Third Person POV
The next day, in Mr. Gold's shop, Regina checked on David, who was still under the sleeping curse. She walked out to see Mr. Gold.
"Any change?" Mr. Gold asked. "No. He's not improving. He needs true love's kiss. He won't wake up until Mary Margaret comes back," Regina said.
"Until? Well, that's rather optimistic, isn't it?" Mr. Gold said. Regina frowned, "What are you talking about?" She asked. "They're up against your mother. The only chance Snow and Emma have of defeating her, is with the squid ink," Mr. Gold said. "Which is why you sent the message through David," Regina said.
"Which would be beneficial, if we knew that message were delivered. But alas, given the Prince's condition, we don't know. As such, it's important we take precautions. We have to consider the possibility that, when that portal opens, it won't be his family that come through. It'll be Cora," Mr. Gold said.
"And neither one of us wants that," Regina said. "We have to find where they're coming through, and destroy that portal," Mr. Gold said. "But whoever came through would die," Regina pointed out. "Exactly. But, I'm confident between the two of us, we can summon up enough magic to complete the task," Mr. Gold said.
"Well, what if we're wrong? What if that portal opens up, and it's not my mother? What if Mary Margaret and Emma do defeat Cora, and go through it?" Regina suggested. "Well, I believe in this world, they call that a win-win," Mr. Gold said. "How exactly is that?" Regina asked.
"If we stop Cora, you are protected from your mother's wrath. If, on the other hand, we stop Snow and Emma, well . . . You become the only mother in your daughter's life, now don't you? Look, magic is unpredictable in this world. If something unfortunate were to happen while you were attempting to help . . . Rose could hardly blame you for that, could she?" Mr. Gold said.
"No. I can't lie to her. I am trying to be a better mother," Regina said. "You won't be able to be a better anything if Cora comes through. And if she does, she will be a threat to everyone - including your daughter. So, if you truly want to be a good mother to Rose - to protect her - if you want to be better, prove it," Mr. Gold said.
... ...
Rose POV
I got to Mr. Gold shop and read the Snow White story to Grandpa from the book. "With one kiss, true love's power made everything right again. But this was not the end of their story. It was just the beginning."
Regina walked in and smiled at me. "I think this time, it'll happen the other way around," She said. "You think so?" I asked. "I do," She said and smiled. I smiled back and she got down on her knees, "Which is why I need you to stay here and watch David for a little while."
"Where are you going?" I asked. "Mr. Gold and I need to prepare for Emma and Mary Margaret's return. Coming through the portal won't be easy. We need to make sure everything's in place," Regina replied. "Really? You're really going to help them?" I asked.
"I promised you I was going to do better - to be better. So, yes, I'm going to do everything in my power to see to it they come home safely," She said. "Wow. You really have changed," I said and I smiled. Regina smiled back and then got up as she said, "Be back as soon as I can." And walked out.
... ...
I was still reading by Grandpa's bedside. "And yes, she was beyond hope, beyond saving. This was her end," I stopped as I saw Ruby, Leroy, and the rest of the Dwarves walked in. "Where are they? Regina and Gold," Ruby asked. "What's going on?" I asked.
"All the magic has been drained from the mines," Ruby replied. "They stole it?" I asked. "They snuck in after our shift and took everything. Nobody steals from a dwarf!" Leroy said. "Except the Queen," Doc said. ". . . And Rumpelstiltskin," Happy added.
"If they're not helping Emma and Mary Margaret that . . . That means my Mom lied to me," I said. Ruby got down on her knees, "I'm sorry, Rose," She said. I looked at Grandpa and then back at Ruby.
"We need to find her. We need to stop them. We need to help Emma and Mary Margaret," I said and Ruby nodded. We both rushed out of the shop.
Ruby and I got to the well and see Mr. Gold and Regina there. Inside the well, the water was green. "Mom?" I called. Regina and Mr. Gold turned around. "You're not helping Emma and Mary Margaret, are you?" I asked.
"I'm helping you, Rose," Regina said. "What are you talking about?" I asked. "You're going to kill them," Ruby said and she was about to take a step forward. "Sorry, dearie," Mr. Gold said and he magically shoot Ruby back with the wand, knocking her out.
I looked at Ruby and then back at Regina. "Mom, what are you doing?" I asked. "We can't let Cora come through the portal. You have no idea what she would do to us," Regina said. "Emma and Mary Margaret are going to defeat her. They're the ones that are going to come through," I said.
"Rose, your mother's right. It's going to be Cora," Mr. Gold said. "No. It won't. Good always defeats evil. You should know that more than anyone," I said to Regina. "What I know, is my mother will destroy everything I love - and that means you. And I can't let that happen," Regina said.
Then, I tried to ran towards the well, but was restrained by Regina. "You can't! Stop it! You can't! You're going to kill them! Please! No! They're going to make it through! We have to turn it off! You're going to kill them!" I yelled.
I managed to break free from Regina's grasp and I ran towered the well. "Rose!" Regina said and she quickly pulled me back. "What are you doing?" She asked. "Emma and Mary Margaret are going to come through. I know it. You said you wanted to change - to be better. This is how. You want me to have faith in you? Have faith in me," I said.
Regina stared at me for a moment before walking over to the well. "Regina," Mr. Gold said. Regina ignored him and extended her arms over the electrical barrier. She use her magic to absorb the storm into her body, effectively removed the barrier to the portal. The power of the magic throw her back. Despite the threat being removed, no one appeared to be coming through the portal.
"No!" I said and tears started to fell down my face. "I'm sorry, Rose. I'm sorry," Regina said. I started at the well and suddenly, a hand come out of the well and grabbed the edge.
It was Mom!
She pulled herself out, followed by Grandma. "Mom?" I asked. Mom looked at me, "Rose!" She said. "Mom!" I yelled as I rushed to her and we both hugged each other tightly. "I missed you!" Mom said. "I missed you, too," I said with a smile. "I missed you so, so much," Mom said as Grandma joined to the hug.
When we draw back from the group hug, we saw Mr. Gold silently slinking away, Regina on the ground, and Ruby finally coming around. "What's going on? What happened?" Grandma asked.
"She saved you. She saved both of you," I said about Regina before I hugged Mom again. "Thank you," Mom told Regina. "You're welcome," Regina said. "Are you okay?" Ruby asked as she ran towards Grandma, and the two of them also shared a hug.
Grandma pulled away, "Where's my husband? I need to find him," She said. Ruby nodded and gave Mom and me a smile before running away with Grandma.
Mom and I walked up to Regina. "Um, your Mom . . . She's, uh . . . She's . . . A piece of work, you know?" Mom said as she pulled me to her and had her arms around me as I wrapped mine around her. "Indeed, I do. Welcome back," Regina said and smiled a little. I smiled and so did Mom. "Thanks," Mom said and she laid her head on top of mine.
We entered Mr. Gold's shop, following Grandma and Ruby. Grandpa was still lying unconscious, and the Dwarves were still gathered around the bed. "David?" Grandma called.
Mom hugged me and Grandma kissed Grandpa, which caused the sleeping curse to be broken. A pulse of magic spreads throughout the room. He woke up and gasped. We all smiled and Mom and I hugged again. Grandpa looked at Grandma. "You . . . You did it."
"Did you ever doubt I would?" Grandma asked. "No," Grandpa whispered and they kissed again. "Though, the burning red room did give me pause," Grandpa joked. Grandma chuckled slightly and then pulled him to a kiss again. Mom walked out of the room.
I approached Regina, who was standing off to the side. I stood in front of her, "I was right," I said and Regina looked at me confused. "You really have changed," I said and then I wrapped my arms around Regina, who cautiously returned the hug. I looked up at her as I still hugged her, "Thank you."
Mom got back to the room and talked with the others. "Hey, kid," Mom called and I looked at her. "You hungry?" She asked. "Yeah," I said as I breaks away from Regina and joined Mom. "I'll see you later," I said with a smile to Regina. Mom wrapped her arms around me as we began filing out.
Third Person POV
As everyone left, Regina began to tear up. Eventually, Regina and Mr. Gold were the only two that remain. "Congratulations," Mr. Gold said. "You just reunited mother and daughter. Maybe one day, they'll even invite you for dinner."
The reunited group happily walked down the main street of Storybrooke to Granny's Diner.