A/N
So sorry it has taken so long to update, Christmas is a-coming and it's top priority right now!
Also, after I have completed this fic I will be moving onto another based on a photoset I made and posted on tumblr, you can find it here: post/118058519196/au-emma-swan-is-a-thief-who-steals-cars-watches
One more thing, Mary Margaret was born in 1975 (instead of 1978 like Ginnifer's real age)
Enjoy guys!
Chapter 10 "Desperate Times"
Regina handed a mug of coffee to Mary Margaret. Both woman stood opposite each other in the kitchen. There hadn't been much talking since Regina was still in complete shock. Emma's mother is Venustus, she thought, over and over again.
"I suppose you have some questions that need answering?" Mary Margaret piped up, a slight smirk on her lips. "Go on…"
"Your Emma's mother…" Regina started, earning a confused look from the other woman. She continued, "I mean, you've been in charge this whole time. You've been telling everyone how to protect Emma, when to protect Emma but…" She shook her head, completely confused, "I'm just confused"
Mary Margaret took a deep breath, knowing that all of this information would be a lot to take in. She gestured towards the living room, "We should probably sit down for-" She paused and pursed her lips, "Well, you should."
Regina nodded once and walked out of the room, Mary Margaret followed. They both took a seat, Regina sitting opposite of the woman once again. It wasn't that she didn't trust Mary Margaret, she was just still completely surprised.
"You still look like you're about to run away…"
The "Mayor" looked up. She thought for a moment before she finally spoke. "I thought you sang to birds."
"You what?" Mary Margaret asked, a look of utter confusion on her face.
"I thought you were sweet and caring, kind and utterly strange." Regina explained, "But now I find out that you are some sort of mega spy, I mean—"
"Okay, okay." The pixie-haired woman called out, shushing Regina. "Let me just tell you my side of all of this."
Regina nodded quickly.
September, 1993
Mary Margaret paced the small, shabby apartment. She took deep breaths, her hands began to sweat as she quickened her pace, practically running around in circles. Suddenly there was a kick and soon another.
"God dammit, Em!" She yelled out while she rubbed her belly. "I know you wanna come out but you still have another month, baby" Mary Margaret walked towards the window, peering down into the streets of Seattle.
"She kicking again?"
Mary turned suddenly, hearing the familiar voice from behind. Her lips turned up into a smile and she rushed towards the door. David scooped his girlfriend up, hugging her as close as he could, what with the bump being in the way.
"She has been kicking all night long. I tried to explain to her that she isn't supposed to be here for another month but she obviously isn't listening." Mary Margaret looked down at the baby bump, still feeling the jabs of tiny feet against her.
"So…she's stubborn. I wonder where she gets that from?" David smirked and put his hand over Mary Margaret's on the bump. "Are you still going to that meeting tomorrow?"
Mary faltered, not expecting it to be brought up. She quickly recovered and offered a shrug of her shoulders, "I'll probably only be in there for an hour. Then when we get back here, we should start packing."
"Yes, we should" He smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I'm gonna miss Seattle but I'm sure I can get used to Maine just the same."
"That rhymed" Mary Margaret smiled. They both shared a laugh and swayed together as they looked out onto the streets.
The next morning came quicker than she expected. Mary Margaret left David to sleep as she got herself ready for her day.
After taking a quicker shower and getting herself dressed, she made herself a smoothie to go and prepared to head out. David was still asleep and Emma wasn't playing rugby in her belly which made it a lot easier to go about and get things done. She locked the door behind herself and headed downstairs.
She decided to take a cab to the building where she was attending her "meeting". Mary Margaret had stayed in Seattle her whole life but she had never heard of this building, which didn't ease her anxiety in the slightest. She plucked the card from her pocket, reading over the details.
R. Stiltskin 42 Abaddon Square
COME ALONE
She read the last part over and over, hating herself for actually following these instructions and ultimately putting herself in danger. Emma too.
But this was something she had to do.
When the cab stopped outside of a large, dark grey-ish building, Mary Margaret got out and quickly pressed the buzzer. She expected to wait for a couple minutes but a buzzing sounded and the sound of a door unlocking. She pushed open the door and looked around as she entered the building. It was run down and it stank of mold. She covered her nose as she walked towards the elevator.
"That doesn't work, dear"
She stopped in her tracks and then looked over her shoulder to find out who was talking to her. When she turned, she was met with an older looking gentleman. He had long-ish hair, a walking stick and a shiny gold tooth. That's all she really took in.
"You're Mary Margaret, you're here to see me."
She chewed her lip nervously and then nodded. "You must be Mr Stiltskin…"
"I must be" He smirked and it instantly sent shivers down her spine. She watched as he gestured towards the stairs. Mary Margaret followed him, her heart raced in her chest. Fear completely took over and she felt like she was about to pass out.
When they reached the second floor, he began to make his way down the hall until he stopped outside of a door which was number 42, she assumed. He opened the door and then stepped aside, gesturing for her to walk in first.
Mary Margaret entered the room and immediately, all of her anxiety was gone. There was a small child sitting on a chair by the window and a beautiful brunette stood beside him. Maybe this isn't so bad, she thought.
"Please, take a seat." He gestured towards the seating area by the window, where the child sat. "This is my son, Neal and my wife Milah"
The woman smiled, which made her feel a little more at ease and the child just stared at her. Which most children did. Mary Margaret took a deep breath and then scanned the room. It was an ordinary apartment, nothing seemed out of the ordinary until Neal and Milah left the room and she was left alone with him once again.
"I'm assuming you know what is going to happen here?" He asked, Mary Margaret nodded. "Good, then I won't waste too much time." He walked towards a table by the TV and picked up a piece of paper. "You'll sign this and our deal will be done."
Mary Margaret's eyes fell to the sheet of paper as he placed it in her lap. She started to read it over, her heart began to thump hard against her chest. She placed the paper to the side and took a deep breath. "Could you go over this with m- I mean, explain it to me"
"I can" He nodded and sat beside his client, "You will sign these papers and be given a sum of money. A large sum, may I remind you. Then on her twenty-second birthday, we will take what is ours. You will be sent a check tomorrow morning."
She nodded as he spoke, still not completely understanding. Or, not willing to try to understand. "What will you do to her?"
He paused for a moment, observing the woman's tone of voice. "Miss Blanchard, even though you are eighteen years old, there are still some things in the world that you cannot understand. Now, I've explained what will happen. Are you going to sign or not?"
Mary Margaret felt stiff. She felt cold and she felt miserable. She was about to sign her baby away like some sort of package or a gift to a friend. Hopefully everything works out for us, Emma, She thought. Mary took the pen from him and scribbled her signature on the dotted lines.
He smirked as she handed the piece of paper back to him. Rumple reached out his hand and placed it on the bump. "I'll be seeing you soon, little one"
She smacked his hand away and stood up before she fled from the room. She hoped to never see his face ever again.
One week later
They had been in Storybrooke for almost five full days now. Everyone had been extremely welcoming to them both and Mary Margaret already had become close friends with Archie, the town's therapist and Granny, the owner of the diner. They had shown her the most kindness of all.
Granny had offered to cook them both dinner at the diner but David had insisted he should stay home and finish off the nursery. He practically forced Mary Margaret to leave.
He had painted the nursery yellow, thinking of how he had been convinced that Emma's favorite colour would be yellow. David added some sunflowers to the walls along with small bee stickers. When he had finally finished, he stepped back and allowed himself to finally see his artwork.
He almost cried.
David walked over to the crib and pulled the sheet off which had been protecting it from paint and then done the same with the small chest of drawers by the window. He took one last look around the room and smiled, almost squealing with delight. This was all for his daughter, who would be here in this room in no less than two weeks. He looked around each item of furniture, a smile still plastered on his lips. Until something caught his eye.
There was something black poking out from behind the chest of drawers. He sighed and reached out, attempting to grab it. But whatever it was, was slightly heavier than expected.
He yanked it out from behind the drawers and stumbled backwards just as the black bag felt to the ground. His eyes narrowed towards it, wondering why the heck it would be in Emma's nursery. David crouched down and grabbed the zip, unzipping the bag to find out what was inside.
His eyes widened as soon as the contents came into view. "What the...hell"
When Mary Margaret eventually returned home that evening, she was expecting David to be in bed but all of the lights were on. She walked through the apartment, searching for her boyfriend. He was nowhere to be seen. "Oh, the nursery" She said, aloud before she headed up the steps.
He was sitting on the floor, holding the contents of the bag in his hands. Mary Margaret peeked into the nursery and smiled when she saw him sitting alone. "Are you getting emotional?"
David's head shot up and he looked over his shoulder. He glared at his girlfriend, his eyes never leaving hers as he stood and turned to show her what he was holding in his hands. "Can you tell me why there is over fifty thousand dollars in this bag?"
Mary Margaret's eyes went wide, she froze to the spot, still staring at David. He dropped the money to the floor and took one step closer. "Mary Margaret! What have you done?" He said through gritted teeth.
She couldn't control her breathing; her heart was hammering against her chest. Her lips quivered as she attempted to explain herself but stopped when she caught the look on David's face. He was staring at her lower half.
"Did you just pee?" He asked, staring at her now soaked jeans.
She was about to say no before a sharp shooting pain tore through her body. She screamed and fell back against the wall. "She's coming! Emma's coming!"
Present Day
"Let me get this straight." Regina paused, attempting to go through the information once more before she continued, "You made a deal with some random, old dude and sold your baby for fifty thousand dollars?"
"One-hundred thousand dollars, actually"
Regina's eyes shot open, as did her mouth. She stood and walked over towards the drinks cabinet, pouring herself a glass of the strongest cider she owned. "You sold your daughter, Mary Margaret."
"I was eighteen and stupid. I was also extremely desperate." She explained before she gestured to an empty glass, "Pour me something strong."
"You sold your daughter!" Regina practically shrieked before her voice became muffled as she downed her drink. "I don't care how desperate for money you were, you're insane!"
"No, the idea of some cult taking my daughter away from me after twenty-two years, that's insane! I convinced myself that it was okay because they would never, ever remember the deal!"
Regina rolled her eyes and poured herself another drink. She stood by the cabinet, still trying to take everything in. This had been a very long, very strange night.
"Rumplestiltskin came to town four years ago to find me. He found out where I had disappeared to and I was all set to run away from him again but he told me he wasn't part of that cult anymore. But he told me that the deal was still valid and that there was no way for it to be undone. I paid him ten thousand dollars to disappear." Mary Margaret paused and took a breath before she stood and walked over to the cabinet. "When Emma turned twenty-one, I set up the undercover group to protect her. I gave myself an undercover name and we've been working to protect Emma for the last year."
"There were other girls..." Regina swallowed, "Did their mother's make the same deal?"
Mary Margaret nodded.
Regina grimaced, hating that she had been so wrong about everything. Especially the woman stood beside her. "You have to tell Emma"
"The same rules still apply; Emma can never find out." Mary Margaret stated before she poured herself a glass of cider and then returned to the sofa.
"Things are different now, she needs to know!" Regina pleaded, raising her voice, trying to get through to the woman sitting on her couch who was drinking cider like water. "I can't keep that from her."
Mary Margaret paused at the last part. She slowly looked up at Regina, her head tilted. "You like her, don't you" She watched as Regina's eyes fell to the floor, her fingers toyed with the edge of the cabinet. Mary's eyebrows shot up, "No, it's more than that"
"I care about her, a lot" Regina half-whispered.
Mary Margaret swallowed. "You love her." Regina looked up at Mary Margaret, her mouth opening slightly in attempt to dismiss the older woman's claims but she had no argument.
"I love her"