Chapter 26:

When the group finally arrived in Storybrooke, they realized that the town had prepared a welcome home party for them all and it surprised Neal that they'd all welcome his father back and act so friendly with him. Maleficent was, of course, the first one who greeted them, eager to finally hug her daughter. Then Neal was able to witness the true love that existed between Belle and his father and to accept that the man had truly change, or at least that he was seriously trying to change, simply because someone had given him the chance to, because someone had been willing to give him a true chance.

During the party, right after her mother introduced her to the Charming's, who apologized profusely for what they had done and promised to do anything in their power to help her be happy, an old man, crossing the street, caught Lilly's eye.

"Something wrong, Lilly?" Henry asked her, having noticed that she looked distracted on his way to the other side of the room.

"That old man, he's the one who told me everything, the Apprentice. I wasn't expecting to see him here." She replied, pointing to the man who was already walking away.

He was now too far away for Henry to recognize him.

"A lot of people are here, some weren't even from the Enchanted Forest. You'll probably see him again later if you want." Henry shrugged before he excused himself and went to talk with Neal, who was having a happy conversation with Hook and Smee while Lilly went back to spend time with her mother.

Bella and August had shared a drink with Marco before joining Hook. Smee had just left and Neal was now in a corner, talking with his son.

"So, did you manage to plan everything with the school?" Bella asked him as they joined him.

"Yes, the first group will come tomorrow actually. You were right, they're trying to convince me to work at the school, even just a few hours during the week." Hook smiled back at the two of them.

"Will you do it?" August asked him.

"I think so, yes. Might as well earn some legal money if I'm going to stay around here and it will keep me busy during the day. Most of my mates have other occupations here." He replied.

"Yes, even just a few hours of work at the school will fill your day, and you'll still have some free time and the possibility to arrange your time table if you need to go on an adventure or something." Bella agreed.

"Yes, they said it would be an optionnal course, the kids would have the choice to take it or not, it would give them extra credit, whatever that means." Hook explained.

"I would have loved to have these kind of options at school." Bella chuckled.

"Me too. Maybe I would have actually gone to school instead of cutting it so often." August nodded.

"You weren't a good boy then?" Killian asked him.

"Not really. This world is full of temptations and I succumbed to many of them. Which is why I ended up turning back into wood before Bella helped me come back to a real boy, I mean man." He replied.

"I'm going to go and speak with Lilly for a moment, you two have fun." Bella said before she kissed August and joined her old friend, letting the two men get to know each other, maybe even start a friendship.

.

The next day, everything went back to normal for everyone, or as normal as things could be in their little town. Bella and August had dinner with Marco, Henry spent the entire day with his father and his grandfather, Emma was able to spend some time alone with her now fiancé and Lilly got to know her mother better.

Henry was sad to learn that his father refused to stay for longer than 2 weeks, even though he could admit that Gold had changed. Indeed, he revealed that he was engaged and that he couldn't break his fiancé's heart, that he had enough on his conscious with Emma's heartbreak and betrayal.

During the day, Bella went to spend some time with Belle at the library, she also loved to work on her books there, while August decided to get to know Captain Hook and become friends with him. After all, they had gotten along pretty well the previous night, so why not try to work on it?

Regina knew that she was at a crossroad. She could ignore Robin and keep concentrated on her desire for revenge or she could seize this opportunity to change, become a better person, make up for what she had done. She knew that she couldn't have her revenge and Robin at the same time, so she chose Robin. She decided to try and become a better person, accept her magic-less fate and try to help the people she had previously hurt. Trying to be good seemed to be working well for Captain Hook and the Dark One, so why not for her?

"Regina, are you alright?" Bella asked the now powerless woman as they faced each other at the local supermarket.

The ex queen looked lost in front of the cereals.

"I'm trying to surprise Roland, Robin's son, with cereals because I know kids love them but I don't know which one he'll like, I don't know him enough yet and I didn't take him with me because he was going hunting with his father." Regina replied.

"Well, you could try and take the same ones Henry loves, or you can take the package with all the different small boxes of different sorts. This way he gets to try several." Bella suggested.

"You're right, I'll do that, thanks." Regina smiled.

"So, how is it going with Robin?"

"Easier than I thought. He makes me want to not only stop being evil but make up for all the bad I've done. I just don't know how to do it." Regina replied.

"You could start by helping some of the people you've hurt, help them reunite and find the happy ending that you've taken away." Bella suggested kindly, always willing to give people second chances.

"You're right, I actually know just who to start with. Have a nice day Miss Swan, thank you." Regina replied before she left, in a hurry, with the box of cereals in her hand and an eager smile on her face, planning on helping Ariel find her voice again and reunite with her prince.

Even without having actual magic, she had what she needed in her vault to fix some of her mistakes and bad deeds.

.

"Blue, Mister Gold came to collect his rent. We paid him, he left quickly." One of her fairy informed her before leaving her alone in her office once more.

Since the curse broke, Gold had stopped collecting rents from everyone, everyone except the fairies. He really hated them and Blue knew that he had a right to. If he only knew the truth, then he'd hate them even harder.

She knew that Rumpelstiltskin had learned a few years ago that the Dark fairy was his mother, but he had no idea that she had killed the actual Blue Fairy a few years ago, shortly after he confronted her about abandoning him and that she had taken Blue's place. She used her collected black fairy dust to disguise herself and hide it from everyone and her plan, which was a very long term one, would work, she was sure of it. For her plan to work, she slowly corrupted the other fairies. For some of them, it worked, for the other, she used black dust and controlled them. Those who remained impervious, she'd kill before it was too late.

The fact that the fairies all had so much faith in Blue helped the Black Fairy, she corrupted and darkened their heart slowly and they had no idea it was happening, nobody did, except for Tiger Lilly but she was trapped so far away that there was no way she could find her and warned the good guys.

.

The next few days passed quickly for everyone and a lot of bonding was happening. New friendships were formed, old bonds were worked on. Neal and Gold, Neal and Henry, Lilly, Bella and Emma, Hook and Neal, Hook and August, Neal and August, Neal and Belle…

Emma had been feeling a bit off for the past few days and she finally decided to go and see the doctor. Of course it could be nothing but in a world where magic existed, she didn't want to take any risks. Her nausea could be food poisoning or stress, or a curse. Doctor Whale took a sample of her blood and promised to call her as soon as he had results. If he didn't find anything, then she'd be able to look into the potential magical reasons this was happening but he did tell her that her symptoms hinted toward a pregnancy. Emma decided to wait until she had confirmation before she told anyone about it.

On his part, Henry was enjoying having his father around and he did his best to convince him to stay a little longer and it seemed to be working.

"I'll just call her and talk to her about this." Neal promised his son before the boy left to join Belle and Bella at the Library, where he had promised to work on his homework.

Once his son was gone, Neal took his cell phone out and called Tamara, his fiancé, who agreed surprisingly quickly to join him in Storybrooke to meet his son and his father. Neal didn't question it though, to him, it was simply the sign that they were meant to be and that he was wrong to think that he had made a mistake.

Indeed, seeing Emma again had awoken old feelings in him and it had very little to do with regret and guilt. Even though he knew that graham was a good man, he couldn't help but resent him and be jealous of him, of the fact that he came home to Emma every evening and that Henry loved him like a step father already.

.

Henry had finally managed to convince Bella to go and meet the old man that he had seen dropping the book on magic on her doorstep. She didn't want to hope too much, it couldn't be her father, it would be too easy and she knew that it didn't work like that but maybe he'd be able to tell her more about him. But in the possibility that he didn't know anything, she refused to let herself hope too much.

"Are you ready to ring the doorbell?" August asked her after standing a few seconds in front fo the door.

"Not really. I think I'm afraid of what he'll tell me." She shook her head.

"We could always come back another time if you want." He offered.

"No, I need to be brave. I have to do this before something else happens and drags us all away." Bella replied before she lifted her hand and knocked on the door.

A few seconds later, an old man fitting Henry's description opened the door. As soon as he saw Bella, recognition lit his face and he smiled.

"I knew you'd come eventually, especially with the savior's son hanging around all the time, watching my house. I know he tried to be discreet but I have my ways of knowing when I'm being watched. Come on in, Bella." He said, opening the door wider.

"So Henry was right, you do know me." Bella stated as she took his invitation and entered the house.

"Know you? Child, I was there when you were born. This boy is very bright and has a big future ahead of him. He's lucky he has so many people around him to guide him on the right path." The old man nodded, inviting them to sit in his living room where a tray with hot tea and freshly baked cookies was waiting for them.

"You were expecting us." August realized.

"I was warned that you'd come this afternoon, yes." He nodded.

"By… by Him? By my father?" Bella asked in a small voice that betrayed how much she hoped.

"Yes." He nodded, looking at her kindly.

"I… I understand that you can't tell us everything, I do, but I was hoping that you'd be able to tell me something about my father. Please." Bella asked and she showed how vulnerable she was when this subject came up.

The apprentice smiled kindly at her, the way a loving uncle or godfather would. In that moment, Bella thought that he looked familiar but she couldn't place him. Where had she seen him before? Maybe in one of her dream-memory? Maybe he had visited her back when she was a child?

"I can tell you that he's always watching over you, you're never alone. He loves you, dearly. He's extremely proud of the young woman you've become and he approves of your choices, every single one of them." He replied, looking pointedly at August when he said the last part.

"I… I've seen you before, haven't I? I thought maybe my mind was simply trying to place you in my life to make me feel like my father was protecting me somehow but you were actually there, weren't you?" She asked him after a few seconds of silence.

"When?" August asked.

"After Edward, when I was in the hospital, I think." Bella replied and the apprentice smiled.

"Of course I was there. Do you honestly think that your father was going to leave you alone in such a time? I came to place protections around you in case they changed their minds and came back for you and then we… Well, let's just say that they won't be coming back for you, or anyone else, anytime soon. The fact that they're immune to your father's magic doesn't matter, we found a way, we always do." He replied.

"Thank you." Bella smiled.

"You're welcome, Bella."

"I… What are you to my father? Who are you to me?" She asked him, squeezing August's hand tight for support.

"I have been your father's faithful apprentice for the past few centuries. He took me in when I was a child, lost and abandoned by his parents. He saw potential in me and treated me like a son. I loved him and respected him deeply. I still do. With time, he changed from being my father figure to being my best friend. I guess you could consider me your Godfather." He replied.

"I… I feel like I have a thousand questions to ask you, but I know that you won't be able to answer any of them…"

"You can always try. The worst that could happen is me not answering." He smiled.

"Can you tell me anything about my mother?" She asked him, knowing that he wouldn't answer her questions about her father.

"I promised I wouldn't until I had to but I can tell you that she wasn't always bad. She was good once, then became evil because she wasn't accepted and grew jealous of others who had what she wished she had and then turned her back on evil out of love, only to be corrupted by darkness later once more. When you finally meet her again, remember that there is always hope for everyone. Sometimes, you have to look deeper into why a person's acting the way she does. Once you understand that, then you can help them change." The apprentice told her.

"I… I'll try to remember it." She nodded.

"I can also tell you that your assumptions are right. Henry is the one who'll find your father. He's the one who'll reunite the two of you."

"Good." Bella nodded with a smile as she took a sip of the tea she had been served, surprised that it was her favorite.

The three of them talked about various things for a couple more hours before Bella and August had to leave.

"Remember that you're always welcome here, Bella. I'll always help you when I can. Even if all you need is company or someone to talk to about anything, I'm here. We're family. In the mean time, there's something your father asked me to give you once you found me, kind of like a reward for investigating I guess." The apprentice declared.

"It was Henry who investigated the most." Bella smiled, taking the long box the old man was handing her.

"A wand?" She asked after opening it.

"It's a special wand. It will allow you to open portals. You'll be able to reopen portals that just closed or to open portals to any other land. If you reopen a portal that just closed, it will take the same form as before it closed but if you create your own portal, it will take the form of a door or any form you wish it to take." He informed her.

"Thank you, really." She smiled.

"You're welcome Bella."

"I… This wand, is it because he doesn't like the hat I made?" Bella asked him in a voice close to a whisper.

"Oh no! Of course, not! Sweet child, your father loves you and I did say that he's proud of everything you've done, didn't I? Your hat is great but its power is limited. You can take a limited amount of people and the same number who comes in has to come out. It only goes to land with magic, too. This wand will allow you to travel between lands without these restrictions." He told her quickly, eager to reassure her.

"Oh, good. I mean, thank you. I'll come back as soon as I can but you're welcome to visit us as well. Anytime. Maybe... Maybe even come over for dinner once? Or simply join us at Granny's?" She told him before she trusted her instinct and hugged him before she turned around.

"Go on your way now and remember that your father is always with you and that he loves you." The apprentice told her.

"I love him too. Always." Bella replied before she left with August, eager to tell Henry and Emma all about what she had just learned.

. The sorcerer's thoughts.

I couldn't help but smile.

"I love him too." She said.

My daughter loves me. Of course I knew it but hearing her say it made me much happier than just knowing it.

"I love him too." I played this little moment over and over again on the mirror, loving hearing the words.

I was glad she had brought August with her. He's there for her and it only reinforces my confidence in him and in the fact that they'll make it. Now my main worry is Baelfire's girlfriend and the troubles she's going to bring to this town. Maybe I should ask my apprentice to warn them about her.

.End of the sorcerer's thoughts.

.

"So I was right, it was to right old man?" Henry asked.

"Yes, apparently he was my father's apprentice and he can be considered my godfather. I actually do remember seeing him once, but I figured I imagined him because I was half comatose." Bella replied.

"When?" Emma asked her.

"After Edward. I remember him sitting close to me for a while, then placing something wet on my hand and telling me everything would be alright before he left. Nobody remembered him and it didn't make sense that anyone would come so I figured I imagined him." Bella replied.

"So he's been keeping an eye on you then?" Emma asked.

"Kind of. He told me that my father is always watching me too, that I'm never alone and that he loves me." Bella said with a bright smile.

"I'm happy for you." Emma smiled.

"We all are." Graham added.

"Me too. This is so great!" Bella nodded.

"What is weird is what he said about your mother. She was good, became evil, turned good again and something turned her evil once more. The way he said it, to try and understand how a person becomes evil to help her change, made it sound like your mother didn't turn evil on her own that last time and that it can be undone." August revealed.

"I know, I guess we'll see once we know who she is. The way he phrased it, I'll definitely meet her eventually." Bella nodded.

"So, have any of you seen Lilly today?" Emma asked.

"I saw her talking with Hook at Granny's this morning and I heard that she went to the Rabbit Hole with Ruby last night." Henry replied.

"It's good, it means she's making a place for herself in this town and that she's planning on staying." Bella smiled.

"I know that she was talking with Granny about working for her and if that doesn't work out, she'll take a job serving at the Rabbit Hole. I hope it works out well for her, I think she'd be happy in this town." Emma added.

"I'm sure it will. I have a good feeling about her. Much better than about Neal's girlfriend coming into town." Bella replied.

"You think something's up?" Emma asked her, a frown on her face.

"I have no idea but I feel like her coming here is bad for everyone and I've learned to trust my instinct." Bella shook her head.

"I guess we'll see." Graham shrugged, but, deep down, he knew that if Bella felt like something was up, then he and Emma needed to be on their guards and to be careful.

This feeling could simply be about an emotional turmoil that would shake them, but it could also be worst.

"What is it August?" Emma asked, seeing the concerned look on her friend's face.

"It might be nothing but... This Tamara... A few years ago, I met a Tamara. Back when I tracked down The Dragon and asked him if he could change me back to a real man, when I first started to turn back into wood. I admit that I didn't act nicely and stole her money to pay the Dragon and get the cure but... Her name was Tamara, she fit the description Neal made of her and he met her right after I saw him last, telling him I'd send him a postcard once the curse was broken. She saw the Dragon before I did and when I came back to buy the potion and found him dead, the picture she had left of her grandmother was gone, meaning that she had come back there before her rightful appointment the next day. I'm a liar, I know how to recognize liars and she was definitely lying when she told me about her incurable cancer, that's why I stole the money from her and not someone else. Now I might be imagining things, it could all be a coincidence..." August told them.

"But she could be the same woman." Emma nodded, never one to believe in simple coincidences.

"She could have tracked you until you met with Neal, got with him to make sure she knew when the curse was broken." Bella nodded.

"But why?" Henry asked with a frown, already feeling sorry for his father's future heartbreak.

"Who knows. But we can't afford to ignore this. We need to be careful and as soon as she arrives, August, you need to get a look and tell us if she's the same person. If it's her, then we'll interrogate her, otherwise, we'll just keep a look out." Emma decided and they all nodded, agreeing that this was the best thing to do.

"Maybe we should warn grandpa too. Dad is his son, he could help us." Henry suggested.

"Good idea, you go and do that, then meet us back here." Emma nodded and Henry eagerly ran to his grandfather's shop to talk to him, knowing that his father would be elsewhere at this time and wouldn't hear them.

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Nova had finally decided that she didn't want to stay with the other fairies anymore. She was tired of feeling like she was being watched at all times and she wanted to be able to be with grumpy without having to hide.

"I know I wanted to stay there until we find out what Blue is planning but I'm tired of sneaking around to see the man I love." Nova explained to Snow and Emma as she met everyone at the station that morning.

"Don't worry, we understand. Love is the most important." Snow nodded.

"Do you need help telling Blue?" Bella asked, knowing that August would agree to help her too.

"No, thank you. I have everything ready. I'm a bit worried about what everyone will think and say though." Nova frowned.

"It doesn't matter what they say, what matters is that you're happy. They'll see it eventually." Emma comforted her.

"Plus, once they see that the Charming family is behind you, they'll accept your decision too." August added, making Nova and Grumpy smile.

"Are you sure that you don't care if you stop being a fairy?" Bella asked her, wanting her to be sure.

"I'm not sure I'll stop being a fairy, I doubt Blue has that power. The power to stop being a fairy is in each of us. I'll only stop if I stop believing in myself, and that's not happening, not anymore." Nova replied, reassuring them.

"We told Blue right before we came here. She wasn't happy about it and had a hard time hiding her anger behind fake disappointment but there was nothing she could do." Grumpy added.

"Well, we're all happy for you and if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to tell us." Snow replied, wanting to help her old friend for once.

The couple nodded and, holding each other's hands, they left the station to go to their new home.

.

While Nova and Grumpy were informing people of their decision, a car was driving over the town's line, following direction given by Neal. In it, a man and a woman were smiling, they were close to succeeding in their mission. Soon, he would have revenge on the people who killed his father and she'd be able to do what the home office wanted them to do: destroy all magic by getting the truest believer to the boss.

So, what did you think of this one? I'm not sure how the whole Greg and Tamara thing will play out but it will probably be quick. No more than one chapter.

Once again I'm sorry for the delay... This story is moving forward but very slowly...

A little review please? I always love to read them.

Lorelei Candice Black