Deep in December it's nice to remember
Although you know the snow will follow.
Deep in December it's nice to remember
Without a hurt the heart is hollow.
("Try to Remember," The Fantasticks)
Chapter 11: Prince Charming
It was three days before we could get to Storybrooke as it took some time for the snow plows to clear all the snow. Robin and I sent Roland off to school and Karen agreed to watch the girls for us. We then climbed into the car and he drove us to Storybrooke, his bow and quiver in the backseat.
We decided to park a couple blocks away from the hospital to avoid any run-ins with his father or the Sheriff. I held his hand as we entered, approached the serious nurse still sitting at reception. "We'd like to see John Doe, please," I said.
"And you are?" she asked, staring up at us with a bored expression on her face.
"They're friends," John called out, hurrying toward reception. "I can bring them up."
The nurse nodded before turning back to her newspaper. Robin and I hurried toward our friend. "Thank you so much," I told him.
"You're welcome. I'm sure John Doe's actually been asking to meet you. And he's been demanding to see Mary Margaret, though he calls her Snow for some reason. Oh, and he insists he go by Charming. Odd." John shook his head, chuckling.
I took Robin's hand and gave it a squeeze, hope blossoming in my chest. Charming did have his memories.
"Has the mayor been in to see him?" I asked.
"She tried but he absolutely refused to see her. I never saw such violent reaction. I thought he wanted to kill her. He kept yelling that she did something to him, his wife Snow and their daughter. We had to restrain him and sedate him. Dr. Whale made the decision not to let Mayor West in there after that." John held the elevator door open so we could get off.
I dragged Robin down to the room they kept Charming in, relieved to find him still in his bed. The doors opened and I hurried to his side. "Charming!"
"Regina!" His eyes lit up when he saw me before widening when he saw who was with me. "Robin?"
"Charming." Robin wrapped his arm around me, fingers ghosting over my hip. He grinned at our friend. "It's good to see you too."
Charming sat up, still looking amazed. "I don't get it. How are you with Regina?"
"Seems we have a pixie godmother looking out for us. She used pixie dust to keep Roland and me from falling into the curse," Robin explained.
"Thankfully we found each other quickly and have been together ever since," I finished, leaning against him.
Our friend smiled at us before it fell, concern and panic filling his eyes. "Emma. Where is she? Did she make it through?"
I took his hand in mine and smiled. "Yes. I found her only a couple hours after I got back. There was some legal wrangling but Robin and I were ultimately able to adopt her. She's with us, safe and happy."
"Good," he said, relieved. He squeezed my hand. "I knew we could rely on you and Robin."
"How are you?" Robin asked.
Charming sighed. "As well as I can be, I guess. It's not much fun being the only non-cursed person in this place. Every day, Snow comes to visit but she's not my wife. All I want to do is kiss her, hold her and tell her I love her…but I can't."
I rubbed his hand. "I know. We know. All our friends…and we have to pretend we're almost complete strangers."
"But many of them count you as a friend," he said. "Snow told me all about you after I woke up. I tried to tell her you were our dearest friends but she thought it was just my dreams from the coma."
"John told us the Queen came to see you," Robin said, pulling over the chairs in the room for us to sit by the bed.
Charming made a face. "I didn't think she'd be here."
"Neither did she," I said. "It seems the Dark One left that out when he told her about the Dark Curse."
"She has her memories?"
I nodded. "So does the Dark One."
"Wonderful," he sighed. "We'll never be free of them. Is he mad he's here too?"
"No. I think he wanted to come here. Belle once mentioned something about a son…" I trailed off, not sure where I wanted to go with that.
He nodded. "We've all heard mention of a son. Blue thinks he was able to get a magic bean and leave the Enchanted Forest years ago, but we don't know where he went."
"He might be here in the Land Without Magic. The Dark One wants me to break the curse. So does Zelena."
"That's interesting," Charming replied, raising his eyebrow. "Why?"
"She wants to go back to the Enchanted Forest," Robin said. "She thinks breaking the curse will do that."
The prince frowned, looking pensive. "Will it?"
I shrugged. "I don't really know. But I think she wants to go back and leave the rest of us here."
"Of course," he said. "She expects everything to obey her. It doesn't work like that."
"We know that. Zelena…not so much." Robin scowled as he crossed his arms.
Charming sighed before fidgeting with his blanket. "Part of me wants you to keep Emma far away but the other part of me wants to see her…"
"Understandable," I said. "We've brought her here to Storybrooke already. She stayed at Snow's with Granny, but I think we can bring her to the hospital."
"Really?" His blue eyes lit up as he beamed at us. "Thank you."
"You're her father and you nearly died to save her. You deserve to spend time with her," Robin replied.
A knot formed in my stomach as I waited for Charming's inevitable request. He was Emma's father and also deserved to be so to her. Yet Robin and I couldn't just hand her over. Besides the legal ramifications, it would be too confusing for Emma and heartbreaking for the two of us.
Charming took my hand. "Thank you. I feel better knowing Emma is safe with you two and that I'll get to see her."
I forced myself to smile as I changed the subject. "So, is there anything else we can bring you to make your stay here more pleasant?"
A few days later, Robin and I drove back to Storybrooke. This time Emma was with us, sitting in her car seat and babbling as she enjoyed having us to herself.
"Do you think this will be confusing for her?" I asked Robin as I watched Emma kick her feet.
He shrugged. "I don't know. We'll have to see when we get there."
"Do you think Charming will want to keep her?"
"Probably not now. They still won't release him from the hospital," Robin pointed out. "He can't keep her there."
I nodded. "Good point. It still doesn't solve our problem though."
He sighed. "I know. We're going to have a serious and painful conversation with Charming soon."
Not too soon, I hoped as I played with Emma's foot. She laughed before chewing on Princess Bear's ear. I couldn't imagine my life without this beautiful girl in it every day. We had to work out something, for all our sakes.
Robin parked the car a couple blocks from the hospital again and we climbed out. I unbuckled Emma and lifted her from her car seat, holding her close. "Are you ready to visit a friend, Emma?"
Yes! She clapped her hands though the sound was muted by her little pink mittens. I kissed her forehead.
Wrapping his arm around us, Robin hurried us across the street before a car could come. He kept a good hold on us as we entered the hospital, his eyes searching for someone who might mean me or Emma harm.
The nurse didn't smile but her eyes were softer as we entered. "Going to see John Doe again?"
"Yes," I said. "Do we need to sign in?"
She nodded, pushing the clipboard toward us. "I'm sure you know what floor it is by now."
I confirmed that we did before thanking her. Holding Emma closer, I hurried over to the elevators with Robin at my heels. We climbed in and sighed in relief as the doors closed. "So far, so good," I said.
"Let's hope our luck holds," he replied.
The doors opened and we stepped onto Charming's floor. We waved to Ilsa, who smiled at us before cooing at Emma. She let us into the room, cheerfully telling Charming he had visitors.
He sat up, his eyes lighting up when he saw Emma in my arms. Tears filled them and once Ilsa left, he said: "She's so beautiful."
"Yes, she is," I replied, holding her as Robin took off her winter gear. I had dressed her in a white long sleeved onesie with pink hearts and little pink overalls. She looked absolutely adorable as I set her down on the bed.
Father and daughter stared at each other, tears running down Charming's cheeks. Emma frowned and reached up, patting his cheeks as she babbled away.
"She doesn't like that you're sad," I told him.
He laughed. "I'm not sad, Emma. I'm happy. Very, very happy."
She continued to frown, not understanding happy tears, and he held her close. "My baby girl," he murmured. "My beautiful princess."
Emma squirmed in his arms, looking at me and Robin. He crouched down next to the bed. "It's okay, sweetheart. Our friend likes hugs."
"Papa," she said, reaching for Robin. She laughed as she grabbed onto his nose.
I glanced up, watching hurt flit through Charming's eyes. Guilt hit me even though I told myself he had to know Emma would consider us her parents. We were the ones raising her right now and he hadn't tried to get her to call him "Papa" yet.
"Emma, why don't you play with our new friend?" Robin coaxed her gently, turning her to face Charming again.
"Here," I said, handing Charming her Teddy Bear. "This is Princess Bear. She absolutely loves her."
He took it and held it out to Emma. "Is this your bear, Emma?"
She nodded, reaching for it. He held it out to her and then pulled it back, drawing a laugh from her. Charming repeated it a few times, Emma's face lighting up as she played the game with him.
Robin sunk down in the chair next to me, taking my hand. I squeezed it and we gave each other weak smiles. Uncertainty lurked in his eyes and I knew it was there in my own. I leaned closer. "We'll be fine," I whispered.
"I know," he replied. "It just won't be pretty for a while."
I nodded, swallowing. "I know. But we'll all manage it. Together. Right?"
"Right." He kissed the side of my head.
Emma leaned forward and curled up on Charming's chest. She yawned as she closed her eyes. Her breathing out and she was asleep within minutes.
"She's beautiful," he whispered, rubbing her back. "And she seems so happy. You two are doing a great job."
"Thank you," I replied, squeezing Robin's hand.
Charming smiled. "Does she get along with Roland?"
"Yes. He took to being a big brother very quickly and she adores him. She even said his name before learning 'Papa,'" Robin said. "Well, she calls him 'Ro.'"
"She and Rachel have a more…interesting…relationship," I added, recalling how grumpy Rachel was toward Emma following the cake incident.
Charming frowned. "Rachel? Who is Rachel?"
My eyes widened as I realized we had neglected to tell him one very important event that had happened to us since we last saw him. I took Robin's hand as I smiled. "Rachel is our daughter. I was pregnant when Zelena cast the Dark Curse."
"You were…" He grinned. "Congratulations, you two! I would love to see her."
"Oh, I got that covered." Robin reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He flipped open to a picture of Rachel and me from Christmas and held it out to Charming. "She's the spitting image of her mother, isn't she?"
Charming marveled at the picture. "This…This is more advanced than a painting. Did your magic do this, Regina?"
I laughed. "No, it's the technology here in this world. It's called a photograph…I'll explain it to you another time."
"Thanks," he said, grinning. He looked at the picture again. "And you're right, Robin. She is the spitting image of Regina."
We both beamed. "I love her dearly. She's also a little firecracker, just like her mother," Robin said, pride coloring his words.
Charming laughed. "I can see it."
"She and Emma also keep us on our toes with their magic," I replied, leaning forward to run my finger along Emma's cheek.
"They both have magic?" he asked, frowning. "Even though they're only babies?"
I nodded. "Right now their main skills are teleporting and telepathy."
"Telepathy?"
Robin smiled. "Regina and the girls have conversations in their minds. It's kinda interesting to watch."
"I imagine," he replied, rubbing Emma's back again. She scrunched up her nose before reaching for Princess Bear. Charming gave it to her and she settled back down. "She's a little person."
We nodded. "She's certainly developing her own personality. Happy but a bit bossy. We need to work on that," I said.
"I guess it's part of being a princess." Charming kissed her golden curls.
"I guess," I replied, leaning against Robin as I smiled at Charming. "What else do you want to know?"
He grinned. "Everything."
Emma woke up an hour later, just in time for us to bundle her back up. "Say goodbye to Charming," I said, waving to her father.
She mimicked me, smiling. Charm nice. Emma like Charm.
I laughed. "So you would like to visit him again, Emma?"
Yes. Emma like Charm, she repeated.
"Good," I said, kissing her. "Then we'll come back and visit him soon."
Charming tilted his head before looking up at Robin. "You're right. It is kinda interesting to watch Regina have a one-sided conversation with a toddler."
I grew sheepish. "I haven't thought about how silly it must look to everyone else since I can hear her."
"It doesn't look silly. It looks sweet," Robin assured me, kissing my forehead. He then did the same to Emma.
We turned and waved to Charming. "We'll be back soon. We promise," I said.
"Stay strong," Robin added.
He nodded, waving as we left. "Take care of my princess. I know she's safer with you two."
As we boarded the elevator, I saw that he was still watching us. Or rather, he was still watching Emma. He wanted to see his daughter until the very last possible second as the doors closed on us.
Once the elevator started its descent, I leaned against Robin. "Did you see his look as we left? It broke my heart."
"I know," he replied, kissing my head. "But he knows this is for the best for now. He also knows he'll see her again."
We glanced down at Emma, who was curled against my chest. She was still groggy from her nap and just hugged Princess Bear to her as she watched the elevator doors open again. I rubbed her back as we stepped out into the lobby.
"Look who's here!" Snow rushed toward us, smiling as she took off her scarf. She took one of Emma's gloved hands. "Hello there, little miss."
Emma gave her a little wave before curling her hand against my chest again as I smiled at Snow. "She just woke up from a nap," I explained.
"That explains everything." Snow grinned. "So were you visiting John Doe?"
We nodded. "We thought Emma might cheer him up."
"Oh, I sure this cherubic face could cheer even Leroy up. And he's certainly not a pleasant person," Snow said, making a face.
I thought of Grumpy and bit back my laugh. "I'm sure she could cheer him up. When she's not cranky from a nap."
"What about Rachel? You didn't bring her as well?" she asked, still letting Emma bounce her finger.
Panic seized me and I thought of a plausible explanation. "She has an ear infection," I said. "So some friends are watching her for us. Maybe we'll bring her next time."
Snow nodded before something lit up her face. "Did John Doe tell you? The Mayor discovered his real identity."
Robin and I glanced at each other before I shook my head. "No, he didn't tell us."
"He doesn't like the Mayor," she replied, "so he insists she's wrong. But according to her, his name is David Nolan."
"Oh," I said. "Does he have any family?"
"A wife, apparently, but I haven't seen her around and Serena said she hasn't either. All I know is her name is Kathryn." Snow shrugged.
I frowned. "Interesting. Well, we should be going. Need to pick up Roland and Rachel, after all."
"Right. You all should come to my house this weekend for dinner. I'd love to cook for you!" She bounced up and down, like a kid excited on Christmas morning.
Robin let out a soft chuckled. "We'd love to join you. Kids or no kids?"
"Kids," she insisted. "You know I love children."
"Then it's date," I replied, giving her a one-handed hug. "We'll see you then. What time?"
"Whenever. I'll be ready for you." She let out a little squeal and hugged Robin before boarding the elevator.
He placed his hand on the small of my back and leaned down to whisper: "We'll discuss the David Nolan development at home, okay?"
I nodded and let him guide me out of the hospital. While I wasn't sure what we would be able to figure out, I knew it was a piece of the puzzle we needed.
Roland and I curled up on the couch together, going over his homework. I walked him through a couple of his math problems, helping him get the right answer, before tucking his books into his bag again. "You're doing so good," I told him.
He grinned at me. "I'm smart like you and Papa!"
"Yes, you are." I tapped his nose. "Why don't you go pick out a book and we'll read a bit before bed, okay?"
Roland did not need to be told twice and he tore out of the room, his feet pounding on the stairs. I heard Robin call out for him to walk quieter since he was trying to get the girls to sleep and I chuckled. Settling on the couch, I pulled down the blanket and prepared to snuggle with my little knight for a bit.
He returned, carrying the big brown book that had appeared on Emma's birthday. "Can we read this? I like seeing everyone," he said.
Who was I to deny him that?
"Of course." I patted the spot next to me. "Hop up and tell me which story you want."
"Yours and Papa's." He cuddled next to me, warm little face pressed against my arm. "Please."
I chuckled. "Ours? But you know it. You were there for it."
"I know. I still like it."
"Okay," I replied, flipping the pages until I found a picture of myself swooning into Robin's arms. I was a bit nervous that the book would reveal the one thing of my story I never wanted Roland to know—just how close I had come to leaving him for good.
I read my own story, how I had fallen into another realm and found love with the legendary thief Robin Hood and his son. Roland grew heavier against me and by the time we came to when I had to choose whether to go home or not, he was blessedly asleep. I sighed in relief and kissed his head.
"I see someone is down for the count," Robin said, coming into the living room. "I hate to wake him but I can't carry him."
"I know. Let me see if I can get him up." I closed the book and shook Roland gently. "Sweetheart, you need to wake up for a bit."
He opened one brown eye, frowning. "What's wrong, Mama?"
"It's time for bed," I said. "Papa and I need you to head upstairs and change. Then you can go back to sleep. Okay?"
"Okay." He held out his hand and Robin helped him up. Roland clutched his hand as they headed upstairs.
A few minutes later, Robin returned and plopped down next to me on the couch. "He's once again out cold."
"I didn't think you would have any problems." I set the storybook aside and turned to face him. "So…David Nolan."
He nodded. "I'm not sure where the Nolan came from but I know where Zelena got David."
"Oh?"
"It's Charming's real name."
That caught my attention. "It is?"
He laughed. "Yes. You didn't think his parents named him 'Charming', did you?"
"You never know," I replied. "We have friends named Snow White and Red. Charming just seemed par for the course."
"Fair enough."
I leaned closer. "How did you learn his real name?"
"He told me on a patrol once," Robin replied. "He also used to be a farmer."
"What?"
He nodded. "And he had a twin brother named James."
"You are just a spring of information tonight." I leaned my head on my hand, resting my elbow on the back of the couch. "Tell me more."
"I have a better idea," he said, reaching over to pick up the storybook. He placed it on our laps, opening it and flipping the glossy pages until he found the right spot. "Let's read about it."
I gave him a look. "Really?"
"Really. Oh, look, here's the start," he said, pointing to the picture of a king talking with the Dark One.
"Of course he's involved. Does anyone have a story that doesn't feature him?" I asked, scowling.
Robin grinned before shaking his head. "I don't think so. He was very powerful before the Queen captured him."
"And even then, he managed to be in mine," I replied, recalling my time in the Queen's dungeons.
"Stop grousing about him and start reading," Robin told me, tapping the book on my lap.
I rolled my eyes but read about King George, who had no heir as his wife was unable to conceive. He went to the Dark One to ask for a child and he in turn made a deal with a poor farmer whose wife had had twins. The farmer gave one to the Dark One in return for help keeping his farm running. King George named the boy James and raised him as his own while the farmer and his wife raised the other boy, David.
James grew into a skilled warrior but a selfish man, who cared little for others except himself. His own hubris got him killed after his father had promised he would rid King Midas' kingdom of a terrible dragon. Desperate for the money Midas would give as a reward, King George had sought out the Dark One and David agreed to pretend to be James in order to save his mother's farm.
"So wait, he wouldn't be allowed to see her ever again?" I asked, frowning as I read those lines again.
Robin shook his head. "He had to be Prince James. King George didn't want to have to explain why his son was visiting some peasant woman."
"Then he forced David to marry Princess Abigail?" I asked, reading on.
"Well, he was going to," Robin explained. "But she was really in love with Frederick and by that point, David had met Snow."
He tapped a picture, revealing Snow trapped in a net as she glared down at Charming. "She was already a bandit at this point."
"I can see that." I gave him a look before turning back to the book. "So he gave up everything for her?"
"Yes. You know what that's like," he said, grinning at me.
I tilted my head. "What?"
He rubbed my arm. "You gave up everything for me."
"Oh," I replied. I guessed I had done that—given up this world, Daniel, my friends, my career, everything—when I turned back in the forest that Midsummer night. "It doesn't feel like I gave up anything because I gained so much more."
Robin smiled, leaning his forehead against my head. His nose grazed right behind my ear, sending a shudder through me. I gave him a gentle shove. "Careful or there may be another Locksley sooner than we plan."
"Right," he said, pulling back. "I still don't think we can juggle three babies."
I shook my head and turned back to the book. "So David became Prince James who then became Prince Charming."
"Pretty much," Robin said. "And now Zelena wants to turn him into David Nolan."
"Well, she can't do it while he won't let her see him."
"Which is a small blessing for now. She may use her power to get in and do something without his consent."
I sighed. "We need to figure out if he can cross the town line and get him out of there. Fast. Before he loses all of this."
Motioning to the book, the pages turned themselves until I saw the painting of Snow and Charming at their wedding. The artist captured the love in their eyes perfectly and I knew I couldn't let that die, even for a little bit.
We drove the whole family to Snow's on Saturday for her little dinner. She welcomed us with a big smile and ushered us out of the cold. "I hope the drive wasn't too bad," she said as she closed the door.
"Not all," I replied, bouncing a fussy Rachel on my hip. "There was hardly anyone else on the road."
Snow nodded, sadly. "We don't get many visitors here in Storybrooke."
"That's okay, we don't get many visitors where we live either," I assured her. I then glanced down at Rachel. "Is there someplace Robin and I can get the girls out of their winter gear?"
"My room. Do you remember where it is?" She motioned to the part of the apartment once again cordoned off with a blanket.
I thanked her and carried Rachel over, holding Emma's hand as she babbled away. Once we got behind the blanket, I heard the door open again and voices drift over but I didn't pay attention to what they were saying.
Lying Rachel on Snow's bed, I turned my attention to Emma first. "Okay, Princess, let's get you out of all that and you can go play with the toys."
"Toys!" she chirped, giggling. It seemed she had learned a new word to say aloud.
I smiled as I sat her on the bed to tug off her snow pants. "Yes, sweetheart. Toys. Good girl."
Once she was free of her coat and snow pants, I set her back on the floor. "Why don't you go find Papa?"
"Papa!" she squealed, running as fast as her short, chubby legs could take her back to the main room.
I turned back and sighed when I saw that Rachel was scowling at me. "And what's your problem now?"
Wet. Need change. She kicked her legs as if trying to get out of her bunting. At least her magic hadn't advanced that far yet.
"Okay," I said, holding her still. "I need you to stop squirming and I can get you out of this. Then we can get you a fresh diaper."
What sounded like a long-suffering sigh filled my mind and I pressed my lips together. Rachel was definitely my daughter. But she stilled and that was all I wanted.
I took her bunting off and then retrieved my diaper bag, quickly pulling out what I needed to change her. She continued to scowl until the fresh diaper was on her and the wet one was in the garbage. "Better?" I asked her.
Yes. Thank you, Mama. She reached up for me and I picked her up, holding her close.
"At least you have manners," I said, kissing her cheek.
"That is still weird to watch," Charming said.
I turned to find him peeking around the blanket, smiling at me. I returned it, bouncing Rachel. "What are you doing out of the hospital?"
"They released me as there's nothing wrong except that I don't have the memories the Queen wants me to have," he replied.
"Shh," I hushed him, looking around for Snow. "We don't want to make Mary Margaret suspicious."
He scowled. "That's such a ridiculous name for her. Snow sounds so much better."
"Yeah, but the idea is that you're not supposed to have anything from your other lives," I replied. "Which boggles me that the Queen wanted to name you David."
"Robin told you about my story, did he?" Charming crossed his arms, smiling at me.
I shook my head. "I read it."
He looked confused. "Read it?"
"I'll explain it to you later," I replied. "But I still don't get why you're here."
"Oh. Right." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, since I was released, I needed a place to stay. Abigail…I mean, Kathryn…offered to let me stay at what was supposedly my old place but it seemed too awkward for the both of us. I know I'm not married to her and she thought I had left her so she moved on. Snow…Mary Margaret…mentioned there was a place to rent in her building and here I am. She invited me to dinner tonight since she knew we were friends."
"Staying close to your wife?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.
He sighed. "As close as I can get. It pains me she doesn't know who I am."
"I know." I rubbed his arm. "I can't even imagine how much it would hurt if Robin and Roland hadn't been able to escape the curse and I had to come face to face with them without their memories."
"I'm glad they were able to do so. You three deserved to be happy and you have Emma. I can Emma is happy and healthy because of you." He then let Rachel curl her fingers around his own. "And you have this beautiful girl."
She shook his finger and laughed as I smiled. "Yes, we do. Emma wasn't too pleased when she came but she got used to Rachel."
"How did Roland react?"
"He loves being a big brother," I replied. "Adores both his sisters."
Charming hesitated and his smile faltered a bit before he replied: "That's good. He was so attached to you, I wondered how he would feel sharing you."
"We're still close. We'll always have that special bond," I said before taking Charming's arm. "Come on. Let's go join everyone else."
He followed me out into the living room, where Roland was telling Snow all about what he was learning in school. Robin sat nearby, smiling as he listened to our son while keeping an eye on Emma as she played with the blocks Snow had set up for her.
I set Rachel down next to her. "Emma, can Rachel play with you?" I asked. Emma looked up at me before handing Rachel the block she was holding and I knew the answer was yes.
Knowing they were fine, I moved over to where Robin was now standing with Charming. I squeezed in between the two and smiled at Snow. "Thank you again for inviting us," I said.
"Thank you for coming," she said, bright-eyed and bubbly. "I don't entertain people often and it's a nice change of pace."
"And it's good to see David out of the hospital," Robin added, slapping the man on the back.
Snow blushed as she looked over Charming and smiled. "I'm glad you're doing so well now that you're out too."
"So, David, what are you doing with yourself these days?" I asked, leaning on my hand as I looked up at him.
He chuckled. "Well, according to my estranged wife, I was an accountant but I remember nothing of it. Thankfully the local animal shelter needed help and hired me."
"Animal shelter?" Robin perked up and I chuckled. "We were thinking about adopting a dog ourselves."
"Were you now?" Charming's eyes twinkled as he smiled at me.
Snow nodded. "Robin won her a stuffed dog at the Christmas Festival and asked if they could get a real one. It was adorable."
"Sounds like it," he agreed. "So what kind of dog are you looking for?"
Robin described his perfect dog and Charming rubbed his chin. "You know, I think we have one that matches what you're looking for. You should stop by tomorrow and see him."
"I think I might just do that," Robin replied, giving me a side look. I nodded in agreement. My mind was already racing. If Robin stopped by the shelter to see the dog, we could also stop by Gold's and see if we could get any more answer out of him.
A timer dinged and I saw Snow jump, whirling around. "Oh, my pot roast is done! Regina, can you come help me?"
"Of course," I said, moving around the island.
Charming leaned forward. "Is there anything Robin and I could do?"
"Can you set the table for me?" she asked, sounding relieved. "It would help a lot."
"What do you say, Robin? Think we can handle that?" Charming asked my husband.
Robin chuckled as he nodded and Roland ran over. He jumped up and down between the two grown men. "Can I help too?"
"We should take him up on the offer," Robin said. "I don't know when he'll volunteer to do it again."
"Papa!" Roland whined, though he was smiling.
Snow pulled out several plates and handed them to Roland. "Do you think you can carry these to the table?"
"I can," he said, taking them from her with a big smile. "Don't worry, Princess!" He trotted off as Robin and I winced. We hadn't been able to break him of that habit just yet.
"He's so adorable," she replied, not seeming to mind his slip up.
I smiled. "Yes, he is."
Snow then handed Charming and Robin silverware and glasses. "You two go help him, please."
They took everything offered and headed over to the table, helping Roland set it. I turned back to the oven. "What do you need me to do?"
"Can you mash those potatoes please?" She motioned to a pot on the stove as she opened the oven. "I'll focus on the vegetables once I have this out."
I nodded, opening a drawer by the stove. "Do you have a masher in here?"
"Yes. Just move a few things around," she replied, growing sheepish. "Sorry for the mess."
"This hardly constitutes a mess," I told her, pulling out the masher and closing the drawer.
We worked silently together until I ventured: "So you and David are getting close?"
"I guess," she said. "It's just that he didn't feel comfortable moving back in with a wife he didn't remember and no other friends have stepped forward…"
"That seems strange," I replied, frowning. How could Zelena decide to give "David" a wife but no friends? "Didn't he grow up in Storybrooke like you?"
Snow scrunched her nose and her eyes grew distant—she was trying to recall something the curse hadn't filled in. "I don't think so," she settled on. "I think he moved here when he married Kathryn."
"Someone willingly moved to Storybrooke?" I asked.
"It's a great little town," she replied, sounding defensive.
Well, I hit a nerve and it was time to backpedal as fast as I could. So I put on my best smile. "Oh, I know. It just seems like the type of place someone would move away from rather than to. But then again, I'm a city girl. What do I know?"
Snow laughed. "All city folk think us small town people want to get out. But the truth is that many of us are happy where we are."
"Fair enough," I replied. "And I think it's sweet you're taking care of David. He's lucky to have someone like you."
"He also has you and Robin. You three seem to have gotten close pretty quickly," she said.
I hesitated, unsure how to answer. We were close because Charming had trusted Robin with his life back in the Enchanted Forest and I eventually earned the same trust there as well. How could I explain it now?
"Then again, I guess with him not really remembering his former life, I guess he needs all the friends he can get. You and Robin are good people. He's choosing well," she continued.
"Yes, he is." I patted her hand and smiled at her, hoping she realized I meant her as well.
Finishing the mashed potatoes, I scooped them into a serving dish and went to bring them to the table. The men had finished setting it and Roland had taken a seat for himself. Robin and Charming were bringing over the girls, Emma cuddled in her father's arms. Charming paused for a moment, rocking her with a faraway look in his eyes. I walked past him and heard him whisper: "Daddy's got you, Emma. Daddy loves you."
My stomach twisted up in knots and I glanced up at Robin, who was settling Rachel in with her own food. He hadn't heard what Charming said, which I was grateful for. I then recalled that Charming was Emma's father and I was more confused than ever.
I was certain Emma felt the same at that moment.
Snow set the pot roast down on the table, ending my musing. I pushed my feelings down as she motioned for everyone to take our seats. "I hope you all enjoy it," she said, sounding proud of herself.
We passed around the dishes and I focused on Roland's first before checking to see that Emma was eating her food. She stared at the pot roast before pointing at it. "Mama," she said.
"Do you want some, Emma?" I asked.
She nodded before repeating: "Mama!"
"Okay, okay. Can I have a small plate for her?" I asked Snow, rubbing Emma's hand.
"Sure," she replied, jumping up. "I'll be right back."
Charming stood as well, watching her. "Do you need any help?"
She paused before chuckling. "It's just a plate, David. I think I can manage it. But thank you."
As she walked off, he followed her with a pining look. Once again, I tried to imagine if I had stumbled into Storybrooke and found Robin with no memories of our love. It hurt too much to even fantasize about, so I couldn't even fathom how it felt for Charming to be living it as he sank into his seat, eyes vacant.
"Here you go, Emma," Snow said cheerfully, putting the plate down in front of the little girl. "I'll let your mother give you some food."
I cut up some pot roast and placed it on the plate for Emma while I kept an eye on Charming. He was talking to Snow about her life in Storybrooke and I could see his fingers itching to reach out for her hand. Emma babbled away, placing a piece of pot roast in her mouth. I kissed her forehead and turned back to the table.
It was then it dawned on me that Emma was sitting next to Snow and Charming was next to her. The entire family was together yet two of them didn't know that. The truly horrifying aspect of Zelena's curse hit me and I cursed her from here back to the Enchanted Forest.
One day, I would defeat her and it was going to be the most rewarding thing I would do short of giving birth.
A/N: Regina is definitely conflicted about Charming being in Emma's life. She knows he's her father and wants her friends to have their family together again. Yet she loves Emma like her own and knows it will be confusing for such a little girl.
They'll work it out. It's just going to take some time.
And breaking the curse.
So, will Regina and Robin figure out a way to get Charming over the town line? Will he want to go or will he want to stay close to Snow?
Find out next time!
-Mac