Chapter Three
Granny sat at the large wooden table beside her oldest Granddaughter. She was currently going over the girl's studies with her. Just because Ruby was only five, it did not mean that she was too young to be educated. At her very young age, Ruby was already reading and writing, she knew some basic arithmetic and was an expert on etiquette. All of these lessons mattered. A decent education was the difference between having a respectable job such as running a shop and becoming a bar wench. Not that Granny disliked the women that had such professions. She just did not want that for her girls. That's why she planned to make them proud, strong, intelligent women so that when the time came, she could rest in peace knowing that her girls were fine.
Speaking of her girls, she looked over on the floor to see little Regina, now four months old -going on fourteen years old, laying on her tummy, atop a black plush fur rug. She was learning to roll over but she hadn't quite gotten the hang of it yet but it was very cute to watch her try. As of now she was content with laying on her tummy playing with the array of toys that the Dark One had brought to her from various journeys.
The Dark One had made it her business to always bring the girls gifts. She claimed it was how she would teach them of the world around them, or worlds but Granny knew better. Granny knew Emma. She walked around as if she was this cold heartless beast but Granny saw her for who she truly was. A woman. A woman from what she could tell, had lost a lot. Had gone through so much pain that it made her dark. Not evil. Just dark. But she knew her blackened heart still had some red in it. And whatever little bit she had left, Granny knew that Regina would keep it there.
That baby was the Dark One's light. It was clear, no matter how hard the woman tried to fight it.
That's why she tried to push the two of them together. Always finding reasons for the Dark One to hold the baby or letting the baby cry at night so that Emma would tend to her. She knew that the two of them needed each other and she just wanted to help.
She watched the baby pick up a pink stuffed bunny and shake it. A wide smile spread across the baby's face when it made a tinkling sound. She sat up as if doing little push ups to get a better look. She shook it again and smiled even wider. Granny smiled watching it. Such a beautiful sight.
Regina in herself was a beauty. Especially dressed in that little white dress with the matching bow on her head.
Those big chocolate curls were so long and thick that they were flowing down the baby's back. Granny often joked that there was more hair than baby. She wanted to cut it but Emma was against it, so Granny let it be. Not because Emma said so but because she wanted Emma to realize that she was parenting Regina as well. Either way Granny would simply brush the baby's curls and put a bow on her head to keep the hair back.
Regina was so enthused with the little pink bunny. Her brown eyes were large and she was smiling a wide toothless smile at her new discovery. She was developing well. Such a bright, healthy girl. As well as gorgeous. The maids could not put her down. They always, coo and 'aww' in her presence. Cuddling her and playing with her. Spoiling her rotten. Granny appreciates these moments where Regina can just be. Where she could learn new things, along with how to soothe and entertain herself without interference.
Granny looked back at Ruby. She combed her fingers through her granddaughter's dark hair. The little girl looked up at her and her dark green eyes sparkled. Granny chuckled and instructed her to get back to work. Ruby smiled and shook her head but did what she was told. Granny smiled at her. She remembered when Ruby was an orphan no bigger than Regina. About two or three months old.
Granny originally hadn't even known that the girl existed. Ruby's mother, Granny's only child had taken off when she was a young girl, no older than sixteen. The two of them never saw eye to eye. They fought a lot but it was only because Granny worried about her only daughter. The girl felt that her mother was smothering her. Over time they continued to drift apart. The young woman began sneaking off and staying out late as well as lying about her whereabouts. Granny of course tried to get her to behave. Their relationship became more and more strained.
It wasn't until one night when the moon was bright and full that she lost her daughter. Her daughter would go out every night around that time despite Granny's begging and pleading for her to stay in during wolf's time. But no, she wanted to be free. She wanted to embrace her wolf. Granny personally did not encourage the wolf nor the things that it did. It could turn the kindest person into a ravenous beast. A monster but her daughter embraced that. She loved that part of herself.
The werewolf.
That night Granny bid her daughter good night and asked her to stay safe. Of course the girl rolled her eyes and went off into the woods. Granny thought nothing of it until the next morning when she awoken and realized that her daughter hadn't returned. She went to the girls room and that's where she found a letter. The letter stated that her daughter had met a kind man. He was a lot like her, a wolf, and she was going to elope with him. She explained that he was an alpha and she'd be his alpha female. She also apologized and said they'd see each other again.
But that never came to pass.
The years faded in and out and Granny waited to see or even hear from her daughter but the girl never contacted her. Granny moped around with a broken heart. She had never felt so alone. Four years had passed and she had given up when there was a knock at her front door. The woman opened her door, hoping to see her daughter but instead she was met with just an empty front porch. She began to close the door but a small babble caused her to look down to where she found a small bundle in a basket wrapped in a white blanket. She furrowed her brow and looked around unsure why someone would leave her a child. She of course couldn't leave the child behind so she picked her up, brought her inside and sat her on the kitchen table. While she was checking the child over she found a small slip of paper.
There was a note
She read it carefully. It was from a member of her daughter's pack. It stated that her daughter had died, killed by hunters leaving little Red alone. Granny instantly broke down. Her heart shattered and she felt like her whole world had come crashing down. Her daughter was dead. She never got to see her again. She didn't even get to say goodbye. Now that was a terrible pain. She had no idea how long she sobbed before she heard the babbling. That's when she remembered the baby. She got to her feed and stared into the baby's eyes and she saw her daughter's staring back at her. That's when she knew.
That baby was her second chance. She took the baby in and raised her as her own. She reminded her of her daughter in so many ways and it was comforting as well as heartbreaking. That child was there so she wouldn't be alone. They needed each other.
She couldn't keep her name as "Red" though. She knew that her daughter loved the color red but that wasn't a name. After great deliberation, she came up with Ruby. It was still red but an actual name.
Granny hoped all the time that she didn't develop her mother's gifts. She knew it was genetic and there was no avoiding it. But either way she'd be supportive. She learned with her daughter and she will not make that mistake again. She kissed Ruby's hair and combed her fingers through it again.
She was thankful to have her. She was thankful to have both of them.
She looked at Regina. The baby was still trying to play with all of her toys at once. Granny chuckled with a shake of her head. At least she's normal. A normal little girl. No dark magic coursing through her. Just a regular mortal. Granny was grateful for that. At least that's one less obstacle that Granny has to deal with when both girls are teenagers. At least there would not be two moody werewolves. Moody teenage girls she could handle.
But all in all, she was going to cherish the moments that she had when they were just sweet little girls and ignore the impending doom of them growing up into women.
She heard Regina babbling and making little raspberries. She did that a lot as well. She had become very talkative with Ruby and Granny constantly speaking and singing with her. Granny shook her at the baby girl with a small smile then looked over at Ruby.
This was her favorite part of her day.
She could hear the small cries within her head. To any other untrained or non-magical ear it would sound like nothing but the wind whistling though the trees but she knew better. She knew that voice.
She remembered it like it was yesterday as she remembered all of her deals. There was a kind old woman that lived in a cottage all alone. She had summoned the Dark One and in all honesty, the Dark Swan was confused. She had no idea why a kind elderly woman would want to make a deal with the Dark One. Curious, she listened to the woman's tale.
She had wanted a child so badly and had gone to the fairies. At that alone, the Dark One tsked. The fairies always half ass everything. She couldn't stand them, well save for the Dark Fairy. The two of them had an understanding. But aside from that, the Dark One avoided any contact or interactions with them. Especially the Reul Ghorm. In her lifetime and from personal experience she had learned that that particular fairy had been completely useless in doing anything but sticking her nose in everyone's business. That kind old woman had fallen victim to the fairies' uselessness and obviously needed the Dark One to help her.
In all honesty the Dark Swan was very interested in the woman's story. She explained that she had made a wish on the blue star. She had wished for a child. She was later visited by the Blue Fairy. Dark Swan scrunched her nose at that part. She should have known where this was going. But the woman continued to tell about a plant that she was presented with. She was told to care for the plant so she did. She treated it like the most pernicious thing in the world and it was so lovely. As the days went on she began to love said plant. One day while she was caring for it, she pressed a gentle kiss to its petals and then just like that, the petals began opening and there inside, it revealed a tiny girl no larger than a thumb.
The old woman was delighted in seeing her child. She loved her from that exact moment and named her Thumbelina. Now Thumbelina was a hideous name and the Dark Swan had to fight back a snort as she listened. The woman eventually informed her that her daughter had gone missing. Stolen away in the middle of the night. The Dark One nodded and decided to help her locate her child. With the use of a locator spell, the woman did exactly that. Dark Swan did not want to charge the old woman much so she simply took a thimble from the woman's sewing kit and called it even.
Anyone else would have had to make a deal but she happened to enjoy and respect elderly people.
As far as she knew, after that the woman and her daughter had been living happily ever after.
Well up until now.
When the Dark One showed up to the old cottage, she could see the tiny girl standing on the windowsill in an orange billowy dress and her hair up in a high ponytail. She looked no older than sixteen but she knew better. That girl was immortal, created solely of fairy magic. She's only been alive about five years and she had an eternity ahead of her. The Dark One frowned and furrowed her brows. What else could this child want?
She walked over to the windowsill and eyed the small girl. She was standing by a candle that illuminated her. Her almost wings were visible then. The girls blue eyes gazed up into the Dark One's.
"Hello." The girl shouted. The Dark One frowned. That must be awful to always have to shout to be heard.
"Hello," She said in return.
The girl nodded with a sweet smile. "My name is Thumbelina." She said shyly.
The Dark One nodded. "I know who you are."
The girl furrowed her brows and stared at the Dark One. "You do?"
The Dark One hummed with a nod. "Your mother came to me when she lost you. I helped her find you and bring you home. That was a very long time ago."
Thumbelina nodded then, with a smile. "Perhaps you could help me then?"
The Dark One shrugged coyly. "Perhaps. What do you need?"
"I want to be big." Thumbelina blurted. "I want to be like everyone else. Everyone has to squint when they look at me and strain to hear me. I can't do anything off of this windowsill or the table without having fear of being stepped on or getting lost. This is no life."
The Dark One nodded. That's understandable. "What about the fairies? The Reul Ghorm created you, surely she would grant your wish?"
Thumbelina shook her head. "No. She said that I was meant to be this way."
The Dark One tsked and shook her head. Of course that deceitful little blue insect would tell that poor girl that. Not even fairies remain small all of the time. They could grow whenever they liked but they tell this girl that she has to remain this size. Preposterous. Dark Swan reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a vial. It was empty of course but with a little bit of dark magic and a twirl of it, a blue liquid appeared inside of it. She looked at the vial then back at Thumbelina. With a sigh, she sat it down on the sill beside the girl then with a flick of her wrist, it shrunk in size until it was small enough for the young girl to hold.
The young girl quickly picked it up and studied it before gazing up at Dark Swan and smiling at her. "Is this it?"
"Yep." The Dark One said with a nod. "That potion is made from the mushrooms of Wonderland. I'm sure you heard of them?"
Thumbelina nodded. "Yes. They make you grow."
The Dark One nodded. "Well this is permanent."
Thumbelina nodded again. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
The Dark Swan nodded. The young girl's excitement was refreshing. It's been a long while since she had done anything to actually make the receiver happy. "Not a problem but you know that all magic comes with a price."
Thumbelina nodded. "Anything."
The Dark One grinned, if Thumbelina had known any better or if she hadn't been so sheltered, she would have been a little concerned at the maniacal look. "Well, I want the flower that you blossomed from."
Thumbelina's brows rose. She looked quite surprised and a tad confused. She clearly hadn't been expecting that. "Why?"
The plant had magical properties. Fairy magic. She never knew when fairy magic would come in handy. It still remained perfectly reserved. Obviously magic. Besides, it's not like they needed it anymore. "My reasons are my own. You have your potion. I want the plant. That's the deal."
Thumbelina bit her bottom lip then looked back at the plant that was sat on the windowsill not too far away from them. She looked down at the vial. She then looked back up at the Dark One and nodded. "Alright, Dark One. It is yours." She gestured to it.
Dark Swan looked over at the purple and pink plant. It wasn't exactly much but what it looked like did not matter. She flicked her wrist and the plant vanished from the sill and reappeared in her hand. "Thank you." She said with a bow. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you."
Thumbelina smiled and curtsied. "Thank you."
Dark Swan winked then in a cloud of gray smoke, she vanished from the windowsill, leaving Thumbelina alone with her new life in her hands.
Regina ate as Stella hummed to her softly. Regina's brown eyes met the woman's that she had come to love as well. She saw her as family, not quite as a mommy but the woman saw her as more of a daughter. She often snuggled Regina and kissed her little nose or her cheeks affectionately. She would tell her she loved her every single day and Regina loved it. She ate it up. Granny was loving and affectionate but the woman believed in tough love and not spoiling children. Stella on the other hand felt that you cannot spoil a baby so as a result the younger woman would play with Regina and sing to her multiple times a day. Not only during meal time.
Regina found herself spending a lot of time with the woman's son Daniel. They would sometimes have tummy time together when Stella watched Regina for Granny. Regina didn't mind. She liked her playmate and he appeared to like her. He would giggle a lot with her and always share his toy. Daniel being a few months older he was already hitting milestones that Regina felt frustrated that she hadn't.
She watched him get up and scoot across the floor when she could barely lift her chest up. That though just made the infant feel even more determined to learn how to do those things.
Stella often looked down at Regina with so much affection in her soft eyes and Regina would feel safe with her like she did with Granny, Ruby and the Dark One. She often missed the Dark One and she wished that she would come hold her more often, but one thing was for sure, that if she wanted to be cuddled, all she had to do was cry and the Dark One would come running.
"You are such a pretty girl, Regina." Stella whispered. "You and my little Daniel would make a lovely couple... when you're older of course. You're already such good friends."
The baby didn't understand the words the woman was uttering. She didn't understand much aside from 'peek a boo', 'I love you', 'Pretty girl', 'cutie' and things of that nature. She was not even sure what her name was.
She finished eating and pulled her face away. She looked at Stella expectantly waiting to be burped. The woman smiled and lifted the little girl to her shoulder and began burping her. Regina let out a small belch then began squirming. Stella shushed her and lowered her to her arms.
"Okay, pretty girl." Stella said softly. "Granny wants you to try putting yourself to sleep. You have a full tummy, we played and you're clean. You should be able to sleep no problem."
The baby just popped her thumb into her little mouth. Stella chuckled and kissed Regina's forehead. "Baby girl, I love you."
The baby was not quite sure but she really liked those words.
Stella stood and walked her over to the crib. She placed her inside and began swaddling her. The baby liked to be nice and cozy. That was a fact. After Stella was satisfied with that she smiled down at the baby. She then looked up at the white and blue crystal swan mobile, hanging above the crib. She wound it up to where she thought it would last long enough to soothe the baby then let it go. The swans began dancing above the baby's head. The baby was still watching her with curious eyes. Stella smiled and brushed some curls from the baby's forehead.
Regina smiled around her thumb at the woman. That made her chuckle. She shook her head softly and pulled the sheer white curtains around the baby's crib closed. She looked to make sure that she was alright then nodded in satisfaction. Then with another nod towards the little girl, she told her she loved her again and bid her good night.
The baby's eyes were glued to the shiny, sparkly mobile. She didn't even notice when the woman slipped out of the room, closing the large door behind her.
The princess was left alone to soothe herself, something that she was getting very good at, despite the fact that she quite enjoyed when Dark Swan came and did the job. She liked to cuddle the Dark One. There was just something about her and the way she smelled and felt. She had a mommy feel. She didn't see her as one though. The Dark One was more of a playmate or friend. She did love her a lot though.
She kept her little thumb in her mouth and stayed focused on the moving swans above her, enjoying the warmth of her blanket. It was just as good. Well... almost. She was too tired to cry so she let it be. Her eyes began to droop and she was falling asleep when a voice startled her.
"Oh, I thought she would never leave." She heard a female voice drawl lazily. Her little brows crunched together. She didn't recognize the voice. It didn't sound like any of her caregivers and that plus the sudden noise scared her. She began to primp and her eyes were filled with tears.
She heard steps approaching from within the shadows and in a moment a tall, fair skinned woman with perfect, long, blonde hair was hovering above her. The baby did not recognize her and she was usually friendly with strangers but there was just something about this woman. She made her feel afraid. She primped even more and whimpered a little.
The woman's bright blue eyes sparkled when she looked at the little brunette. Her full red lips curled up into a grin. It wasn't a nice smile like she gets from Stella or Ruby. It wasn't right.
"Don't cry, little one." The blonde woman whispered softly. "You're so beautiful." She breathed as she reached down and picked the baby up. Holding Regina against her, she instantly smelled her soft hair then hummed. "It's been so long since I've had a baby girl." She held Regina close and suddenly Regina didn't want to cry any more. Oddly enough she felt comfortable. The woman was warm and she smelled nice. Besides her voice was soft and gentle.
"My baby girl is a big girl now." The woman continued as she walked across the nursery with the baby. She settled into the rocking chair and began rocking them slowly. "I miss having a little girl and you are so pretty." She cooed. "I have half a mind to keep you and take you home with me."
She waved her hand and a small rattle appeared in it. The golden handle was made like a dragon's leg, there nestled in its claws was a little pink crystal ball. She shook it gently and the tinkling sound made the baby smile. It was just like her stuffed swan. She liked sounds now and she really liked the brightly colored rattle. She struggled in the blanket until the woman freed her hand and she reached for it. The woman handed the toy to the baby and it instantly went into her mouth.
"Of course." The woman chuckled. Regina smiled at her. She liked this new person a little. She gave her a nice toy and she was cuddling her. The woman combed her fingers through the baby's long dark locks and hummed in surprise. "Such a pretty girl, you are." She praised. Regina just took the toy out of her mouth and began shaking it in jerky uncoordinated movements enjoying the sounds it made. The woman chuckled. "There you are, now let's wait for the Dark One to return shall we." She muttered as she began rocking them in front of the large window.
Dark Swan returned to her castle. She planned to check in with Regina just to make sure that she was alright then to return to her study where she would stay all night. She hadn't planned to do anything of any importance. She planned just to brood as usual because that is what Dark Ones do obviously.
She walked down the dark eerie hallway leading to the baby's nursery. She didn't hear her crying so that was a good sign. She'd just pop in, check on her, maybe watch her sleep for a while then go about her business. She hadn't seen Regina in a week and she didn't miss her, she just wanted to make sure that she survived during her absence.
She stopped in front of the tall pale pink doors and pushed them open, unveiling the baby's dimly lit room. She looked around and noticed that the curtains were drawn which was odd. They always shut them when the baby was sleeping. From what she could tell the crib was empty as well. She furrowed her brows and out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of the rocking chair in front of the window moving. That's when she heard the jingling sound of a rattle. She stepped closer and instantly scowled at the sight that greeted her.
"How dare you touch her!" She roared as she stormed over to the woman. She instantly felt disrespected to see her holding Regina and that baby was the only reason the blonde witch didn't get a fireball to the face.
The woman looked up and smiled. "How nice of you to join us, Dark Swan. Your baby and I were waiting for you to get back."
Dark Swan glared at her but her eyes glanced down and she calmed instantly when she saw Regina. The baby smiled at her. She sighed. "What do you want, Maleficent?"
The older woman smirked. The Dark One and Maleficent had a very long history that consisted of deals, naughty fun and killing for each other. Were they friends? Hell no, but they weren't enemies either. They had an understanding given the fact that the two of them were some of the oldest beings to ever exist. Maleficent was slightly older and wiser. But Dark Swan was stronger. They respected each other but this time the witch had over stepped.
The woman smirked. "I want to make a deal."
The Dark One smirked and raised a brow. She crossed her arms over her chest, eyeing the older woman. "You're asking me to make a deal while holding my child?"
The woman's deep blue eyes widened. "She's your child? She's awfully dark to be yours. Honestly I would be a more believable mother. You know... She sort of looks like Lily."
Dark Swan rolled her eyes. "Lily looks like her father."
Maleficent gasped in false surprise. "Does she look like her father?"
The Dark One nodded. "She does and her mother. I got her from a deal."
The blonde witch raised her brows. "Oh. Who is she?"
Dark Swan shrugged. She could trust Maleficent but she didn't need to know all of her secrets. "A princess."
Maleficent smirked and looked down at the baby. She then looked back up at Dark Swan. "Really? I knew I smelled royal all over her. Who are her parents?"
"That's none of your concern." The Dark One growled. Maleficent shrugged.
"I'm not threatening her. I heard that you had a baby here and I wanted to see for myself. It's been so long since I've held a baby." Maleficent said pouting slightly. "I really like her. Let's make a deal for her."
The Dark One raised a brow again. "You want a baby?"
"No my dear, I want this baby." Maleficent corrected. "You know how much I love pretty things."
"She's a child not a doll." Dark Swan sighed.
"I know that. Have you forgotten that I've raised a child before. One, mind you, that is older than you are."
"I know." The Dark One huffed. "I know Lily quite well."
Maleficent chuckled. "Indeed you do but I believe that you know me better."
The Dark Swan shrugged. Maleficent would never let that go. She's had a few tryst with Maleficent's daughter and Maleficent herself. Of course never at the same time. But the older woman never let her forget it. Sure Maleficent was sexy, older, powerful and she could change into a dragon. Who wouldn't be turned on by that? The same went for the woman's daughter. But that stopped a few decades ago and Maleficent has been trying to get her back in her bed ever since. But the Dark Swan refused. She had her fun. Two centuries of it.
"The child is not for sale." The Dark One said firmly. "She is mine."
Maleficent sighed dramatically and looked at the baby longingly. "There would be no changing your mind then?"
The Dark One shook her head. She wouldn't trade Regina away ever, not for the world. "Nope."
Maleficent frowned. "Fine. Can I at least know the name of the precious little thing?"
"Regina." Dark Swan said dryly. "Now can we get to the deal so that I can put her down?"
Maleficent waved that off. "I can put her down. It's been so long since I've done that."
The Dark One was growing impatient. "Fine. Your deal... talk." She knew that the deal would be something good. Maleficent always had good things to trade.
Maleficent tapped the baby's nose with her finger gently and the baby smiled at her. She smiled back and looked up at the Dark One. "Okay, well I have some information for you, my dear." She trailed off as she ran her fingers through Regina's hair. "Such pretty hair." She muttered.
"Information on what?!" The Dark One asked impatiently.
"Oh..." Maleficent chuckled. "Remember that thing that you asked me about?"
The Dark Swan shrugged. "I've asked you about many things. You are older than time itself."
The Dragon simply eyed her but said nothing, preferring not to give in to the sass. "Something about reversing time..." She said instead.
The Dark One's eyes widened then. She had spent centuries trying to find out how to turn back time. Time travel had become a bit of an obsession for her. There was nothing more that she wanted to know about other than reversing time and undoing the damage that it had caused. She eyed Maleficent. The sorceress was looking down at the tiny brunette and the baby was smiling up at her. Even from her angle she could see the baby being entranced by Maleficent's eyes. Everyone was. They were beautiful and intriguing. Otherworldly how they took on multiple shades of blue at once and appeared to glow at night.
"What have you heard?" She asked eventually gaining the blonde's attention. Maleficent looked back up at her and Regina began fussing at the lack of attention.
"Well, for one thing I've heard that there is a young man in a far off realm. One that is believed to not have magic." Maleficent began as she rocked Regina to quiet her down. "But of course there is magic everywhere. Anywho, he believes that he has found the key to time travel."
"What is his name?" The Dark Swan asked anxiously.
Maleficent made a face as if she were thinking something over then she must have remembered because she gasped. "Alexander Hartdegen." She answered matter-of-factly.
The Dark Swan nodded. Alright then. "You know this how?"
Maleficent shrugged. "I know many things. Just as you said I'm old as time itself. I have my ways which I am not revealing to you..."
The Dark Swan nodded. "Fair enough." Besides she got what she wanted. The information she needed and she wanted to get to planning for her next move. One: finding out where this man is located exactly and, secondly: deciding where to go from there. She could trust Maleficent. She may have been a lot of things but a liar was not one of them besides she valued their relationship and she wouldn't risk sabotaging it. Well, a deal's a deal. "Okay what do you need? Besides the girl?"
Maleficent sighed longingly and pouted. "Well, since I can't have her, I need the gauntlet."
The Dark One raised her brows. "What on earth could you possibly need with that?"
Said gauntlet was an ancient artifact, said to be around since the first knights. It had belonged to a great warrior that's success came from his ability to always discover his enemy's weakness. In doing so he defeated them. After his death, old age, it was discovered that his power came from the gauntlet that had been enchanted by a sorcerer named Merlin and whoever possessed it afterward would develop his powers. The Dark One never used it. She didn't see the point.
"My reasons are my own." Maleficent said dryly. "But since I like to boast I'll let you in on the little secret. My associates and I want to settle the scores for once and for all."
"And here I thought motherhood changed you." The Dark One chuckled.
Maleficent snorted and waved it off. "Oh please. Perhaps it'll change you but never that."
The Dark Swan rolled her eyes. Motherhood had changed her before but for the worst. "She's not my child."
Maleficent hummed as she twirled one of Regina's curls around her finger. "It's funny because the way she looks at you says otherwise."
The Dark One's eyes glanced down at the baby then. Those chocolate eyes were locked on hers. She glanced back up at Maleficent and shrugged. "Well..."
"She's watching you like if you don't hold her soon, she'll jump out of my arms and into yours."
The Dark Swan frowned. "Yes well she knows me. You're a stranger."
Maleficent blew a raspberry and Regina appeared to like that. Her eyes widened. Maleficent chuckled. "She likes me. Don't you, little girl?"
The Dark One rolled her eyes. She waved her hand and the large iron gauntlet appeared in it. Without even looking at it, she handed it over. She wanted Maleficent gone so that she could have some time with Regina.
Maleficent's brows rose and she smirked. "Wow, thank you, dear." She said still slightly surprised. She reached over and took it. She shifted the baby so that Dark Swan could pick her up. The other sorceress wasted no time taking the baby, cradling her head as she pressed her against her chest.
She adjusted her blanket and the baby instantly snuggled against her. Maleficent smirked as she stood. "Yes, she is not your child."
The Dark One looked down at the baby who was reaching for her face. She shifted her so that she touch her. She wouldn't deny Regina that, not even to save face with Maleficent.
"She's not." She said firmly. Even after all this time. She cared for Regina. The baby was important to her. Maybe even what she felt for her was affection. But she still did not feel a motherly connection to her. She felt close to her but she didn't feel that particular bond. "She's my charge, yes but she's not my child. I do not feel that way for her and she certainly does not see me as a mother."
Maleficent nodded, accepting that. "I don't see why you don't just let me have her. She needs a mother."
The Dark Swan scoffed. "Why, so you could turn her into a wicked bitch like you?"
Maleficent shrugged coyly. "I don't know. I always wanted a good girl. I might raise her to be good."
Dark Swan smirked. "She's fine with me."
Maleficent sighed. "Fine." She groaned. She began smoothing down her dress. "I have to bid the two of you a good night." She stepped closer to the Dark One invading her personal space. The smell of roses invading her senses. "I have things to tend to." She muttered flirtatiously. The Dark One was of course disinterested. "I would invite you but you're busy."
She snapped her fingers and the bun that was holding the Dark Swan's hair up began unraveling. The luscious white hair fell down her shoulders and she huffed in frustration. Regina's eyes widened at seeing something new and her fingers went straight for it. She gripped a hand full of the soft hair and felt it, examining it.
"I've always liked you hair down." Maleficent said. "I don't know why you don't wear it that way more often."
The Dark One rolled her eyes then she hissed when she felt the baby accidentally yank it.
"She has the right idea." Maleficent chuckled. The Dark One glared at her. "You like her hair like that, don't you, moppet?" She asked ticking the baby's chin. Regina tried to eat her finger of course. Maleficent smiled and shook her head. "Well good evening, Dark One. I hope it's not so long next time before we see each other again." She winked then she suddenly was engulfed in a plume of black smoke. The baby's eyes widened even further and reached for the vanishing magic.
The Dark One grabbed her hand and brought it to her lips and kissed her palm. "How are you, little girl?" She asked. She moved to the rocking chair. She picked up the golden rattle that the woman had obviously left behind as a gift. She sat, taking Maleficent's vacated seat. Regina smiled at her then went back to playing with her hair. And of course, the baby went to put it into her mouth. Dark Swan caught her hand. "No, no, no, Gina." She said lightly as to not upset the baby because even as young as she was, she already disliked the word 'no' and the use of the word usually resulted in a tantrum.
Regina frowned and furrowed her brows, registering the tone. She then smiled and began kicking her little feet. The Dark One shook her head with a small smile, she then began rocking them. She held the rattle and the baby reached for it. She let her take it. The baby instantly started shaking it.
The Dark One chuckled. Why are all baby toys so noisy?
She kept thinking about the information that Maleficent had given her. Okay, time travel is something she had not accomplished in her time as a Dark One. Now she was that much closer to getting what she wanted. She had a name and a little information. She knew how to do the rest. She knew exactly who she needed to speak to.
But for now she wanted to focus on the little one cuddling her. She looked back down at the baby that was making little sounds that sounded more like a chipmunk than a human. She smiled and shook her head. "Little girl." She chuckled. "You seriously need to understand what stranger danger is. Maleficent is as dangerous as they come but she likes you. Which I'm not surprised." She whispered the last part. "But seriously, Gina. No more talking to strangers, okay?" The baby smiled. The Dark One snorted. "I'll take that as a yes."
She smiled and kissed the baby's forehead then continued to rock them in the chair just enjoying the peace and quiet of the night.
She would deny it to the end, but this is the favorite part of her day.
Thanks for reading!
following, faving and reviewing as well!
Now we're getting into the storyline a little more. Does anyone know who Alexander Hartdegen is? he's the movie version of a classic book character. Another of my favorite male characters from one of my favorite stories will make an appearance as well. I can't say who. (He most definitely is not a fairytale character but he's exciting and fun, I promise) oh and he's immortal...kinda. The only hint I'm giving. lol
As always, it was a pleasure working with you, Maleficent. Always an honor.
Oh and the cover for this story is temporary until I get something better. lol. But I know... (I love that pic of Dark Swan though).
Thanks again!