Long Lost | Once Upon a Time (EDITING)

XVI. It's Not Easy Being Green

The missing year...

This was definitely not how Grace expected to start her day. She'd woken up thinking maybe she'd get a head start on things, not be hit with this kind of bombshell before she could even leave her room.

"You're what?" she demanded, eyes wide as she stared between her parents in a mix of shock and something dangerously close to fear.

Snow's face lit up like the morning sun. "I'm pregnant!" she announced, practically glowing. David stood beside her, grinning ear to ear like he'd personally conquered the world... or just Snow.

Grace blinked once, then twice. "...Do you guys make it a habit of having kids right when someone threatens the kingdom, or is this just some weird coincidence?" Her tone was sharp, but her eyes flickered with real concern. Their smiles faltered and the air in the room shifted ever so slightly. Seeing their expressions deflate, Grace hurried to add, "Not that I'm not happy for you guys. Seriously, I'm so happy--not at the mental image of my parents doing it, because ew--but because for once, I actually get to be properly older than my sibling." Snow's smile softened, but David's brow furrowed, sensing where she was heading. "...But Zelena's still out there," Grace continued, voice lowering, the snark peeling back to reveal her unease. "And now, with a baby on the way, you're practically putting a big target on yourselves. You're making things a little too easy for her."

Her gaze darted between them, searching their faces for any sign that they really understood what this meant. The idea of a new sibling should have made her giddy, but all Grace could feel was the weight of a new vulnerability settling over their family, and in the Enchanted Forest, vulnerabilities were exactly what their enemies liked to exploit. David stepped forward, resting a steady hand on Grace's shoulder. His voice softened, but there was that familiar spark of determination behind it, the same one he used when rallying soldiers or marching into cursed forests. "Grace... we can't stop living our lives because of the witch. If we let Zelena dictate every choice we make, then she's already won." She frowned, but didn't look away. He continued, "We can't live in fear. What we can do is stand together and give the kingdom something to believe in: hope. That's always been our greatest strength." His grip on her shoulder tightened in reassurance. "That's why we're throwing a ball tonight. Not just to remind everyone that this kingdom stands strong, but to give them something to celebrate."

Snow chimed in, her face glowing brighter than ever. "And... to announce the pregnancy officially," she added, practically bouncing. "A new baby represents new beginnings, joy... a future."

Grace stared at them, her mouth hanging open slightly. "...You're serious. You're throwing a ball--tonight." Her voice faltered at the end. "Because nothing says 'we're not scared' like fancy dresses and finger food." Snow tried (and failed) to suppress a laugh, while David gave her that classic "dad look" that managed to be both patient and unamused. Grace threw up her hands in surrender. "Okay, fine. Rally the troops with hope and hors d'oeuvres. I just..." she hesitated, a rare crack in her sarcasm, "I don't want anything to happen to you, to either of you. Or... to the baby."

David's expression softened. "We know," he said quietly. "And that's exactly why we have to keep fighting, even if it's with a hope speech this time."

Grace sighed in defeat. "Regina won't be happy about this." She said as one final argument, only for her father to shake his head.

"She'll be fine." He declared before saying, "And besides, since when has her opinion ever changed our minds?" His remark earned a smile from his wife, though Grace only passed a wary look towards the two. She had a feeling David would soon be regretting that statement.