Thanks for the Memories

Chapter 2

Thanks for the Memories

Chapter 2

Misty Haven, Maine

1986

"And she was beyond hope, her slumber eternal. Then, a wave of pure magic swept through the land, bringing light to the darkness. And she drew breath once again, looking up into the blue eyes of her true love. He had found her, as he promised, in her darkest hour and broke her curse. And he placed his mother's ring on her finger, stating he never wanted off her finger again and proposed to wed her," Snow read from the old, brown leather bound book.

Sometime around Emma's third birthday, Tessa had found the old book in a pile of things in one of the back rooms in the diner. It was as if it had appeared out of nowhere. She had read through it intently and if she hadn't been a believer before, she was now. She said nothing though and presented the book to Emma for her birthday, but paid close attention to Mary and David's faces, as they leafed through the book with awestruck expressions. It was then she knew her suspicions were fact.

"Mommy...did Snow White and Prince Charming live happily ever after?" Emma asked. Mary smiled and stroked her daughter's blonde hair.

"They did. They got married and had a little baby girl, whom they cherished above all," Mary replied.

"They lived in their castle and the Queen didn't get them?" Emma asked.

."Actually no...the Queen did come for them. But they thwarted her again by escaping to a new world," Mary replied. Emma frowned.

"But I thought you said they lived happily ever after?" Emma asked in confusion.

"Oh, but they did sweetheart. You see Emma, sometimes happy endings aren't always what they think they will be. Snow White and Prince Charming escaped to save their baby from the Evil Queen, for their daughter would grow to be very powerful someday and vanquish the Queen," Mary explained.

"They came to a new place, where they were no longer a prince and princess. They owned very little, but they had their love and their baby and it was all they needed to be happy. Castles and riches meant very little to them next to each other and their little one," Mary explained, as she brushed her fingers through her baby's blonde hair. Emma looked at her curiously.

"Mommy...are you daddy the prince and princess?" she asked curiously. Mary smiled and kissed her hair, winking at her.

"It will be our secret, okay?" she asked. Emma nodded.

"Okay...can I tell Nana?" Emma asked. Mary smiled.

"Of course...but no one else. People in this land, besides Nana perhaps, wouldn't understand," she explained. Emma wasn't sure she understood either, but she knew already in her young life that people except Nana could be mean and untrustworthy.

Tessa smiled at the scene and allowed herself a smile, especially when David arrived home and she watched both her girls light up at the sight of him.

Present Day

New York City

When Killian Jones opened his bleary eyes, he found himself on the pointed end of Prince Charming's sword.

"Mate..." he drawled.

"Let's get one thing straight, I don't know who the hell you are, but I am not your mate," Charming hissed. Hook closed his eyes, trying to get his bearings. Of course, Snow and David didn't remember him either. Their memories were of coming to this land twenty-nine years ago to escape the Queen with their daughter. He looked around, seeing Snow and Emma eying him wearily. Henry eyed him with wariness as well, but also curiosity and he took a moment to appreciate how much the lad had grown in a year.