Castle on the Hill (DOQ day 3 and 4)
Day 3 and 4 for @doqweek (late again-oops) I think I may continue to pair up just because I have no free time. This is short because I allotted time and then forgot I had picked up an extra shift at work tonight!
Itâs their first family vacation, they decide (after some disagreements) that itâs time to take a trip back to the Enchanted Forest, the land that used to be home.
Unbetaâd. Please excuse all the grammar mistakes, I know they can be really annoying but I wanted to get this out! Disclaimer. I donât own OUAT.
Read this chapter and Days 1 and 2 here
They had been together for about a year, and after a few crazy months where Emma turned to the dark side, Roland rather hilariously suggested it was because they had cookies, life had returned to normal. As normal as it ever gets in Storybrooke- which meant numerous fears of a curse, rumours of another villain destroying the town. Mal had moved into the mansion after the six month mark, she was never at her apartment anyway and sometimes we have to not think of the consequences and close our eyes and leap.
Henry was sixteen, he would be leaving to go to college soon, and Roland was growing up into a big boy which made everyoneâs heart ache. All was forgotten when he gave them a toothy grin, and the dimples would reappear. Him and Henry would often be found in each others rooms, exchanging stories of far off lands. Henry helping Roland with his reading on the way. Reading was something that Roland liked to share with Mal. Robin and Regina were sure that Roland had raided the library for every book that included a dragon. Mal didnât seem to mind one bit, had laughed when Roland handed her the first one, the picture of innocence. Mal would share stories of her own, edited for the childâs ears, and would only stop once his laughter made way for gentle snores. Elle was doing well, she had started crawling a few months ago, which had led to the mortified faces of the three parents, and Henry declaring he was going to Maâs house. Some things should not be picked up by your eight month child. After that disaster, they had all been more careful and enjoyed watching their daughter explore. At just over a year she was trying to walk, pushing herself up and grabbing on to something, she was nearly there, but every time Regina had the camera ready she would fall to the floor with a gentle thud. The first time it had happened Robin had panicked, thought she had hurt herself, Regina reminded him how resilient children were, and if Elle hurt herself they would know about it.
It was summer, and as much as they loved Storybrooke they just wanted to get away, enjoy a family holiday before Henry got too stressed about his GPA, and well before anything else could arrive in Storybrooke.
The kids loved the idea, Roland wanted to go to Disneyland, Mal, naturally thought this was a brilliant idea, she would do anything Roland said. Regina laughed, asking Mal if she knew what Disneyland was, Mal shook her head- embarassed. Regina would kiss away the embarassment later, saying how sweet it was that she would do anything for their little boy. Mal had quietened her, pressing a kiss to her lip- as much as she loved the little lion man, now was not the time to be discussing their kids.
Robin was less keen on Disneyland- he would not be getting on a metal contraption thousands of feet in the air, that would spin you around. Roland had called him boring. Henry had, rather cheekily blamed his mom. Regina indignant asked why
âHeâs heard you slag off the bug so many times he doesnât think that anything can be safeâ
âA roller coaster has to be tested daily, and itâs a theme park for children itâs perfectly safe. That yellow monstrosity hasnât seen a safety check since it left the factory a century agoâ
Now it was Malâs  turn to laugh âNow now dear donât get too wound up â
Regina never one to let someone have the last word replied âOh honey you should know that this isnât me wound upâ
Henry, wisely, cleared his throat. He loved his family, but sometimes they were a bit too much. There were things that no son should see or hear. At least all three of them had the decency to look at least a little embarrassed, he knew it was only a matter of time, so returned to the topic they were supposed to be talking about it. He had somewhere he wanted to go, but he wasnât quite sure how his parents were going to take it, âUm mom, mama, paâ
âYes my little princeâ his mom replied. Henry was still Reginaâs ultimate weakness, forever the apple of her eye.
âI was wondering could we maybe go to the Enchanted Forest for our holiday, the portals in the sorcererâs house are safe now, and well I wanted to see it, I know it doesnât hold the happiest of memories for all of you, so itâs just a suggestionâ
Regina went to move to her son, âHenry, just take a deep breathâ she was hugging him tightly, and sooner or later was joined by Mal and Robin. Roland went to pick Elle up, before joining.
All three adults shared a look and it was clear they were all thinking the same thing. They loved their son, loved how he always had their back, how he loved them so much. He was wise beyond his years, cared so much, sometimes much. He was sixteen, so much of his childhood a whirlwind of emotions- he deserved to enjoy his adolescence.
The hug broke, and Regina gently cupped his face, âHenry our past is just that, yes itâs affected us, weâve made decisions we will have to live with, weâve all faced hardships, battles won and lost. I used to think that it would never be worth it, my life was destined to be a disappointment. I was wrong, it took a long time, but look around. I have two gorgeous sons, a beautiful daughter, two people who love me with all their heart. I have a family. Everything I, we, went through, led us here and I cannot regret that. The Enchanted Forest doesnât always hold the happiest memories, so why not make better onesâ
Henry didnât reply- sometimes no words are needed, and instead hugs his mother again.
Regina had to hold back the tears, she didnât want Henry to think that she didnât want to go, or that heâd upset her. He hadnât. She just loved him, loved all of them so much.
âWhy donât you go and packâ
Henry did just that, taking Roland and Elle with him. He knew his parents would want to talk, just because they were alright with going didnât mean it was going to be easy.
Robin embraced Regina as soon as the children left, felt the moisture of her tears on his shoulder.
Mal had put the kettle on, nothing solved problems like a cup of tea.
âHe was so concerned for us. I could see the excitement in his eyes at the prospect of going to the Enchanted Forest, Â but he felt guilty for asking. I donât want him to feel like he canât ask me somethingâ
Mal and Robinâs heart ached, knowing Regina had nothing to worry about, Henry adored her , but also knowing the insecurities, Â the gnawing anxiety that came along with years of loss and neglect.
They told her how much Henry loved her , leant their shoulders to cry on, Â whispered sweet nothings in her ear. Â
The following morning and Reginaâs anxiety had subsided. Â It was their first family vacation and she was excited.
So it seemed were the rest of the family if Rolandâs scream of âWeâre all going on a summer holidayâ . There were no bleary eyes around the table, just the excitable buzz that came with going away.
