Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time.
AN: This one is a sequel to chapter 28: Magic. Snow and David are hiding in Storybrooke's woods, as Regina searches for them and their baby. Rumple knows he must step in and see them safely over the town line or all might be lost.
I took a tiny break from this story, but I am going to try to get to more regular updates, at least once a week, hopefully more if inspiration strikes.
Sara K M: I have added your prompt to my list!
Jadedgurl05: I have also added your prompt to my list for Charming going through the wardrobe with Emma.
Once Upon a Snowing
Brave New World
Snow awoke in the darkness and looked around with bleary eyes. The only light was provided by the half moon above them and she heard her husband stirring and her daughter cooing. She listening to him cooing back and smiled, imaging the beautiful sight that must be Charming as a father. She knew what Charming the husband looked like and he was everything she had ever dreamed of and so much more. Everything she thought she would never have, because of the Queen, so she knew Charming as a father would be amazing as well.
"It's okay Princess," he soothed, as she fussed a little.
"I know this isn't exactly what Mommy and Daddy planned, but we're together. You did that. You kept us from being separated by a curse and now Daddy's going to make sure we stay together," he promised. Snow smiled.
"That means Mommy and baby Emma will be in very good hands then," Snow said, as she cuddled up beside him and peered down at their newborn. He looked at her and pressed a kiss to her lips tenderly.
"We're going to figure this out, Snow," he promised.
"I know...I have faith," she replied, as a bird landed on her shoulder. She stilled and listened to the message.
"What is it?" he asked.
"It's from Rumplestiltskin. He says he can help us escape the Queen," she replied. He looked weary.
"Can we trust him?" David asked skeptically.
"He's the one that said Emma would be the Savior...that she would break the curse, which is the opposite of what Regina wants, which means he wants Emma to escape the Queen," Snow rambled.
"I don't know," he replied. He had helped them in the past, but he had also intended to steal Thomas and Ella's baby too.
"I don't think we have much choice, my love. He might be the only way to escape Regina," she replied. He nodded. She was right.
"Okay...where did the bird say to meet him?" David asked.
"In a shop called Mr. Gold's Pawnshop," she said. David looked out over the horizon from their hovel.
"It's mostly dark in town. This would be the time to go," he said. She nodded and swaddled Emma in her blanket, holding her tightly to her chest. He took her hand and they set off.
Gold waited patiently in his shop, looking over his inventory and books. Regina had given him a comfortable life with considerable wealth. But none of that truly mattered to him. Finding his son did and for that, he needed the Savior to survive. The lights were dim in the shop and he smirked, as he heard the bell chime, and the door opened.
Snow and Charming entered the shop wearily with a bundle in her arms. They may have been dressed in clothing typical of this realm and Snow White's hair cropped short in a pixie cut, but he could tell it was them by the way they carried themselves.
"Good...you're here. We don't have much time," he stated, as Charming narrowed his gaze.
"I almost didn't recognize you without the scales," David commented.
"Tactless as usual, Charming, Rumple commented back.
"I see you failed to make sure your daughter escaped," he stated. Charming glared at him.
"She came early, as did Regina's guards. They burned the wardrobe," he said, as he looked at Snow, who nodded.
"And Regina tried to take her...but Emma's magic stopped her," Snow added.
"Not surprising...she is the product of true love. She was born with light magic. But it is much too soon for her to be here," Rumple replied.
"What must we do?" Charming asked. The Dark One opened a case and took out a folder.
"We need to get all three of you out of town. To survive in this land, you'll need money and new identities," he said, as they looked at the peculiar cards that he handed them.
"David and Mary Swan," he said. Gold nodded.
"Emma Swan," David read from the piece of parchment.
"A birth certificate for your daughter. It's also a form of identification in this land," he explained.
"There's enough money to get you started, basic information to help you navigate this land and find jobs too," he stated.
"And this?" David asked, looking at the small vials of potion.
"Youth potions...when you return with your daughter, I need you both still in...fighting shape for the final battle. No one else will age under the curse. As a bonus, it will bolster your immune systems against any ailments in this world that your bodies wouldn't be used to," Gold explained.
"What's the price?" David asked. Rumple smirked.
"You've put us on a different path than originally foreseen. You'll return in twenty years with your daughter to break the curse. And you'll owe me a favor or two. But make sure Emma is a believer. This land will tell her that her parents and her people are just stories...fairy tales. They will contradict everything you tell her...even suggest your notions are insane," he warned. They nodded.
"I'll see you safely over the town line. Then...it's up to you," he stated.
Teaching the Prince the basic operations of the old brown truck was fairly straightforward and before he knew it, they were at the town line. He limped out of his car, as David pulled up beside him.
"You'll want to drink those youth potions now while you're still inside Storybrooke," he instructed. Snow and David exchanged a glance, before downing the sour liquid.
Gold took another potion from his jacket pocket. He had managed to bring a little magic with him and though technically this place had no magic, it seemed potions still worked.
He sprinkled the potion on the truck and it glowed, telling him it would allow them to cross the town line without consequence.
"Safe travels. It's a brave new world out there. I'll see you in twenty years," Rumple said. David looked at him wearily, but then extended his hand, which Rumple shook in return. Despite their differences, they both had a certain amount of unspoken respect for each other.
"Thank you. I'm not sure exactly what you're going to want in return when we come back, but a deal is a deal," David said. Gold nodded curtly and watched the truck slowly roll over the town line.
"Your daughter is going to help me find my son," Rumple said to himself. He didn't know how it would happen, but the Savior would lead him back to Bae, that was certain once again, as he watched the old brown truck disappear from sight.