilliant paramedic!" said Robin, appearing beside them with another plate of freshly made pancakes. "You've got very warm hands, after all!" He followed it with a loud peck on her lips, earning a groan from the boys and a smirk from Emma.

"Robin, how about you standing for Mayor next time around?" asked Regina. "You seem to have no enemies, after all."

"ME, a politician?" he laughed. "You've got to be kidding? No, I've got a village of my own to run."

"Hardly. the guys seem to do it for you, they-" Emma stopped, hearing the loud pounding drumbeat of a motorcycle pulling up outside the front. "What on earth…?"

"That's August's motorbike!" said Honour, excitedly jumping off her chair to look out the front window.

"At this hour? Honour, come back to the table! Why would he be coming here so early, making that racket? I-" But Emma had already stood, heading for the front door, opening it to go out and blast him for disturbing their peaceful breakfast. When she got closer, August had already stopped and hitched the bike up, and was now helping his passenger off from behind him. As she drew nearer she called, "Oi, Booth! Turn off that bloody engine off! It's way too early-" She stopped the moment she saw who the passenger, now taking his helmet off, was. Robin's grandfather?

"Christian? What on earth are you doing here? And on that thing!"

"Hello, Emma my dear!" Said the elderly, but sprightly, man, chuckling. August helped him collect a sizeable bag from the back pannier. "My, I enjoyed that! It's been a while. Thank you, young August, that was tremendous fun!" August finally leaned across and killed the engine, smiling back at the women.

"Grandpa, not that it isn't lovely to see you, but what on earth are you doing here so early?" Robin chuckled, as the family came out to join Emma. He wrapped his paternal grandfather in a hug.

"And good morning to you all, young Locksleys! How wonderful it is to see you all together. Sorry to arrive so early and unannounced, but Maria and your cousin are arriving here in a couple of minutes in the truck. They're taking me on a sightseeing trip to Boston and New York for a couple of days, but I wanted to drop off a few things here first. Just a few presents. Young August here arrived at the inn yesterday, and I've been itching to go on his new motorbike since he arrived. You know, when I first lived in England, I used to ride one myself? But sadly, the old arthritis no longer allows it. Plus, the fact they won't let me on the road anymore."

"I'm not surprised!" August laughed. "This guy kept asking me to 'open her up'! Your grandpa's a speed freak, Robin!"

Regina stepped in front of him, kissing the elderly man on the cheek. "Well it's lovely to see you, Christian. I'm sorry we left after the reception. We never really had a chance to catch up, what with everything else going on, did we? What have you been up to these last few days? Have you even had breakfast yet?"

"Breakfast sounds lovely, my dear. My granddaughter's been showing me around since you've been gone. I got to meet all the Merry Men too. As I said, Maria's bringing over some presents I brought over for the children. And you newly-weds of course! And I haven't had a proper chance to meet little Hope and Faith yet. They were asleep most of-"

"BUMPA!" yelled Roland, seeing his great-grandfather standing outside with his family. The almost thirteen-year-old ran over, the older man embracing him. "Hello, young Ro! I was in the bar and was going to come over and talk to you yesterday, but you seemed rather occupied with a certain young lady? I didn't want to interrupt…" he winked at the boy.

Roland cringed, knowing his mothers and father would start asking all sorts of awkward questions. Oh god, what did he see? Well, best do what dad does…deflect. "Hi, August, you're here too! Can I have a ride on the back of your motorbike?"

"NO!" said Robin, Emma and Regina, as one. Just as he intended.

August grinned, giving him a wry look, suspecting what he was up to. "Sorry, fella. Your parents have spoken! Maybe when you're a little older? You know, Henry's dad Neal is going to New York this week to buy himself a motor trike? That's a bit safer than this one. Maybe your folks will let you ride on that."

"Neal's buying a trike?" Emma gasped. "Like…why? Midlife crisis? I thought Henry said he was going somewhere else?"

"He is, ma," said their eldest son, looking slightly guilty. "I never had a chance to tell you since you got back. Dad's going off with Killian to DunBroch in a week's time. He's on a mission for Zeus. Though meanwhile he's going to be looking for some clothes and wheels. I thought I might go with him, as I've got to go back to university anyway."

"You're leaving again?" whined Regina. "Henry, we've hardly seen you anything of you and most of the time you've been staying at Gold's! I know your father's only been back a few days but are we so horrible you can't stay?"

He looked down at her, with a sigh and a resigned smile. "Mum, don't be daft. There's nothing horrible about any of you. Dad's only been back for a few days and he's disappearing again. Don't forget he didn't even know I existed until I was ten, then I lost him! Come on, be fair…"

But she wasn't in the mood to be fair. She gave an affronted shrug. "I suppose this is all his idea? Is this how it's going to be from now on? What's next – not finishing your education so you can spend more time with him?"

Henry rolled his eyes. "Actually, he said he wants me to stick with Harvard and complete the degree. He also said he wants to come over here and meet you. And Robin. If it's not too awkward?"

"Me? Why on earth would he want to talk to me?" She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"He probably wants to clear the air regarding Henry, love. It's been a while since I saw him back in Rumple's castle, but Neal's a good man, and he is Henry's father. I think we should invite him over." The pair looked at Emma for her thoughts.

Emma signed. "Erm, yeah fine, I guess. We kind of cleared the air before the wedding. He's over me, and I'm over him, but, I'd rather not be here for it. Silly I know, it's just…"

"Just that you still have some residual feelings for him?" Robin gave her a sympathetic look. "It's understandable, Emma. I could just imagine if Marian appeared again. Or Regina's Daniel. You loved each other once, after all, so I do understand." He put a warm hand on her shoulder. "Gina and I'll talk to him, okay?"

~oOo~

As Christian Locksley breakfasted with his grandson's family, Maria and Caroline turned up, bringing various gifts he'd brought over from England. Regina had immediately spotted the engagement ring on her finger, and Maria had blushed, admitting that Charlie Sage had proposed only the night before. The adults all rose to hug, kiss and congratulate her. Although Merlin's son had academies in London, Paris, New York and Rio de Janeiro, they had decided to buy a home in Long Island, close to his father's US home and, much to Robin's relief, was a realistic drive away from Storybrooke.

Their cousin Caroline also had news. Apparently, her fiancé Victor had recently passed his senior medical examinations and was now registered in the system as a fully qualified neurologist. With Merlin's help he was already assigned to two hospitals close to New York. However, as Caroline didn't want to leave Sherwood, they agreed to add it, and Storybrooke, to his medical bases. They also decided to come back to Sherwood for their wedding and invitations would be sent out shortly.

"That's wonderful news, Carrie," said Regina, taking the woman's hand. "And I have to say, I'm relieved. You've become a very dear friend. I'd hate to lose you."

"I feel the same about you too, Regina." She squeezed the brunette's hand in response. "Added to which, now Maria's going to be a Sage, we Locksleys need to stick together."

Aw, don't say that!" Said her cousin, "I may be getting married, but I'll always be a Locksley!"

The Gold Mansion

Ariel woke up early to the dawn light, comfortably ensconced by two warm bodies, front and back, happy, even though she now felt pins and needles in her left arm, as it lay frozen under Belle's neck. She didn't want to wake her, instead enjoying the delicious feel of her naked girlfriend's backside curled into her equally naked lap. Her right arm lay over the librarian's midriff, her hand curling gently under her left breast. Ariel was herself curled into Rumple's lap, his arm reaching out over the two of them as they lay snoozing. She shuddered, feeling his semi-hard cock resting between her buttocks. Last night had been the first time the three of them had made love together since returning from Europe, and it had been a welcome release for all.

For the first five nights back in Storybrooke, Neal had slept in his father's house, Persephone surprising them all by deciding to stay and share his bed prior to his, and her, departure. However, as he'd planned to be up early to work through the logistics for his DunBroch trip with Jones, yesterday he'd decided to spend the night on the Jolly Roger. Henry had also decided to spend the night at his mothers' house, and so, for the first time since their return from London, Rumple, Belle and Ariel had the house to themselves, now Gideon was asleep.

"I was surprised your parents consented to the deal?" said Belle to her girlfriend, as Rumple walked back into the lounge with a tray of hot chocolate drinks. "After the way your father reacted, I was certain they'd refuse!"

"Me too, especially when he grabbed Angus's throat like that. I thought he was going to kill him!"

"That's why Persephone stepped in," added Rumple. "They knew what would happen if I died. I may not be the Dark One anymore, but the contract with Athena was already tied into a curse. Not honouring it, or allowing her own husband to try to assist in reneging on it, would have caused its reversal. All those souls originally saved, would have been reverted back to their original state, forever. Including your father. Forever."

"I knew a little bit about it, but I'd always thought my mother had saved them all with an enchanted staff?"

"But WHO provided Athena with the staff? The Dark One…"

Ariel gulped. "So, without the original curse, I'd have no father, no sisters, no grandparents and no…me?"

"Aye. Your family was already cursed into that state by the Sea Witch. The deal that produced the spell, that provided the staff, merely reversed it."

"So, in a way, you saved my life, Angus. And his, before I even knew you? Without you, I wouldn't even be here."

"A rare, but happy by-product of dark magic." He smiled warmly back at her. "How are you feeling? Tired?"

A mischievous smirk appeared on the mermaid's lips. "No, not at all. I've taken it easy all day and now I just want to do something. We've got the house to ourselves, right?"

"Uh huh," the librarian responded. "What are you thinking?"

"Well…I never got to see you wear that racy little red number you bought in Florence. I did a little shopping in Venice, too, remember?" she flickered her eyelashes at her girl. "What say we give each other, and Angus, a little fashion show?"

Rumple recognised the look the two women exchanged. Sitting in his armchair, nursing a scotch, his mind went back to that first time back in Rome, when all three of them had accepted their new 'relationship'. When the mermaid looked at her in a certain way, he could almost see Belle melt. It was a look of lust, but also intense love. A look reciprocated by the redhead. At that moment he could almost be invisible to them, and he didn't care one bit. Just being in the presence of these extraordinary women was…well, extraordinary.

"Rumple, we're going upstairs. Could you give us ten minutes?"

"The way you're looking at each other, dearie, perhaps you need an hour…or two?"

"No, Angus." Rebuked Ariel, now sending him a look that hardened him instantly. "Ten minutes. No more."

~oOo~

And now, ten minutes later, he knocked on the bedroom door politely before entering. Neither woman was in the room, though he heard noises from the adjoining bathroom. Rumple walked around the bed, sitting himself on the small sofa, and as the door opened, he gasped as Belle walked into the room. Not so much walked, as glided. She appeared to be wearing a short, but clearly pricey, blood-red baby doll night gown, the length of which barely covered the matching thong. The almost, but not quite see-through, silk seemed to pour over her natural curves, accentuating wonderful hips. "Well?" she asked, now feeling a little insecure in the skimpy fabric. "What do you think?"

"I think I need a cushion, Belle. And not for my back…" he said smiling, crossing his right leg over his left, trying not to make his prominent bulge even more prominent. "You look rather…enchanting."

"Well, I was hoping for the word 'sexy', but 'enchanting' will have to do, I suppose!" she smirked.

"It's not a word I choose to use, because you have always looked, 'sexy'. Irresistible? Stunning? Captivating? Bewitching? None seem to do you justice."

She sniggered, about to comment when the door to the landing opened, Ariel walking in, having changed in the spare bedroom. She wore a pure ivory white satin chemise, which flowed over her body like liquid paint. Lace trim around the cups and waist exposed her upper body to perfection as she nervously walked around the large bed to her girlfriend. Rumple's mouth watered as Belle looked her up and down, her eyes widening before whispering. "Hell - now that's what I call 'sexy'!"

"Is it OK? Not too…slutty?" asked the nervous mermaid, before looking over the other woman. "Belle, you look wonderful." The pair gazed into each other's eyes, a heat rapidly building between them. The brunette took her girlfriend's right hand in her left, before they turned to face the man in the chair, who'd been studying them intensely. "What do you think?"

"Words utterly fail me," he croaked, his mouth drying by the second, unsure whether to move. "I feel I'm not worthy to witness such beauty. Like I'm some sort of perverted voyeur."

Ariel sniggered. "Well we can't have that now, can we? Best you get over here then, Angus!"

"No," a playful, teasing look came over the older woman when she saw his lustful gaze. "Best he stays over there a while. And rest. He can always…watch."

That produced a sly grin from the former Dark One. "As you wish…" He knew the game she was playing, and, judging by the feeling in his trousers, knew it was also going to be painful to watch. His breathing increased, as the stunning pair to turn to face each other, Belle's arms wrapping around the redhead's waist, pulling her closer. Ariel's hands moved to the sides of her head, running fingers through dark locks before pulling her down into a slow, heated kiss. Rumple could only gaze in wonder.

As lips separated, Ariel pulled herself in tighter, enjoying the warmth of her girlfriend's body clamped to her own, separated only by the thin fabric. "Lovely," she whispered, turning her head to again take Belle lips in her own, the kiss eagerly returned. "Do you remember the first time he walked in on us?"

"How could I forget?" she whispered, turning her lover's back towards the bed. Ariel eased herself onto it, lying down. Moments later, Belle was upon her, nudging knees apart with her own, before positioning and lowering herself full length onto her. Rumple watched with bated breath, desperately trying to avoid touching himself as he watched them whispering, kissing and stroking. As Belle rolled off to her side, hands went lower, and their groaning increased. After a good few minutes, it became clear to Rumple that in their heated exchange, he had been quite forgotten. Invisible. He wasn't hurt, just resigned and, deciding that the beautiful image in front of him wasn't worth the discomfort he was npw feeling, stood to leave. Stepping silently towards the door, he'd almost opened it before he heard the mermaid's voice.

"And where do you think you're going?"

"Well…you both seem rather…occupied. I thought best to just leave you to it."

"Angus, shut up and get over here!" she breathed, lustily, spotting and pointing at the now prominent bulge. "And for heaven's sake, get those clothes off! This beauty over here is definitely going to need that beast down there!"

The next two hours had been a sensuous frenzy, as all three lovers sated themselves on each other to the point of exhaustion. And now, in the morning light, laying tightly snuggled between her two lovers, Ariel felt Rumple start to wake, stretching behind her. She moaned gently. "Do you know, I just love waking up to the smell of you two? Were you really going to just walk out on us last night?"

"What?" he groaned as his mind slowly woke. "Oh, that. Well…you did both seem very invested in each other. I just didn't want to disturb. She is rather irresistible, after all. Plus, watching you was becoming quite painful."

She rolled over, facing him. Even after a night's lovemaking, feeling her naked body rolling against him made his body react. "I'm sorry. You only had to say, Angus. We were just teasing, you know?" she giggled, placing a chaste kiss on his lips. "What say I make it up to you?" her lips left his, moving to his cheek before bending to kiss his chest, working slowly lower under the sheets, peppering his belly with kisses, and quite obvious where she was heading.

"Well…I can be quite forgiving. Given the right…ooh that's nice...incentive!"

The following morning – Mifflin Street

It had been an early start for all of them. Robin had risen early to take Roland and the girls to Sherwood for a school-organised bushcraft course. Henry had disappeared to the docks early to meet his father, and now, as the toddlers played with toys on the living room rug, Emma gave herself a final check over in the mirror, before leaving for work. "It's funny, seeing you back in that red jacket and the cream sweater," said Regina, appearing beside her and stroking the blonde's hair from her shoulders. "Reminds me of the first time we met. When you brought Henry back."

"Yeah," she said, brushing a stray lock back behind Regina's ear, before turning and placing her hands on the brunette's hips. "Come a long way, haven't we?"

"We certainly have," she said, leaning in and placing a brief peck on her lips. "A very long way. I'll pour the coffees." The pair stepped into the kitchen. Making the drinks and handing one to Emma, Regina looked at the wall calendar. "So…you're going to be finished at the station around five . I'll be trying out Ella's nursery with these two and Robin will be bringing the children back after school. I suggest we-"

"She was interrupted by a sudden burst of pure white magical mist that spiralled in the kitchen. "SHIT!" yelled Emma, stepping back in shock and splashing scalding hot coffee all over her sweater. "WHAT THE FUCK?" The mist thinned and disappeared, leaving the equally shocked figure of Neal, Emma's brother, in front of them.

"NEAL! YOU FUCKING IDIOT!" his sister screamed. "You just burnt me! What the hell were you thinking?"

The nine-year old looked up, already visibly distressed, with tears in his eyes. "I'm…I'm sorry! I never meant it! I just…" before either woman had a chance to react, he disapparated again.

"The bloody moron!" growled Emma as he left, furious and looking down at her ruined sweater. "How did he learn to apparate? We never taught him that yet!"

"Emma, calm," her wife urged. "He seemed as shocked as you were and I also think he's already been crying! I think his emotions may have made him lose control. We need to find out what's happened..." Regina loved her little brother-in-law dearly and seeing him distressed was upsetting.

Seeing her wife's reaction made her feel guilty for overreacting. "Um…yeah, all right. I'll go change again. Give me a minute and I'll call mum and dad to try to find out what they know." However, it took a matter of seconds before Emma's cell phone rang; her father's image showing.

"Hi dad! I was just about to call you."

"Emma, have you seen Neal? He just disappeared!" he sounded worried.

"Yeah. He was here just a minute ago! He used magic. Poofed in, then poofed straight out again, after I…well, it's not important. Dad, what's going on?" she flicked the speakerphone button on so Regina could hear.

"He had a bust up with your mum. They argued, then she screamed something at him. Something which I think he took the wrong way." Charming sounded almost tearful. "She didn't mean it, but I think it really hurt him!"

Emma winced, imagining what she'd said. "Did he take his phone, dad? You remember the tracker we put on it?"

"I already tried. I think he's taken it off!" Crafty little bugger! Just like Henry, she thought.

"David," Regina interrupted, "Emma needs to go to work. I'll go looking for him! I can get Tinker Bell over here to mind the girls. I'm not involved, and whatever was said, I think Neal trusts me…"

They heard the loud sigh at the other end of the line. David knew that his son and Regina were close. "I guess you're right. OK, thank you, Regina. Just…when you find him, tell him…tell him his mother is truly sorry for what she said, and she really does love him!"

The women looked at each other anxiously, wondering what had happened to cause such a reaction. As the call ended, Emma looked guiltily at her wife. "And tell him his sister loves him, too! And that I'm really sorry I yelled at him and called him an idiot…"

Back on the Nolan's farm, David turned off the phone, looking down at his distraught wife, who sat, hunched up and sobbing on the sofa, her knees tucked under her.

"Regina's going to go looking for him. It'll be okay, Snow. He's just a bit upset, but he'll get over it."

Snow twitched at the news, but barely moved, disgusted with herself. "How could I have said that, David? To my own son! I called him a…a…I can't even bear to say it! I'm a horrible mother."

"No, you're not! Snow, you were just upset, and shocked and…perhaps a bit hormonal? Hardly surprising, under the circumstances. He'll come around."

"I CALLED HIM A FREAK, DAVID!" she wailed. "How could any mother do that?"

David sat down next to his true love, wrapping his arm around her back, pulling her close. "To be fair, you've used that word to cover all people with magic. He frightened you, and you were emotional. Once you apologise, I'm sure he'll understand. Just let him spend a little bit of time with the girls? Though it might be a good idea to tell him about your condition?"

Snow nodded, though continued sobbing into her knees.

Mifflin Street

While waiting for Tinker Belle to come over, Regina started ringing around the town, trying to track down Emma's brother, before she used magic to get to him. She checked with the school, with Ruby at the diner, with Archie and even with Sheriff Hank Morgan before Emma arrived for her shift.

But after an hour's calls, nobody had seen sight nor sound of Neal Nolan.

When Tink arrived, she told her what had happened, and she immediately started using her own fairy telepathy powers to tell the other fairies to look out for the boy. "He can't have gone too far, Regina. As he has magic now, I'm sure we'll be able to pick up his trace and go to him."

Another hour passed and still no news of Emma's brother. As she looked at a map of the town, considering where to start her own physical search, a large rapping noise was heard from the front door. Walking over and opening it, she immediately gave a loud sigh of relief when she saw the missing boy, standing beside somebody and looking guilty.

"Neal! Where on earth have you been? We've been worried sick!" It was only then she looked up to see who had accompanied him back.

"You! What on earth are you doing with my…with Neal?" She asked the boy's namesake, who merely smirked.

"And hello to you too, Mrs. Swan-Mills! Or should that be Locksley-Swan-Mills?"

"Just 'Locksley', thank you!" she huffed. "Henry said you wanted to speak to Robin and myself? Though I hardly expected you to just arrive unannounced!"

"Nor me. However, I was standing on the deck of the Jolly, and found this young man sitting on his own on the pier. We got talking, and he seemed more than a bit glum. So, we gave him some breakfast, and had a nice chat before he was ready to come back. He asked to come here, rather than his parent's place."

"Oh, Neal..." She looked at the boy, with a mix of sadness, pity and concern, then realised what she said. "I'm talking about my godson, not you! Well, whatever's happened, he has a big sister, mother and father who are all worried for his whereabouts. And I'm sure his mother and sister want to apologise to him. Now, if you dont mind, I-"

"She called me a freak!" The boy suddenly yelled, still holding onto his namesake. "She said I wasn't right in the head!"

"Your mother said that?" Regina could hardly believe her ears. Snow would actually say that?

"She said magic was bad! That it killed her mum and dad, and that it ruins everything!"

Neal Senior chipped in. "You know, I used to think that. But I then realised that it's only when people do stupid or evil things with it, that it's bad."

Young Neal looked up at him. "But it killed you, didn't it? I heard about that. You died saving Storybrooke, and that's why mum and dad named me after you? But it was magic that killed you! Magic, like mine!"

He couldn't argue with the kid's logic, though he was about to, when Regina intervened. "No, Neal. I learned from Henry a long time ago that magic just gives people like you and me the power to do bad things. But you don't have to do them. Look at your sister. She's not bad, is she?"

"She called me an idiot. A moron…"

"Because you scared her! And she scalded herself with coffee as a result. She shouldn't have said it, but she just spoke out of anger. There's no harm done. Now, come on inside and I'll let people know you're safe?" She saw how he still clung tightly to Gold's son. "Er...Mr. Cassidy, would you like to come in for a coffee?"

"Sure, thanks. But just call me Neal?" Then looking down at the boy named after him, "On second thoughts, just call me Baelfire, or Bae?"

~oOo~

After making a hot chocolate for Neal, and a black coffee for Henry's father, Regina sent a quick text to Emma and Robin, letting them know the boy was safe, now with her, and asking Emma to tell her parents and everyone else to stand down the alarm. She didn't mention the older man's involvement.

"Nice place you have her, Mrs. Locksley," said Baelfire, admiring the grand staircase and room.

"Call me Regina," she looked at the young Nolan, who was now asleep on the sofa. "Considering my…our son, is spending so much time with you. What was it you were wanting to talk to me about?"

"It was nothing important. But…after getting some sort of life back with Henry again, I guess I was wanting to, erm, start by thanking you."

"Thanking me? For what?"

"For raising him so well, when I didn't even know he existed! For looking after him, loving him, protecting him. He's a wonderful guy and I'm painfully aware I've only been in his life for two months out of the last twenty-two years. I know Emma's also been here a while, but he only had you for so many of those precious years. You did a brilliant job, so I just wanted to thank you for it. And assure you I've no intention of trying to keep him away from his mothers. I'm going to be travelling at the end of the week, though I'm going to be coming back to get to know him properly. So, I think it's important that you and I, and Emma, find a way to get on? He may be a young man now, but he still needs his mothers, even if he pretends otherwise!"

Regina smiled, with a hint of sadness in her eyes. "He's a lot more independent than you think! He's changed. Challenging us all the time. Arguing…"

"Sounds a bit like his other mother," he chuckled, "She was always a bit stroppy!"

"Can't argue with that!" she agreed. "Plus, he's inherited some of my temper. That doesn't help."

"Well either way, the pair of you have done a brilliant job turning him into the astonishing man he is today. So again, I wanted to thank you. He speaks so highly of you. Both of you. He still loves you very much, even if he doesn't tell you enough."

Regina knew he was being sincere, warming towards him. He was still a handsome man, and she couldn't help but study his face, for signs of anything misleading. There was nothing. But she could see what Emma had seen in him all those years ago. Plus a definite look of Henry in the eyes. "He speaks highly of you too. He's been rather critical in the past, when Emma forgot the date of your death. He was rather nasty at times."

"Yeah, he told me. Said he was horrible, and you didn't deserve it. He still loves you both…very much."

She smiled back at him for the first time. "Would you like to see some pictures of him…growing up?

"I'd love that. If you have the time?"

~oOo~

It was gone five in the afternoon when Emma got home from duty.

Opening the door, taking her boots and jacket off and walking through the house, she was more than surprised to see the sight before her. Regina was sat on the floor, surrounded by open boxes of photographs, some distributed over the floor. Her young brother-in-law was sat between her knees, holding two photos. "And this is when Henry was two. I had to potty train him early, because he used to keep racing off without a diaper, or before I had a chance to clean him properly!"

Younger Neal chuckled at the chubby bare bottom of his now grown up nephew. He handed it to a previously unnoticed older man, sitting close by. Emma jolted in surprise.

"Neal? What are you doing here?"

"Hi Em. Regina's pulled out her family albums. She's been showing me some pictures of Henry. I so gotta get copies of some of these. They're brilliant!" Neal held a photo of his son, smeared in baby food, in his highchair. "And this one too, please? Or I can take them and get them copied by Frank."

"That's okay," said Regina. "Just leave the ones you want copies of in that separate pile. I'll organise it for when you get back."

Seeing her former lover talking warmly with her wife, made Emma feel decidedly uncomfortable. "How long have you been here?"

"He arrived a few hours ago, my love," said Regina, on his behalf. "He dropped Neal around here this afternoon. We've had a little chat and he's been helping me find some old photographs and pictures of Henry for his father. We've had a nice time, haven't we?" She rested a hand on the boy's shoulder, kissing the top of his head.

It was then Emma realised that her brother was studiously ignoring her, as he passed photos up to his namesake. "

Hi, baby bro! You feeling better?" But he didn't even look up, just continued to shun her, as he passed another photo across to Baelfire. "He's nude again in this one, too!"

The blonde shared a resigned look with her wife. "Neal…look, I'm sorry!" but he still ignored her. So, she dropped to her knees, directly in front of him. "Neal! Please talk to me? I'm really sorry I lashed out at you!" The boy refused to look at her, though he did stop what he was doing and stared at the carpet.

"You called me an idiot," his young voice contained a hint of anger. "And a moron!"

The blonde winced at the reminder. "And that makes me an idiot and a moron for doing so! I was angry because when you appeared like that, I was so shocked, that I spilt hot coffee on to my new top. I over-reacted and I shouldn't have done! You're no idiot, little brother and I love you. Please?" She opened her arms, an open invitation for a hug. The boy finally looked up at her, and she could see the red, watery eyes. "Can you forgive your stupid, big sister, who should know better?"

After a moment's hesitation, Neal knelt up to face her. "I guess," and stepped into her arms, to the relief of both women and a smile from the man. Though as he sobbed quietly onto her chest, he said, "Mum says I'm a freak. And not right in the head!"

That made Emma wince, knowing how much that comment must have hurt. And seeing the look on Regina's face, she knew she was thinking the same thing! "She…she really said that? Neal, I can't believe she meant it. Mum must have just been very upset about something. What happened?" she continued to hug him.

"I magicked Fluffy into the house, at the bottom of the stairs, just before she came down. Mum tripped and fell over him and suddenly got angry. Not like normal angry, but really, really angry! She said she hated magic in the house. That it was evil, and made me do stupid stuff, just to show off. I shouted back and said she should have looked where she was going, but that just made her even more mad! That's when she called me a freak. I'm not a freak, am I Auntie Gina?"

"No, of course you're not, my love. You're an intelligent young man, learning how to use his new powers. Your sister and I didn't even know we had magic when we were eight, so I can't imagine what it's like for you!"

"Yeah, bro," Emma added, "You teleported this morning like a pro! I couldn't have done that. I'm sure mum didn't mean it. She probably just lashed out, like I did."

"But I keep making her mad because of my magic. I can't always control it, though. She said magic's bad!"

Baelfire had listened, "You know Neal, all my life I always thought magic was evil! My dad used to be the Dark One, after all! But before he sent me back here, Zeus gave me some magical powers of my own, which I'm only just learning how to use now. So, you are way ahead of me, kid. But Merlin's got a funny way of teaching me how to use and control them. Sort of by touching my head so a lot goes in. Perhaps you should come and talk to him before we go away this weekend? He might be able to help…"

The boy smiled up at him. "I'd like that." Regina noticed there seemed a natural affinity between them.

Emma heard the familiar blip that indicated a new text message had arrived. Pulling out her phone, she saw there were at least ten of them, mostly from her father but two pleading ones from her mother. "Come on, Neal, mum and dad want you home! I'm coming with you, as I need to have a word with them too…"

Neal groaned, "I don't really want to go back just yet. Can't I stay the night here?"

"Sorry, no can do. Dad's orders. Besides, you also have school in the morning. So come on…"

The boy stood slowly, shoulders hunched resigned to the inevitable chewing out by his mother. "Okay. Thanks Aunt Gina! And thank you too Neal, for lunch and everything? You were great. I'm really glad for Henry that you're back. He's lucky…" The boy stepped in for a quick man-hug.

"No problem, bud. I'd better get going myself. I'll see you around, yeah?"

Emma watched him hug her brother, before surprisingly, he gave Regina a hug too, and a peck on the cheek. "And thank you too, Regina. I enjoyed this afternoon. Have a good honeymoon."

"Thank you Bae, you're very welcome. Good luck in DunBroch."

The Nolan Farm

It was a matter of moments before the siblings, Emma holding Neal's hand, apparated just far enough away from the farmhouse to avoid causing a disturbance.

"You did it!" said his delighted sister. "You see? Just picture where you're going to poof, as though it was in the short distance, not right in front of you. That way, there's no nasty surprises. Was that the first time you teleported somebody, else apart from yourself?"

"Yeah. I've done it with Flossy, and some of the sheep, but this was a first. Thanks, sis."

The front door of the farmhouse opened, as though he'd been expected. "Hi guys." David appeared, stepping outside to greet them. "Neal, come here?" He wrapped his long arms around the boy's shoulders pulling him in, before snaking out a left arm to drag Emma into the hug too. "I've been worried about you…"

The next hour proved to be very emotional, for all the family. Judging from her haunted face, it was clear to Emma that her mother had spent a fair bit of the time crying. Even now she seemed far more emotional than usual. She'd started off hugging her son tightly, apologising again and again and again for her outburst earlier. She swore to her children that she no longer thought magic was bad and repeatedly told Neal that, far from being a moron, he was highly intelligent, and she was so very proud of him, and Emma, for what they were. When the 'freak' word was mentioned, she again dissolved into tears, begging for forgiveness and repeating her early assurances that nothing could be further from the truth.

Neal had sat silently throughout, though had accepted the hugs.

David had stayed out of the room, feeling this had to be Snow's moment. It was only when, now having penned the sheep for the night, he came back in to join his family, that Emma spotted an odd look between her parents. Her father clearly wanting his wife to say something. Emma sat beside her brother on the sofa, their mother opposite.

"Mum? Dad? What's wrong? My superpower's on overdrive, and I'm sensing there's something you're not telling us. What's going on?"

Snow sighed, looking up at her true love, who dropped down beside her to take her hand. "Er…yes, Emma. I suppose there is something. I wasn't going to tell you just yet, but perhaps under the circumstances I should. Neal, do you remember from your life science classes what being hormonal means?

"Yes. It's something to do with when our bodies change as we get older. About boys getting hair and stiffies, and girls getting boobs, periods and bleeding, and stuff."

David and his daughter winced at the rather crude, but accurate, description . "Yes, well, in a way that's all part of it. But do you remember when Nurse Foster told you about feeling very emotional when you're going through those changes? About feeling angry, or teary, or very sad?"

"Yeah. Is that why you were so angry today? Why you did all that screaming and swearing? Is it because you're on your period?" Emma smirked. Boys could be so very obtuse sometimes.

"Not quite. Yes, all those feelings are caused by chemicals in our bodies called hormones. They can make us feel very strange and react to things differently. And I am very, very hormonal and emotional right now but, no, I am not on my period at the moment." David squeezed her hand, reassuring her to continue. That's when Emma finally realised what may have exacerbated her falling out with Neal.

"I went to the hospital yesterday. I've just found out I'm pregnant."

~oOo~