A Potter In Storybrooke

Chapter 50 - The Miller's Daughter: Part 3

Neal watched Cora closely, trying to destroy the barrier "It's weakening, she's going to break through."

Gold glanced at Neal, sadness in his eyes "Maybe it's
better this way," he murmured. "At
least this cursed power will finally
pass from this world."
Neal, seating besides his father, shook his head,"Not today. You're not dying,"

But Gold gave him a somber
smile. "I am dying. That much is
certain." He turned to Hope. "Please,
Hope. Call Belle for me." Hope
nodded, quickly dialing the number
and passing him her phone.

As Mr. Gold listened to the ringing,
Neal whispered to Hope, "Who's
Belle?"

"Your dad's girlfriend."

"I know, my love." His voice trembled.
"But I... I'm dying."

"I know. I know you're... confused
about who you are. So, I'm going to
tell you." He took a deep, steadying
breath. "You are a hero. A beautiful
woman who loved an ugly man.
Really, truly loved me." His voice grew
thick. "You find goodness in others,
and when it's not there, you create
it. You make me want to be the best
version of myself, and that... that's
never happened before. So, when you
look in the mirror and you don't know
who you are... that's who you are." He
paused, his voice breaking. "Thank
you, Belle. Thank you."

Gold hung up and  Neal cleared his throat "Didn't know you had that
in you."

"I've spent a lifetime
looking for you, waiting for a chance
to tell you... I love you. And I'm sorry."

"I didn't think you'd go back on our
deal," Neal replied.

"I just... made the wrong choice." He
extended a hand to Neal. "May I?"

Neal hesitated, then took his hand.

Mr. Gold turned back to Hope "Hope...
please..."

Cora tore through the barrier and
stormed into the back of the shop.

"Hope, do it!"

Regina appeared out of nowhere,
clutching a heart in her hand.

She shoved it Cora's heart back into her chest.

Cora
staggered, blinking in confusion, and
Mr. Gold's labored breaths calmed as
his wounds began to miraculously
heal. He rose, strength returning to
him, and took the dagger from
Hope's hand.

Cora looked up at Regina, her eyes softened and vulnerable. A smile tugged at her lips as she took in her daughter.

"Mother..." Regina whispered.

Cora's smile broadened as a strange
laugh escaped her, a mix of disbelief
and wonder. Mr. Gold touched his
chest, astonished to find it fully
healed. His gaze turned back to Cora
just as she faltered, her expression
shifting from joy to confusion.
She looked down and saw the hole
forming in her chest.

"Mother?" Regina's voice wavered as
she caught Cora, who was collapsing
into her arms.

"This..." Cora whispered, her voice
barely a breath. "This would've been
enough. You... you would've been
enough." Her fingers lightly brushed
Regina's face, as if memorizing it,
and then her eyes closed.

"Mother? What's going on? Mother? Don't leave me, please... What am I going
to do?"

"Your mother did you
no favors."

"Shut up!" Regina screamed, "You stole her life! You cast some spell!"

"I did nothing,"

Mary Margaret rushed inside, David close behind. "Regina! Stop!"

"You did this."