It's A Long Way Down

A/N: Since a lot of the readers on FanFiction.net are sensitive, let me clear something up for Wattpad as well. In various interviews, Lana has referred to Fred's children as her own. She understands that they are her stepsons and as her fans, we recognize this as well. This doesn't make them any less "her children." She loves them as if they were her own and like many step-parents out there, she refers to them as such. In this fic, there is no mention of Alfredo's ex-wife because she is not relevant to the story, but that doesn't mean I have "disrespected" her by allowing Lana to call Jack, Pat, and Matt "their children" because by marrying Fred, they became part of her as well. My stepfather refers to me as his daughter and the same goes for my stepmom; this doesn't mean they are disrespecting my parents, but that they love me as their child. I wished to portray the relationship between Lana and the DiBlasio boys in the same light. I will not apologize for writing it this way, but I do hope my explanation clears things up for those who felt I was being disrespectful or inconsiderate. With that being said, enjoy the fic.

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"You're sure you don't want to return to the dark side?"

"I quit, Bobby," she laughed at his failed attempt to have her join him for a cigarette after a long day of shooting.

"Suit yourself," he shrugged as they parted ways, "Once a traitor, always a traitor."

She shook her head, grinning as she pulled open the door to her trailer, "See you Monday."

Lana Parrilla was a very busy woman, there was no doubt about that. Between twelve to fifteen hours a day on set, publicity for Once Upon a Time, and raising three boys, she was lucky she had any time to herself. Normally she drove herself to set, enjoying the peace and quiet of the short drive to Steveston every morning, but Fred had been kind enough to take her to work that Friday. She liked spending time with her husband as often as she was afforded it, but now she was exhausted and had to wait for him to pick her up.

She entered her 'home away from home,' kicking off her shoes at the entrance to her trailer and making her way to the soft couch just beyond the kitchen. Flowers and various gifts filled the space, all sent from her adoring fans. She smiled as she passed them, thinking about all of the people out there that not only loved her, but needed her. It was a lot of pressure for one person, but it was a burden she was willing to carry if it meant keeping someone alive for one more day.

She opened the small closet just beside the couch where she kept her comfortable clothes. Although Eduardo was a fabulous costume designer, comfort was not his top priority when creating the Evil Queen's eloquent wardrobe. She realized then that it might have been a good idea to have Bobby unzip her before letting him run off to enjoy his fag, but it was too late by that point; she was on her own. She stood on her tip toes and reached back, her fingertips only grazing the zipper, but unable to get a firm grip in order for her to pull down.

"It looks like you could use a hand," a familiar voice spoke from the front door. She jumped in surprise, not having heard him enter while she struggled with the garment currently stuck to her body.

"I wasn't expecting you so soon," she replied, relief washing over her while she turned and pulled her hair out of the way as he approached to assist her.

His hands were like ice from the cold Vancouver air as they skimmed the flesh of her exposed back, getting a hold on the zipper and pulling down ever-so-slowly, "I hadn't heard from you so I hoped I wasn't too early."