Chapter 6

A/N: This chapter was co written by me and my beta writer, Mackiebabii1019. Thank you to everyone who is reading this story. This is the longest chapter yet. Please, enjoy! :D

Danielle remained quiet after Miss Mills offered to take her home. Not that there was much of a home to go to, only an abandoned house. Of course, the mayor didn't know that and Danielle was reluctant to let her find out. No doubt Danielle would be sent to an orphanage. She could vividly remember the orphanage in the Enchanted Forest. She had been miserable. Danielle didn't know much about orphanages in this world, but she imagined they weren't any better. She didn't think she could live through the harassment again. Danielle's heart began to race and her chest hurt. Her eyes filled with tears as breathing became difficult. Her vision was clouded and she became unaware of her surroundings. She was lost in her memories. The years of pain and loneliness were clouding her mind. She was detached from reality.

Regina saw the tears falling from Danielle's eyes. The older brunette fell to her knees in front of the little girl. In the girl's eyes she saw pain. She knew Danielle was here physically, but mentally, she was far away. Regina placed a gentle hand on Danielle's cheek. Her thumb brushed across the girl's cheek, wiping away the tears. Regina spoke softly to the girl. Regina told Danielle that she was safe. She was not alone. Slowly, Danielle came back. Her breathing evened out and her vision cleared. She told herself that she was safe here. Danielle could hear the sound of the mayor's voice.

"Danielle?" Regina spoke. "It's alright. You are alright."

"Madame Mayor?" Danielle's voice was soft, but hoarse.

"Please dear," the woman said. "Call me Regina."

"Regina."

Regina smiled at the brunette child.

"Sweetheart? Would you like to tell me what happened?"

"I got scared."

Regina waited patiently for Danielle to continue.

"I became afraid that you were going to send me away."

Why do you think I would send you away, Danielle?"

"Because," Danielle said. "I don't have a home." Danielle took a deep breath before she continued. "I've been staying in an abandoned house. I'm all alone."

Regina took Danielle's hands in her own. "Danielle. How would you like to live with me for a little while?"

The little girl's eyes lit up with disbelief and hope. "Really?"

"Yes."

Danielle leapt from the chair and into Regina's arms. Regina returned the hug. After a few moments, Danielle removed herself from Regina's arms.

"Are you sure that you want me to stay with you?"

"Danielle," Regina smiled. "I would love to have you stay with me."

Danielle smiled. Regina had no idea how much those words meant to her.

"Come on dear," Regina smiled. "Let's go get you settled in your new home."

And so the two brunettes left the station and gathered Danielle's things from that wretched and disgusting place Danielle called "home" and made their way to her new home. As they pull into the drive way Regina turns towards Danielle.

"Dear, there are a few things I would like to inform you about before walking in," Regina said to Danielle. "First, I do not live alone, my sister, Zelena and her daughter, Robin live here, as well. Also, my son Henry lives here every other week. His birth mom is Emma."

"The Sheriff?" Danielle asked.

"Yes, she and I kind of share him." Regina chuckled at Danielle's confused expression. "It's a long story, but I will be happy to explain it all to you once we get you settled in. Speaking of which, we should get you inside."

They both got out of the car and made their way to the house. When Danielle stepped inside, she was stunned, this place was gorgeous! She had never seen a house that was big before! Danielle looked at Regina with her jaw dropped.

"Close your mouth dear, we wouldn't want to catch flies would we?" Regina said with a laugh. Danielle quickly closed her mouth.

"This place is magnificent! I've never seen a place so beautiful before!"

Regina smiled "Thank you dear. Come on, I will show you to your room."

They walked upstairs and Danielle stared wide eyed at everything she saw. They walked into a large room. All Danielle could do was stare. It was so elegant and sophisticated from its white walls to the black furniture, even the black and white bedding.

"This is my room?" She said with shock clear in her voice.

"Yes dear. Usually this is one of the guest rooms, but now it's yours for as long as you want. Of course I realize that the decor doesn't exactly scream child's bedroom. So we can redecorate it anyway you'd like."

"Anything?"

"Yes darling. What do you like?"

Danielle chewed on her bottom lip. No one had ever asked her what she liked before.

"Horses," she finally said. "I like horses."

Regina took a deep breath. 'Daniel liked horses.' Regina took another breath to steady her nerves. She would have time to dwell on her theories later.

"Horses it is then, tomorrow we'll go to the store and get everything you'll need. For now, get settled, unpack your clothes and wash up. When you're ready come downstairs for dinner." Regina turned away to leave the room and close the door then she hears the girl's voice.

"Wait, Regina!" Danielle called out.

Regina turned around "Yes dear."

"Thank you. Not only for the new room and for giving me a place to stay, but also for earlier. You know with what happened at school and with the principal. If it wasn't for you, he probably would had me burned at the steak or something. So thank you." Danielle said with a smile. Regina was only too happy to return the smile.

"No problem dear, no one deserves the way he was treating you and I won't ever let anyone hurt you again." She turned around and went downstairs to start cooking lasagna for everyone. About thirty minutes later, Zelena walked through the door with Robin. "Hey sis, we're home!"

"Good evening Zelena, could you come here for a bit? I need to talk to you."

"If this is about the nursery, I'll clean it up, I swear!" Zelena said defending herself as she walked in the kitchen.

"No, it's not about that, but yes you do need to get that cleaned. I was going to say that we have a house guest that will be staying with us for a while."

Zelena frowned "Who?"

Regina turned around and saw the face that her sister was making.

"Don't give me that look, she is a nine year old girl that is going through a hard time. I will tell you more after she goes to bed."

"Why exactly are you helping this little girl?"

"I feel very protective of her. I want her to feel like this is her home, goodness knows she hasn't had a good one."

"This is about more than helping a little girl," Zelena said. "What's going on?"

Regina opened her mouth to respond, but Zelena interrupted her before she could say anything.

"I know sis, I know. You'll explain everything later."

Zelena placed Robin in a baby swing and help Regina finish dinner. As the sisters were setting up the table, Danielle slowly made her way downstairs.

"Danielle, sweetie, I have someone I would like for you to meet." Regina said. Danielle made her way into the kitchen. "Sweetie this is my sister Zelena. Zelena, this is Danielle." Zelena's eyes went wide."Regina? She looks just like you."

Regina gave her sister a look that clearly said 'Not now. I'll explain later.'

Zelena kept her mouth shut and smiled at Danielle."So dear, are you hungry?"

Danielle eyes went wide and she nodded. "I'm starving."

They all sat down and started to eat. Danielle tasted hers and immediately complimented the dish. "This is so good. I've never had anything like this!"

Regina smiled. "I'm glad that you like it, honey." Regina watched Danielle eat, she didn't want to even begin to think about what this girl has been through. When dinner was over Regina cleaned up all the plates and put the leftovers away with help from Danielle. "Sweetie," Regina said when they were done. "Why don't you go up stairs and take a shower and get changed. Then come to my room and I'll braid your hair if you'd like?" Danielle smiled and nodded her head. She went to her new room so that she could get her things ready for a bath. Danielle like it here and that scared her. What if Regina found out that she was her mother? What would happen then? She couldn't dwell on those thoughts. Her heart would break, but for now she would just enjoy her time here.

After some time, she got herself washed up and dressed. Danielle made her way to what she hoped was Regina's room. She knocked on the door and heard Regina tell her to wait just a minute. She did as she was told and a moment later Regina opened the door and let her in. Regina, who was dressed in silk pajamas, led Danielle to the large bed in the center of the room. The older brunette brushed the young brunette's hair and twirled the locks into a long French braid. When she was done, Danielle yawned. Not that Regina could blame her, the poor girl had had a long day. She let Danielle lay back onto the pillows and Danielle fell right to sleep. She looked so peaceful when she is sleeping. All the worry and fear melted from her face. Regina pulled the comforter over her and walked out. Regina walked down the hall to her sister's room and knocked quietly on the door. She didn't want to disturb her sleeping niece.

"Come in."

"Hey Zelena"

"Hey," the red head greeted. "You ready to tell me what the bloody hell is going on?" Regina sat down and started to explain everything from what happened at the school and what happened at the Sheriff's station.

"Wow, that's a lot, I can see why you wanted her to come live with you," Zelena said when Regina finished. "I do have one question," Zelena continued."Why does she look like a mini you? I mean there's no way that she can be yours?"

Regina shook her head. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure if she is or isn't. I don't even remember being pregnant, or giving birth." Zelena looked at her sister

"Is it at all possible that Danielle is yours?"

"Before I married Leopold and took that infertility potion, Daniel and I, we..."

Zelena nodded her head. She understood what her sister was implying.

"Any way," Regina continued. "I'm sure I would remember having a baby."

Zelena shook her head "Not necessarily. Mother or someone else could have done something to your memories. Besides you wouldn't be the first person in this town to have their memories erased. I swear it happens every Sunday."

Regina gave a sigh "Maybe. A part of me wants to write this off as a coincidence, but my gut tells me it's not. I mean, she looks like me, and has magic. She even has Daniel's eyes."

Zelena put her hand on Regina's shoulder."Sis, you need to breath. We will figure out. Tomorrow, but for now you need to get some sleep."

Regina and Zelena exchanged their goodnights. The brunette sister left and went back to her bedroom. She leaned against the closed door and looked at the sleeping child. What if Danielle was hers? What then? She couldn't worry about that now, she was exhausted. Regina's eyelids felt like cement. She let them close and let herself drift off to sleep with Danielle wrapped in her arms.