"I'm headed out with Ruby and Ashley!" Snow called. "Are you sure you can handle everything Emma? Charming?" she asked as she put on her jacket and flats.
"We are fine Snow darling!" James shouted. He had Henry in a head-lock and was ruffling his hair.
"OW! Gramps! MOM, HELP ME!" Henry squealed.
Snow laughed at James and Henry wrestling on the floor. Emma walked over to the door with Snow's purse. She took it from her daughter and smiled nervously. "You sure you can handle those two hooligans?" she teased.
Emma rolled her eyes. "Oh please! Those two are the least of my troubles. Its dinner you should be worried about," she said and winked.
"Emma I'm serious. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call. I can come home right away; I'll just be at the bar with Ruby and Ashley." Emma opened her mouth to say something but Snow held up her finger. "No Emma, I am not going to drink. It's not safe to drink when pregnant. I'm not stupid," she said jokingly. Snow opened the front door. "Please call me if you need it."
"We'll be fine Mom. Go out and have fun," Emma said trying to close the door.
Snow grabbed the door edge. "But—"
"No. Go," Emma demanded sternly, closing the door in her mother's face. "Love you!" she called through the door.
Emma turned around and walked over to where James and Henry were rolling around on the ground. "Boys, get up! It's time to eat." She kicked James' side to get their attention.
"Ow!" James shouted clutching his side in mock-pain. "That hurt…"
Emma held out her hand and pulled James to his feet. "Shut up Dad. I barely kicked you and you know it."
"So?" James countered. "It still hurt a little…"
"Yeah whatever," Emma said rolling her eyes. "C'mon we're having Mac and Cheese."
Henry stood up immediately. "YES!" he shouted victoriously, running into the kitchen and sitting down at the table.
Emma burst out in laughter. "That was easy," she mumbled, walking into the kitchen with James.
Snow ran outside and looked around for Ruby's car. There it was the unmistakable red mustang. Ruby honked and waved Snow over. "Mary Margaret! Hey!" she shouted.
Snow quickly ran over and hopped in the passenger seat of the car. "Hey Ruby! Thanks for giving me a ride."
"No problem Mare. Ash is going to meet us there. We should be at the bar in a bit," Ruby said, revving the engine and peeling out of the parking lot.
Snow clutched her door handle in fear and shock. Thank goodness she'd buckled her seat belt.
"Oh what Mary Margaret? Scared of a little speed?" Ruby teased.
"Maybe a little bit…" Snow muttered, completely frazzled.
Ruby slowed down to the speed limit. "Fine, I won't speed just for you Mary."
Snow laughed. "Thanks Ruby."
Ruby grinned wolfishly. "Anytime Mare."
"Thanks for dinner Em, it was delicious," James said, taking his silverware over to the sink. He turned on the water and rinsed his dishes off before putting them into the dishwasher.
"Yeah thank you Mom!" Henry said happily. He took his plate and cup over to James, who rinsed them and put them into the dishwasher.
Emma laughed as she finished her dinner. "You're welcome guys, it was no big deal, just some Easy Mac is all."
"It was still good!" Henry said grinning.
"Well thanks Kid," Emma said ruffling Henry's hair.
James walked over to the living room and plopped onto the couch. "So," he began, putting his hands behind his head. "I was thinking that we could get a head start on baby names and start making a boy list and a girl list. What d'you guys think?"
Henry grinned. "Awesome!" He ran into his room and grabbed a notebook and pens. As quick as he had left, Henry was back and sitting down next to James. "Come on Mom!"
Emma walked over and sat down next to Henry. "Alright, I'm here. Let's start. Girls or boys first?"
"Boys," Henry and James said almost simultaneously.
Emma laughed. "Boys it is then. Hmmm how about Jack?"
"And the Beanstalk," Henry countered and laughed. "No way, that would not be a cool name."
"Fine your turn then," Emma said pouting.
"How about Josh?" Henry suggested.
Emma and James nodded. "I like it," Emma said. "It's got a nice ring to it."
"Yeah, Prince Josh. It fits pretty well," James agreed.
Emma wrote down 'Josh' on the side labeled 'Boy Names.'
"Leo? Y'know after Snow's father," James suggested.
Emma smiled. "I think Mom would like that." She added 'Leo' to the list.
"Any more?" Henry asked.
"We could always do David," Emma teased. "To remember our time in Storybrooke."
"Not a bad idea Em," James said grinning. "Add it to the list."
"Girl names now pleaseeee?" Henry whined. "I've got a really good one!"
Emma laughed. "Alright Henry, shoot."
"Paige," he stated matter-of-factly.
"Isn't Paige the name of the girl you have a crush on at school?" Emma asked, quirking an eyebrow.
Henry blushed scarlet. "Pshhh no," he lied. "It's just a pretty name."
"Yeah, sure it is Kid," Emma said sarcastically. She wrote down 'Paige' on the list for girl names.
"Annabelle?" James suggested. "Anna for short."
"Pretty, I like it!" Henry said.
Emma added it to the list.
"Okay Em, your turn," James said and nudged his daughter.
"Lily? Mom has this obsession with Harry Potter lately," Emma said shrugging.
"It's pretty but I don't know," James said skeptically. "But I guess you can put it down for now."
Emma laughed. "Alright, sounds good."
"Mary you haven't even touched your shot glass yet!" Ruby said aghast.
Snow shrugged. "Just not feeling it tonight Ruby," she lied.
Ashley laughed. "Since when do you turn down a drink on girls' night Mare?"
"I don't know, since today I guess."
Ruby grabbed Snow's shot glass. "More for me then," she said and downed the shot.
Snow rolled her eyes. "Ruby you are going to be so drunk by the end of the night."
"Oh whatever! It's only been five minutes and I've only had two shots. I promise I won't end up drunk by the end of the night," Ruby said smirking.
"Yeah right!" Snow shouted laughing.
Ashley laughed along with Snow. "Mary's right Ruby, you are always totally wasted after our girls' nights."
Ruby set down Snow's shot glass. "Fine then, I won't drink more than two shots an hour. But only if Mary takes at least one shot tonight."
Ashley nudged Snow. "C'mon Mare, I wanna see Ruby try and withhold herself from drinking."
"I can't…" Snow said softly. "I'm sorry guys but I can't drink tonight."
"Why not?" Ruby asked.
Ashley's eyes widened. "Oh. My. God. You're pregnant aren't you?"
Snow looked at Ashley in alarm. "Pfft, no. I…don't know what you're talking about."
"Why the pause between I and don't Mary?" Ruby teased.
"I…always talk like this?" Snow suggested.
"Yeah sure you do," Ashley said sarcastically. "C'mon Mare just admit you're pregnant!"
"If it's not true then have a shot Mare," Ruby chided. "If it is we won't be mad. We're your friends after all."
Snow sighed; she couldn't keep this secret from her two best friends. "Alright, yes I am pregnant. Only like two weeks along but I don't want to take any risks…"
Ashley squealed like a giddy teenager and Ruby clapped happily. "So…? Who's the father?" Ruby asked. "Is it Doctor Whale?"
"Oh gods no!" Snow exclaimed. "The father is Jam—David. The father is David."
"Nolan?" Ruby practically shouted. "Awwww, you two got your happy ending after all eh?"
Snow punched Ruby playfully. "Shut up!"
There was a knock at the apartment door. "I got it!" Emma said laughing. James and Henry had been having an "epic battle" of Madden Football on the Xbox. She walked over to the front door and opened it. "Jefferson? !" she practically screamed.
"Hello Emma," Jefferson said calmly. "May I come in?"
"May you come in? Heck no! You tried to kidnap me and Mary Margaret!" she shouted.
"I know and I am very sorry about that," Jefferson tried to apologize.
"Apology not accepted," Emma spat. "Now if you'd please leave so I can get back to family time."
"Emma?" James shouted. "Who is that?" he asked coming into the entryway.
"Oh, this is Jefferson. The man who—"
"Prince James," Jefferson said bowing. "It is a great honor to meet you Sire. Yes, I remember my life in the enchanted forest and I could tell you remember as well Sire, I could see the light in your eyes, not like the cloudy mist that everyone else in this town has."
James laughed. "Please there's no need to bow Jefferson. Pleased to meet you." James shook Jefferson's hand and Emma stood in shock.
"DAD! This is the man who kidnapped me and Mom!" she shouted.
James immediately pulled away from Jefferson. "Get. Out," he spat.
"Please Sire; I came to apologize for my actions. I just wanted your daughter to get my hat to work. I am so, so sorry. I've regretted my actions from the moment they occurred," Jefferson said in an attempt to apologize.
James shook his head. "You hurt my daughter and my wife. I want you out of my sight. Now." He pointed making his point perfectly clear.
Jefferson turned to leave. "I truly am, sorry."
At that exact moment, Snow decided to come home. "You," she said the moment her eyes laid sight on Jefferson. "How dare you show up here? After all you've done to my family?"
Jefferson sighed again. "Your Highness, I came to apologize and invite your family to dinner on Friday night. I was hoping that I would be able to redeem myself for my misdeeds and wrongdoings."
Snow realized that the words he said were true. Jefferson really was sorry. "I forgive you," she said softly.
Jefferson was shocked. Snow White actually forgave him. "Y-you do?" he asked in shock.
Snow nodded. "I do."
"Mom! How could you?" Emma shouted in anger.
"Emma he just wanted his daughter back, I understand how he feels." Snow touched Jefferson's arm gently. "We would love to join you for dinner on Friday night."
"We would?" James asked skeptically.
"Yes James, we would," Snow told her husband sternly.
"Right," James said. "We'd love to join you for dinner Jefferson."
Jefferson bowed. "Thank you Your Highnesses. It is a great honor to have you join me for dinner. How does six o'clock sound?"
"Delightful," Snow said smiling. "Have a good night Jefferson."
"And the same to you Your Highness." Jefferson bowed and watched as Snow closed the door. He turned and walked off grinning broadly, though he had a pang of guilt in him, he was one step closer to being reunited with his Grace.
He walked up Regina's front steps ten minutes later and knocked on the door. Regina quickly answered. "Ah Jefferson, did you do it?"
Jefferson nodded. "Yes, they'll be joining me at six o'clock on Friday evening. Now, I believe you promised me my daughter."
Regina chuckled. "You'll get your daughter when I get Snow White and Prince James. Patience my dear Hatter, patience."
Jefferson glared. "That wasn't the deal."
"On the contrary, I believe that was exactly the deal. Goodnight Jefferson." Regina slammed the door in his face.
Jefferson felt tears form in his eyes. "Worth a shot," he muttered to himself and turned to leave.
Regina lay back on her bed after having changed into her pajamas for the night. She closed her eyes and began to ponder how she would prove to Henry that she really did love him. She could erase his memories of Emma and his grandparents, yes that would work. But magic was quite unpredictable here. It wouldn't do any harm to give it a try when the time came though.
Suddenly her thoughts drifted to Snow White. Oh how Regina yearned to kill the brat who had ruined her life all those years ago. And she would, yes Regina would have her revenge on the child who had been the cause of Daniel's death.
Daniel. Regina felt hot tears began to trail down her cheeks as thoughts of Daniel came to her mind. Of when he had first become her family's stable boy:
"Stable boy!" Young Regina shouted to the stable boy, Daniel.
"You called milady?" he asked.
"Fetch me my horse, I wish to go for a ride," Regina demanded.
Daniel bowed. "As you wish."
Regina smiled inside, remembering when she had realized that every single time Daniel had said, 'As you wish,' he was saying 'I love you.'
"Stable boy?"
"Yes milady?"
"Tell me your name," Regina said.
"Do you not know of my name miss?" Daniel asked in response.
"Yes I know of your name stable boy, but I would like to hear it off of your lips," Regina said impatiently.
He bowed. "As you wish. My name is Daniel."
"And mine?"
"Regina Mills."
"Now, stable boy, I have one last thing for you to do today," Regina began.
"And what would that be milady?" Daniel asked.
"Kiss me," she whispered, her cheeks scarlet red.
Daniel bowed. "As you wish, Regina," he said softly and slowly brought their lips together.
Regina touched her lips gently, reminiscing on her and Daniel's first kiss. She sat up and pulled her legs up to her chest. She slowly rocked back and forth, "Oh Daniel," she sobbed quietly. "Why…"
Why, that was the exact question. Why did she have to save Snow White? Because she'd had a good heart. Why did she tell Snow about her and Daniel? She trusted the young child. Why did Snow tell Cora about her and Daniel? Because she was a lying little brat.
She didn't want you to lose your mother. A voice in the back of her head said.
No she was a selfish spoiled brat who wanted me for herself.
She was just a child.
I don't care! She is the reason my Daniel is dead. And that is why I want Henry back. Because he is the only other person I have ever loved… Regina thought, silencing the voice in the back of her head.
She closed her eyes and let the tears flow freely. "I love you Daniel…" she whispered to the open air. Regina lay back on her pillow and cried herself to sleep.
So we didn't reach the ten this time again but I understand why because fanfic wasn't letting some people review:( but that's alright because this story is just as much for my own enjoyment as it is yours:) Also let me say this right now: I am not and never will be an Evil Regal. This story is not going to be a "let's let Regina live because we feel bad for her" type of story. Will she ever be forgiven for the evil she has done? Not sure yet but it just depends on me i guess. The reason I added the scene of her in her bedroom is to show that, as much as I do hate her, she is a woman suffering from a broken heart. So maybe she will be forgiven, but you're opinion of her will continue to change throughout the rest of this story(which is only 2 more chapters...) and the sequel(which will be posted the day after the finale of this;)
Okay enough rambling...
~OUAT~
OncerSware(k)JateBazeGirlscout22-our joke is the best isn't it?;) and yeah i added the James Henry scene in pretty last minute:)
MagicofTrueLove-Well gee thank you dearie;) miss you!
Laugher. Lover. Fighter-haha thanks! Yeah eye-raped is the best:D love you too!
Guest 1-here you go;)
Guest 2 (lll)-Yeah hope you don't like that he has to be the bad guy for a while;) he'll switch sides eventually though;D and oh Gosh is the mash-up name for Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas who are (if you didn't know) dating:):):) and aw thank you so much!
PiperPaigeP3-Hope you liked this one too!
(these are for the people who weren't able to get fanfic to work)
red lightning-so glad you liked it girl!:)
Aod4L-Thanks so much:) Hope you like this one just as much!
russianeyes718ouat7ncis-glad you liked it!
thistwinklingstar-I'm so glad you liked it! Love ya!
crowned tiger-thank you!
~OUAT~
So technically we got 11 reviews;) just 5 couldn't get it to work but told me through pm how they liked it:P anyways I'm really excited for the next chapter but I'm gonna hold out a little bit on it because: A) I still need to actually type it out;) and B) second-to-last chapter, it's pretty important so i wanna make it good and i want to keep the story going for as long as i can;) haha!
Next up: well if i told you it'd be no fun:P
Please please review? Let's shoot for at least 65? Pretty please? :)
Again if any of ya'll want to chat just lemme know!