AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.
Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)
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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!
Please consider leaving a review if you're reading. It is very much appreciated!
Thanks for awesome the reviews. Here are individual responses:
Saberius Prime: Yes, Neal is back! Glad you enjoyed it! As for weekly updates, I used to have about a ten chapter lead. I do not anymore, because you're right, life happens. This story and Finding You Always get priority over all my other verses. I usually write scene by scene. I often write during my lunch at work and quite a bit on weekends. I get really behind on my TV shows, lol, because I put my writing first in my free time. There are times I get a bit nervous, but so far I've made weekly updates. Thanks for asking about the process though. I can say that this chapter was done by Saturday, which is a bit early. Usually I finish on Mondays. I do find that sometimes I might fry my brain, but it's been easier since I've been on the Keto diet that I started in January. In addition to weight loss, Keto comes with a mental clarity and gets rid of brain fog. So that has helped too in the last few months with so much increased focus. :)
Baratta Jennifer: Yep, Neal meets Henry in this chapter!
Grace5231973: Okay, well I'm glad you're enjoying!
Cassie: Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it!
Number Ten: Yes, according to canon, Cora was redeemed. But I don't always agree with canon so there you go. Remember, just cause it happened in canon, doesn't mean it's going to happen here. :) I love badass Granny too and David is on the chase. Yes, the fact that Emma didn't lie here makes a HUGE difference as you'll see in this chapter. :)
Sara K M: Yes, it was kind of a strange mix of Child of the Moon and Manhattan, but somehow it worked pretty well. I do really like the canon version of David doing everything for Red the way he knew Snow would. My original plan had Snow being involved with something else during this so it was the same, but that particular plot I have in mind for Snow didn't fit yet, though it is coming. Yes, I think they did bond over their terrible childhoods. In some ways, that's still the same here, but Emma's has a much deeper layer. They do have a lot to get over until they get to a point of trust and eventually love though. :)
Izzypirelli: I know, damn George, though I agree. I do like him as an outright villain. You're right, here he doesn't have a lot to hold over David's head, but I'm sure he'll have something to say before he goes down. As for Persephone, yes, they definitely need to free her sooner rather than later. Yep, Neal is finally in the picture and glad you liked the unknowing grand parenting scene with Belle, Gold, and Henry. Yeah, that present tense love on Neal's part might be an unintentional slip since he's engaged...oops on his part. And Emma's past tense we know is denial. Yeah, I knew the bar scene had to be way different and so I decided to go all out and just do all kind of heart wrenching emotions there. The Henry scene is interesting since she's not hiding him here. It's kind of a rip off the bandage moment. He's pissing her off so she doesn't ease him in. You'll see in the scene. :)
Beth1980: Yes, I thought Belle going with him in this made sense. He would want to keep her close, especially since she's not Lacey right now. I kind of did the Lacey thing early so it's not a complication here. No problem, I don't mind answering questions at all. Yes, I love imagining Snow running to keep up with Charming. I don't hate Whale...I don't really like him, but you're right, Cora probably would have killed him, which is why Snow implored David to let him off with a warning. I love the sexy, flirty scene with Snowing in the loft and eating grilled cheese after tacos, lol. I agree with you. I don't think Emma was obligated to tell Regina anything. Regina fans disagree, but yeah social services would have a field day with her, I don't care what they say. I support adoption too, but not so much in this case. Yeah, we'll see about Johanna. I agree, George needs a muzzle. Yes, David has no tact, but we love our tactless prince. Yep, Neal is finally in the picture! Yeah, I'm surprised he didn't see it, but his shock always seemed genuine to me. Yes, the next part will be a bit smoother, even if Neal and Emma fight a bit more in this chapter. Yes, I think even if she and Neal stayed together and built a family with their son, Emma still would have felt the pull to find them. Ha, it's funny that you mention David punching Neal. Stay tuned for that eventually. Glad you're enjoying!
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 53: Roots
David's legs burned in protest, but he ignored it, as he chased George. Fortunately, he was much younger and faster, so it didn't take him long to catch up to the disgraced King. He pulled his gun and cocked it, making the King stop, as they reached the beach.
"Put your hands where I can see them. You're under arrest for murder," David stated, as the King did so and slowly turned to face him.
"You think you've really won, shepherd?" George goaded.
"Good always wins...even if our victories are harder to achieve," David retorted.
"So sure of yourself...so sure that you're good," the former King spat.
"As opposed to you...yes. The people have never come first to you. Power is all you care about," David countered.
"You are such a fool...power is how you get everything in this world...in any world, boy," George spat.
"I tried to barter a deal that would have made my Kingdom prosperous for centuries to come. But you ruined it all and just so you could be with your precious Snow White. Who is really the selfish one here?" George challenged.
"Some saw what I did as selfish, you're right...but I never stopped fighting for the people. And don't act so noble...you wouldn't have lent any of the riches you acquired from Midas to the people. Only the nobles and elite would have benefited from that deal," David argued.
"If that's what you need to tell yourself every night when you lay next to your precious Snow White, then so be it. That doesn't change the fact that you will never be fit to lead anything, let alone this town," the disgraced King spat.
"You're wrong," Snow interjected breathlessly, as she and Red arrived behind him.
"Am I, Princess? Just because you say so?" George goaded.
"No...because of the kind of man my husband is. The opposite of you. You have to use fear and lies to get people to follow you. Such leadership would only lead this town to war and ruin. David leads by example, as a man that gives his all to protect his family and the people of this town. He doesn't need to rally them into a frenzy to get them to follow him," Snow countered, as she looked up at him.
"They follow him, because they see themselves in him. He's a person that cares about others and loves his family. You could have had that. But you chose hate over love and family," Snow implored.
"Love is for children, you foolish little girl. Even your father knew that. He was well known for saying that love makes people do very foolish things. Too bad he did not manage to impart his wisdom to his naive daughter," George hissed.
"As much as it hurts...my father, the man that raised me is no role model. He is not a man I look up to now that I know the truths about the things he did in his past," she admitted, but then smiled.
"Fortunately, my husband is the kind of father that my daughter can and does look up to. This town's protection is in good hands with both of them," she said.
"At the end of the day, despite anything else, you're just a cold blooded murderer that deserves nothing less than to be locked up for the rest of his life," she added. David smirked.
"Couldn't have said it better myself," he agreed, as he holstered his gun and cuffed the old man.
"You think you have won? With Cora and the Queen on the loose?" George challenged.
"Or what about your mother's husband? Do you really think Hades will not come to finish what he tried to do upon the day of your birth, Snow White?" he ranted.
"Shut up," David snapped.
"Yes...your precious wife won't be ruling this town long if he has his way. With the Queen gone, I'm sure the Underworld could use a Princess to lord over them," George growled.
"If you don't shut up...you'll be the one going to the Underworld," David growled back, as they marched him back to town.
"I need to get back to the library. I kind of chained your mother up with magic proof chains. She is probably not happy with me at all," Red stated. Snow winced.
"Probably not...I'll go with you," Snow agreed, as she kissed David tenderly.
"I'm going to lock him up and then I'll meet you at home," he said, as he put George in the patrol car, while Red and Snow set off for the library.
Emma tried to calm her heart, which was pounding, as they walked back to his apartment building in silence.
"So you're not going to tell me what exactly I need to see? Surprises aren't my favorite thing, you know," Neal mentioned.
"Oh, I'm sorry...did I forget to tell you that I give a damn about your sensitivities?" Emma snapped coldly.
"Damn...okay, maybe I deserve that," he said and then winced, as she looked at him sharply.
"You think?" she growled. He sighed.
"Emma...I told you that I'm sorry. But you know as well as I do that I could have never known that you knew your parents or that you were from there," he replied.
"But you did know after August told you. So what that you hated your Dad. I hated my parents at the time. We still could have found them together," she said.
"It's not the same!" he snapped, as they stopped walking and faced each other.
"The difference is that you really didn't hate your parents. I really do hate my father! Do you have any idea what I went through?" he questioned. She crossed her arms over her chest and cast her gaze downward for a moment.
"There is a book...it has all the stories in it. From everyone in town, so yeah, I read it the first chance I got, cover to cover. So yeah...I'm familiar with the story of Baelfire," she admitted.
"Then you know what happened. He chose all that crap over me! And before I got to this world, I had some pretty unpleasant experiences in others," Neal explained.
"He screwed up! Don't you think he at least deserves a second chance?" she asked and he looked at her in disbelief.
"Are you defending him?" he accused. She sighed.
"No...what he did was messed up! It destroyed my family!" she assured.
"Then why the hell does it sound like you're defending him?" he shouted.
"Because...he helped my Dad," she confessed. Neal rolled his eyes.
"He doesn't help anyone unless there was something in it for him," he stated. Emma sighed.
"You're right, but it went down in a way that I think helped your Dad realize that friends and family might actually do things for you without expecting something in return. That's who my parents are...they help people without expecting to be rewarded for it," Emma explained.
"That's nice for you, Emma, but my Dad isn't like that. If you need his help, then you better expect to pay the price," Neal argued.
"But my father didn't pay a price...that's what I'm trying to tell you," she argued back. He seemed intrigued and nodded his head for her to continue.
"A man named Jefferson, who worked for your father back there was cursed to be awake during the curse. It was his punishment to remember everything and have to watch another family raise his daughter. But that also meant he had time to discover things that Regina was hiding," Emma began.
"Like what?" Neal asked curiously.
"Like the fact she told your father that a woman he fell in love with died, but really she just locked her up in the psych ward," Emma replied. He chuckled and Emma looked at him incredulously.
"Are you laughing at me?" she demanded to know.
"Yeah...because you're crazy if you expect me to believe that my father, Dark One extraordinaire, fell in love," he drawled.
"No...no...I amend that. You've cracked if you expect me to believe someone actually fell in love with him!" Neal added.
"The only thing that's going to be cracked is your teeth if you call me crazy again," she growled, as she started to walk away.
"Okay...I'm sorry, but come on! My father loves power and power only," Neal told her.
"Yeah, I know he loves power, but it's not the only thing he loves. Trust me, based on everything I knew about him before I got to Storybrooke, I would have agreed with you," she said. He shrugged.
"Then what changed that?" Neal asked.
"My father...he gave my father back his real memories when he woke up from the coma and gave him a potion to keep him immune to any false memories Regina would have tried to plant. She planned to give him false memories of being married to someone else to keep my parents apart," she explained, as tears gathered in her eyes.
"He gave me my Dad back...and not just in my dreams. For the first time since you...I wasn't alone," she choked, as a few tears slipped down her cheeks.
"My Mom didn't remember yet, but it didn't matter. She was so lonely and thought she was nothing...a feeling I know all too well. But Dad swept in and became her Prince Charming again," she added. Neal let out a breath.
"And that's great, Emma, but I know him. He got something out of it," he replied.
"He did...he got Belle back. My father helped him get back to the woman he loved, because your father helped him. But it went further than that...they actually became friends," she pleaded. He chuckled.
"My father doesn't have friends and if your Dad actually thinks my father is his friend, then he's an idiot," Neal said.
"Don't call my Dad stupid!" she snapped, taking him aback a bit and he held up his hands in surrender.
"Okay...I'm sorry," he apologized again. But she scoffed.
"You know what...I'm starting to think that you don't deserve to know the other thing I have to tell you," she said, as she turned away.
"It will be hard to here, but I'll tell him the truth about what you really are," Emma replied.
"Who are you talking about?" Neal asked in confusion.
"I already told him the truth...thanks to my Mom. I wanted to lie...I wanted to tell him you were some firefighter that died a hero. But nope...I told him the truth and he took it pretty well. Better than me," Emma replied.
"Emma...what the hell are you talking about?" he asked.
"I told him that you sent me to jail. I was honest and said I wasn't completely innocent in the whole thing, but I'm pretty sure all he heard was you sold me out and he was born in prison," she answered. His eyes widened.
"B...born?" he questioned.
"And now...I get to tell him that Baelfire is actually Neal Cassidy and he decided to abandon us again, because he can't get over his daddy issues," Emma spat.
"Emma!" he shouted and she turned back to him.
"What do you mean...by born?" he asked, with bated breath.
"I mean my son...our son," she replied. He was stunned to speechlessness.
"We...we have a son?" he asked in disbelief.
"Yep...but I didn't get to raise him. I was in prison, remember? And I knew that I couldn't give him what he needed when I got out. So I gave him up...and guess who adopted him? None other than Regina Mills," Emma replied.
"The Queen adopted our son?" he asked. She nodded.
"Yep, we share a son with the Evil Queen...so thanks for that," she retorted.
"Emma…" he started to say.
"You know what? I'm done...I don't care anymore. Come, don't come...I'm over it. I'm going back to get my son and we're going home to my parents, because we're a family and it's pretty great," she admitted.
"Once I worked through my anger and hurt with them...things were wonderful, even when we were only together in our dreams. Too bad you're too good to give your Dad the same chance," she said.
"It's not the same!" he insisted again.
"Dammit...your parents are good! They didn't want to give you up, did they?" he asked. She shook her head.
"No...they only did, because of him! Because he wanted to get me back! Never mind that he destroyed countless other lives to do it!" he cried.
"Fine...so what do I tell him?" she asked.
"Oh, I'll tell him to piss off myself...I'm still going with you," he replied. She looked at him in surprise.
"You are?" she asked.
"Emma...I just found out that I have a son. Do you really think I'd do the same thing to him as mine did to me?" he questioned. Her face was a mask of indifference.
"You want me to really believe that it would have changed things if you knew that I was pregnant?" she asked. He shook his head.
"No...I don't. I don't deserve that belief from you right now, but I'm going to earn it," he replied. She actually looked impressed by that, as they started walking again.
After locking George up in a cell in the basement of the hospital, David headed home and found a quiet loft when he got there with takeout ready. After the three of them enjoyed dinner together, Persephone retired for the evening, leaving Snow and Charming to their own devices. Snow kissed him deeply, moving her lips over his in a passionate rhythm, as her hands busied themselves on the buttons of his shirt.
"Not that I'm complaining...but you're especially feisty tonight," he purred, as her lips were busy on his neck. She smirked at him and pushed a hand to his chest, as he lay back. She straddled him and then leaned over him again.
"What can I say...I can't seem to keep my hands off you, handsome," she purred. He sought her lips at that and kissed her passionately.
"Like I said...no complaints here, my darling," he said in a husky tone. She bit her bottom lip, as she got his shirt off and let her hands roam his bare torso.
"Mmm...then you won't mind if I have my way with you, Prince Charming," she purred, as they melted into each other...
When Emma and Neal got back to the apartment building, they walked into the lobby.
"You're back!" Henry called, as he ran up and hugged Emma. She smiled and hugged him back, dropping a kiss on top of his head. The boy poked his head out to look at the person that was with her and his expression was brimming with curiosity.
"Are you Baelfire?" he asked. Neal could only stare at him for several beats.
"Uh...yeah, I suppose I am. I don't really go by that name anymore though," he answered when he found his voice.
"What do I call you then?" Henry asked. His eyes darted to Emma, who gave him a curt nod, while not looking very happy at all.
"Well, in this world, I've been going by Neal Cassidy," he replied. Henry looked at him in disbelief and then up at his mother.
"Isn't that the name of…" he started to say, as he trailed off. She nodded.
"Yeah kid...I'm as surprised as you, believe me," she replied.
"So...you're my Dad?" Henry asked, as Rumple took a sharp intake of breath. Neal glanced at him, only to see pure shock on his face. There was some small satisfaction at that. For once, his father had failed miserably to predict the future and thus control it.
"Yeah, it would appear so, kid," he replied.
"Bae…" Rumple interjected, but Neal put his hand up to silence him.
"Firstly, it's Neal...and don't even for a second get the idea that I came back here for you," he said harshly.
"I'm here for him, because now that I know about him, I won't abandon my son like you did yours," Neal hissed, as he turned to Emma.
"It's getting late...I have a guest room for you and the sofa folds out into a bed for him if you want," he told her. Emma sighed and looked at her son, who clearly wanted to know the man before him. So she nodded in acquiescence.
"Henry, go on up to the apartment with Neal. I'll be there in a minute," she assured. He nodded, as he got on the elevator with Neal.
"Emma...you have to talk to him for me," Rumple leaded.
"I have...why do you think I was gone so long?" she countered.
"The only reason I got him here at all was when I told him about Henry. Otherwise, he'd be in the wind again. I tried to get him to give you a second chance. I even told him how you've made friends with my father and found love...but he's not budging," she lamented.
"Rumple...let him cool off a bit and spend some time with Henry. Maybe he'll start to see things differently," Belle suggested.
"And if he doesn't?" Rumple asked brokenly.
"Then you back off...at least he'll be close. He'll be coming home with us now that he knows about Henry," Emma replied and then sighed.
"Look...go back to the hotel and I'll see if I can get him to agree to meet you for breakfast in the morning," she offered. He nodded.
"Thank you," he offered back, as he started to hobble toward the exit.
"Emma...are you okay?" Belle asked. The blonde smiled thinly and blew out a breath.
"Yeah, I guess...it's a lot to take in," she replied. Belle nodded.
"I can't imagine...and I'm here if you want to talk, but I think you might benefit more if you call Snow," she suggested.
"Yeah...it's late," Emma said. Belle squeezed her hand.
"Emma...call your Mother. She won't care what time it is," the brunette replied, as she left. Emma sighed and pulled out her phone. She pressed a button and Mom appeared on the screen, as her phone dialed.
Regina sighed, as they rummaged through Gold's shop, but turned up empty again.
"We've searched everywhere...the woods, the clock tower, this entire damn town and it's not here!" she complained.
"No...I'm beginning to think it's not anywhere at all," Cora responded.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Are you sure he wouldn't have taken it with him?" Cora asked.
"Sidney said that his phone records show a call to the airlines. He would have never gotten something like that through security and onto an airplane," Regina replied.
"Unless that was a ruse or there was a change of plans," Cora surmised. Regina looked up at her.
"And they decided to drive...he took it with him," she realized. Cora pursed her lips.
"What are we supposed to do now? If he has it with him, we'll never get it away from him now," the former Queen said.
"Patience darling, this is just a minor setback. There are still ways to get what we need," Cora replied.
"We can't kill the Charmings...no matter how much I wish we could. Even if Persephone wasn't standing in the way...Henry would never forgive me," Regina said.
"And we will get the dagger and do away with all of them. Then Henry won't blame you," she assured.
"Then we need to be ready for them before they cross the town line and somehow get the dagger away from Gold. Cora smirked.
"Which shouldn't be too difficult," she responded.
"How do you figure? Even outside Storybrooke, Emma is armed with a gun," Regina warned.
"Because love is weakness, dear. We threaten Rumple's little bookworm and he'll do whatever he must to save her," Cora responded.
"And Emma...she'd do anything to save her parents," Regina realized.
"Yes and fortunately, we have Hook at our disposal as well. If he were to take Henry's grandparents hostage, the boy would still see you as blameless," Cora added. Regina smirked.
"The Captain should be with his ship...but we'll need a diversion for Persephone," she said.
"And I have just the one," Cora replied," as she poofed them to the harbor. But they frowned when they arrived, finding the Jolly Roger to be missing.
"He's gone…" Regina uttered. Cora's face was marred by a deep frown and she clenched her fists. She regretted now not keeping Hook on a tighter leash.
"He's gone to New York...he's gone to skin his Crocodile. He could ruin everything…" she hissed. Regina sighed.
"What now?" her daughter asked.
"The giant I brought along would have been a nice distraction. Fortunately, I have another one that might just drive a wedge between Snow and her mother. It's a start anyway until we figure out what do and what damage Hook might do to our plans," Cora replied. It was a setback for sure, but it only delayed the inevitable as far as she was concerned. And that was her possession of the dagger and the complete destruction of Persephone's entire legacy…
Snow giggled, as she lay entangled beneath the bedclothes with her husband and he kissed her neck.
"You do know I'm not food, right?" she teased, as her husband seemed intent on nibbling on her all over.
"Yep...you're better. You taste like cinnamon...and vanilla...and Snow…" he purred. She giggled.
"I taste like Snow? What does that even mean?" she asked playfully.
"Mmm...I don't know. You taste like you...and it's heaven," he replied, as his head disappeared beneath the blankets and she gasped, as he made his way down the valley between her breasts.
"David…" she whimpered, as she raked her fingers through his hair, while he busied his skillful mouth on her chest. Snow lost herself in the sensations and writhed beneath her husband's hard body. Gods...this man knew exactly how to bring her unspeakable pleasure. Unfortunately, her phone chose to ring at that moment and she grappled with it on the nightstand.
"Charming...it's Emma…" she warned, as he emerged and spooned her against him, as she answered the phone.
"Hi honey…" she said, as he pressed a kiss to her shoulder.
"Hi Mom...sorry, I know it's late," Emma replied.
"It's never too late for you to call me, sweetheart, ever," Snow assured.
"I found Baelfire," she revealed.
"That's wonderful…" Snow replied, but heard silence on the other end.
"Isn't it?" she asked.
"Uh...yeah, there's just way more to it and I'm kind of freaking out right now," Emma fretted.
"Honey, say the word and your Dad and I will leave for New York right now if you need us to," Snow assured.
"It's tempting, but I don't think there will be much reason to stick around New York much longer. We should be heading home tomorrow," Emma said.
"That's good...does that mean Gold worked things out with his son?" Snow asked, as Charming listened with her.
"No...he wants nothing to do with his father. But that's only half of it. Baelfire...Mom…" Emma started to say.
"It's okay Emma...whatever it is, your Dad and I will be here for you," Snow assured.
"Baelfire is Neal Cassidy…" she blurted out and Snow was silent for a moment, trying to process that statement.
"Neal Cassidy…" she uttered and she saw her husband's face darken at that name.
"Baelfire is Neal Cassidy?" she continued, as her eyes met Charming's and she watched his blue eyes widen.
"Yeah...insane, right?" she fretted.
"A little bit...how did Gold take it?" she asked curiously.
"He was as shocked as me. He and Belle went back to the hotel. We're at Neal's apartment and Henry's getting to know him. He wants nothing to do with Gold, but Neal said he won't abandon Henry now that he knows about him," Emma explained.
"Well, that's noble...so he'll be coming home with you?" Snow asked.
"Yeah I guess...I have no idea what any of this means. I never expected to see him again," Emma replied.
"I know sweetheart, but your Dad and I are going to be here for you, no matter what. And we'll figure all of this out together," Snow promised.
"Thanks Mom...I love. Tell Dad I love him too," Emma said. Snow smiled.
"I will...we love you too, sweetheart. Be safe and call us when you're on your way home," Snow requested, as she hung up the phone and blew out an unsteady breath.
"You realize what this means, right?" she asked him and he gave her a questioning look.
"We share a grandson with Rumpelstiltskin," she said. He blew out a breath too.
"Good thing we're friends now or that might suck," he quipped. She hummed in agreement and chuckled, as he kissed her cheek.
"I will feel so much better when our baby and our grand baby are home," she confessed.
"Me too, my love," he agreed, as they settled down in each other's arms and finally let sleep take them. At least in their dreams, they would see Emma and Henry.