Set Post-Curse Prince Charming realizes that he owes his true love a lot of kisses, several hundred apologies and more than a few rounds of fervent lovemaking to make up for all the pain he has caused. With so much ground to cover, he had better get started right away.
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Chapter 2: to Catch a Thief.
On the way back into town Snow and Charming stopped off at the Toll Bridge.
The bridge was a place that held mixed memories. It was where David had told Mary Margret that he remembered his life with Katherine and that he was going to try and make his marriage work.
The two of them also shared found memories of afternoons spent in secret, romantic encounters.
It was late afternoon when they arrived and the day had turned warm. They had left their jackets in the truck. Now they stood hand in hand on the bridge looking down at a pool of water that had formed under a waterfall at the side of the river.
"I think the world in general is more beautiful today than it was yesterday," Snow gave her husband an adoring look.
"It is certainly much warmer today," He remarked, eyeing the crystal clear water at the base of the falls.
The afternoon had turned very warm; in fact Snow could not remember a time in Storybrooke when the weather had been so nice. For as long as she could remember, the weather in the small town had been teetering on the edge of summer. She always believed that it was because the town was in New England, but now she realized it had been a part of the curse.
Impulsively, Charming took her hand and started to run down the slope of the riverbank towards the small pool. Before she realized what was happening he had stripped down to his boxer shorts and had plunged into the cool pool of water. He floated near the edge and gave her and inviting look.
"Are you just going to stand there or will you join me?" He grinned.
Snow didn't remember her husband being so impulsive.
David was impulsive. In fact, he was mostly driven by impulse. The impulse to be with her, the impulse to honor his supposed memories of Katherine, the impulse to call her in the middle of the day and seduce her into joining him for a riverside picnic. Maybe every aspect of David hadn't disappeared when the curse had been lifted. Clearly some of the positive aspects of the man she had loved for the past year remained. Only time would tell how they would integrate those aspects into their true selves. For the moment, she was enjoying seeing this impulsive, carefree side of her husband.
"If you do not join me in this water soon, I am going to feel a little foolish." He husband pouted.
There was the prudent man the whole kingdom loved.
"We simply cannot have Prince Charming looking foolish," She teased as she striped off her outer layers of clothing.
He started to laugh, "How did I get lucky enough to end up married to such a gorgeous woman, giving woman?"
She slipped into the water and wrapped her arms around his neck, "Luck had nothing to do with it; we have worked hard for what we have."
The water was warm and Snow let it was over her body and ease tension that she had not realized she was carrying. She adored her husband and she loved every minute of the time they had spent together. But, physically she was starting the feel the effects of making love in an alley and, repeatedly, on the cabin floor. From the look in his eyes, they were far from finished.
"How do you feel?" He asked as he messaged her shoulders.
"Free," was her simple answer as she leaned her head on his chest.
He raised a hand to caress her cheek and then ran it through her hair. A momentary look of longing flickered through his eyes.
"You haven't mentioned my hair." She stated.
"I've had a year to get used to it," He whispered.
"Is it something you had to get used to?" She was genuinely astonished.
"Not at all. You are beautiful, Snow because of who you are, regardless of how long or short you wear your hair. When I first met you it was after you had been hiding in the forest for months. Your appearance was hardly breathe-taking."
"Excuse me, what is that supposed to mean?" She was visibly irritated. Maybe the honeymoon was indeed over.
Was it his imagination, or was the water getting colder. Snow moved as far away from him as she could.
"This is not going well," He sighed.
She raised an eyebrow in irritation, "At least you noticed." She crossed her arms across her chest in a defensive stance.
"Let me put it this way. There have been times since I first laid eyes on you that you have been so breathtakingly beautiful that I can hardly believe that you are real."
He could see from the way that she relaxed that he had her attention.
"Go on," She prompted.
A few moments that spring instantly to mind are the way you looked on our wedding day. You literally glowed the entire 9 months you were pregnant with Emma, even when you were worried about the curse. You continually stole the breath from my body on our wedding night, and the morning after our wedding night," A smile crept across his face as he mentally reviewed those moments in his mind.
"You were pretty breathtaking on our wedding night as well," She admitted with a blush.
"Even the way you looked in the alley earlier today was simply stunning," He paused to think about that moment.
"Really you think I looked good in the alley?" She asked with a voice tinged with skepticism.
"Every time I look at you, I fall deeper and deeper in love," His voice held such emotion that he could hardly speak. "Not only because you are physically beautiful, but because you are the strongest, loving, most loyal, bad-ass, and sexy woman I have ever met and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have you in my life."
She had moved back closer to him, "You are probably right." She stated simply as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.
Before that could happen they heard rustling in the bushes and saw a raccoon running off with their clothes. Charming bounded out of the water and started to chase the critter, "Hey!" He yelled
It was the first time in a longtime that Snow had really gotten a good look at her husband by the light of day. For a man who had spent 28 years lying in a hospital bed, he was in incredible shape. She felt equally as lucky to have him in her life. She also realized how lucky they were to have these few hours to themselves.
They had never been swimming together in a river in their own realm. They had far too many responsibilities to indulge in such frivolous behavior. It was not so much that her husband saw himself in the role of "Prince Protector"; it was more like a big brother role for Prince James.
She suspected that they would soon find themselves overwhelmed with responsibility in this realm as well. When Charming had told Ella that he would speak with Thomas soon, Snow knew what he meant.
Sean and Ashley didn't have much and that wasn't going to change overnight just because the curse had been broken. Charming would see that they had anything that they needed. She wasn't sure how, but he would bend over backwards to make sure their friends had everything they needed.
She loved him for it, but sometimes it was hard to find alone time when they were taking care of everyone else.
Charming returned with a bundle that resembled her clothes and two blankets he had found in the truck. She regretfully noticed he had redressed. He wrapped her in one of the blanket so she could dry.
"I see you retrieved the stolen property?" She grinned at him.
"Yes and the raccoon apologized. He hadn't realized the clothing belonged to your majesty, since it lacked any royal refinement." His voice was serious.
"You conversed with a raccoon?" She asked with skepticism
"We understood each other well enough," He shrugged. His wife is about to give birth and he wanted to make her as comfortable as possible."
So, even the animals had been transported from their realm and her and Charming seemed to have the same connection to the woodland creatures as always.
"I promised him that we would leave him the blanket as soon as you were dry and dressed," Her husband assured her.
She stood on her toes and kissed him.
"What was that for?" He asked.
"For being such a wonderful and loving man and going out of your way to help a creature of the forest."
Charming had a serious look on his face, "I know what it feels like to be an expectant father. When you were giving birth to our daughter, I would have done anything to make you more comfortable."
Their daughter, they were both thinking about her.
On the way to the cabin Snow had called Emma and found out Henry was going to be fine. He would have to stay in the hospital overnight for observation. She knew that was an unnecessary precaution. Henry hadn't been the victim of a toxin; he had been struck by the sleeping curse. It was the same curse that afflicted her when she ate the apple poisoned by Regina. Emma's love had saved Henry, just as the kiss from her Prince had saved Snow White.
Henry would be fine and safe with Emma. Before they left the bridge, Snow placed the blanket and some food on a rock by the river and silently wished father raccoon the best of luck.
Charming opened the truck door for Snow. He was about to help her into the vehicle when they both saw something that made their blood run cold. Sitting on the seat was a bright red, gleaming apple.
Snow started to physically shake.
"I was just here a few minutes ago retrieving the blankets. That was not there!" He stated with disbelief in his voice.
"Regina is watching us," Snow said as her bottom lip began to quiver.
"Let her watch, in fact I hope she is still watching," He swore angrily as he turned his wife around so that she was facing him and away from the truck. He kissed her passionately, a long searing kiss that made it clear to anyone that might be spying them that love and happiness had prevailed. He wanted to make his beloved feel safe.
"I will not let Regina or anyone hurt us ever again." He vowed as he held her tightly against his chest
"How can we stop her?" She whispered. "When I was being held on suspicion of killing Katherine, Regina paid me a visit in my cell to gloat about the fact that she was finally going to be rid of me for good." She pulled back where she could see his face. He was shocked and he was angry.
"When was this and where was Emma at the time?" He asked. "Emma was supposed to be protecting you".
"It was right before they were scheduled to move me to the state prison. It was early in the morning and Emma hadn't arrived yet. I was alone and she was the mayor and she had access to everywhere. She was so angry and she was yelling at me about how I was going to get what I deserved."
Snow was shaking and sobbing and clinging to her husband for dear life.
"She will not be given the opportunity hurt us." He whispered into her hair.
Charming pulled back and picked up the apple and tossed it hard and far into the woods.
With controlled anger in his voice he yelled into the woods," Do you hear me, Regina? If you come near my family, that includes Snow, Emma or Henry, every again I will kill you!" He pulled his wife tightly against his chest again and took deep breath to try and let his anger subside.
"Would you really kill her?" Snow asked swallowing a sob.
"Yes," he replied with serious coldness in his voice.
"We have given her too many chances and she has failed to repent. She pilfered nearly 30 years of our lives from us. She robed us of the chance of watching our child grow up to be the wonderful woman she is today. We missed our first wedding anniversary. She has put us through the worst year of our lives these past 12 months. I will not let that slide." He was now shaking with anger.
"Vengeance is never the answer," Snow whispered.
"It is not vengeance I seek. Vengeance is repeatedly making a woman pay for something she did as an innocent child and not caring who else gets swept up in your tirade!"
"Was I so innocent?" She quietly asked.
"You were ten years old, Snow, of course you were innocent. Vengeance is the game of a coward and I am no coward. What I seek is justice!"
The anger in his voice had been replaced by strength and determination.
If she comes after my loved ones again, I will make sure it is the last thing she ever does. I will pulverize her" he promised.
The determination in his voice and the strength in his arms made Snow feel safe.
"If it is justice you seek, then we will find it together," She vowed with equal fortitude.
They both collapsed to the ground, still holding onto to each other tightly, "I really need to find my sword." He whispered.
He felt her relax in his arms and she let out a sound that was a cross between a laugh and sob.
They both looked towards the forest where the apple had landed and was now pulverized.
"I know you hate apples," Charming stated. "How do you feel about apple sauce?" He asked with a gleam in his eyes.
She gave him the smallest smile, "I think I could learn to like apple sauce."
They were both still shaking, but Snow had stopped sobbing.
"Do you want to call and check on Emma and Henry?" He asked.
"Yes." She answered as she took out her phone.
He kissed her long and hard and then held her other hand while she dialed.
"Good, because I don't think I am in any condition to drive right now," He said as he sat down on the hard ground."
Emma picked up on the first ring and he could hear her on the other end of the line.
"I am not supposed to be answering my phone in this room." Emma stated in a perturbed voice.
"Is everything alright there? Have you seen Regina?" Snow asked.
"Everything is fine. Henry is eating and he has already been up for a walk. Regina is banned from his room. If she tries to set one foot in here, I will kick her butt into the next county." She was clearly controlling her language in front of Henry. That made Snow smile.
"I already told you that I am staying here tonight," Emma continued." If you feel the need to check up on us again, text me! The phone line went dead
"I think Emma has the hospital situation under control." Snow stated with pride in her voice.
A small smile crossed Charming's face, "That girl is fierce." He remarked.
"I wonder who she gets that from?" They both said at the same moment.
"Are you alright?" He asked with great concern in his voice as he helped her to her feet.
"Talking to Emma helped," She admitted.
He still saw sadness in her eyes and it nearly broke his heart.
"Is this ever going to end?" Snow asked with tears in her eyes. "Will we ever escape from this shadow of evil?"
Charming used the pads of his thumbs to wipe her tears, "We already have. We are together and there is nothing Regina can do to separate us ever again. Revenge is a dish best served steaming hot and that is exactly what I am planning on serving up to our enemies. I love you, Snow, and celebrating our love is the best type of payback."
He helped her into the truck.
"I meant what I said. I will not tolerate any threats towards the safety or happiness of my family," He swore.
He started the truck and only looked back to make sure that no one was following them as they drove away. He thought maybe he saw something in the woods, a lingering darkness, but it might have been a trick of the light.
Snow rested her head on his shoulder and for the time being, they could believe that everything was perfect.
Next up: The animal shelter and Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop.