So, I posted this chapter previously and a few people thought that David was out of character for leaving Neal behind in Storybrooke, so I revised it a little. I don't want it to seem like David or Regina have forgotten about their sons, that's not the case. Plus if you're watching the current episodes of the show, it's not so out of character for David, lol. Please let me know what you think of the direction. I'd say you've had enough angst, so here's some happier stuff xoxo
"Can I hold her?" Emma asked with a warm smile as she leaned over David's shoulder where he sat holding the baby. They'd ended up resting in one of the dens near the great hall of Regina's castle for several hours, fawning over the new child. The room was dimly lit, mostly dark colors and a little drafty, but they were all too relieved to notice.
Regina smiled as she leaned against David's side, resting her head on his shoulder while they watched the baby sleep, "Make sure you support her head," She cautioned with a serious glance at Emma as she took the baby from David's arms.
"I've held a baby before, Regina," Emma rolled her eyes with an amused smirk at Regina's protective nature as she sat down on the black fainting chair nearby and began cooing over the newborn.
"Just do as I say Swan," Regina replied in a tired but humorous manner as David brought his free arm around her, cuddling her into his side. Emma only answered her with an unladylike snort, side tracked with taking in her new sister as Killian came to stand behind her and look too.
"Easy mama bear," David teased with a peck to her temple, "How are you feeling? You took a couple good blows," He frowned as she lifted her head to look at him.
"Nothing I can't handle," Regina gave a reassuring smile before wincing at her busted lip cracking a bit from the movement. She had a small cut above her right eyebrow as well, making David reach his other hand to gently run the pad of his thumb over the skin near it.
"I wish I could heal it for you," He said genuinely as he examined her face for any more wounds, "I'm so proud of you, the way you fought for our daughter...you're so strong, Regina," He spoke quietly to keep the conversation just between them, sensitive to her need for privacy with emotionally charged moments like this.
Surprisingly she didn't avert her gaze, instead looking back at him with honest, expressive eyes full of warmth and appreciation of his words. She ran a hand up to cup the side of his cheek, seemingly forgetting about the other couple in the room as she leaned in to kiss him gently for a long moment. It was soft but firm and with purpose, the love they shared refusing to go unnoticed at the contact of their lips stirring both of them.
"Thank you," She replied softly when she pulled away, her expression full of unspoken words that he simply nodded in reply to, knowing they'd talk more when they were alone. He loved that she no longer was shutting him out, he finally felt he was behind that wall she put up with her instead of waiting on the other side.
"Not to rush your little date or anything happening over there mates, but don't you say it's time we get back to Storybrooke?" Killian brought them back to the present with his question, a half smirk on his face when they turned their heads to look at him.
"We should get back to Henry and Neal," Regina agreed, glancing at David again as he gave a nod, "Henry's probably worried sick."
"You still have the magic beans?" David asked Killian before raising an eyebrow, "Who would've thought we'd ever trust him with those?" He quipped, making the pirate roll his eyes as he pulled the satchel from his pocket.
"Aye," He said turning it upside down as Emma held out her hand to catch them, frowning when only one came out.
"We only have one left," Emma stated, looking to Regina warily as she shifted the baby in her arms gently not to wake her, "Call me crazy, but I'm not so sure it's a good idea to use it."
"What? You mean stay here?" David frowned, "Zelena is dead, we can go home now. I have to get back to Neal, he's already lost one parent."
"And we will get back to Henry and Neal, but we have to do it the right way. We have to do what's best for everyone. They're safe with Granny and Belle watching over them while we figure this out," Emma said, earning a stern gaze from her father which she matched, "Seriously dad, I miss them and worry as much as you do, but with our track record of having to save our kids from evil in other realms, we can't exactly use up the last bean we have that allows us to."
"...She's right," Regina spoke up, looking at Emma knowingly, "That's the last magic bean we have, it may be the only one that exists. We can't take a chance on giving up the last thing that gives us the ability to travel realms. What if something bad happens again and we need to?" Regina's stomach sank at the idea of being away from Henry or Neal any longer, but Emma had a point.
"Then what do we do?" Killian scratched his temple with a sigh, "Stay here forever?"
"Plant it and grow more," Regina rolled her eyes, her irritation growing at his stupidity on top of her own sadness at the thought of their family being separated for any longer, "But thanks for the dramatic flair, Guyliner."
"And how long does it take to harvest magic beans?" David asked hesitantly, almost as if he didn't really want to know. He hated being separated from his son and grandson. He felt torn in both directions, felt needed in both realms and felt like he was failing all of them. Logically, he couldn't use the last magic bean with a good conscious, not without exhausting all other options. They'd had Henry taken from them to Neverland and two children stolen to Oz. If he took the shortcut and used the last bean to get back home, he'd be living in constant fear of helplessness, should someone from another realm come for his family again.
"You would know better than me, you're the bean farmer," Regina quipped with an arch of her dark eyebrow, referencing when the Charmings had attempted to grow more beans and travel back to the Enchanted Forest without her.
David scoffed at her dig, "Sorry to disappoint you, your majesty, but we didn't exactly harvest that crop. You surely remember that?" He dead panned back to her, the dry banter familiar for them in tough situations like this.
She sighed, a hint of testiness in her eyes, "If we do it correctly and protect them from the elements, it could take about a month. Longer if we don't."
"A month here?" Killian asked incredulously with wide eyes, "No offense, Queen, but your castle isn't the most hospitable place in the Enchanted Forest."
"And what would you suggest Hook? Sleeping on straw in the back of the brothels you used to frequent?" Regina snapped back at the pirate, not missing the instant look of disapproval he received from Emma. No one talked poorly about Regina's beloved castle. Even if it was the harbor of her darkest times, it was still her home and the only solace she had for a very long time.
"This should be fun," The pirate glanced at Emma for her to speak up, quickly sighing in defeat at the look she gave him.
"Well we may as well scope this place out for any threats and then make ourselves at home for the night," David nodded in conclusion, a slight frown playing on his lips, "Its been a long day."
Regina found the sunrise seeping through the curtains of her former bedroom when the baby's whimpers woke her. She lifted up in her bed gently as not to disturb David, who slept adorably messy next to her.
"Good morning my love," She whispered with a warm smile, feeling her heart threaten to burst when the baby looked up at her with wide blue eyes and a hint of a smile. Regina scooped her up gently from the bassinet she'd fashioned with magic to place beside their bed before leaning back against her own headboard.
The baby quieted in the comfort of her mother's arms as Regina cuddled her against her, though she still squirmed and padded against Regina's breast with her head, "Are you hungry?" She cooed softly, motherly instincts kicking.
A slight insecurity rushed through her at the thought of feeding her. With Henry it has obviously been bottles, and she didn't know much about breastfeeding. It didn't take a genius she knew, but she wanted everything to be perfect for her little girl. She didn't want to fail her in any way.
She glanced over to make sure David was still asleep, not wanting him to witness it if she couldn't do it. He'd had three children, compared to her adoption of Henry, and suddenly she felt like an amateur all over again. While she didn't love Henry any less than she did her baby, the experiences were vastly different, and this felt new to her.
"Mommy's trying," She murmured to the baby as she squirmed. Regina reached her free hand to pull the tie of the vintage style shift she wore loose, parting the fabric. She'd forgotten how comfortable the old style of undergarments from this time could be. Much to her relief her breasts still felt heavy with milk as she exposed one, thankful she was still producing after two weeks.
Shifting the baby more into the bend of her left elbow, she lifted her up, helping her find her way. Instinctually her daughter latched on, causing Regina to wince slightly at the tenderness. She held her breath as she watched her for a moment, seeing the child start nursing and relax comfortably in her arms at the feeling of being fed.
Tears came to Regina's eyes at the intimacy of the moment as it finally sank in that she had her baby back, that everything would be all right. She had a daughter that came from her, one she shared with a man she loved. Everything she thought would never happen for her was in nestled in her arms.
She lifted her head after watching her daughter for a few minutes, absorbing her surroundings. It felt surreal to be back in her dark castle, the home to her darkest times, experiencing such a happy moment. She pictured herself as the Evil Queen, recalling the lonely nights she'd paced this dark room, with nothing but hatred to keep her company.
To ruin Snow White was what she claimed she wanted above all back then. She had compartmentalized the emotional trauma she'd experienced and focused on getting revenge instead. It was merely a distraction from her own mind, a way to stifle the loneliness. She'd committed evil and horrendous acts, but it was mostly for show. Regina had made a vow to herself after the tragedy of her youth that she would never allow herself to be vulnerable again. From that, the Evil Queen was born.
"Why didn't you wake me?" David's deep, sleepy voice made her lift her head to turn to look at him. A warm smile spread across his stubbled face when he awoke enough to take in the sight before him, "Good morning, my girls," He said quietly as he scooted over towards them, wrapping an arm around Regina and resting his chin on her shoulder.
"You looked peaceful, I didn't want to bother you," Regina replied with a smile, looking back down to the baby, "We need to name her, you know."
"Hm, did you have anything in mind?" David asked, pressing his lips to her bare shoulder as he reached down to play with their daughter's hand, marveling at how petite and delicate she was.
"It has to have meaning," Regina pondered, watching as the baby fell asleep while nursing, smiling a little as she gently pulled the top of her shirt back over with David's help. "She's special."
"Of course she is," He agreed, running a finger over the baby's cheek, his pride swelling when the infant gave a hint of a smile in her sleep from the gesture.
"No, I mean it," Regina turned her head to look at him, "Having her changed my magic, David. It made it permanently light."
"Why do you think it did that?" He watched her curiously.
"She's powerful," Regina nodded once, lifting the baby onto her shoulder to lay while she gently patted her back after her feeding, "Look," She smiled as she lifted her hand from the baby, showing David the energy from their magic glowing between her hand and the child's back. It was barely noticeable unless you were looking for it, but no less incredible to him.
"Your magic is the same violet color..." David said in awe as he watched them, amazed that he could call such magnificent beings his family.
"Her magic is a different brand, it comes from me but her power perfected it," Regina explained, "She's the product of true love, which gives her the light magic, but she has the capability to do dark magic as well...from me," She frowned, obviously troubled at the thought, "The light and dark magic potential combined...its unlike anything I've experienced... Well until last night when I realized I had it..."
David nodded, taking it all in, "Giving birth to her must've lifted the last bit of darkness you carried in your heart," He said, beginning to understand. Regina was no saint, but she'd evolved and so had her heart.
Regina gave a tearful nod and a small smile in return, "That's why when I tried to channel my dark magic to defeat Zelena it didn't work. I no longer have the hate or vengeance in my heart to produce it. But I do have my past, which is why I think my light magic is tainted with the light purple..."
"Violet," David stated, turning his head slightly to look at Regina next to him. She met his gaze knowingly, a thoughtful smile playing on her lips as she considered it.
"What do you think, sweetheart?" Regina cooed, running her hand over the baby's head gently as she slept. The child squirmed with a hint of a smile at her mother's touch, making them both laugh softly.
"I think that's a yes," David broke into a wide grin, pressing his lips to Regina's cheek with a gentle kiss, "She's perfect."
The brunette nodded with watery eyes, catching her bottom lip between her teeth, "I just wish Henry and Neal were here to meet her. I just want our family to be together, to know that we're all safe."
"Me too," David hummed, resting his forehead on the side of hers as he held her, "But we're doing the right thing, and we'll be together in the end and safer because of it."
"Do you think they know how ridiculous they look right now?" Emma glanced at Regina with a smirk as she perched in the kitchen window of the castle, watching David and Killian on the grounds behind it, clearing the land for a garden.
Regina grinned from behind Violet's head, pressing her lips to kiss her as she stood to come over next to Emma, "How long until you think they start arguing?" She asked in reply, watching David talking with his hands as he tried to explain to Killian what they were doing. She could tell by his tense shoulders alone that he was already frustrated.
"At least dad has some experience farming," Emma shook her head, laughing when Killian had to shed his leather jacket because of the heat, "Hook doesn't know which end of a shovel is up. You know we could just do it with our magic?" The blonde offered with a distracted smile when she reached to pull the blanket back and see Violet.
"I wish that were an option," Regina sighed with a half smile when she glanced down at the baby making wide eyes at Emma, "But they can't be curated with magic, the process has to be organic to ensure them working properly. Trust me, you don't want to see where you end up with a manufactured magic bean," Regina shuddered a little, "Besides we have to have something to keep us busy here."
"You're worried about Henry and Neal too, aren't you?" Swan sighed as she pulled out one of the dark oak stools from the long table in the kitchen and plopped down on one.
"Of course I am," Regina frowned, biting on her bottom lip as she repositioned Violet against her shoulder, gently swaying to lull her back to sleep. "I wish we could let them know we're okay and that we're coming back to them."
"We did it in Neverland, can't we come up with something similar here?" Emma leaned back in the chair.
"But we were all in the same realm when we did that, getting a message across realms is a tad bit more complicated," Regina mumbled, lost in thought.
"Right," Emma drummed her fingers over the rough table top, "Don't you have a whole library of magic books here? I'm sure you have some creepy den where you kee them. Surely we can do some research and find a way."
Regina shifted her eyes towards Emma contemplatively, "The library is on the second floor...and it's not creepy." She emphasized the word, mocking Emma.
"Right, we'll get on that as soon as we scrounge up something to eat," Emma nodded, glancing around the crude kitchen, "You know for a lavish castle, this kitchen is pretty medieval. You actually ate in here?"
"Of course not," The brunette gave an eye roll at how clueless Emma Swan was when it came to etiquette, "I ate my meals in the great hall dining room, this is where the help cooked it," Regina gave a shrug before narrowing her eyes at the incredulous look the woman gave her, "What?"
"Have you ever even been in here?" Emma asked, a hint of amusement in her eyes as she took in the sight of Regina, standing regal and polished in a rather plain, stone room with rough wooden furniture.
"Of course I have," Regina rolled her eyes, "I'd come down here at night and make turnovers when I couldn't sleep." She'd leave out the nights she'd spent perfecting her poison apple recipe for now.
"What I wouldn't do for an apple turnover right now," Emma groaned, leaning back in her chair, "What are we going to do about food? Should we magic some pizza?"
"This isn't spring break," Regina arched an eyebrow, "We can't survive on pizza and rum," She turned, waving a hand over the wall space behind her, "We can cook."
With another motion of her hand, the shelves were now lined with bags of flour, sugar, spices and wooden bowls and utensils. Dust that had lined the wood counter tops and shelves seemingly evaporated into the air, and the leftover ash in the fireplace floated out of the open window with the guidance of Regina's magic.
"Us in the kitchen while Dad and Killian are working?" Emma smirked, shaking her head, "Really Regina, I never took you for a domestic type."
"Will you cut it out Swan? I'm trying to make the best of it here," She shrugged with a glance her way before making bowls of fruit and a vase of flowers appear on the table. Emma watched her friend hold her child in one arm naturally while the other one worked to revamp the kitchen, adding small touches to make it feel like home.
"Hey, go for it," Emma held up her hands in defeat as Regina ignored her, continuing what seemed to be an impromptu renovation of her dark castle. The brunette disappeared through the archway that led into the main part of the castle and Emma let her go alone. She sensed coming back here was beginning to be therapeutic for Regina, and her interest in making the dark castle feel like home only proved it.