I managed to get this chapter up pretty quickly. Hope you all are still enjoying!
Chapter 11: Parents
The Next Day
Cora was in the kitchen eating breakfast when Regina walked in, still wearing her pajamas.
"I see you still like to sleep the day away, Regina." Cora said before taking a bite of her scrambled eggs. "You know how I feel about wasting time."
"Yes Mother. How could I forget? You told me every day." She said as she got a bowl out of the cabinet for her cereal.
"What time did you go to bed?" Cora asked.
"I waited until Miranda got home, which was around one." She replied, not giving too much away.
"Then why did I see you and Miranda getting out of the car and her in wet clothes?"
"Don't worry about it, Mother." She shot back. She wasn't in the mood to deal with Cora.
"Did you tell her about her parents?" Cora asked.
"Not yet." She sighed. "I didn't get a chance to last night." She said as she poured the milk into her cereal.
"Regina, you have to do it today. No exceptions!" Cora said firmly.
"I'm going to do this my way, Mother." She said before grabbing her bowl of cereal and heading back to her room.
"You're not going to eat in your room, are you?" Cora shouted.
"I'm not in the mood to listen to you, Mother. It's too damn early." She shouted back.
"Well it's not lady like." She mumbled to herself before continuing to eat her breakfast.
After she finished her bowl of cereal, Regina decided to get dressed and talk to Mandy. She put on a dark red dress with a black blazer and black heels. She knocked on the door and when she didn't hear a response, she opened the door and peered in. Mandy was still sleeping. Regina walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Miranda." She whispered, rubbing her back to wake her up. "Miranda, dear, wake up."
Mandy grunted, not wanting to be disturbed from her slumber. "Miranda, I have to talk to you."
"What?" She whined, still half asleep.
"It's important." She said.
"It can't wait till I'm fully functioning again?" Mandy questioned. "I was up half the night throwing up."
"Maybe next time you won't drink and get yourself arrested." Regina shot back. "Now get up! You're going to want to listen to this."
Mandy sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Okay, okay. I'm up. What is so important?" She asked, leaning on the backboard of the bed.
Regina began to tell her story once Mandy was settled."The day before Daniel was killed I found out I was 3 weeks pregnant. He was so happy when I told him about the baby, but my mother had other plans. I married the King and I was going to pretend the baby was his but Cora found out it wasn't King Leopold's."
"You woke me up to tell me a story?" Mandy interrupted. "I mean, I feel bad and everything but why was this so important?"
"If you'd let me finish, you'll find out." Regina hissed.
"Fine. Go on." She sighed.
"She stole my baby and said she died; only Cora was lying. She placed my daughter on the doorstep of the Randell household." Regina said staring into Mandy's big brown eyes.
"What?!" Mandy asked in a low voice.
"That baby was you, dear." Regina whispered. Mandy was speechless. There were so many thoughts and emotions going through her head at once.
"I know this is a big shock to you, it was for me too." Regina admitted.
"Why did you wait so long to tell me?" She asked.
"I was trying to find the right time." Regina replied. Mandy got up and walked over to the window, crossing her arms in front of her. Regina got up and walked up behind her but kept her distance.
"Your father is the one that chose the name Miranda. He couldn't wait to be a father." Regina whispered. Tears started to roll down Mandy's face.
"He loved you very much, as do I. I know it will take some time to get used to but I hope we can develop a better relationship." Regina said sincerely. Mandy had been waiting for this moment her entire life. She always wanted to meet her mother but she wasn't expecting this.
"When did you find all of this out?" Mandy asked, still facing the window.
"The night I first met you. I was livid when Cora told me what she did! I wanted to raise you and watch you grow up." She replied softly.
Mandy turned to face Regina, tears on her cheeks clearly visible. "This is a lot to take in right now."
"I know it's a lot to process."
"I can't believe this is really happening right now. I finally get to meet you." Mandy said smiling. "I've been dreaming of this moment my whole life." She said, wiping away her tears.
Regina stepped a little closer. "Are you okay, dear?"
"Yea, sorry. I'm a mess." Mandy replied.
"There's nothing to be sorry about." She said, putting her hand on Mandy's cheek.
"Were you disappointed when you found out I was you're daughter?" Mandy asked, still crying.
Regina smiled before responding. "Not in the least. I'm so proud of you and I admire your courage and strength. I am truly grateful to have you as my daughter." She whispered, beginning to cry herself. Mandy cried even harder and didn't resist when Regina pulled her into a tight hug. Mandy cried into her shoulder until she calmed down a little bit. Regina was so happy to be holding her daughter the way she always imagined. They both waited a long time for this.
Henry was at school and David was at work, leaving Peter and Snow at home. He slept most of the day because of the night before. When he finally got up, he wasn't too happy about his current living situation.
"Morning, Peter!" Snow said with an upbeat attitude.
"Oh no, you're one of those people." He whined.
"One of those people?" She asked, wondering what he meant.
"Always bright and cheerful in the morning." He replied as he sat down at the counter.
"It's the afternoon. You slept all morning."
"Do you have anything to eat? I'm starving." Peter asked.
"Yea, help yourself. I'm going to the store now to pick up a few more things before Emma and Neal get back. Henry should be home from school soon." She said putting on a light jacket.
"Who's Neal?" Peter questioned.
"He is Mr. Gold's son. I don't know if he is staying here or with him. Hopefully with Gold because we don't have any more room in this apartment. I'll see you later Peter, and don't leave. If you want to go out, just tell us first." She said before leaving.
"This sucks!" He shouted in the empty apartment. "I hate this!" He needed to get out of there but he decided to wait until Henry got home.
Mandy told Regina that she needed some time to herself and she understood. With Mandy out of the house, she could talk to Cora.
"I told her." She said walking into the kitchen.
"And…" Cora said.
"She's still processing it. She said she needed some time to think." Regina said sitting at the kitchen table.
"You didn't expect her to start calling you 'mommy' right away, did you?" Cora said almost teasing.
Regina ignored her. "I want to get Rumple's dagger."
Cora was happy Regina was back on board with her plan but she was intrigued to know what changed her mind. "Why the change of heart?
"What he did to Miranda, basically corrupting her. I just can't get it out of my head. Not that you were any better." She replied.
"We could use it to get Henry back as well." Cora said, making Regina even more interested than she was before.
"Where do we begin?" Regina asked.
Regina and Cora were searching for Rumple's dagger in the library after Regina found something amongst Belle's things while she was in the hospital. Hook decided to join since he wanted Rumple dead as well. They found a map that was supposed to lead them to the dagger. Hook pointed them in the right direction, thinking he was going to come with them. Cora flicked her wrist, sending him flying into the bookcase after he began to yell in protest. They left him lying on the floor and headed to the woods to dig for the dagger. Snow was talking to Johanna when she heard a weird noise coming from the woods. She tip-toed so she wouldn't make too much noise. She observed Regina and Cora talking and found out their plan to get the dagger. She instantly ran to the station to warn David. Emma texted the information they had asked for and went immediately to the top of the clock tower when a puff of purple smoke engulfed the room. Regina and Cora appeared as the smoke began to dissipate.
"Cora." Snow said realizing who showed up.
"You're too late!" David yelled.
"Actually, it seems that we found you just in time." Cora said flashing a devious smile.
"Regina, pick your side carefully. Good always wins." Snow said to Regina, trying to change her mind.
"I think the day has finally come, my darling Snow, for you to learn a long overdue lesson." Cora interrupted before Regina could even think about what Snow had said. Cora made Johanna appear, standing between her and Regina.
"Johanna!" Snow said when she realized who it was.
"You see in the end, it isn't good or evil who wins, but power." As soon as she finished her sentence, Regina plunged her hand into Johanna's chest pulling out her heart, causing Snow to gasp and Johanna to scream out in pain.
"Your choice." Regina said flatly holding the heart in her hand.
"Don't harm her. She has nothing to do with this!" Snow said trying to reason with them.
"Of course she does." Answered Cora.
"Don't give it to them Snow!" Johanna yelled.
"Quiet!" Cora screamed at her. David pulled his gun and pointed it at Cora.
"Mother, watch out!" Regina shouted. With a flick of her wrist, the gun went flying over the railing. Regina tightened her grip on the heart.
"Enough of this. Surrender the dagger. We all know you'll follow your mother's example no matter what the cost. All she ever wanted was for you to be good." Cora said almost mockingly.
Snow looked at Cora with recognition in her eyes. "Those words…where did you hear them?"
"Where do you think?" Cora replied knowing Snow already knew the answer.
"The Blue Fairy made me never to speak those words again. Not because it was a secret but because it wasn't her." Snow said realizing it was actually Cora all those years ago.
"The dagger dear." Cora said as she held out her hand.
"She didn't give me that candle, you did. My mother wasn't sick at all was she?" Snow yelled.
"Oh she was quite sick." Cora said smiling wickedly.
"You. Did. All. Of. This. You killed my mother!" Snow cried. Regina looked at her mother when she realized Cora set this plan in motion way before King Leopold came through their part of the land.
"Actually, the candle would've worked. You could've saved her." Cora admitted.
"But you knew I wouldn't. Why? Why did you take her from me?" Snow cried.
"To make my daughter the Queen." Cora simply replied. Regina looked to her mother with sadness in her eyes. That's all she ever wanted was for her to become Queen but suddenly came back to reality.
"Hand over the dagger." Regina said forcefully.
No. No! I will not let you win, not again!" Snow screamed.
"You already lost your mother. How many connections to her do you have left? Not many I'd wager." Cora said trying to convince Snow to give up the dagger.
"If we give up the dagger, we can still win." David whispered.
"Let me go Snow. It's alright." Johanna said. Regina tightened her grip on her heart once more, causing Johanna to be silenced and gasp in agony.
"What would she say if she could see you now? If she wasn't dead." Cora said giving one last sting to Snow. Regina tightened her grip even more.
"Dagger, dear." Cora said putting out her hand. Snow threw the dagger down and was on her knees. Regina loosened her grip and Johanna's face relaxed. Cora now had the dagger in her possession.
"Such a good girl." Cora crooned.
"You have what you wanted." Snow said. Cora and Regina exchanged glances before Regina put Johanna's heart back in her chest. She then ran to hug Snow.
"Not quite." Cora said flicking her wrist and sending Johanna out the window, hitting the ground hard. Snow, David and Regina were all shocked and couldn't believe what just happened. Snow and David looked down at the lifeless body of Johanna. She was dead. Snow broke down in David's arms and cupped her mouth, not wanting to let a sob escape her.
"Well…there ya go. You see where good gets you." Regina said before purple smoke filled the room that transported Regina and Cora back to her house. David held Snow in his arms as she cried deeply into his shoulder.
Peter was watching TV when Henry came home from school. He joined Peter on the couch and told him about his day. He didn't really go to school, he snuck out to see Tiger Lily. Henry then asked Peter what happened the night before so he proceeded to tell the younger boy. As soon as he finished, the door opened and Emma walked in.
"Emma!" Henry yelled with excitement as he ran over to hug her.
"Hey kid!" She said hugging him back. "Were you good for Snow and David?
Yea…for the most part." He responded.
"What do you mean? Where are they anyway?" She asked.
"I don't know. I just got home from school. Peter, do you know where they are?" Emma just noticed this random teenager sitting on the couch.
"David is at work and Snow said she was going food shopping but that was a while ago." Peter replied.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Emma asked wanting to know who this stranger was.
"His name is Peter." Henry said.
"As in, Peter Pan?" She asked. Henry nodded. "Of course he is!" She said.
"David and Snow are his legal guardians as of last night. He got caught drinking and he has no parents. He is also Mandy's boyfriend." Henry said, trying to explain why he was here.
"Who's Mandy?" Emma asked.
"My friend. I met her the day you left. She also got caught drinking but she's staying with Regina." Henry replied.
"What the hell has been going on since I left?" Emma asked.
"They should really consider putting elevators in this building. It would be a lot easier." Neal said struggling with his and Emma's luggage.
"Is that Gold's son?" Henry asked Emma.
"Henry, we need to talk." Emma said, knowing she had to tell Henry the truth.
"What is it?" Henry questioned.
She just had to blurt it out. "This…is your dad." She said pointing to Neal.
"But you said he died in a fire." Henry said.
"You told him I died?" Neal asked, kinda freaking out.
"I had a good reason." She said to Neal in a frustrated tone.
"And what was that?" Henry asked, wanting to know the truth.
"Look Henry, I never thought I'd see him again. I never wanted to." Emma replied kneeling down to his level.
"Why not?" questioned Henry.
"It was a part of my life that I wanted to forget." She responded.
"You lied to me. You're just like Regina, always lying." He said running out the door.
"Henry, I'm sorry!" she screamed after him.
Henry was upset with Emma for lying to him, He didn't know what to think anymore. He didn't know where he was going but he just kept running. He soon found himself at the docks. He saw someone sitting on the edge and realized it was Mandy. Finally, someone he could talk to, he thought.
"Hey, mind if I sit?" He asked making her jump.
"Oh Henry, you scared me." She said.
"Sorry to interrupt. You seemed like you were deep in thought." He said sitting down next to her.
"I have a lot on my mind." She didn't know whether or not to tell him about Regina being her mom. "Why are you out of breath?"
"I ran here. Emma just got back." He said still trying got catch his breath.
"Then why are you here if she just got back?" She asked.
"She lied to me. He told me he died but he didn't. I wasn't ready to talk to him. It turns out that he is Mr. Gold's son." He said.
"But then that means…" Mandy said before Henry finished her thought. "Gold's my grandfather." Henry said. The thought made Mandy shudder.
"This whole thing is just getting crazy." She said.
"What are you talking about?" Henry questioned.
"I found out earlier today that Regina is my mother." Mandy said staring out into the ocean.
"What?" Henry exclaimed.
"I know. I'm still processing it." She responded.
"But that means…" Henry said before Mandy interrupted. "Cora's my grandmother."
"I guess we both have dark and twisted grandparents."Henry said. Mandy laughed realizing how crazy both of their lives were.
"That we do my friend. But it also makes you and I brother and sister in a way, since Regina adopted you and all." She said, trying to make it seem positive.
"Well, something good did come from this messed up family tree after all." He said smiling.
"We'll help each other deal with our crazy family issues." She said putting her arm around Henry, like any good older sister would.
"Wait, you said Emma's home…that means Gold's home too!" She realized.
"Yea…so what?" He asked.
"I have to go see him. I owe him a favor and he said to stop by when he got back from his trip so he could tell me what it is I have to do." She said.
"You owe him a favor?!" He exclaimed.
"Unfortunately, yes." She said nervously. "It's not something I want to do, trust me."
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