Choices

By: Jecir

Chapter Ten: Your Dreams Come True

Henry sank back into his consciousness with a sigh. He felt Evangeline squeeze his hand. He opened his eyes and smiled. It was a small smile—tired but firm. He gripped her hand and met her eyes.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Hey," he replied.

"Are you alright?" She was referring to what had just happened—to watching his near death.

"Yeah," he answered. It was the truth. He was alright. Watching that moment clarified the clouds in his heart, and he could see clearly what it was he wanted. He knew that had he succeeded in watching his past before he faced the horrors of the previous What If, he would not have known. He had had a vague feeling prior to Killian, but thanks to that coward and his lover, Henry was sure beyond all doubt what it was he wanted. Nodding his head, he said, "I know what I want to wish."

The smile that blossomed on Evangeline's face reflected his own. It had been a long and hard journey. They had been tested mentally, emotionally, and recently physically. She had watched him transform from the child who wished to be a hero to a young man who understood the consequences of bravado. She could see it in Henry's soul; he knew what was truly important in life and would guard it. "Alright then," she said. "Let's get started."

As one, they stood in the semicircle of roots and tree; their hands still joined. Evangeline's magic still buzzed and pulsed around them. She increased the flow. "Focus on your true wish," she instructed. "Push past the thoughts that hope to taint it with intention and focus on it, solely it; your truest and most fervent desire."

Henry closed his eyes and titled his head back; he breathed in the moist forest air and let it out slowly. He pictured his wish in his mind. Evangeline's magic enfolded him once more. It sank into his consciousness and wrapped around his wish. In his mind's eyes, he saw the creation of new What Ifs. He saw possibilities born from the hope in his soul. Silver lines spanned the eons; crisscrossing at star-like points and creating even more possibilities; and in the distance, he saw the brightest light begin to surround the new primary timeline.

Overlaid in the new was the old. Henry saw the path they had tread—the What Ifs that would be no more. He saw what had once been the primary timeline. He saw him and Emma arriving in Storybrooke; his mothers' battle over him; the apple and the curse breaking. He saw the Wrath and Cora and Hook and strangers in town. He saw his father in New York, and Peter Pan in Neverland. He saw every foolish moment where he tried to be a hero and the consequences that followed. He saw his tearful goodbye with Regina and the last time he would ever see his father. He saw Hook and the Wicked Witch and all the time he pretended to be alright. Then, he saw his near-death at the hands of the Snow Queen, and the primary timeline dissolved into the many What Ifs they had seen. He saw his parents and Regina die; he saw them live; he saw Regina in the dungeons with Rumplestiltskin; and his grandfather killing Killian's crew. He saw his father, so young, wishing for a way to save his family. He saw it all, and it solidified his decision.

Deep within his heart, he felt a release. Dark magic crawled out of his soul and seeped into the silver light. He swallowed back his revolution at the feeling of it. This was his deal with the Dark One. He watched it spread out into the What Ifs. The sinister magic danced through each possibility; some lines it touched, leaving a grey sheen in the silver; others, it avoided. As this played out in his mind's eyes, lines of black magic twisted over his skin toward his hands; Henry could feel it crawling over him. He tried to let go of Evangeline's hands, but the Wishing Start tightened her grip. Henry snapped open his eyes. Evangeline was watching him with a knowing smile. "A life for a life, Henry," she said simply. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back as the black tendrils crossed over onto her alabaster skin.

"Evangeline, no," Henry tried, but Evangeline would have none of it.

"We are in this together, Truest Believer," she said. The black magic had crawled up her arms and was now carving lines around her neck and onto her face. "We started together and we will finish together. Now, focus! Do not let your true wish disappear."

Henry nodded and closed his eyes again. There was more black magic now. It was touching more and more What Ifs. Henry felt panic rising inside of him. What had he done?

"Do not fear, Henry," Evangeline said. "Trust the magic."

"I will never trust magic," Henry said.

The silver and the black and the brightest line all coalesced into a blinding brilliance, and Henry Mills, the Truest Believer, made his wish.

Everything went white. Henry felt like he was falling through mist and cloud. Images and voices jumbled through his mind—times that were and were no more; faces of people he loved and knew well and others he did not. It all surged through his mind like a symphony. It rose and rose to its conclusion, and, like the powerful ending of a performance, his mind returned to the present with a shocking jolt.

"By killing you, I defeat any who are powerful enough to stop me," the Snow Queen said.

Henry gasped. Cold air filled his lungs and drove reality deep into his bones. He was back where he had started. He was in the grips of the Snow Queen's spell. Her winds were holding him tight, and her fingers were trailing ice to his chest.

She smiled that piercing, cold smile as her fingers danced over his heart. "It really was foolish of you to come here."

A surge of confidence filled his heart. Henry found himself grinning suddenly and inexplicably. A new knowledge was forming at the edges of his memory. He laughed—a laugh reminiscent of his trickster grandfather—and asked, "How else would we get you alone?"

The Snow Queen's eyes widened. "What?"

The Queen pulled back a moment later; just as a steel blade cut through were her hand would have been. Her spell broke, and Henry fell to the ground. He pushed himself to his feet in time to see a young man standing between him and the Snow Queen. From the mists of the new primary, Henry learned who this was. Henry Daniel Mills, son of Daniel and Regina Mills, sixteen years old, and a master swordsman. He charged the Snow Queen. The Queen raised her hand and summoned the wind, but Daniel's sword had been enchanted by his sister—Raven Marie Mills—to cut through any spell. He sliced through the wind with ease.

The Snow Queen scowled and leapt back. "Do you think your little tricks scare me?"

"Nope," Daniel said. "I just needed you to back up a little bit."

The Queen looked down. She was standing in a circle of dry wood and gun powder. As that information was registering, a flaming arrow shot out from the nearby woods and set the circle ablaze. The Snow Queen cried out in shock, but before she could douse the flames, they came alive! As if by magic, the flames leapt up high; surrounding the Queen; they wrapped around her like curtains. From within the fires, Henry could hear the Queen cursing. A surge of winter magic surged form from the flames; the fires died down, and the Queen was gone.

Henry Daniel walked up to the smoldering pile of ash and wood. He eyed it skeptically and poked it with his sword. "Did we get her?" he asked.

Three young girls came running from the woods. Henry watched them approach; his mind was surging with new information and his heart was filling with so many emotions—excitement, love, and anticipation. He knew these girls even though he had not met them until right now.

"We totally got her!" cheered Sarah Belle Gold, his younger sister by one year. She had Emma's hair and Snow's spirit. She scooped up their youngest sister—Merida Snow—and swung her around. "Way to go, Meri! You and Raven were awesome!"

Merida laughed. At eight years old, she was proving to be a magical prodigy.

Raven Marie Mills, Regina and Daniel's youngest, was Henry's age and was in every way her mother. She was not so certain they had been victorious. "That seemed too easy," she said.

"What?" Sarah said as she put Merida down. "No, we got her."

"This is the Snow Queen we are talking about," Henry Daniel said. "Our parents could barely find her."

"Well, then, I guess we are cooler than our parents," Sarah said with a smirk.

"Of really?"

The group turned just as the singed and very angry Snow Queen materialized. "Foolish children," she snarled. She raised her hands. All the snow around them rose on command. "You should know your place!" The Snow Queen dropped her hands, and the snow crashed over them.

Or, it would have, had it not melted away upon contact of the woman standing over them with her arms outstretched. Henry looked up in disbelief. "Regina?" he breathed. The word "mom" would not rise from his throat. The truth of this new world filled his mind. Regina was no longer his mother; however, she was his godmother, and the look she shot at the huddled children behind her promised a tongue lashing when this was all over.

The Snow Queen hissed, "Well, well, if it isn't the girl afraid of magic."

"Afraid?" Regina asked. "No, just too smart to use it. They, on the other hand, are just the right amount of foolish." The once Dark Queen pointed behind the Snow Queen.

Emma Swan Gold and Mr. Gold stood shoulder to shoulder with equally dangerous looks on their faces. "Get away from my family!" Emma snapped. As one, they summoned their magic—as if they had done this before, and, Henry felt, they had—in a powerful attack. The Snow Queen countered, and Henry watched from behind Regina as his mother and grandfather battled the Snow Queen. They moved together in perfect synchronization. It was both strange and beautiful.

Arrows cut through the battle here and there. Snow stood with her weapon of choice at the forest's edge. She moved along the out reaches of the magical duel; choosing her shots carefully.

A man Henry had never seen before came up behind them. "Regina," he greeted.

"Daniel, my dear," Regina returned in a warm tone. It seemed natural for them to meet on a battlefield.

Daniel handed her a bow and quiver. "Care to join them?"

Regina smiled and kissed him sweetly. "Thank you." She removed a golden medallion from around her neck and handed it to Daniel in exchange for the bow. Henry immediately knew what that medallion was. It was a charm given to her by Rumplestiltskin in exchange for all of her magic. She had bartered it away; she did not want to be like her mother, thus she traded her magic for a medallion that would make her immune to all magic. It would protect Daniel and her family while she went to fight.

Then, as if he had never left, Neal arrived. He was with David, but Henry spared his grandpa barely a glance. His dad was here. His dad was alive!

"Hi daddy!" Merida said.

Neal frowned at them as he, David, and Daniel formed a protective barrier between them and the fight. "You three are in big trouble," he said.

Sarah and Merida shrank back with guilty pouts, but Henry just kept staring. He could not believe it. It had worked. His father was here!

As he looked, familiar silver light filled his vision. The battle in the graveyard disappeared as he was introduced to the world in which he now lived.

Regina and Daniel had never been caught. Snow had been delayed in going to the stable, for her father had found her and insisted on riding with her that night. When they arrived at the stable, Daniel had already left. Regina met them and, with her quick wit, convinced them to ride in the morning. "It will be safer," she said.

The next day, she, King Leopold, and Snow rode the entire day, and, as evening fell and the King and Snow made to return, Regina expressed a desire to ride a while longer alone. She hurried to the rendezvous point where her Daniel waited, and they escaped into the night. They made it a full week before Cora found them. In the confrontation that ensued, Regina discovered her magic and was able to drive her mother away; however, as the peace settled, Regina could not help the fear that filled her. She did not want magic, thus, she and Daniel sought out the dark dealmaker in hopes of gaining his aid.

Rumplestiltskin had been reluctant to help. Regina was meant to be his pawn, but, the longer he listened to her pleas, the lower his defenses fell. Regina was pure and innocent and had the chance to be happy. He could either arrange for Daniel to die which would set Regina back on the path to darkness, or he could grant her request and find a new pawn to cast his curse. He would not know what made him decide to free her; perhaps a desire to spite Cora; but, in the end, he made the deal—her magic for a medallion that would protect them from Cora.

Cora had been furious when she found out. She attacked the Dark One. The battle that ensued would always be remembered in the Enchanted Forest but the end result was unknown. Only Rumplestiltskin knew what became of Cora. He locked her away in Wonderland; content never to think of her again. He had plans to make. He needed a new curse castor.

He found one in a young man who called himself Facilier. He was the only son of a white witch in a village far away. He sought power, recognition, and revenge against the superstitious villagers who would beg his mother for her help but then punish her for it. Rumplestiltskin molded the young man into a clever and very powerful tool—almost too clever, for Facilier knew better than to mess in his master's personal affairs.

The young sorcerer sat back and watched his master fall in love with the princess turned slave girl. Without outside meddling, Rumplestiltskin and Belle danced around one another almost till the time of the curse. Then, in a moment of weakness, True Love's kiss was shared. Rumplestiltskin panicked, his curse remained, and he sent Belle away. Not in a rage with accusations and lies, but in a carriage filled with gifts for her father. The Dark One could not keep her, not with the curse coming, and Facilier would not touch her, least his master's wrath fall on his head.

Meanwhile, the kingdoms were rejoicing. Princess Snow was to marry David, a shepherd who she had met while riding with her dear friend and mentor, Regina. Regina and Daniel had sought refuge in the very kingdom to which she was almost forced to rule. When King Leopold found out, he had them brought to the palace. There, Regina pled mercy for tricking the King. Leopold could see the depth of love between the two and determined to protect them. "I would never sever love," he said with a kind smile. Regina and Daniel lived in the palace under the protection of the king, where they lived happily together and soon began their family.

Snow had been exhilarated to meet Regina again. Though she was unhappy to not have Regina as her new mother, she was determined to have Regina teach her how to ride. Years later, Regina stood as Snow's companion, advisor, and matron of honor at her wedding. Facilier made sure to make an appearance at the wedding. He was nothing if not a showman. He gave the people of the Enchanted Forest fair warning that his curse was coming. "A curse that will be remembered throughout history," he said with a wicked smile. "Or, maybe not." Then, with a bow, he disappeared.

Time sped forward. Facilier returned to his hometown to kill his mother, known simply as Mama Odie, and used her heart to cast the curse. Snow and David made a deal with Rumplestiltskin—the name of their child in exchange for the truth behind the curse. The magical tree was found and carved into a wardrobe, and Pinocchio and Emma passed through into the Land Without Magic before the curse hit.

Eighteen years later, as the people of Storybrooke lived hazy lives under the watchful eye of Mister Mayor, Emma Swan met Neal Cassidy, and their adventure began. They travelled the country in their stolen yellow bug; robbing convenience stores as they went and willingly stealing each other's hearts. One day, in a hotel room, they decided to leave this life behind and become a family. Then the wanted poster and a clever plan to steal watches Neal had already stolen; as the young thief travelled the night in search of the fence, he was intercepted by August Wayne Booth who told a tale of magic and destiny.

"You cannot stay with her," August said. "She needs to be free to find her family."

Neal tried to process all that he had been told. A battle raged in his soul—fight or flight? Leave Emma to her destiny and avoid seeing his father or stay and damn the consequences.

Neal chose to stay.

He grabbed August by the collar, threw him against the wall, and threatened, "If I ever see you near me and Emma again, I will make you regret it!"

"You can't," August pled. "She needs to free her family."

"I am her family," Neal said. He knocked August out, stole his motorcycle, and went on his way.

With the watches fenced, Neal and Emma began their new life. Nine months later, they welcomed Henry David Cassidy into the world; however, that was also the day that Peter Pan and the Home Office began to chase them. Neal and Emma ran. Whenever they thought they were safe from Pan, they would find themselves almost cornered by the police. August had not taken kindly to Neal's refusal and had begun to track them down. Whenever he found them, he called the police. Neal, Emma, and baby Henry were fugitives again.

One night, in a cheap motel that did not ask question, Neal broke. He told Emma everything—about August, Pan, and the truth about where they were from. "This is happening because of me," he confessed. "August told me to go, to let you find your family, but..." He looked up at her. There was so much pain in his eyes. "I couldn't give you up. You and Henry are the best thing that's ever happened to me. You are my family." He swallowed back his tears. "And that is why I need to leave."

Emma would have none of that. She told him as much. Through a fury of tears and a few good slaps, Emma called him out on his cowardice. They argued well into the night about what was best for their family. Arguments faded into decisions and honest desires and, as the sun broke the horizon, Emma and Neal lay in each other's arms, spent but ready to face the future.

They tracked down August and demanded everything from him. "If you are here to help us then you damn sure better help us," Emma said. The trio spent the next ten years planning and preparing for the curse. During that time, Sarah Belle was born—a mere few months after Henry's first birthday—and then, five years later, Merida Snow was born—named after Sarah and Emma's favorite princesses respectfully. They did their best to be a family while running from Peter Pan and the police. Whenever one of them thought about leaving, the other two were there to encourage them. They would remain a family, together, and beat this curse.

On the eve of Emma's twenty-eighth birthday, Pan and the police were closing in on them. August led the police away. Neal took Sarah and went north; drawing away Pan's forces. Emma, Henry, and Merida escaped in the bug. They drove through the night without stopping until they ran out of gas in the sleepy town of Storybrooke.

While checking into the only bed and breakfast in town, Emma was startled out of her conversation with the owner, Granny, by her daughter's cry of "Grandpa!"

Emma turned around in time to see a shocked Mr. Gold looking down at the child clinging to his leg. "Pops," she said with a smile that left Mr. Gold even more confused. Before he could intervene, Emma continued, "It's me, Emma."

"Emma?" Mr. Gold breathed.

She nodded. "It's been a while, I know, and we're so sorry about that. Baelfire thought it would be fun to surprise you."

Mr. Gold's eyes widened at the mention of his son. "He did?" he asked.

"Yeah, but looks like that won't be happening. He is away on business, but he wanted me to tell you that he will be here as soon as his business is done." By business, she meant the curse; something she explained to Mr. Gold once the children were asleep upstairs in his guest rooms. Before a roaring fire and with a glass of brandy in her hands, Emma told Mr. Gold everything that had happened since she met Baelfire, and then she promptly threatened him. If he wanted to see his son again, he would help her break the curse.

One month later, the curse broke thanks both to Mr. Gold's determination and Regina Mill's help. Her medallion had spared her the memory-erasing effects of the curse, though she had had to watch her family move listlessly through life for twenty-eight years. She offered her help in their venture, which manifested in mainly looking after Henry and Merida. She and Henry bonded quickly, for he reminded her so much of her son.

After the curse broke, there was the nasty business of Mr. Gold bringing magic back and Facilier releasing a Wrath to wreak his revenge and Emma and Snow falling through a magical portal. Henry and Merida were now in the custody of Mr. Gold and the recently found Belle. Mr. Gold discovered that Merida had a talent for magic. Prince David was not so inclined for the Dark One to teach his granddaughter, but Merida insisted. Whenever the two men seemed at odds, she would take their hands and say, "Grandpa Gold is good. He will be good."

Neal, Sarah, and August found Storybrooke in time to help Emma and Snow get back. Hook and Cora followed, leading into a dangerous battle that nearly cost Mr. Gold his life. Had it not been for Regina placing her medallion over her mother's neck while the witch was least suspecting, they may have lost that day. Peace settled for a time. Mr. Gold was recovering; while he did, he taught Merida magic and, in turn, Emma as well. She had come to supervise the magical lessons; that was her excuse anyway. Their class grew again when Raven joined. She had had to convince her mother that it would be ok, but it had been Emma's assurance that made Regina relent.

Sarah, Henry, and Henry Daniel had their share of misadventures in town while their family was in magic lessons. They stopped Hook from attacking Belle in the Library; Sarah shot him in the shoulder for good measure. She was taking archery from her grandmother, Snow, and was getting very good. The trio discovered the pair of strangers walking the town and even stopped them from allying with Fecilier to destroy the town. They were not able, however, to stop them from stealing Henry and escaping to Neverland.

Hook, who was smitten with Emma and determined to be on her good side, offered his ship to help; Emma and Neal smiled politely and then pushed Hook into a portal back to the Enchanted Forest. "Good bye, codfish," Emma said. "Now, let's get Henry."

Thanks to Tiny's generosity and abundant new magic bean farm, Emma and her family were well stocked on portals and were ready to save Henry. Regina, Daniel, and Henry Daniel went with them; leaving Raven with Sarah and Merida. They were to stay with Belle and guard the town. Peter Pan tried to divide the family, but they were bonded in love and magic. There was nothing he could do to stop them.

Henry's emerging magic did not help Pan's cause. During his first night in Neverland, Henry made a wish that summoned a star named Evangline. "I'm a Wishing Star," she said. "And you, as the Truest Believer, have the power to summon me." Evangeline made sure Henry knew that wishing was not a power to take lightly and bad wishes would have consequences. As long as Henry's wishes were unselfish and pure, she and the Wishing Stars would be there to help him.

Henry understood the truth of these words during the final battle with Peter Pan on the streets of Storybrooke. The curse was striking again. He and his family were trapped. The only one standing between them and Pan's victory was a magicless Mr. Gold. His grandfather was saying goodbye. In that moment, Henry wished.

The cuff blocking Mr. Gold's magic fell off and the spell trapping them all dissolved. Emma, Merida, and Raven attacked Pan. Mr. Gold watched in shock as his family fought to defend him. In that moment, something inside of his heart shifted. It had been building over the last year as he interacted with Merida and Sarah and Henry; as he reconciled with Baelfire and got to know Emma; as he loved Belle and began to trust David. All of it coalesced into this moment—when his magical core made up of revenge and hate broke and Rumplestiltskin was undone. Pure love filled his being and purified his magic. He joined the attack, then, as Rumplestiltskin, a mage of light and protector of all he loved.

They trapped Pan in Pandora's Box, but the curse was still coming. They had little time. On the city limit of Storybrooke, Emma was forced to say goodbye to her family. Only she and her children could leave. She tried to remain strong as she said goodbye to Snow and Charming, but she could not suppress her tears when she held her husband. "It's alright," he whispered. "I will come back. I will find you."

"Promise," she whispered.

"I swear," he said.

Regina gave Henry her medallion. "It will keep you safe," she said. "It will let you remember."

"I won't forget," Henry promised.

He kept his promise. One year later, when Hook appeared on their doorstep, Henry called him out as a liar and told his mother not to trust him. Hook was baffled as to how Henry could remember when none of them were supposed to know, but it did not matter for, a few days later, Neal returned and through True Love's kiss, restored Emma's memories. They left Hook to the NYPD and returned to Storybrooke.

The Wicked Witch of the West had recast the curse in order to trap Regina and her family. She wanted to turn back time to make sure her mother, Cora, never gave her up. While in the Enchanted Forest, the Wicked Witch, named Zelena, had freed Pan and, together, they captured Rumplestiltskin. Baelfire and Belle escaped and were able to warn the others. They hatched a plan to use the magic beans they had to find a world that was not cut off from the Land Without Magic, restore Emma's memory, and bring her home to stop Zelena.

Zelena had her own plan. She gave her ruby slippers to Hook. "Now is your chance to win Emma," she cooed to the heartbroken pirate.

Hook asked no questions. All he wanted was to be back with the feisty blonde who had denied him. He took the shoes and magiced away to New York.

Zelena used Pan's heart to cast the curse. Right as it struck, Belle told Baelfire to use the beans. "The curse is tearing down the border between worlds," she said. "Go now!"

The warriors of Storybrooke were able to stop Zelena right before she could open a portal in time; however, Zelena swore not to be defeated. She attacked Emma. Neal jumped in the way and stabbed the witch through the heart. The deathblow released her magic, which opened the portal, and sucked Emma and Neal into the past. The married couple was smart enough not to cause mischief and quickly found the Dark One. Neal told his father everything, they reopened the portal, and the two returned home without much trouble...until they realized they had brought Elsa back with them, and that had sparked the mess they were all in now.

"Henry?" Henry blinked a few times. The silver light faded, revealing his father's face. "You ok, bud?" Neal asked.

Henry looked around. The Snow Queen was gone. Everyone was looking at him. "Yeah," he said. "I...uh..." Then, inexplicably, the world went black.

"Henry," a familiar voice called. "Wake up, Henry."

Henry moaned and rolled over. He did not want to wake up.

A gentle hand brushed through his hair.

Henry opened his eyes.

Evangeline smiled down at him. "Hey."

"Evangeline." He sat up and hugged her. "We did it," he said.

"Yes, we did," she said.

They were in his room in Mr. Gold's home. His family lived there now, partially for convenience and partially to help Mr. Gold live without dark magic; they had even taken Mr. Gold's last name, an olive branch maneuver made by Neal in order to completely mend the rift between them. Henry's window was open, and the night sky beyond was clear.

Henry pulled out of the hug. "My father's alive. It worked. The deal worked."

"That was a dangerous play," Evangeline said. "You dealt for your life to take your father's."

"And it worked," Henry said with a grin. "The life I lived before my wish satisfied the deal. But, wait, Evangeline, you...the dark magic touched you to. Why?"

Evangeline placed her hand on his head once more. "I had to save your grandfather," she said. "The probability of Neal living after his father died was very slim. Once I figured out your little trick, I added my life to the deal. The life I lived before now in exchange for your grandfather, and, without his death, your father would not be so inclined to play heroics."

"But, if our old lives were used to satisfy the deal, why do I remember?"

"Our bond," Evangeline said. She tapped his forehead. "Our minds are still linked. Once I break that bond, the past will disappear forever."

"Oh." Henry looked down at his hands. "Will I see you again?"

"Of course," Evangeline said. "I am your Wishing Star. All you need to do is call, and I will be here."

Henry nodded and then took Evangeline's hand and squeezed it. "Thank you so much, Evangeline."

Evangeline smiled. "You are very welcome, Henry. You made a truly unselfish wish. You wished that your family could be free to choose magic. It was a powerful wish; one that allowed Regina to choose Daniel over power, Rumplestiltskin to open is heart again to his family, and for magic to be a pure force for good in your world instead of a root for all the bad. That kind of faith could only come from you. You have the heart of your father, the faith of your mother, the wit of your godmother, and a family that loves you. Take care of them."

"I will. Goodbye, Evangeline."

Evangeline stood up from his bed and bowed deeply. "Goodbye, Truest Believer."

In a flash of silver, she was gone, and with her, went all memories of his broken past; however, he would not forget his marvelous journey. It would stay with him—in dreams and the imaginings of a child. He would never truly know if it was real, but it would not matter. He was home now, and his family was saved.

"Henry?" his dad called through his closed door.

"I'm up," Henry called.

Neal opened the door. "How are you feeling, buddy?"

"Good," Henry said with a smile. For some reason, he was especially happy to see his father.

Neal crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. "Papa said you were magically exhausted. Did you wish?"

Henry looked out the window to the stars above. "Yes," he said. "I wished."

AN: The end. Thanks to all who stuck with Choices. This is my farewell letter to ONCE-a show that I once loved, but it broke my heart too many times to be forgiven. I hope you all enjoyed. Reviews are love. Ta!

-Jecir