Chapter 16: The Plan

Emma climbed into the driver's seat of her bug and slammed the door shut. Snow flinched at the sound and turned to look at her daughter. The blonde had been stomping and pouting around the apartment all morning and any inquiry about the reason for her less-than-chipper mood had been answered sharply. Snow looked in the rear-view mirror and caught her husband's eye; neither one dared to say anything.

Turning the key roughly and throwing the car into gear Emma headed to Regina's house. She was aware of the way she had been acting, but she couldn't help it. After what happened last night she was completely distracted. How was she going to tell her patents? They were going to freak out. The thought made her feel like a teenager again. At least it had taken her mind off of this breakfast and whatever Regina wanted to talk about. She felt angry that this happened now, when there was so much that needed to be figured out, and guilty because she knew how much her parents would worry.

They rode in silence to #108 Mifflin Street. They pulled up to the house and climbed out of the car. Emma slammed the door again and as they started up the walk she dropped her keys and cursed. Snow couldn't stay quiet any longer. "Emma, are you alright? What's going on? "

"I'm fine, alright. Let's just get this over with," Emma grumbled. Snow assumed she meant the breakfast, but she actually meant telling them her news. She didn't tell her parents the night before because she figured it would be easier to just tell everyone at once, but now she was really dreading it. Emma turned and continued up the walk to the front door leaving her confused and concerned parents staring after her.

The heavenly scent of apples simmering in a cinnamon-sugar sauce filled the house, making Henry's stomach growl in anticipation as he finished setting the last place at the table. The Mills family had spent the better part of the last hour fixing a fabulous breakfast for their guests who would be arriving soon. Having finished his task Henry joined his mother and sister in the kitchen to see if he could sneak a taste. Lillian watched again as Regina expertly ladeled batter into the pan and spread it quickly over the surface, forming another paper thin crepe.

"I can't get mine to look like that." After several attempts to copy her mother's technique Lillian had become frustrated and decided she'd better keep an eye on the filling and let Regina make the crepes.

"It takes a lot of practice. You sure you don't want to try again? "

Lillian sighed, "I'd better not. I don't want to mess it up. "

Her response made Regina smile, not because it was amusing, but because her daughter's stubborn desire for things to be perfect reminded her of herself. The more they got to know each other the more alike they seemed, which both surprised and delighted her. "Another time then."

"Smells good, " Henry announced as he came bounding into the room. As far as he was concerned, everything was pretty much prefect: his mom was one of the good guys now, he had a new sister, and his other mother was on her way over. He hadn't felt so good since Emma decided to stay in Storybrooke.

Regina flipped the crepe over and gave him a smile; she loved seeing him so happy. "Is the table all set?"

"Yep." He stuck his finger into the bowl of the already made strawberry filling and then licked his finger. Realizing what he had done, Henry looked up at his mother sheepishly, expecting her to scold him. To his surprise she gave him a conspiring smile and winked. She really had changed!

The doorbell rang making Henry's face light up and Regina's stomach twist with nerves at the same time.

"They're here, " he confirmed excitedly.

Regina removed the crepe from the pan, adding it to the pile of already cooked ones that sat on a plate, and turned off the burner. Lillian could tell by the way her posture stiffened that her mother was nervous.

"Henry, why don't you answer the door while we finish up in here. " Regina WAS nervous. This would be the first time in 28 years that Mary Margaret had ever set foot in the mayor's home, and the first time in many more than that that she had sat down to a meal with her step-daughter. Being civil with Snow was going to take some getting used to, but she was also nervous about how they would respond to her plan. She didn't want Lillian to be disappointed.

Lillian was likewise worried about Regina. She knew that this new dynamic was going to be an adjustment for everyone and the last thing she wanted was for her mother to be left out. She felt protective of her and determined not to let her be pushed to the edge of the group.

Henry turned with a smile and headed for the door while Lillian scooped the apple filling into a bowl and Regina removed her apron and wiped the counter down out of habbit. They took the food into the dining room and set it on the table as he opened the door.

Emma temporarily snapped out of her bad mood at the sight of her son. He launched himself into her arms and she felt the worry she had been dealing with all morning leave her mind as she hugged him tightly. That was what he always did for her; he was her rock in the crazy existence that was life in Storybrooke.

Snow and Charming stood behind their daughter enjoying the happy reunion she shared with their grandson. Emma stood up straight and Henry led her into the foyer. Snow hesitated, she was nervous too. It felt strange to be doing something as casual as Saturday morning breakfast with her step-mother, but she knew that this was a huge step toward repairing the damage that had been done between them. Charming squeezed her hand reassuringly and together they stepped into the foyer, closing the door behind them.

As soon as the two sisters saw each other their faces lit up with radiant smiles that extended all the way up to their matching eyes. Lillian hurried over and was swept into a hug by her big sister. Regina followed and nodded a greeting at Charming who reciprocated before joining Emma and Henry on the other side of the foyer. She stood behind her daughter watching and feeling terribly awkward. She was just about to return to the dining room when she felt someone take her by the hand. Regina turned and saw Lillian's hand entwined with her own, telling her to stay, including her and making her feel that she was loved. She realized in that moment how badly she had needed her daughter and that no matter how unfamiliar this new dynamic was it would be alright because, for once, there was someone who was looking out for her.

"Thank you for inviting us Regina, " Snow said politely. "You have a lovely home. "

"Thank you. I'm so glad you could come. " That hadn't been so bad, they had both been quite cordial. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard to be civil after all.

Snow smiled and turned to Lillian, "So, what's for breakfast? It smells wonderful!"

"Crepes with apple-cinnamon and strawberry filling and home made whipped cream."

"Wow, that sounds delicious! I'm impressed. "

"Actually, mother did most of it, we just helped a little. She's an amazing cook."

Snow noticed the way Lillian looked at Regina, full of pride and adoration, the same way she had looked at her as a child. "She's a very talented woman."

Regina picked up on the wistful tone in Snow's voice and was anxious to shift the focus of the conversation away from herself. "Actually Lillian helped a lot. She made the apple filling herself. "

"Well, like mother like daughter." Snow playfully nudged Lillian's shoulder and the two giggled.

Regina watched and felt a slight twinge of jealousy. Snow was a lot better at playing nice than she was. "Well," she said to the group, guesturing toward the dining room, "shall we?"

The hungry group headed to the table, excited to taste the delicious smelling food that had been prepared.

"Wow," David exclaimed when he saw the meal, "this looks delicious! " The grin that hadn't left Henry's face all morning broadened and they each found a chair.

The way they sat around the table reflected the way they were all connected to each other: Regina sat at the head, closest to the window, with Henry to her right and Lillian to her left. Emma sat next to Henry and Snow next to Lillian with David between his wife and daughter, completing the circle.

Henry reflected on this as everyone dug in. He noticed that he connected his two mothers and that Lillian connected Regina and Snow and that all together they formed a most unusual family. "This is kind of cool," he mused out loud. Everyone listened as they continued to dish up. "It's like our first big family meal! "

Not everyone was as enthusiastic as Henry about their family connections. No one responded right away. Finally Snow stepped up, "Yeah, I guess it is, huh?" She smiled sweetly at her grandson. "Can you pass the whipped cream, " she added quickly to Emma, trying to shift the focus back to the food.

Emma passed the bowl without looking up from her plate; she was still lost in her own thoughts. Regina noticed and wondered why the blonde was being so pouty.

Henry took a bite of his crepe and pondered some more before he spoke again, "It's kind of funny how we're all related to each other. Especially Lillian. I mean, if she's Snow White's sister then I guess that makes her Emma's aunt?"

He looked around for confirmation, this time it was Lillian who answered him. She could tell that some of the people at the table were a little uncomfortable discussing this, so she tried to lighten the mood with a little humor. "Yep, that's me, aunt Lillian. " Everyone chuckled slightly, except for Emma. Lillian frowned, she had hoped that Emma would find it the most amusing, since she had called her that the night before.

"Then aren't you my aunt too, if you're my grandma's sister?"

"Great-aunt," Charming corrected as he scooped up a bite of his crepe. "And your sister."

"So weird."

Henry and David went on to analyze the many ways everyone at the table was related to each other while the rest of the group pretended to be completely focused on their breakfasts. When it finally seemed that everyone was done eating Regina saw the opportunity to end the geneology lesson, "Henry, why don't you take everyone into the living room while I clear the table."

Henry nodded and everyone started to get up.

"Let me help you Regina." Snow started gathering up plates to take to the kitchen.

Regina started to protest when Lillian stepped in, "That's alright Snow, you're a guest. I'll take those. "

She moved to take the plates from Snow who turned to the side keeping them just out of reach. "No, really Lil," she said with a smile, "I want to."

Lillian looked to her mother who smiled nervously at Snow, "Thank you. " She turned and headed into the kitchen, dishes in hand. Snow smiled at her sister and followed Regina out of the room.

Regina put the dishes in the sink, turned the water on and began rinsing the plates before loading them into the dishwasher. Snow added her dishes to the pile and then leaned back against the counter next to the sink. Regina continued with her task. It was obvious that Snow wanted to get her alone and not just help clear the table, but Regina had no clue why. It was quiet for a minute, the water running from the faucet the only sound.

"So, Lillian said she's going to be living with you now," Snow began.

"Yes, that's what she wants. "

"I take it things went well with Marie then? "

Regina nodded. "She was very supportive. "

"Hmm." Snow tilted her head thoughtfully. It was silent for another moment. "I envy you," she said quietly.

Regina's eyebrows knitted together in confusion and she looked up to meet Snows eyes.

Snow went on, "She's young. You still have time to really be her mother." She looked away and shook her head slightly. "Emma and I, we don't have that. We're practically the same age. I'm still trying to find a place in her life as her mother."

Regina looked down into the sink again. She wasn't sure how to respond. She knew it was her fault that Snow White never got the chance to raise her daughter, and for the first time she actually felt bad about that. They had more in common than she had realized.

"I'm sure you'll find a way," she said softly. "After all, a woman will always need her mother."

Their eyes met and a hopeful smile tugged at the corners of Snow's mouth. Regina returned the smile before turning to put the plate she was holding into the dishwasher. Snow thought that perhaps there was something in Regina's words that might apply to their relationship as well. She hesitated for a moment and then decided to ask. "Regina, do you think that we could..."

Regina could tell where this was going and she was not ready to have this conversation. "You know," she said quickly, cutting her off, "we should go in there with the others. I can finish these dishes later." She smiled quickly, dried her hands on a towel and left the room.

Snow stood there for a moment, a little whip-lashed. She closed her eyes and shook her head. "One step at a time, " she whispered to herself.

She left the kitchen and crossed the foyer to the living room where everyone else was waiting. Lillian had saved Regina a spot next to her on the love seat so Snow took the middle of the sofa between her husband and daughter. Henry was perched on the arm next to Emma who had her arms folded across her chest and was scowling at the coffee table. Everyone else was anxious to hear what Regina had to say.

Once Snow was settled David got things rolling. "That was a fantastic breakfast you guys, thank you! " Henry and Lillian grinned proudly and Regina nodded graciously. "Well, Regina, " he continued, "I believe there was something you said we needed to discuss. "

Regina took a breath, here it was, the moment of truth. "Yes. " She took Lillian' s hand. "As you are aware, Rumplestiltskin has expressed an interest in Lillian, and last night he gave me a clue as to why. " Everyone was listening intently, even Emma looked up and gave Regina her full attention. "You see," Regina continued, turning to look at her daughter, "like Miss Swan, Lillian has magic inside her." Snow's jaw dropped in surprise, and Emma raised her eyebrows; they hadn't been expecting that.

"Of course there are differences between the magic that lies within them: Miss Swan's is a pure source of white magic which she possess because she is the product of true love, the savior. This type of magic cannot be corrupted, whereas Lillian possesses a spark, an affinity for magic that is both limitless and potentially corruptible. And therefore, very attractive to Rumplestiltskin. "

"I don't understand. What does he want? " David was trying to see where she was going with this.

Snow could see it. "He wants to teach Lillian dark magic."

"Yes. "

David was still confused. "But why? He's the Dark One, he has all the dark magic he could ever need. Why does he want to corrupt Lillian? "

Regina leaned forward, "I'm not sure, but I believe he sees something in the future, some act of magic which will have a result that will benefit him somehow. His vision must tell him that this act will be performed by someone other than himself, and, for whatever reason, he believes Lillian will be the one to do it. "

Snow nodded. "It makes sense. He agreed to help you defeat Cora to protect Lillian, so that someday she will do whatever it is he wants done. "

"That's my theory. And of course we can't let him anywhere near her. I will not allow her to be used as a pawn in his game." Regina sounded fiercely protective. Snow and David agreed.

Emma spoke up, "So, what do we do about it? I'm assuming you have some sort of plan."

"There's only one thing we CAN do, " Regina said matter-of-factly. "We have to take Lillian back to the Enchanted Forest. It would be impossible to keep him away from her here in Storybrooke, and she can't leave town or she'll lose her memory of who she is."

"But what's to stop him from coming after her," Snow asked; a little sound of worry in her voice.

"Fortunately for us, he is searching for something in this world; something very precious to him. He wouldn't dare to go chasing across another realm until he finds it."

As Regina spoke something clicked in Emma's head and her heart sank as she slowly realized there was a problem with their plan.

Charming saw this as good news. "That will give her a head start of weeks, months, maybe even years; depending how long it takes him to find whatever it is he's looking for."

"Exactly. " Regina felt like this was going quite smoothly. She was sure they would agree to come. She turned to Lillian and smiled.

Lillian was feeling the same confidence and mirrored her mother's smile. She felt like the time was right to ask them. Emma was about to explain the problem when Lillian spoke. "My mother has agreed to come with me, and I hope...WE hope... that you'll agree to come with us." She looked around the group at each person. "ALL of you. "

Snow and Charming looked at each other. Henry's face lit up and he looked to Regina for confirmation. Emma was stunned at the request; things just got even more complicated.

Lillian continued, "I know it may sound like a lot to ask but what Henry said at breakfast is true: like it or not, we're a family. All of us. And we don't want to be separated. " She meet Snow's eyes and smiled warmly.

Snow looked at David for a long moment, the two of them seemingly having an unspoken conversation. Then she looked at Emma and Henry before meeting Regina's gaze. She was searching her step-mother's face for some indication that this was what she wanted as well. Regina smiled softly and nodded once. That was all Snow needed. She shifted her focus back to her sister. "Of course we'll come with you. We're family."

Lillian laughed happily, and Regina hugged her, relieved that it had worked out like they had hoped.

"Alright!" Henry was thrilled.

Emma's voice was low and serious, " I can't go. "

Everyone turned to look at her; the smiles fading from their faces.

Regina's heart sank. "What?"

Emma shifted uncomfortably under the semi-glare Regina was giving her.

"Emma..." Snow prompted her daughter to explain herself.

"I know what Gold is looking for because he asked me to help him find it. He's looking for his son. I owed him a favor and last night he called me to collect on it. I'm leaving Storybrooke with him to help him track down his son."

Emma's parents were stunned. Lillian looked as though she may cry; she knew that if Emma didn't come then neither would the others.

Regina was trying not to be angry, but this really messed up their plan. "When are you leaving? "

Emma swallowed hard. "Noon today."

Regina closed her eyes in an attempt to keep herself calm. That was only two hours away. Their head start went from being months or years to hours or days in a matter of seconds.

Snow shook her head, "No. No, I don't like this. I don't want you leaving town with him."

"I made a deal with him, I don't have a choice."

Snow looked her daughter directly in the eye and when she spoke her voice sounded hurt. "Why didn't you tell us last night?"

"Because I didn't want to worry you any longer than I had to. "

Snow looked down at the table and then up at Lillian whose eyes had begun to fill with tears. She felt awful. She knew how much this hurt her sister but she couldn't leave Storybrooke without Emma.

Regina was also watching Lillian and she hated to see how disappointed she was. But the fact remained that they still had to come up with a plan. "We'll have to leave today," she said gently as she put her hand on Lillian's back.

Lillian looked up at her mother with pleading eyes, "Please, there has to be a way we can wait for them."

Regina was about to respond when Snow beat her to it. "Your mother is right Lil. You have to get out while you can."

Tears were spilling onto Lillian's cheeks now. "But...I just found you."

Snow was crying now as well. She reached across the coffee table and took her sister by the hand. " I know. We won't be separated forever. Once Emma comes back, and it's safe, we will come."

"I don't know where we will be, " Regina explained as she fought tears of her own at the thought of being separated from Henry.

"It doesn't matter," Snow replied confidently. "We will find you. We will always find you. "

I hope you liked this chapter. Rumple is up to something big...Please review, it's always nice to hear from you guys. P.S. I don't know about you, but I'm going crazy waiting for "The Miller's Daughter"! Looks like it's going to be intense. Long live Regina!