The Daughter I Never Had

My Magic Mirror

I put Emma back down for her mid-morning nap and sat down behind my desk. I need a solution to the problem I have been introduced to. I only wanted one child and now I have two. Maybe it isn’t as bad as I think, the only one who knows is Gold and I know he won’t say anything because he risks putting himself in danger as well. The two children who were unaffected by my curse, are both here under my roof, in my care. I seriously had nothing to worry about, everything was still going according to plan. Everyone was still cursed and there wasn’t anyone to remind them of their pasts. Okay. I can do this. I must regain my composure. I could hear August laughing at the television, he really did have his memory altered. I need to call into the office and let my assistant know I’d be working from home today. “Hello, Allison?” “Yes Madame Mayor?” I sighed, “I won’t be coming in today. I need to stay home and care for Emma. So any paperwork I need to sign, please bring it by my house.” “Yes ma’am. Is everything alright?” “Yes. Just do as I asked.” And I hung up the phone. I can’t let people hear fear in my voice, they’ll think I’ve started becoming weak. That’s the last thing I need, is people asking if I’m alright. No, I can’t show them what lies beneath this mask. “Mom?” a voice called out and broke me from my daze. I looked up from a sleeping Emma who was lying in her bassinet to see August standing in my office doorway. It was weird to hear him call me that. “Yes dear?” I wondered what he needed. “Can I go play in the front yard?” he asked shyly. I nodded, “Yes but stay where I can keep an eye on you.” His face lit up and he gave me a huge smile, “Thank you mom!” he answered before darting upstairs to change clothes. At least with him outside, I could make some phone calls. In between reading reports I would glance out of my window and see August outside playing with a stick. I assumed he was sword fighting. I definitely need to get him enrolled into school as soon as possible. I picked up the phone and called the elementary school, I knew the principal pretty well. Mrs. Addams was more than accepting of August and I couldn’t help but be so thankful to her. After all, I didn’t even have any paperwork on him, saying that he legally belonged to me. But I guess being the mayor has it’s perks. It’s time to call my trusty magic mirror to make sure things stay the way they are. “Sidney, get over here now. I need your help.” was all I said before hanging up the phone. Five minutes later there was a knock at my door. I quickly went to answer it and led Sidney into my office, “Who was that kid outside?” “Someone I’ve adopted. I need your help with getting some paperwork. He was found out by the side of the road and he doesn’t know where he came from.” Sidney furrowed his brow, “Regina, how am I supposed to get paperwork on a kid with no background?” I frowned, “All I want to hear you say is Yes Madame Mayor.” “But-“ “Ah!” I narrowed my eyes and he sighed. “Yes Madame Mayor. I’ll do what I can.” I rolled my eyes and went to sit back down. “Good. I need this before the end of the day because he starts school tomorrow.” Sidney’s face fell, I knew it was too great of a task to complete in a day but it had to be done and I knew if he worked hard, he could do it. “Is that Emma?” he asked, trying to change the subject. “Why no, it’s my new pet monkey. Of course it’s her.” Sidney actually smiled at her, I had never seen him smile in our land. His face usually stayed pretty neutral. “She’s very adorable. Congratulations.” I softly grinned, “Thank you.” I guess Emma sleeping could put a smile on anyone’s face. “Oh I almost forgot. Here.” Sidney pulled a folder from inside his jacket and placed it on my desk. “Allison told me to bring these to you.” I nodded and pulled the folder toward me, it was the papers I needed to sign. A mayor’s job is never done. “Thank you Sidney, I’m positive you’ll have those papers I asked for in my hand by nine o’clock sharp. You may leave now.” “Anything for you, Madame Mayor.” As Sidney left out of my office and began walking down the street, I couldn’t help but be grateful that I had someone like him on my side. No matter what, my magic mirror has always done just as I asked. Even if he told me it wasn’t in my best interest, even when I went against his wishes, he was loyal.