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:
Barratta Jennifer: Yep, Hermes is a fool. You can never trust Hades. And yep, so much trouble is on the way to Storybrooke.
Ragsweas: Eek, yeah one happy chapter and then I lowered the boom again. You can see why I saved that scene at the station for this chapter rather than putting in the last one. Glad you understand how different Emma is here. It's going to continue to make a difference. And yes, Regina is still very revenge minded at this point. I liked Hermes in Percy Jackson too, but I'm doing something a bit different with him here. I love David too...love him so much. I know, poor Henry. The kid is struggling. Glad you're enjoying this so much!
Saberius Prime: Yeah, Regina is a ways away from redemption at this point. It's going to come, but it will be a while. Yeah, it seems like Storybrooke is kind of doomed right now with all the evil coming for them. But that's what makes it interesting, right? ;)
Number Ten: Glad you liked Belle's speech. I do prefer Storybrooke too, though now after the finale, we have the best of both worlds with all the realms being united.
Jrocks: Yes, Baelfire will appear soon, but it can't be rushed. And yes, I liked the finale a lot, especially the merging of realms.
Sara K M: Yeah, that's why I have such a heartburn with blaming a child. Henry didn't fall in that pitfall that Snow did, but he could have easily. Children just don't understand rationalize things like adults. I think she does want to try, but her victim hood is one thing that bothered me a lot throughout the series, though I think a lot of times it's some of her fans that bother me most. Because no one had it worse than Regina. Not true. All these characters have had trauma. Henry does have more potential to redeem her though. Yeah, Maurice is the worst. Easily the worst father in the whole series, ranking right up there with King Xavier and Zelena's adopted dad. Yeah, the end was scary. There is so much evil heading for Storybrooke. Glad you're enjoying still!
Izzypirelli: I know, I feel bad for Henry caught in the middle like that. Glad you like the reworked canon moments. There are still some things I want to work in, despite the fact that it has to be done differently. Yep, Moe is easily the worst father in the entire series. Glad you like the Snowing scene. I really love writing them. I don't think they get nearly enough attention or the credit they deserve for being this amazing true love. I love writing them so much and I'm glad it shows. :)
Beth1980: I know, it's hard for me to feel bad for Regina at this point. That is exactly the difference in this story though. Emma had them there, at least in some capacity. They've shared all their pain and so Emma is much more hostile toward Regina. Glad you liked Persephone's protectiveness and the stand off between Moe, Rumple, and Belle. Moe is easily the worst father in the whole series. Yeah, Snow stopping her execution wasn't the right decision probably. A lot of people died because of it. I get why she didn't though. It's why I struggle with Regina. I like the progress she made, but at the same time, a lot of people had to die for Regina to redeem herself. Yep, Hermes is another problem in a long list. Glad you're still enjoying! :)
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 45: Kingdoms Come and Castles Fall
Snow giggled and then sighed dreamily, as her husband's ministrations drove her wild as usual. He was currently kissing her neck and nibbling at her ear, making her hot all over, as they cuddled beneath the bedclothes. Waking up to his amorous activities like this was nothing new, but it was something she'd never tire of.
"Charming…" she cooed, as his hands on her flesh left her wanting more. She gasped and mewled, as his hands had her writhing against him. She surrendered completely to him and then felt like she was flying.
After, they cuddled together, their flesh cooling, as they exchanged more passion filled kisses. Sometimes she had trouble describing how he made her feel. Right now, she felt sated and boneless in a way only he could make her feel. He made her feel so beautiful and Snow hadn't always felt that way. She had seen women that she thought were far more beautiful than she was, but his eyes never wandered. She was all he saw in any room.
As Mary, that had absolutely fascinated her and taken her aback at first. It just wasn't how men acted in her experience. She had seen other men look at her with possessive eyes like Whale and Damon; looks that made her shudder. She had seen other men observe her physicality in a passive manner as well and saw their heads turn away when Ruby had passed by, making her feel that she was obviously less beautiful than the waitress.
But then David came along and looked at Mary like she was the most beautiful woman in all the universe. Mary hadn't been used to that. But Snow was. Her husband had always looked at her with that same awe then and now.
As Mary, she had naturally sought a form of birth control at the hospital after she and David started dating. She had never been more grateful for the nurse practitioners they had at the hospital, for this was not an appointment she wanted to have with Whale in any capacity.
As Mary and David, she had seen to it that they were taking precaution. Now, as Snow and Charming, they had conversations about their future ahead of them. It was unspoken between them that they both wanted more children. It had always been their plan. Emma was only their first child and she had even questioned a few times over the years if she might have had siblings. They always assured her that if they had been able to raise her, then she would have definitely been a big sister. But now that their future was before them, they had yet to discuss it so she was naturally still taking her birth control.
As Mary, she had awkwardly explained condoms to David and he had used them on occasion. But Snow preferred it without them and would make monthly trips to the drugstore for the pills.
Now that they were together again though, there was no denying the stirrings inside her. She still remembered cradling Emma in the dreamscape and it had been her greatest joy; a joy Mary never knew but thought about frequently. As Mary, she had begun to entertain the possibility of a baby when she and David got married. But now, even with the curse broken, she knew the timing probably wasn't good. They still had a lot of things to figure out. It was hardly the time to be thinking about having a baby with all the uncertainty around them, not to mention discussing Emma's feelings on them having another child. She didn't want her daughter to feel replaced in any capacity. She was their baby and always would be. But she was grown now and they still had time to have more children if they wanted. She just wasn't sure it was a conundrum they could afford to entertain yet. It didn't lessen those stirrings inside her or the joy she felt at the thought of having another baby with the man she loved.
"Hey...you okay?" he asked, noticing the pensiveness on her face. But she smiled softly and caressed his handsome face with the back of her hand.
"I'm great...wonderful, in fact. As Mary, I don't know how I ever forgot what it was like being with you," she said softly. He smiled and kissed her forehead.
"You mean how I can seem to keep my hands off you?" he teased, as he pulled her even closer and she giggled.
"Definitely that...but you're not the only one that can't keep their hands off," she teased back, watching his eyes glaze, as her own hands roamed. This resulted in more heated kisses, until he finally released her lips to trail down her neck. She sighed in contentment, letting herself become lost in him again.
"I love you so much…" he breathed.
"Oh Charming…" she mewled. Gods, she could never get enough of his man. But their bliss would inevitably be interrupted by their hungry grandson, who they could hear coming down the stairs with a crabby Emma. They smiled at each other, as they enjoyed the banter between mother and son and how he needed to pick something other than pop-tarts, because the toaster hated her.
"I think we need a door," she mentioned. He smirked.
"Yeah and a cold shower," he added, as she giggled.
"Didn't you get enough of me yet?" she teased, but he gave her a smoldering look in response that left her flush all the way to her toes.
"Baby...I could make love to your for eternity and I'd never get enough," he answered, as he kissed her quickly and got up to throw some clothes on, leaving her completely hot and bothered.
"We definitely need a door," she repeated, as he smiled back at her. She grabbed her robe and slipped off to the bathroom, while David made sure Emma and Henry ate more than sugar laden pastries.
After they had all eaten and cleaned up, Emma was getting ready to take Henry down to the bus when the boy turned to his grandparents.
"Hey Grams...when are you coming back to school?" Henry asked curiously. Snow smiled.
"I'm not really sure sweetie. There's a lot to figure out in terms of the town leadership now," she replied.
"Are you going to be the new Mayor?" he asked excitedly.
"I...I don't know honey. I guess that's one thing that we have to figure out," she replied uncertainly.
"Well, you'll be really good at if you are," he said, as he trotted out of the apartment. Emma shot them a smile, as she followed him.
She felt David's arms slide around her waist from behind and his lips caress her cheek.
"He's right, you know," he said in her ear and she hummed in response.
"I'm not sure about that. I mean, what do I know about running this town?" she asked, as she turned to him. He took her hands in his own.
"You're a wonderful leader...we were able to overthrow Regina and George for a reason. Because the people wanted it. They didn't take care of our people and their support ultimately is what won it all for us," he reminded.
"But being a Princess...or a Queen is very different than running a town in this land. Regina had twenty-eight years to figure all of this out...and curse memories of how governing in this land works…" she fretted.
"She did...but that doesn't mean you can't learn on the job. Not to mention that you have people around you to help. I'm well versed in all the laws and governing in this land," Persephone interjected.
"I had twenty-eight years of waiting around to do before I could see you again. I made good use of that time with many books from Athena's vast library. I read just about every book about this land that she had," the Goddess added.
"That's probably why you should take over as Mayor," Snow said, but the other dark haired beauty shook her head.
"No Snowdrop, these are your people. They fought to install you as their Queen and it's really no different here. But if you need a deputy Mayor, then nothing would make me happier than working alongside my wonderful, amazing daughter," she said. Snow took sharp breath. Twenty-eight years ago, she had been ready to rule and wouldn't have questioned it even for a second. But then she spend twenty-eight years as Mary Margaret Blanchard, the meek schoolteacher that could barely look anyone in the eye and now ruling terrified her. But it was her duty to her people to do exactly that. Her Mother and Charming seemed to have all the confidence in the world in her. She just wished she could muster that same confidence.
"I...just don't even know where to begin. I mean, do we have an election?" she asked.
"That is the correct avenue to proceed in this land. Obviously our former Mayor is in jail. In normal circumstances, the deputy Mayor would take over. But since Regina doesn't have one, then a special election would be in order," Persephone agreed.
"Then someone else could run against me," Snow realized.
"They could, but I really doubt that anyone else can compete with you. There may be a bit of dissension among those still loyal to Regina and we may see a power grab from a few others, but the majority will want you as their leader, Snow," Persephone stated. Snow didn't look very convinced though.
"Yesterday, you wanted us to cross the town line as soon as it was possible. Now you think we should lead?" she asked.
"I was wrong to push you to run away. I know it's something you would never do to your people. I am just so frightened of losing you again that I let it overrule my good sense. The thought of Hades or Cora anywhere near you sends me into a panic," she admitted.
"I understand why with Hades, but why Cora? I know she's dangerous, but I have been around her before. Other than manipulating a secret out of me, she never had much to do with me. Most of the time when she was around, I was with Johanna," Snow replied. Persephone took a sharp breath at that and turned away.
"There was much going on around you that you didn't know about," Persephone responded.
"Then tell me...please," Snow pleaded. Persephone looked back at her with a sad look.
"Snow, you have to realize what I am going to tell you might change the way you see the people in your life that were constants when you were a child. They were people there for you when I could not be. Things happened and they did things that they shouldn't have, but at the end of the day, you were safe until Leopold died. And even though I have issues with some of these people that were constants in your life, they were still there to see that you were safe and happy," she said. Snow took a deep breath.
"I love that you are trying to protect me, but if Cora really is going to eventually find a way here, then shouldn't I know? I'll admit that yesterday I was already seriously questioning who I was," Snow said, as she looked at David.
"But Charming reminded me that I already know exactly who I am, despite the fact that things I thought were truths in my life turned out not to be so. I am still a Princess that will fight for my Kingdom. I'm a wife and a mother, and even a grandmother," she continued.
"And I get to be a daughter again...it's something I never thought possible, but it's happened in ways I never imagined," Snow added, as she took her Mother's hands.
"But just as I expect complete honesty in my relationships with my husband and child, I need that from you too, Mother," she pleaded. Persephone softened and pulled her close, as the tears started to slip down her face.
"You are so good...my perfect little girl. I knew you would be though. It is why I named you as such," she confessed.
"I will tell you everything, but I do think Emma should hear it too," Persephone stated.
"I think we can arrange a quiet family dinner here at the loft," David interjected. The two nodded.
"For now, I think we should get the word out that you are calling a town wide meeting to announce your candidacy for Mayor," Persephone said.
"Do you think today is too short of notice? Not everyone may hear about it," Snow replied.
"They will if I tell Leroy. He'll spread the word better than any other means," David said, as he pulled out his phone to call the often irritated dwarf.
"If I made you feel as though I did not believe in your ability to lead yesterday, that was never my intention," Persephone mentioned. Snow nodded.
"I know," she assured her.
"I am so proud of the woman you have become, Snow. You will be an amazing leader," she added.
"Only because I won't be doing it alone," Snow added, as they shared a hug.
"Okay...Grumpy is spreading the word. I'd say give it an hour and people will be flocking to City Hall," he mentioned.
"Then I say we best be making our way there. We can call Emma on the way," Persephone said, as they made their way out for the day.
After seeing Henry off to the bus, Emma received a text and it was surprisingly from August. No one had seen or heard from him since the curse had broken, but that had not surprised her since she had witnessed him turn completely to wood. She now wondered if the curse breaking had truly fixed him. But then she questioned that too when he said he wanted to meet, but rejected her idea of Granny's.
Instead, he had given her a set of directions to follow to him. Normally, she would have told him off and demanded that he stop lurking in the shadows like a coward. But she admitted she was curious as to why he was so afraid to come out now that the curse was broken. Seemingly, this was what he had wanted. His own father didn't know he was even alive and even if her parents had some harsh words for him, she knew it wasn't the fear of that.
So reluctantly, she ventured into the woods and came upon a really beat up old trailer. It was disgusting on the outside and she could only imagine what it was like on the inside.
Tentatively, she opened the door and peered in.
"Hello?" she called.
"Hello Emma," a voice answered and she recognized it as August. She stepped into the trailer and came face to face with August...still completely wooden. But the difference was that the return of magic had given him mobility. Now she understood why he was cowering in the shadows.
"Guess this explains why you didn't want to meet in public," she commented.
"It's nothing I don't deserve, I suppose. I have done a lot of selfish things," he admitted.
"No arguments here," Emma muttered, as she looked around.
"But everyone has their memories back. You don't have to stay hidden. I mean...don't you think your father deserves to know you're alive?" she asked. He smirked bitterly.
"Deserves to know what an utter failure I am? No...I think I prefer him thinking I'm dead," he replied.
"That's the selfish thing to do!" she snapped and he looked taken aback. She took a deep breath to calm herself.
"Look, those things won't be easy for him to hear, but he needs to. Letting him think you're dead is torture for him. And I'm sorry, but it's time that he answered for his part in this whole thing," she added.
"Have your parents confronted him yet?" he asked curiously. She sighed.
"No...but I'm sure he'll be there at the town meeting that they called in an hour. Everyone will be showing up to discuss the town leadership and my Mom plans to announce that she's running for Mayor," Emma revealed. August allowed himself a small smile.
"She'll be great," he offered.
"She will...we're still trying to convince her of that, but she will," she agreed. But August didn't look like he was going to budge.
"Look, I'm not saying that they won't have some harsh words about the lies that he and Blue told. But you know my parents...they'll forgive. He still needs to know what he did to you...to us! Putting an infant in the care of a seven-year-old boy was careless. His actions had a part in our crappy childhoods," she stated.
"I've never really let myself blame him, but I'll never forget that night. Alone with a baby in the woods and this land was so strange…" he admitted.
"He needs to know about your struggles. Trust me, it will be cathartic. Believe me, I unloaded on my parents in the dreamscape when I was a teenager. It wasn't in the healthiest way and it made them sad, but it also helped them understand. It made my relationship with them stronger until we finally got to the place we are now," Emma advised.
"I don't know if I can...I'm not like you," he lamented. She sighed in exasperation.
"Well, I guess that's your choice. Have fun continuing to live a lie," she responded, as she stalked toward the door.
"Emma…" he called and she turned back.
"Please don't tell anyone you saw me or where I am," he pleaded. She clenched her teeth.
"I'm not like you. If my kid asks about you...then I'm gonna tell him," she snapped back. He lowered his head.
"But if he doesn't...then I won't offer the information," she added, as she left. August pondered her visit further in the wake of her storming out. She was willing to forgive him now, but if she knew the truth about Neal and his part in all of that, she'd shun him again. And if Gold found out that he knew where Baelfire was...he shuddered. He didn't even want to think about that.
"Sorry Emma...I can't come clean and no one can find me again," he muttered to himself, as he prepared to move the trailer.
Snow fought the urge to pace nervously, as people filed into the Town Hall in droves.
"I'm not sure this was such a good idea," she lamented. David stopped her fidgeting by putting his hands on her arms.
"No, it's a great idea. You're going to be amazing," he assured.
"How do you know?" she asked. He smiled.
"Because you're you," he replied simply. She felt like a mixture of both wanting to melt and being exasperated at that answer.
"David...that is a very charming answer, but it's hardly true. I'm a mess...I'm not even close to being prepared for this. And maybe the town isn't so sure about me either. I mean, to most of them I've been Mary Margaret for twenty-eight years and they hardly see her as leadership material," Snow argued.
"I think you're being a little hard on the Mary part of you. I happen to love her too," he reminded. She softened even more.
"I know...it's just these people saw her very differently than you did. For the most part, she was invisible and Regina's favorite punching bag. And then I was the tramp that was the reason David Nolan wasn't going to go back to his divorced wife," she said, rolling her eyes at the last part, which was clearly ridiculous. He moved his hands to cup her face gently and pulled her into a kiss.
"I know for a long time that no one saw you...but I assure you that most of these people are here for you now. They're looking to you as their rightful leader and I know without a doubt that you're up to the challenge," he promised.
"But if you really don't want to do this...I understand. It's a lot. But I also know you and I don't think you'll be particularly happy with who might step in to try and take control," he mentioned, as he gestured to the back of the room. Standing there was none other than King Midas and former King George, looking very chummy too. And Snow realized that this was a pair she was absolutely unwilling to let in control of her people's future. Looking around, she saw most of them looking in their direction with questions and uncertainty in their eyes. And it was up to her family to lead. With a bit more resolve, she relaxed a bit and stepped up to the podium, ready to speak.
"Thank you for coming today," Snow began, as she glanced behind her a bit to see her family giving her encouraging smiles.
"I know that the last couple days have been very confusing and we are all trying to find the balance between our cursed identities and our newly returned real identities. Regina brought us here to this place, but is obviously not fit to lead us. And though the future before us is still uncertain, I would like to step up and take on that mantle of leadership," Snow stated.
"I don't know if there is a way back to our land or if it's even a viable option. What I do know that, despite the fact that this place is where we were cursed to, it is a land of choice and opportunity. We can make good lives here now that the curse is broken and I would like to lead us all to a brighter future. That's why I am announcing that I am running for Mayor," she said, causing commotion in the room.
"What of the Queen?" someone interjected. Snow took a deep breath.
"Regina is locked up and we will see that she is no longer a threat," Snow stated.
"You cannot promise that…" another voice said, as Midas strode toward the podium. Charming clenched his teeth, ready to pounce on the King if he got too close to Snow.
"Father…" Abigail chided. But he ignored her.
"You are the reason we are here. The Evil Queen cursed us...because of you, Snow White," he announced, causing more chattering among the crowd.
"Don't you dare blame the curse on my wife!" David growled, as he started toward him. But Snow got in his way, putting her hands on his chest and trying to keep him back.
"Oh, I'm so glad you have chosen to speak, Prince James…" he said, as he turned to the crowd.
"Your beloved Snow White has a secret!" he announced, as George smirked deviously.
"We all now know about her origins; that she not the daughter of King Leopold and Queen Eva, but in reality only their niece! She is the daughter of the Goddess Persephone, but that is not the only secret she holds," he continued.
"Your beloved bandit Princess married an imposter! This man is not the real Prince James," Midas announced. There were gasps of surprise from most, except for those close to Snow and David, like the dwarves, Red, Granny, Blue, Archie, and Geppetto. David's true identity had been a closely guarded secret. Snow glared at the King.
"Your Princess married a peasant...a poor Shepherd who masqueraded as his twin brother, Prince James, and deceived us all!" Midas ranted.
"I suggest you all think twice about who you will seat upon this town's Throne. I am a real King, from a noble line with pure royal blood. And I challenge you for the seat of Mayor, Snow White," Midas announced. Abigail and Frederick looked absolutely mortified, for they never expected him to sink to this level. His announcement caused more chattering in the room.
"Then you better bring it, because my wife will be twice the leader you'll ever be," David interjected.
"And coming from a peasant, your words have little meaning. Perhaps if you were a real Prince, you might sway the people with those good looks and charm. But these people hardly need the word of a peasant," Midas spat. Snow's eyes shot daggers at the pompous windbag that dared to speak to her husband that way, but David put a calming hand on the small of her back.
"You're right...I'm not a Prince by birth. I stepped in for my brother that died fighting a battle for you," David said, pointing at the King.
"I kept up the ruse after I slayed your Dragon, only because George threatened to kill my Mother if I didn't. I had no interest in being a Prince and then I met Snow. It was then that I realized the good I could do for people just like me. People who knew what it was like to struggle just to survive and know what it was like to go to bed hungry. I knew that we both could make a difference by being a voice for people like me. And Snow...she not only cares for her people, but she loves them. She made sacrifices for them in a way we all know you never would," David said passionately.
"So, if the people want someone who values gold and riches above everything, then I'm sure they'll vote for you. But if they want a voice and a true leader, then they'll vote for Snow," he finished, as there was cheers. Snow beamed at him and tugged him by the collar. She kissed him passionately, as he turned his head to her.
"I love you…" she breathed, as their lips parted. He smiled.
"And I love you...people are going to make the right choice," he assured. With that, she turned back to the podium.
"I believe my husband said everything that needs to be said. Now the vote remains in your hands," Snow concluded, as she stepped back and into Charming's arms again. Midas looked none too happy, for his outing of David had clearly backfired. Still, there was a small group of dissension that seemed to side with Midas and George, but it was to be expected. They were part of the former nobility and also part of the problem. Persephone was confident that her daughter would win the vote and become the leader she knew she was born to be.