A/N – WOW! Over 100 reviews! Thank you for those, the favs and follows! Humor & some fluff with scattered feels in the forecast ahead. Enjoy! Fan art on my Tumblr.
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"Oh my god, Gina, look at her butt!" Emma laughed as she sat hers in a red plastic chair next to the Queen in the Kung-Fu Studio after the mixed levels class.
Regina tsked, eyeing where Emma was pointing. "I will never understand your fascination with them."
"They are sssooooo cute and fluffy though." Finger tapping the screen of her cell phone to another picture on the Corgi Butts Facebook page. "This one has like, 2000 votes. I'm not the only one that gets it." She tucked her phone away and bent to slip on her boots. "Speaking of which, can we get a dog?"
Pretending to be thoughtful. "Hmmmm, No."
"How about a Corgi then?" Fingers quickly tied laces.
Raising a brow. "Last time I checked they were the same species and both have fur which I do not want clinging to furniture, clothes, or wafting about our clean floors. You asked me that in our other life and my answer is the same."
"But all sides of me want one, so that's like a three against one vote." Blonde brows wiggled up and down on an adult face as Emma stood shoulder to shoulder with the Queen to leave the studio.
"You are forgetting one very important thing."
Smirking. "Oh yeah?"
"I get veto power over two of you so the vote is really one to one. Even then, dog fur is a hard limit."
Emma shrugged. "It's more of a soft one, but… How do you feel about cat fur?" Not ready to give up.
She took out the keys to the bug and opened the passenger side for Regina before getting in the other side. The first thing she had done upon waking Tuesday morning, after breakfast and getting dressed at her Keeper's insistence, was to take the bug out for a spin. Driving it again brought back a joy she had been missing and she drove it to work after dropping the Queen at Town Hall. The envelope she'd prepared Monday night with a few pictures from her memory book had been received by David's eager hands. Overall, the last few days had flown by between work and her Kung-Fu class and she was feeling more and more like herself, all parts of her. Emma was grateful Regina's plan was working, as she knew it would, and the predictability she'd been craving was back.
Regina buckled her seat belt. "I have two words for that question; litter and no."
Doing the same. "That's three words actually." Emma sighed and dropped the issue in favor of listening to the radio on the drive home, humming to the tune as fingers drummed the steering wheel in beat.
Thoughtful red smile. "It is nice to see you so happy."
"It feels amaze-balls to know what my day will hold and not to have to worry about sudden changes or getting stuck in situations." Emma flashed teeth. "I feel like celebrating since the last few days have gone so smooth. In fact, I am going to cook you dinner tonight."
Amused chuckle. "I claim the right to supervise your kitchen shenanigans I have no doubt will ensue."
"I wouldn't have it any other way Gina. How does Kraft Mac and Cheese sound?" Asking as she turned them down Mifflin Street.
Grimacing. "Like a brain aneurysm in a box."
"I'm kidding, but that sounds like fun too, kind of like ketchup exploding in a bounce house." Emma parked in the driveway next to the Benz and opened the door. "Seriously, I was thinking of making clam chowder and cheesy biscuits as a side. Cold weather always makes me want soup."
"Just Campbell's or from our recipe book?" Regina keyed them into the house.
"It's not just Campbell's, those cans got super fancy since they added the pull tab feature. And I'm gonna use a secret recipe… For the biscuits anyway."
"Whose recipe?"
"Betty Crocker, I seriously have no idea what's in it, but the directions on the tube are easy to follow."
Once in the kitchen blonde pulled out a few cans of soup from the pantry and the tube of biscuits to bake from the fridge. Regina settled at the counter with a stack of files left over from work to read for a meeting she had in the morning. After setting the oven to preheat Emma picked up the tube and glanced over her shoulder with a mischievous grin, noting how brown eyes were skimming papers instead of on her. Wiggling her fingers the biscuit tube magically floated high overhead and settled behind the Queen's chair. It was one of those marvelous ones that popped obnoxiously when opened and it did so deafeningly when pale hands mimicked a twisting motion magically.
Regina jumped, back arching liked a fire hosed cat and hissing as the ringing in her ears gave way to snorts across the room. She looked over her shoulder seeing the open tube and turned eyes on the snickering blonde slowly edging out of the kitchen. Pursing her lips she stood, straightening her suit jacket by the cuffs and putting her hands behind her back as she slowly sauntered towards the doorway Emma was eyeing between laughs.
"Come on Gina! You have to admit it was funny! Like really, really funny." Emma bit her lip trying to keep the giggles at bay. "Maybe… just a little bit funny?"
"Oh, it was very humorous, but not as much as this." Royal fingers twitched.
Emma's giggles turned to shrieks and feet danced wildly as a handful of ice-cubes was magically released down her white Kung-Fu uniform collar. It was the Queen's turn to erupt as her girl spun, finally releasing the silk sash at the waist of the tunic so ice dropped to the floor. They smiled at each other as they each caught their breath calling a truce. Emma returned to cooking as magic cleaned up the ice. After a few minutes green eyes found brown and flicked towards the wine rack.
"Wine?"
Regina raised brow at the double meaning and shook her head at what she thought was coming. "No, water though, if you please." A chilled glass made it to her hand. "Thank you." She watched Emma quietly stir the soup and wondered if she'd been wrong.
"Soooo, since stuff is back on track and we're celebrating me being happy, can I have a drink drink?"
There it was, her girl never disappointed and she sighed. "Emma…"
"It's kind of like a holiday though, like Bear Claw Day. I know I made that one up, but it almost made it on the council board agenda to vote on last year. I just couldn't get enough signatures in time." Turning down the burner and pulling bowls from the cupboard. "You said one drink on holidays and special occasions if I ask and you're with me. Archie even thought that was okay sometimes."
"I did, of which today is neither." Regina closed the file and pushed it aside, this conversation needing her focus. The oven door slammed in response. "Emma." Warning clear.
Grumbling as her happy mood balloon lost some air she set the steaming biscuits on top of the stove to cool. "You drink whenever you want though." A low card to play as green peeked over under lashes.
"I do. In extreme moderation and I'm always considerate of you." A chin rested on laced fingers. "And why is that dear heart?"
Sighing, expecting that response. "Cause you don't lose control… Sorry Gina." And she was.
Regina rarely drank in front of her, especially when she was an adult and she was legally able to. She wasn't addicted to alcohol, of that they all became certain. Running was the culprit and Emma used to use alcohol and other things to hide the fact. Therapy helped her to get to the root of why that was the case and it was extremely effective coupled with their dynamic. Emma learned to change her thinking and to use other means of relieving stress when she wanted to run. Now she rarely even wanted to drink and only did so when she was feeling emotionally and physically well, socially, and under careful eyes within the confines of their rules. It wasn't perfect, but it worked for them.
Emma quickly ladled soup and set hot bowls on plates to carry into the dining room. Regina followed her with the plate of biscuits and butter, flatware magically appearing on the table with white smoke. They ate the first half of the meal quietly before Emma broached a different subject entirely.
"I've been doing some thinking." Blowing on her soup before letting creamy warmth fill her mouth.
"Always an amusing activity when you engage in it." Teeth took delicate bite of a biscuit.
"Haha." Grinning. "Seriously though, I have. About being a teenager again and I want to be this size to talk to you about a few things because I'm not sure how easy it will be for me to open up about certain stuff when I actually am one in the morning. As you figured out, that age was a very guarded time for me and I had a ton of walls that never got taken down." Spooning more soup. "This is me being all proactive, responsible, and forward thinking by the way. Don't get used to it."
"Oh I assure you I won't." Smiling back in easy teasing and glad to see Emma opening up without having to knock on this door for them. "I did sense that there were things in that part of your past we needed to bring to light."
"I don't want to get into everything right now, but you need to know a few things." Emma set her spoon down in favor of rubbing her hands on her jeans. "I was very secretive at that age. I trusted no one and I was desperate to belong. Like reaaallyyy desperate. And after the few times I've experienced that age again those feelings are very much there. I didn't expect them to be because we worked on trust and other feelings during my do over, but hers, mine, are different at that age. It's deeper, harder to dig out and let go of and I don't know how to turn them off." Finding balance in brown eyes. "I trust you, with everything that I am and so do my six year old self and my other part too, but she's gonna keep pushing you. I need you to know I don't mean to overdo it, not when I'm that age."
Regina sipped her water as Emma came to a pause, suspecting as much. There was still work to be done for that piece of her girl's heart to heal and a challenge she was more than up for, one that would take considerable time and attention. The teenage version of Emma had made her head spin and caused more second thoughts and questions to her usual methods than she would have thought possible in the last few weeks. After the last encounter, the Queen felt she had a good handle on how she needed to go about things.
"That's more than understandable. What would help? What else do you need from me that I'm not already doing?"
Clear eyed and unveiled. "Just love me, how you do. Don't give up on me or let me hide. I need our same rules, boundaries, and consequences." Then unable to help smirking. "Since you asked you might want to change out your heels for Nike's because I'm going to run circles around you tomorrow morning when you insist I have to wear that darn uniform." Teeth devoured the last biscuit on the plate between them.
"I expect nothing less and yes, I will be taking plenty of pictures for that side of you on the first day of school."
"Aannnd I'd expect nothing less from you so I took the liberty of taking care of that so it wouldn't be a problem." Emma wrinkled her nose with half a grin. "If you can find your cell phone that I made invisible and randomly stashed somewhere in the house between now and tomorrow morning, then be my guest and snap all the pics you want." Green eyes sparkled at the arched brow. "Sorry-not-sorry."
"Then it is a good thing I uploaded the most recent pictures I took of you to my lap top." Wrist flick. "One of which has just been added to my e-mail draft box for sending to a few of our close friends who would love to see the most recent one of you in bunny pajamas hopping about your room."
Emma nearly lost her soup through her nose. "You wouldn't…" Then blanching. "Shi—shoot! You would!"
"I would not if my cell phone reappears in my hand in ten, nine, eight, seven…" She bit her lip as she watched Emma dash off to retrieve the hidden I-phone and giving in, rolled back her head and laughed.
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"I already stood still for the Kodiak moment, why are we doing this again?" Thirteen year old Emma slouched against the archway of the dining room, arms crossed over the crested blue blazer of her uniform in curiosity and with a dark purple combat boot resting against the wall behind her.
"It is a family tradition I would like to continue and one we will repeat when you are six again on Monday. Stand up straight please or it will not come out right." Regina waited until Emma lost the slouch and drew a line at the girl's head on the archway with a small smile, adding Emma's name, date and age. Her eyes trailed the wall fondly for a moment before finding a thoughtful green pair.
Puzzled. Emma had seen the marks for Henry on the wall in their other life, the mansion a near mirror of their home here, but never thought twice about it until now. "If it's a tradition, why didn't we do it during the spell?"
Capping the marker, the Queen vanished it away before moving into the foyer for her coat. "The wall we would have had it on in that life would not have fit in the trunk to come back with us and…" A lame excuse. Taking a breath for what needed to be said. "After just a week and how quickly you were making progress, I suspected we would not be there a full year before we had to come home." She tied the sash at the waist tighter than it needed to be as Emma shrugged into a jacket. "And when the first day of school came for you I could not… As each month rolled around I told myself I finally would; mark your height just as I had Henry's on the first day of school each year."
Emma swung her new grey backpack to her shoulder still confused and followed the brunette out the door. "But you didn't."
Finding her voice. "No I did not because, at the time, I was struggling to separate my role of Keeper and parent to you." Heels followed boots down the walkway to the Benz as her truth spilled. "I could not bear the thought of not being able to make that mark a second time for when you'd be seven."
"Why though?"
Finding green. "I had a strong feeling we would not see your birthday in that life. Even in the beginning of the spell I had already considered you mine, my little girl and I knew at one point I had to let that part of you go when we came home, but now…" Trailing in the hope of their current reality.
The weight of those words fell through Emma in all the right places and heart picked up a beat. Thoughts blurred in a blonde head at what went unsaid as the car rolled out of the driveway, and she remained quiet on the way to school. Emma had asked and the truth found them both wanting the same thing, one she had suspected was there, but now knew for certain. Hearing it with these ears, ones yet still to be fully conditioned to the truth and promises from red lips, gave her pause. Mind returned to the night in the Study last weekend when she'd accepted the role the brunette next to her played and decided to go with it when old habits of hiding her feelings at this age wanted to surface.
"Thanks for the tradition. I love it Mama and you." The matching affection earned her a smile, one she returned as they slowed to a stop in front of the Jr. High wing of Storybrooke School.
A long moment passed as Emma's thoughts switched gears and took in the building, along with what the day ahead might hold. Regina had assured that her teachers were aware of the IEP and that all her accommodations would be followed. Since there was more writing involved with her being this age she was allowed to use a tablet with a swipe feature programmed to pick up words and common phrases with certain movements, like her adult side used at the station for some of her lengthier reports now. That had eased her mind a great deal. It took her another equally long moment before she heard a seat belt other than her own unbuckle.
"Wait!" Hands grabbed for the Queen's seat belt and redid it.
"Wait for what?"
Cheeks pink. "You can't go in there."
"I am the Mayor and I can go anywhere I please."
Emma rolled her eyes at the missed point. "I meaaan you don't have to walk me in. I'm not six… right now. And that would be ssssoooooooo embarrassing, no offense."
"Right." Said with a small wanting sigh. "Do you have your lunch?"
"Yep."
"Your cell if something comes up? Your tablet?"
"Yep. Yep."
"Your schedule of classes?"
"Triple yep. Can I go now? I don't want to be late for my first class Mama." Blonde lashes batted with a grin.
"Have a wonderful day. I will be here at 3:30 to pick you up." Regina quickly kissed her girl's cheek, least that get a comment and watched as Emma walked up the path to the entrance and smiled softly when there seemed to be a friendly face the teen knew. Shifting, the Benz slowly pulled away.
Justina grinned at the blonde walking her way. Since the night they'd first met and Emma had explained some of the spell resulting in the teen she'd met at the pond, some of the Mayor's involvement in it, and that there was predictability now on when this version would be around. "Welcome to the club blondie." Arms spread to the school building. "Or should I say Savior. Must suck to have to do this part of your life over again. Cool boots by the way."
Beaming at the compliment. "Thanks and I'm SO sorry about getting us busted."
"It's alright. My old man wasn't too upset at me, but my mom went full on Donkey Kong on my ass. I was grounded until Christmas and then with the storm stuff…" Shrugging. "Sorry I haven't been in touch."
Emma blushed at the memory of that night and quickly switched topics. "Sooo I have no idea where any of my classes are." Pulling a crumpled paper from her skirt pocket to show Justina.
"Looks like you have Math in room 42. And you're in luck because so do I. Follow me, I've got you covered."
Smile big, Emma followed the spunky brunette. Her first class flew by and she liked her teacher's sense of humor and surprised herself at what she remembered about algebra. Science was next and what was supposed to be a simple experiment involving baking soda and iodine left Emma and her new friend rolling when their iodine was accidentally swapped with vinegar that exploded all over their lab table. Emma had shrugged when the teacher eyed her suspiciously, but the bell rang before anything could come from it.
The two went their separate ways for Writing. She desperately needed the bathroom and by the time she was done the warning bell rang for her next class. Running down the hall, eyes on the door numbers, she rounded a corner sharply and slammed right into a tall blonde woman in a designer pin stripe suit. She landed flat on her butt, binder spinning across the hall into the lockers.
"I'm so sorry!" Emma started to scramble up and stared at the elegant hand, an offer to help, following the arm to familiar face. Grinning and taking it. "Thanks Ms. Mal." Using the term she'd heard others mention for the Principal of the school. Maleficent had no last name that she knew of.
"No worries Emma. Are you finding your classes alright?" Bending to pick of the fallen binder, Mal handed it back with a smile.
"Um… yeah. I'm trying to find room 53." Frowning when the tardy bell rang.
"Don't worry; your teacher won't give you a hard time on your first day. Come I'll walk you."
Emma followed down the hall. The Principal gestured to a closed door. "Just in there. Have a wonderful rest of your day and let me know if you need anything."
Small, now nervous to walk in late despite the escort. "Thanks."
"Oh, and do tell Regina I said hello and if you think about it that I'll be calling her with the date for your first IEP goal meeting once I confirm a time with all your teachers."
"I will." Internally smirking at how well that conversation would go over. Queen and Dragon were an interesting pair; a long and complicated history.
In writing she got to try out her tablet and loved how simple it was to use. She was able to create an outline nearly as quickly as everyone else in class. With wifi she e-mailed her draft to the teacher for grading. Writing in Jr. High and High School the first time around had sucked and she hadn't been able to keep up with the demand of the assignments as she got older. The feeling of knowing why and being able to do something about it now was so empowering. Before she knew it, the bell rang and she rejoined Justina at lunch. When Emma showed up in the cafeteria she quickly spotted her friend and plopped down across the table, pulling her lunch from her backpack.
"Hold up, you bring your lunch?"
Hesitating. "Don't you?" Emma went to lift the Velcro tab on the red bag.
"Not since fifth grade."
"Oh…" Not sure how to take that idea, Emma shrugged trying to cover. "I'll probably be buying it from here on out. I just didn't think about it." She blinked at the five dollar bill that slapped down on the table between them. "What's that for?"
"For you for today. You can pay be back later. No one in seventh grade who wants to be taken seriously brings their lunch. I've got a lot to teach you blondie, come on, chuck that and let's get in line."
Emma looked longingly at the chicken salad, fruit, and a cinnamon cookie in her bag to the hot lunch section of pizza and burgers. Torn between her want to belong and do what she knew was expected of her. With a sigh she palmed the cookie for later as belonging won out and she up ended her lunch sack into the trash to follow her friend to the line. She loaded her tray with several options, each looked better than the last. Fast food heaven in her mouth was an understatement. Between bites of food and talking she was enjoying herself immensely.
"Em, do you want to hang out tomorrow afternoon?"
Green eyes sparkled. "I need to ask, but I do, yeah that'd be fun. I'll let you know later today."
The rest of the afternoon was easy. English and her favorite class, Art, both of which she didn't share with her new friend. When the final bell rang she was feeling a little nauseous from all the greasy food she'd eaten, but so happy about everything in her day that she ran to the Benz. Once in the car, threw arms around her Keeper.
Regina had the wind knocked out of her, but recovered quickly in the girl's enthusiasm and squeezed back. "Hello sweet girl. How was your day?"
"I had the BEST day ever, EVER!"
"Two evers and a best, it must have been some kind of wonderful. You can tell me all about it on our way Granny's." Easing back with a gesture to Emma's seat belt and pulling into traffic as chatter suddenly died off.
"Granny's? How come?"
"For those milkshakes you love so much, to celebrate your first day." She side eyed the blonde at the question and not the smile she'd been expecting, having planned the treat as a surprise. "Is that alright?"
"Oh, yeah, that sounds good!" And it did to Emma's taste buds. "Anyway, the girl I told you about before, Justina, she's in a few of my classes and we sat together at lunch. It was nice knowing someone already and I've never gotten that before at this age…" Trailing off as heavier thoughts took over. She was pulled back when a hand found hers.
"I am so glad that was the case for you this time around."
"Me too. And guess what? I got invited to hang out tomorrow afternoon at her house. Can I go? Please?" Before the Queen could respond she added. "I'll do the homework I have tonight and my weekend chores in the morning before I go."
"Emma—"
Green eyes batted lashes. "Please? I promise nothing like last time will happen. It'll just be us at her house with her parents."
"That's not what I—"
"Cross my heart and scouts honor. You have to say yes."
"I won't say anything if I cannot get a word in." Regina pulled the car into a free spot in front of the diner and turned in her seat with a raised brow.
Emma shrugged and smiled. "I'm just excited."
"I can tell and I'm happy you are dear heart and yes, you may as long as homework and chores are done before. I also would like to speak with her parents first."
"Buzz kill." Blonde head dropped back against the seat. "Why?"
"I know of her family, but I do not know them well, hence my yes, with this amendment." At Emma's less than enthusiastic eye roll she tilted her head and gently turned a dimpled chin her way. "Hey, it is a phone call, not an execution. I'd appreciate a bit more respect from you on the matter."
"Gotcha, sorry… It's a yes though, can I text Justina?" Hopeful.
"Yes. Go grab us booth and send your text while I order your shake at the counter. Then I want to hear about the rest of your day."
"Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" Emma bolted from the car, slamming the door.
Regina felt her eyes rattle from the vibration, and shook her head fondly as she followed Emma in the diner. Ruby took her order quickly and heels found the side of the booth opposite a beaming blonde. After the phone went away Emma chatted about her other classes. Coffee and a small chocolate shake made it to the table ten minutes later.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Ms. Mal says hello and that she will call soon for my IEP meeting goal or something stuff."
Sipping her coffee, Regina raised a brow at the appraising look Emma was giving her. "Whatever is that look for?"
"Every time someone mentions Ms. Mal the vein in your forehead pops." Giggling. "It did it again."
"Ha ha." Shaking her head and changing the topic as she blushed. "You mentioned homework. What do you have to do?"
"A math sheet and a lab summary from the experiment today. Not much, but I might need your help with some of the stuff on graphing." Emma rubbed the cold shake glass through her hands, after taking a long pull. The normally delicious cream felt like sludge going down.
"Is your shake alright?" Wondering if it was that or the idea of homework that caused the sour face in front of her. "Emma?"
"I gotta—" Emma slapped a hand over her mouth and bolted from the booth. Boots pounded tile to the bathroom and she just made it to a stall before everything in her stomach came rolling up. Tears and gagging came next and finally she slumped to the floor to catch her breath. The door to the bathroom opened, closed and a cool hand made it to a sweaty brow. She pulled away. "I'm not sick, not like that." Emma looked up into brown eyes, accepting the paper towel offered and wiped her mouth as she was helped to her feet.
"Then how like that." A regal wrist flick summoned a bottle of water and she cracked it to give to Emma.
"Like I ate too much food sick." Sighing that she'd just outed herself. "I'm fine now. Can we go back to the booth?"
"Of course." Regina followed the girl, not yet fully convinced that was the case. Emma sat across the way squirming as often was the reason when misbehavior had occurred, but she couldn't place what. "Why do you think you got sick? Was it was the chicken salad I packed you? I put the ice pack in the bag so it shouldn't have—"
"No it wasn't that or the fruit." Taking a long pull from the water bottle she drained it and set it aside. At this point she'd answer direct questions, but volunteering any information on her own wasn't happening.
"How can you be sure?" Prompting when Emma remained quiet.
"Cause' I didn't eat it."
Pulling her head back in confusion. "But you just said you over ate."
"Yep."
"Emma you are not making any sense."
Teeth caught an upper lip briefly and shrugged. "I don't wanna get in trouble."
"Why would you be… Ah, I see." Folding hands together at what may have happened. "What did eat from the school lunch?"
"A slice of pizza."
"That shouldn't have made you sick."
"And fries and onion rings."
"Emma."
"And cheese sticks and a soda… What? It seemed like a good idea to my stomach at the time."
"No wonder the milkshake didn't sit well with you." Gesturing to the melted sugar. "Your body isn't used to eating like that anymore, not that much junk food at one time anyway." Regina shook her head at the glare coming her way.
"And whose fault is that?"
"Tone, dear girl." Reminding, then softer. "Why would you do that?"
Deflating. "No one else had brought lunch from home and I wanted to fit in so I dumped my lunch and got something else."
"Emma that's…" Regina pinched the bridge of her nose and thought. 'Expected. She's thirteen. Henry did the same thing.'
Blonde brows furrowed. "That's what? Stellar, stupid, something that pissed you off?"
"No, none of those things and careful with your language. You are edging a fine line there." Reaching both hands across the table palms up then, glad Emma took them easily. "I will compromise with you on the lunches. Every other day you have school this age you may buy lunch and have the entrée you wish with two healthy sides. I will put money in your school account tonight. Other days you eat what I pack for you. Deal?" Emma's choices would be easy to follow up with on the online café registry through the school website.
Skeptical. "So like pizza, sweet potato fries, and a banana?"
A nod. "As long as you don't go overboard on the fried food, unless you liked getting sick just now."
"No! That sucked." Thinking. "No consequence for throwing away my food?"
"Not from me. Only the natural one that occurred after your choice."
"Deal."
"Alright then. Do you want your shake to go?"
Emma's skin took on a green tinge and shook her head no, watching as money for their drinks was left on the table and they both stood.
"Despite being sick, was it still the best day ever, ever?" Red lips grinned and she wrapped an arm around Emma's shoulders. After a moment the girl relaxed into her as they walked out of the diner.
Reflecting on their conversation that morning about the tradition and the gift of time stretched before them to possibly repeat it again come fall, Emma warmed to a lingering kiss on her temple. As green basked in the promise unspoken, she shared a heart full. "For me, it really was Mama."
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A/N – Hope you liked it!
Next time – Little Emma and Neal team up in school shenanigans. Trouble, with Gold teeth, rings a Belle in mocking resulting in Mal and Regina connecting. Snow becomes suspicious.
