Dreaming Out Loud

Sweeter Than Fiction

Chapter 33: Sweeter Than Fiction

David glanced worriedly out the window, as he held Mary in his lap and she followed his gaze.

"Do you think we should go out there?" she asked in concern. He turned back to her and pressed his lips to hers.

"No...I think they can handle Regina. I'm not letting her spoil this night for us," David replied. Before they could contemplate further, Stephanie and Emma came back inside, minus Henry.

"Is everything okay?" Mary asked. Emma smiled thinly.

"Yeah...Regina was just having her usual Mayorzilla meltdown," Emma replied.

"That looked pretty intense," David mentioned. Emma sighed.

"Yeah...I guess we both just know the right buttons to push to tick each other off. And you know she gets majorly pissed when she can't control everything," Emma replied. David took that answer for now, but knew by how rattled his daughter was that there was more to it.

The reception was quickly winding down and Granny soon came over, as she handed Mary a room key.

"What's this?" the raven haired beauty asked.

"The key to the Honeymoon suite here at the Inn...on the house," Granny replied.

"Granny...that's nice of you," David said.

"Well...consider me a romantic at heart. And I'm using the term suite a little loosely. The room is only slightly bigger than a standard room. But...it has a King sized bed. Enjoy," she said slyly and Mary blushed a little.

"We should run home to the loft to get a few things if we're staying here tonight," she mentioned.

"No need...we packed for you both," Stephanie said, motioning to the two bags on a table nearby.

"Thanks...for everything," David said, as they stood up and exchanged hugs.

"Have fun..." Stephanie teased, enjoying her daughter's blush.

"Yeah...and tell us none of the details," Emma added, as she hugged them.

"Well...shall we, Mrs. Nolan?" he asked. She grinned.

"Lead the way, Mr. Nolan," she answered, she hooked her hand on his elbow and he led her upstairs with their bags.

The short ride home with Henry had been silent, as Regina contemplated Stephanie's threats. Once they were inside, Regina tucked Henry in, before explaining that he was grounded for a month. Her son defiantly told her that she couldn't keep him from his real family and burrowed under his covers then. He was slipping away and she had to fix this and fix it fast.

Mary and David had to be handled delicately. In fact, she would need to take out Stephanie first somehow. Or at the very least neutralize her threat. To do that, she needed to get rid of the judge. With him gone, George would replace him and toss out any custody case against her. And Stephanie wouldn't risk bringing in anyone from outside Storybrooke, not with the possible danger that could pose to her precious daughter. She rolled her eyes at that thought. She still couldn't believe Snow White, her troublesome step-daughter, was actually the daughter of Persephone.

She had to tread carefully, but it was time to find a way to wipe out all her enemies and that meant ultimately...getting rid of Emma Swan.

As they reached the room, David set their bags down and insisted on carrying her over the threshold. She smiled down at him and they kissed tenderly, as he gently put her on her feet. He brought their bags in and closed the door. The suite had been decorated with snow bell petals all over the bed and unlit candles ready to set the mood. There was also wine chilling by the bed with strawberries and whipped cream.