Author's Note: I still have no idea how long this will be anymore, I thought I had a plan, I do not.
Chapter Nineteen
Damn It Snow!
"Yes, yes I know, Mommy's going to make you dinner as soon as we're home," Regina tried to sooth a screaming Darien. Henry was sitting up front. Regina was sitting in the third row with Rowan at her insistence and because Xavieré and Lincoln started crying if they couldn't see her. And Darien well she no longer wanted snacks, she wanted food, and she didn't want a bottle to tie her over.
"Mami," Darien said reaching for her.
"Demi, you know I can't take you out in the car, it's not safe love," Regina tried to sooth. Darien tried to take off her seatbelt, but thankfully her hands were too little. Regina could even see her trying to attempt magic before giving a frustrated yell. Regina sighed and ended up leaning forward enough that Darien had a hold of her hand and this calmed her down enough that she could play the game of Rowan's tablet with her one handed.
"Oh, I thought she might never be quiet," Henry said exhausted.
"Blame Snow, she's restless, tired, and hasn't had a proper meal in her opinion in hours," Emma said. Regina gave her a small smile when their eyes met in the rearview mirror.
"Reg, we're approaching the town line, what's the game plan?"
"Uh we head for the loft I suppose, and hear what the hell is going on, and I'll call the council together to establish a game plan without Snow obviously. I hope the girls can just stay nearby with Kathryn and Belle. I'd send them home already, but pretty sure the girls will just pop back."
"We really gotta find a way to keep them home," Emma muttered.
"You true love babies are troublemakers," Regina said eying all four toddlers and Emma. Henry laughed.
"It's true, mom and I are the only ones not true love babies, and we're well behaved." Emma snorted.
"If Regina is well behaved then I grew up in the circus," Emma quipped.
"The way you act sometimes I believe you did dear," Regina teased. When they crossed the town line, Regina suddenly found herself putting out an unintentional fire on Rowan, and keeping Darien in her seat and strapped in.
"Are you guys all right?" Belle asked pulling up beside them when they had finally parked in front of the loft and Emma was rolling down windows letting out smoke.
"Yeah, just Rowan setting herself on fire with magic, but she's fine. "Emma said after looking back in the clearing smoke to confirm that. Regina coughed but gave her a thumbs up. She magicked herself and the girls out of the car. They coughed but took in deep breaths of clean air.
"Where's the flood?" Henry asked. As usual Storybrooke was pristine, and there were no signs of flood or giant damage or that chimera had been through.
"I swear she better not have lied," Emma said as Belle parked the car, and they got out as well.
"Ruby and I are going to go check out the diner," Granny said. "Yell if you need us, we'll hear." They waved them off.
"We'll stick around, you might need babysitters if you need to go looking for the chimera," Kathryn said.
"Well I actually want to see it if there is one," Belle blushed as they headed into the loft. Emma knocked before Snow finally answered the door and glared at them all except Regina, she gave a smile too. Regina rolled her eyes.
"Where's the emergencies?" Emma asked. "Everything looks fine."
"I don't know what you're talking about Emma, everything has been fine. We were joined by two Giants, but they're happy with jobs at the docks and live in the forest."
"You said magical portals opened and the giants that came through destroyed stuff, and a chimera followed," Emma said. "And you mentioned flooding."
"Yes, the apartment is flooding often in these rains, perhaps the mayor could do something about the sewage system in this building," Snow complained. "And I don't know where you got the idea there was a chimera."
"Damn it Snow! You ruined our vacation," Emma cried annoyed. "I endured unnecessary crying because the girls were not prepared to continue flying after eight hours and had already exhausted their entertainment."
"Emma it's not my fault you were unprepared, my children with Regina would never behave so."
"If my children weren't here," Regina said as she lifted Darien on one hip and the combination of Xavieré and Lincoln on the other and went back downstairs, halfway down Lincoln decided to separate, Regina just caught her with magic. Rowan didn't even bother asking about David or greeting Snow and she followed Regina, Kathryn, and Belle. Emma huffed.
"Don't contact us again," Emma said turning with Henry to leave. Snow shut the door. Belle and Kathryn took their leave shaking their heads as well. Emma filled in Ruby who had jogged back to help them go out into the forest if need be. Ruby didn't like the idea of babysitting inside of Storybrooke these days until they had the girls under control but promised Emma one night.
"Home finally," Henry said dropping his bag practically. He was exhausted as Regina looked. Emma didn't look much better, but still had more energy then Regina. Regina took the girls to the toilet immediately getting Xavieré and Lincoln to sit, but Darien she had to hold over the toilet because she didn't want to be put down. Regina got them all cleaned up and when she exited the bathroom, Rowan was there holding up a puzzle.
"No," Emma said coming back downstairs, they turned to look at her.
"You are off duty, Rowan, Regina is resting now, she will do the puzzle with you first when she's done resting all right?" Rowan shook her head.
"No, I want to play with Reggie," Rowan said.
"Mami," Darien whined as she signed for them to eat.
"Darien, Mommy isn't making dinner, I am," Emma said. Darien just looked at her and started howling. Henry chuckled. Emma pursed her lips at her daughter but did wrestle her from Regina's arms.
"Emma it's all right really I can do dinner," Regina said.
"No, upstairs now, I ran you a nice bath with wine, I will make dinner with Henry, but you are off duty until I say otherwise." Regina took more convincing, but she did go to enjoy her bath. Emma set her up with candles, bubbles, her book, and some music if she liked. She was just getting relaxed when Darien appeared in the tub with a splash wetting her book although Regina didn't care as she immediately dropped her book in the water. It was too high for Darien and she was already starting to drown. She was coughing and screaming in between coughs she was so freaked out.
"Oh, baby you can't do that, no more blindly transporting, you almost got hurt," Regina scolded even as she rubbed her back and got her out of the tub. When she exited the bathroom, Emma's silencing spell broke and she could hear her immediately coming up the stairs. Regina just sighed as Darien put herself in a nursing position for comfort. Emma entered and just sighed.
"Why is she soaked?" Emma asked.
"She appeared in the bath and nearly drowned," Regina said. Emma groaned as she adjusted Lincoln on her hip. She reached for Regina who ran a hand over Demi, so she was now in warm footie pajamas. When she was calm, she tried to give her back to Emma, but Darien used her magic to practically cling to Regina until Regina gave in. She ended up sitting on the sofa, doing a puzzle with Rowan who had been about to throw a tantrum when Emma insisted Regina at least sit on the couch in peace.
"No Darien, don't touch," Rowan told her upset. Darien cried and hit the table. She set the puzzle on fire.
"Darien Emma Mills!" Regina scolded as she removed the fire. "We do not set toys on fire just because you were asked not to touch something." Regina took her to the naughty step and that went over very badly for Darien. Regina fought with her for thirty minutes before she stayed her one minute and apologized to Rowan who had abandoned the puzzle and was howling that she wanted Regina. Emma just rubbed her head in the kitchen, all she wanted was for Regina to relax and there seemed to be a battle going down between Darien and Rowan.
"Rowan Bailey, don't you dare throw that fireball in this house at your niece!" Regina yelled. Then there was a cry.
"Darien Emma stop throwing fireballs at your Aunt!" Regina yelled.
"Stupid baby!" Rowan yelled at the same time as Regina.
"Jesus Christ!" Regina yelled as Emma just missed being hit by a stream of water shooting from the sink and heading into the living room. Henry just crawled in under the stream.
"What the fuck?" Emma asked looking at him wide eyed as he had ended up crouched too with Xavieré and Lincoln.
"It is a magical world war three in there," Henry said shaking a little. "The living room as we know it will not survive. Like mom just protected me." Emma noticed he was soaked, and his clothes were singed.
"Oh boy, at this rate, pretty sure your mother is going to run away after killing me," Emma whispered.
"Eh she might take you with her and I'll stuff myself in the trunk, but these true love babies are vicious, thankfully Xav and Linc aren't there yet." Suddenly the water stopped flowing but things were clearly still flying around in the living room. Regina appeared in a puff of purple smoke covered in soot and water.
"You just left them?" Emma asked as she finally stood back up.
"They're both behind shields so no more fireballs, but it hasn't stopped them from throwing objects across the room. I'm just going to let them tire themselves out. It is too late to be sensible about this. They're both in tantrum mode." Emma grabbed a towel from the laundry for both Henry and Regina.
"We need to control this," Emma said. Regina nodded.
"I'm going right now; the magic will wear off when they pass out from exhaustion. Or I do," Regina said with a shrug. "Anyway, call me when I'm one child down."
"Go after dinner," Emma said. "Thanks to the kids, it's once again blackened salmon." They stood around the island eating dinner with Xav and Lincoln eagerly digging in when Emma took away the burn bits.
"Oh, you remembered to put less milk," Regina noted. "Much better substitute." Emma beamed at her; it was high praise from Regina considered Emma had used frozen French fries again. "You know I think one side is actually blackened and the other side just slightly burnt."
"Oooh Mom, another few tries, and you might actually achieve a perfectly blackened salmon," Henry laughed. Emma and Regina chuckled too. They finished dinner and Henry decided to accompany Regina to the vault. They searched through several books before Regina found a spell and potion combination that would hopefully help them. She brewed the potion with Henry's help before they returned home to Emma rocking the girls to sleep. Rowan and Darien were passed out in their own rooms exhausted. The living room was destroyed including Henry's xbox and games.
"We'll replace it all tomorrow honey," Regina told him as they all went upstairs.
"What did you find?" Emma asked.
"A spell and potion combination. Once you have them both down, we'll do it together." Emma nodded. Once their youngest were tucked in and they'd said goodnight to Henry, they went outside. Regina took a hair from herself and Emma.
"Strongest magic of all is true love," Regina said as the potion glowed. Emma nodded. Regina spread the potion around the house before her and Emma performed the spell together.
"Now we control the use of magic in this house, no one can do it without express permission every time," Regina said.
"I hope so the last spell turned out to be useless," Emma said.
"No, I feel it this time, don't you feel it take a moment, close your eyes, and just feel for your own magic, and then your connections. Let your magic lead the way. Deep, steady breaths, that's right."
"Oh, I feel it you're right." Emma smiled as they went back in. "This just made today worth it." Regina nodded and suddenly squealed a bit as Emma picked her up by her hips, so she was carrying her. Regina put her arms around her neck automatically. "You're the smartest woman I know, and you know what since they can't pop into our room now, I'm gonna make love to you in our bed for the first time."
"Oooh sounds wonderful dear, I can't wait," Regina said as they made it up the stairs, into their room, and shut the door. Regina made sure none of the children would be woken up by her being loud or Emma for that matter. They were kissing when their doorbell rang.
"Who the fuck is here so late?" Emma grumbled as babies started crying. Regina went to get the door and Emma to the girls. When Regina opened the door, she was a little startled to see two giants ruining her front lawn.
"Uh sorry for the mess, but we were told the mayor was back and you're like the Queen. Snow insisted we come immediately so no bad blood was between us."
"Damn it Snow," Regina thought pinching the bridge of her nose. Out loud she said, "Oh, she did now." The giant nodded.
"Oh my God this is so cool!" Henry exclaimed from his window.
"Well you are most welcome here in Storybrooke if you like I think I have a potion that might be able to scale you down to size most days," Regina told them.
"That would be nice between work hours, at the docks are size really works for us." Regina nodded in understanding.
"I can make you a few to use throughout the month as you please." This was very agreeable with them before they took their leave trying to walk carefully on the asphalt. Snow somehow managed to have an accident so late and demand the Sheriff's office fix the breaks in the asphalt immediately.
"I'll go, your magic just isn't good with detail just yet in some respects," Regina told her. Emma nodded.
"Can't say I'm not grateful, I really didn't want to attempt anymore magic."
"Or it could be a lesson," Henry put in. Emma glared at her son.
"Yes, not like anyone is going to sleep for now anyway, a walk might help," Regina agreed. They got all three younger girls in a stroller for three. Rowan was glued to her hip and Henry between them taking photos for first nighttime walk, and they hadn't the heart to tell him it was anyone's first night walk and thinking a restaging was necessary for first tantrum and sibling fight.
"Mami," Darien cried reaching for her.
"No, Mami has to do big magic right now, you need to stay in your stroller," Regina told her. Darien whined some more, and Regina bent down to her level and spoke in Spanish to her making sure to also sign as she gave her some comfort. A few kisses later and Darien was placated for the moment as Regina led Emma in fixing the streets one giant footprint at a time until they reached the forest edge. It took most of the night, and the kids were knocked out. Henry was even carried back over Emma's shoulder while Regina got Rowan and controlled the stroller.
"Seriously hate I don't have enough energy to accurately transport us home," Regina grumbled.
"I feel you, what happened to our reserves," Emma grumbled.
"Nonexistent when you're already tired," Regina said. "We're not at peak, imagine if we had finished our vacation on time and had a smooth flight back." Emma nodded. They made it back home just as the sun peaked over the horizon. They got everyone to bed and then themselves after showering.
"Text the pup and make sure she comes to check on the kids, just in case we deep sleep," Regina murmured. Emma just barely managed to do that before she passed out. They only managed to sleep about thirty minutes before there was a loud alarm going off through the town.
"What the hell," Regina muttered. She felt like she had been seeped in quicksand her limbs were so heavy. Her phone was going off, Emma's phone was going off. Regina found out that the council had decided to install an alarm while their resident magic users were gone. There was something happening at the docks.
"You go to the docks with Ruby and please be careful, don't even bother with your magic, your goal is to see what is happening and report until I can get a potion to temporarily give us strength but then we have to sleep." Emma nodded. Regina got the kids in the car and the hospital seemed to be the designated place to meet, but she went to the cemetery first and restored her strength and she cringed at the thought but took enough to give Rowan and Darien a second wind if necessary as well as Emma. They went to the hospital, where they were given a room to share as priority before she met with the council.
"Girls, I need you to be one today," Regina said. "It's safer for us." Xavieré and Lincoln did so, and Regina lifted them onto her hip much to Darien's displeasure, but she hung onto her leg.
"So, what's been really happening while I was away?" Regina asked. They told her how magical portals had appeared. First it was a stream of birds, so big deal, not too many, and it was cute. Marco built bird houses for people's gardens and the school. It was a nice addition to the town. Next came the giants, they had all run-in fear, but they'd been completely docile after speaking with Snow and they found jobs at the docks and a home in the forests. Next came the flood from a magical portal, the water was gone in a day and didn't even inconvenience anyone.
"And now something is happening over the docks," They shrugged. "Fisherman didn't say what or wait for anything to come out, they just ran to be safe." Regina nodded as her phone rang. It was Emma.
"So, Hook is back," Emma said.
"He was gone?" Regina asked.
"I guess so, yeah, I forgot, anyway he still thinks we're in a relationship even though we were never actually in a relationship," Emma told her.
"I'll kill him," Regina replied.
"No, I'm sure we can just set him straight, anyway, he brought back a few people with, and I don't really know where he's been or want to let people off board before I know. They look Enchanted Forest types, so you should get down here."
"Take them all to the diner, Granny will be there, she'll get a hot meal going for them and we can sort everyone out there, I'd rather not be anywhere near his ship in case I catch something," Regina frowned.
"Very well, sounds good." Emma hung up and so did Regina she turned to the council.
"It seems all is well. Captain Hook has returned with refugees, Granny if you could get them a hot meal that would be great, and as soon as I settle the kids, I will be there to help sort them out. The rest of the council, please inform and the rest of the population to return to business as usual and that Granny's is closed while I figure out who our new arrivals are. If for some reason, they may be related to these people I will inform them." They nodded and took their leave. Regina found Kathryn and Belle who agreed to take the kids home. Henry got the pleasure of accompanying her, and he made sure to stick his tongue out at his sisters and Aunt who glared at him.
"Were you being a little turd of a big brother?" Regina asked him in the elevator. Henry grinned.
"I was, they're old enough to take it now," Henry laughed. Regina chuckled as well.
"Just don't push them to tantrums, my ears can't take it." He nodded. "Also why are we taking the elevator, I gave the keys to Kathryn and Belle." Regina rolled her eyes at herself, grabbed Henry, and disappeared just as the elevator dinged onto the first floor. When they reappeared, they were just outside of Granny's.
"Oh boy maybe I got the short end of the stick," Henry said pinching his nose at the smell.
"Yes, well that's what happens when you're on Hook's ship for weeks, I had to wash ten times before the smell was off me and then drown myself nearly in perfume," Regina said.
"We're so never getting on his ship again unless we are desperate," Henry said. Regina nodded. "Those poor people must have been so desperate to get on it."
"I couldn't agree more," Regina said as they walked in. The bell dinged they all turned, started screaming when they saw her as they pressed back against the walls, someone picked up a butter knife and held it out at her threateningly.
"Whoa what is going on here, what are you doing?" Emma asked. She took the butter knife from the guy.
"It's the… the…Evi..vill…Evil Q..Q..QQQ…Qu..Que…Queen," He got out .
"No, that's the mayor here, and she's no longer the Evil Queen," Emma snapped.
"Emma calm down, they have every right to be reasonably afraid," Regina told her. Her eyes settled on a girl with a pie of all things. Regina frowned and looked closer at the pie at the finger hole. "Wait I recognize you, you all should be dead." They gave a cry of distress.
"Regina really," Emma said.
"No, I mean, sorry I'm not going to kill you now, but I'm pretty sure I did kill you before. Where did he say he got them?" Regina asked frowning.
"The Enchanted Forest, I mean they were being chased by some guards in black, did you know the Enchanted Forest has got a new start, everything is so busy, almost can't believe you took so many people away in your curse, your majesty," Hook sneered.
"You idiot, you brought them from the past," Regina cringed. "What else did you bring from the past?"
"No, I wasn't in the past I don't think," Hook shrugged.
"Okay how did you get back to the Enchanted Forest, start with that," Regina said.
"He shrugged, I was exploring this land kind of, people thought I was entertainment can you believe it. Anyway, I was out running this world's guard, and I just shot into a portal as I was coming back into Storybrooke waters. That was like two days ago by my account.
"These poor people smell like they've been trapped on your ship for weeks," Henry said.
"No three days at best." Henry looked horrified.
"I'm going to go buy everyone some toiletries, how many people are there," Henry said.
"One hundred," Emma said as Regina's wallet appeared and she handed it over to Henry. The people gasped at the use of magic. Henry left.
"All right, listen up," Regina said. Every single one of them was paying close attention. "You will not be put to death by me, you are fully pardoned of any perceived crimes, please take a seat and Granny will serve you food and refreshments. Emma will take the name down of any of your relatives, that might be here, and we will hopefully get you set up with family who can explain everything to you. Snow is not a fugitive exactly so you may interact with her, but she has been mentally ill for quite some time by turning herself into a child for me to be her mother, to claiming to be my true love and I'm sure we can all agree that, that is outrageous."
"Yes, my Queen," They said.
"Mayor Mills is fine here, but to be clear, you don't try to harm me or my family, I don't try to harm you anymore. Understood?"
"Yes, mayor Mills," They replied. They all sat wearily once Regina did, and Granny started bringing out bowls of stew and bread which they dug into.
"I'll pay for what they eat as soon as Henry gets back, in the meantime can set them up with rooms here at the inn if they don't have family or friends to take them?" Regina asked. Granny nodded. "I'll take care of the bill for that too." Emma went around from table to table for names of anyone they thought they knew. Regina made several phone calls as Henry came back in and started distributing bags with the dwarf from the pharmacy. Regina let in five family or friends at a time to a person after they had eaten their fill. She made sure to record the locations of everyone so she could give them real world identities.
"So, is this going to affect our world, I mean you killed off an entire village, how would this change the past?" Emma asked.
"Well if I remember correctly this really made Snow fight with me or deem me beyond redemption." Regina went over to the left-over pie and inspected it. "This was blueberry, now it's raspberry or strawberry?"
"Raspberry," Granny confirmed touching her nose. "Or it was." Regina nodded.
"Perhaps you weren't exactly in the past at all, but an alternate reality, for instance, that village was in the middle of a forest, how did you get them all to the Jolly Rodger safely?" Hook shrugged.
"Their village was on the sea," He said.
"Oh well thank God for that, that means we didn't change our pasts," Emma said wiping her forehead. "I was definitely going to start panicking." Regina nodded.
"Very well, and to get back here, how did you manage that?" Regina asked Hook. He shrugged.
"Another portal opened up for me," he shrugged. Regina sighed and rolled her eyes.
"It seems we do have a magical emergency after all, hopefully we can pinpoint soon the reason for these portals. Just to be safe don't take your ship out again," Regina told Hook before stalking out after waving her hand to clean up Granny's. Henry and Emma followed.
"Wait, Swan where are you going, I just got back," He grinned grabbing her arm.
"Uh yeah so, don't you want to go take a bath or something," Emma said freeing her arm and leaving. Hook frowned.
"Fine, I'll cleanup for you Swan." Ruby and Granny shook their heads at him as he left out.
"That guy's delusional," Ruby told Granny.
"Ugh, all right time for some sleep," Regina grumbled as she walked up the drive, she had visited everyone and given them new identities without truly cursing them allowing them to integrate into life better. They'd been up three days straight well at least her and Emma as new people who had died under her reign came in. The only one furious was Snow as Regina was able to work the curse magic to expand their borders as it was always built to accommodate the residents. Even some of her old guards who had been presumed dead. Regina didn't know how to stop these portals and neither did Gold, who was not enjoying this at all, he had gotten into several fights lately of people attacking him apparently some people he had killed had come back as well. It was all odd.
"Die witch!" Someone yelled. Regina turned in time to be hit by a Molotov cocktail. Her magic flared to protect her thankfully fire really was her thing and aside from singed clothing she was all right.
"Mami!" Regina saw a tiny puff of red smoke as she cleared the fire and fireballs being thrown at figures in black. Just as Regina controlled the fire so her daughter didn't accidentally kill anyone protecting her, she lifted her up and wrapped them in vines just as the front door opened.
"Oh, for fuck's sake don't tell me she broke the spell," Ruby said running out.
"No, sorry with so many people Emma and I built in a safeguard so that if danger breeched the house or something, they would be able to protect themselves." Ruby nodded as she took Darien so Regina could handle the attackers, she took their hearts without a second thought as she unmasked them. All new arrivals, some of whom she hadn't personally met and apologized too.
"As soon as I know it's safe to kill you, I will," She told them as their hearts disappeared into her infamous cases. Sirens were heard and Emma arrived. She saw the evidence from the Molotov cocktails and freaked. Regina could see it in her face.
"We're all safe," Regina told her. "Please arrest them. I took their hearts." Emma nodded.
"You are nothing but the Evil Queen's dog," They told Emma. She ignored them.
"And you three just attempted murder at the Sheriff and Mayor's house, you won't see the light of day." Emma put them in the car and left after one last check to Regina and Darien. Mulan collected evidence and left as well with Emma. Regina went inside and was grateful to see plenty of food from Granny's.
"Granny said you'd be too tired," Ruby said. "Anyway, no more new arrivals today, no more sightings of anymore magical portals. So far, no duplicates of any of the original residents, and original residents report that there are no significant changes in their friends or family members exception locations perhaps. You're still the Evil Queen, Snow is still the Princess or fugitive rather." Regina nodded as she got Darien to go back to her sisters while she changed. "If you want it might be safe to sleep." Regina nodded.
"I will discuss it with Emma, we might take it in turns," Regina said. Ruby nodded.
"Either way I am here to protect and so is Kathryn, she's polishing her golden mace while she threatens her new interns." Regina chuckled as she went up the stairs. She checked on Henry who had fallen asleep doing his homework, she transferred him to the bed and tucked him in gently. Rowan was eager to see her and sat on the toilet swinging her legs while she talked about her day and Regina showered. She sent her clothes in an evidence bag to Emma. Regina waited until she was finished before they went back downstairs and properly greeted the girls now that she wasn't covered in whatever was in the cocktail. They gave her huge smiles and lots of kisses which she returned.
"Where's Hen thought he'd be down by now," Ruby said.
"Fell asleep on his homework so I just let him sleep," Regina replied as Ruby joined her on the floor.
"All right, well better not said in front of him, he doesn't say but I know it upsets him that you're all estranged from Snow and David. It pains him every time she acts out."
"Speaking of her acting out, you think she'll stir the new population into revolting. By now all the original residents are used to the good life, but the newer ones, they don't truly know better yet not to let her take them back to that here. For lack of a better word their ignorance may be detrimental to my career and safety." Ruby looked thoughtful.
"That's kind of what I wanted to say, despite everything you've actually made a good impression on more than half of the new residents, and Snow is not happy."
"When is she ever happy?" Regina asked.
"True, but she's been particularly displeased whenever she sees you greet a new citizen or shakes hands. Almost like something isn't going according to plan."
"Yes, she saw an opportunity and it's not going to plan if I make friends, it's enough to make the difference for her," Regina shrugged.
"Yeeeah, but it feels like more, I am just saying," Ruby said.
"Well as long as fucking Leopold doesn't walk out then whatever," Regina shrugged.
"Honestly I'm terrified he will," Ruby said. Regina looked at her more seriously with a frown not paying attention to the car Xavieré was showing her.
"Why?" Regina asked.
"You have noticed that it is particularly people you killed or even a few from Gold?" Ruby asked. Regina nodded.
"More than anyone I suspect," Regina said. "I'm kind of surprised Emma hasn't made our relationship platonic, and Henry isn't denouncing me."
"That's because they know who you are now, and see you making an effort to make amends by using your money to get them established and giving them solid jobs in town with background to get by in and survive," Ruby said. "In any case I've noticed that it starts at this village, but the people are coming earlier from in your reign as Queen in their world." Regina sighed hard.
"I swear if Leopold shows up, I'm gutting him myself this time without a second thought," Regina murmured.
"Was he really all that bad?" Ruby asked. "I never met him, but Snow says he was wonderful."
"Ruby if he were alive and found out Snow had befriended you; he would have had you discreetly killed and pretended to her as if you had run away. He outlawed your kind, Granny was too old to change and flew under the radar, but she protected you fiercely. He treated Snow very well that is true, but others he had little respect for least of all me and I was his Queen. I can't repeat right now everything that occurred to me."
"Can you show me?" Ruby asked. "I'd like to see for myself and try to make sense of it." Regina frowned but nodded. She showed her how he treated Snow, versus how he treated subjects, and finally her. She mostly showed Imogene it was it's own powerful statement. She thought about talking about Xavier, but that one was too much. She broke the connection with Ruby who was crying, and she was crying.
"Mami no cry," Darien said wiping her tears and giving her kisses. Regina couldn't help but smile as Darien tried to pepper her with kisses like she did to Darien when she was sad.
"Thank you, mi Amor, Mami feels better now," Regina told her. Satisfied Darien stopped her kissing but did give Regina a hug.
"He did that to him," Ruby whispered. Regina's head snapped back to her.
"You weren't supposed to see that," Regina replied.
"But I did, and I am so sorry that happened to you, Regina." They hugged and Regina waved her off.
"We'll be on the lookout, and I promise to rip him apart too." Regina gave her a small smile. Once Henry was up, they had dinner and played on his xbox, a little magic made her toddlers think they were shooting too. Rowan kept dying all over the place to her annoyance. She threw down the controller and took herself to a corner and huffed with her back to them. Regina ignored her silent tantrum.
"Is that why my controller has bite marks?" Henry asked looking at Xavieré and Lincoln who looked at him innocently as they chewed on their controllers. "Stinkers." Lincoln gave him a big smile and went to sit in his lap. He tried to act like this was such an inconvenience, but Regina noted the way he held her close and gave her kisses. Lincoln was in big brother heaven. Xavieré eventually got jealous as well as Darien.
"And time for bed," Regina announced. They whined. "Nope it's already late." She took them upstairs one at a time so they each got one on one time with her and nursed to sleep after she changed them. Rowan was trying hard to fight it.
"But Reggie, I have to wait for Emma," Rowan complained. "She didn't say goodnight."
"You know Emma will come in and give you a kiss goodnight as soon as she's home, Row, now come on let's read our story." Rowan proudly stayed up through the story, but when Regina rubbed her back while her head was in her lap, and sang a song, she lost the battle quickly to. Regina got her all tucked in and went back downstairs she ate some more while Henry and she talked about his day, and she talked about hers, but mostly she warned him because of the attack.
"You really weren't hurt?" Henry asked. Regina nodded.
"Yes, thankfully fire is my element really, and I built fire protection around myself a long time ago, so I always have time if the fire isn't my own so to speak." Henry nodded as he hugged her.
"I'm glad you're all right and I will be careful, I promise," Henry said. Regina kissed his forehead before they got back to their racing game and competitively trying hard to mess up the other. They were giggling when Emma came in exhausted. She came over immediately making Regina crash as she gave her a hug and looked her over for wounds. Henry giggled.
"Thanks Ma!" Henry said as he won. Regina glared at him over Emma's head and stuck her tongue out.
"Kid, tell me did your mom heal herself was she hurt?" Emma asked. Regina looked at her slightly open mouthed.
"Well I never…" Regina said before huffing. "I'd tell you if I was hurt you know."
"Nope not if you thought you could hide it," Emma said. "So, kid?"
"She's all right I didn't see she was hurt, but I didn't see the attack, you'll have to ask Ruby to be sure." Regina rolled her eyes.
"I was not hurt truly," Regina told Emma looking her in the eye. "I was fine because I have fire protections, I do play with fire, and I had already contained the fire when Darien came out on her own determined to protect me."
"Oh, my poor baby saw that," Emma said sadly.
"She was waiting for me to come home and was at the window," Regina said frowning. "Unfortunately, she is your kid and just jumps into danger without thinking." Emma blushed and grinned.
"Yeah that's all me, sorry," She said. Henry chuckled.
"So, even though it's calm I thought we'd better take it in turns to sleep just in case, but we can't keep this up," Regina said. Emma nodded. "Once we go down, we aren't getting back up for at least three days."
"Oh God, that's so long, anything could happen," Emma groaned. "Uh let's see you sleep first then, you'll knowledgeable and powerful so you should get back to full strength first. Or we have Ruby and Granny watch over us both and hit us with the strength potion if an emergency occurs. Although that might put us out a few days longer after the fact."
"No, let's not risk that, we'll take it in turns," Emma said.
"Okay then you should maybe sleep first, I should be honest with you and tell you, you look like hell," Regina told her. "H enry doesn't have school tomorrow; we'll play video games and I don't know."
"No, no I can stay up, really you are so much more important since you've been giving out cursed identities crime has gone back down again except for this incident as there remain a few who refuse to meet with you," Emma groaned. "I need to be awake to protect us."
"Only if your sure, you really can't fall asleep until I wake up again, and you have to take little sips of the strengthening potion to get you through the day."
"I can do it I promise," Emma said. Regina nodded.
"All right well let's both play with Henry some more then I'll take a bath to relax and head to bed." Emma nodded. Henry handed Emma the third controller. Emma was clearly exhausted though they both realized.
"I'm going to go get my bath, maybe she'll let herself fall asleep if I am not here," Regina said as Emma dozed and jolted awake to keep playing a game that wasn't really going. Henry nodded to her and pretended to keep playing with Emma, but not really stopping her from dozing.
"I'm going to go pee Ma," Henry said. Emma nodded with a yawn. She felt herself dozing for the umpteenth time as she groggily struggled to her feet and shuffled to the kitchen where she found coffee waiting for her, it was a constant thing in their house around the clock. Once she had her mug, she waved her hand for the strengthening potion. And immediately wished she had just walked to get it from the place Regina hid it. She popped the cork as her eyes watered and she yawned. She didn't notice how much she had put it in her coffee before she chugged the entire thing. Her eyes shot open wide awake more than she thought possible, as her fingers were sparking, a large spark destroyed Regina's marble countertops.
"Shit!" Emma yelled. "Regina!" Henry reached her first and gasped as he ducked after a large spark went towards him.
"Mom!" Henry yelled running out. Regina meanwhile groaned just as her bath finished filling and babies called for her as well. She turned off the water and went downstairs first. The girls would settle themselves for now, she hoped. Once she was downstairs, she saw the terrified look on Henry's face.
"Ma's gone electric in the kitchen." Regina headed into the kitchen and was hit immediately, but unharmed, it was just magical energy looking for a place, she absorbed it but her kitchen not so much.
"Emma, what did you do?" Regina asked as a scared looking Emma thought she had fried her future wife.
"Me you, your potion is stronger than you thought!" Emma yelled. Regina took another hit as it was charging her magical stores and went to the counter. She looked at the potion bottle and found that Emma had taken nearly all over it except a few drops.
"I told you to sip, and only during the day," Regina told her holding it up.
"I was falling asleep I only meant to have a sip in my coffee," Emma whined. "Please just tell me what to do." Regina moved around the island and took Emma in her arms despite her trying hard to protect Regina from herself.
"It doesn't hurt me, look at me." Emma did. "It's just extra magical energy, just focus on transferring it to me. My reserves are so low I can take it but stop when you fill normal again okay." Emma nodded. Regina kissed her gently. "You'll be okay, I'll be okay, my kitchen will not be okay." Emma nodded and melted into her arms with a chuckle. She concentrated on feeding Regina the magic and charging her and making her magic refreshed.
"Uh Emma stop now," Regina said biting her lip for two reasons, one she could feel Emma getting back to normal, but two she was going to cause a magic induced orgasm through their true love connection. Emma didn't stop however and all she could think was that mentally she did not want a baby because this felt so good, she was sure Emma would unintentionally knock her up. It took all her will power to hold in the moan that wanted to escape her and turn her face away from Henry when he had walked in to see if everything was all right now in the quiet. She let out a long breath as Emma's knees went weak, but she held her up.
"Heh, I'm gonna remember this," Emma said before passing out in her arms. Regina couldn't help but chuckle at her fiancé she was such an idiot sometimes, but she was always going to be her idiot.
"Ma?" Henry asked worried.
"She's fine, Henry," Regina said. "She's just exhausted like I said, she drank all of the potion, because she was so tired, she didn't realize how much she had poured." Regina bent down and gently lifted Emma and made sure her head was on her shoulder. Mentally she thought to herself this was a terrible idea, and had better not walk them to their bedroom, but go by magic.
"Is she really, it broke the kitchen," Henry said.
"Hmm…it was just extra magic, now she's charged me like a battery, so now only Emma has to sleep a long time, I told her she'd crash right away." Henry nodded and wasn't satisfied until Emma was tucked in bed in her favorite pajamas. She managed to resettle the girls after they were all able to give Emma a kiss especially Rowan who had been upset Emma hadn't come to say goodnight. Once Regina had everyone except Lincoln back down, she let her lay on her while she played more video games with Henry again because she was so wired. When she got tired, she declared they should all get some rest.
"Will you wake up?" Henry asked. Regina nodded.
"Thanks to your mother, my magic shouldn't keep me sleeping longer, although my body might complain about not sleeping in tomorrow." They both laughed knowing Regina did love to sleep in and hadn't managed that in almost two years. She kissed him goodnight and tucked him in at his request. Regina let the water out of the bathtub convinced it was grounds for an accident. She used the baby monitor to check on her girls as she got settled into bed. Rowan was knocked out like her sister, in the same exact position.
Regina took a photo of her and would pair it next to Emma for Rowan's childhood photo album. She really liked to be compared to Emma even if she was all about matching Regina because she was the more feminine one in Rowan's opinion. Regina figured it was because there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Emma was a girl. Next she checked Darien who wasn't in her bed. Alarmed Regina sat back up and scanned her bedroom, before she switched to Xavieré and Lincoln's room to make sure they were there. She hoped they weren't playing hide and seek; she hadn't noticed their spell was down because of their weakness. She gave a sigh of relief when she found her daughter standing on a chair in the twin's room pulling them out of their crib. They had refused to sleep separately when they stayed in their room.
"Little shit," Regina said getting back out of bed, and going through the bathroom and to the doorway of the girls' room. She just shook her head as she watched them all get out of the crib safely.
"Darien Emma, Xavieré Reina, and Lincoln Alice, what are you three doing?" Regina asked them sternly. Regina had to contain her laughter as they all jumped even as they all smiled at her. "You three are supposed to be sleeping."
"Play Mami peese," Darien said rubbing her hand over her chest.
"No, cariño, todos necesitan descansar," Regina replied as she bent down to their level. They pouted and signed play but she shook her head no. She lifted each twin individually and gave them cuddles before tucking them both in next to each other. Then she sat in the rocking chair with Darien and read them all a story. The girls listened and were lulled to sleep as she made them feel the rocking she was doing in the chair and Darien also passed out too. She took her back to her room and tucked her in. She finally got to bed and snuggled up to Emma.
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