Chapter 16

While Grumpy was helping Emma and Snow, yet another couple was being reunited. Abigail and Frederick were laying on the couch she as Kathryn had shared with Charming as David. Abigail was snuggled up against her true love, Frederick, who couldn't believe he had his Abigail in his arms. "I've missed you," he replied. "This."

Abigail smiled up at him. "So have I," she replied. "Though it is kind of ironic that Regina had me married to Prince James."

"And she had me single and a gym teacher," Frederick replied. "Some kind of twisted sense of it."

"But that's the thing," Abigail replied.

"What thing?" he asked.

"When Prince James and Snow White were David Nolan and Mary Margaret Blanchard, they knew they were supposed to be together," Abigail replied. "Even though the curse kept them apart."

"It kept everyone apart," Frederick pointed out. "And even the curse kept them apart when they knew they loved each other. They knew each other where we did not."

Abigail gave him a look.

Frederick just smiled at her. "When you had been kidnapped," Frederick replied, "I thought it was scary especially since after you tore through Snow at school that day, you ran into me, and then later I found your car abandoned."

"That is scary," Abigail conceded. "As scary as it was for me when I found out that you were turned into gold."

Frederick took her hand and held it. "Everything is okay now," he said and then glanced at his watch. "It's almost lunch time; I wonder if Granny's is open."

Abigail smiled. "Are you sparing me from cooking?" she asked.

Frederick just smiled and answered her. "Yes," he said, "but if Granny's is open we can scope out out some of the gossip and rumors."

"You're not going to punch James, are you?" Abigail asked.

"Why would I?" Frederick asked. "You two thought you were married; I'm not going to penalize either of you."

Abigail smiled as he pulled her into his arms. They got ready for their first afternoon out in Storybrooke.

An hour later, they walked into Granny's. They noticed Charming and Henry at the counter eating burgers and fries.

Abigail looked back at Frederick to see his reaction, but he didn't show any. He just smiled and winked at her.

"Now see, girl," Granny told Red. "Didn't I tell you it was smart to stay open?"

Red smiled at Granny. "Yes, Granny, you did," she replied to her and then turned to Abigail and Frederick to tell them, "Take a seat. I'll be right with you."

"Thanks," Abigail replied as she took a seat at a booth.

Frederick slide in on the other side.

Charming looked over his shoulder and smiled. "I was wondering if you found him," he said. "If you had found each other."

"Apparently people are reuniting with their loved ones," Abigail replied and squeezed Frederick's hand. "Thanks to your daughter."

A light went off in Frederick's mind. "Emma," he said remembering. "She broke the curse."

"She did," Charming replied. "Snow and I are really proud of her."

"Speaking of Snow, I thought you would be with her and Emma," Abigail said. "Not just your grandson."

Charming popped a fry soaked with salt and ketchup into his mouth before saying, "Apparently you haven't heard."

"Heard what?" Abigail asked curiously.

"The Enchanted Forest still exists," Charming replied, "at least, according to Rumpelstiltskin which is what Emma and I got out of him this morning with Belle pushing him to tell us everything."

Abigail and Frederick stared at him. "Home?" Frederick asked. "Why aren't we back?"

"Rumpelstiltskin," Abigail answered as she looked at Frederick and then looked back at Charming. "He created the curse, didn't he? He wants your family to do something."

"Emma, technically," Charming corrected, "and there's no way she's not getting mine or Snow's help."

"Or mine," Henry interjected.

"What does Rumpelstiltskin want Emma to do?" Abigail asked.

"To find his son, Baelfire or Bae, which is what he calls him," Charming answered.

"That little imp has a child? A son in this land?" Frederick asked surprised. "The reason why we were thrown into this world? The reason why he created the curse?"

"Frederick," Abigail said.

Frederick sighed. "Is that why you're looking for Grumpy?" he asked and then smiled when Charming gave him a look. "I've heard of his drawing ability. His name once was Dreamy."

"Emma thought to do an age progression sketch," Charming informed him.

"Will that even work?" Abigail asked.

Henry turned to look at Abigail. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"Henry," Charming said.

"She may have a point," Frederick put in knowing where his true love was going.

Charming looked at Frederick. "Will one of you enlighten me?" he asked warily.

"We don't know how old his son was when he entered this world," Abigail replied, "and we sure don't know how old he is now. Nor do we know how long ago he entered this world."

"Abigail," Charming said. "We're talking about Rumpelstiltskin here. He knows the ins and outs of all kinds of magic, and he knows that-"

"All magic comes with a price," Abigail finished.

"He probably did it in the ball park," Charming replied. "He probably has own prices to pay as well as the price to get home, or who knows maybe he knows another way to get home. We'll see, won't we?" He looked down at Henry as he got up, took his wallet out of his pocket, and set some money which included a tip for Red on the counter. "Come on, Henry."

Henry got up as well and raced to the door.

"See you later, Abigail, Frederick," Charming replied and then looked over at Granny and Red. "Red, Granny." He walked to the door and left.

Frederick looked over at Abigail. "Are you sure you didn't want to marry him?" he asked.

Abigail looked at Frederick and smiled as she threaded her fingers with his. "I wanted you, Frederick, because I love you," she said. "Not him." She brought his hand and kissed it. "You."