Finding You Always

A Thousand Years

Finding You Always

Chapter 24: A Thousand Years

Flashback

Enchanted Forest

11 ½ years ago

Snow soothingly stroked the back of her new husband's neck, as they stood together at the small grave site where they lay his mother to rest. There was a grave next to hers that belonged to his father, who had died when he was just six. Despite their parents being gone, they were each other's family now. And thanks to his wonderful mother, they would have children someday. Her heart ached for Ruth. As much as she wanted children, she would have never taken the water from his mother if she had known. That's why Ruth had kept it from them.

She had told Charming, just mere moments ago, about his mother's sacrifice for them. She couldn't keep it from him. She wanted no secrets between them. After all, he had trusted her with his own guarded secret. That he was not James. That he was James' twin brother and not a real prince, but merely a shepherd.

It hadn't really surprised her. While he was a natural born leader and was far more worthy of the title than most royals she knew, the fact that he was not related to the ruthless King George made a lot of sense. The contrast between the loving and fiercely courageous man that was now her husband and the evil King couldn't have been greater.

His reaction to his mother's sacrifice had not been what she expected though. Well...his livid anger at George for doing that to her was expected. He'd been ready to storm his castle and kill him for it, but she gently calmed him down, telling him on no certain terms was he going to put himself in that kind of peril, especially on their wedding night.

The other part of his reaction was that he wasn't really surprised at all by his mother's actions.

"She told me that when you have children, that you're willing to make any sacrifice for their happiness," he had said.

She had said he would understand this someday. He had then simply taken her in his arms and kissed her. He was sad...but the joy of their union eased their sorrow. They were finally together.

"I know what she meant now," he said, as they placed flowers on the fresh grave site. She stroked a hand along the back of his neck soothingly.

"She told me that I'd understand someday that a parent would do anything for their child's happiness. There would have been no stopping her. She knew you...and a family are my happy ending, even if she can't be a part of it," he said.

"But she will be. She'll always be in your heart. And I will never forget what she has done for me...the gift she has given me," Snow said, as she choked back a sob. He pulled her into his arms.

"I love you..." he whispered fiercely. She cradled his handsome face in her hands, as he pulled back slightly.

"And I love you...my husband," she said with a smile. He smiled back.

"I like the way you say that, my wife," he said, as she watched her hands slowly slide down his chest to the ties on his leather doublet, before her eyes flicked up to his. The sun was setting, giving way to dusk. Lancelot had gone back to their camp, but they were staying behind for the night at the farm. They would meet up with him in the morning to resume the fight against George and Regina. But tonight belonged to them.

She took his hand and started leading him toward the house. He stopped on the walkway and she turned back with questioning eyes, which widened in surprise, as he swept her into his arms.