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.

Also, feel free to follow me on Tumblr lilacmoon83. In an effort to grow my Snowing fanfiction blog on Tumblr and get more visibility for my writing, I invite anyone following my stories here on to follow me on Tumblr. I have a sizable following here on , but that hasn't really transferred over to Tumblr. I've been considering doing face claims for all original characters in this story too. So if you're interested, give me a follow on Tumblr and help my stories get a bit more visibility through reblogs and shares!

For one face claim reveal, I will tell that I chose Gal Gadot as the face claim for Persephone...cause she's perfect as Persephone!

Thanks for awesome the reviews. Here are individual responses:

Saberius Prime: Grace's cursed Mom is Arachne from the Greek myth. In that myth, Arachne boasted that she could weave better than Athena, who, in anger, turned her into a spider when she showed up. That's where the term Arachnid comes from. The story of Arachne. :) Glad you enjoyed the chapter. Yes, Grace and Jefferson are reunited!

Naomi Blue: Thanks, glad you like the twist on Grace's curse mother. Perhaps, you never know. Jefferson might find love. Yes, the dreamscape will still come into play here, though probably not as much. It will still be a factor though, especially with strategic planning like you said. :)

Barratta Jennifer: Yes, there is a lot of trouble ahead. But that makes things more fun ;)

Sara K M: Thanks! Yes, I did toy with the idea of eliminating the dreamscape, but decided to still include it, if a bit less than before. And I may work in some of those flashbacks, especially when Neal pops back up in Emma's life. I love those family moments too. Don't worry, there will be many more of those. Yeah, they never really gave some of the dwarves curse identities or jobs so I always have to make up my own for Doc, Bashful, Dopey, and Happy. I decided that since we had Whale as a doctor that maybe Doc was also a doctor, but a different kind. And snarky pathologist kind of just seemed right for him. And Bashful got a career that probably would be good for an introvert, so not really much of a curse for him. Since Happy always pals around with Grumpy, I figured he'd be one to return to "Royal Guard" duties. Glad you like the mix of that. I decided to instead of just making "Amy" some random villager to weave in a bit more of Greek Mythology here. I thought it was a good opportunity to show someone who relished the curse, even if she was stuck with a drunk husband, it gave her a child and a life back. We actually see the first supervised visit in the beginning of chapter 44 next week. I won't spoil too much, but it doesn't go well. There's a long road ahead here, but I hope to do that journey they need to go on to come together as a family justice. :)

ragsweas: Thanks! I'm glad you liked the inclusion of more Greek Mythology characters. I thought it fit better than just making "Amy" some random villager. Yeah, while I get Jefferson wanting his kid back, this woman does love her and thanks to David's influence, he was able to accept that here. You're right, I don't think you could just expect Grace to throw that relationship away, unless it wasn't good, like the one with her curse father. Glad you're enjoying. :)

Paulaa90: Yep, Henry is in the fire room and it's in the same realm as the dreamscape. It will also be a point of contention in chapter 44, but that's for later. I know, Grumpy is such a jerk for pushing Sneezy over the line. Yes, I think Amy, Grace, and Jefferson will make a nice family. Yep, Hook and Cora are on the way and that won't mean good things.

Number Ten: Yes, I think Jefferson was willing to compromise, thanks to his friendship with David. I think there is a bit of an influence there that makes Jefferson want to be for Grace what Charming is for Emma. Glad you're enjoying the story.

Curiosity Seeke: No white rabbits here. Birds are a bit more reliable here. As for David, do you mean what episode in canon? If so, it's season 1, episode 3, Snow Falls.

Cassie: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, the fire room being in the same realm as the dreamscape leaves a lot of potential. Yes, Jefferson and Grace were reunited. The curse did complicate many lives and I will continue to show that. Glad you're enjoying!

Beth1980: Oh, I agree, the day definitely needed a grilled cheese and onion rings. Shake too, lol. Yes, the dreamscape will still be active and it's very special to them. There will definitely be some flashbacks still. Yeah, poor Emma realizing yet again that her parents can't keep their hands off each other. Yes, Henry is in the red room, but glad you enjoyed the scene with four generations of family. I like that too. As for what Snow and Persephone will do now? It's up in the air right now, but will be addressed soon. Lol, yeah, school should have probably been closed, but I needed Henry elsewhere for plot reasons, lol. I will definitely check up now and then on Jefferson's newly formed family. I like Grumpy too, but yeah, he's kind of a bonehead sometimes. Makes for good comic relief though. Yep, Hook and Cora on the way. As for the mention of the credit card discussion, yes, I can definitely work in a scene like that. I have one in mind. Glad you like the story so much and that it's your fav! That's what I like to hear. :)

Dreaming Out Loud

Chapter 43: Who We Are

Belle leafed through the spell book idly, as Rumple shoved the one he was reading away.

"Any luck?" she asked tentatively. He sighed irritably.

"In my haste to get to this world, I failed to anticipate how vast it is. It's virtually a needle in a haystack. The only way to even pinpoint a vague location is blood magic," he replied.

"You couldn't have known. But Emma is really good at finding people," she assured, as the shop door chimed.

"I am...but we might have another problem," the blonde interjected, as she entered the shop with her parents in tow.

"What's happened?" Belle asked.

"Grumpy, in his infinite wisdom decided to push Sneezy over the town line like a guinea pig," Snow replied.

"And now he thinks he's Tom Clark again," David added.

"I don't know what that means for me since I wasn't cursed, but for everyone else, stepping over the town line means you lose your real memories again," Emma clarified. Rumple felt his frustration boil over at that point and he took his cane, smashing the glass on the case before them.

"Rumple!" Belle scolded, as the Charmings backed away slightly.

"How am I ever going to find my son! Even if I get past the town line, I still don't know where to look," he growled.

"Losing your temper isn't going to solve any of our problems," Persephone chided.

"Don't lecture me…" he snapped to the Goddess.

"Stop...fighting isn't going to get us anywhere," Snow admonished.

"She's right...we both know that with a little blood magic, we can pinpoint your son's general location," Persephone reminded.

"Do you really think I haven't thought of that?" he spat.

"The problem with that is I don't exactly have the device I need to utilize that particular spell," he reminded.

"You mean the blank globe that's in Cora's possession," she surmised.

"The very one. And even if she was here, I'd rather not make any deals with the likes of her," he shot back.

"Making a deal with Cora is the same as making a deal with Hades. I would hope you wouldn't be that foolish," Persephone warned.

"You're one to talk. We both know that we are the same. We will do anything for our children. Fortunately, Cora is isn't here...yet," he said, muttering the last part.

"Then we find a different way to use the blood magic locating spell without the globe. I have to contact Athena anyway and can consult her. She has the oldest library in existence in her temple. If there is another way, she'll know," Persephone replied. He gave a curt nod of acceptance.

"In the meantime, we can work to solve the problem with the town line. You need to be able to cross it. Emma, Henry and I should be able to cross without consequence. But I need Snow and David to be able to cross it as well," she said.

"Why?" Snow asked. Persephone looked at her daughter.

"Because in the event that Hades does find his way here or Cora for that matter, I'll be sending the two of you over the town line with Emma and Henry," she stated, as she glanced at Rumple.

"You may want to make enough potion for Belle to cross as well," she added.

"I don't know if I can even make enough for one and you want me to make enough for at least four?" he asked. She rolled her eyes.

"Whatever ingredients you are short on, I'm sure I can get my hands on. I know you...you can do it if you want to," she replied.

"Wait...can we back up to the part where you're sending us across the town line?" Snow asked.

"Yeah...I'm still wondering about that too," David added, as he put his hands on Snow's shoulders. Persephone sighed.

"Sweetheart...if Hades comes for me, then I want you no where near him. He'll hurt the people I love most to hurt me. And if Cora comes...well, she's perhaps even more dangerous to you than Hades," she responded.

"Why?" Snow asked.

"It's a very long story and some of it won't be easy for you to hear. Can you please just trust me for on this?" she requested.

"I can trust you, but Charming and I won't run and leave our people behind at Cora or Hades' mercy," Snow refused.

"Sweetheart…" Persephone started to protest.

"No...I've done the whole running away thing. It never works. I just didn't learn that until I met Charming. This is my home and I will fight for it," Snow said firmly.

"You are so brave...but there are things at play here that you must understand. Cora may be focused on power, but she will not stop until she destroys you. You have to trust me on this," Persephone pleaded.

"Why? Is it because I stand in Regina's way of the throne?" she asked.

"Partially, but there is so much more to it than that," she replied.

"Then tell me! Whatever you don't want me to hear...I need to!" Snow cried, as David reached for her.

"And you will. But if Cora or Hades come...then you're all going over the town line. This is not negotiable," Persephone said sternly.

"The hell it's not," Snow spat, as she stormed out.

"Snow!" David called, as he hurried after her and tossed an assuring look to Emma that he'd get her. Persephone sighed and started after them, but Emma stopped her.

"I should go after her," the raven haired Goddess said.

"And you will...but let my Dad talk to her first. If there is one thing I know about my parents, it's that my Mom will open up to him and usually only him when it comes to stuff like this," Emma replied. Persephone nodded gently.

"Then perhaps we should research a way to not only leave town, but find Baelfire," Persephone said, as she magicked a large tome into her hand.

"What is that?" Emma asked, looking at the massive book.

"Every plant, herb, flora, and even weed to have ever existed. It is my mother's and she painstakingly cataloged every aspect of flora and grain related items, including spells and ingredients," she said.

"That's amazing…" Belle said, eager to look through such a book.

"Do you really think the answers to our problems can be answered with flowers?" Rumple asked skeptically.

"You know better than any that there are many ways to perform a spell or magical act. This is my way. Yours would involve making a deal with Cora for that locator globe," she retorted, as she waved her hand and magically separated the book into parts.

"Happy reading," she told them, as they began to look through the pages.

"Snow...Snow slow down…" David called, as he ran after her and stopped her on the corner. She turned to him and he could see that everything was starting to take its toll on her.

"She wants us to run…" she said.

"She's just trying to protect us," he replied.

"So you agree with her?" she accused.

"No...but I get it. I'm not exactly crazy about our child joining a fight that includes Cora and Hades himself," he retorted. Her shoulders slumped slightly.

"If we're not running...we're fighting," she said, as she sniffed.

"I'm so tired of running and fighting and wondering not if, but when I'm going to lose you and everyone I love," she added, as she finally broke down in tears. He was ready for this and swept her into his arms, folding her tightly against his chest. Sobs racked her shoulders and he pressed a kiss to her hair. As she pulled back, he gently brushed her tears away and kissed her tenderly.

"I know you're tired of fighting and I wish I could promise that we were done. But I can promise you that you are not going to lose me. You're holding on way too tightly for that," he promised. She sniffed again and relished another kiss, this one much deeper and full of passion that she felt all the way to her toes. He was always very good at that, kissing away her troubles and worries. They were still there, but he always made everything seem okay. However, he also knew something was still gnawing at her.

"How about we get you a hot cocoa and then you tell me what's really bothering you?" he asked. She nodded and they walked with her hand hooked on his elbow. He tucked her close to his side and after they got a couple of cocoas with cinnamon at the diner, they trekked in silence to the Toll Bridge. Snow enjoyed being near the woods again and found the babbling of the creek below them soothing. But the flora and fauna also reminded her of her recently discovered origins.

"Who am I, Charming?" she asked suddenly, looking up at him with searching eyes. He looked confused for a moment.

"What?" he asked.

"Who is Snow White? Who is she really? Because she...I'm not what people think I am," she answered.

"Hey...I know exactly who you are. You're my wife, in both worlds. You're the love of my life, the mother of my child…" he told her.

"And yet those are the only things I'm sure of anymore. I mean, just a day ago, at least in the dreamscape, I was Snow White, a Princess of Misthaven. Daughter of King Leopold and Queen Eva...but I'm actually none of those things," she said, feeling a bit lost.

"Hey...you are still those things. You're still a Princess and they may not be your parents biologically, but they still raised you. And like I said, you're my wife and the mother of our daughter. You're also a hero and the true Queen of two Kingdoms," he protested.

"But I'm not...I'm the daughter of a Prince that no one but my real mother has any memory of. I'm actually niece of Queen Eva and the step-daughter of an Evil Queen," she said, as she turned away and then laughed bitterly.

"The only thing I'm Princess of is the Underworld," she added and then her face crumpled into a frown.

"I don't think I want to be Princess of the Underworld," she whimpered.

"You don't have to be anything you don't want to be," he insisted.

He cupped her beautiful face in his hands and gazed lovingly at her.

"You are whoever you want to be, my darling. I know this can't be easy...finding out all these things about your life that you didn't know. But you're still my Snow. That hasn't changed and it won't," he said, as he kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes, relishing his lips against her skin.

"You are still the woman I fell in love with. I didn't fall in love with you, because of who or what you supposedly were. I fell in love with you, because of the amazing person you are. That hasn't changed, just because some other things have," he confessed to her. She gazed up at him with teary eyes and hugged him tightly. He held her tightly for several long moments, simply running a soothing hand along her back.

"You always know what to say and how to make me feel better," she said fondly, as she pulled back to look up at him. He smiled.

"I'm glad...because you and Emma and Henry are the most important people in my life. And when you're hurting, I want to be able to do everything I can to stop the hurting if I can," he said.

"And if I can't...then know that I'll always be here to hold you and make you feel safe," he promised. She melted against him again and kissed him passionately.

"Now, let's go find our daughter and our grandson. I think a quiet evening together is exactly what this family needs," he said. She nodded, as they started back.

"I need to apologize to my mother too. I shouldn't have snapped at her," she lamented.

"I'm sure she understands…" he assured, as they trekked back toward town, arms around each other.

Little did either of them know, their entire conversation had a witness. The moment she arrived in town, Zelena had been content to lurk in the shadows. Truthfully, if she wanted to, she could wreck havoc and wipe most of them out with the flick of a wrist. But there was the challenge of Rumpelstiltskin and Persephone to consider. While she was confident she could match them both with her magic, it was too risky if they teamed up against her.

She was aware of her sister's current predicament as well. They had locked her up for casting the curse, which was almost too easy for Zelena. She wanted her sister to pay. She wanted a grand stage for all to witness her ultimate demise. She wanted an audience to see how superior she was compared to Regina; for Rumple to see how wrong he was to pick evil over wicked to cast his precious curse.

And then there was her ultimate goal of the time travel spell to consider. She had never been so close, yet so far in bringing it to fruition. The ingredients were before her, except the most important one, which did not yet exist. But she smirked, as she observed the two lovesick idiots embrace and kiss with barely restrained passion.

It would have been so much easier if just any baby would do for her spell, but just any would mean certain failure right out of the gate. No, she needed a product of true love and not just any true love. It was this true love that had broken the curse, or at least the product of this true love. Rumple had chosen correctly when it came to these two at least and Zelena knew it had to be another product of this true love for her spell to truly succeed.

When she had what she wanted, her sister wouldn't just be defeated. She would cease to exist. At one time, she thought the same would hold true with Snow White. But now she knew differently. Even if she made her changes and Leopold married Cora, Snow White would still exist. But that was of little consequence, for Zelena planned to hunt the Princess much as her sister had done. Only she planned to succeed in making sure the Princess met a very grim fate, along with her entire family. For now though, as much as she hated it, she needed these two alive.

That meant she would need to blend in and keep her presence concealed. Rumpelstiltskin nor Persephone could see her. The former would fry her on the spot and the latter would probably help him. Integrating herself into this small town with those two wouldn't be easy, but it was possible. The time would come, she was sure of it, and when it did, she would rip Snow White's second child away and finally get everything that she so richly deserved.

There was a poof of black smoke, as Persephone added the final herb to the concoction and then sniffed it.

"Is that it?" Belle asked, as the Goddess pulled the foul smelling liquid away from her nose and poofed it away.

"No...I'm afraid we'll need to start over," she said in frustration.

"I told you that was too much lotus pollen," Rumple warned.

"Or it could have been the crushed adder's stone. I told you adder's bane would be better," she argued back, as the Emma returned to the shop with Henry in tow.

"Or maybe it's too many cooks in the kitchen," Emma commented. The two magic wielders looked at her questioningly and Belle hid a smirk.

"Or not...what do I know," Emma muttered, as Henry peered up over the counter.

"So this potion is going to let us all leave to go find your son?" he asked curiously.

"I wasn't planning on an audience, but yes I suppose so. But it has to work first and then we have to find a location. There is still a lot of work to be done. But that reminds me," Rumple said, as he turned away and opened a box on the back counter. He opened a velvet pouch and took out of chain with a peculiar pendant on the end of it.

"This is for you," he said, as he put it around the boy's neck.

"Really?" he asked with wide eyes.

"What does it do?" he asked curiously.

"Until we can find a way to keep you from going to the red room, this will help protect you. It will keep the flames at bay," Gold replied.

"What's the price?" Emma asked. Gold glanced at Belle, who gave him a pointed look.

"For Henry, this one is on the house," he relented.

"Thank you," Emma said, as her parents returned to the shop, hand in hand, with her mother looking much more at ease.

"Are you okay?" Persephone asked her daughter. She nodded.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you. This is just...it's a lot. Everything I thought I knew about myself...and half of it turns out to be wrong," Snow confessed. Persephone hugged her.

"I know snowdrop...this is never what I wanted," she said, as she put her hands on either side of Snow's face.

"But I ask that you trust me...I just got you. I can't lose you again," the Goddess confessed.

"I understand that...believe me," Snow said, as she glanced at Emma and David.

"But I also can't run away...I may not be exactly who I thought I was, but they're still my people," she added. Persephone pursed her lips, but didn't say anything more. She wasn't completely sure about her daughter's loyalty to some of the people in this town. She had made great sacrifices for them and the Goddess was quite sure that some of them wouldn't have been willing to do the same for her. Geppetto and Blue came to mind, but she remained silent with her opinions for now.

"We'll figure it out," she assured instead.

"For now, we should keep researching," she added, as they went back to looking through the ancient texts and Henry looked bored already. Charming had anticipated this earlier and had made a stop at the toy store.

"Hey kid...I picked up something today," he said, as he revealed the ends of two wooden swords that were sticking out of bag.

"Really?" he asked, as his eyes lit up in wonder.

"You're the grandson of a Prince. It's only fitting that we start your training as Knight," he said, as he followed the boy outside. Emma gave him a grateful smile, as they left and then went back to helping with the reading.

David took the swords out and dramatically presented the faux weapon to his grandson. Henry was all smiles, as they began to fence and play fight. Across the street, unbeknownst to them, George watched James' twin play with his grandson, a boy that should have never existed. If he had gotten his way, David would have never sired any children with his beloved Snow White. But his curse he had placed on her had been lifted and they had their precious daughter. And now that the curse was broken, that disgrace had everything he wanted again. A family...family that George was more determined than ever to destroy.

But he was no fool. The news about the presence of the Goddess Persephone in their town had spread like wildfire. And the fact that she was Snow White's biological mother had come as quite a shock to most. It presented an obstacle for him, but he wasn't going to let that stop him from making David pay. He had taken everything from George and the former King was determined to do the same to him…

As they arrived at this supposed lake that was said to have restorative powers, Hook was immediately disappointed when it appeared the lake had dried up.

"Bloody hell...it's gone," he uttered.

"What now?" he asked irritably.

"Such little faith in my you have, Captain," Cora cooed, as she made a circular motion with her finger. The ground broke apart and water spouted up from underground, quickly filling the lake again. Hook dipped the bean in water and watched it go from dried up and dead to a clear color again. Cora took the bean from him and looked at it with a pleased smile.

"Time to get your ship ready for travel, Captain. We're going to a Land Without Magic," she stated.

David ruffled Henry's hair and hugged him to his side, as they finished their sparring game, just as Emma, Persephone, and Snow came out of Gold's shop.

"Any luck?" he asked.

"Today was a bust, but we think we know where we went wrong. We're going to try again tomorrow," Persephone said.

"That's only part of the problem too. His son could be anywhere in the country," Snow mentioned, as she slipped her arms around her husband's waist.

"Or the world for that matter," Emma added, as they started walking down the street.

"Don't worry...I'll find a way. I found my child and we will help Rumple find his," Persephone assured, as she smiled at Snow.

As they entered the diner, Henry proceeded to climb up to the counter and tell Granny and Red all about his new sword. Emma smiled at her father.

"Thanks for spending time with him. He's on cloud nine," she said.

"Are you kidding? I loved it. I had just as much fun as he did, if not more," he replied, as he put his arm around her and kissed her forehead.

"We love him, Emma, as much as we love you," David promised, as they found a booth to sit in. The diner was fairly busy, with Whale nursing a drink at the bar and still sporting a black eye. Jefferson and Grace would be along shortly to join them and likely the dwarves as well. But to their surprise, Abigail and Frederick approached their table with warm smiles.

"You found each other," Snow said. Abigail smiled.

"We did and I suppose that's thanks to you, Emma. It's wonderful to finally meet you, as myself, that is," Abigail replied.

"Likewise," Emma said, a bit shyly.

"Would you like to join us?" David asked.

"No...we've finished and I think we're going to take a walk. We just wanted to say hi and thank you," Frederick replied. They nodded.

"But we'd love to get together soon," Abigail added.

"Absolutely," Snow agreed.

"Oh and Snow...I'm sorry for those nasty things I said to you during the curse," Abigail apologized. But Snow shook her head.

"I know that wasn't the real you and I know Regina put ideas about me in your head. It's forgotten," she assured. Abigail smiled and squeezed her hand, before they quietly made their way out.

"Another couple reunited it would seem," Persephone said fondly, looking at her daughter and son-in-law. Snow wholeheartedly agreed and rested her head on Charming's shoulder. She knew that this peaceful lull probably wouldn't last and she knew they still had many things to discuss and figure out. But being together with her family like this was everything. And she was going to do everything possible to retain this happiness...