The Anti Savior: An Outlaw Queen Tale

Chapter Eight: Present Day- Storybrooke

"This is our guest room, but please make yourself right at home. Rearrange it any way you'd like. Anything to make you more comfortable," Regina said as she led the young woman into her new bedroom. "Let me know if there's anything else you'll need. I'll be sure you get some new clothes. Dinner will be around 5 tonight and there are plenty of towels in the bathroom." She smiled and began to leave the room, but something stopped her. She turned around and looked at the girl. She looked back at Regina with a very innocent, confused expression. "You'll start remembering soon. If there's one thing my son Henry has taught me it's to always have hope."

Regina left the room and closed the door behind her. Willow sat on the bed and clenched her fists. 'My son Henry'... FUCK YOUR SON HENRY! I am your daughter. You could abandon me, but not him... Does she even remember I exist? She stopped for a moment to ponder this thought. Maybe that was the key. They obviously don't recognize me, but what if they remember my name? If they do, this plan goes to shit. But if they can't remember they even had a daughter, I could use that to my advantage. Now how do I find out?

Willow walked around the room, looking for something she might find to indicate they know about her existence. It was a guest room so she figured she wouldn't have much luck. She walked swiftly to the window and was stopped by a very interesting sight. Regina was below in her garden tending to an apple tree. Willow smirked and began to clean herself up for the walk outside.

"It's beautiful," she said to Regina, who jumped not realizing the girl was so close to her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I was just admiring the tree from above and wanted a better look." Regina shook her head, "Don't be silly, dear. You're welcome to look at it any time. Do you have an interest in gardening?" The girl shrugged, "I'm not sure. I think I like trees though." The two women smiled. Regina said, "I've always liked apple trees. This one was from before my reign-"

She stopped herself. This woman had no idea who she was. Discussing the time spent in the Enchanted Forest might not be a good idea. Magic in general isn't a good topic for people who can't remember in this town. She sighed, "Excuse me. I meant my term as Mayor. Robin often jokes that I'm like the Queen of the town." Willow laughed and Regina took this as a sign that she covered well. The young girl took a step closer to the tree and placed her hand on it. She felt a dark energy enter her and quickly removed her hand. It seemed almost like a warning, but why...

"Are you alright?" Regina asked, stepping closer to the girl. She placed her hand on the girl's shoulder and she turned to face her. She smiled. "Yes, I'm fine. Seeing your tree just feels so comforting to me. I wish I knew why." Regina nodded her head, "I understand. My husband is a hunter so he spends a lot of time in the forest. He always told me willow trees were his favorite." Willow froze for a moment and stared at the woman standing before her. Regina didn't seem to take a beat upon saying her daughter's name. There was no way she could remember.

"Did he ever say why they were his favorite?" "Oh yes. He said they were resilient. He'd seen many willow trees through storms and battles and none had even a single broken branch. They can withstand anything. He also said they are believed to possess magical powers," Regina laughed. "But I've yet to see a willow do anything as magical as grow apples from it." She looked up and picked an apple from her tree and handed it to the girl. Willow smiled, "Thank you. I think this apple was exactly what I needed right now."

Dinnertime approached quicker than expected and Regina was putting the finishing touches on her lasagna. Willow helped Henry and Robin set the table as Roland tried his best to sit in his chair all by himself. Robin walked over to help him and Roland said, "No daddy! I want to do it myself!" Robin chuckled and backed away from the boy, but stayed close enough to catch him if he fell. The sight of this happy family was sickening to Willow. This was HER family. She deserved this life. Roland managed to seat himself, finally, as Regina entered with the hot plate of lasagna.

"I'm not sure if you remember Granny's lasagna, but I promise mine is even better," Regina smiled and placed the dish at the center of the table. Robin nodded, "It's to die for." Willow watched as the family sat and ate together discussing Henry's day at school and Roland's latest accomplishment of climbing onto a chair. She sighed and reached for some food while remaining introverted. She didn't want to say anything that might jeopardize her goals in Storybrooke. "Have you remembered anything yet?" Henry asked through a mouthful of food. "Henry," Regina scolded him and he knew exactly what he did wrong.

"I remembered why I like trees so much," she decided to contribute some small lie to the conversation. "I have a memory of spending a lot of time climbing them and once I reached the top, I would sit and stare at the view of the town. It's really beautiful at night. At least from what I can remember." "That's an excellent start," Robin said and took a bite.

Willow nodded and decided to ask, "So Henry and Roland are your only children?" This was surely going to give her the answer she needed. Regina and Robin looked at one another for a moment and then looked back at the young woman. Both nodded and Regina said, "Yes. Henry is my adopted son and Roland is Robin's son with his previous wife." "We've always wanted a child of our own though," Robin added quickly. "We just haven't had much luck in that department." "At least not yet," Willow raised her glass into the air as if toasting the couple and both followed in suit and took each other's hands. She sipped her drink and thought; I am a complete stranger to them.