Chapter Text
Being short was not fun.
That was all Ben could think as he tried and fail to reach something—anything he could use—to make his new mom breakfast from the top shelf. Standing on his very tippy toes, atop a stool that was atop a chair.
His stuffed dragon at his feet.
Unfortunately for him and his master plan, Belle caught him in the act. “Ben?! What on earth are you doing? You’re going to get yourself killed!”
Ben yelped, startled and lost his balance. Causing the stool and the chair to fall out from beneath him—nearly taking the six year old with them: it was pure luck that he managed to grip the top of the fridge in time.
Belle lunged forward, scooping him up and setting him on the floor, where she began to check him for injuries. “Are you alright? Anywhere hurt?”
Luckily, he didn't look hurt. Just a bit shaken.
Ben's lip wobbled. “I'm sorry, Maman…”
“It’s alright, dear. Just…next time ask someone for help. What were you even trying to do, anyway?”
“It's mommy’s day… I just want’d to make you break-fast!”
Belle was touched. “Oh, sweetheart. I appreciate that very much. Why didn’t you ask Papa for help, though? He would be delighted to help you.”
“I tried but I think he at work.” Ben shifted, worrying the sleeve of his blue and gold rose pajamas. “I couldn't finds ‘im.”
Belle ran her hand over Ben’s hair, pretending to think. “Hmm…well, how about we make some breakfast together?”
The brunette lit up. “Yeah!... should we let Giddy help too?”
She just barely held back a snort. “...I think Giddy is too little right now, love. Maybe when he’s older.”
“Oh.” Ben mumbled before smiling back at her. “Hopefully I'm good at cookin’ when I is bigger!”
“I’m sure you will. I can teach you, and you’ll be the best chef in the world.” Belle encouraged.
“Thank you, Maman!... What should we make?”
“How about eggs and toast?”
“If that's what you want mommy!”
Belle smiled, setting up the chair that Ben knocked over. “That’s very kind of you to think of. Stand up here, and let’s get started.”
“Mommy! Mommy!” Bobby ran over to Regina, excitedly.
“Is something wrong, Bobby?” Regina knelt down to his height.
“No but you gotta follow mes!” The ravenette replied, attempting to mimic Robin’s ‘serious’ face.
Regina smiled. “Oh, well, okay. If you insist.” She got up and offered Bobby her hand. “Lead the way.”
The little boy took it and led her to one of the rooms in the house, giggling excitedly.
“Do I even want to know what you’ve cooked up, you little troublemaker?” Regina was trying to enjoy the idea of being surprised, but she also couldn’t help but envision the mess she might have to clean up later.
Bobby paused. “If you don't likes its, it was Henwy’s idea!”
She snorted. “That’s my boy.”
He began tugging on her hand again and tried to open the door. Failing because he was too short to reach the handle.
Regina calmly opened the door for him. “There you go, dear.”
“Happy Mother's Day!”
There was a poster that was clearly made out of printer paper taped together with scotch tape, with several crayon written ‘Happy Mother’s Day’s of varying qualities on the table, along with some flowers. Henry, Roland and Evie were sat on the couch, and Bobby quickly squirmed his way past her to join them.
“Oh, you four. Thank you so much.” Regina told herself that she would not cry today. “That poster is beautiful.”
“That’s not all mommy! Look! I designed yous a dress!” Evie beamed, clutching her little sketchbook in her hand. “And Henry made you a pie!”
“Wow! All these presents for me? I feel so loved.” She pulled all of her children into a hug the best she could. There were four of them now, and hugging all of them at once was a bit of a challenge.
“Love you mommy.”
“Love you Regina!”
“Love you mom.”
Harry tugged on Henry's sleeve. Looking distressed.
“Harry? What’s up?” Henry looked down, amused at his little brother.
“I a bad son!” The boy sniffled, looking like he genuinely believed it. The fact he was in a little sailor’s outfit only made the sight even more distressing.
“What? What makes you say that?” Henry knelt beside Harry, trying to comfort him.
“Cause Evie said it's mommy's day and that she and yous and Bobby and Roland all made your other mommy gifts and I ain't make mommy nothing.” He rambled, shaking.
Henry laughed slightly, mildly relieved that no one was hurt or anything. “Kid, it’s okay. We’ll all do something for Mom together, as siblings. That’s how we roll.”
“Really?”
Just then, Harriet entered. Quickly narrowing her eyes. “Why's Harry crying? Did our weird uncle say something?”
“Uh, no? He was just upset because he was worried we didn’t get anything for Mom, since it’s Mother’s Day. And Uncle Liam’s not that weird.”
Harriet wrinkled her nose. “That's debatable.”
“What's a… moth-er's…day?” CJ asked from behind her, tilting her little head to the side in a red version of Harriet's light blue dress.
Ignoring Harriet, Henry turned to CJ. “Mother’s Day is a special day to celebrate and love Mom.”
The little blonde’s eyes widened. “And it's now?”
“Yup, it’s today.” Henry nodded.
“Oh fuck.” was all the four year old could think to say.
Henry didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It was a good thing Killian was out running errands. “CJ, that’s…that’s a big girl word. Don’t say that.” He gathered his siblings up into a circle, trying to be ‘sneaky’ for their benefit. “You all have so little faith in me? I’ve had a plan for mother’s day for months now! Operation Swan, you guys in?”
CJ nodded so fast that he was afraid she would get whiplash, followed quickly by Harry. Harriet, on the other hand, hesitated before shrugging. “Sure. Sounds good to me.”
CJ, not knowing how else to distract someone in a nice way, cuddled up to Emma. Trying to look innocent.
“Hey, kid.” Emma shut off her phone and wrapped her arms around CJ. “What’s all this for?”
“Uh…It's cause I loves you…”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “Why do I not believe that?”
CJ just stared. Not knowing what else to say. “I don't know.”
“‘Cuz I have my superpower, kiddo. Or did you forget about that?” Emma smiled and booped CJ on the nose with her finger.
The blonde giggled. “When the babies coming?”
“Soon, kiddo. Here–” Emma took CJ’s tiny hand, and placed it over her baby bump. “–Say hi to your siblings. Maybe we can get them to kick a little.”
The toddler gave her a startled look. Brown eyes widening. “But kicking hurt?”
“It won’t hurt me, honey.” Emma assured. “They have tiny baby feet. Even smaller than yours.”
CJ hesitantly complied. “Hi babies.”
She was very relieved (and a bit disappointed) when nothing happened.
“Hmm. Looks like they might be sleeping.” Emma moved her hand around a bit. “Of course, they’re always wide awake when Mommy’s trying to sleep. Maybe next time.”
“Maybe..”
Harry carefully walked around the house with the tray Harriet had handed him. Trying his best to find his mom without dropping it.
“Careful, careful…” Henry was shuffling behind him, biting his knuckles. The last thing they needed was an accident.
“Where'd mom go?”
“She’s in the living room— be careful! ” This was going to give Henry gray hairs, he was sure of it.
“Sorry!”
Emma lifted her head up at the commotion. She’d been dozing on the couch after CJ had left, and now it appeared that all her distracting was about to pay off. “Who’s coming to see me?” She asked in a sing-songy voice.
“Us mama!”
She sat up, brushing her wild hair out of her mouth. “Hi, Us, I’m Mom.”
Henry groaned loudly. “Isn't Killian the one who's supposed to make dad jokes?”
Harry carefully shuffled over to Emma with a tray that was almost as big as he was. Undeterred by the joke or Henry's attitude towards it. “Happy Mommy's day, mama!”
Emma was certainly a little surprised, but she made sure to play it up for Harry’s sake. “Oh my gosh! For me? Thank you!”
“CJ and Harriet help-did too! ‘Ette is just cleaning!” Harry beamed at her, with a big toothy grin.
“Well, once they both come in here, I’ll be sure to thank them, too.” Precariously balancing the tray on her baby bump, she leaned to the side and kissed Harry on the head.
He hugged what little of her he could. “Love you, mama.”
David heard one thing and one thing only as he walked past the nursery.
“Come on, Leo. Thinks! We gotta shows mommy we loves her somehows!”
David turned right around and walked into the nursery, to find Chad on his knees beside Leo’s crib. Resting his forehead against the bars as Leo babbled at him. “Hey, it’s my favorite boys. What are you two planning?”
“It's a secret daddy!”
“Wow, a secret, huh?” David, bones creaking, sat down beside Chad. “Might it have something to do with Mother’s Day?”
The smaller blonde paused. “How'd you know that?”
“Magic.” David winked. “You don’t have to tell me your super secret plans, but if you needed the help, I’d be glad to.”
Chad looked at him then at Leo then back at him, slumping his shoulders. “I made mommy a card but I don't know what elses I can do. And Leo ain't helping!”
David smirked. “Leo’s just a baby, buddy. He won’t be much help for a few more years. But a card is a good start.”
“Oh…” He turned back to Leo, disappointed. “Why didn't you tell me that?”
The black haired boy just babbled in response.
“I think what Leo is trying to say is that maybe we should get Mommy some flowers, and maybe make dinner for her. How does that sound?”
The boy jumped to his feet, excitedly. “That's a greats idea!”
“Glad you two agree.” David also stood, and grabbed Leo out of his crib. “Let’s go to the store. What color flowers should we get Mommy?”
“...blue? I think mommy likes blue?”
“Good idea!”
There was a knock on her and David's bedroom door.
“Come in!” Snow called.
Strangely, no one did.
Putting down her book, Snow made her way to the door and opened it, finding Leo, by himself in a little red wagon, holding onto a bouquet of blue flowers and a card.
“Well hello there.” With a laugh, she scooped up Leo and the flowers, then opened the card.
It was clearly one of Chad’s homemade cards, all covered in doodles of the family and lions.
“Chad? Where are you honey, I want to thank you for my surprise!” Snow called out.
A small giggle came from behind the curtains across from her.
Grinning, she stepped around the wagon and over to the curtains. “Rah!” She pushed them aside.
Chad screamed and then laughed. Quickly trying to stifle it with his hands.
“Leo and I found you, silly billy!” She grabbed one of the flowers from the bouquet, and tried to tickle his nose with it.
Earning a small sneeze from the blonde.
“Bless you!” Snow tucked the flower back into the bouquet. “Any other surprises you and Leo have been hiding?”
The boy did his best to hide his excitement, smiling at her. “Maybe…”
“Shhhhh, Crabby. You're gonna ruin the surprise!” Gordon shushed his twin, frustrated.
Nova was only mildly worried as she heard the whispers from the kitchen. “Boys? Is everything alright in there?”
The boys quickly fell silent.
“Boys?” Now actually worried, she hastened into the kitchen, to find the twins attempting to make some kind of dish. “Are you both alright? What are you doing?”
“Great going Gordon, you ruined the surprise!” Crabby shoved him.
Causing the brunette to shove him back. “Me?! You—”
“Boys! No fighting please, especially on Mother’s Day!” Nova clapped her hands together to get the twin’s attention.
Both stopped immediately.
“Sorry mom.”
“I accept your apology. I was merely asking if you two needed help making something? Cooking can be difficult for someone your age.”
“We were trying to make dwarf gems…” Gordon mumbled.
“And seaweed anchovy pizza!”
Nova blinked. “I–I’ve heard of the second thing, but what was that first one?”
“Dwarf gems.” The taller of the boys repeated. “It's a candy back home we thought you'd like.”
She smiled warmly, still mildly freaked out by the seaweed-anchovy thing. “That’s very sweet of you boys. Is there anything I can do to help?”
The boys looked at one another, clearly thinking about it deeply. “Uh we don't know how to work the oven and this… google thing isn't helping?”
“Well, good thing I showed up before you tried. Ovens can be dangerous.” Nova didn’t even want to think about what could have happened if she didn’t show when she did.
“They are?” Crabby blinked. “Are they like, pickaxe-mining dangerous or uh, cave in dangerous?”
Damn these kids and their lingo. “...I have no idea what those things mean, but ovens get very very hot, and they can burn you if you’re not very careful.”
“Oh.”
Jane tiptoed towards her mother.
Nova was reading a magazine, and trying very hard not to give away that she knew Jane was there.
The little girl clutched a plate of cookies in her shaky hands. Trying to think of a way to get her mother's attention without upsetting her.
Deciding to help her out a bit, Nova cleared her throat and put away her magazine, stretching her arms in a very un-subtle way, so that her head looked behind her. “Oh, Jane! I didn’t notice you standing there!”
“Uh… Happy mama’s day.” She held the plate out to her.
Nova gasped. “Janie, are these for me?”
Jane nodded shyly. “Eliza helped me makes them.”
“Well, thank you both very much! They look delicious.” Nova took the plate and placed it on her knee. “Would you like to help me eat these?”
The tiny fairy smiled at her. Nodding slightly.
There was a knock on Zelena’s door.
Zelena was sprawled out on her couch, an empty tub of ice cream long since fallen on her floor. “Go away, whoever you are. I’m moping.”
The knocking persisted.
Zelena genuinely considered lobing a fireball at the door and calling it a day, but decided that the shit the Charming’s would give her for it wasn’t worth the effort. Throwing aside her blankets, she poofed herself to the door and threw it open.
Only to find Regina's daughter, pulling a little blue wagon with a giggling Margot, bundles of fabric, a couple of flowers, and some tubaware in it. The little blue haired beamed at her “Happy mother's day Auntie Zelena!”
There was no one else in sight.
Zelena just stared for a solid few seconds. Then, without warning, she fell to her knees and embraced Evie. “You’re my favorite nibbling.”
“I love you too!” Evie hugged her back the best she could. “I brought you some pie! And daddy says Margot can stay the night! Oh and I mades you and Margot matching dresses!”
Ushering her and the wagon in, Zelena scooped Margot up into her arms. “Does ‘Gina know you’re here?”
“Yes. I can stay till dinner.”
“Good. I’ll make my signature lasagna.”