Finding You Always

Counting Stars

Finding You Always

Chapter 50: Counting Stars

"And that's pretty much the story," Snow explained, having just finished telling Lancelot and the others about their lives during the curse.

"Wow...so they're both yours?" Lancelot asked, indicating Emma and Summer.

"Yes. Memories were restored much earlier than prophesied and Snow and I were able to have more children after Emma, even though time was still frozen," David continued.

"How is that possible?" King Richard questioned. Snow and David exchanged a glance.

"That's an ever longer story," Snow said.

"So the Queen lost control even sooner than anticipated," Richard stated with curiosity.

"Yes, but Regina has changed. She's reformed," Snow replied. Lancelot raised an eyebrow at Charming.

"I know...you're thinking that's impossible. I would say the same if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. But it's true," David added.

"However did that occur?" Richard asked with great interest.

"Another long story, but she found her true love," Snow said fondly.

"Remarkable," Richard said, a little distantly.

"So that's it? You just let her off the hook for all the pain she caused?!" Aurora exclaimed. Snow and David exchanged another glance.

"Hey...you weren't there. We've seen her change," Emma said defensively.

"Emma's right. It wasn't easy, but we have forgiven her and she's family. We know some never will forgive her, but she has been atoning for everything she did," David explained. Snow nodded.

"She's family now and she, our other children, and our grandchild are why we must find a way back to the Land Without Magic," Snow said, as a large platter of cooked meat was put in front of them.

"Well...portals are difficult, but we can provide you with weapons and supplies. Mulan and I can accompany wherever you need to go," Lancelot said.

"Many dangers have returned this land, mainly the ogres," Mulan added.

"That's very kind of you," Snow said, as they started to eat.

"What is this?" Emma asked, eying the meat wearily.

"Chimera," Lancelot answered.

"And that's what exactly?" she asked. David smirked at his daughter.

"Do you really want to know?" he mused.

"No," she decided, as she took a piece. Summer cringed away, as David tried to feed her a bite.

"I know it's not what you're used to, baby. But we have to eat to keep our strength up," he prodded gently.

"Em...help me out a bit," he pleaded. Emma rolled her eyes and took a bite, smiling at her sister.

"Mmm...it's good," she faked for her baby sister's sake. Sure enough, Summer started eating too.

Snow felt her heart flutter like it usually did when she watched him with their baby. Summer had never been away from Storybrooke, but David's loving patience and protective presence had kept their little one calm and un-frightened for the most part. And even though Emma was grown, her father's presence did much to soothe her as well in this world that was brand new to her too. After all, it did much to soothe Snow also. They had gone eighteen years without any separations and that had only served to make them even more inseparable.