Overhill and Underhill

Chapter 6

Author's Notes: Well this took a hot minute and I apologize for that. Life got completely insane for a bit there but now I'm finally done with this chapter so here it is. As always if you enjoy it please let me know. -Scarlette

It was a beautiful day in Underhill. Not that most days in the Kingdom of the Fae weren't but today the sun seemed to shine brighter, the colorful vibrant lush scenery seemed to glow just a bit brighter and the sounds of birds and the whispered steps of two fawns could be observed if one were to stand still long enough. Idyllic didn't even begin to cover the place that no mere mortal could truly comprehend. It would take too long and the brightness of the place often hurt their eyes until they adjusted.

"Regina!" A musical voice called to her as she tended her beautifully growing apple tree whose fruit was hanging low and richly red on the branches. She stood back to her full height, the short skirt of her dark purple dress falling in light waves around her. It teased her mid thigh and revealed the toned expanse since she'd chosen yet again to go without shoes. Fairy folk weren't very fond of them in all honesty and Regina was no exception.

"Aine…I mean Kathryn. I was unaware you were coming by."

"I wanted to see you. It's been too long." The beautiful statuesque blonde stood in front of her, resplendent with her long blonde hair and beautiful gold gown that looked as light as air. Like most things in Underhill, there appeared to be an unnatural glow around everything and Kathryn was no exception especially since she was the goddess of love and beauty.

The goddess reached out her long slender arms and wrapped them around the smaller woman. "I have missed you so." She whispered into Regina's hair causing the darker of the pair to smile sweetly. Aine's natural sweet scent was only complimented by the green Irish bells woven throughout her hair that brushed against Regina's temples as the goddess hugged her closer.

"I have missed you as well." Kathryn's beautiful face lit up with a bright smile.

"I am sorry I haven't come sooner. Things have been complicated." She began.

"Yes, your brother was quite content to force my hand." Regina pointed out dryly causing the taller of the pair to flinch.

"Yes, I'm aware of what my brother has done. I spoke to Silverhand myself but he'd all ready made up his mind. You weren't to be his."

"I was yours once." Regina pointed out softly which caused the goddess to smile softly. "But it was my decision then and I would've never agreed had Silverhand tried to force me to be as he did all those years ago."

"I miss those days. You know I've always loved you."

"I know; I'm not completely oblivious to the feelings we both once shared with one another."

"I am afraid that it was my actions that even allowed my brother to see you in the first place. Had I known that in introducing you to him as my lover that he would later think to try to make you his…"

"It isn't your fault. I made the decision to be introduced to your brother due to the closeness you both shared. I wanted his approval and apparently I received it. In abundance."

Kathryn nodded, "I know. I am sorry though. He knows enough of your history to know not to do this, I'm unsure what was in his thoughts to do so."

"He wants to own me. That's the simple truth of it. Much like Leopold did."

"The only difference is Silverhand refused his request this time around."

"Leopold held a lot of power in the situation and had the backing of my Mother to help force Killian's hand."

"Is that the name he's chosen to use?" The goddess wrinkled her nose.

Regina smiled at the cute gesture. She'd always loved the way Kathryn could still look so beautiful making such a scrunched face.

"I felt the same the first time I heard it. It's lacks the elegance of the name you've chosen."

"We need to be careful in Overhill. Speaking of which, I heard you had developed a lingering interest in a mortal from there."

"There is something there but I'm unsure of what that may be just yet."

"Are you willing to find out?" Kathryn asked, her eyes softening as she noted the look on Regina's beautiful face. She wanted nothing more than her former lover to be happy.

"I am actually. I adopted a boy." She blurted, almost desperate to change the subject from her lingering fascination with the photographer.

"I had heard; how old?"

"He's five. His name is Henry. He's so sweet. I only recently brought him to Underhill."

"I'd like to meet him when you're ready of course; I know you've always been as fond of children as I am."

"Yes, I can all ready tell he's a special boy."

Kathryn smiled softly. "Did Silverhand approve of his arrival?"

"Yes, of course he did. His people are very fond of children and are especially protective of them. When he heard about Henry, he immediately agreed." She left out the fact that Killian was only trying to butter her up. Kathryn didn't need to know that.

"I myself have always been fond of children. I know you are too which is odd given…"

"My nature or what I am?" Regina arched a brow and then smiled and shook her head.

"I don't mean to offend you Regina."

"You don't; you're right. The Leanan Sidhe aren't known for being fond of anyone. In fact we're known for our need to have independence and our fondness of arts."

"And draining your victims." Kathryn laughed which caused Regina to employ the same scrunched face the beautiful goddess had used earlier.

"Only when necessary. It's not like I'm fond of that part of my nature."

"You're the only one I know that feels that way."

"Well, there aren't many of my kind left. Only a handful and I suppose the most ruthless of us were the ones that were going to survive no matter what the circumstances."

"It's very true; we've seen it play out in nature time and time again. Why should we be any different?"

"The goddess of love and beauty sanctioning violence. What a strange place Underhill is becoming."

"Hush, don't make fun of me." Kathryn smiled softly at her.

"I'd invite you inside…" Regina trailed off.

"But your new son wouldn't be ready for that. I understand and I certainly don't blame you for being protective of the boy."

"He's just started calling me Mommy."

"Well that is rather sweet, how do you feel about that?"

"Happy; I've always wanted a child and now I have one."

"I'm happy for you. Honestly. I will help soothe my brother's pride you have my word on that. In the mean time, please be careful. Right now he's hurt and angry and he may do or say something he doesn't mean. Once he's settled, I'm sure he'll see the error of his ways."

"You two are still as close as ever. Don't let me come in between you. I wouldn't forgive myself for that."

"We will always be close, he and I. And we will continue to get along as best we can. In the meantime take care of yourself and your boy…and the mortal."

"I will."

"Mama! You're back!" Henry raced to her side as soon a she stepped through the front door of their home. He was grinning brightly, the bruises on his precious face were fading and he was beginning to come out of his shell. He seemed to truly enjoy her presence and she his after he'd gotten over his initial fascination of the "Pretty Lady that rescued me!" He was proving to be a very good child, obedient and sweet but with a mind of his own that clearly thirsted for knowledge of his new surroundings.

"I am. I'm sorry it took me so long my dear boy but I received a visitor."

"Was it the man with the strange hook hand?" He grinned brightly and she shook her head, remembering the boy's fascination for Killian's silver hand.

She laughed, brown eyes sparkling and shook her head as she sat down the basket she'd filled with apples. She was pleased to learn that Henry adored the fruit almost as much as she did.

"No my love. It was someone else, a dear friend that I haven't seen in a very long time."

"Oh, so it made you happy to see them?" Henry's eyes were wide as he looked up at her as she made her way closer and knelt near him so that they were at eye level.

"It did, I've missed Aine very much."

"Do you love her?"

"I did very much and apart of me always will but our time has long come and gone." Regina didn't believe in holding anything back from the child in front of her. He had been through enough in his few years in Overhill, seen and did things no child should ever have to see or do. He deserved many things and her honesty was one of the things she thought he deserved.

"Besides I'm having so much fun with you," She smiled brightly and reached out tickling the child's soft belly, which caused him to squeal loudly and laugh brightly.

"Are we going to make our pie now?" He grinned brightly at her, red faced from the excursion of laughing and playing with his new mother.

"Yes, we are. It's to be our dessert tonight so it must be ready as it's the best part of the meal."

Henry grinned and grabbed her hand as she reached for the basket she'd set down. The child amazed her with his ability to adapt and love. She would do the same for him, she vowed.