Chapter 3

by Starsinger

I'm fully cognizant that I haven't spent much time in Storybrooke. Has a lot to do with school, work, and trying to establish a sense of the fairytale characters. Now, I will spend some time in our world. Let's see how Charlotte, Renee, and Laurie cope with the Mayor, Emma, and Mary Margaret. Keeping the two Snow Whites straight would've been bad enough if I had given them the same name in Storybrooke, so I didn't! lol Don't own them.

Renee yawned as she washed the dishes. Another late night spent helping Storybrooke's poor feed themselves and their families. Mary Margaret stood beside her, drying the dishes she washed. Charlotte put the dishes away as Laurie cleaned the dining room. They heard the click of her cane as she walked from table to table.

"Let me get this straight, he woke up out of a coma and walked out of the hospital? And he's married?" Chalotte asked Mary Margaret.

"Oh, that's nothing. You should have seen the fit Regina was having over Henry's mother still being in town," Renee said with a laugh.

"I like her," Mary Margaret said as she dried the last of the dishes and passed it onto Charlotte. Both of the other women turned and stared at her. "Anybody up for dinner at Granny's?"

All four women walked in to find Ruby in her usually short outfit and ponytails. Laurie's blue eyes glinted with humor as she ordered a salad. The younger women ordered burgers and fries and fell to talking about recent events. Soon, Jimmy, Charlotte's boyfriend, joined them. His lanky frame slid into the seat next to Charlotte as he was quick to point out, "I heard Regina was fit to be tied." All four women stared at him, "What? Men gossip too, believe it or not!"

Laurie scooped up her fork and pointed it at Charlotte's tall dark and handsome young man, "Be careful or we might start referring to you as 'One of the girls'." Jimmy stared at her in outrage before turning Charlotte around to face him and planting a big kiss on her. Suddenly, a large chunk of bread connected with his head as he heard Laurie mutter, "Get a room…"

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Snow White strode across fields ready to do battle with one of the nanny goats. She pushed up the sleeves of the shift under her bodice and determinedly approached the stubborn goat. The obviously pregnant nanny stared down the girl just as determined to stand her ground atop the chicken coop. What was it about goats that liked to climb on top of stuff? She silently asked herself. She approached the coop and thanked her late father for making it a small affair and reached to grab the front legs when, with a squeal, the goat was picked up and rolled off the top of the coop. The person responsible for this accomplishment looked down at her with a grin. "You looked like you could use some help."

Snow looked up into his laughing brown eyes. His light brown hair curled fancifully around his forehead and ears. Snow shook herself before noticing the fine cut of his clothes and cloak and shook her head. "Would you mind carrying her into the barn. She's due any day now, and last thing we need is for her to give birth outside in the middle of the night, wolves and all."

The tall man followed her into the barn and placed the nanny in a stall. The goat bleated belatedly at her sudden confinement. "I thought donkeys were supposed to be stubborn."

"I wouldn't know about donkeys, we don't have any, would you like to come inside?" he nodded assent and followed her into the house and found two more women inside. The older woman hurried to take his cloak while the younger asked if he'd like something to drink. Belatedly, Snow introduced herself and her family.

"Snow White, as in the Princess?" the stranger asked.

"Yes, and no, I'm not the Princess, fortunately, the Queen was here a few days ago. I don't mean to be rude, but who are you?"

He laughed, "My name is Sammuel. I'm looking for my brother, Jack, have you by any chance seen him?" They told him about the visit two nights ago. "It might be him," he replied. "I don't know."

A wolf's howl sounded outside and they glanced out window. The shadows lengthened outside and Rose Red once more rolled out the pallet for a guest. The table was set for everyone and they sat down. The easy going manner of Sammuel made it easy. That night, Snow awoke to find Sam staring into the fire. He brooded over his lost brother.

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Jimmy escorted Charlotte down the street as Renee and Laurie walked behind. Renee stopped again, looking behind her. Jimmy stopped with her, "Still have that feeling?" She nodded. He put his arm companionably around her, "Ever since Jason disappeared, we can't help but hope that he's watching us and hope he comes home."

Renee nodded, his lost brother and her lost love. If only dreams really do come true.