Thanks to all who reviewed, read, and followed my story. I hope I have been answering everyone's questions the best I can.
And to the guest who left the review on December 17th. Thank you it made my day and I needed a positive review to make feel better.
To the guest who left the review on December 3rd. I actually want to thank you because you inspired to start writing and get this chapter up as soon as I could.
Now on with the story, enjoy!
A plan was now place, and the group was now ready to return to the castle with complete confidence that they could defeat Zelena once and for all.
Walking through the palace doors, smiles upon everyone face, their friend Grumpy was the first to come and greeted the travelers. Whom did not share the same happy expression.
"Your highness, how did go? Did you find a way to stop the Wicked Witch?"
Smiling at her husband, she answered her dwarf friend. "We did. We have now to defeat Zelena. We believe it's going to work."
While thrilled to have one thing off the hero's journey had been a success, Grumpy could still not shake the dissatisfying look on his face. Noticing the dwarf's still distraught look, Charming asked, "Grumpy what's the matter?"
"Sorry. While it's great to hear your good news, I'm afraid I have some bad news on my part. Belle," Saying his friends name to get her attention. "Someone's here to see you, and I can't say they're happy."
Right as Grumpy finished his sentence, a loud slam came from behind him. "Belle." It was none other than Sir Maurice, Belle's father. Her traveling companions took a step back to let the man have moment with his daughter.
"Father." The brunette didn't know what to think. Belle wrote to him at the very beginning of her pregnancy telling him he was soon to be a grandfather, and how she and Neal were planning to bring back the dark one. But now he showed up? She held her stomach slight fear, since this was the first time of him seeing her pregnant and she wasn't sure what her father would do.
"So it's true?" He slowly stepped forward to examine her small baby bump. "You are carrying the dark one's spawn?!"
"Baby father. It's a little baby and yes Rumplestiltskin is father. I wrote you months ago though telling you all of this."
"Yeah. So with all due respect sir; why are you showing up now rather then when she first told you she was pregnant?" Tinkerbell spoke up placing a hand on Belle stepping in front of her. She didn't know this man was here now and then, but like Belle she had a very off feeling about it.
"I didn't come because I didn't wanna believe it!" It appeared both ladies were correct. "But clearly I see now it is true. Belle how could you do this to yourself?! You just gave yourself that beast like some common whore! What were you thinking!?
"Alright everybody keep your heads. Maurice there is no need to shout like this. Belle has been through enough as it is. I speak for all of us when I say she is going to make a wonderful mother. And right now needs you more than ever." Snow White stuck up for her friend. As a parent herself she could speak so cruelly to a child Emma, nor would Charming. Even Regina despite the mistakes she made with Henry never spoke to him like that.
"I'm not going to be a be grandfather to a monster. And I'm certainly not going to let anyone be a mother to it either. I'm taking my Belle home and finding a way to free herself of this bastard thing."
As he tried to pull his daughter along, Belle fought against him in screaming protest and the pain of her father's tight grip. She wasn't going to go anywhere with him. They may have failed this time to free Rumple but she wasn't going to quit. Once they defeated Zelena they would find a way. She certainly wasn't going let her father take her and kill her baby.
Breaking up the family squabble, Robin Hood and Prince Charming held the man in place preventing him from taking another step closer as Snow and Tink put there arms around Belle both as a sign of comfort and protection to her and her child.
"Okay I've had enough of this. Get the hell out of my castle! And I better not catch you anywhere near here, or Belle ever again or so help me I will turn you in a pile of ash." Regina shouted to the man.
"Come on Robin let's throw this guy out of here." David suggested with a sly smirk.
"Good idea mate." The thief agreed.
"May I show you fine gentlemen the door?" The queen offered.
"Please." The men said in unison as they followed her majesty to front entrance.
Maurice finally out of sight, Tinkerbell was first to ask the pregnant woman. "You okay?"
Belle had hoped her father would put aside his thoughts aside of Rumplestiltskin for her sake, she wasn't surprised to how he reacted. She could cry about the loss of her last surviving family member left later. Now was not the time. Belle just answered, "I will be."
"Don't listen him Belle. Rumplestiltskin has changed for the better we all know that. After everything he's done for you, his son." Snow tried to console her.
"Those nasty comments he said don't mean anything either. You've done nothing wrong." Tink was the next talk.
"Well no one needs to worry anymore. We are never going the likes of that man around here ever again." The queen came back in with the two men following her.
"Aye, after the way we threw him out he'd have a lot of nerve coming back." Robin added in.
David gave the final word, "If he does come back, we'll make sure throw him out again but with twice the fury."
As hurt she was by her father's actions Belle felt honered to have friends stood by her. Despite her choice in love. "Thank you. Thank you all for defending me. As well for what you said to Rumple back at the castle."
"You don't need to thank us Belle. It's what we do you know that." Snow White reminded her friend.
Robin said after, "After everything you've done for us, there is nothing we wouldn't do for you."
Later on in the day, as Regina was walking down the halls to her bedchamber, she was stoped by a sudden voice calling for her further down.
"Milady." Oh great, it's the thief she thought to herself. What did he want? "Milady, I-uh-, I just wanted to say thank you. The way you stood up for Belle was very kind and admirable."
While was not expecting to hear that, Regina refused to let anyone get her guard down, and spoke defensively, "Well no need to sound shocked. I know how to stick up for others and I certainly don't tolerate people in my castle I don't approve of."
Scoffing Robin remarked, "Then why are we all here?"
"I wouldn't question my generosity thief."
"Was only a joke your majesty."
"Well I don't appreciate your sense of humor."
"When have you ever appreciated anything I've ever done?"
"I'll do that when you stop being ass."
"And I'll do that when you give me that simple thank you I requested."
"I don't thank people who nearly kill me with an arrow!
"And I'm only ass to people who deserve it."
"Filthy woodsmen."
"Evil sources."
"Tree brain."
"Heartless bitch."
In an instant the queen grabbed his shirt by the collar, and pulled him in for heated kiss. As quickly as it came, she pulled away. What did she just do? Regina was ready run and hide but Robin pulled for second kiss. Letting her know it was okay. No regret was felt in this deep pastionate lip touching. It felt, safe, and right. Something neither one of them has had for a long time.
Another month had passed in the Enchanted Forest. Things had seemed to be falling into place. Tinkerbell ran her idea through the Blue Fairy, and thought it was brilliant. The fairy couldn't be more proud of her formal pupil and how far she had come. From redeeming herself to helping defeat the wicked witch. Blue took upon the task to train her top fairies everyday for what was in store, with Tinkerbell as teaching assistance. Faith was now in stored in all that is plan was going to work.
Late into the evening, Regina was retreating herself to the courtyard, where her infamous apple tree still stood after all these years. The Queen approached her private place, to discovered it was already occupied.
"Belle?" What on earth would the pregnant bookworm doing in her sanctuary?
"Oh." She didn't expect to found here. She wanted to be alone to think to herself. Belle wiped away any remaining tears and explained herself. "Regina, I'm-I'm so sorry. I know this your private quarters, I-I was just-"
"Looking for a place to be alone and think?" While Belle didn't respond Regina could tell what her answer was. "This tends to be a good spot for that."
"I was told you didn't come out here much anymore, it's why I chose this place. But if you are here something serious must be going on. Is everything alright?"
"Nothing that you have worry about. This my courtyard ago begin with, you have no right to question my coming here." Regina put up her defensive status once again.
"No I suppose not. Excuse me." Belle wasn't going to go sit around and listen to this crap. She wanted to give this woman the benefit of the doubt but if she wasn't willing to meet her halfway, she was done.
"Wait." Regina called out to prevent the woman from leaving. "I'm sorry; please come back and sit." While hard to keep herself together, she had to keep trying. It's what Henry would've wanted. Hesitant at first she obliged the woman's request, sat on the bench and listened to the Queen. "If you must know, I came here to think of my relationship with Robin Hood."
"Robin, why?" From what the former maid had known the couple had been doing very well.
"There was something I discovered today. And it frightened me."
She didn't want to share this anyone, but she knew people would here about her Robin's fight eventually. Plus with Tinkerbell being the intelligent fairy that she is would figure the reason behind the argument and tell it to everyone. Regina wanted others to hear it from her, and it had to begin with someone. Belle was one of the few people that actually could keep a secret.
She opened up to her former masters lover and told him how their new found fairy friend helped her find her soul-mate, but she was too scared to meet him. While she never met the man face-to-face, she did see a tattoo on his arm. To which Robin was the said owner.
"Forgive me if I'm still not understanding, but if Robin is the man with lion tattoo, then what's the problem? You already like him, and he destined to be with you. It seems like a win-win."
"Because while may like this man, knowing he's the one that was prophesied to me means there can be a set future with him. Really having love again."
"The thought of having that again frightens you. Not sure if you can handle it again?" Belle finished for her. Regina looked at the pregnant woman wondering how in the hell she could tell what she was thinking. "I felt the same way when I saw Rumple again. I was terrified to be with him again, falling for him just to be broken hearted a second time."
While she pondered over the thought of someone actually being able to relate to her, she wasn't going to be the only one sharing problems on this bench. "Well I told you why I'm here, now it's your turn."
"Well, I've just been thinking lately. About the baby."
"What about the baby?"
"Well-I-I guess I'm still struggling to shake my nerves."
That was it? If that was all that was bothering the mother to be it'll easily go away. "As a mother I can assure you it is perfectly normal to be a little nervous before the baby comes, every new mother-"
"It's not that. It's the nerves of being on my own. I know Snow tries to sympathize with me but she just doesn't understand. She has the support of her husband, the whole kingdom behind her, and if her family was here I'm sure they be very happy for her."
"And you don't exactly have that do you?" Regina asked but knew the answer.
She paused for a moment, then finished her sentence. "The father of child is being held captive. My own father doesn't want anything to me now, and the one family member who did support me is gone. I can't even go into the village without everyone pointing and staring at me. Thinking I'm nothing but the dark one's harlot and unfit to be a mother" Belle took a deep breath. It was painful to talk about, but it also felt as if lifting a bag of bricks off her sholder.
"Well, believe it or not, I completely understand." Regina attempted to sympathize.
"How could you possibly understand?" Belle found it hard to believe anyone understood what she was going through.
"I was in the same position with Henry. No one thought I was fit to be a mother. Ms. Swan coming to Stroybrooke just proved it. As well as the curse breaking and everyone remembering who I am and what I've done. No one thought I was capable to be the person Henry wanted me to be."
Belle just gazed at the woman and couldn't find anything to say. What do you say to someone who went through the same pain of no one having faith in you? She completely forgot that Regina had been the position that no one wanted her near her child. "I'm sorry."
"From my past experience, you need to realize that while support from others can be important, it can't be the only thing to keep you going. You need to have faith in yourself. That's the only thing that matters. Don't worry what anyone else thinks. I know you've done that before." Regina tried to joke making Belle laugh a little. Evidence her advice was working. "Also, while you may not have your family or Rumplestiltskin, that doesn't mean you are not alone with no support. You have your friends, and everyone in this castle. Which is said to be your chosen family."
Belle went over what Regina said in her mind. She still and probably always would wish for Rumple and Neal to be back her father to be supportive, she really did have a good support system right here with her. Two women, who understood what it meant to be a mother, men who protect her when the father of her child couldn't, and fairy that missed Neal as much as she did. Taking the Queens hand she said to her, "Thank you Regina. I really appreciate the advice and your kindness."
"Your welcome."
"As for Robin Hood. I'm not sure if this will mean anything coming from me, but you should go for it. While love can be scary, it can also be wonderful. I was scared to be with Rumple again, but to me it seemed worth going after love with the possibly of getting hurt. Tis' better to have loved and lost than never to have love at all." Grabbing her hand again Belle finished, "Don't let anything hold you back."
While Regina listened to what this woman had to say, she couldn't help but ask, "Why are you doing this? Why are you helping me after everything I've done to you? I know I don't deserve your kindness."
"Because it's what Henry would want me to do, be kind to you. You've worked to hard to redeem yourself as well; I don't want you to throw it away. And after what you just said to me, this is the least I can do."
"Thank you Belle. I know this may not mean anything now, but I'm sorry. For everything."
She hugged her majesty. Not just as a sign of friendship, or appreciation, but of moving forward. She spent enough time being haunted by the past with the queen. Belle was ready to put it behind her and wanted to let it be known. "I forgive you Regina."
"Regina!" A loud frightened voice startled the women and they turned around to see little Roland running towards them. Regina reached for the little 4 year old and picked him and saw tears in his eyes as buried himself in her neck.
"Roland, sweetie what's the matter?" Belle tried to get the boy to talk to them.
"Roland! Roland wait for-" The boy's father reached his son to find him in the arms the woman he was having a fight with. "Regina."
"Robin." There was tension between and neither one of them was ready to talk yet.
Sensing the awkwardness Belle stepped in. "Robin what's going on? Why was Roland so petrified?"
Sighing, Robin answered with much woe, "It's Snow. She's gone in to labor early."
Because she was only 6 months pregnant, Doc did not want to take the risk of the princess doing natural childbirth, and insisted on a cesarean section. With fear that she might bleed out, the dwarf asked for the assistance of Regina; once the surgery was complete she would use her magic to heal Snow before anything drastic could occur. Tinkerbell flew fast as lightening to get Blue and the other fairies to protect the castle incase Zelena discovered she went into labor early, all hoping she would not. She was in good hands, she had protection, nothing to do now but wait.
And wait they did, for hours. Each sitting or standing in corners, around the table, or just dead center in the room wanting nothing more than for someone to come with news. The prince however could not stand still; pacing back and froth around the room. After a heated argument with the dwarf and the queen he was forced to wait with the others, insisting him being there would be distraction to this dangerous procedure.
Getting annoyed Grumpy finally demanded, "Charming if you don't sit your ass down right now, I swear to god-"
"Shut up dwarf! My wife is in there right now having our baby, in the most painful way possible, and I can't be in there with her to help!" He yelled to the little man. No had right to tell him anything right now, not while he was so livid
"Hey, hey. Come on David, let's sit together over here." Belle directed him to a bench in the corner away from others. Once seated David buried his face in hands in utter fear. "Hey it's gonna be alright. Doc and Regina will take of them."
Struggling to get out his words at first, he finally was able to get off what was on his chest. "She was so terrified; in so much pain. She wanted me there; to hold her hand, give her comfort and tell her it's everything's going to be okay. Now I can't even be in there, and the worse part is… I don't know if everything will be. We fought so hard to keep this baby and now… now I might loose both." He was on verge of tears.
"That's not going to happen. Doc is excellent at what he does, Regina's magic will work; and the fairies casted a spell to protect the castle so the wicked witch can't get in. Nothing's gonna happen to them." Still not getting through the anxious father she pulled a page from his book and said to him. "You always told others to have hope, now it's your turn to do the same." He looked at her finally willing to believe what Belle was saying when they heard the sound of a door opening.
Doc and Regina walked side-by-side entering the room fully prepared to address the others. They were immediately bombarded questions, but the only person they watned to answer to was the Prince.
"How she is? Is she okay? He asked in the most anxious nervous tone that ever came out his mouth.
Pausing for a moment Regina answered. "The delivery was successful."
Everyone cheered, applaud, hugged in joy, and patting Charming on the back in congratulations.
"The baby is 2 pounds and 4 ounces. Very small because of his early birth, but with proper watch and care, he'll gain in no time." Doc stated.
"He? His?" Did the new father here them correctly?
"Yes Charming; you have a son." Regina told him letting out a slight smile.
"And Snow, she's-she's fine?" He had such a mix of emotions he could barley speak.
Doc answered again, "She's alright. Tried and sore, but she's tough she'll recover in no time. She's asking for you."
After giving the husband and wife some time alone, visitors were now allowed. Belle and Robin were the first to come on and gaze upon the new family with Doc and Regina in there waiting.
"Oh Snow's he beautiful." Belle was the first to comment. She couldn't wait to hold her own baby in a few short months.
"Congratulations. Does the young lad have a name?" Asked Robin Hood.
Looking at her husband as a sign of permission, he nodded and his wife revealed the boy's name. "Gabriel. His name is Gabriel. It means god is strength. Because he was strong enough to survive."
"And he will be our strength. From now until forever." David finished.
All touched by beautiful sentiment by the parents, they were not done yet. Snow turned to the two who aided her delivery. "Doc, Regina, thank you. We're forever in your debt, you saved me, and my son."
"And that's a debt we'll never able to repay, but we can try, with a simple thank you." Charming extended his hand as sign of respect and friendship, which Doc happily obliged. Regina was reluctant to take the man's hand, but the smile he gave, showed he truly, geniuley greatful to the woman. So she took his hand smiled back. After what they just went through, she and the Charmings also felt ready to put the past behind them.
Pulling Regina away from the others, Robin got a moment alone to give her his own private complement. "You did good. I'm so proud of you." Fighting or not she did a good thing and deserved to be praised.
The Queen thought back to when she, and the only pregnant woman left in the room were back on the bench. Don't let fear hold you back. She could love again she needed to open up. And after what she just witnessed she realized life was short, she didn't want to waste another moment being afraid. Pulling him in for an apology kiss, she said to her lover. "Indeed I did. Thank you." He kissed her again as in saying he forgived her.
"Yes. Thank you sister. You kept what I needed alive and healthy." A wicked voice stated that belonged to Zelena. No one noticed she came in.
"How did you get in here?" Snow demanded to know wrapping her arms tightly around her child.
"We surrounded the castle with light magic." Regina said in with utmost confusion but tried to keep a solid face. How did this plan fail?
"Did you really light fairy magic was going to be enough to stop me?" She froze everyone in the room in place and used magic to take the baby from Snow's arm to hers. "Now let's go finish out our plan, shall we-"
She stopped her speech for moment and stared at the newborn boy; something wasn't right, she could feel it. Looking deeper into the boy's eyes, her own eyes turned from confusion to anger. "No, no!" She gave boy back to his parents and unfroze them all.
"You're not going to take him?" Snow didn't understand.
"Why?" Charming didn't understand either.
"Your child too weak, I can't take him. You never should've named him Gabriel!" She then turned her head to Belle and spoke again. "That doesn't mean my plan is over. I still have a baby I can take. And take it I will. You haven't seen the last of me I will be back for that baby!"
At her final remark Zelena flew away on her broomstick. The hero's were back to square one.
A bit of a crazy way to end 2015 with but what can I say, I am a crazy person. I hope everyone likes the name Gabriel for Snow and Charming's son. Why isn't he named after Neal? You'll see. A new chapter will be up after the New Year. We'll be going to Storybrooke very soon. Happy Holidays everyone!