AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.

Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)

Please consider leaving a review. Feedback is much appreciated.

There is also a love scene in this chapter. It is marked, so you can skip it if it's not your thing.

Thanks for the awesome reviews. Here are individual responses:

Saberius Prime: Yep, they got married! And Regina is pissed. So glad you're enjoying it!

OUATlover2000: So glad you liked it! Yep, Emma slipped and an all out war is brewing.

Barratta Jennifer: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

Ragsweas: Thanks! So glad you like it! Yep, the wedding went off, mostly, without a hitch. It was a win for the heroes for sure. So glad you're enjoying it!

AshGreg: So glad you enjoyed it! Glad you thought the wedding and vows were beautiful. Yeah, the ending was a bit of a cliffie. Regina is worrisome for sure. So glad you're enjoying the story!

Snowing1997: Aw, thanks! So glad you liked the wedding. You're welcome for the feels and how nice to know that my updates are the best part of your week. What a nice compliment. Hope you continue to enjoy!

Number Ten: Yep, Regina is scary. An all out war is brewing. Glad you're enjoying!

Izzypirelli: So glad you thought the wedding was perfect! Yes, I felt including Stephanie was poignant. Yes, Emma and Stephanie didn't want Mary and David's evening spoiled. Yes, Regina is scary and an all out war is brewing. I can imagine that too! I can totally see David singing in Mary's ear while they're dancing.

Paulaa90: Yep, David blackmailing the judge might come back to bite him. That being said, a much bigger war is brewing and we're inching closer to the eleventh hour in terms of the curse. Sidney Glass sent Regina the photos. Yes, it was careless of Emma, but she's human and things like that can happen in the heat of the moment. :)

Sara K M: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the wedding and Emma's reflection. I had to throw some Daddy Charming in there too. Glad you thought the shouting match between Emma, Stephanie, and Regina was plausible.

As for the external and internal problems. I very much write in the style of Snowing vs. external problems. There will be a few internal banter here and there and disagreements, but I don't do a ton of fighting between couples. There's enough of it on TV and I just can't with it. Too much fighting makes me uncomfortable and it's why my writing style is pretty different than some. It goes back to my childhood and the bad relationships I saw around me. That's why Snowing is so appealing to me.

Snow and Charming will have issues here and there, but there won't be a lot of it. It's just not my thing. If that makes them less "realistic" to some people, than I'm willing to risk that. To me, Snowing has always been on tier above other relationships and that's how I write them. They have their problems and issues, but to a bit of different degree than the average relationship. That's what attracts me to them. I find them facing external problems together much more interesting. I hope you can still enjoy the story. :)

Beth1980: Yeah, things might get dicey on the Regina and Damon front. I like that Henry has a swan nightlight too and I knew he just had to be there so sneaking out was something he would do, even if he knows he's probably going to be grounded. Glad you enjoyed the wedding and the vows. Yes, I doubt Regina adopted Henry legally. And I wanted to bring it up. I probably won't kill Regina off, but she's going to answer for some things. Yep, Prince Charming knows how to dance and lol, I love Leroy too. There hasn't been a lot of dreamscape scenes lately, because so much is going on, but I will be working them back in. Yes, Mary Margaret is getting a wedding night and Persephone is awesome. Glad you're enjoying!

Dreaming Out Loud

Chapter 33: Sweeter Than Fiction

David glanced worriedly out the window, as he held Mary in his lap and she followed his gaze.

"Do you think we should go out there?" she asked in concern. He turned back to her and pressed his lips to hers.

"No...I think they can handle Regina. I'm not letting her spoil this night for us," David replied. Before they could contemplate further, Stephanie and Emma came back inside, minus Henry.

"Is everything okay?" Mary asked. Emma smiled thinly.

"Yeah...Regina was just having her usual Mayorzilla meltdown," Emma replied.

"That looked pretty intense," David mentioned. Emma sighed.

"Yeah...I guess we both just know the right buttons to push to tick each other off. And you know she gets majorly pissed when she can't control everything," Emma replied. David took that answer for now, but knew by how rattled his daughter was that there was more to it.

The reception was quickly winding down and Granny soon came over, as she handed Mary a room key.

"What's this?" the raven haired beauty asked.

"The key to the Honeymoon suite here at the Inn...on the house," Granny replied.

"Granny...that's nice of you," David said.

"Well...consider me a romantic at heart. And I'm using the term suite a little loosely. The room is only slightly bigger than a standard room. But...it has a King sized bed. Enjoy," she said slyly and Mary blushed a little.

"We should run home to the loft to get a few things if we're staying here tonight," she mentioned.

"No need...we packed for you both," Stephanie said, motioning to the two bags on a table nearby.

"Thanks...for everything," David said, as they stood up and exchanged hugs.

"Have fun…" Stephanie teased, enjoying her daughter's blush.

"Yeah...and tell us none of the details," Emma added, as she hugged them.

"Well...shall we, Mrs. Nolan?" he asked. She grinned.

"Lead the way, Mr. Nolan," she answered, she hooked her hand on his elbow and he led her upstairs with their bags.

The short ride home with Henry had been silent, as Regina contemplated Stephanie's threats. Once they were inside, Regina tucked Henry in, before explaining that he was grounded for a month. Her son defiantly told her that she couldn't keep him from his real family and burrowed under his covers then. He was slipping away and she had to fix this and fix it fast.

Mary and David had to be handled delicately. In fact, she would need to take out Stephanie first somehow. Or at the very least neutralize her threat. To do that, she needed to get rid of the judge. With him gone, George would replace him and toss out any custody case against her. And Stephanie wouldn't risk bringing in anyone from outside Storybrooke, not with the possible danger that could pose to her precious daughter. She rolled her eyes at that thought. She still couldn't believe Snow White, her troublesome step-daughter, was actually the daughter of Persephone.

She had to tread carefully, but it was time to find a way to wipe out all her enemies and that meant ultimately...getting rid of Emma Swan.

As they reached the room, David set their bags down and insisted on carrying her over the threshold. She smiled down at him and they kissed tenderly, as he gently put her on her feet. He brought their bags in and closed the door. The suite had been decorated with snow bell petals all over the bed and unlit candles ready to set the mood. There was also wine chilling by the bed with strawberries and whipped cream.

"Wow...you planned all this too?" she asked and he wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"I wanted this night to be perfect for us. I didn't do all this myself, but I asked Ruby and Granny to," he replied. She turned in his arms and he saw the tears in her eyes.

"This night has been incredible...and I know it's only going to get better," she said, biting her bottom lip. He smiled and kissed her again, this time moving his lips over hers passionately. She smiled dreamily, as their lips parted.

"I'm...going to go change into something else. Maybe when I get back...you won't have so many clothes on either," she said, as she took her bag and sauntered into the bathroom. He blew out a breath, trying to get a hold of himself, as she already had him hot all over. He shed his jacket, undid his bow tie, and then unbuttoned his shirt, letting it slip off. First, he lit all the candles in the room to set the mood. Then he opened the wine and poured it into two glasses, as he anxiously awaited his wife. He smiled at that thought. He could finally call her his wife again.

Mary took a deep, calming breath, as she put her bag down and looked at herself in the mirror. It wasn't their first time, but somehow it felt like it was all over again. She managed to get out of her dress and then dug through her bag, wondering what they had packed for her. Instead of one of her normal negligees though, she found something new that had been placed in her bag. It screamed with Ruby's doing too. She looked at the tiny garment. It was a lacy, white baby doll style negligee that was lacy through the bra and sheer through the bodice, complete with lacy white g-string panties. She was positive she was probably turning red, but the thought of wearing something like this for David excited her. She quickly shed her normal undergarments and replaced them with the sexy ensemble that was clearly a gift from her friends. White had always looked lovely on her, contrasting with her raven hair nicely and this time was no exception. She touched up her makeup slightly and then took a deep breath. She walked out of the bathroom and he almost dropped the wine glasses when he saw her.

"Wow…" he uttered, swallowing thickly, as he set the wine glasses down. She closed the distance between them and he slid his hands beneath the sheer material to rest them on her hips.

"You are so beautiful…" he uttered.

"You make me feel beautiful…" she responded, as her red lips drew his kiss.

"Did you want any wine?" he asked, as their lips parted. She smirked and slid her arms around his neck.

"Later...right now, I just want my husband," she said, feeling giddy at those words. He smiled and kissed her deeply, as he slid his hands down to her thighs. He lifted her up and parted her legs around him. She mewled into his kiss, as he moved his lips feverishly over hers. He climbed onto the bed with her legs still hooked around him and lowered her to the soft bedspread beneath them. Their lips parted briefly and he gazed down at her, as she now lay surrounded by flower petals.

_Snowing_

He lowered his head to her neck and she gasped, as he breathed fire on her throat. Her entire body thrilled, as he trailed open mouthed kisses slowly down her slender neck, until he reached her collarbone and continued his path. She writhed beneath him, her back arching, as his strong hands touched her. Every time his hands or lips met her flesh, a rush of heat poured from her core. She moaned, as he lifted her up and situated her in his lap, as he sat back on his haunches. She panted air into her lungs and gazed down at him now from her place elevated above him. Her head lolled back, as he kissed the valley between her breasts and she arched toward him when he snapped the clasp on her bra. The garment fell away and he tossed it and the sheer slip away, leaving her nearly bare before his hungry stare.

"David…" she cried, as his tongue flicked over her right nipple, while his hand palmed her left breast, rolling it in his hand. She lost herself in him, as he worshiped her breasts and then he sent her into sensory overload when his other hand slipped between her legs. She shuddered and bucked against him, as he sought to her pleasure. As he suckled her breast, he pressed his thumb against her clit at the same time.

"Oh Gods David…" she cried wantonly. He repeated this action, enjoying her cries and the noises she was making. Mary was always so quiet, but when they made love, she had steadily become more and more vocal. Which didn't surprise him since Snow was never quiet during sex. In fact, it had been no secret back in their land what they got up to in their bed chambers quite frequently. He was sure it created quite the gossip among their staff, not that either of them could be bothered to care.

"Unnnhhh…" Snow mewled repeatedly, as he edged her toward her climax. He stimulated her again and she screamed his name, as she came and he kissed her tenderly, as he rode her orgasm with her. She fell slack against him and started kissing his neck. He raised onto his knees and held her with one arm, while he pulled back the bedclothes with the other. He gently lay her down on the sheets and she pulled him down between her parted legs, as he slid the flimsy g-string down her shapely legs, discarding it. She felt his hard length pressing against her and her nimble fingers undid his belt, as they kissed intensely. Mary pushed his pants down over his hips, followed by his underwear. David shifted and managed to kick the rest of his clothes off, before he settled between her legs again. She kissed him feverishly and arched against him, as the fire in her core was reignited. Her green eyes burned into his blue ones, as she slid her hand around his considerable length and she enjoyed the way he shuddered and the sheer pleasure on his face. He was so hard it was almost painful to the touch and he slowly pushed inside her. As he filled her all the way, she hummed pleasurably and he began to move with steady pulses. His pulses quickly became thrusts, as he found the rhythm and he was soon plunging inside her deeply. Mary trembled beneath him and found herself raking her nails along his back, as he took her, ravishing her to a completeness she had never imagined possible before him. This man, in a matter of months, had come into her life and completely swept her into a deep love and incredible romance that she had been sure only existed in books before.

She trailed open mouthed kisses along his neck and lightly bit his shoulder, as he pumped inside her, his hips colliding with hers in an incredible sexual dance of pure ecstasy.

"Dav...id..." she cried breathlessly, as the heat in her core reached its peak again and she writhed in orgasm again.

"I love you..." he rasped, as he drove into her again and again, his cock surging effortlessly into her tight, dripping heat.

"You feel so good..." he managed to utter, as she quaked and clenched around him, until he could finally take no more and came inside her in a rush of carnal euphoria, before collapsing beside her.

_Snowing_

He breathed heavily and rolled onto his back, pulling her with him, as she cuddled atop him and their lips met in short, tender pecks.

"You make me happier than I ever thought possible," she mentioned, as she idly traced the lines of definition on his bare chest. He kissed her hair and then took her hand, lacing their fingers together.

"And I promise to keep making you happy...forever," he promised, as their lips mt again in a passionate kiss. He knew there was still possible trouble and danger ahead and the still present obstacles of the curse. But he was determined and ready to fight whatever came their way. And once the curse did break, Snow would be there right by his side. He wasn't letting Regina separate them ever again or letting Damon hurt them. Good would win...the fate of his family depended on it...

A Few Days later

The past few days had been routine and mostly quiet. She had sent David to handle a call that came in and then after that was handled, he went to surprise Mary Margaret with lunch. Since nothing was going on, she decided to head over to the diner for lunch too and made the short drive in the bug.

Once she arrived, she ordered a grilled cheese and onion rings. As she was getting ready to take her order back to the station, August motioned her over to his table.

"What's up?" she asked.

"Nothing much...I just wanted to remind you that I still owe you a drink," he replied.

"It's a little early for alcohol, don't you think?" she teased. He chuckled.

"I was actually thinking more along the lines of us taking a ride somewhere and sharing a drink there," he suggested. She looked at him skeptically.

"So...guy I barely know that comes to town all mysterious wants me to hop on the back of his motorcycle to go somewhere? Trust me, I've seen that movie and I'm not as dumb as the girl in the movie," she retorted, making him laugh again.

"Well...have you seen the one where the girl and the guy, just friends, take a ride on his motorcycle and he answers all the girl's questions about why he's so mysterious?" he asked. She gave him a scrutinizing stare.

"So...you're ready to talk?" she asked. August hid a wince, as the pain in his leg shot through him again.

"I'm ready to tell you everything," he replied.

"Fine...let's go," she replied, as she followed him out and put the extra helmet on. August started the engine and drove off, unaware that David had just driven up to the diner, having seen Emma's bug. He had no idea what August W. Booth's intentions were and him taking his daughter anywhere made him uneasy. He was determined to finally expose this man and get to the bottom of all his lies. With that, he slowly followed, keeping an inconspicuous distance so as to not alert him.

Emma followed August a little ways into the woods and saw a well.

"You know, you leading me into the woods isn't inspiring a lot of confidence that you're not some crazy slasher. I've seen this movie too," she commented.

"Relax...I told you I'm taking you for a drink," he retorted, as he gestured to the well.

"Well water...boy you sure know how to impress a woman. Nothing screams cheapskate like taking a woman out for water from a well," Emma quipped.

"This isn't just an ordinary well though. The story is that this well can return what has been lost," he replied.

"And you've lost something?" she asked.

"We both have," he responded and she sighed, as he put some water in two small, paper cups.

"Look...the riddles are getting old and I'm about done. Since you've come to Storybrooke. You've shown an unhealthy interest in me and my son. And you owe me an explanation," she demanded sharply.

"You're right...I do," he agreed.

"Who are you really?" she questioned.

"I'm not sure you'll believe me if I tell you," he started to say.

"I think you'd be surprised by what I believe...so try me," she replied. He sighed and lifted his pant leg.

"Tell me what you see," he requested.

"Whoa...I didn't know you had a wooden leg," she said and his eyes widened in shock.

"You...you can see it?" he asked in disbelief. She looked at him like he was losing it.

"Uh yeah...I have two eyes in my head that aren't just for decoration, you know," she quipped, with a shrug.

"I didn't even know they still used wooden prosthesis," she commented. His eyes were wide as saucers, for he had never anticipated the possibility that she believed already.

"You believe…" he uttered.

"All right, you're really starting to creep me out. What the hell is this all about?" she asked.

"You know…" he said.

"Know what?" she prodded impatiently.

"The curse...you believe," he stammered. At that point, Emma was tired of him beating around the bush. She grabbed him by the collar.

"Fine...let's be on the level. Yes...I know about the curse. I know everything. The question is...how and why do you know?" she demanded to know and he swallowed thickly, trying to gather his thoughts. She knew...and it changed everything.

"I'd be careful with your answer too. Because if I think you're a threat to my family...I will take you out," Emma threatened.

"I know...because I'm from the same place you are," he answered, as he handed her some folded pages.

"What is this?" she asked.

"My story...it's not in the book, but you need to know it. I assume you've read the book" he replied.

"Cover to cover," she responded, as she unfolded the pages and saw Marco, who she knew was really Geppetto with a little boy. Her eyes shot up to him in surprise.

"You're Pinocchio?" she asked. He nodded.

"But how…" she wondered in confusion, as she continued to scan the pages. August looked down shamefully.

"You went through the wardrobe...that's why you've aged," Emma realized.

"Yes…" he answered.

"But it only took one," Emma countered.

"No...it took two. It could have take your parents to this land before your mother went into labor," he confessed.

"But that's not what Blue said," Emma stated.

"She lied Emma...she lied to them at my father's insistence. He was scared for me, so he refused to build the wardrobe unless I took one of those spots," he confessed.

"Oh my God!" Emma exclaimed.

"Emma...I'm sorry. He thought your mother would go through before you were born and take care of us both," he reasoned.

"Without my father!" she cried.

"I know! He was wrong, but he was just trying to protect me! Blue instructed me to take care of you, but I failed," August lamented.

"You were the little boy that found me that night," she realized.

"Yes and instead of staying with you, I left. I wasn't selfless, brave, or true. And now, I'm paying for it," August replied, indicating his leg. Emma backed away and took a few deep breaths, trying to comprehend everything.

"Well...now I guess I know why you're a liar. It runs in your family," Emma spat angrily.

"I know he lied, Emma, but he was doing what any parent would do," August said, as he cut off and was looking beyond Emma. She turned to see her father standing there with a myriad of emotions on his face.

"Dad...how much did you hear?" she asked.

"Dad?" August asked in confusion, as the man he had once known only as Prince Charming advanced on him.

"All of it…" he growled, as he grabbed him by the collar.

"You're...you're awake!" August realized in alarm.

"They lied to us?" David growled. August gulped.

"Y..yes," he stammered.

"We could have gone with her?!" David shouted.

"Yes...I'm sorry," August apologized.

"Sorry? Do you know what she had to go through?!" he screamed.

"Dad.." Emma pleaded.

"Yes...don't you think I went through much of the same?!" August retorted.

"No...you left her…" David growled.

"I was a child," he reminded.

"Daddy...please!" Emma cried, knowing that would get his attention. David released him and swept Emma into a bone crushing hug.

"I'm so sorry Emma...we didn't know," he cried.

"I know," she said tearfully.

"We could have gone with you," he choked.

"Dad...I still had you and Mom though, in the dreamscape. You both were with me every night," she reminded.

"Dreamscape?" August asked in confusion.

"It's a long story," she replied.

"But Emma...if you know about everything, then why haven't you broken the curse yet?" he asked.

"Excuse me? Don't you think I'm trying?" she exclaimed.

"You're the only one that can bring back the happy endings. It all depends on you," August said.

"Stop...just stop! Emma will break the curse, but she doesn't need you pressuring her!" David snapped.

"Or maybe she needs her Daddy to stop coddling her," August retorted.

"How dare you…" David growled, as he grabbed him by his jacket and reached into it to extract the dagger.

"My daughter doesn't need advice from a thief and a liar," the prince spat.

"How did you know I had the dagger?" August asked evenly.

"We watched you take it. I let you do so to see what you were up to and if what you told my grandson was true; that you were Rumpelstiltskin's son, which is obviously a lie," David spat.

"I may be a thief and a liar, but at least I'm not working for the Dark One. I gotta say, I never thought I'd see the day Prince Charming was a minion of Rumpelstiltskin. And to think, I used to look up to you," August retorted.

"Judge me all you want, but you won't use my daughter to fulfill some kind of absolution you're seeking. Gold and I have teamed up, because we want the same thing and that's to break the curse. But you...stealing the dagger. Why would you risk stealing from someone like Gold?" David questioned.

"It's not like I have a lot to lose," August answered, as he lifted his pant leg and David let go of him.

"So you stole the dagger, hoping it had magic or would eventually have magic. Then you'd force Gold to fix you," the prince stated.

"Yes...but it's progressing too fast and there's no magic. That's why I need Emma to break the curse," he confessed. David scoffed.

"So that's it...you don't care about the rest of us or her. You just want her to fix you. You just want to use her," David growled.

"She's the Savior...it's her destiny to save us," he argued.

"Stop! Just stop! She's my daughter first!" David shouted, surprising Emma.

"Snow and I...that's all we heard while Snow was pregnant. And I'll admit, it was a point of pride for us. Our daughter...the Savior. But then we spent twenty-eight years in a dreamscape with each other and we realized, all we wanted was to be together as a family. But we only could be while asleep, while our little girl faced this world alone, because she was the Savior. And we realized that pride was a burden she should have never had to bare alone," he said passionately.

"She may be the Savior and she will break the curse. But I won't let anyone use her for their twisted schemes or some kind of absolution to their guilt," he added, as he turned away and put his arm around Emma's shoulders, leading her away.

"You don't think Gold won't use her?" August called back.

"Gold only wants to find his child. I get that so we'll help him," David retorted.

"You're wrong...Gold wants power. Power is always first with him," August warned, as they ignored him and exited the woods.

August pondered everything that just happened. For everything he thought he knew, he realized he really knew nothing. For all the scenarios he considered, there was never one where Emma was not only a believer, but had also been raised by her parents, at least when she was asleep. Add to that, having the Prince awake was another thing he hadn't counted on. With all this going for them and yet the curse was still in tact.

This changed everything. He realized then that convincing Neal to let Emma go so she could fulfill her destiny had been unnecessary. Another family broken, because of all this. And if the Prince found out the hand he playing in Emma going to prison, he wouldn't have to worry about turning back to wood...