Chapter 6: Fathers and Daughters
"What do you think of my new gown, Regina?" Snow asked, standing in the middle of her stepmother's sitting room. She gave a little twirl so Regina could see the full dress.
Now that she was a woman, gone were her dresses made of frills and lace with short sleeves and satin sashes. This was her first dress made in the style Regina and the other ladies at court wore and she felt very grown up. It had a cinched bodice that showed off how her breasts were starting to grow and a full skirt over three pairs of petticoats. Her sleeves puffed out at the shoulder and then narrowed as it approached her wrist. It was made of gold and black brocade with pearl buttons decorating her bodice and black lace lining her neckline.
Johanna had curled it and left it down to fall over her shoulders though it was pinned away from her face with pearl hair pins. She had also applied some rouge to Snow's cheeks and lips as well as kohl on her eyes. Daddy had given her a new pearl necklace to wear with it as well as a matching bracelet. All of it combined to make Snow feel very grown up.
"You look beautiful," Regina said, though she didn't sound very excited.
Snow stopped, frowning as she looked at her stepmother. Regina sat at her vanity in her dark blue gown with jewels sewn into the bodice. Beautiful diamond earrings hung from her lobes, matching the chandelier necklace that cascaded down until the point reached right between her breasts. Her dark curls were pinned up and jewels were placed amongst them, making her look every inch a queen in Snow's mind. Yet despite how beautiful she looked, an air of sadness surrounded Regina.
"Regina, what's wrong?" she asked, stepping closer.
"I'm just tired," Regina replied.
Snow frowned. "From planning the ball?"
"Yes." Regina's tone was brisk and she didn't meet Snow's eyes. That unnerved her and she frowned, wondering why Regina was lying to her.
She decided to let it be for the moment, especially when something in Regina's jewelry box caught her eye. Reaching out, Snow picked up a ruby encrusted brooch in the shape of a rose. It had been a gift from Daddy to her mother, a token of his love, and Mother had worn it all the time as a token of hers.
"Where did you get this?" she asked, picking up the brooch.
Regina glanced over at it. "Oh. Your father gave it to me."
"It was my mother's," Snow told her excitedly. She held it out to Regina. "You should wear it."
"It doesn't go with my outfit," Regina replied, not even looking at the brooch again. She remained focused on her reflection in the mirror.
Snow frowned. "But Daddy gave it to you."
"I know." She sounded very dismissive of that fact and it didn't sit well with Snow.
Perhaps her father hadn't explained the significance of the brooch to Regina. He sometimes wasn't very forthcoming about his emotions, especially around her, and so it was possible she just didn't understand what it meant for him to give it to her. Snow, though, could.
"Daddy gave this to my mother to show how much he loved her," she said, holding it out to Regina again. "He gave it to you because he wants to show you how much he loves you."
"He told me that, yes," Regina replied, growing agitated. "Please, put it away, Snow."
Snow shook her head. "You have to wear it, Regina. It's a symbol of Daddy's love and so you have to wear it as a symbol of your love for him! That's why Mother wore it all the time."
"I'M NOT YOUR MOTHER!" Regina yelled rounding on her. Her cheeks were red, but not from her rouge, and there was a fire in her eyes that scared Snow.
Before Snow could respond, Regina grabbed the brooch from her and tossed it into her jewelry box. She slammed the lid closed, gritting her teeth. "Get out, Snow."
"But...Regina…" She felt rooted in place by both fear and her desire to calm her stepmother down.
"GET. OUT!" Regina shouted, pointing to the door.
Snow raced from the room and continued running down the hallway. After a few turns, she stopped and pressed her back against the wall. Tears ran down her eyes as she crumpled to the floor. Regina had never yelled at her like that before and she wasn't certain what was going on, just that it had to something to do with the brooch. She understood what it meant but didn't appreciate it.
Did she not love Daddy?
Did she not love Snow?
Her mind raced and tried to put all the pieces together to solve the puzzle but the picture didn't make sense. It was blurry and strange, not quite right. Why wouldn't Regina love her? Or her father? They were a family-she had said so herself. Something else had to be going on.
She just wished she knew what it was.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway and she looked up, feeling relieved when her father came into sight. He frowned when he saw her, cupping her cheek. "My dear, you've been crying. Why?"
"I'm worried about Regina," she told him, hoping that her father could find out what was wrong. "I think something is troubling her."
His brow furrowed. "What makes you say that?"
"She just seemed tense," Snow said, "and then she yelled at me…"
"WHAT?" Daddy's look darkened and he dropped his hand, looking down the hallway toward Regina's rooms. She felt his anger rolling off him and it scared her even more.
Snow grabbed his hand again. "I'm certain she didn't mean to yell at me. As I said, something is bothering her. Please help her."
He kissed her forehead. Pulling back, he gave her a soft smile. "Do not worry. I will talk with Regina and sort this out. You go and have Johanna fix your makeup. You don't want to greet our guests with tear streaks on your cheeks, do you?"
She shook her head, kissing his cheek. "Thank you, Daddy."
"You're welcome, sweetheart." He let go of her hand as he walked toward Regina's room. Snow headed to her own, hoping her father could help her stepmother feel better.
When she saw Regina at the party later, her stepmother appeared to be in a better mood. She smiled as she stood by Daddy's side, greeting guests warmly. At one point, Regina took Snow aside to apologize for her earlier behavior. She gave no explanation as to why she was in such a bad mood but Snow noticed that her makeup was thicker on her face, particularly on her cheek. It almost appeared to be hiding a bruise and Snow figured Regina fell from her horse earlier, so she was probably frustrated and sore from it. Snow forgave her, certain everything was settled except for one thing.
Regina still wasn't wearing the brooch.
Snow was going to ask her about it when Daddy approached her, smiling. He bowed to her. "May I have this dance?"
"Of course," she said, her mood improving as she took her father's hand. He led her to the dance floor as the musicians began playing. Daddy led her in a waltz, twirling her around the floor as everyone watched. She felt like a queen.
Snow didn't stop dancing for a long time after that. Nobleman after nobleman approached her, eager to partner with her for a dance. She exchanged pleasant conversations with each one, finding them all very nice and interested in her. None sparked any romantic interest in her but she knew she was still young-there was plenty of time to find True Love.
After several dances, Snow excused herself from the dance floor to get something to drink. She approached one of the servants, accepting a glass of wine from the young maid who couldn't have been much older than Snow. It must've been amazing to be able to work their ball and see everyone in their finery, she imagined. How lucky for that maid!
Drinking her wine, Snow looked for Regina. She hadn't seen much of her stepmother while she had been dancing. All she had caught were glimpses of her dress, so Snow assumed she had been enjoying the dancing as well. Now, though, she couldn't find her and that worried her.
Snow spotted someone who could give her answers and she picked up her skirts to hurry over to him. "Lord Henry! Lord Henry, may I have a word?"
"Princess," the older man said, bowing to her. He smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You may have several."
If she wasn't so worried about Regina, she would've smiled and probably laughed. Lord Henry always had a way of doing that. She knew he did his best to keep Regina in good spirits, especially after the mysterious disappearance of her mother, and Snow hoped she appreciated everything her father did for her.
"Do you know where Regina is?" she asked him.
His smile fell. "She wasn't feeling well and retired early."
"Oh," Snow replied, feeling bad for her stepmother. She thought about the makeup and the barely visible bruise. "Is she hurt from falling off her horse?"
Lord Henry tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
Snow told him about the bruises she had seen despite Regina's best efforts to cover them and her theory on how she got them. Lord Henry's eyes darkened a bit and his smile disappeared. "I wasn't aware she was hurt."
"Who was hurt?" Daddy asked, approaching the two. He looked between Snow and Lord Henry, waiting for an answer.
"Regina," she told him. "I think she fell off her horse. Lord Henry said she retired early because she wasn't feeling well."
Daddy locked eyes with Lord Henry, whose gaze had turned steely. Tension filled the air, unnerving Snow as she waited for one of them to speak. Something was going on but she didn't know what exactly it was.
"I should go check on my daughter," Lord Henry finally said, breaking the awkward silence that had engulfed their small group. He bowed to them. "Your Majesty, Your Highness."
He started to walk away when Daddy called out: "Take good care of my wife."
Lord Henry paused for a moment before continuing on without turning around or acknowledging Daddy. Snow frowned, confused by the whole exchange. Something was going on and she didn't like not knowing what it was.
"Come, my dear," Daddy said, holding out his arm to her. "The night is young and there are still many more dances to be had."
Snow took her father's arm and decided not to worry about Regina. Lord Henry would take good care of her and Snow was certain her stepmother would want her to enjoy the ball. She lost herself in the dancing and revelry for the rest of the night, enjoying spending time with her father.
The doorbell echoed throughout the mansion and Mary Margaret stalked toward the door, pulling it open. She scowled at the person on the other side. "You're late."
"I'm sorry," Leopold Blanchard said, stepping into the house. He took off his hat, revealing his gray hair, and hung it on a rung by the door. "I lost track of the time at the stables."
She scrunched her nose, smelling the scent of horse on him. "I don't know why you spend so much time down there."
"It relaxes me," he replied. "I wish you would let me take Diana. I think she would enjoy learning to ride and taking care of the horses will teach her responsibility."
Mary Margaret bristled, shaking her head. "She doesn't need to be around horses. She has plenty of other hobbies."
"I know," he replied before growing sad. "You used to love being around the stables too. What happened?"
She paused before busying herself packing her purse. "I grew up. I needed to focus on other things, not horses."
He sighed but said: "You're right. I hardly had time for horses when I was mayor. I guess I just wish you would visit me more."
"I know," she said softly, guilt eating at her. She had managed to get a father again in this curse and had been neglecting him, especially lately. No wonder he kept trying to find ways to bring her and Diana back to his house.
She looked up and her guilt grew even more when she saw how sad and lonely he looked. Mary Margaret reached out her hand to him. "I'm sorry I've been neglecting you with everything going on."
He took her hand and pulled her in for a hug. "I know it's been hard for you with David...well. You've been handling everything with such grace and strength. I'm so proud of you."
Tears filled her eyes and she sank into his embrace, taking the comfort he offered her. "I feel like everything is falling apart," she admitted. "Diana hates me and thinks someone else is her mother because of a stupid book."
"It can't be that bad," he replied, no doubt trying to be soothing. She appreciated the effort even if it didn't make her feel any better.
"You don't know the half of it," she told him, shouldering her purse. "But I'm running late, so that will have to wait."
He nodded. "We can talk when you get back. Do you want me to talk to Diana too?"
Mary Margaret considered it. Diana was always close with her grandfather and if anyone could get through to her, it was him. She nodded. "Please. Maybe you'll have more luck than me."
They hugged one more time before she hurried to her car and climbed in. Daddy waved from the front door as she drove off and she smiled, glad to have a father back in her life. It certainly wasn't raising the dead but it was close enough.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Mary Margaret said, hanging her coat on the coat rack in Archie's waiting room. She stored her purse in the little cubby provided for it before approaching him.
Archie smiled softly, no judgment in his eyes. "It's okay. Come on in and we can get started. You're my last scheduled patient for the day so we should be able to make up the time at the end and give you your full hour."
"Thank you." She tucked her skirt under her as she sat down on the couch. Crossing her ankles, she folded her hands on her lap. "At Diana's last session, you mentioned there was something you wanted to discuss with me."
He nodded as he took his seat. "There is. She mentioned something that...well, troubled me."
Mary Margaret's stomach twisted up as her heart beat rapidly in her chest. Still, she tried to remain calm as she remarked: "Oh?"
"Yes," he replied. "She mentioned that you want her to be a mini-you."
"I wouldn't say that," she protested, shifting on the couch even as she tried to keep her tone light. She knew she couldn't explain her real goal to him without doing some sort of damage. "We're just so alike, you know. Two peas in a pod."
He didn't look convinced. "That's not how Diana sees it."
Mary Margaret's spirits plummeting. "Did she accuse me of trying to control her? Of trying to turn her into me?"
"You know I can't reveal that," Archie replied. "I can't break the confidentiality."
She frowned, crossing her arms as she tried not to huff. Of course the only one who would really follow the rules of this world would be the Official Conscience. "Then what can you tell me?" she asked.
He sighed, shifting a bit. "Diana is ten, right?"
"Yes," she replied, not sure where he was going with this. "Why?"
"She's almost a teenager," he said.
She frowned, glad that at the rate they were going, the teenage years would never come for Diana. Not that she could tell him that. "I think she's still far away from being a teenager," she told him instead.
"I know you feel that way but the teenage years will be here before you know it," he warned her. He then smiled at her. "Time has a funny way of doing that."
"Time is certainly funny," she agreed, knowing he had no clue what really was happening with time in this town.
Archie nodded. "These years are when children start to figure out who they are and who they want to be. They need the space to do that."
"But don't they need help in deciding who they are?" Mary Margaret asked, feeling a cold sweat break out along her hairline. Would all her hard work be for nothing? Would Diana go down the same path Regina did?
Was nature stronger than even a curse?
Had her sacrifice been for nothing?
"They do," Archie replied softly. "And the easiest way we can do that is by giving them space."
"So what? I'm supposed to just supposed to stand back and let her do whatever she wants?" she asked, snapping as she balled her fist. This was a land without magic. She had to remember that.
He shook his head. "Of course not. But I think you need to let her have a little more control over certain things."
"Like what?" she asked, still suspicious.
"Halloween is coming up," he said. "What does she want to be for it?"
"The same thing she goes as every year-Snow White," Mary Margaret replied proudly. She knew her chest puffed out a bit but she didn't care. The Snow White costume she made for Diana was one of her proudest accomplishments.
He tilted his head. "But is that what she really wants to go as?"
"Of course it is!" she insisted. She then narrowed her eyes as she asked: "Why? Did she say otherwise?"
"You know I can't reveal that," he replied, grimacing a bit.
That gave her answer. "She did complain about it!"
"Don't you think it might be boring to go as the same thing every year?" he asked.
She bit her lip, considering that statement. It usually hadn't bothered her daughter. Not until that book came into their lives. "She's never complained before."
"Well, she's never been ten before," Archie countered.
Mary Margaret bit back her laugh. Diana had been ten for a lot longer than he realized but she couldn't say anything about that. "I guess that's true," she managed to say.
"So do you think you can do that?" he asked her. "Let her choose her own Halloween costume?"
She wanted to say no but she leaned back, thinking it over. It would be a good compromise and might get Diana to trust her again. Mary Margaret wanted that above all, so she nodded. "I will."
"Good," Archie said. He smiled as he leaned back in his chair. "We have a few minutes, is there anything you want to discuss?"
Mary Margaret bit her lip, remembering the reason why she was late. She longed to talk to someone about her father and her mother, to process all her feelings. They had been bottled up inside her for years but she knew she still couldn't be truthful, even in Dr. Hopper's "safe space." So, she just shook her head. "I think I have a lot to think about just from this session. Thank you, Doctor."
"You're welcome," he said, standing. He held out his hand. "I'll see you soon, Mary Margaret."
"You too," she said, shaking his hand. She then followed him out of the office to make her next appointment, already preparing for her conversation with Diana in her head. Hopefully it was the start of things changing and Diana would forget all about Regina Mills.
For everyone's sake.
Diana heard her mother's car door close before she drove off to her appointment with Dr. Hopper. Lacey was no doubt downstairs and Diana hoped she had brought her headphones with her again. It was a lot easier to sneak out to see Regina when her babysitter was too busy dancing and couldn't hear the door open or close.
She sat up, reaching for sneakers when someone knocked on the door. Diana groaned. Of course this was going to be one of the times when Lacey wanted to do something with her. It was just her luck.
"Coming!" she yelled, jumping off the bed. She crossed the room and opened the door. "What is it, Lacey?"
"Not Lacey," Grandpa said, smiling at her. He held out his arms to her. "Surprise!"
She let out a squeal as she launched herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. "Grandpa! You're here!"
He held her close and she could smell the hint of stables on him. She had always wanted him to take her there, to let her pick out a horse she could learn to ride herself. Mom was always adamantly against it, insisting that Diana had enough hobbies as it was. Diana didn't understand what she had against horses until she read the book, realizing her real mother had been an accomplished equestrienne. She now guessed Mom didn't want her to do anything Regina had done in the Enchanted Forest, to squash anything she may have inherited from her.
Grandpa let her go and pulled back, grinning. "What do you say to some ice cream?"
"I say...Can I have a sundae?" she asked, batting her eyes at him for extra emphasis.
"I think that's an excellent idea," he replied, gently bopping her nose. He then held out his hand. "Why don't we go to Any Given Sundae?"
She bounced up and down. Mom hardly took her to the town's best ice cream parlor since Dad's accident. Diana figured it held too many memories for her but then she wondered if any of them were real. All she knew now, though, was that she couldn't pass up the chance to get some great ice cream and spend time with her grandfather.
At least she knew he was really her grandfather.
Diana hurried back and grabbed her sneakers. "I'll be right down, Grandpa."
"Take your time," he told her, winking. "I'm not going anywhere."
He walked away as she tied her shoelaces. She grabbed a jacket and skipped out of her room, eager to spend some time with Grandpa. It was going to be just as good as being with Regina for the afternoon.
She jumped the last two stairs, landing on her feet next to her grandfather. Holding out her arms, she grinned at him. "Ready!"
"I can see that," he said, chuckling as he picked up his keys. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and opened the door. "Let's go!"
They climbed into his car and he started it up, pulling it out of the driveway. As he turned off the street, Diana bounced in her seat. "I'm so glad you're watching me today, Grandpa," she told him.
"Me too," he said. "It's been far too long since we last saw each other."
"Yeah. Mom's been keeping me busy," she replied, frowning as she thought about everything her mother was doing to keep her from seeing Regina.
Grandpa nodded. "Your mother said that things have been kinda tense between the two of you lately."
Diana sighed. "Of course she did."
"She's worried about you," he said, pulling into the parking lot of Any Given Sundae. He put the car in park and turned to her. "So, why don't we get some ice cream and you can talk to me about it. Okay?"
"I'm talking to Dr. Hopper about it," she replied.
He nodded before grinning. "But does Dr. Hopper give you ice cream?"
She smiled, shaking her head. "He does not."
"Then let's go get some and talk," he said, opening his door. She followed suit and they got out of the car. He took her hand, leading her into Any Given Sundae.
Sarah Walker, the proprietor, looked up as they entered. She smiled. "If it's the first family of Storybrooke! How are we this day?"
"We're very good," Grandpa said, placing his hand on Diana's shoulder. "We thought we'd get a nice treat before it's too cold."
"Let me guess. Dulce de leche for Leopold and Rocky Road for Diana," Sarah said, pulling out a scooper from the container of water she kept them in. When they nodded, she scooped out the Rocky Road first before switching scoopers to put some dulce de leche into a bowl for Grandpa.
"Any toppings?" Sarah asked.
"Chocolate sauce and whipped cream please," Diana said. "And a cherry."
Sarah grinned, adding all the toppings to Diana requested. "Of course. The cherry's the best part!"
"I'll just take some sprinkles and a cherry," Grandpa said, pulling out his wallet. "Thank you, Sarah."
He paid for their ice creams and carried them over to a table. Diana took her seat and happily dug into hers, enjoying the chocolate and Rocky Road mixing in her mouth. She could even taste a hint of cherry as well.
"So," Grandpa said, moving some of his ice cream around. "What is going on between you and your mother?"
She sighed, setting her spoon down on one of her napkins. "She's not my mother."
He frowned, letting his spoon fall onto the table. "Why do you think that?"
"Because I don't look like either of my parents for starters," she said. "No one else looks like me."
"Well, now that's not true," he replied. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, flipping through some pictures. Grandpa pulled out one and slid it toward her. "Your grandmother, Eva. You look just like her."
Diana glanced down at the picture, looking at her supposed grandmother. Eva Blanchard had long dark hair and bright blue eyes, just like Diana did. However, her hair was straight and her skin was certainly paler than Diana's. Still, there was close enough of a resemblance for Diana to almost believe she took after Eva.
"I guess I do look like her," Diana said hesitantly, returning the picture. "But I look a lot more like someone else and I know she is my real mother."
He frowned. "And so what do you think happened? A baby switch at the hospital? That there is someone else out there who is really my granddaughter?"
"I am your granddaughter. Mom isn't your daughter," Diana told him.
Grandpa's eyebrow went up. "So the woman you believe is your real mother is also supposedly my real daughter?"
"Exactly," she said. "Regina Mills."
"Regina...Mills? As in Cora Mills' daughter?" he asked, slowly. When she nodded, he frowned. "That's impossible, pumpkin. I never really associated with her and I was with your grandmother since high school."
Diana shook her head. "No, you weren't. She's not my real grandmother and Mom isn't your real daughter. Your name isn't even Leopold."
It looked like he was trying not to smile or laugh as he nodded. "I see. And what's my real name then?"
"Henry," she told him.
His eyes clouded over and she wondered if he was remembering. Would it be so easy to break the curse on him? Maybe others who had new names here in Storybrooke, like Dr. Hopper, would react the same way.
Grandpa shook his head. "And what? I have amnesia?"
"No. We're cursed," Diana said, disappointment flooding her. The curse was strong and clearly not easily broken.
"Curse," he repeated, slowly. When she nodded, he chuckled and leaned forward. "You have an amazing imagination, Diana."
A lump formed in her throat as tears pricked her eyes. "You don't believe me."
He sighed, running his hand through his gray hair. Grandpa moved his chair closer to her and took her hand. "I know things have been difficult since your dad's accident. And I know it's painful. So I can understand that you've retreated into this fantasy world…"
"It's not a fantasy world!" she protested, trying not to cry.
"I know it feels real to you," he said, keeping his voice soft and soothing. "But it's not. And it's hurting your mother."
Diana looked down, tears sliding down her cheeks despite her efforts to keep them at bay. She had hoped her grandfather would've been on her side as he always supported her before. Mom's curse was too strong, she realized. He truly believed he was Leopold Blanchard and so he supported who he truly believed was his daughter, Mary Margaret Nolan. Meanwhile, his real daughter believed she had no family and really needed him.
Nothing about this curse seemed fair.
She heard his chair scrape the floor before he stood. "We should head back. Don't want to worry your mother."
Of course we don't, she thought bitterly. She stood and threw her garbage out. They left Any Given Sundae silently and she remained quiet all the way home. Her number of allies was only two-Sister Trina and Regina-while her mother had a lot more. She was going to have to be very careful about who she trusted.
Regina stood in front of the convent, her stomach twisted in knots. The red brick Victorian house looked very much like it did when she was growing up and most of her memories made there weren't happy. She hadn't been back since graduating and moving out-had never wanted to come back. But she hoped some answers lay inside there, so here she was.
She climbed the creaky porch steps and crossed to the front door as a gust of cold wind blew past her. It rustled the leaves both on the ground and on the trees, making everything that much more eerie as she knocked on the door. She prayed anyone but Mother Superior answered.
Her prayers were surprisingly answered. Sister Astrid opened the door, her light blue eyes growing wide. "Regina! We weren't expecting you," she said.
"I just stopped by," Regina replied. "I was hoping to talk to you, if you have some free time."
Sister Astrid nodded, stepping aside so Regina could enter. "I was about to make some tea. Would you like a cup?"
"Yes, please," Regina said, looking around the convent for the first time in years. It still appeared to be perpetual dark, as if there were no windows or proper lighting. She remembered wondering as a child if Mother Superior didn't believe in electricity and as she smelled candle wax, it seemed some things never changed. Regina also detected hints of incense, so she wondered if the other sisters were at prayer. As they went deeper into the convent, the staler the air felt. Regina almost felt as if she was struggling to breathe and wondered if Sister Astrid would open a window once they got to the kitchen at the very back of the house.
"Why don't you have a seat while I make us some tea?" Sister Astrid motioned to the small wooden table in the room as she headed toward the cabinets.
"Is chamomile okay?" the young sister asked her.
"It is," Regina replied, sitting down. She watched as Sister Astrid put the kettle on the stove before preparing two cups for tea.
Sister Astrid never changed. She still had long brown hair that was braided into a bun and her habit did little to hide the fact that she was very skinny. Her blue eyes were as bright as ever though she always had a panicked expression on her face. She had always been very nervous, even when Regina was there, and time hadn't changed that.
That really struck Regina-Sister Astrid hadn't aged. No gray hairs, no lines on her face, nothing. She still looked the fresh-faced sister who had just stopped being a novice Regina remembered. The same was true of Mother Superior and many of the other sisters she saw in town as well. All looked just like they did when Regina lived there. It was as if they had a fountain of youth hidden somewhere in the convent.
Regina couldn't help but think of Diana and her theory that they were cursed. She believed that because of the curse, time was frozen for them. Days came and went and years passed by, but no one in Storybrooke ever aged or changed. They were just stuck as the world continued to revolve around them.
After having written that off as just part of Diana's vivid imagination, Regina couldn't help but wonder if there was any truth to it as she now watched Sister Astrid pour two cups of tea. It would explain why everyone always looked the same in both her memories and in real life.
"Here you go," Sister Astrid said, handing Regina a mug. She set the other one down but didn't take a seat. "Why don't I open a window?"
Regina sipped the tea as Sister Astrid opened the window over the sink, letting in some cool, fresh air into the kitchen. It did little though to calm her nerves. Her revelation had made her even more nervous to ask the questions she knew she had to ask. She had to find out the truth-whatever it may be.
Sister Astrid sat down. "So, what brings you by? You haven't been back here since you graduated."
"I know," Regina said, setting down her mug. "But I've been looking into my past and that brings me back here."
"What are you looking for? Information about your mother? We don't know where she went. Just that she left town after giving birth to you," Sister Astrid said, sounding sad at the circumstances of Regina's birth. She was probably the only one. "And if it's about your father, she left no clues as to who he could be. Cora romanced several men but there's no proof any of them fathered you."
Regina pressed her lips together. She still had no desire to find her mother and she had given up learning who her father was years ago. While it was clear that there were many candidates for that honor, none had ever approached her to find out one way or the other. That told her everything she needed to know-she wasn't worth finding and chancing a momentary disruption in their life. If her father didn't want to know her, then she didn't want to know him.
She shook her head. "I was hoping you might have some information about something else."
"Oh?" Sister Astrid asked, eyebrows going up. "What about?"
"I recently learned that I was pregnant," Regina said quickly, hoping Mother Superior wasn't lurking around. "Whale doesn't know how long ago it was but he does believe I delivered the baby."
Sister Astrid's eyes went wide and her mouth parted slightly. "You...You had a baby? What happened to it?"
Disappointment flooded through Regina and her shoulders sagged. "I hoped you would be able to tell me."
"What do you mean?" Sister Astrid asked, tilting her head.
Regina took a deep breath, lowering her voice so no one could overhear. The last thing she needed was for Mother Superior to learn any of this. "I don't remember being pregnant or giving birth. Whale and Dr. Hopper believe I may have suppressed the memories due to some trauma. I guess I must've hidden my pregnancy because I can't believe the people in this town would've agreed not to mention it to me. We both know they would've loved to rub it in my face."
Sister Astrid nodded, looking down at her mug. "Many in Storybrooke haven't treated you very neighborly."
"That's putting it mildly," Regina replied before taking a deep breath. "Anyway, I remembered that you were always kind to me when I was here in the convent. I hoped that maybe I had confided something to you."
Reaching out, Sister Astrid shook her head. "I'm afraid you didn't. And you were the last orphan left to our care."
"Oh," Regina said, disappointment flooding her as another door appeared to close in her face.
"However, that mostly due to the state's foster care system stepping in," Sister Astrid continued. "Mayor Blanchard had no choice but to agree and so any orphans or neglected children had to go into the system, leaving Storybrooke."
The disappointment receded a bit as hope sparked inside her. "Who would know if any babies went into foster care from Storybrooke?"
"Probably City Hall," Sister Astrid said. "You can ask the records keeper there. A lot of that information is public. Maybe someone could poke around the hospital too. Even if you didn't give birth there, you probably surrendered your child to the fire department or the sheriff. They would've taken him or her there for a check-up."
Regina nodded, grateful to have some places to look. "Thank you, Sister Astrid."
"You're welcome." Sister Astrid stood and when Regina did as well, she embraced her. "I hope you find what you're looking for. And remember, I'm always here if you need to talk."
Gratitude swelled inside Regina and she fought back tears. "Thank you."
"And we can always meet elsewhere if you don't want to run into You-Know-Who," Sister Astrid whispered, grinning cheekily.
That made Regina laugh. She thanked the sister again before heading out, moving quickly toward the front door to avoid any unexpected run-ins with Mother Superior. Once she left the convent, she took a deep breath in. She may not have gotten the answers she was looking for, but at least she had a new place to look for them.
"Thank you for watching Diana today, Daddy," Mary Margaret said, handing her father his hat.
He took it and put it on. "I'm glad I got to spend time with the both of you. Let's do this again soon."
She smiled, nodding. It then dimmed as she asked: "Did...Did Diana talk to you about her theory and her book?"
"I asked her about it," he replied.
"And who did she say you were?" Mary Margaret asked, dreading the answer.
He waved his hand. "It's not important because it's not true. I know who I am and I know you are my daughter. And I told Diana how much it was hurting you for her to insist I was not her father and she was not your daughter. I think she understood."
Mary Margaret doubted it but was glad he was still on her side. She didn't want Diana swaying anyone as thankfully it seemed as if Regina had taken her warning to heart. Neither Graham nor Keith reported her interacting with Diana and she didn't seem to be poking around where she shouldn't.
"Thank you," she told her father, hugging him. "Get home safely."
He promised he would before walking away. She stood at the door, watching him get in his car. Once he drove off, she closed the door and took a deep breath. It was time to talk to her daughter.
She climbed the stairs to the second floor and knocked on her daughter's door. "Diana? Can I come in?"
"Sure," the girl called from inside the room.
Mary Margaret opened the door and found Diana sitting on her bed, finishing up some homework. She smiled as she approached the bed. "Can I sit? I'd like to talk to you about something."
"Okay," Diana said, placing her pencil in the middle of the book and closing it so she didn't lose her place. She looked up at Mary Margaret warily. "What is it?"
"I know Halloween is coming up and I thought we could talk about your costume," she started. "What do you want to go as?"
Diana narrowed her eyes. "I always go as Snow White."
"True, but I thought that maybe you wanted to try something new. You know, change it up a bit?" Mary Margaret offered.
She watched as her daughter bit her lip, clearly thinking it over. Part of Mary Margaret knew that Diana was trying to determine if it was a trap. She would never trap her like that, though. That was something Regina would do. And Mary Margaret was not Regina.
The other part of her hoped that Dr. Hopper had been wrong or that all Diana really needed to do was vent. She hoped that Diana would smile and say that she would still love to go as Snow White, that she loved the costume and the character.
"I was thinking of going as a different fairy tale character this year," Diana replied.
Though her heart was breaking, Mary Margaret tried to stay calm and act cool. She had a strong suspicion about her daughter's choice but still asked: "Oh? Who?"
"I have two possibilities," her daughter replied. "The first is Belle from Beauty and the Beast."
Mary Margaret paused as Lacey came to mind. She had met the intelligent noblewoman when both ended up at the same tavern when she was a bandit and Lacey-Belle—was on a special quest. For a while, they had enjoyed a friendship. However, Belle ultimately chose to support Regina and so their friendship fizzled. Part of her then didn't want Diana dressing up as someone who supported the enemy.
However, Belle was compassionate and had a natural curiosity. It drove her to find new ways to help her people and to seek out exciting adventures. Mary Margaret could understand why Diana wanted to dress up as her and could overlook how things ended between them for those reasons.
"I was also thinking about Red Riding Hood," Diana continued, grinning. "She's pretty cool in that storybook."
"Is she?" Mary Margaret asked even though she knew the answer. She smiled, recalling her dear friend-a strong role model she would be happy for her daughter to emulate. As Diana talked about Red Riding Hood, Mary Margaret realized it had been some time since she had spoken to Ruby. It was time to pay her a visit or maybe invite her over for dinner.
Diana stopped talking and was now looking at Mary Margaret expectantly. Blinking, Mary Margaret looked sheepish. "Sorry, my mind wandered to costumes. What did you say?"
"Costumes?" Diana perked up. "You're going to let me dress up as one of them?"
Mary Margaret chuckled, nodding. She decided to gently push her daughter toward the choice she preferred. "I think you will make a great Red Riding Hood."
"Thank you!" Diana threw her arms around Mary Margaret and hugged her tightly. "You are amazing."
"You're welcome, sweetheart." Mary Margaret held her daughter close, her heart nearly bursting from happiness. Perhaps things were starting to get better for her family after all.
Regina closed the backdoor of the library behind her, knowing it was too late for Diana to join her. She used her flashlight to find her way to the back office, flipping on the light before settling into the rolling chair. Papers lay scattered across the surface of the desk, all part of her quest to find out what happened to the baby she apparently gave birth to at some point in the past.
She opened the first drawer and pulled out the notebook she used to keep track of all her clues. Flipping to a certain page, she grabbed a pen and crossed off Talk to Sister Astrid. Underneath it, she wrote Check foster care records. Things were moving-slowly, but she believed she was at least moving forward.
It was a good feeling.
Closing the notebook, she placed it back in the drawer and then opened the next one. The storybook sat inside that one and she pulled it out. She had a purple silk ribbon marking her place and she turned to it, ready to continue her doppelganger's journey to becoming the Evil Queen and then (apparently) Diana's mother.
Regina paced her bedroom, unable to sleep. Her heart pounded in her chest, her stomach was ready to expel the rich dinner she had eaten earlier and her thoughts raced. She needed to talk to someone and there was only one person in this godforsaken place she trusted.
The side door to her room opened and Daddy stepped in, his own robe wrapped around him. He frowned at her. "What is the emergency?"
"Close the door," she ordered. "And keep your voice down. The walls have ears."
He frowned, blanching. "The servants are reporting on you?"
"It's not a new development," she replied. "My husband has been reading my diary for our entire marriage."
"You've never kept a diary," Daddy said, sounding confused.
She shrugged. "It was a wedding gift from my husband. I caught my maid taking it every night and when Leopold started to hint that I should use my diary, I figured out what he was doing. So I started writing what I thought he wanted to read in it."
Daddy frowned and raised his eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I write that I'm a good and faithful wife," she replied. "I write that I love Snow White as if she were my own. I smooth over when I lose my patience with her, blaming it on other things-usually my time of the month. Whatever it takes to keep him from...punishing me."
Regina rubbed her arms and she knew she didn't have to say anymore. He had tended to the aftermath of Leopold's punishments enough times to know what she wasn't saying. Tears filled his eyes as he approached her. "Things have changed?" he asked.
She nodded. "My servants are starting to ask even more probing questions, especially in regards to my fidelity to the king."
"Oh gods," Daddy breathed. He gently grabbed her arms. "Do not feel bad if you've sought comfort and love elsewhere. That monster hasn't shown you any and you deserve it."
Tears pricked her eyes at the fact that her father didn't condemn her for taking other men to her bed. Her heart also hurt that he would think she could love and care for any of her bedfellows. That part of her had died with Daniel and was buried with him. She had learned quickly enough that sex only had one purpose at court-as a weapon. Her body guaranteed her some protection and allies at court, though not as many as she needed to be truly safe.
"Is there anything they can prove?" Daddy asked softly.
She shook her head. "As I said, I don't keep a real diary and I try to be as discreet as possible."
"And your companions?"
"They know to be discreet as well," she replied. "They know their lives depend on it."
He nodded, understanding her meaning. "So he can't find any proof."
"No, but we both know that doesn't matter," she said, walking away from him. She leaned against the doors leading to her balcony, watching the stars twinkling above the palace. "If Leopold wants me dead, he'll find a way to make it happen."
"Then you must get away from here," Daddy said, coming up behind her. "We can run away and find a place to hide. We can start over. You can be happy at last, Regina."
For a moment, she was tempted to agree to that plan. A place where she didn't have the expectations of a husband longing for his dead wife, a bratty princess who expected everyone to give her everything she wanted, or a mother who only ever saw her as a pawn to achieve revenge against those who mistreated her when she was just the daughter of a lowly miller sounded like paradise. She could take Rocinante and spend her days riding him, feeling the wind in her hair. Then she could tend to a garden or do some reading, learning everything Mother hadn't deemed important to her education to become a wife and queen. She only had to answer to herself.
She glanced back at her father, her heart nearly breaking at the sadness in his eyes. He loved her, she knew that, and wanted what was best for her. And he was trying to do that now that he was free of her mother. She just didn't know if what he wanted was what was best for her-to just disappear, to let Snow get away unpunished for her crime…
That was something she just couldn't allow.
"I'm not going to run," she told him. "I can't run."
He nodded. "Then what do you plan to do?"
"I'm going to kill him first," she told him, her voice firm.
Daddy's eyes widened and his lips parted. He stepped closer to her, lowering his voice even more. "That's a drastic move, sweetheart."
"Desperate times, Daddy," she said, hoping to convince him. She knew plotting murder was dangerous but it was the best solution to all her problems. With Leopold gone, she didn't have to worry about her own life-she was not lying about her fear that he was trying to get rid of her-and there wouldn't be anyone to stand in her way in her plot to get vengeance against Snow White. She just needed her father to agree to help.
He squared his shoulders and nodded. "Of course. And I'll gladly take the blame if it keeps you safe."
The thought of her father dying for her sins hurt her heart and she shook her head, feeling a chill sweep through her. She took his hands. "No, I will make sure it can't come back to us."
"How?" he asked.
"Have you met the genie my husband rescued?" she asked him.
Daddy made a face. "I have. I don't like the way he looks at you."
"Well, you should," she replied. "It means he's wrapped around my finger and will do whatever I say. Especially when I appeal to his need to be my hero."
"You think he will kill the king for you?" he asked.
She nodded. "With the right persuasion, yes."
"What do you need me to do then?" Daddy asked.
"Don't ask me how, but I'm managed to procure an Agrabah viper," she told him. "It should be coming tomorrow night. I'll need you to take it and bring it to the Genie, instructing him to put it in Leopold's bed. The viper will do the dirty work for us."
Daddy nodded. "You can count on me, sweetheart."
"Thank you, Daddy," she said, hugging him. She whispered: "You're the only person I can truly trust in this palace."
He pulled back and she could see the sadness in his eyes. His voice cracked as he said: "Get some rest, sweetheart. I'll see you in the morning."
Daddy kissed her forehead before heading back to his room. Regina waited until his door closed before letting out a breath. He was onboard for her plan, which was a good sign. Everything was starting to fall into place. Only a couple more nights and she would be free from her nightmare of a marriage. She could then become a proper queen and finally get her vengeance on Snow White.
Then she could finally be happy.
She sat down at her desk, pulling out the diary Leopold read every night. Opening it, she dipped her quill in her inkpot. Regina didn't want to rely solely on her powers of persuasion, seduction and ability to play the victim. She needed to give Genie even more of a reason to agree to her plan to kill the king. It was time to make Leopold think that his suspicions were finally correct-she had fallen in love with another and was planning on taking a lover. Leopold's possessive nature would take over and the Genie would fear for both of them, agreeing that killing the king was the only thing they could do to be together.
Regina was almost free.
A/N: I know this was more Snow heavy than Regina but it was necessary to push certain aspects of the story forward. We're getting closer to Robin's entrance in the story, so that's coming soon!
If you missed it, I posted a fic set in this universe for Prompt Party entitled "Lost and Found." It's a little look at Diana when she was younger and features a glimpse of Robin and Regina's marriage.
I hope everyone has a great week!
-Mac