"Happy birthday, dear Evie. Happy birthday to you." Everyone cheered and clapped, wishing her a happy birthday. She grinned awkwardly. This is her first party, what did she suppose to do?
"Make a wish and blow the candle, dear." Robin told. He was standing in front of her, holding Regina who was crying–she was clearly touched and emotional.
She closed her eyes, focusing on what she wished for. Smiling, Evie opened up her eyes and blew out the candle. Everyone clapped; congratulating her once again.
"Mommy please stop crying." Evie opened up her arms, inviting Regina to came closer. "It's not like I'm getting married."
Regina laughed wholeheartedly. She hugged her daughter and repeatedly kissing her temple.
"What did you wish for, dear?" Snow White asked.
Her eyes scanned the room, everyone she loves and everyone who loves her were here. She was grateful. Surrounded by people who loved her was something she never had. Evie took a mental note: she won't ever take this for granted. Everything she has right now was all she could ever want for.
"I didn't make any wish, Aunt Snow. I just– I thanked heaven for what I have right now. Being with you, Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Charming, and everyone who truly love me already is a gift I could ask for."
A strong wind blew past her face. Evie knew this was not a real wind, something bad is going to happen. Robin's first initial was to protect his women. Regina's first initial was to held Evie closer to her. Prince Charming and Snow White also came closer; they were all protecting the princess. The Princess burrowed her head deep into her mother's chest, keeping her eyes shut.
"Didn't you learn from your mistakes?" Evie recognized the voice. This can't be real.
"I did learn. I won't let you ruin my life anymore." She pushed Evie back before facing her wicked sister. Robin stood beside his wife, hiding Evie behind their back. Charming pulled Evie away so Snow can protect her.
"You can't take our daughter away anymore."
This wasn't what she wished for. Everything was perfect until she came. Foolish of her to think Mother would finally let her be happy or at least leave her family be.
Still in Snow's embrace, Evie called out to the uninvited guest. Her voice was so soft, almost sounded like she was pleading.
"Mother, please stop. My parents have nothing to do with your life. Please. Please don't hurt them. I'll go with you if you leave them alone. I promise I won't run away. I promise I'll be good."
Both Robin and Regina turned their head in shock. Looking at their daughter, Robin said as his eyes starting to water. "Evie, no! I can't lose you anymore; we can't."
"Well, well isn't this going to be so much fun?" Zelena snorted. "I could grant your wish, but where would be the fun in that?"
The next thing she knew, Zelena had plunged her hands into her parents' chest. Her palms were holding a pair of glowing red things; their hearts. A smirk appeared on her lips. It all happened too fast. Their bodies hit the floor almost like in a slow motion as the ashes was raining down from Mother's palms. That heartless woman had crushed their hearts. Evie screamed in horror.
"NO!"
It was a dream. A horrible dream.
She sat straight right away and her heart beating hard as if it would jump out from her chest. Her breath was shallow. Beads of sweat were running down her hairline. With a shaky hand, Evie reach out to her nightstand to look for the match. She lit up the candles and flickering orange flame lighting up her room. Evie kicked her blanket, sitting on the edge of the bed. The air felt so dense; she needed fresh air to clear her mind. A short stargazing perhaps would help.
Putting her scarf on, she stepped out to the balcony. The chilly late night air sent shivers down her spine. Her hands still shaking. The dream kept replaying in the back of her mind. Slowly, tears came raining down her cheeks. She's scared, definitely scared. Was it all just a dream? What if it was a sign; a glimpse of the future? Her cries became louder, she had to muffle them into the crook of her arms. Dropping down to the floor with a heavy heart, Evie stared blankly at the sky, wishing the horror would go away. She hugged her knees. Wrapping the scarf closer to her body, she cried her pain away.
"Evie darling, are you okay?" Daddy's hand landed softly on top of hers. She pulled away. Her nightmare made her a bit jumpy this morning.
"You barely eat your breakfast. Something's wrong?"
She shook her head.
"Do you want something else?" Regina asked, growing a little concern.
Evie shifted in her seat. She felt restless, it has been keeping her awake all night.
"You can always tell us everything, my dear." Regina held her other hand.
Evie swallowed a lump in her throat. "There's... There's probably something I want to discuss, but it's better if we finished our meals and gather everyone else. It's–" She paused, feeling unsure. "Just– can we gather everyone?"
Her parents exchanged look. Regina was somehow suspicious. "Why? Can't you just tell us what has been bothering you?"
Pleading, Evie stared into her mother's eyes. "It's better if we have everyone else and I don't want to ruin our peaceful breakfast."
"Okay, Evie. Whatever you wish. So, can you eat your meal, please?" Robin's eyes gleamed. He smiled, showing his beautiful dimples.
"Yes, Daddy. Thank you so much." Evie squeezed his hand before continuing with her foods.
"What is this? What happened?" Snow asked. Regina just shrugged, rushing her to get inside. Snow sneered and Regina only responded with a gesture of 'what?'.
Evie sat on the head of the table, looking like a bundle of nerves. Everyone had come and she felt to just back up from this plan, but she couldn't. She wouldn't. Gathering up her strength, Evie took a deep breath.
"Thank you for being here on such a short notice. I appreciate it. I know you might be wondering why I called, what might've happened. To be honest, even my parents still don't know what am I going to announce."
She stood up, placing her hands on the table calmly. She lifted her head, confidence radiating. "As everyone know, my welcoming party will be held in a few weeks. All of the invitation have been sent. Royalty, nobility, everyone, is invited. We make sure everyone is. All are welcomed, correct?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"But we might be missing one particular guest." Evie turned to her parents. She paused, taking another big breath.
"We have to invite Mother, your sister, Zelena."
The whole room gasped and went crazy. They murmured while looking at the princess in disagreement, disappointment, and disbelief.
"I object!" Charming was the first one to stood up.
"With all due respect, Your Highness. Have you lost your mind?" Grumpy the dwarf implied.
"You're trying to make a death trap for all of us, Princess. I'm disappointed in you." Said Granny.
"Evie, are you sure? She's a threat. You're going to jeopardize everyone. Not just us, think about all the innocent guests that will be coming, all of your people. A true princess will do everything protect her people." Snow White asked in a really worried tone.
"So this is how our princess handles things. I'm really, really disappointed in you, young lady." Red finally said.
"We're not inviting her. I'm not risking losing you again." Robin said in a monotone.
Regina just shook her head, avoiding Evie's glance. "That's enough, Evie. We're done here."
"Just hear me out!" Evie cried in pain. Their words hurt just like a sharp knife. "I have the right to speak, and just wanted to be heard!"
Evie kneeled beside Regina. "Mommy, please. Hear me out."
"I had a dream, a nightmare. I dreamed of Mother killed you both at the ball. I do believe this is a sign. It's a premonition."
Everyone went silent, they listened to the princess carefully. Some of them might feel bad after going for the princess. Evie stood up, still holding Regina's hands.
"I just want to keep my parents save. I want my people, including everyone in this room save. Remember the last time she interrupted our party? She was uninvited. She went mad and look where it got us. Sure it's because Mommy didn't know she has a sister back then, but I don't want the same thing happen twice. Who knows what horror she would do this time if she knew she's uninvited, again?"
She released her mother's hand, walking back to the head of the table with teary eyes.
"So please, as your princess, it's my duty to keep everyone save. I don't want to cause any trouble for the second time. It all started because of me. Mother envied my parents because I came into the picture, I completed my parents' life." She sobbed. Her walls finally break down and tear streaming down her face.
"Please, at least let me do something to protect my parents. It's the least I can do."
She shifted her glance to Robin with tears still escaping her eyes. "You believe in second chance. You made Mommy believe she deserves her second chance." Looking back to her mother, Evie's lips curled up a bit. "You know exactly how it feels to be in her shoes. Perhaps Mother needs a little bit of love from you, her sister, to change her heart."
"You might hate her for ruining our lives. Especially for making my parents miserable. No matter how bad she was for kidnapping me, at least she raised me well. I know we are good people and we give others a second chance."
Evie dabbed on her tears, taking a seat back. She looked down her laps knowing that she might sound like she was defending the public enemy. It sounded unpleasant, but at least Evie tried stand her ground. She knew this council wouldn't agree. It didn't bother her. She had poured her heart out and that's all that matter. Her parents were talking lowly about something and so is everyone else. They all lost in their own thoughts. Evie kept her fingers crossed. This nightmare must be a sign; she firmly believes.
"Evie's right. Zelena deserves a second chance." Regina's voice shushed the entire room.
"Regina..."
"I know what I am thinking, Robin. You taught me, everyone deserves a second chance and we know better than to hold grudges. We've healed, we moved on, but it won't ever be complete if we weren't going to forgive her." Regina placed her hand on top of his. "We should leave our past to where it belongs. Do not let them haunt us. Our daughter is right here with us and what's now left to hate? We should forgive her. She's a part of our family, Zelena my sister; a fact we couldn't deny. Trust me, she's just a bit misunderstood like I was."
"And for everyone in this room," Regina looked around as her lips curling up. "You gave me a second chance. You believed that I am redeemable though I've done-" Her voice trailed off. She never liked to bring up her past. "I've done bad things. I've killed the innocents for nothing, slaughtered an entire village. I know everyone here hates Zelena for what has she done, but that doesn't mean she is a villain who can't be forgiven. Look at our princess. She is the way she is today because my sister raised her. Sure she robbed those privileges from me, watching her grow up. At least my daughter is safe and sound right now and that's all that matters."
Little did Regina realize, Snow White's eyes tear up a little. Granny and the other went silent and Prince Charming's face softened. As for Robin, his face was unreadable.
"So yes, I beg you to give my sister, Zelena, a second chance. We will invite her to the party. End of discussion."
Grumpy raised his hand. "Your Majesty, are you sure?"
"Crystal clear." Regina declared.
"What if she threatens us?"
"We will be prepared this time. I know it's not that easy to trust her, but we have to try. I'll be on guard all the time. We will keep an eye on her. Make sure she won't make a scene this time and if she does, we know how to handle it. I promise to keep everyone safe. It's my duty as your queen. Any objection?"
Everyone silently shaking their heads over The Queen's statement.
"Then it's settled. The invitation will be sent as soon as possible."
"I hope you're thinking clearly, Regina." Charming stopped her by the door.
"I am thinking clearly, Charming."
"By welcoming a wicked witch with open arms? Are you setting a death trap for us?"
"I am not setting a death trap for us. I'm giving her a second chance, that's all."
Out of nowhere, Evie stood up for her mother. "You gave Mommy a second chance, why can't you give one to Mother?"
"You know nothing about being a princess, Evie." He pointed his finger at her. "You were raised by someone who's heart filled with so much hatred, who cares about nothing but herself. What do you know about your people? How could you be sure inviting her is the best idea?"
His words went straight to her heart. She backed up a bit, eyes wide.
"Do not talk to my daughter like that!" Regina snapped. "I didn't know Zelena exist and she showed up, ruining the christening. I'm not going to risk everything right now. Inviting Zelena to the ball is the best plan we could have. My daughter has a point and she is your princess. Need I remind who you truly are? You aren't no prince either, shepherd."
"Regina, enough." Robin pulled her into his embrace as Snow went to Charming's side. Both Snow and Robin are apologizing for their spouses' behavior and parted different way. Robin took Regina to their room.
"What? Are you going to tell me that agreeing to this was a bad idea? Because I already get it, Robin. And no, you can't change my mind."
"It is a bad idea, Regina!"
"Why can't you understand?!" Regina snapped.
"Understand what, exactly? Understanding that you are inviting a lifelong foe?!" Robin implied, almost shouting in anger. Everything began to heat up rather quickly.
"She is my sister!"
"And since when do you exactly find her as your sister? A minute ago? Don't you remember what has she done, what she has taken from us?!"
Robin's word made her go speechless. She can felt the words on the tip of her tongue but her lips refused to cooperate. Her jaw left hanging.
"Do not make it harder than it already is!" Regina broke their silence.
"Regina," her husband left out a long sigh. "I'm not going to change your mind."
Regina looked at him in surprised. "You won't?"
He nodded confidently. "It's just, I want you to think clearly."
"You gave me a second chance. Why?"
"I believe there's still good in you. You were just mistreated."
"Don't you think she is in the same shoes as I was?" She stared up at his face. "Our daughter has a point. Maybe that was a sign. You remembered what happened last time."
Once again, silence fell between the royal couple. The words sink deep into Robin's heart.
It took him a long time of silence but he finally agree.
"I trust your judgement; always. So, if you deserved a second chance, perhaps I should give her one."
She hugged her husband as a way of showing her appreciation. Sometimes Regina still couldn't believe she got someone as sweet as him. Someone who understands her in and out.
"At least we owe a debt of gratitude to her. Like you said, she raised Evie so well. We owe her."
"So you're with me?" Regina's eyes gleamed with excitement.
Robin nodded. "Every step of the way. I'm going to protect you both."
"We will protect her. I know this time we will be ready for every possibility. I just wish I don't have to use my magic."
"You don't have to. Let's just hope everything will walk out fine."
Regina looked him right in the eyes. Her face beaming with love. "Thank you for always being there for me."
Robin stroked her cheek with his thumb before whispering softly, "I'm with you, always."