Unable to sleep and worried about her pregnancy, Snow White takes an early morning walk. A friend gives her some surprising news. Emma needs to make an apology for a blunder last night...
Storybrooke Park - the following morning.
Ruby had had a restless night. She'd woken shortly after four, to a tired cry from her son. Nathaniel had been sharing the nursery with his half-brother and, anxious not to have him wake Liam, she'd rushed in to comfort him, though the increasing volume made her decide to whisk the toddler downstairs before he woke everyone else. Even at eighteen months, the boy enjoyed a warm bottle of milk, one of the few things to settle him.
Dorothy and Rosalind had only come home from their night out a few hours earlier, after she'd fallen asleep. Her true love now lay asleep in bed, snoring like a trooper, and she assumed Rosie was similarly unconscious in the guest bedroom. It was rare for Dorothy to go out of an evening without her, and Ruby had pushed her to do so. The relationship between the two married couples had changed dramatically only six weeks ago, partly spurred on by Ruby's driving wish to give birth to a child herself, and Rosie's willingness for them to father it by Nat's father. It was an unusual arrangement between all of them, but the first night the two couples shared a bed ,had been astonishing. There was something building between the four of them, and nobody wanted to put a label on it.
After an hour of trying to settle him, Nathaniel was still being fractious. So, after various attempts to lull him back to sleep, she decided to take him, as quietly as she could, out in the buggy. Ruby always loved early runs in the woods and forest and, were she alone, she could quite easily morph into her wolf form and race through the woods and into forest. However, tied to this little one, she dressed him quickly and took him to the park. Nathaniel loved being outdoors. Being one third wolf himself, he was happiest in the cold and fresh air so, realizing his mother was dressing him to go outside, he calmed in expectation.
And so, it was barely twenty minutes later that, just after six in the morning, she trundled the now snoozing boy through the main park, and along the path surrounding the lake. Various smells assailed her super-strong senses, with the lilac wafting from the recently manicured shrubs. Who'd have thought Happy would turn out to be such a fantastic gardener? Hints of tulip and recent cut grass also combined with the sea breeze, had an instantly calming effect on the pair of them. It was unusual to see any other early morning risers out in the park at this time. From time to time, Mulan could be seen taking an early morning jog, or even more seldom, Robin. Probably because they were used to rising in the dawn light as a result of sleeping in the woods under canvas.
However, the last person she expected to see was Snow White!
Her best friend, former princess and rightful Queen of the Enchanted Forest, was rarely seen this early, even more so now she lived a couple of miles away at the farm. Trundling the buggy over to the woman, now sitting silently, looking into the distance. "Snow? You're up early! Couldn't sleep?"
"Hmm?" she answered, coming out of her thoughts, lifting her head up to the distraction. "Rubes! Hi…" she muttered, less than enthusiastically.
First thing she spotted was the red rings around her eyes, and the worn, tired, expression. "Snow, what's wrong?" She immediately sat down beside her, dropping a hand onto her friend's.
"It's…it's nothing! I just couldn't sleep…" she looked down onto their now interlocked fingers.
"Nope, not good enough! Nowhere near good enough. Best friends, remember? We tell each other everything! So, tell me what's up. Is it Emma again - has she or Regina said something stupid?"
"No, no…Emma and I are fine. After that blow-up before the wedding, we're all good."
"Neal, then? I know he's been a handful recently. I can't imagine what it's like having a nine-year-old with magic? After those tricks at the wedding and the flying condoms. Was bloody funny though!"
Snow didn't smile. Just looked up at her, tears threatening again. "Oh, come on Snow! I'm your best mate!" Her friend pulled her in, kissing her forehead. "There's nothing you can't tell me. How many times have you told me that? So, come on, out with it. You know I'll nag you to death till you do!"
The princess sniffled. She'd cried too much the last few days. "It's not Neal either, though his behaviour recently hasn't helped. It's me. I said horrible things to him last week and well, you know what he's like. He sulks, like Emma. I'm not entirely sure he's forgiven me."
"Oh Snow, we all say things we don't mean!" She pulled her in tighter. "He's a good kid. I'm sure he knows you didn't mean it."
"But I did at the time! I called him a freak, Ruby! A magical freak! Emma brought him back but…I think she was hurt by it too. I was nasty, Ruby, really nasty! And I think it's because I'm pregnant."
"Pregnant? Does David know?"
"Of course. I'd never hold anything back from him. I had to tell Neal and Emma, after. I used it as a poor excuse for my stupid behaviour. I told them it's my hormones. But Rubes…that's no excuse!"
"Well it is, and it isn't. Let's face it, it'll make you emotional, won't it? How far along are you?"
"We went to the clinic two days ago and they confirmed it. I'm only about six weeks, so we don't want to say anything publicly till I'm three months gone, just to be safe. Please don't tell anyone, apart from Dorothy, just yet?"
Ruby sighed. "Of course not, babe. I'll wait till you're ready. In fact, you've confided in me, so as best mates, I'm going to confide in you. Funny enough, I also went to the clinic. Yesterday. You're not the only one who's pregnant!"
"You too? But I didn't even know you were trying. And Dorothy's happy about it? Who's the father?"
"Killian again. We asked him to father this one too, as he's already Nat's dad. Dot's delighted! You remember me telling you about our eggs being fused by Merlin? So, she's a genetic mother of this one too"
"That's wonderful Ruby. But if Killian's the father…well…he's married this time! And with his own child. What's his wife going to say? Does she even know you asked him?" Snow had now forgotten her own problems, immersing herself in her best friend's news.
"Rosie knows, but Killian doesn't yet, as he's travelling with Neal. As in Baelfire. She's staying with us, till he gets back. She's really happy about it!"
"If David had been a donor to help another woman have a baby, I can't imagine what I'd be like, once I found out she got pregnant. I certainly couldn't imagine myself letting her live with us!"
Ruby had lectured Snow on confiding in her. So perhaps this was finally the time. "Ah. Well, there's something I haven't told you yet. About us. And Killian and Rosie." This is going to be difficult!
Nearly three years ago...
The night Killian came to their room all those months ago, ostensibly to give them a sperm sample, was when it all started. Still single, they'd wanted a baby. Merlin told them how it could be arranged, and Killian agreed to be the magical donor. It all seemed straightforward enough, though the nerves were the problem. As the situation was tense, Ruby decided drinks might help the three of them prepare for what was to come. In theory, Killian would go into the bathroom, pleasure himself and produce a sample into three little containers, which they would transfer to a flask they'd been given by Merlin. They'd then take it to the clinic, where some would be injected into one of them, whichever decided to carry the child.
That was the theory! However, after a few drinks, they'd loosened up and started talking. About life, death and their histories. They'd relaxed, and soon the ridiculousness of their situation made them laugh. Ruby told him about her love life in the town, and about all the stupid rumours, regarding so many men and women, which were entirely untrue. Killian had spoken of past loves over the past two centuries, including several men (which was a big surprise but explained why he was so relaxed about two women becoming a couple). About having a reputation as a womanizer and rogue, which he felt was entirely undeserved. Then Dorothy threw in the surprise that, before meeting Ruby, she was a virgin. Killian made some light comment about being only the second virgin mother in history. They talked on so many things and Dorothy had admitted she, even now, found herself attracted to a few men as well as women; just that she'd never had the experience of being with one…intimately. "Something I'll never know now. I'm more than happy with this one!" she'd assured Ruby at the time.
"Probably no great loss, Dot," said Killian. "We men can be fairly grotesque creatures sometimes. I mean, look at me? I'm going to be romancing these little cups at some point this evening – and I haven't even bought them a drink or asked them out for dinner!" They'd chuckled and giggled. They'd even spoken about who they all fancied in the magical town. Ruby confessed she'd always found herself attracted to Belle when they became friends. And Victor Whale's crush on Ruby. Dorothy laughed, and said to her wife, in front of them, "So, you're not going to admit to someone else you'd always said you wouldn't kick out of bed? A certain pirate?"
Ruby had almost spat out her beer at that, blushing furiously.
"Well I'm flattered, Miss Gale! You know, there's quite a few people in this town, including me, who had a big crush on your good fiancée! Our Ruby here, was much talked about before she gave her heart to you. Even the then Emma Swan thought she had the best legs in the realm!"
That made Dorothy cackle. "And now they only open for me!" which made Killian roar with laughter and Ruby give her a filthy, slightly annoyed look. "Sorry babe. Couldn't resist it!"
She couldn't remember how it happened, but after another drink, Killian had said any more rum, and he wouldn't be able to 'romance my cup', adding, somewhat unenthusiastically, "Should I give it a name before I do the deed?". More giggles followed and, for some reason she'll never understand to this day, it had been a horny Ruby who suggested perhaps Killian could provide his first sample, without the cup, directly. "After all, why not? We're all adults. I know you fancy him, Dot. I do. He's single, and you could finally lose your man-cherry! And it could be fun? It's in a good cause to get one of us pregnant, after all. And besides, he's admitted he's still got a think for leggy brunettes. How about it?"
It was most definitely the drink talking, but somehow, over the next half hour, the tone of the evening changed completely. After much giggling and fooling around, the kissing began. And Killian definitely didn't disappoint, apparently much more enthusiastic about this option than 'wanking in a cup', as he called it. The light-heartedness turned into something very different. Something heated; and it wasn't long before all three found themselves in bed, entirely naked. After that, animal passions took over.
At the end of a fun hour, Killian, still only back from the Underworld a matter of days, left them to go to the bathroom, taking the weird, silver flask and cup with him. After taking longer than he would prefer, he finally managed to release himself into the container, sealing it, before heading back into their bedroom. Ruby, now in a dressing gown, was ready for him. "Here, allow me?" She took the little flask, putting it into a bigger one with weird smoke coming out of it, before putting it into the fridge.
It had been a wonderful experience for all three of them, but Killian was under no illusion as the primary reason for it. He moved to collect his jacket, Dorothy still lying in the centre of the bed. "Well, ladies, it's been a rather delightful experience for me. I hope it was enjoyable for you both and, for you Dorothy, not too traumatic? I'd best be on my way. Obviously, I can assure you of my discretion."
As he moved to leave, Dorothy called him back. "Killian? Before you go, I just want to say thank you. I know we all had fun, but I'm so grateful you're helping us. It's no small matter and we were being completely honest when we said you were welcome, should we be successful, to have you in our its life!"
"Me too, Kill!" said Ruby. "Thanks once again."
He blushed slightly. "Well I have to say, that's a first. I've never been thanked before for doing this!"
"And just for the record," added Dorothy, "I enjoyed my first threesome, enormously. I know you'll find somebody special for yourself one day. You deserve to!"
Little did Ruby know just how true that was; and how soon a woman worthy of him would enter his life. In the form of Merlin's own daughter, Rosalind.
Back to the present...
And now, two years later, in the early-morning breeze, Ruby looked down with pride on their precious sleeping bundle in the buggy. The son the three of them had created in that one single night. Nathaniel Killian Lucas. Their son who would, hopefully, be joined next year by a little brother or sister. Snow smiled down on the boy. "That mixed-DNA thing must be working. I can see more of you in him, He's got your cheeks and chin, Rubes. Even your grin when he's sleeping." Snow leaned over to pull the blanket a little higher around him. "Sorry, I interrupted you. You were saying about Killian's wife? That she approves of you using him as a donor again?"
"Erm…yeah, she does," there's no need to tell her the specifics, is there? "We all love having Liam around, being Nat's brother and all. We've also got closer to Rosie and Killian over the last couple of years. When I said I wanted another one, Rosie thought Killian's sample was the best option, even before he did! They're a wonderful couple. Though I must admit, I'm still terrified about giving birth myself. It was bad enough watching Dot go through it!"
The princess smiled, taking her hand, now having forgotten her own woes. "You and me both, Rubes! Well, it looks like we'll be going through this together? But…what was that you were saying before? It must be weird for Rosie, surely? Knowing her husband's having babies with two other women? Even if they're as gorgeous as this one!"
If only you knew just how weird! How do you explain to your best friend that you and your wife have been having a sexual relationship with another couple? "Not really. It just kind of works. Still, enough about me, we were talking about you! So, what's terrifying you about this pregnancy, more than the other ones? The ones where you had either an evil queen or a wicked witch threatening to take them? You may be in your forties in this realm, but you're still as fit as a flea. What's the problem?"
Snow sighed. "It's nothing specific, I'm just…tired, Ruby. I'm finding school a bit much these days, and Neal's just exhausting to be around. He's always up to something and I realise Emma must have been the same at that age, if I'd known her. David's been so supportive but it's not as though we have much time for each other. Emma, Regina and Robin are taking their honeymoon in a few days and we're going to be looking after the girls, so that's going to be tiring. And now, finding out we're going to have another one next year, is kinda freaking me out too!"
"Sounds like the baby blues before you have the baby? What about taking a holiday? Just the two of you?"
"There's the farm to manage. I can't see anyone looking after that for a week!"
"Have you asked? What about Robin's men? They deal with livestock. I'm sure they could help. Talk to your son-in-law. Failing that, take a long weekend. Just the two of you. You remember you told me about that cool club in New York where you spent the night? Take David there!"
Snow brightened a little, wiping a small tear from her cheek. "I guess I could do that. I'll talk to Robin."
"Good. Now then, do you want to hear a bit of gossip?" Her friend nodded. Ruby always had her wolf hearing switched on in the diner. "Aurora pregnant too! I found out when Mulan and Phil were chatting yesterday. Apparently, Merlin told her last weekend and she had no idea! They're dead pleased. And…you're never going to guess who else was in the pre-natal unit this week?"
"No idea. But please don't tell me it's Emma or Regina! Their place is way too busy these days…"
"Ariel. She and Belle were in there. Josie told me. She's about two months gone…"
"Ariel? You've got to be kidding me? She's living with them. She's-"
"In a poly relationship, just like your daughter. Just like Aurora. It would have happened when they were travelling around Europe with Henry. Adding to the marriage seems to be a fashion around here these days."
Snow sighed, before it turned into a yawn. "You know, I thought it was weird when Mulan married the Briars; then, when Emma told me they were doing the same with Robin, I thought it was just wrong. But now, seeing how happy they are together, it seems I was the wrong one. And now, after the couple of weeks I've had, I think I'd love nothing more than sharing the load with another wife. Be a blessed relief sometimes!"
"Aw, Snow," the wolf sniggered, pulling her into her shoulder for a hug. "You should have said. I would have married you two in the Enchanted Forest instead! Or perhaps you need to add another husband to the mix?"
Snow laughed, for the first time in days. "Well I'm sure that would be fun in the bedroom, but wouldn't help much with Neal and the normal stuff, would it? And my David can be quite possessive!"
"Yay, I made you smile! Come on, I'm buying you a coffee. It's getting cold out here…"
Mifflin Street – Same morning
Learning last night that Henry was safe, despite absconding on the Jolly Roger, a heavy worry that she'd been carrying all week was lifted. And Regina finally managed to get a good night's sleep.
However, she was alone. Missing the warmth and familiar smells of her loves, she groaned, reluctantly getting up when she saw the clock and realized it was past seven thirty. She was surprised Emma had already risen, knowing she wasn't on duty. Reluctantly getting up and putting on a dressing gown, she'd gone downstairs to find Robin making breakfast for the children.
"Morning, lovely. Fancy some bacon? Coffees made." He kissed her cheek as she listlessly walked past.
"Yes please. Where's Emma? I thought she was off today?"
"She is. She said she wanted a jog to clear her head. She's then going to go to the diner and apologise to Dorothy. Something about needing to clear the air? Should be back before ten."
"Robin," she groaned. "You should have stopped her, at least till one of us went with her! You know what she's like. Her mouth's going to run away with her, and she'll say something inappropriate. Then it'll be even more awkward."
"Have a little more faith. She's not stupid, and more importantly, she's sincere. She'll be fine. Anyway, come sit yourself down and I'll get your breakfast?" Stepping behind her, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her into his chest. "Eat. Then you and I are going to pack for the honeymoon!"
The Diner – a little later
After finishing her first decent jog in over a week, from the house, around the docks and back into town, Emma finally stopped outside the front of Granny's Diner, hesitating whether to go inside or not.
Unfortunately, the decision was made for her as two women walking behind her came closer. "Emma?"
"Oh, hi mum." Then she saw the other woman pushing a child buggy. "You're up early? Hi Ruby. I won't hug you both, as I'm sweaty from the run."
"I'm your mother, I'll live," Snow hugged her anyway. "Come join us for breakfast?"
"Sorry, I haven't got time, I was just stopping after a run, and I need to get back to get packing for the trip." Seeing Ruby there, she really didn't want to face her and Dorothy together. "I need to go."
"Well at least join me for a coffee? We haven't had a proper chat since the wedding. And you did say we'd spend more time together? Just the two of us. You did say..."
Emotional blackmail, typical. Thanks mum!
"You must have ten minutes, Emma? Come on, Mike's working front of house for the first time, as we've got our new guy, Tony, working in the kitchen, so we can have a catch up too."
Reluctantly, she agreed, stepping into the diner to hold the door for the buggy, just in time to hear a rather heated conversation between Ruby's new business partner and an old woman at the counter.
"So, Miss Green, let's try that again, shall we?" said Mike to a tall, young blonde woman.
"I said coffee! Black! You deaf or something?" she growled back.
"No, young lady, I'm quite capable of hearing, thank you. But you seem to be missing a word? A little word?"
"What? I'm a customer! Just gimme a damn coffee!"
"No. Unless you learn to learn to ask politely, you may not have a coffee! Or anything else in this place, for that matter. So, let's try again. Good morning, young lady. How may I help you?"
She ignored the question. "Lucas and her wife don't treat me like this! Where the hell is she?"
"Right behind you!" he replied, looking over her shoulder at his business partner. "And I have to say, as I work in the kitchen, I often overhear my colleagues being spoken to by customers as though they were servants. They're not! They're skilled, intelligent people, who should be respected. If they're not, as their new partner, I'll be more than happy to turn people away, for good if need be! If our sheriff, mayor and even the Dark One himself can ask politely, I'm sure you can! So, for the LAST time, I'll ask you. What can I do for you this fine morning, Miss Green?"
The surly woman looked over to see Ruby listening silently, brow arched, waiting for the response. Knowing she could just walk out, but with the risk she'd never be allowed back in again, she sighed. "Um, sorry. May I have a black coffee, to go…please?"
"Certainly, madam! Coming right up. And any pastries or cakes from our most excellent bakery next door, which opened today? I recommend the bear claws or croissants, always popular with our more famous customers." Ruby sniggered silently when he winked at Emma. All right, Mike, don't go overboard!
"Err…no…thank you."
When the slightly embarrassed woman was served and left, Mike turned his attention to Leroy, who sported his early morning grouch. He gave him a look that just dared him to be anything less than civil. "I hate bad manners, don't you, Leroy? 'Manners maketh man', my old dad used to say! Now, what can I do for you this morning, sir?"
"Pot of coffee and a Granny Special…please Mike?" It was the first time anyone had heard that in the diner!
"Certainly, sir. You go make yourself comfortable, and I'll bring it right over."
After he'd gone to sit, Ruby stepped to the counter, grinning. "Laying the law down early, Mike?"
"Yeah, sorry about that. I really hate bad manners and it niggles me sometimes when you and the girls get talked to like you do, just cause you're serving! Must be my age, I guess…"
"And the fact you've got daughters..." added Snow. "You're right, Michael, people should show better manners. May Emma and I have two coffees please?"
"Certainly, princess. Congrats on the Sheriff role again, Emma! Sit yourselves down, and I'll bring 'em over."
As they sat, the blonde seemed nervous. "Something wrong, Emma? You're twitchy!"
It was clear Dorothy hadn't told her wife about their little disagreement last night. About her making out with Killian's wife behind a tree. Would she? Was she bluffing about the two couples? Either way, Emma wasn't going to open that can of worms, not in front of her mother, just in case. But she was still, in theory, banned from the place, till she apologized. "Eh? Oh um…sorry. Is Dorothy in? There's something I need to talk to her about."
"Anything I can help with?"
"Er…no, it's fine. Perhaps I'll call back later." She stood to leave, Snow now anxiously wondering why Emma was acting skittish. However, a voice called from the back of the room. "Wolfie, good, you're back!" Dorothy appeared, stepping up to the table and about to peck her wife on the lips when she saw who one of the other customers was. "Emma," her voice betrayed no emotion. Now Emma felt even more awkward!
"Dorothy…um, can we talk? Perhaps somewhere private?"
The Hero of Oz realized who else was present. "Erm…yes, perhaps that's best. Come into the back room. Ruby, can you stay here a minute while we talk?"
The wolf saw the awkwardness between them. "Why, what's going on?"
"Give us a few minutes, Ruby, and I'll tell you everything. You were already asleep when Rosie and I got home, and I didn't want to wake you. Just let me and…Mrs. Locksley, talk?"
"No. If there's something's happened, I want to know! Snow's my best mate. Nobody else can hear us."
"Ruby, I…"
"Dot, what's going on?" Ruby's hackles were up. The pair never held secrets from each other!
Dorothy's shoulders slumped. "Something happened last night. Just after we left the bar. Emma saw something and misread. She saw Rosie and me…"
It took a moment for Ruby to realise what they were saying. "When you say Rosie and you, you mean…" It was when she saw Dorothy nod, Emma realized what she'd said last night was true!
"I assumed something, based on what I saw. I accused them both, thinking they were betraying you and Killian. I made a wrong assumption, so I came over to apologise. Sorry Dorothy. It's just…seeing you both together like that, with Killian's wife and all, I imagined…"
"It's all right Emma," Dorothy stopped her. "I can imagine! Never mind. I forgive you…"
"You made out with Rosie in public?" Ruby was aghast. "Dot, when we agreed it was OK to do this, I didn't mean in the middle of a fucking nightclub! It'll be all over town by now! What the hell were you thinking?"
"It wasn't in the nightclub, Ruby." Emma tried defending her from a row she'd started. "It was outside, in an unlit area, on the edge of the woods. I just sorta stumbled across them."
Ruby calmed, but only slightly, as she glared at her wife. "Even then, If Emma hadn't spotted you, someone else could've! We were going to keep this private, Kansas!" she seethed. "If the rest of the town-"
"I'm sorry, Wolfie. I guess with all the drinks, we just got a bit carried away." she looked up, apologetically. Nobody said a word. Emma, looking down, feeling guilty for partly being the cause. Finally, a voice piped up.
"So, Ruby, let me get this right. You and Dot are in some sort of intimate relationship with Rosie?" Snow was dumbfounded. "Nattie's Killian's boy, and you're now pregnant by him too?"
"He's got you pregnant too?" Emma gasped. "What's he building for god's sake, a fucking harem?"
That earned a scowl from the other women. "Emma!" her mother chided. "Killian's a sperm donor for them, because they needed someone with magic to help them! I think it's admirable."
I know I called him a wanker a few times. Guess this confirms it? "I'm sorry. It's just...seeing him like that. Knowing what we were..."
"What you were, Emma! What you were! You moved on. You've now got a wife, a husband, and children. He's done the same thing. Isn't Killian entitled to his own happiness, too?
~oOo~