Chapter 82

The room was becoming brighter. The sun was rising. Hanna knew her dad would be home soon. Hanna rolled onto her side and looked at her mom. A few nights ago, Hanna kissed her mom on the forehead to see what would happen. Of course, nothing did. Only a kiss from her dad would wake her. Hanna reached out and held onto her mom's hand. Being apart from each other was becoming harder and harder for her parents. Hanna noticed her mom wasn't cooking dinner anymore. She started ordering takeout. Pizza, Chinese, Granny's…Hanna didn't mind the dinner options. She loved the food, but the reason behind the eating out is what bothered her. That wasn't like her mom at all. Her dad was struggling too. He tried to hide his true emotions, but Hanna could see the sadness in his eyes. He still made breakfast some mornings, but Hanna had been eating a lot more cereal recently.

Hanna rolled onto her back and closed her eyes again. She didn't want today to come. She didn't want to go to school and have to pretend everything was normal. It wasn't. Everyone at that place acted as if nothing happened. They all lived their happy little lives while her parents suffered. No one cared. No one even blinked an eye at the fact that if it weren't for her parents' sacrifice, they would all be dead. The Evil Queen would have destroyed them all. Hanna couldn't stomach being in the same building with those people. She tried her best to be kind, and focus on her teachers' lessons, but she was losing patience with all of it. Part of her wished she could just stay home and be tutored like she was back in the Enchanted Forest or stop school altogether and focus on learning magic from Emma and Regina. She knew her mom would never let her though. At least she had Henry. She was sure she wouldn't have lasted a day without him. He could always tell when she was losing focus or about to get mad at something stupid someone said. He would set her straight again. Hanna heard the front door open. Her dad was home. She laid still, hanging on to the last bit of solitude before she had to face reality.

The bed moved when her dad sat next to her. He was due to take his turn with the sleeping curse, which meant it was time for Hanna to wake up so he could lay down. She opened her eyes and felt a lump in her throat the moment she saw the look on her dad's face. "What's wrong?" Hanna sat up and saw the crumbled piece of paper he held in his hand.

"It's nothing." David set the paper on the nightstand.

Hanna picked up the paper and flattened it. The page was empty. This was from the notepad her mom and dad used to leave each other messages. "She didn't write anything today?"

David shook his head.

"What about a video? Maybe there's one on your phone?"

"There isn't one today, kiddo."

"But…"

"Hey, everything is fine. She just had an off day."

Hanna sighed. She knew this was more than just an "off day." Hanna got up so her dad could take her place. She watched him kiss her mom awake, then fall into a deep sleep. She greeted her mom with a small smile, then went out to the kitchen to find that she would be having cereal again for breakfast. She missed her dad's pancakes.

After the last bell rang, Hanna noticed she had a text from her mom telling her to come to her classroom after school. Hanna's palms started to sweat. Did her mom know she still hasn't been completing all of her assignments? Hanna was doing some of her homework. She turned in most of her math lessons, but she was pretty sure there was a science report she forgot about, and she was a few chapters behind in the new book for English class. Hanna was sure she covered her tracks well. Her dad still didn't know about her not doing her homework. Hanna got away with changing the note. She reluctantly did her homework on the designated "mom days." The "dad days," however, were going a little differently than her mom thought. Hanna told her dad her homework was done even when it wasn't, and she enjoyed the evening with him and Neal. They worked on getting Neal to crawl. He was so close. They caught up their favorite tv shows, and her dad started teaching her how to play chess. Sometimes she completed her assignments after he went to work, but she mostly watched tv. Hanna made sure to check the notepad everyday too. While her mom was giving Neal his bath, she would make sure the note didn't mention Hanna's homework or grades. She also checked the notepad again, quickly, as her dad was waking her mom for the day. She had the routine down pat. She's only had to change the note once when her mom asked if Hanna was giving him any trouble with her homework. Hanna made that part of the note disappear, but she made sure that there was a proper response from "her dad" waiting for her mom in the morning. Hanna even figured out how to use her magic to change her grades on the website just in case her mom checked again. She was getting A's on all of the tests and quizzes, but she needed to add grades for assignments she didn't actually do. Hanna was sure she thought of everything. Why else would her mom be telling her to come to her classroom, though? She's never done that before. She was definitely going to be in trouble. Hanna knew she was going to have to face her mom eventually, so she might as well get this over with. She grabbed what she needed from her locker, stuffed it into her backpack, then trudged through the halls until she was at her mom's room. Hanna peeked inside. The classroom was empty except for her mom, who was busy shuffling through papers on her desk. Hanna took a deep breath and slowly walked inside.

"Hey, Mom…"

"Oh good, you're here." Snow put her papers into a neat stack, then put the pens and pencils that were scattered on the desk into the drawer. She picked up her coat and purse from the coat rack that stood behind her desk. "Let's go."

"Where are we going?"

"To the store. We have to get you a dress for the dance."

Hanna's face fell. Her mom and some of the other teachers decided to throw the kids a fall formal. Her mom insisted this was a great way to get this town and their lives back to normal. Hanna barely listened any time her mom brought up the dance because she had no intention of going. "I don't need a dress."

"I know you have dresses at home, but I want to get you a new one."

"Mom, no."

"Come on, it'll be fun."

"I don't need a dress because I'm not going."

"What do you mean you're not going?"

"I don't want to go to a stupid dance."

"Hanna, it's not stupid."

"Well I don't want to go."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want to. How can I go to a dance with everything that's going on right now?"

"That's exactly the reason you should go." Snow put her hand on Hanna's shoulder. "We need to do our best to keep things…"

"Don't even say it."

"What?"

Hanna back away and threw up her hands. "Normal! Things will never be normal!"

"Hanna, yes they will. We have to hold onto hope. Your father and I will find a way out of this sleeping curse and we will stop the Evil Queen. We can handle her."

"No you can't, Mom! You never could! She cursed an entire population, which forced you to send Emma through a wardrobe and leave me all alone! We all had to give up everything because of her! And now look what she's done…you and Dad may never be together again!" Tears formed in her mom's eyes. Hanna felt a bad about yelling at her, but she still wasn't going to that dance

"I'm sorry you feel that way, but…" Snow shook her head to stop the tears from falling. "The teachers worked hard to plan this fall formal for you all, so you're going whether you like it or not."

"I never asked you all to plan this dance."

"Well, you're still going."

"No! You can't make me!"

"Hanna…"

Hanna waved her hand and sent herself to Granny's. She sent Henry a text telling him to meet her there. She ordered them each a hot chocolate and waited.

As she sat, Hanna only felt more and more guilty about everything she said to her mom. She was already sad about not being able to be with her dad, and Hanna was only making it worse. All that did was hurt her mom even more and that was the last thing Hanna wanted. She didn't want to go to the dance either though. She didn't want to be around the people at that school anymore than she already had to. She's been to enough balls to know she doesn't even like to dance anyway. She knew how happy this would make her mom though. Her mom loved getting her ready for balls. If going to a stupid dance would make her mom a happier than she had been lately, then maybe Hanna should just go. Hanna missed seeing the joy on her mom's face and going to the dance would definitely bring that joy back.

Henry slid into the booth across from Hanna. "What's wrong?"

"My mother."

"What happened?"

"She's making me go the stupid dance."

"Yeah she's making me go to."

"She is?"

"Yup."

"You don't have to go just because she wants you to."

Henry shrugged. "I kinda want to go."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I think it'll be a nice break from everything."

Hanna sighed.

"Come on. Just go to the dance. Maybe you'll have fun."

"I doubt it."

"Please?"

"No." Hanna sat back and folded her arms. "Are you going to ask Violet to go with you?"

"I don't think she likes me anymore. She stood me up for Johnny Hughes' movie night."

"He has movie nights?"

"Apparently."

"You're way better than Johnny. You can win her back. You just have to get creative. Is she even going with him?"

"I don't know."

"Well, ask her!"

"I don't even know how to act around her anymore."

"Just be yourself."

"Okay…I'll make you a deal."

Hanna could tell by the look on his face she wasn't going to like what he was about to propose. "What?"

"I'll ask Violet, but only if you go to the dance too."

Hanna slumped down into the booth. "Henry…"

"I'm not asking her unless you go."

"Ugh…fine."

Henry returned Hanna's begrudging agreement with a triumphant grin.

"Don't look at me like that." Hanna leaned forward and held onto her mug of cocoa.

Henry wiped the smile from his face. "Are you going to ask anyone?"

Hanna raised her eyebrows at him. "No."

"Well, I'm sure some boy will find the courage to ask you to dance."

"Yeah we'll see…I better get home and tell my mom the good news."

"She'll be so excited."

"She's going to make me go dress shopping," Hanna whined.

Hanna stood from the booth, ignoring Henry's laugh, and sent herself home.

Hanna took off her shoes, dropped her backpack onto the floor, and hung up her coat. She walked over to the couch. Her mom held Neal on her lap so he was facing her. She smiled at him, while holding his hands and clapping them together. Hanna sat down beside them. "Hi."

"Look who's home, Neal," Snow said in a tone she only used with the baby. "Tell Sissy that you're so close to clapping your hands all by yourself."

Hanna smiled when Neal's eyes shifted to her. He made an excited squeal and reached his arms towards her. Hanna took him from her mom and held him up over her head. "What a big boy you are!" Hanna brought him back down and he laid his head on her chest. Hanna chanced a look at her mom and was met with a warm smile. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier."

"I know." Snow put her arm around her and rested her head on Hanna's. "You don't have to go to the dance if you don't want to."

"That's okay. I'll go."

Snow lifted her head. "Really?"

"Yes."

"Oh good."

Hanna was startled when her mom got up from the couch and darted towards her bedroom. Hanna stood and put the baby on her hip. "What is Mommy doing?" she asked him. Hanna was given a toothy grin in response. "You don't know either, do you?" Hanna used her sleeve to wipe the drool from Neal's chin, then went to find out the answer to her question.

She was given an explanation within a few seconds when her mom came out from the bedroom with a brand new dress.

"You got me a dress already? We didn't even go shopping."

"Well, I sort of had it picked out already," Snow winced. "I was hoping you'd like when I showed it to you at the store, and I just went ahead and picked it up before getting Neal from daycare. What do you think?"

The dress was light green with embroidered pale pink flowers. Hanna could tell the top was a corset. She supposed she could deal with that. Thankfully there were no puffy sleeves, only simple spaghetti straps. The bottom of the dress was tulle and reached to the floor. It was beautiful.

"I love it, Mom."

"You really do?"

Hanna nodded.

Hanna agreeing to attend the dance did brighten her mom's spirits and for the first time in a long time, she actually cooked a homemade meal.

The day of the dance finally arrived, and Hanna regretted the deal she made with Henry. He held up his end of the bargain though, so she would do the same. He asked Violet, and to his surprise she happily accepted his invitation. He was excited and Hanna was glad. Hanna was also in a better mood because Emma and Regina finally came up with a plan to stop the Evil Queen. They were going to enchant a mirror and trap her inside. Just like Regina did with Sidney. The mirror world would be the perfect prison for her. She would have no magic and wouldn't be able to communicate with anyone.

Hanna sat at her mom's dressing table and patiently waited for he to finish her hair. Her mom did her make-up first, which took way longer than Hanna thought it should. She took forever getting Hanna's eyeshadow just right, but the mascara was the worst part. The lipgloss was annoying, and Hanna was sure her mom was putting on way too much blush. She was going to look like a clown, she just knew it. When Hanna looked in the mirror, though, she couldn't help but smile. She had just enough make-up to enhance her natural features. The blush and the lipgloss had a little bit of sparkle to them, and the eyeshadow was perfect. The colors would look beautiful with her dress. Hanna glanced at herself every so often in the mirror as her mom fixed her hair. She couldn't believe it was really her. Her mom put make-up on her for balls before, but never like this. When her mom finished her hair, she held up a mirror so Hanna could see the back. There was an intricate braid woven across the top of her head, and her curls were loosely pulled back into a low ponytail. Her mom even managed to find flowers that matched the ones on her dress, and she sprinkled them throughout her hair.

"Mom, I love it. Thank you."

Snow smiled and her eyes glistened with tears. "You're welcome, sweetie."

The front door opened. Hanna got up from the dressing table and went into the other room. She hoped it was her sister and Regina back with good news.

"Mom. Did it work?" Henry asked Regina.

"It worked. Henry, it worked. And I cannot tell you how good it feels. It's like I'm finally…free."

"I knew you could do it." Henry reached out and gave her a hug.

"And Emma?" Killian asked.

"Is she alright?" Hanna looked to Regina for an answer.

"Oh, yeah, she's fine. She's driving to New York to look for the Dragon."

"By herself?" Killian asked.

"Yeah, why would she do that?" Hanna knew Emma wouldn't go off on her own.

"She left you a voicemail." Regina pointed to Killian's phone.

Killian played the message. Emma's voice started talking through the phone. "Hey it's me. The Queen's gone, so I'm going to New York to find the Dragon. I might be away a few days. Please help my dad fill in as sheriff, okay? Keep everybody safe. See you soon."

"So you really did it?" Snow asked Regina. "You got rid of that monster?"

"Oh, well, I'm not sure she was a monster."

"Oh, yes, she was, Regina. I know she was once a part of you, but she was the worst part, and I am so happy that you ripped her out and threw her away." Snow grabbed ahold of her hands. "I am so proud of you."

"That's so nice to hear," Regina told her. "But we have someone else to worry about. Henry. You have to get dressed for a dance." Regina walked over to the counter to choose a tie for him.

Hanna made eye contact with Killian. He felt something was off about Emma going to New York just like she did. Killian left the loft and Hanna knew she needed to follow him. They had to figure out what was really going on with Emma.

"Hanna…" Snow said again, trying to get her daughter's attention.

"What?"

"You need to put on your dress."

"Oh, uh…can I go to Granny's real fast and get a hot cocoa first? I'll poof myself there and back. It'll only take a second."

"Hanna, I just did your make-up."

"Please, Mom? I'll have plenty of time."

Snow sighed and looked at the clock. "Okay, but be quick and if you mess up my artwork you'll regret it."

"I'll be careful. I promise." Hanna waved her hand, but she didn't send herself to the diner. She sent herself to the pirate.

Hanna was at the beach. Killian was walking in the sand and was just hanging up the phone.

"Did you talk to her?"

"What are you doing here? Don't you have a dance to be getting to?"

"I don't care about that. Something is up with Emma. I know you sense it too."

"Aye, but I can handle this. You need to go home before your mother kills you."

Hanna shook her head. "I have to know what's going on with Emma. Did she answer when you called?"

Killian sighed. "No. I've left several messages. Phones do still work in New York, don't they?"

"Yeah they do."

"Something doesn't feel right."

"I know. Emma wouldn't just leave like that." The clouds shifted away from the sun and a Hanna was blinded by something in the sand. Hanna held her hand out in front of her face. There was broken glass scattered all over the ground. The mirror. Could these be pieces from the mirror Emma and Regina were trying to use against the Queen? Did their plan fail? Then, a phone started ringing. Hanna followed the sound and found a familiar phone lying in the sand. "Killian." Hanna held out the phone to him. "It's Emma's."

"You two are pretty clever."

Hanna turned towards the sound of a familiar voice. "Regina?"

"That's not Regina," Killian said.

Hanna's heart was pounding in her ears. The Evil Queen. That wasn't Regina back at the loft. It was her. Regina and Emma's plan must have failed. Hanna shook her head and tried to force the fear that filled her mind to go away.

"The pirate found out my secret first," the Queen said. "I can tell you, I wouldn't have bet on that."

"What have you done to Emma and Regina?" Killian asked.

"That's an excellent question, but one I'm not going to answer."

The Queen lifted her hand. Killian flew through the air and hit his head on a rock. Hanna wanted to help Killian, but she didn't want to take her eyes off the Queen.

"Tell me where my sister is!"

The Queen laughed and stepped closer. "And what just what is tiny Snow White going to do about it?"

Hanna shortened the distance between them. She held out her hands and blasted magic at her, which she easily dodged.

"Maybe you should come to me for lessons, dear, and not my weaker half."

Hanna lunged at the her, but her feet froze in place. The Queen came closer. She was merely inches away. She lifted her hand towards Hanna's chest.

"I think I'll give your mother a present. I've missed a few birthdays. I think she would love a jar filled with remnants of your crushed heart, don't you agree?"

"You can't take my heart."

"Aww a protection spell?"

Hanna nodded.

"That's no fun," she sighed.

"Where are Emma and Regina?"

"In the mirror, of course. Did you really think their little plan would work on me?"

Hanna struggled against the magic that held her in place. "I'm going to get them out of there. We will stop you."

"You're not going to be doing anything."

Hanna's eyes went wide as the Queen wave her hand towards her. Before she could do anything, she was soaring through the air. All she felt was pain when she landed, then everything went black.