Finding You Always

Duality

Chapter 135: Duality

Snow and Eva trekked through the woods and found a good tree as a target, before putting their stuff down.

"This looks like a good place," Eva said, as they readied their bows. They spent several arrows from their quivers and shared a smile when they finished the first round.

"I've missed moments like this...spending time with one of my babies," Snow mentioned.

"Me too, Mom," Eva replied.

"So...how are things with you and Paul?" Snow asked, as they collected their arrows.

"Mom..." she chided, but knew her mother simply couldn't help herself.

"You know I can't help myself. Besides, you and Paul did share true love's kiss back in that warped world Isaac created. That's kind of a big deal, honey. Things have just been so crazy non-stop that we never really got a chance to talk," Snow mentioned. Eva nodded.

"Things are great...it's a bit surreal sometimes," Eva replied.

"What do you mean?" Snow asked in confusion.

"Well, I mean...I guess I always thought that just because I came from a true love as amazing as what you and Daddy have, I knew there was never a guarantee that I'd find it myself," she replied. Snow smiled.

"But you did...and don't negate how important that moment was for you and Paul," she added, as she put a hand on her shoulder.

"Remember, there was a time when I didn't believe in true love at all. I thought it was all a lie when I was living as a bandit, just trying to survive," she reminded.

"Then Daddy found you," Eva said. She nodded.

"Mmm...it took us a while to find our way to each other and stop denying what we both knew we wanted," she said, as she trailed off for a moment.

"What is it, Mom?" Eva asked. Snow recalled that moment in the woodcutter's mobile dungeon when she had held his arm back and allowed the stranger to dispatch him, saving her life. But that man was no stranger and she remembered the connection she felt when their hands brushed briefly. Her husband had saved her life, long before he even knew it. Her encounter that day with him had led her to change her course completely. She had planned to leave the Kingdom that day, possibly for a new life across the vast ocean and beyond the Queen's reach. But he had changed her decision that day. Their encounter had changed her mind and she decided to stay and fight, even though the Blue Fairy had warned her about the bad things that could happen if she did not leave. Bad things had happened, but more good and bad, for finding herself in that net months later was the best thing that had ever happened to her.

"Mom?" Eva asked, breaking through her reverie.

"Sorry sweetheart...I was just thinking about all we've been through and I realize that even the bad was all worth it. True love is worth fighting for," she assured. Eva nodded.

"I know...I just wonder sometimes if I'm strong enough. You and Daddy have fought so hard and you're still fighting, this time because of some mad scientist that keeps trying to find love in all the wrong places. How do you do it, Mom?" Eva asked curiously. Snow sighed.

"Well, I may seem all put together right now, but I'll be honest, honey. I was a mess last night. I tossed and turned all night...your father probably didn't get any sleep either. We both felt a little helpless and we hate that. We don't do helpless well at all," she mentioned.

"But I find hope and love every time your father kisses me or touches me. I find hope and love every time I look at you and your sisters and brothers. To be honest, Jekyll's infatuation with me is puzzling, because he knows he has no chance. It has seemed to only make him more determined," Snow explained.