three whole reviews on the last chapter, and not so many views. you all losing interest or did my last chapter not alert y'all? haha, well i'm gonna continue anyways because i'd like to explore regina in her old element. for those of you still reading, let me know what you think and give me some ideas of what you'd like to see. thank youuuu :) xoxo
A couple of weeks had passed since making the tough decision to harvest another crop before returning to Storybrooke. The outside of the dark castle was beginning to look kept again, David and Killian clearing the land of weeds and wild foliage to make space to plant. Emma and Regina had busied themselves in the Queen's former library, researching ways to communicate to everyone back home. When daylight faded, the rest of the hours of their days were spent together, having dinner and socializing in the den that Regina had brightened up with homey touches.
In ways it was nice to be back to a much simpler lifestyle, with no modern conveniences to cure their boredom. Regina found herself brushing up on her magic, discovering spells and books she'd long forgotten. During moments alone she even experimented with her new brand, testing it out and exploring her capabilities. Of course, throughout this all she kept her daughter near, and while she was overjoyed to have so much time to focus on her new baby, every expression or coo Violet made seemed to remind her of Henry and Neal. It made homesickness swirl inside of her, melancholy threatening to consume her, but ultimately motivating her to find a way to get through to them.
"Have you really read all of these?" Emma asked from her stoop at the top of the library ladder, dusting off some ancient spell books near the upper shelves of the wall length bookcase.
"What else did I have to do back then besides brood?" Regina gave a good humored eye roll, glancing up at the blonde, "Magic didn't come as easily for me as it did for you. I had to work at it, and what better way than knowing as much about it as you can?" She shrugged, gaze shifting back down to the table in the middle of the room where she had a larger book open, skimming the pages.
A gentle breeze blew through the open windows of the castle's library, the day warm and sunny. Green lawn and trees were the scenery outside, contrasting with the room they were in, making it feel cozy but well lit. Violet slept in a basket on the table beside a stack of books, the sight of her near comforting Regina. Swan grabbed a few more dusty pieces of literature before climbing back down the steps, bringing them over and setting them on the table across from the former queen.
"Whoa, look at this one," Emma's brow raised, the glow of her hand against the cover of the book drawing Regina's attention to it, "Where did this come from?"
A hopeful feeling crept up in Regina's throat as her eyes registered on the cover, "It's one of Rumples...I didn't even realize I still had that," Her brows furrowed in interest as she came around the table while Emma opened the first few pages, "If this is what I think it is...Swan, we may have something here."
"Seriously?" Emma watched as Regina thumbed through the pages, leaning her hands against the edge of the table as she watched the queen at work, "A way to talk to Henry?"
"Better," The brunette grabbed the book from the table with both hands, carrying it over to some of the furniture still covered with white sheets. Closing the book with a finger in it to save her page, she tucked it under one arm as she jerked the sheet from a long mirror with her free hand, "Rumple gave me this mirror when I was trying to get rid of my mother. It's a portal, but I've only used it to cast my mother to Wonderland."
"And how is this going to help us see Henry and Neal?" Emma frowned curiously as she walked over closer to it, reaching out to touch the mirror seeing it ripple under her fingertips.
"Because it's a magical mirror," Regina shifted her eyes to Emma, brow raised disapprovingly that she hadn't pieced it together yet. She'd taught her better than that. "Remember when you used your magic to see in it? I think together we'd be strong enough to see them, to use it like the pocket mirror we used to see Henry in Neverland."
"If this is a portal then why can't we just use this to get home?" The blonde's mouth gaped at the idea, earning another signature eye roll from Regina.
"Storybrooke didn't exist when Rumple made this mirror," Regina shook her head, "You can't travel through a mirror to a place that didn't exist when this mirror was enchanted." She laid the open book down on a stand near the mirror, ingraining the spell into her memory before placing her hand against the mirror, "Come on Swan, you too."
"What are we doing?" Emma let out a breath as she joined her, placing her hand next to hers.
"Concentrate on Henry and Neal, concentrate on that emotion and the magic will find them," Regina coached, watching Emma close her eyes in concentration before looking at the mirror herself and doing the same. Magic glowed from their hands, lavender energy from Regina and white from Emma radiated into the mirror, causing the ripple effect to spread across it's surface. Regina bit down on her lip, forcing more energy towards the reflective surface as the blonde's eyes shut tighter, following suit. Suddenly a familiar sound assaulted their ears, making them open their eyes. Gasps emitted from both of them when the sight of Regina's home came into view.
"We're there!" Emma blurted out excitedly, glancing at Regina as it came into focus. Henry sat on the bed reading a comic book while Neal played in the floor with his train, "Henry!" She called out, causing him to lift his head quickly and glance towards his bedroom door.
"Henry, over here!" Regina called out through watery eyes, drawing his attention to the full length mirror in the corner of his room. Everything was as it had been back then, and she was beyond relieved to see them both well.
"Moms?" Henry's eyes grew wide when he realized where their voices were coming from, seeing them in the reflection of his mirror, "Moms, are you okay?" He bounded towards them, crossing the room in a few steps with his long, lanky frame.
"Mmm...mom!" Neal sounded out with a squeal, dropping his blocks as he crawled into a standing position and toddled towards the mirror.
"We're fine," Regina laughed at the sight of them, a tear escaping and rolling down her cheek, "We're at my castle, Henry. We miss you both terribly, but we're making sure we have a safe supply of magic beans before we travel back."
"The baby, is she okay?" Henry asked quickly with a look of disbelief as he caught Neal with his hand when the toddler came up beside him, reaching for the mirror.
Regina smiled through tears at Neal reaching for her, "Hey baby," She cooed, "Yes, she's perfect," She answered Henry, quickly glancing up at him, "Stay right here and let me get her."
"I miss you kid," Emma smiled as Regina straightened up to go get Violet from her basket, "But we're okay. How is everything there-"
"Mm-mom!" Neal interrupted with another squeal, diving towards the mirror when Regina turned away, trying to follow her. Henry's hold on him had loosened during his conversation with his mothers, causing him to fumble when Neal lunged their way. Neal's hands caused ripples on the mirror as they began to come through the portal, causing Emma's eyes to grow large at him appearing on her side.
"Neal!" Henry called out, stumbling forward in an attempt to grab him and keep from falling through.
Regina, hearing the commotion, turned around quickly, her mouth dropping at the sight of Emma on her back on the floor with Neal in her arms, and Henry stumbling to the ground beside them. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry, the surprise of it taking her off guard as she ran towards them, "Henry," She laughed, hugging him tightly as he managed to sit up from his fall, hugging her back.
"I thought you said it wouldn't work with Storybrooke," Emma laughed, sitting up with Neal in her arms watching the baby clap when he saw Regina near him.
"You can't travel to a realm that doesn't exist for the mirror, but apparently you can travel from it," Regina smiled as Neal toddled to her and threw himself in her arms, "I missed you too," She murmured, kissing his chubby cheeks and making him giggle as Henry embraced Emma. Regina watched them all for a moment, not crazy about the fact that they were exposed to the uncertainties of realm travel, but they were all together at last and for that she was grateful.
A small cry brought all of their attention to the basket on the table as Regina raised an eyebrow at the boys' curious expressions, "Someone must be hungry," She grinned at their captivation as they all stood and brushed themselves off.
"Hey why don't we go find David and Killian while your mom feeds her and you can meet her in a minute?" Emma helped, nudging Henry who agreed with a quick nod and a smile at the idea of seeing his grandfather and step-dad. "C'mon Neal," She scooped the toddler up as the three of them made their way out, Regina running a hand over the little boys hair on their way past before going to Violet.
"Did you have a good nap?" She cooed at the baby whose whimpering stopped at the nearness of her, gazing up with bright blue eyes, "Let's get your belly full and then go meet your brothers, how does that sound?"
"Grandpa!" Henry called out when Emma led them out the back entrance of the castle. David lifted his head quickly at the familiar voice, a look of disbelief on his sweaty face that was much tanner now from working in the sun the past weeks.
"Henry? Neal?" His mouth gaped, wiping the sweat from his brow with the bottom of his shirt before throwing his shovel to the side and striding towards them, "How did you get here?" He asked in disbelief as Henry threw his arms around him and hugged him hard.
"Moms used a magic mirror to talk with us and Neal went through it," Henry laughed a little as he pulled back and David roughed up his hair before taking Neal from Emma quickly, hugging the toddler and kissing his head.
"Da!" Neal let out a muffled squeal, causing David to chuckle and loosen his grip on the boy, "I've missed you both so much," He says, holding his son on his hip with one arm, pulling Henry back up against his free side.
"I'm gonna go get Killian," Emma said with a smile before starting off towards the barn near the forest edge. The sun was getting low in the sky, the makings of a pink and purple sunset beginning to appear on the horizon. The air was warm but the breeze blew gently, making them unaware of the queen approaching with the princess in her arms.
"I've got someone who'd like to meet her brothers," Regina's voice came from behind them, making them turn towards the castle. She made her way down the path to where they were, holding a bundle against her shoulder with a smile. The evening sun shone against her hair, an auburn glow emanating from her locks, making David's breath quicken. Her skin was a few shades darker from more time spent outside in the past weeks with no sunscreen. She was void of makeup, her hair longer and her curves slightly thicker from the little extra baby weight she still carried. David was reminded just how long it'd been since he'd had her to himself.
Henry pulled away from David then as Regina neared them, coming to her side instead to peer into the bundled linen wrapped around his infant sister, "She looks just like you Mom," He gave a wide grin at her before looking back down to the baby, causing Regina's eyes to well with tears. She'd worried how Henry would feel with not one but two younger siblings taking some of the attention that used to be all his. His life had changed so much and it had weighed heavily on her mind. To see him so happy at the sight of his new sister warmed and relieved her.
"Look Neal," David smiled as he directed the toddlers attention to the baby who squirmed and looked up at them all with wide eyes from Regina's cradling arms. Neal leaned over David's arms that held him, watching the baby curiously for a few moments, as if he wasn't sure about her.
"Whats her name?" Henry asked, playing with the small fist that Violet put in the air in an attempt to stretch.
"Violet," Regina murmured warmly as Neal reached his hand down, pulling the baby's blanket away from her to get a better look. His eyes widened and his two teeth glistened when he squealed in approval.
"Bee bee," The toddler proclaimed with a proud grin that made Regina and David's gazes lock as they all laughed.
"This place is awesome!" Henry said in awe as Regina led him down the second story hall of the castle, "I can't believe I'm actually getting to see what life was like back then...er..back now?" He raised an eyebrow at what to call it, making his mother grin and shake her head.
"Don't get used to it, as soon as we get enough of a bean harvest to be safe, we're going to Storybrooke," She said, wrapping an arm around her teenage son's shoulders. Violet had fallen asleep on her lap during dinner and Regina had put her in her crib in their room. David had taken Neal to their room as well, spending some time with his toddler while trying to get him down for the night.
"But it's so cool here," He protested, his eyes wandering the tall ceilings and candle aubras high on the walls, giving them a dim light to travel by.
"You think that now but there are no video games in this world," She smirked, messing up his hair and noting how she had to raise her arm to do so, as he was almost taller than her now. Where had her little boy gone?
"Okay, I need this room!" His eyes widened when he broke away from her and peered into one of the rooms on the east wing of the castle, seeing a balcony attached to it. His attention was immediately drawn to the large knight's armor standing in the corner with an elaborate sword attached. A large part of the walls were lined with books and old figurines of horses and noblemen, accented with an antique looking desk near a fireplace.
"This one? You're sure?" She laughed at his enthusiasm as he nodded and proceeded to explore all of the vintage decor he already loved. The room oddly fit him, after all it had once been his grandfather Henry's. Regina had barely been in this room since he'd passed, leaving all of his things as he'd had them, though since then a few things had appeared like the knight's armor and some odds and ends undoubtedly left by her former guardsmen. It was perfect for her son and his love for history, though.
"It's perfect," Henry nodded, absentmindedly spinning a globe that creaked on it's axle from lack of use for years.
"It was your grandfather's room," Regina half smiled, using her magic to light the multiple lamps around the room, giving him some extra light.
"Grandpa Henry's?" Her son smiled in acknowledgement, glancing the space over again as if it made sense to him why he'd liked it so much.
"Mhm," She dusted off a few books on the desk, chuckling at her father's glasses laying not far from them, "He was always reading and writing, he had a great imagination. You remind me of him in that way," Her gaze met Henry's and she gave him a warm expression that he seemed to understand.
"I'm glad I got to see this place," Henry said, looking at his mother with eyes much wiser than a teenager's should be, "It's a part of you. A part of us," He shrugged, his words simple but searing Regina's heart in the best possible way.
"I missed you so much," She closed the distance between them, pulling him into her arms, "I'm glad you got to see it too. I know I should be scolding you for coming through that mirror but I can't even be cross with you," She chuckled through watery eyes, pressing a kiss to his cheek, "Don't stay up too late reading, okay?"
"Okay Mom," He gave her a charming grin that hindered his agreement useless.
"I mean it," She arched an eyebrow, trying to be firm as she waved a hand towards the wall the balcony attached to, putting up a protection spell just in case. The castle was big and she didn't mind the extra assurance that he'd be fine, even if Emma and Killian's room was on the other end of the hall.
"Goodnight," Henry shook his head with a smirk as he sat down at the desk to start exploring his grandfather's things.
Regina watched him for a moment, "Goodnight Henry," She said with a contented sigh before turning to go.
David laid Neal down gently on the fainting couch on the other side of the bedroom, not far from Violet's own crib. He felt whole again, having his family under one roof. Tucking the child in with a soft blanket Regina had laid over the back of the couch, he then grabbed a few decorative pillows to put on the outer edge so the toddler could not roll out of the makeshift bed.
He knew Regina would fashion a nursery for the boy soon, but tonight he didn't mind having him close. David kissed his son's head gently before going over to the crib, ensuring Violet was still asleep and safe. Regina had taken Henry to find which room he wanted to be his own, giving him some time with his own son and she with hers. He'd relished in the feeling of Neal falling asleep in his arms once again after having yearned for it every night they were apart.
David crossed the room back towards the side with their bed and dresser near, a long mirror in the corner. The room was very Regina, dark with warm accents. The bed farme was dark oak, almost black in color. The bed was plush, and rather comfortable for one from this time. Cold stone laid under his feet, dressed with a large dark red rug covering most of the floor. Dark furniture with pops of the same red color and some purple accents filled the remaining large space. Since they'd been here, Regina had lightened it up a bit, ridding it of the black curtains that hung over the windows, blocking any sunlight. He'd been rather shocked when he'd seen the castle the first day, for it was as dark as he'd imagined. Everything seemed bleak, and the thought of what her life was like when she was here made him hurt for her.
At the same time it warmed him, seeing how she'd changed the castle with brighter touches, adding color and letting sunlight in. She'd even put flowers in a vase over the fireplace mantles and added rich paintings to the walls. It amazed him how she could do all of this with imagination and magic, further proof of that beautiful mind of hers. He pulled his shirt over his head with a hint of a smile on his lips, feeling truly content for the first time in a long time. He rubbed the back of his neck, stretching his back muscles by moving his arms a little to work out the stiffness. These days had reminded him just how long it had been since he'd truly performed manual labor.
He shucked his pants off, pulling back the covers and crawling into bed with a groan, stretching out as he waited for Regina. She appeared only a few moments later, coming into the room and shutting the door quietly behind her. Only a few candles lit the room, one near their bedside and another near the mantle where Violet and Neal were nearby. David scooted to his side of the bed, pulling the sheet back for her as he laid back and watched her. She shed her robe, hanging it up on the old fashioned hook on the back of the door. She wore only a thin shift, making his groin tighten when she came towards him, seeing the dark nipples of her full breasts through the nearly see-through fabric.
"I thought you'd be out too," Regina whispered with a smile as she crawled into bed beside him, spreading the sheet over them. David wasted no time pulling her up against him, making them both smile in appreciation at the feeling of their bodies pressed tightly against one another, with nothing between them but the fabric she was wearing. It had been a long time since they'd been this close; no baby bump preventing them from being torso to torso, chest to chest.
"I had some incentive to stay up," He gave her a smirk that made heat grow in her belly, feeling his hand come down her her bottom and to the back of her thigh, pulling it up over his hip as they laid on their sides facing each other. She leaned in instinctively, their lips meeting in a firm and needy kiss. Her right hand came up to cup the back of his neck, her other running over his side, shifting herself on top of him as he rolled onto his back.
"I've missed this," Regina breathed heavily against his lips before kissing him hungrier, their tongues invading each others mouths anxiously. Heat grew between them like a rapid wildfire devouring their skin as it came in contact with one another's, thanks to the shifting of the fabric she wore. She began to rock her hips on his slowly, biting down on his bottom lip as his hands came under her dress to grip her ass, pushing and pulling her against him harder. His erection sprang to life between her thighs, making them both stifle groans. This wasn't the plan, to make love with the children on the other side of the room, but neither one of them could seem to stop.
"You're going to have to be quiet," David grinned as he ran a hand into the back of her hair, pulling her head up firmly but gently, making her eyes grow a few shades darker with desire. His other hand pulled her shift up enough to cup one of her breasts, massaging it with his palm, making her mewl softly into his neck when she leaned down to kiss over his.
"We shouldn't be doing this," She groaned quietly into his skin, grinding her hips harder, her wetness soaking his shorts where his erection pressed against her.
"I want you now," David rolled her onto her back, pushing her shift around her waist and ignoring her suggestion. Regina crossed an arm over her eyes and bit her lip in attempt to keep her mouth shut when he slipped his fingers down between them, stroking her sensitive bud in a teasing circular motion, "I know you want it too," He whispered with a smirk on his lips, watching her trying to control herself as her hips rolled involuntarily under his touch, giving her away.
Their breathing was ragged as he dipped his hand into his shorts to pull himself out, pressing one hand above her head as he gripped himself and began to rub his tip against her entrance. She was slick and hot, more than ready for him. Her arm came from over her face as she gripped his hair with both hands, bringing him down to her for a hungry kiss. He pushed his tip inside of her slowly, not wanting to be too sudden with it being the first time since she gave birth. Both of them groaned into each other's mouth at the sensation, Regina pushing her hips up to envelope more of his length in her heat.
"Da da," A tired, pouty little voice sounded from the other side of the room, bringing them both to an immediate halt.
David turned his head to look over his shoulder, seeing just the top of his son's head as he sat on the fainting couch. He wasn't able to see all of him for the tall foot board on the bed, but he was sure the little boy was awake and sitting up in a sleepy daze. Luckily the dim light and tall foot board of the bed blocked any view his son might have, not that he would understand anyways.
He sighed, pressing his forehead against Regina's for a moment to regain control as he slipped himself from her, "This is the worst form of torture I've ever endured," He smirked, though completely genuine, as he glanced down at her naked torso between them, cursing under his breath.
"Another time," She smiled, leaning up to kiss him once again, "I'll get him," She sat up as he rolled over to sit on his side of the bed, covering his lap with a pillow.
"I'm coming honey," Regina said quietly, careful not to wake Violet as well as she came over to pick up the boy from his bed. His head wobbled and eventually laid on her shoulder tiredly as she carried him back to the bed.
"Mm-mom," Neal cooed into her neck as she got into bed with him, cuddling the boy to her front as she laid down. She smiled up at David who returned a warm expression at the sight of his son in her arms. He was sure this wouldn't be the last time their children would cut in on their alone time, but he couldn't find it in him to even be frustrated. He'd be sure to have Regina to himself soon, but right now his family being reunited was quite enough for one night.