A/N: This is a Snowing chapter. Captain Swan honeymoon is in progress and will be the next chapter. In the meantime, this chapter reveals an idea that I'm excited about exploring.
Zelena, David, and Snow arrived at the diner and found Robin and Neal sound asleep, and Granny cleaning the counter. With an awkward thanks to Granny, Zelena bundled Robin in her arms and left the diner. Snow and David filled Granny in on what had occurred in the street, as well as Belle's news about Gideon. At Granny's invitation to stay for dinner, they slid into their usual booth, their little prince sleeping soundly in his stroller beside the table. Granny brought two waters to the table, then surprised them with a bottle of champagne and two glasses.
"On the house," said Granny, as she popped the cork.
"Granny, you don't need to do that," said Snow.
"In the last twenty-four hours, your daughter got married, she saved the town, and we all made it out in one piece. I'd say there are more than a few reasons to celebrate. I won't take no for an answer. I'll just be a few minutes with your food." Granny walked into the kitchen.
"Well," said David, "what should we toast to?"
"To happy beginnings and days of hope," said Snow, raising her glass.
"Here, here," said David, clinking his champagne flute against Snow's, then taking a sip.
"David, I've been thinking..." Snow began.
"About what?"
"I think we should buy a house," she finished.
"A house?"
"Yes," Snow said. "A house. Don't get me wrong, we've had a lot of happy memories at the loft. Emma and I first bonded there, before I even knew that she was our daughter. It was our first home as a family with Emma, Henry, and this little one," she said, gesturing to Neal. "But we outgrew the loft a long time ago. Even without Emma and Henry there, it's very close quarters. And I want Neal to have a backyard. Let's face it - we've only been staying there because there hasn't been time between curses and villains to think about finding a bigger home. What do you think?"
David smiled. "I think it's a wonderful idea! We can start looking tomorrow."
"I'm so glad that you feel that way!" said Snow.
"Why would I feel otherwise?" David asked.
"Well, the last time that we had a conversation about where we would live, you wanted to go back to the Enchanted Forest," Snow responded.
"That was right after the first curse broke. I was determined to get back to our old lives – I didn't want to be stuck in a town that held us captive as part of a curse." He reached across the table and took Snow's hands into his. "But, we've been living here as ourselves for quite some time. Our son was born here. As you said, we became a family here. Storybrooke is our home. That was never more clear to me than when we spent a year back in the Enchanted Forest without Emma and Henry . The palace isn't our home anymore. Our home is where our family is. That's Storybrooke. So yes, I'm thrilled at the idea of finding a house and choosing Storybrooke as the place where we begin the next chapter of our lives."
Snow's eyes glistened with tears. Before she could respond, Granny returned with their dinner. She silently set a plate in front of each of them, not wanting to interrupt.
Snow laid a napkin on her lap, and composed herself. "It's settled then. Tomorrow, we'll start looking at the real estate listings to see what's available."
"We also need to plan that family dinner," Charming reminded her.
"Right. I'll call Regina tomorrow and see if tomorrow evening works for her. We should invite Belle, Gold, and Gideon as well."
"Gold?" the prince responded distastefully.
"Yes, Gold. He's Henry's grandfather. And I think this time he has really changed. He tried to save our daughter's life tonight. We owe him another chance. If for nothing else, for Henry's sake, and Belle's."
"Fine," David conceded. "We'll invite Gold."
As they ate, Snow reflected on everything that had occurred over the last few days.
"It's a shame that Emma and Killian didn't get to have a proper wedding reception," Snow said. "I'm glad that they didn't let the Black Fairy stop them from getting married, but I wanted her wedding day to be perfect."
"We could always throw them a reception this summer – if Emma and Killian agree. We shouldn't force it on them."
"That's a wonderful idea! I'll talk to Emma about it," Snow said.
As they ate, a thought occurred to David. "You know, since you're calling Regina tomorrow, you may want to talk to her about holding a town meeting. Given the way these curses have worked in the past, it might be a good idea to check in with everyone. We may have new people in town again, and we may be missing people who were here before the curse hit."
"You're right. I'll suggest it to her," Snow said. "I do hope that Aladdin and Jasmine made it back to Agrabah safely. And everyone else from the other realms. I wish there was a way to check in with everyone," she said.
David nodded, lifted his sandwich to his mouth, then stopped mid-bite. "Wait! Maybe there is a way to check in with everyone."
"What do you mean?" Snow asked.
"The Sorcerer's Mansion. It has magic doors."
"Yes, and if I remember correctly, the last time someone made a portal in that place, a huge spider came through and tried to kill our daughter."
"Ok, so maybe I didn't think that one through completely. But, isn't it at least worth exploring the idea? We have so many friends throughout the realms, and you said yourself that you would like to check in on them."
Snow thought for a moment, then smiled. "You're right. It is worth looking into. I'm sure we're not the only ones who would like to have access to the other realms. Now that I think of it, I think Emma would like to see Elsa again. They became such good friends during Elsa's time here. Oh David, wouldn't it be wonderful if Elsa could be here for Emma's wedding reception? I mean, if she and Killian decide they want one."
"I think that would be amazing. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Why don't we…"
"…Add it to the list of things that I'm going to talk to Regina about," Snow finished for him. "I agree."