"you’re not alone. i'm here." judith said to the girl beside her. "and the city is pretty packed, it'd be a little hard to be alone here." she attempted the joke with a grin on her face.
"i love you. i will always love you." -Grace to Celestia!
Celestia whined, barely looking up at her sister. She'd been hiding inside a kitchen cabinet at Aradia's, refusing to come out, feeling lost and... alone. Yeah, alone.
"But..." She sniffled, wiping her eyes with her sleeves. "But why?"
The immense regret of taking on the job that cost my wife's life has haunted me for years. Especially those days when I was struggling to care for Grace. As painful as it was, I've come to accept it. I'm fortunate to have seen Grace grow into the perfect Princess she really is. She is my whole world.
Now, for twenty-eight years, I've agonized over what would have happened if I didn't take Regina to Wonderland. For one thing, the curse may not have been cast. Most importantly, I would have still been with my daughter. Regret is an understatement.
Takes place during OUAT Episode 03x19: A Curious Thing
During the missing year in the Enchanted Forest, Tinker Bell visits the Hatter and his family.
Word Count: 1615
Rated: K
The sun had just risen and the only one that was already up was Grace. It was one of those mornings where she truly missed being back in Storybrooke. Though she was happy to have her Papa and Miri home with her as a family again, she could not shake the thought out of her head that there was something else missing. Her sad eyes were gazing out the window and looked up to the sky, whispering a faint wish under her breath.
Jefferson and Mirana stirred in their beds as they heard Grace’s whispering, though it was Mirana who decided to be the one to get up. Jefferson groaned as he proceeded to place his pillow on his head, hoping to get back to sleep.
“You’re up early, Sweetie.” Mirana put on a robe and walked over to her goddaughter, smoothing her hair. “Are you alright?”
“Good morning, Miri.” Grace glanced at her and stared back at the sky. “I made a wish.”
Mirana grinned. “What kind of wish?”
“I can’t tell you or it won’t come true.” The girl blushed a bit. “I’d like some toast for breakfast, please, Miri?”
Letting out a soft chuckle, Mirana kissed the top of the girl’s head. “You got it…” She paused as she stared out the window and could have sworn she saw a green glow in the sky. Squinting her eyes to get a better look at it, it seems as if the green glow was getting closer and closer.
“Grace…” She pointed up at the sky. “Jefferson, get up!” She called out a bit alarmed at the sight.
Jefferson shot up awake again and rubbed his eyes. He stood up and walked over the girls to look up at the sky. “What the hell are you guys staring at… what’s that?” He saw the green glow too, getting even closer.
Grace’s face lit up when she saw the green light land in front of their cottage and materialized into the human sized Green Fairy herself, Tinker Bell. Her wings were outstretched until she gave a small shake and they disappeared.
“A fairy! Papa! It’s a fairy! She came to grant my wish!” Grace was practically bouncing with glee as Jefferson held on to her, confusion all over his face.
What wish could his daughter possibly make? They were doing great living together again in the Enchanted Forest. He was back to hat making and tailoring. Mirana was back to her potions… with serving some new drinks that were a hit at the local tavern. And most of all, Grace was having a grand time being with her friends again in the village as if they were still back in school in Storybrooke. Why on Earth did she need a fairy?
Jefferson opened the door for Tinker Bell and forced a grin. “A fairy… just what we need.”
Mirana rolled her eyes as she shoved him aside and smiled at her and welcomed her in “Tinker Bell? Wow! So this is the real you!”
“I guess it is!” Tink smiled at the former Rabbit Hole bartender as she stepped inside the cottage. “Mirana, right? It’s good to see you again!”
“So good to see you again too! This is Grace and her father, Jefferson. Don’t mind him, he’s a sour puss in the morning.”
Jefferson gave Mirana a mock glare before heading over to the kitchen and started making the tea.
“I’m Tinker Bell.” Tink grinned at the little girl, glancing at both Jefferson and Mirana. “I’m sorry it’s a little early. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“No way!” Grace beamed at the fairy. “Are you here for me? I was the one that made the wish!”
“As a matter of fact, I heard it. I’ll get to your wish in a minute but I was hoping to talk for a little bit if you don’t mind. I won’t be long.”
“We don’t mind at all. I was hoping for some updates on what’s happening.” Mirana set the breakfast table for all of them and pulled up a chair for Tink to sit next to Grace. “Is this about the Wicked Witch?”
“I’m afraid it is.” Tink let out a small sigh. “I was appointed by the fairies to fly around to see if anyone has any information to help defeat her and specifically to seek out the hatter and the healer and when I heard Grace’s wish, I knew I was in the right place.”
Jefferson brought the tea tray over, pouring them all a cup of tea before sitting down across his daughter and the fairy. He glanced at the fairy in suspicion, stuffing his face with toast and jam. He wasn’t sure if he wanted his family to get involved with the whole Wicked Witch calamity but knowing Mirana, she was willing to jump in to help out as much as she could. That’s just who she was. He decided to keep quiet before he offended the poor fairy. She was just doing her job, after all.
Mirana joined him, bringing over the rest of the toast and biscuits and setting them down. She sat next to him and replied to the fairy. “So, how can we help?”
Tink glanced at the two of them and began. “I understand how busy you and your husband…”
“Husband?” Mirana interrupted the fairy before snickering. “Oh no, no, no, no, no…no.”
Jefferson raised his brow at her. “Really, Miri? Six no’s?”
“Six impossible things before breakfast.” She side eyed him before taking a sip of her tea.
Grace let out a soft chuckle and added. “Miri’s like my mama but her and Papa are just friends.”
“Friends, right.” Tink glanced at the two with a smirk as she knew better. The pair would just have to figure things out on their own. However, she cleared her throat to continue. “Anyway, do you happen to know any magic or potions that could help defeat her?”
“I’m afraid my magic is no match for a witch like her.” Mirana let out a deep sigh. “I was just getting used to my magic in Storybrooke and relearning some things and when we were brought here, it felt like I had to start over again. I’m just not powerful enough. Unless you want me to cure her green skin, I’m afraid I’m not gonna be much help for anything else. I’m sorry.”
“I understand. None of our magic is powerful enough to defeat her either, that's why we’re looking for all the help we can get.” She took a sip of her tea. “How about your magic Looking Glass?”
Mirana shook her head. “It’s not here. Even if it was, it was only a portal to Wonderland. My magic’s really rusty but even if I did have it, that would definitely be no help.”
“Hell no to Wonderland.” Jefferson interjected.
“Out of the question…” Mirana agreed.
Jefferson nodded. “I hate Wonderland.”
“Yes, Jeff, we’ve heard that all before. So do I…”
“It’s the worst realm…”
“The absolute worst!”
Grace held in a chuckle as she took a bite of her toast as she watched Tink glance at the two.
The fairy’s green eyes were wide for a moment before she interrupted, facing the hatter. “Okay… how about Oz? You must have traveled there, what do you know about it?”
Jefferson took a sip of his tea. He hasn’t heard of that place in ages. “The last time I went there, I was supposed to bring back these slippers that could transport one into any world but unfortunately, they were nowhere to be found. Sorry, I can’t be much help since my Hat’s been destroyed.”
“It’s alright.” Tink let out a deep sigh before taking a bite of her biscuit. “These tea and biscuits are delicious by the way. Mind if I took some with me?”
Mirana grinned as she wrapped a few for her. “Oh please, take some!”
“How about my wish?” Grace asked Tinker Bell.
Jefferson rolled his eyes. “Grace…”
“No, that’s okay! I promised.” Tink chuckled. “Okay, kid. I’ll see what I can do alright? Just to thank you for welcoming me here I’ll make this spell extra special. Follow me outside.”
The fairy stepped outside in front of the door and Grace, Jefferson, and Mirana followed her. Tink reached into her pouch and took a handful of pixie dust, shutting her eyes to concentrate on the spell before releasing it in the air. The green, sparkly dust formed into a small cloud that hovered over Grace, her father, and Mirana for a moment until it faded.
“What happened?” Grace frowned. “Did it work?”
Tink nodded. “Yeah but I’m afraid what you wished for isn’t even in this realm.”
Jefferson furrowed his brows at his daughter. “What did you wish for, Grace?”
“To find my True Love.” She grinned. “So, he’s not in the Enchanted Forest?”
Mirana gave the girl a small smirk as she knew very well who it may be. It was quite obvious.
Grace had been friends with Henry for a while and had always had a massive crush on the boy. “Aw, Grace, honey. He’s still in the Land Without Magic. I’m sorry.”
“Hold on, hold on...” Jefferson shook his head. “It’s not Henry. If Grace had a True Love, he would be some really rich Prince in another realm…”
“Oh, here we go…” Mirana rolled her eyes.
“My baby girl deserves to be a Princess and a Prince would be so lucky to have her.”
“Technically, Henry is a Prince…”
“Shut up, Miri…”
“It shouldn’t matter if he were a Prince, or Princess, or not, she’s going to marry for love.” Mirana insisted.
“Did I say marry? I mean maybe courted…”
“Who even says ‘courting’ anymore?”
“I do and I’m bringing that word back.”
Mirana chuckled. “Okay, grandpa.”
Tink raised her brow, obviously amused at the banter as she teased. “Are you sure you’re not an old married couple?”
Absolutely nothing for myself. I'd give them all to Grace so all I wish is for her to find love like I have, to follow her dreams, and wish her all the happiness in the world for herself.
