Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Once, she lived a normal life. Once, she had a job, caught criminals, earned a decent wage, owned an apartment. Yes, it might have been a tad lonely, it might not have been everything she had wanted in her life, but at least it was normal.

As normal as the New York life with Henry had been.

It sure as hell didn’t contain mixed-up fairy tales and heroes and villains and fucking tornado time portals set up by the Wicked Witch from the West.

“Oomph-” Emma huffed as the portal threw her out on a mossy forest floor. God damnit, why did this kind of stuff always happen to her? She groaned as she tried to push herself up and blinked, focusing on her surroundings.

Oh.

Oh no.

Her throat tightened as she took in the forest. The Enchanted Forest. She winced at the thought. The hope that she’d never have to step foot in this cursed realm ever again flew out of the metaphorical window instantly. Great.

A quick look around her to double-check made it clear that she was alone. Hook, who had held on to her when she was sucked into the raging vortex, had probably chosen to safely stay behind. Fucking pirate.

And then, another thought entered her mind - When, exactly, was she? If this portal worked the same as the other ones, it must’ve been something that she had thought about while falling through the portal.

She couldn’t remember. It must have been something fleeting. She scrunched her nose at the thought and then shuddered as she asked herself the next one.

How the hell was she going to go back home?

Crap.

She gritted her teeth, dusted the sand off her jacket and jeans, and decided that it was best to find out in what time period she was before trying to find a way back to the future.

The only thing was, Emma didn’t have a clue as to where to start. She realized she needed help, but also remembered what Belle said once they’d figured out Zelena’s plan. Even the faintest change of the past could result in major changes in the future. How the hell was she supposed to figure this out on her own, no help, no one to ask? “I fucking should’ve shoved Henry in the bug and return to New York when I had the fucking chance,” she barked into the forest.

Nobody answered.

She sighed, then squared her shoulders and shoved the self-pity aside for the moment. She had to do something, preferably without messing things up in the past. So maybe she should start with figuring out when in time she was.

But first things first, she thought as she down at her clothes. She stood out far too much like this. Couldn’t have an unfortunate run-in with anyone remembering her god knows how many years from now.

~*~

Finding clothes didn’t prove to be super difficult, she experienced, as she snatched a dress from a lonely house just outside a village. Wearing it was an entirely different matter, she thought as she squirmed when the corset dug into her flesh. Was this really what people wanted to wear? How the hell did you move in these things? She tugged at the painful corset but sighed as it didn’t budge, and gave up. Hopefully, she’d have a spleen left once this fucking ordeal was over, she scowled.

Now, on to trying to get home. “I wouldn’t be opposed to Marty McFly showing up with his car right about now,” she murmured to herself, and then snorted at the thought of people from here being in awe of the machine. Or scared of it, probably. Maybe they would think it to be magic -

Magic. Her heart skipped a beat. That was the answer. “Rumplestiltskin,” she muttered.

She needed to go find him. But how? “How the hell do you find a Dark One when you need them?” she wondered, taking a step in a random direction. She had no clue where she was going, but she’d have to start somewhere, right?

“Just ask nicely.”

With a yelp, Emma whirled around. “Jesus fucking Christ, Gold, you can’t do that to people,” she snapped. Oh. Right. Glimmery nasty Dark One. Not sophisticatedly dressed Dark One. She snapped her jaws shut.

“Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?” He said, motioning to her with his hand. “I could kill you with one snip of my fingers.” He whirled his hand up, placing his thumb and index finger together.

“Yeah. But you’re not going to do that.” She eyed his fingers warily.

“And why wouldn’t I?” he asked with a smirk on his face, and she shook her head in response. It was all or nothing. It pained her to speak the words, Neal’s death still fresh on her mind - she would keep that particular detail to herself for now.

“Because if you don’t you’ll never see your son again,” she blurted out.

His face twisted in something dark. “What do you know of my son?” he barked, and out of precaution, Emma took a step back. Not that it would help her if he wanted to hurt her, but, you know, instinct and all.

“His name is Baelfire,” she quickly said. “You’re planning to enact a curse in hopes of reuniting with him.”

Two seconds of silence. Then, he answered with a mix of curiosity and anger, “Who told you that? What are you? Some kind of witch?”

“No,” she immediately reassured him by holding up her hands in a defensive gesture - she didn’t know if he needed reassurance but better safe than sorry. “I’m not a witch. I’m the one who breaks the curse so that you can find him. I’m the product of true love.”

He eyed her suspiciously, his eyes raking over her figure before finding her gaze again. “That’s speculation. Part of my plans. But I haven’t done it.”

“You will and you will succeed,” she immediately retorted, a vehemence behind her words that made him narrow his eyes and tilt his head as if he was thinking. He took a few seconds, tapping his fingers to his temple.

“If that’s true, then that means-”

“Yeah. I’m from the future.”

Rumplestiltskin scoffed. “Impossible. Time travel hasn’t been done.” He wanted to wave it away, but Emma started to grow impatient.

“Yeah, well. Someone’s cracked that code. I need your help to get back.”

“Help?” Rumplestiltskin giggled, and the sound immediately got on Emma’s nerves. “You need my help? Then answer me one question: Do I find my son?”

Emma opened her mouth, hesitated, anxiety rising inside as grief filled her chest. She swallowed, her nose itched as the tears rose to her eyes, and she fought to keep them away. Telling him now wouldn’t benefit her, and she needed his help. “Answer me!” he bit at her, and she blinked rapidly. Swallowed past the lump in her throat.

“Yes.”

A look of wonder appeared on Rumple’s face. “Bae. I find Bae. How?” he urged her, but when she opened her mouth he lifted his hand quickly. “Stop! Don’t tell me. If I succeeded, I don't want anything in my head that might throw it off.”

“Then help me find a way home.”

He looked at her then with a newfound interest. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or not, but she was desperate - probably why he didn’t have any problems finding her - and eyed him warily as he tapped his fingers together in front of his chin. As if he was concocting a plan that he wouldn’t share until it probably all fell into place the way he wanted. All she could hope is that it included her getting back home.

“I might know one,” he then slowly said “There’s a powerful wand, which, uh, I came to possess.” He smirked, and she really didn’t want to know how he got it and who he got it from. She didn’t care. “Anyway,” he continued, “legend says, it can recreate any magic that’s ever been wielded. Now, with a little work, I can use it to recreate whatever portal brought you here.”

Emma breathed in relief. Would it be this easy? It would be a first, but she’d take it. “Please do it quickly. I want to get the hell out of here.”

The Dark One cackled, and it made an involuntary shiver run down Emma’s spine. ”Ah, confidence. I like it. Meet me in my castle in three days. And do try to stay out of trouble and not change anything. If you mess up my reunion with my boy…”

“You’ll kill me?” she helpfully added, and he grimaced.

“Killing you would be too easy. There are far nastier ways I can punish you.”

She shook her head. “I won’t. I’ll keep my head low and I’ll see you in three days.”

He narrowed his eyes. “For some reason, I find that hard to believe.”

Emma snorted. Really? “What do you want me to do? Hide? I’ve got to eat and all.”

“That’s not really my problem now, is it?” he shot back at her, but she shook her head.

“For both my and your sake, it is kinda both our problem now. If I show up looking like me and someone remembers, it might screw up your reunion with Baelfire.” She looked at him with a pounding heart. Blackmailing a Dark One might not be the best way. “Look, can’t you… I don’t know, make me invisible? At least that way I’m hidden until I return and I don’t-”

“Fine.” His hands whirled, into her direction, and in the next moment, she was enveloped in dark red smoke. “Now, no one will recognize you.” He giggled as she looked down. Her hands looked different, and when he conjured a mirror, she saw that her face looked different too. So weird. It wasn’t invisibility but at least, she figured, it would be sufficient so that nobody would recognize her.

“Three days, dearie. Don’t be late.” It sounded like a threat, but before she could reply, he was gone.

Okay, she told herself, inhaling deeply. Three days. She could do that. She tried to move the corset just a little so that it might hurt a little less and started walking towards the town ahead. It was probably easier to blend in when there were more people around - and also easier to snatch away some coins from someone who had too much to spend anyway. Having a criminal background sometimes paid off, Emma smirked, while quickly hiding the small pouch that she had snatched off a nobleman’s belt in the busy marketplace. She shoved it in her pocket and decided to go to the tavern. She was hungry, thirsty and needed to collect her thoughts for a moment.

Fortunately for her, the town was bigger than average so she had a choice in taverns. Ordering some ale and bread - no way she was going to eat chimera by choice or by accident ever again - she withdrew in the darker corners of the space, not to draw any attention to herself. Hiding in the crowds was what she was used to. It was amazing how quickly you would fall back into old behavior if you were forced to. She ripped off a piece of bread, brought her hand to her mouth. It smelled surprisingly fresh-

“It won’t be long now.”

Emma froze. Goosebumps spread instantly over her entire body as she recognized a voice she thought she’d never hear again. all her senses heightened as she slowly put the bread back to the table.

Cora Mills.

Regina’s mother.

Cora Mills, Regina’s mother, in a dirty tavern.

That probably didn’t bode well.

The voices were coming from behind her and she didn’t dare to look around, afraid to draw attention to herself. A man murmured something, but the voice was low and she couldn’t understand it.

“Regina needs to focus on becoming the queen, not raising a child that is of no use. We can’t have her distracted by a bastard.”

Emma frowned at the words. Huh? Regina? Bastard? Confusion rippled through her stomach. Did Regina have a child she never knew about? Why hadn’t she told anyone?

The man murmured something again, and very slowly, Emma shifted a little so she could see the people behind her from the corner of her eyes. Cora wore a cloak, pulled far over her head as if she wanted to blend as much as Emma did. She held her breath, tried to listen past the pounding heartbeat in her head.

“Oh, she’ll give him a child of his own, soon. I’ll see to that. I know he’s willing enough - and he’s been patient, too. She’ll be forever in his debt for not casting her out.” She smirked. “Of course, I helped a little with convincing him to let her stay.” Her fingers glowed slightly and Emma turned her eyes away, slowly bringing the bread to her mouth again. Trying to be indifferent. The man murmured something again, and she hated that she couldn’t hear what he said.

“I’ll see to that,” Cora repeated definitively. “Now, once it’s born, I’ll make sure it’s brought to you. I need you to take it with you, Huntsman, and get rid of it.”

Huntsman? Emma blinked, tried to look at them from the corner of her eyes, suddenly interested in the man. No, it wasn’t Graham, she realized, and she didn’t know if that relieved her or made her more anxious. This man was bigger, both horizontally and vertically, and from the looks of it, would follow his order without blinking twice. If it had been Graham, she probably would have been able to talk to him about this.

The man shifted, swung one leg over the bench he was sitting on.

“What do you want me to do with it?” he asked. Because of his shifted position, she could now piece together the man’s words, and anxiously, she waited for Cora’s reply. The woman waved her hand impatiently.

“Drown it. Feed it to your hounds. Take it and kill it, and that’s an order.”

“What are you going to tell her?”

“Not that it’s any of your business,” the woman said sharply, making Emma duck her head, “but I’ll tell her that the child didn’t make it.”

Emma’s blood went cold and she shivered, as she tried to suppress a queasy feeling in her stomach. Her eyes flashed at the other person, hidden in the niche they were sitting in, as she tried to process what she’d just learned.

Regina was apparently pregnant with a bastard child. Daniels?

Cora was intending to have it killed.

Belle’s words echoed in her head. The smallest changes in the past could lead to the biggest changes in the future. She had seen The Butterfly Effect.

But this was a baby. A completely innocent child, sacrificed because someone wished it to be so. She couldn’t help but see the parallels between this unborn child and her own life, cast away upon birth. It didn’t matter that the situation in which they were born was different.

And Regina. Emma knew what it felt like to give up a baby voluntarily - to have one taken away from you without your knowledge must feel ten times worse. Suddenly, she felt sympathy for the woman who’d once been the Evil Queen.

The couple shifted, their conversation over, and Emma ducked her head a little more as they got up and moved right past her table. Emma bent over her plate and ate the bread, quickly and quietly, flushed it with ale, and pondered on what to do. What Regina would want her to do.

Regina had a good life, now. She had found her soulmate, looked happy for the first time since they’d met. Was she supposed to turn her back on this, having the baby killed? Did she need to keep this timeline in place?

She couldn’t, she realized. She would regret it forever.

But how to ensure that she wouldn’t mess up the past? Emma knew that she couldn’t return the baby to its mother -

Wait.

She sat up straight. What if she would take the baby and bring it home, and then reunite it with her mother in Storybrooke?

That way, the timeline would stay intact, the baby would be saved, and Regina would still have her happiness - this time, with the child she’d had to give up when she was young. Emma felt pleased. She liked this plan.

The only thing was that Regina kinda had to give birth within three days. The thought sparked anxiety in her body. In three days, she had to be at Rumple’s castle.

Okay, new plan, she told herself. Go to the King’s castle and see if she could figure out where to find Regina. Find out where Rumple’s castle was. And basically, take it from there.

She got up, placed a couple of coins on the table, and left the tavern. Time to get to work.

~*~

It took her a day to get to the castle. Finding and getting inside the castle wasn’t a very big deal, apparently. The castle was a coming and going of people, and looked like a small village by itself. She decided to do some quick recon - the most important part was to know where you could get away. She wandered around the courtyard, checked the castle wall for exit points, and once she was satisfied with what she’d found, she started to circle back to the entry gate. Now, she needed an excuse to get in.

“You! Girl!”

Emma froze for a split second, her heart pounding in her throat as she whirled around. A pile of sheets was pushed into her hands. “Bring these to the left wing, now. Quickly. Don’t dawdle, get a move on.”

Oh. Well, apparently getting inside turned out to be easier than she’d expected. She quickly slipped inside with the bundle of clean, crispy white sheets.

She had no clue where she had to go or where Regina would be, only that she was here. In this very castle. Her heartbeat picked up in anticipation as she turned left because the left wing would probably be at the left side, right?

Or maybe not. It didn’t take her very long to get lost within the many halls and corridors and passageways. She backtracked a couple of times, took some stairs up, went down again, and then sighed in frustration.

“Where are you going?” a voice barked, and she flinched slightly. Shit.

“Uh. Left wing?” she said, head bowed down.

“Then why the hell are you here?”

Crap, she didn’t have a clue where she was going. “I just started,” she replied softly, hoping to sound meek. “The castle… it’s confusing,” she murmured, her eyes to the floor, submissively.

The man in front of her was quiet as if he was deliberating what to do with her, and she decided to change tactics. “I, uh, have these clean sheets. They ordered me to bring it there immediately.” She held out the sheets, blinked up at the man with large eyes, a helpless look on her face. “They’ll fire me if I don’t get them there and I need this work, please, can you help me?”

He huffed. “Turn around, go back, take the second hallway to the left. Follow the corridor until you see stairs on your left, and get up.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, and she turned around immediately, breathing a little easier She smirked. Men. They were the same in every realm. Now, back to what she was supposed to do. The quicker she could drop these sheets, the better, and in the meantime, she would get to know the maze that was called a castle and find a way to snatch away a newborn baby.

She hadn’t expected that she would be lucky enough to deliver the clean sheets to a room that was buzzing with activity so that nobody would realize that she really didn’t belong here. But the contrast with the silent passageways was so immense, that she froze on the threshold. Bewildered, she looked around, trying to comprehend what was happening. There was someone on the bed and three, no, four women buzzing around her. One of them was on her knees on the foot end of the bed, the others nervously flitting around her.

And then, the person on the bed screamed in pain.

Emma inhaled sharply, shock jolting through her body. She knew that voice. And she needed to fight all her instincts to stop herself from dropping the sheets and rushing forward towards her, towards the bed on the other side of the room.

Regina.

“Don’t just stand there, woman,” someone growled, and she stepped forward instantly, the scene unfolding in front of her eyes as the midwife motioned her closer. Emma’s eyes were fixed on the woman on the bed. Regina was half-sat, half-laid on the wrinkled sheets, legs pulled up. Her hair was long, much longer than Emma knew it to be, and it was frazzled. It stuck to her sweaty forehead. Regina’s face was rounder, younger - Emma realized this version of Regina probably wasn’t much younger than she had been when she’d given birth to Henry. Her face was red, sweat pearled on her forehead, and her expression was infused with pain. There was blood on the bedsheets - not a lot and Emma supposed it was normal in childbirth, but still.

“You’re almost there, Your Highness,” an older woman said nervously, dabbing the sweat off Regina’s forehead.

“I can’t do this anymore,” Regina sobbed hysterically, exhaustion written all over her face.

Now close enough to follow everything in and around the bed, Emma was unable to take her eyes off the exhausted young woman, and she felt a strange new connection to this version of Regina. Someone snatched the sheets from her hands, and she folded her hands together, unsure of what to do.

“Here, we need you here,” one of the other women said. And then, the moment she approached the foot end of the bed, Regina tensed up again. “No, no, no,” she cried as Emma sat down.

“You have to push, Your Highness,” the midwife told her sternly.

“I can’t, I don’t want- I-” Pain took over and Emma saw Regina’s body fighting the contraction and she shrieked in pain and fear. On instinct, she rounded the bed and grabbed her hand.

“Regina. Regina.” She didn’t realize she’d called out to her before she heard a sharp gasp from her left, and the midwife’s head snapped up from the foot end. “That’s unheard of, girl,” she snapped. “Get away-”

“Yes,” Regina breathed, groaning in pain. She tried to shift on the bed but whimpered as it only hurt her more. The fingers around Emma’s hand tightened forcefully and Emma winced, but she knew from experience that Regina’s pain was way worse than her own.

“Listen, I know you’re in pain, but it’ll soon be over. Focus on me. Look at me.”

Tired, pained brown eyes reluctantly turned to hers. And all the alarm bells in her head went off. This was a bad idea. Very bad idea. But Regina needed help. “Listen,” Emma said again, lowering her voice so it became harder for everyone else to hear it, and Regina’s breathing slowed because she, too, needed to work to listen, “we’re going to breathe together at the next contraction, all right?”

Regina shook her head instantly. “N-no, no, I- I can’t-”

“Yes, you can,” Emma interrupted, resulting in more shock in the women around her, “I believe in you.”

Regina’s eyes cleared up slightly and looked at Emma with renewed interest. Another alarm bell started to blare in the back of her mind as Regina looked at her. Shit. She kinda forgot to keep low-profile when she’d heard Regina’s distress. “Do I know you?” Regina asked, panting, but curious all the same.

Emma shivered slightly at the empty acknowledgment of her presence.

“No,” she said, feeling uneasy. Regina had looked at her in many different ways - angry, resenting at first, friendlier in recent times - but never once it looked like nothing. Not a spark of recognition. Not anything. And for a split second, Emma really wanted to see any form of recollection. Even fury would have been good. But there was nothing in Regina’s gaze that indicated that she knew who Emma was and it surprised her that it hurt in her chest.

She swallowed and focused on the task at hand. “But Regina, I do know you’re strong and you don’t want to give up. And you’re going to deliver this baby and hold it in your arms.” The words were accompanied by a squeeze in her hand.

“Get away from her,” the midwife snapped.

“No.”

All heads snapped in Regina’s direction.

“She stays.” The words were spoken with a shaky voice but carried the strength of a royal resolution.

Now, everyone looked at her warily. She winced. So far for staying below the radar. “Okay,” she said slowly, “I guess I’m staying?”

There was no time to argue because the next moment another contraction built up and Emma gasped as Regina squeezed her hand more forcibly than before, bruising her fingers. Regina squeezed her eyes shut, fought the contraction until Emma started talking to her.

“Breathe, Regina. Short puffs of breath.” She had absolutely no idea what she was doing but faintly remembered puffing her way through the contractions, more than ten years ago. Her own delivery was somewhat hazy, but it was all she got.

“I can’t.”

“The hell you can’t.” More gasps, but at this point, Emma didn’t care anymore what the others thought. “Do as I do.” And it didn’t matter how ridiculous she felt as she started to release short puffs of breath, all that mattered was that this young girl, the younger version of the person who would once terrorize a whole realm, would get through this. Would deliver her baby safe and sound. And it felt like a small victory when Regina complied with her wishes and started to puff with her.

They worked through three contractions together, and they even received a grumbled “good girl” from the midwife which felt like the highest praise ever. Regina even smiled tiredly at it. In between contractions, Emma gently dabbed Regina’s forehead with her free hand. Strings of hair were stuck to her skin and she pushed them away behind her ear. “I’m proud of you,” she whispered. It made Regina scoff, a sound that Emma knew all too well, and she chuckled in response.

The next contraction was different, more painful, and Regina screamed in surprise. “It burns,” she panted, her face twisted in agony. “I’m… It feels… I’m splitting open!”

“I know it feels like it, but that’s a good thing,” the midwife grumbled, “That means you’re almost there.”

“It hurts so much!”

“Believe me, I know,” Emma said softly.

Regina whined and she tightened her grip around Emma’s already bruised hand. Emma gritted her teeth. Then, the midwife came up to Regina and she looked at her. “Your Highness, I need you to listen very carefully to me.” The stern tone made Regina gasp, and she looked up, fear in her eyes. “Wrap your hands around your thighs. Once the contraction comes, you push with all the strength you’ve got left in that body of yours. Your baby’s waiting for you, got that?”

Regina nodded automatically.

“You,” the midwife then barked at Emma, who straightened her shoulders instantly. “Support her. Sit behind her.”

Emma complied with her wishes immediately and slid in behind the young, scared girl. Regina leaned back against her. Her shirt was drenched with sweat, her hair sticky, but Emma didn’t care. “You got this,” she said softly. “Push with all the strength left in you. You’re almost done, Regina, I promise.”

And when the next contraction came Regina did. Emma felt flush with pride as Regina pushed all her strength down to her belly, clutching her thigs tight to her chest, nails digging in her own flesh. She held in a scream to not lose strength and when the contraction was over, she slumped against Emma. “No more, no more,” she sobbed in distress, pain written over her features as her body shuddered with tension.

“Almost, Regina, almost. I’ve got you. I’ve always got you,” Emma murmured and as she spoke the words, her heart squeezed painfully, knowing that she wouldn’t be around to help for decades to come.

“I can see the head, Your Highness,” the midwife gruffly informed her.

“See, Regina? Almost.”

As on cue, Regina started to tense up again. She curled forward, clung to her legs and her face scrunched as she pushed, pushed, pushed, and then, under delighted yells of the other women in the room, she slumped back against Emma. A sharp wail filled the room seconds later and the room breath in relief.

“It’s a girl, Your Highness,” the midwife said, gentler than she had during the delivery, and Regina’s shoulders shook from the release of the tension in her body. Instinctively, Emma held her close as the midwife took the baby and started to clean it up. The newborn child wailed sharply as Regina sobbed, and Emma started to murmur soft words in her ear. Regina tensed up one more time for the placenta before she gave in to Emma’s soothing words. And when she started to relax, legs trembling from the releasing tension, Emma slipped out from behind her.

And then, the room became eerily quiet. The temperature dropped a couple of grades when Cora Mills entered. Only the baby’s cries filled the room. Regina tensed up immediately, wiping the tears from her eyes and sitting up straight.

“It’s a girl, Mother,” she said, chin wobbling with relief and pride.

“Yes. I heard.” She looked like she just smelled something dirty.

How the hell did Cora already know? Emma blinked in surprise. Cora didn’t give the child a second look, just nodded at the midwife, whose eyes widened briefly, then hastily wrapped the baby in blankets, got up, and left the room within seconds.

“Mother, where are they taking her?” Alarm and distress were evident in Regina’s voice, and it hurt Emma’s heart.

“Just next door, to check if she’s all fine, dear,” Cora soothed her daughter. “She’ll be brought to you in a little while, dear.”

All alarm bells went off blaring in Emma’s head as the conversation she overheard the day before replayed in her head, and she knew she had to follow the midwife in order to save the baby. Slowly, yet as quickly as she could, she quietly shuffled towards the only door the room possessed. Cora was intimidating enough, even to her own daughter, to not lose the attention. “I don’t want that,” Regina said vehemently and Emma hoped it wouldn’t get her into trouble later, “I haven’t even held her. Can’t you examine her here? Please, mother, let me hold her.”

Emma clenched her jaws as she slipped out of the room, her heart painfully squeezing in her chest at the distressed words of a young mother, her emotions so close to her own when giving up her baby so many years ago. But she couldn’t stop now. She had a baby to save. And within seconds, she’d slipped from the room and followed the midwife, who headed to the stairs down.

Chapter Text

Emma walked out of the room and glanced around; she spotted the midwife walking quickly down the stairs and disappearing. The baby was crying all the way.

Emma sighed and started to run after her, following the cries as she screamed, "Stop!" 

The midwife turned around and held the baby tightly.

"What are you doing here?! Why are you following me?"

Emma moved slowly toward the midwife. "I know what your plans are with the baby. Please don't do it, just give her to me." She glanced down at the baby and looked back at the midwife.

"I-I can't," the midwife shook her head," Cora will kill me if I don't do what she tells me to."

"Well, she doesn't need to know. I will take care of her and keep her off your hands. Please," Emma begged as she looked into the midwife's eyes to prove she was telling the truth.

The midwife looked away and glanced down the stairs where she was supposed to go. "But the huntsman is down there, if he doesn't get the baby he'll tell Cora and Cora will kill me! No! I can't!" She turned away and started to run down the stairs.

"No!" Emma screamed. She ran after her and muttered, "damnit!" 

As she got to the bottom of the stairs, she turned left and followed the cries of the baby down a dark passageway lit only by some torches on the wall--it was pretty gloomy, but she was still able to see the midwife giving the baby to the huntsman. Emma growled as she felt her magic growing in her and she waved her hand toward them.

The midwife and the huntsman fell back and the baby was in the air.  

Emma ran and caught the baby girl in her arms and checked the baby over to make sure she was alright before she slowly backed away from the midwife and the huntsman.

The huntsman stood up and glared at Emma.

"Give. Me. The. Baby. Back. Now!" He growled as he took his sword out and pointed it at her.  

"Please give it to him," the midwife begged.

Emma was about to answer but they were interrupted. 

"What is going on here?" An older man shouted, walking toward them.

Emma turned around and moved back more.

"They are trying to get rid of the baby!" Emma said to the man.

He looked at the midwife and the huntsman then glared at them. "Get away from here! Do you hear me? Go! No one can take my granddaughter away! I do not want her dead! Go! I am going to take care of it."

The midwife and huntsman looked at each other and nodded at him as they scurried away. They remembered that the woman with the baby had used magic on them. They didn't want to risk her using it on them again, so they fled away together, out of a door at the end of the passageway. 

The man sighed and looked at the baby in Emma's arms then glared at Emma, still not sure if he could trust her with his granddaughter. "I'd like to see my granddaughter now. Give her to me," he said as he neared Emma with his arms held out to take her.

"No way! How do I know I can trust you not to take her back to Cora? Or kill her yourself." Emma asked, not sure who she could trust.

"I am Henry, Regina's father. Unlike my wife, I love my daughter," Henry said and smiled softly at her. He had a feeling he could trust this woman.

Emma realized that Regina named their son after Regina's father. She felt tears sting her eyes as she thought about how much she must have loved her father. She knew that in order for the dark curse to work, she had to sacrifice the person she loved most in the world - her father. And here he was.

"H-hi... I'm Emma Swan. I, um…" could she tell him that she was from the future? "Um, how do I know I can trust you?" 

"Well," he said as he rubbed his chin in thought. "How do I know I can trust you ?"

"I'm from the future," She blurted out, eyes wide in shock that she actually told him. Shit, will this affect the future even more? 

"You are from the future!?" How far in the future?" Henry asked in shock, though he somehow believed her.

"I, um, I'm not sure. I think Regina is about 38 maybe? We live in a different realm. I have already told you too much… I probably shouldn't be interfering too much, but I overheard Cora talking to that man. She was going to kill her own grandchild! I couldn't let that happen. It's a baby for fucks sake! And they call Regina the Evil Queen!?" Emma scoffed.

"You lie! Regina isn't Evil!" Henry shouted in anger. "She is the gentlest soul I've ever met! You obviously don't know her!" 

Henry went to take his granddaughter from Emma but she moved away.

"She will be the Evil Queen… in the future but she redeems herself. I know it's hard to hear this, but you must believe me. I've told you too much… I can take her back to the future with me. Reunite her with Regina in my timeline."

"And how exactly are you planning to get back?" Henry questioned her suspiciously.

"I, uh." Emma bit her lip in thought. "I made a deal with the dark one."

"The dark one!? He is the devil incarnate! You cannot trust him! He will kill you both!"

"No, I know him in my timeline. He is there and I know that in this instance, I can trust him…"

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because in my timeline, I knew his son. In this timeline here, right now, he is searching for his son. He knows he can't harm me if he ever wants to see Baelfire again."

"But he can harm my granddaughter."

"I swear, I won't let him. I will defend her with my life!" Emma exclaimed. "Regina and I are friends in my timeline. We share a son named Henry." Shut up! She mentally told herself. 

"You are married!?"

"No! No, we are friends," Emma blushed. "I can take this baby back to the future with me. Keep her safe."

Henry stared at Emma for a long moment, then looked at the baby in her arms

"Can I please hold my granddaughter? I promise I won't take her. And I don't have magic like you obviously do."

"Um… sure." 

Emma reluctantly passed the baby to Henry, who looked at the beautiful baby girl and smiled and nodded. "I agree with you... no one can know. We have to keep her safe from Cora," he sighed. 

Chapter Text

Keep her safe from Cora. That would be a breeze. Emma mentally rolled her eyes at the thought. 

“Hello, little one.” Henry cooed at the tiny, blanket-wrapped baby. “You look exactly like your mother when she was born. My precious Regina.” She saw his fingers tremble where they rested against the blanket. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure nothing happens to you. I promise.” 

Tears glimmered in his eyes as when he glanced up at Emma. “Follow me. We’ll get you and my granddaughter out of the castle. Henry moved fast for a man his age, leaving her to scurry after him. 

She followed him up stairs, down narrow and dark corridors, down stairs, and in and out of more doorways than a Scooby Doo cartoon. Emma was lost within minutes. Still, she didn’t dare grab Henry and ask for directions or an explanation of his plan. Urgency surrounded him and then transferred to Emma. Her skin tingled as if she’d been electrocuted. 

“Here! Get in here!” Henry freed one hand from its hold on the baby and grabbed Emma. He shoved her through a doorway and into…the filthiest room she’d even seen. Dust caked the floors, except for the newly-cleaned trail of footprints they left behind. Cobwebs and things Emma didn’t want to contemplate dangled from corners and the edges of the trunks and chifforobes crammed into the space.

Thirty seconds after Henry closed and locked the door behind them, Emma sneezed. “Where the hell are we?” 

Henry ignored her question. He unlatched one of the trunks. The hinges squealed in protest as he threw the lid open. “If you know my Regina,” he said, rifling through the contents of the trunk, “then you must know I’ve failed her as a father.”

Emma frowned. She and Regina were friends. The type of friends who shared a drink after a long day. Friends who ate dinner together as a family unit for their shared son. They did not (unless in the throes of too much hard cider) share painful life stories. “She never said you were a failure.” 

A smile lightened Henry’s visage. “She’s a soft heart.” 

“Mmmm.” The Regina that Emma knew would violently disagree with that statement - as would most of the citizens of Storybrooke. A soft, burbling coo stole her attention. Tiny fists rhythmically gripped and released the soft blanket tucked under her chin. “I’m here, little one,” Emma whispered. She rocked the baby in her arms. “I can’t wait for you to meet your big brother. He’s going to love you, the way your Mother already loves you.”

Emma had no doubts about Regina’s feelings for her daughter. “She’s the best mother. Ever. You’re lucky to have her.”

The trunk banged closed, and Emma startled. Her tiny charge mewed a protest but luckily didn’t wake further. 

“Take this.” Henry thrust a bulging leather bag at Emma. Shouts and footsteps sounded from the hallway. “You need to go. We’ve run out of time.” He grabbed her arm. “Hurry! I’ve wasted too much time reminiscing.” 

For an ageing man, Henry had a grip. Emma juggled baby and bag as he dragged her to a bookcase on the far wall. It was as grimed as all the rest of the items in the room, but Henry didn’t seem disturbed. He reached for one of the grey-coated tomes. “I’ll need your help with this. It hasn’t been used in decades.” 

The book moved, and Emma heard a metallic click. “You have a secret room?” The Creeper was probably waiting to spring out. Since Henry had released her arm, Emma took hold of the near edge of the bookcase. 

For a moment, she thought it wouldn’t move. Finally, as she and Henry grunted with effort, the bookcase slid a few inches along the floor. Emma shifted positions. Tucking the satchel under the arm with the baby, Emma wedged her other shoulder into the gap.

The bookcase swing open with a shriek of tortured metal.

No dusty room or Creeper hid behind it. Instead, Emma stared at a long, dark corridor. 

“This leads into the Kitchen Garden.” Henry’s voice was low and urgent. “It’s secure, with only one known entrance for the kitchen staff. When you get to the garden, follow the wall to the left as you exit. There’s a row of apple trees at the farthest point from the castle. You’ll find a hidden gate into the village under the ivy there.”

The cacophony of the continued search for Emma and Regina’s child grew louder. Emma knew she needed to run, but something held her there. Henry, a man she’d met in a time and location not her own, had offered her more kindness and care than any of the pretend parents from her sojourn in foster care. 

He seemed to feel their connection, too. Henry touched her cheek. “My Regina was never one to make friends easily. You must truly be special.” 

Something heavy pounded on the door, shattering the moment.

Henry shoved her and the baby into the passageway, “Run! Take my granddaughter home to your time!” He began to close the bookcase door. Stopped. “Tell Regina I have always loved her.” 

With one last, determined grunt, he closed the bookcase and plunged the hidden corridor into darkness. 

Emma stood, frozen in place, for several minutes. She couldn’t hear what was happening in the room with Henry, only her own, panting breaths and the soft snores of Regina’s daughter. Regina. The little girl. Emma shook off her hesitation. 

She had to get out of the castle. She had to survive the hell of the Enchanted Forest for another seventy-two hours. Easy peasy. “I learned that phrase from your mom,” she whispered. Closing her eyes despite the darkness, Emma summoned her magic.

A tiny glow grew in her free hand. Emma carefully followed the secret passage. It was impossible to tell how long or how far she travelled. It felt like days (but was probably far less than an hour) before she glimpsed the end of the tunnel. A heavy steel door, latched by a thick bar. “Built by a man,” Emma bitched. She blew on the ball of light in her palm, sending it flitting through the air to cling to the wall near the door. Thankful for her active life as a sheriff and Saviour, she crouched so that she could lever her free hand beneath the metal bar. 

It was cold. Slick. Heavy. Unlike the bookcase, though, it rose smoothly as Emma pushed upward. She let it rest in the upright position. An indentation at the top had been built to hold it there. 

“Here goes nothing, kid.” It took two tries for Emma to pull the door open far enough to peer outside. The doorway was in full shadow; although, the rest of the garden still soaked up the waning afternoon sunlight. There were no servants tending to or harvesting from the nearby rows. She slipped out of the tunnel and heard the metal bar fall into place once she closed the door. Nifty. 

Feeling like one of the criminals she’d once hunted, Emma slunk along the towering stone wall to her left. She glimpsed a line of trees ahead. They’d be homefree soon.

As if the gods had heard her thoughts, the little girl in her arms stirred. A tiny grumble with waving fists that morphed into a thin, wailing cry. “Nononono!” Emma picked up her pace, first jogging and then sprinting flat out as her charge let loose with a bellow worthy of Leroy when Emma tossed him in the drunk tank. “Come on, kid. Don’t be like that. Wait another ten, maybe fifteen minutes and then you can scream all you want.”

She cursed under her breath. Between the stolen dress and uncomfortable shoes, the screaming baby, and the bag under one arm, Emma had all the speed and grace of a newly born giraffe. 

A million miles later, Emma spotted a row of trees. Bright red apples hung from branches and dotted the thick grass at the base of each trunk. There was no one pursuing them. No one peered from a window or doorway. She didn’t slow down. They’d pressed their luck enough. 

Free hand digging through the thick vines growing along the wall, Emma gasped for breath as she searched for the gate. 

“Where the fuck are you?” She wanted to rip the vines away. Light a match and let it all burn. Anything that would get her out of the castle and to relative safety. The baby’s continued screams only added fuel to her frustration and increasing panic. “Come on, come on, come on!” she chanted. Her magic, always so responsive to her emotions, built. Emma’s skin felt tight, the power inside threatening to split her open. 

Emma fought for control. Blowing up the wall might be satisfying, but it wouldn’t make her situation any better. She was hanging on by a thread when a section of vine shifted to show the gate latch. “Thank fuck!” 

Shoving it open with no regard for stealth, Emma jumped through and slammed it closed. Flop sweat soaked her dress under her arms and down her spine. She shook with the need to run. To do…something. 

It was unsettling to realise that she needed to do nothing. The gate did empty into the village. A part so remote she could see only that backside of several small cottages. No windows offered glimpses of their secret exit. Some of her panic faded. 

Not all. Regina’s daughter continued to test her lung strength. “I know, pretty girl. Life’s been hard, huh?” The screaming stopped. Restarted. Fell to less ear-destroying decibels. “Let me tell you a story,” Emma murmured as she trekked slowly toward the cottages. “Once upon a time, there was a beautiful queen who ruled a tiny kingdom named Storybrooke. Many people said the queen was evil.” 

Her audience of one finally quieted. One fist settled into a tiny mouth. The poor kid had to be starving. And, Emma sniffed, needed a change. “I’m a terrible caregiver, aren’t I? No wonder your mom freaks out when I have Hen on my own.” Eyes, still a light bright blue, gazed up at her, so innocent and full of wonder that Emma’s chest ached. She’d never gotten to see Henry this way. Never felt his warm, tiny body nestled against her heart. 

“I won’t let you down.” Regina had cared for Henry. Love him. Turned him into an amazing young man. “I’ll get you home to your real mom.” She owed Regina that and more

Spine straight, Emma marched along the dirt path. As she neared the first row of cottages, she spotted a few people. Heads peered around door frames or through windows. They all disappeared in a flash the second Emma looked their way. 

The village, at least this part of it, reminded Emma of places she’d gone hunting during her time in Boston. Everything was neglected. Oiled skins covered some of the window openings; others were open to Mother Nature’s whims. Thatched roofs sagged or had large, gaping holes exposing the timbers beneath. 

Places like these had once been her own, albeit in a larger, modern American city. Foster care hadn’t included Daddy Warbucks and a platinum spook. 

She drifted closer to one of the cottages. A shadow darkened a window. Maybe whoever watched could help Emma find clothes, “Hello?”

The person at the window moved. Emma heard shuffling. 

“I need…I need food for my baby.” Even a crusty Evil Queen had grown a heart for Baby Henry. Surely this person would give whatever they could. “Are you still there?” she tried when no one answered or came to the door.

Emma waited and waited. Still, no answer. 

Fine. It was all fine. 

Only, it wasn’t. The sun was slipping closer to the horizon. While Emma was warm now, the temperature was sure to drop as night fell. “I can’t take you to the inn. Cora and the Huntsman go there.” Graham had been a mistake. One of Emma’s many poor life choices, yet she wished he was Cora’s current Huntsman. 

He might have been without a heart, but Graham had somehow retained a hint of humanity. Emma could have convinced him, with logic or her…assets, to help her keep the baby alive. 

“How do I always get myself into these situations?” Sure. She hadn’t exactly caused the portal or planned a trip to the Enchanted Forest’s distant past. Overhearing Cora and dashing off to save the day (and the baby)? Yep. That was all her Charming genes and the Saviour complex. 

Leaning against the wall of the next cottage, Emma resettled the baby and chanced a look into the bag Henry had given her. Tiny little dresses. Wickedly delicate covered in lacy shit little dresses.

“Henry, you sweet, stupid man.” Emma would bet her Bug that the baby clothes had belonged to Regina. No one in this village or visiting the local inn would have the means for silk and lace. It would be a neon sign over Emma’s head. 

The only thing in the bag of any use was a pouch filled to the brim with coins. 

Emma stared at the bag and the baby in her arms and did something she rarely took the time to do. She planned. First, she needed to get the baby cleaned up. No matter what happened in their future, Emma couldn’t hide the smell or the unhappy sounds of a baby swaddled in her own filth.

That meant somewhere private with water. Emma wiggled the baby. “Privacy’s not a problem, little princess. No, it’s not.” Most of the cottages lacked any sign of life. “Which cottage shall we claim? Cottage Number One has a lovely view of the neighbour’s front door and the windows will provide a chilly breeze. Cottage Two has a stunning, naturally-created skylight.” 

Regina’s daughter pinned Emma with a stare worthy of her mother. “You’re no fun.” The little girl was correct, though. Wasting no time, she slipped into the first empty cottage. It was either abandoned or inhabited by people allergic to cleaning. She ignored the dirt, stained rushes on the floor and the sleeping pallet. “Time to get you cleaned up.” 

There was no water in the single room. Emma scowled as she stripped the baby and tossed the soiled blanket into a corner. “Your mom would have you clean and clothed with a snap of her fingers.” Too bad Emma was the only one there. She rolled her neck and shoulders. Wiggled her fingers. “Here goes nothing.” 

“You’re not trying to burn down the world, Miss Swan.” Regina leaned against the desk in her study. “Magic isn’t a battering ram. It’s like inviting a lover to lean in for a first kiss.” Her lips twitched and her eyes sparkled as Emma’s cheeks flamed. 

Emma wasn’t sure how to invite magic to kiss her. Her imagination, though, had no trouble imagining Regina’s lips sliding along hers. Soft. Warm. Caring, despite the constant snark between them. 

Her body heated slowly. A hint of white light encased her hands. 

It was working! Emma focused her attention on the baby.

“Envision what you want. Every little detail. Too little, and you’ll fail, Miss Swan.”

“Clothes,” she mumbled. What did normal babies wear in the Enchanted Forest? The only baby clothes she remembered clearly was from a picture of Baby Henry on the mantle of Regina’s mayoral mansion. Just like that, the little girl was sporting a green onesie with a picture of an apple on the chest.

Another magical epic fail. “At least you’ll be warm.” She didn’t dare try anything else. 

The distinctive clop, clop of horses hooves sounded in the distance. Leather creaked and metal jingled. “Check the next one. They can’t have gotten far!”

Son of a bitch! “Time to run.” She tucked the baby back under her arm, then stopped. She’d need both hands if it came to a fight. The leather bag had a strap. Emma shoved the baby inside, tucking the remaining froofy clothing around the kid, before looping it like a messenger bag across her body.

Bending low, she crept to the door and peered into the street. Two guards on foot were two cottages away. A third guard rode a horse. He was the real threat. Emma had plenty of practice running for her life, but not even fear for the baby in the bag would give her the speed to outrun a horse.

She slipped out of the door, back pressed to the crumbling wall of sticks and mud. Keeping one eye on the soldiers and one on the ground beneath her feet, Emma snuck around to the back of the dwelling - and took off. 

No cries announced the guards had spotted her. Emma didn’t look back to check, though. Head down, arms pumping, bag and baby bumping against her hip, Emma simply ran. Her past paid off. She was four steps from the surrounding wood before a cry of discovery shattered the air.

“Good luck!” Emma had come too far to be caught now. Stitch in her side? Pounding heart? Breathing in harsh pants? Those were distractions she couldn’t afford. Emma hurtled fallen trees, ducked under hanging branches, and zigged and zagged so many times not even a bloodhound could have tracked her.

She finally skidded to a stop at the bank of a rushing stream. There was no bridge, of course. Emma couldn’t tell how deep the water might be. “Where are all those ‘I used to be a brigand’ stories when I need them?” She’d rolled her eyes and ignored Snow’s tall tales of life in the Enchanted Forest. If she ever made it back to Storybrooke, Emma vowed to memorise each larger than life story.

Until then…Emma blessed a childhood spent in front of the television. Those old episodes of The Lone Ranger had to count for something. She dragged a nearby log to the stream and stepped into the fast-moving, frigid water.

“Hang on tight, kid.” She settled the bag on the highest part of the log as it bobbed in the water, leaving the strap around her body. “It’s going to be a bumpy ride.” Doing her best to follow her own advice, Emma took a death grip on the log and pushed away from the shoreline. 

It was immediately clear that Hollywood had lied about the efficacy of traveling downstream by log. Free-floating debris slammed into her. The current sucked her under more than once, and only her promise to Regina’s daughter got her head above water every time. 

Thankfully, Emma’s luck changed before her determination gave out. The stream bowed to one side, forming an off-channel area. Her legs were blocks of frozen concrete as she kicked and thrashed. It paid off. The log exited the current, coming to a stop in the calmer water. Emma leaned against the log until she had the energy to pick the bag off the log and stagger to shore.

Her muscles shook from fatigue and cold. The baby screamed her own discomfort to the world. Emma put one foot in front of the other across the mud and muck comprising the stream bank, collapsing a under the shelter of tree just beyond the shore. Too tired to continue, she piled the leaves and sticks within reach together. 

Desperation frayed her concentration. Emma stared at the pile until her head ached and her black dots danced in her vision. 

“Not even our friar believes prayer will start a fire.”  A woman, clad head to toe in green, stepped out of the wook.

Emma managed to climb to her knees as several similarly-clad men joined the party, all with arrows nocked and bows raised.

Chapter Text

“Wait, don’t shoot,” Emma pleaded as she put one hand up with the other, holding the baby close to her.  

“This is a peaceful village. So, what are you doing in our midst?” The woman demanded.

“Please, the royal guards are after me. I need to get away.” Emma tried to explain.

“Why are they after you?” the woman asked, raising her bow yet again.

“And give us one good reason why we shouldn’t turn you over to them.”  another armed man demanded.  Emma’s features soured at this before she advanced on the man.

“Look, if they get this baby she is going to die.”  Emma snapped.  

“Why should we believe you? Why would the queen kill her own baby?" the woman who appeared to be the leader asked.  

“Oh, she wouldn’t, but her megalomaniacal moron of a mother would. The baby isn’t the king’s, but that’s where things get complicated.” Emma explained, not worrying about the consequences. She believed that the truth would be the option to keep her alive in this situation. 

“Come, you shall stay with me until the morning. Then, hopefully the guards pass through here without any trouble,” the woman offered before she led Emma and the child to her home.   

===============

"I’m sorry, Regina, the baby didn’t make it." Cora apologized, trying to ‘comfort’ her daughter. She didn’t care where the baby was.  

“How could this happen?”  Regina sobbed.

“Perhaps it was fate. You were meant to be with the king and to raise his heir,” Cora replied in faux comfort, which she often used to make her daughter fall in line.  Once everyone left the room, Regina’s gaze was determined.  Her mother was not able to break her.

“Fate may not have wanted you, but in my heart, you will always be my greatest desire,” Regina vowed to the sky. Regina promised that her mother wouldn’t break her.  She may have lost her daughter, but now Regina had a reason to fight. 

===================

“Thank you for taking me in, Miss.  you didn’t have to, so thank you.”  Emma said as she continued to feed her charge. The woman smiled over at Emma as she continued preparing their evening meal.  

"Oh, come now, dear. You can call me Leslie. You’re an adult, aren’t you?”  Leslie dismissed as she smiled over at Emma.

“Okay, Leslie. Thank you,”  Emma replied hesitantly, trying to figure out just where she would have seen a woman named Leslie around Storybrooke.

“Are you alright, dear?”  Leslie asked as she finished preparing dinner.  She waited for Emma’s hesitant response as she transferred each helping of stew to bowls with a side of bread.   

“Yeah, I just—”  Emma said, cutting herself off to take her first bite of a meal that was absolutely to die for.  Her Regina’s cooking was undoubtedly being given a run for its money at this point.  

“Go on,”  Leslie encouraged.  

“This is going to sound strange, but I’m from the future, and I was just trying to figure out if I knew you from where I was from.”  Emma mused out loud.

“Remind me again why we should not turn you over to the guards. You sound just as crazy as the Dark One on a good day, right down to the stolen baby.”  Leslie replied skeptically.   

“Because you know what the queen’s mother could and would do if she got the chance. I just need you to trust me. I actually need to get to his castle.”  Emma confessed.

“Delivering babies to the dark one? What kind of foolishness are you getting into?”  Leslie asked.  

“Look. I just need you to trust me. I fell through a time portal, and I need to get back home to my son and to–” Emma trailed off, not knowing just what Regina was to her, but she knew the queen meant something to her, and she was going to bring that woman happiness if it was the last thing she did.  Emma just pulled the baby close to her heart, causing the little one to smile. Emma smiled down at the baby, placing a tender kiss on the top of her head. When this happened, a wave of rainbow light was expelled from both of them. Emma knew exactly what that meant. A connection had formed between Emma and this baby. As if on cue, Emma could feel the once familiar thrum of her magic as it coursed through the body.  

Emma instructed as she flicked her wrist, causing a small photo to appear of Emma, Henry, and Regina in one of her mayoral outfits. See? We dress like this in the future.

“If I weren’t seeing it, I wouldn’t believe it,” Leslie said, stunned.  “And you have magic too.”  

“Yeah, the Queen is teaching me.”

“She knows magic?” Leslie asked.

“Okay, no more questions. I should get this one to bed,”  Emma dismissed, looking down at the baby in her arms.

“What are you going to call ‘this little one’?"  Leslie asked as she smiled, laying a place for Emma to sleep as well as setting up a bassinet she had laying around.  

“Well, I think the queen might change it on me, but until that happens, I want her to know just how loved she is and how wanted she is, so until I get her back to my time, I think I’ll call her Desiree.  It means Desired.”  Emma explained as she changed the baby, magicking the items she needed before she laid her down into the bassinet.

“Desiree, such a wonderful name with a wonderful meaning.”  Leslie mused before she got serious for the last time that night.  “Be ready by first light. You and Desiree will be traveling with the shipping wagon that will be sending supplies to a sister village close to where you are going.”  Leslie instructed as she extinguished the lights.  Emma bent down and gave Desiree one more kiss before turning in for the night. 

“Good night Desiree, you are always wanted.”  Emma assured before she rocked the bassinet lightly causing the baby to fall asleep.  

Chapter Text

Emma was so tired when she lay down to sleep. To be fair, she didn’t have time to recover since she was sent to the Enchanted Forest.

The plan was too simple: find the Dark One and get help to go home as soon as possible. But she should know better. Of course it wouldn’t be that easy.

You might call it that damn savior complex – come on, why the hell would someone get into the troubles she did in less than 24 hours if it wasn’t that little urge to save the world running down her skin. She just can’t help. And it’s worse when it is something about Regina.

Regina . Emma had seen the brunette woman in fragile moments before, but she was afraid she wouldn’t ever be able to forget just how small Regina looked while giving birth. It is not that she’s weaker here, it is the loneliness and the constant hurt caused by her own mother. Emma feels like she would never forget the pain in the young queen’s eyes.

Growing up in foster homes did a great job in creating a big list of childhood traumas. She can’t say how many nights she spent wondering why her parents had given her away. Why would someone do that with their only flesh and blood, and sleep at night as nothing happened? She knows what loneliness feels like. But Regina knows a different kind of it.

Some people would say she is always seeing Regina’s goodness. But how could she not? Being forced to marry someone you didn’t love - and having your own baby taken away from you - can be really hard to cope with. Yes, it didn’t justify every damage she had done, even if she was the only one in pain. But can she get a little credit?

Regina wasn’t born evil, she was made that way. A precious rock molded by the cruelty of Cora’s hand. It is hard to keep humanity when all you know is hate. 

Before giving up and slipping into Morpheus’ arms, Emma thought about how she wanted to give some comfort to Regina now. She remembers how it felt to be without Henry when he was just born. But that was her own decision – and although it hurts, it was the right thing to do. She’s not even talking about her child’s important place in breaking the curse, but about Regina. Emma knows how much the Queen loves Henry and has always loved him with every piece of her being. She knows that her little boy was like the sun after years of rain, all Regina knew was hate and loneliness, until Henry came into her life. And after all, they’re reunited now. Well, not exactly now. But Emma paid the price happily, especially now with Desiree sleeping peacefully next to her. She can’t even measure what losing her baby girl is going to do to Regina and she felt her chest ache with the urge to stay here, stay with Regina and show her that no matter what’s happening, no matter how bad her mother can be, she’s not alone. She would never be.

But she knows that’s impossible. And Emma doesn't know how her actions have already impacted her timeline. She shouldn’t be telling the fucking truth to everyone she meets. But that’s the family business, huh? They just can’t keep a fucking secret. Even at the cost of their own life.

Sleeping at that thought, Emma falls asleep. That night she dreamed with little ladies giving birth, babies crying and soft words murmured to scared mothers.

*~*~

Regina couldn’t get herself to sleep that night, even with her body begging for some rest. Her mind was running around everything that happened and her own grief. Her little girl. She felt her eyes watering at the thought that she didn’t even hold her little girl in her arms before they took her away.

She suppressed a sob, Cora’s words glimmering on her mind. You’re a Queen, Regina. There’s no space for weakness in your life from now on. 

If she even had Daniel by her side now… But she tried to comfort herself thinking that they’re now reunited. Daniel and their girl. The ones Regina loved the most.

She still remembers the night her mother murdered him, right in front of her eyes. Regina never thought she could feel so much pain in her life. She never thought her mother would be the reason for her heartbreak. 

But now, she thinks she will never be able to get over her daughter’s death. It feels like a hole was open right there in her chest, consuming every hope she ever had. Regina feels like she would never be happy again. She is just not someone made to be happy. 

Beside that, she thought about that young maid, the one comforting her early. She didn't even meet her, and can't remember seeing her around the castle. But that lady was the first person to show Regina some kindness in a while. Someone who apparently didn’t want anything back from her. Just to calm her down and help her to get her baby.

Something about that woman was just too comforting to Regina. For the first time since Daniel’s death, she didn’t feel alone. She felt seen. 

In the morning, Regina left her bedroom, her body was still tired and hurting, but she needed to find the woman who helped her the most the day before. But apparently, it wouldn’t be easy. She asked a few maids but no one seemed to remember the young lady.

“What’s bothering you, my darling?” Her father asked, they’re having a moment together. He was trying to make her feel a little better for her loss. But besides everything, Henry’s a smart man. He knew that there’s something else in Regina’s mind.

“I can’t find her.” It was all she said, her eyes fixed on the wall. 

Henry sighed, his mouth opening and closing a few times. It was so hard to see his girl hurting for something he knew wasn't true. 

“I can’t find the woman who helped me yesterday. It’s like she never existed at all.” Regina said, still focused on the wall. “But I can’t forget how her eyes were so tender and her voice calmed me down when I thought I was going to die.” She finally looked at him. “Why does everyone who’s good for me at least once, leave? What did I do so wrong? I don’t understand, daddy. Why am I so alone?” She sobbed, hating herself for letting her weakness show. 

“You did nothing wrong, darling,” he said as he held her hand. “Unfortunately, for some reason, life isn’t always good for good people. This isn’t fair, I know. But if you can believe in your old daddy, everything’s going to be fine.” He said, holding his own hopes on Emma’s words. “You’re not alone, Regina. And you’ll never be. One day you are going to be so happy that you wouldn’t even believe it’s possible.”

“Do you promise?” She gave a sad smile. 

“I do.” Henry promised and begged with all his heart that for at least once, he would be doing something right. 

Chapter Text

Emma woke up the next morning from the baby crying. It was sunrise so Emma knew she had to be up now anyway for her to be able to catch that wagon to the sister village. Emma sat up from where she laid and quickly went to the baby’s aid. Emma could smell that she needed changed and scrunched up her nose in response to the smell coming from the baby. “Alight little one, let’s get you all cleaned up. Since we have no diapers in this bag, I will have to make due with my magic again.” said Emma 

She put her hand over the baby and closed her eyes. She focused on what the baby needed. A clean diaper and clean change of clothes. She knew there were clean set of clothes in the bag but Emma has never changed a baby before. Especially not while it was crying and wiggling their little tiny legs and feet all around. No, Emma was going to use her magic for a new set of clothes as well. As she closed her eyes and thought about what she wanted, light from her hand started to glow. She kept thinking of a new diaper and a nice little dress that were connected with pants like a little jump suit for the baby. After a few seconds, Emma felt her magic stop flowing through her hands. She then opened her eyes and she then saw that the baby had a fresh clean set of clothes and a clean diaper. The smell was gone. The little jump suit the baby was now in was red with black polka dots design all over it. Not really what she wanted for the design but truth be told, she still had to get this whole magic thing down. She still wasn’t able to control her power very well. 

Once she was done with changing the baby successfully, Emma realized she hadn’t fed the baby in 48 hours. She still had one day left here before she could get to Rumple’s castle. Yet, she didn’t want to wait another day. She wanted to get back home to her timeline now. She also needed to find food for this baby. “Wait a second, I can just magic a baby bottle up and feed you! How would you like that Desiree?” said  Emma to the now cooing baby

Emma then closed her eyes again and held out her hand thinking of what she wanted yet again. After a few seconds, a freshly warmed up baby bottle appeared in her hand. “Now that wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. Apparently changing your diaper and clothes takes more thought and concentration than conjuring a baby bottle!” 

Emma then took the baby in her arms and slowly put the bottle into the baby’s mouth. It didn’t take long for the little one to cup the bottle and start sucking and once she was all fed, she slowly started to fall asleep in Emma’s arms. Emma knew one thing about feeding a baby though, is that they all have to be burped after being fed. She gently put the bottle into the baby bag and put Desiree over her shoulder and slowly started padding her back. It didn’t take long for the baby to burp over her shoulder. After a few minutes, Emma figured the baby was good and she then positioned the baby back to laying in her arms as she took the bag and got up slowly trying not to wake the baby. She was still sleeping soundly as Emma walked with her trying to find Leslie. She needed Leslie to direct her to where the wagon was that she’d be on for this day of journey. 

After walking about 5 minutes, she eventually found Leslie hovering over a fire and cooking something over it in a big pot. 

“I was wondering if you’d wake up or not. I almost was about to head to you and wake you. The wagon is about to leave. I need to hide you in it under a bunch of sheets. Only my people bringing all the supplies to the sister village will know you and the baby are in the wagon too. They will tell you when it is safe to come out of the wagon once you get to the village.”

Emma nodded her head in agreement and then waited for Leslie to show her the way.

“Before you leave, would you like some of this soup? It just finished cooking.”

Emma then looked to the soup still on top of the fire in big pot. Her stomach was pretty hungry and she never ate anything yesterday.

“I’d actually love some soup. I am starving. I had to conjure up a baby bottle to feed the baby but I did not conjure up anything to feed myself. I wasn’t even thinking of myself until now so thank you,” said Emma.

Leslie just nodded with a smile and handed her a bowl with some soup. Emma ate it in a matter of minutes. It was hot but not too hot to where she couldn’t eat it right away. It was just the right amount of hot she liked when eating soup and once she was done, Leslie then took Emma and the baby to the wagon. Leslie hid Emma and the sleeping baby in Emma’s arms in a bunch of sheets in the wagon. Once they were securely on the wagon, they then started to take off to the sister village.

What felt like all day to Emma, it only took a few hours to get to the village. Once they were finally there and it was safe to come out of the wagon, Emma slowly stepped off the wagon and thanked the men for helping her as well as telling the men to thank Leslie for her again as she then slowly walked down the trail and away from the village she had just arrived from.

Leslie had told her that Rumple’s castle wasn’t too far from the village. She hoped she’d find it if she kept walking. As she walked, the baby now woke up from her few hour long nap. Emma wasn’t sure entirely what to do, but she figured she would continue telling her a little story about how the queen of Storybrooke became a good person over time. After a little more time passed, she saw the baby was still awake, though quiet, in her arms. She just admired her and she held her in her arms. Emma felt a deep connection to this baby and she certainly wouldn’t let Rumple harm the baby for anything.

Emma slowly started to see a castle in the distance. She knew it had to be Rumple’s castle and so she then started to walk faster to the castle. The closer she got, the more anxious she became to get home and once she was finally at the door of the castle, she knocked on the door. She figured the person to open the door would be Rumple but to her surprise, it was Belle. 

“Belle?” said Emma without even thinking.

“Do I know you?” asked Belle

Emma didn’t know what to say. She really needs to learn to shut her mouth.

“Um, no but I’ve heard that the dark one kept a house maid named Belle but I didn’t actually believe it.”

“Oh, well I see. How may I help you?”

“I am here to see the dark one. He knows why I am here.”

Just as Emma said that, Rumple came to the door asking Belle who was there at the door. When he realized it was Emma, he was pretty curious as to why she had a baby in her arms when she had no baby before. Rumple immediately told Belle to go clean the little library he had in his castle; and even though Belle gave the look like she didn’t want to, she did as she was asked. 

“Who’s baby is that?” asked the dark one.

“It’s Regina’s. I am taking this baby back to the future with me and there is nothing you can do to stop me.”

Rumple then gave that famous evil laugh of his before replying.

“And why on earth would I let you bring a baby that was born here back to the future? Mm?”

Emma just gave him a look like she would probably need to tell him the truth in order for him to let her bring the baby with her back to her time and so Emma did. She told him how Regina had a baby in secret that only a few people knew about and how Cora was going to have the baby killed and she couldn’t let that happen. She told him how the baby couldn’t stay here in this time if he ever wanted to see his son again so, taking the baby with her was her only option after stealing the baby away from the mid wife and huntsman.

After a few minutes of Emma telling the whole story, Rumple finally gave in.

“Alright, fine. I’ll let you take the baby with you. Though, you were supposed to meet me here tomorrow. Why are you a day early?”

“I didn’t think it’d matter that much if I were a day early or not. I know you have the power to send me back to my time now so please do it. I’m begging you. I can’t stay here any longer than what I have because I have a feeling I might have already changed a few things in the future and I can’t change anymore.”

Rumple just looked at Emma for a few seconds studying her facial expressions. He knew she was telling the truth and he certainly didn’t want anything drastically changed in the future either; knowing that if things were too far changed, he’d never get his son back.

“Alright, fine. I will open the portal to send you back now. But not here. In my vault. Can’t let Belle see this through any window she may be trying to peek through to see what’s happening.”

The dark one then waved his hands and he, Emma and the baby were all in this room that had a whole bunch of things that looked magical in it. 

“This is your vault?” asked Emma.

“More or less,” said the dark one. He then waved his hands and green smoke then appeared all over Emma. Once the smoke disappeared, Emma looked down and she was now wearing her red leather jacket, pants and boots again. Her hands looked like her hands again. Rumple gave her a small mirror that magically appeared in his hands, and held it up to Emma’s face. Emma saw herself in the mirror now. She no longer had a disguise.

“I couldn’t very well send you back looking the way you did, now could I? I’m pretty sure that would mess up the future in a way.”

Emma then nodded. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet, dearie. Now it’s time to get you back home.”

The dark one then made the mirror disappear and then had a wand appear in his hand where the mirror had once been. He twirled it around a few times and a portal then appeared in the air behind Emma and the baby. Emma looked to the portal and then back to the dark one.

“Now go. This portal should lead you back home to your own timeline. Once you're gone, I will take a forgetting potion as well as give some of the potion to Belle for her to forget too. Can’t have her ask questions that I can’t answer, now can we?” said Rumple with a wicked smile.

Emma just smiled back and nodded and then walked into the portal. Once she was in the portal, she felt the portal close behind her and open in front of her. Bright lights all around her. She kept walking with the baby in her arms and the bag over her other arm until she came out the other end of the portal. Once she was out, the portal quickly closed behind her. She was now standing in the barn where the portal took her to the past in the beginning. 

“Oh God, please tell me I’m back!”

Emma then started walking towards the town and after a while, she arrived at Granny’s where everyone was there eating. No one even knew Emma was missing all this time. Emma wondered if she arrived back right when she had originally left. The whole thought of the time travel thing made her head spin. 

As she walked into Granny’s Diner, she saw her parents, Henry and Regina all sitting together eating. Henry and Regina noticed Emma first. Henry got up from his seat faster than Regina could and greeted Emma with a hug before looking down at the cooing baby in her arms. Regina followed behind Henry wondering the same thoughts as Henry was at this moment.

“Emma, who’s baby is that?” 

Chapter Text

Emma’s mind blanked. “I’m sorry. What?”

Mayor and son shared a look, equal parts fondness and exasperation. “The baby, Ma,” Henry said. The deliberately paced words sent heat into Emma’s cheeks. “Where did you get it?”

“Her, darling.” Regina leaned in. “It’s a little girl. She’s precious. Just like you, Henry, when I first got you. So little and innocent.” Her gaze was as sharp as a dagger when she glanced up at Emma. “How old is she?”

This was not good. Not. Good. “Oh…ah…I don’t know,” Emma stammered. “I’m…you know. Babysitting.”

“You did not put this precious baby girl in that yellow deathtrap, Miss Swan!” Regina’s hands hovered over Desiree, as if she were thinking of snatching the little girl away from Emma. “You have no car seat. There aren’t even any airbags!”

Emma straightened and clutched Desiree closer. “I walked, Regina.”

A little of Regina’s ire faded. “Of course.” She moved back a step, one hand on Henry’s shoulder. “Would you and your charge like to join us?”

Emma’s stomach growled, and she spotted Henry’s grin. “Later? I was hoping we could talk?” Urgency thrummed in her veins. She desperately wanted to tell Regina about the portal, and Cora’s plan. She wanted to scream from the rooftops that the child Regina thought was dead was right there , only inches away, and alive. 

Unfortunately, Granny’s was not a place for a conversation of that magnitude. She tried to convey how important it was for them to meet.

“Of course, Emma.” Regina’s eyes searched Emma’s. A slender hand brushed Emma’s, camouflaged by the baby’s clothing. 

Emma pasted on a bright smile. “We’ll see you then.” The weight of dozens of eyes pressed on her shoulders as she turned around. Ruby stood behind the counter. Emma saw her head tilt back, mouth opening slightly, and nostrils flaring. Crap. Crap. Crap. Picking up her pace, Emma beelined for the door.

She escaped outside. The sun hung above the treetops, and shadows grew from their trunks. Emma fled down the sidewalk with no plan or purpose…until Desiree reminded Emma that some people couldn’t microwave a frozen dinner or hop in the shower when they needed to clean up.

“At least, I can do more than wiggle my nose now, kid.” Emma made a mental list of everything she might need for the baby as she took a right and headed for the pharmacy. “How do people afford kids, huh? Diapers and food and clothes I’m sure you’ll grow out of by the end of the week. I might need a new new apartment to store it all.”

Completely unimpressed with Emma’s complaints, Desiree blew bubbles and waved tiny fists.

Grumbling under her breath, Emma yanked open the pharmacy door and stalked inside. “Hey, Mr. Clark!” The Dwarf formerly known as Sneezy waved distractedly from several aisles away. Neither she nor Desiree needed birthday or anniversary cards. Emma gave the perfume and beauty supply aisle a pass, too. That meant dealing with bins of clearance candy.

She blamed the sugary smell for causing the unmitigated horror of the baby aisle. “We’re going to need more than one cart, Desi girl.”

***

There was no other way around it. Emma needed a second job. Maybe a third. She eyed the baby sleeping like the tiny princess she was - surrounded by a barricade of pillows on Emma’s bed. “It’s all your fault.” Well, Desiree’s and the new crib (in a jumbled pile of pieces); the mountain of diapers, bibs, and onesies;  the bewildering array of toys. Thankfully, Regina had a college fund for Henry, or he’d end up working fast food jobs rather than get a degree.

Exhaustion threatened to suck Emma into sleep. If only there was time for a nap. She dragged herself out of the armchair she’d once swore she’d never use. She needed a shower. There was enough time for that at least. That and planning how to tell Regina she had a living, breathing daughter.

She spun the taps. “Hey, so…I got sucked into a portal today.” No. Definitely not. It would trigger all of Regina’s Evil Queen instincts. As the water rained down, Emma shucked her clothes and tried again. “I took a little trip to the Enchanted Forest, and I brought home a souvenir.”

The contoured plastic made a satisfying thud as Emma banged it with her head. “I’m so screwed.”

None of the two dozen other conversational openers worked, either. They were all too cavalier or cliched or outright confusing. Emma towelled off, got dressed, and packed a year’s worth of baby supplies into a carryall. 

“This is it, kid. Time to meet your mama.” Dark brown eyes stared piercingly back. Emma flinched, swearing she heard an impatient sigh and a clipped, You talk too much, Miss Swan . It was enough to earn her charge an eye roll and an unsteady waltz as they moved toward the door. 

She was going to miss the smell of baby powder and precious little girl. “No wonder Regina hated me when I showed up in Storybrooke with Henry.” Desiree already owned her heart. “If only…” 

Desiree cooed in encouragement.

“Ah, it would never happen. Not to Emma Swan. No happy endings for me.” Especially when that fantasy ending included Regina, Henry, and the little girl in her arms waiting in the Mayoral Mansion for her at the end of a long day. 

The door closing behind them was the death knell to her dream. Ignoring the familiar ache in her chest at her futile fantasy, Emma strode to her Bug. A brand new car seat sat behind the passenger seat. Emma had meticulously read the manual earlier, after she’d poofed all of the baby supplies to the apartment. She strapped Desiree in like a professional. 

She’d never driven so slowly or allowed as much space between the Bug and other vehicles on the road. The trip lasted forever and left Emma more anxious than ever about confessing everything to Regina. She parked the Bug at the curb in front of the mansion. Desiree, as if sensing the gravity of the situation, latched tiny fingers around Emma’s t-shirt. “Your mama’s going to be so happy to meet you!”

Juggling the baby and the carryall, Emma staggered toward the front door. 

She’d taken only a few steps when a chill ran up her spine. Her mind shrieked a warning. Bowing her body around Desiree, she grabbed her magic with both hands and used it to slingshot them into the mansion.

“Miss Swan!” Regina glowered at Emma. “You are never to enter this home unless it is through the front door.” Her glass tumbler landed on the desk with a sharp rap. “You have clearly lost…”

“Shut up!” Emma’s heart threatened to explode from her chest. She frantically searched Desiree for so much as a scratch and relaxed slightly when she found nothing. “We were attacked on the front walk..” In the instant before her magic had swept them away, Emma had glimpsed a cloaked figure hiding behind a tree in the yard across the street. 

A cloaked figure with a bow. 

Regina crossed the room in a rush. Desiree burbled a greeting as she was swept into a new pair of arms. “She seems fine. Who did you irritate this week, Sheriff?”

Tremors racked Emma’s muscles. “I don’t know. They were across the street with a bow, but they must have missed.” She wasn’t sure if she should be angry because of the attack or terrified enough to grab Desiree and Regina and hide them away in the hills. “That was…part of why I wanted to meet.” 

One eyebrow rose, and Emma admired Regina’s restraint when the other woman didn’t speak.

“I practised what I wanted to say, and nothing sounded right. No matter what I do, I know you’re either not going to believe me or you’ll want to take my heart.” 

“Emma, I wouldn’t…”

Emma held up a hand. “Please. Let me…Let me get this out.” Needing to sit down, she tottered to the sofa along the far wall. “I got sucked into a portal this morning. Your sister’s work, I think.” Emma stared at her feet. Regina and Desiree were a distraction. A distraction she didn’t need. 

“I landed in the Enchanted Forest. A lot happened. If you want all the details, I can give them to you another time. Right now, you’re getting the Cliff’s Notes version.” Emma risked a glance at mother and daughter. Her hand rose, rubbing at her chest, at the sight of Desiree sound asleep in Regina’s arms. “I overheard Cora and one of her Huntsmen in a tavern. They were talking about your and Daniel’s baby.”

Regina’s lips pressed into a tight line, and tears glimmered in her eyes. “My sweet princess.”

Rushing on, before she lost her nerve or gave in to the need to hug Regina, Emma said, “They were talking about killing the baby.”

The air in the room went deadly still; energy seemed to crackle. 

“I couldn’t let that happen. Cora’s a bitch, and you loved Daniel.” Emma stopped to clear the lump lodged in her throat. “I snuck into the castle dressed as a commoner” Her body tensed in remembered fear and determination. “You were in labour.” Tired and scared and absolutely the most beautiful woman Emma had ever seen. “I stayed with you before following the midwife when she took the baby from the room. I convinced her to give your daughter to me rather than the Huntsman.”

“No.” Regina’s refusal was hard. 

Emma had been prepared for that. She unzipped the carryall. The tiny, lacy gown caught on her rough, callused her hands. “Yes,” Emma said as she brandished it. “Your father gave me this. Gave me a bag of clothes and money. He helped me out of the castle using a secret passage into a vegetable garden.

“The Kitchen Garden.”

“Right.” Emma didn’t say anything else. She’d learned that Regina often needed a chance to absorb surprises or bad news. 

Minutes passed, marked by the ticking of the clock on the study wall behind Regina’s desk. “This is really my daughter?” Regina’s head bent over the snoring bundle in her arms. 

Emma nodded and then realised Regina wouldn’t see it. “Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, but…”

A watery laugh interrupted her explanation. “I would have turned you into a rat if you’d dared tell your tall tale in front of your loose-lipped mother and The Wolf.” Little by little, Regina appeared to recover. To gather herself. Her posture straightened until the Queen stood in front of Emma. “I’ve accused you of many things, Sheriff Swan. A homewrecker. A whore. A thief.” 

The words called memories to life. Emma swore she could see Regina, eyes flashing and red-painted lips curled in a snarl.

“Nothing can take those words back.” Tears trickled unimpeded down Regina’s cheeks. “Yet you’ve given me the two most important people in my life.. My handsome prince Henry and her . My Alana. My most precious gift.”

Alana. Of course, Regina would already have a name chosen for her baby. I’d give you the moon and all the stars , Emma thought in reply. Out loud, she said, “Princess Alana. It’s perfect.”

The moment stretched and grew uncomfortable. Emma wanted to stay. She wanted to draw Regina and Alana-Desiree onto the couch with her. Hold them close to her heart. Fuck! She had to leave before she did or said something stupid. Nearly leaping off the couch, Emma strode for the door. “I didn’t know if you still had Henry’s baby things. I have stuff at the apartment. I’ll bring them over. Tomorrow. I’ll bring them over tomorrow.”

Her hand touched the doorknob, but it opened before she could turn it.

“Swan? What are you doing here?” Robin stared down at her.

“I’m just leaving.”

“Emma! Wait!” Regina called.

No. She couldn’t afford to wait even a second. Emma shoved passed Robin, satisfaction welling momentarily at his pained grunt. She broke into a run. Regina’s voice chased her out the front door until the roar of the Bug’s engine finally drowned it out. Emma slammed the car into gear and peeled away from the curb.

Chapter Text

The Rabbit Hole was the perfect place to wallow. Emma brought the whiskey to her lips and winced when it burned its way down her throat. A few hours ago, she had been considering how many jobs she might have to take, what items a baby might need, and how it would all fit into a life she never wanted in the first place.

This was why she refused to hold Henry when the doctor offered. If he had been put into her arms, Emma knew she would have never let him go, no matter the cost. Only the abandoned knew the pain of the lonely. But, Emma consoled herself whilst she finished off her drink; Desiree had a mother, she was not alone.

Emma scoffed. How foolish she had been to name a child she held for a mere three days. Safe with Regina, Alana would be given opportunities Emma never had the right to consider in the first place. All the children Emma dared to love belonged to another woman.

“You done?” The bartender gestured at Emma’s glass and pointedly scanned the empty bar. 

“Yeah,” she rasped, fishing in her pocket for some money. She’d have to spend wisely now that she had bought out the baby aisle in the Clark’s store.

“Have a good night.”

Waving at the bartender, Emma headed for the door where she’d have to face the realities of what she’d done. “You too,” she managed to say, but her words were a pained slur. She could see concern on the bartender’s face, but Emma was determined not to make a scene. Strength, she had learned a long time ago, was measured by how much you could accomplish on your own.

“Do you need some help?”

“I’m—” fine .

:::

The baby in her arms was small. A squirming thing that never seemed to stop crying. Regina knew she should be grateful to have her daughter back, but the sudden turn of events had her reeling in shock.

“Are you alright, Regina?” Robin’s voice could barely be heard over the child’s wailing.

She flinched when he touched her shoulder, shielding the baby from his obvious concern. Regina couldn’t trust anyone with her, not after she just got back the only piece of Daniel she had left. She said, “I need to go to the hospital.” Regina turned to her soulmate with a plea written on her face.

“I’ll stay with Henry and Roland. You go.” He never asked after the child, never inquired where the baby had come from, or why Regina was so stiff around him. For this reason alone, Regina knew she loved him.

Without a car seat or time to waste, a swirl of purple smoke engulfed the pair. When it dissipated Regina was standing in Storybrooke Hospital with a bewildered Doctor Frankenstein staring at her.

“I need help,” she barked. “Now!”

The hospital hurried at her command out of fear or respect, Regina did not care. Ushered into a consultation room, she caught sight of a few other medical personnel crowded around a bed but did not stop to investigate. That would come later.

Poked and prodded, Regina watched as her child was checked for any injuries or otherwise. The doctor gestured for a nurse to come through with a clipboard and pen at the ready.

“Madame Mayor,” he said solemnly, “the child is dehydrated and has suffered bruising. We would like to put her on a drip and keep her for observation.”

“Observation?”

“In the event that the bruising starts to swell, we can treat it better here.”

Regina understood the urgency when a nurse pressed the clipboard to her face for signing. She clearly had no regard for her titles or magic. Once she signed at the bottom of the page, everything happened so quickly that all Regina could do was stand in the corner and watch as Alana was hooked up to an IV and wheeled into the maternity ward.

She struggled to keep up, her heels clicking against the floor as she tried not to have a panic attack. What was Emma doing when she had taken the child? Did she not understand how fragile a newborn was? Rage threatened to split her skin in half and spill out the Evil Queen hidden behind a newfound happiness of late. But Regina focused her attention on her child, the baby she thought she had lost. The one she might lose again if modern medicine did not play its part.

:::

The first thing Emma noticed was how dry her mouth was. The second was how much she ached. Every joint, every muscle, every bone in her body seemed to twitch with pain. She groaned, hating how her voice itself seemed to throb with agony. She was in a hospital bed. 

“She’s awake!”

“Henry?” Emma croaked. She felt a hand slide into her own and squeeze. 

“What happened?”

His face was a blur, one that only became clearer when she squinted at her son. Henry disappeared from her line of vision for a few seconds only to return with a pair of glasses that he slid onto her face. “You fainted,” he said casually.

Pushing the glasses further up her nose, Emma pulled herself up to sit against the pillows and tried not to freak out. Licking her lips, she gestured for Henry to pass over the bottle of water that sat next to his chair. He made an impatient huff, a trait that did not belong to her. “I’ll get you some ice chips.” Patting her hand, he left the room just as Snow and David entered. Smart boy.

“Oh, honey!” Snow exclaimed. She bent over Emma’s bed to press a kiss to her forehead. For once, Neal was not attached to Snow’s hip. Emma looked at her father and suppressed a groan when her brother stared back at her from David’s arms. “We were so worried.”

“I’m alright,” Emma gasped.

David awkwardly patted her shoulder. “Still,” he said, his expression soft.

Henry came back just as the silence pressed down on them. He passed over a paper cup filled with ice and sat at the foot of Emma’s bed, watching as she took a cube in her mouth and almost wept at the relief it gave her. “You sure you’re okay, Ma?”

How could she tell him that her skin felt thin, that her blood felt hot under her veins? It felt like she had been pulled into a wormhole and spat out the other side. Was it an effect of using too much magic too soon? Regina had taught her a little, but Emma knew the desperation when she conjured items for Alana, or when she teleported to escape Cora’s forces. Or was it simply the effect of time travel itself? Two people would know, but Emma only trusted one.

“I’m sure,” she lied.

Henry looked at her for a long moment, but at her tired smile, he seemed convinced. “Is it okay if I visit Mom?”

“Sure, sweetheart,” Snow permitted.

“Wait. Regina is here?”

A nod and Henry slipped from the room at Snow’s loaded look. When her son was out of the room, Snow turned to her with a heavy sigh. “Regina brought an infant here last night. She hasn’t left the baby’s side.”

Dread filled Emma. “What’s wrong with Alana?”

David quirked up at that. “You know the child?” he asked, bouncing Neal who was babbling in his ear.

With her parents’ expectant faces, Emma sucked on another ice cube and wondered if anyone would be kind enough to pour some whiskey into the cup. “I might have done something,” she whispered. And then she told her parents everything.

:::

“She’s awake, you know,” Henry told his mother.

Regina pulled Henry against her side and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. They were sitting side-by-side, watching the rise and fall of Alana’s chest, Regina still couldn’t believe that after all these years, the child that was taken from her was sleeping just a few feet away.

“You can’t be angry at her forever.”

“I’m not angry, Henry. I’m…” She didn’t know what to feel. Regina knew she should be grateful that Emma saved her daughter, but it was done irresponsibly. On one hand, Emma had gone through so much, enough that Regina could feel that threads of the Savior’s magic had been loosened with so much use. And yet on the other hand, Regina had a memory of a kind maid who had seen her at her most vulnerable. Emma had seen her secret past, a trespass so hauntingly deep that Regina wondered if she could trust Emma again. Everything within her felt too tangled, and she was sure that should she visit Emma now, it would only tighten around her chest until everything spilled out.

All Regina could do now was hold her son close, pretend none of this would affect her life with Robin, and hope for the very best.

…

It was late at night after everyone had gone home, and Regina refused for Snow to stay behind. Alana had fussed earlier, but Regina went through the motions of feeding and changing like she had done it a thousand times before.

She should be sleeping, but fear gripped her whenever she closed her eyes. Regina would wake up sweating, thinking her mother had come back to rip the child from her arms. But Alana was quiet, and the hospital seemed to settle into a blissful silence that made Regina’s skin itch.

After pacing enough times that a nurse had come in to scold her, Regina decided to take the plunge. Emma’s room was in the general ward where the curtains were pulled around the bed to provide a bit of privacy from the other two occupants in the room. The smell of acid hung in the air, and a whimper made Regina quicken her steps to pull back the curtain.

Pale and sweaty, Emma shivered under the hospital blankets. “You idiot,” Regina hissed.

“Tell me something new,” Emma husked.

Regina frowned at how weak Emma was. Pressing her palm to Emma’s forehead, she felt no fever. Only a faint pulse of magic thrummed through them, but even that was frail. “Did you use magic in the Enchanted Forest?” Regina asked, her voice a hurried whisper.

“Yes,” came the faint reply.

“And after?”

Emma chuckled. “You hate me, don’t you?”

“Emma—”

“No. She’s in the hospital because of me. Because I didn’t hold her properly when I ran.” Emma closed her eyes, her bottom lip trembling. “Because I couldn’t feed her whenever she was hungry.”

Something within Regina snapped loose. Anger and hurt, all the things she had buried with the Evil Queen. It would be so easy to blame Emma for everything, to unleash the fury of her emotions on someone who only tried to help. This was what Regina always did when she felt scared—but how much better would she have fared had their roles been reversed?

“I’m not angry,” she said in the darkness, sliding her hand from Emma’s forehead to rest against her cheek. “But I’m not happy either. Now,” Regina cleared her throat, interrupting Emma from saying anything. “Tell me if you used magic after you returned.”

“I did.”

Regina clicked her tongue. “You gave yourself no rest.” Her hands moved from Emma’s cheek to hover over her chest. The threads of Emma’s magic began to respond to Regina’s call, weaving its way between her fingers. 

“Magic in the Enchanted Forest is different from here. We don’t know what effect time travel has, and to shift magic use so quickly between realms…it will demand a price.”

Emma’s magic sat like rings over Regina’s fingers—not all, but enough that when Regina placed her hands on Emma’s chest, it slid back into her body and did not float away like the rest of it.

“Thank you.”

She smiled. A tentative gesture between almost friends. “You will need to refrain from using magic until the rest of it comes back to your body.” Regina squeezed Emma’s arm, unsure whether it was out of affection or gratitude. Just when she was about to say something else, a short cry made her pause.

“Regina—”

“Wait here.”

No matter how fast Regina ran, it seemed like she was never going to be quick enough. Her heart was pounding, and her breathing was shallow; fear seemed to grip her so tightly that she was afraid she would collapse under the weight of it. When she finally skidded into Alana’s ward, Regina could not help her startled gasp.

“Huntsman?” 

Two empty eyes stared right through her, an arrowhead in his raised arm. A loyal dog of her mother’s that she had put to rest the moment Regina became queen.

“Drop the arrow.” Taking a step forward, her hand outstretched with magic vibrating against her palm, Regina could tell the huntsman was sizing her up as a threat.

“I do not answer to you,” he said, and brought his arm down toward the infant, his intent perfectly clear.

Regina did not have time to react. All she felt was a sick feeling sliding down her throat and choking her. No matter the time, no matter her age or the freedom she had from her mother, Cora was still in control.

The arrow barely left the Huntsman’s grasp when he went flying across the room. Bricks rained down from where he’d been thrown through and Alana screamed her discomfort at the loud sound. Regina took a stuttering breath and reached for her daughter, expecting to see the worst. But all she found was an arrow buried in the wood of the cot and Alana on the opposite end.

“Is he gone?”

“Emma?”

“Regina,” Emma said, her words a slurred mess. “Is he…” she leaned heavily against the doorway whilst Regina stood there in shock. “Is he gone?”

The hole in the wall could attest to that, but only when Regina nodded did Emma finally relax. “Good,” was all she said, and then collapsed on the hospital floor with threads of magic escaping her.

“Mayor Mills?” Doctor Frankenstien stood behind Emma, his eyes as wide as Regina’s own. They stood facing each other with a crumpled woman and a wailing baby between them, and all Regina wanted to do was cry.

:::

The hospital still had a hole in its wall, but Snow had assured her that Marco would get right on that as soon as he dropped August off at school.

Emma and Alana now shared a room; two of Regina’s biggest worries were sleeping side-by-side. One, with the occasional cry that meant feed me, change me or hold me. And the other with magic spilling from her like spaghetti out of a pot.

“You don’t have to do this on your own, Regina.”

“I know.” Regina’s patience was wearing thin. “But I owe it to Emma. She saved my daughter—twice.” Regina had been frozen with terror, unable to do anything more than stand there like the child she had been when the Huntsman used to escort her to her mother under her orders.

David huffed; his arms crossed over his chest with conflict written plainly on his face. “If you need anything,” he stressed, “we’re here.”

Nodding, Regina stepped next to Emma and began the process of knitting her magic back together again. It was slower than the night before, a far more tedious process than Regina had imagined. 

Snow and David watched her with awe as her fingers began to light up with gold, only for it to be emptied into Emma’s chest for Regina to start again.

Alana cried on the other side of Emma, but Regina couldn't stop her work. She looked pained, but David went quickly to Alana and soothed her with a lullaby he sang, his voice a tender caress. 

Regina worked until her limbs ached and her teeth felt brittle under her tongue. When Regina got up, she stumbled backward into David’s arms, it was already mid-afternoon. 

“That’s enough,” he demanded.

“But—”

“She’s looking better already, Regina. You need rest too.”

Emma was looking better. She looked like she was sleeping; simply resting her eyes before the next shift at the station. 

Gently lowering herself into the nearby armchair, Regina reached into the cot to adjust Alana’s hat and straighten her socks. 

“We’ll try again tomorrow,” Regina promised. But for now, she knew she had to keep her strength up for her daughter.

Chapter Text

Emma’s world went black the moment her body hit the cold hospital floor.

She knew it was a bad look, collapsing in front of Regina of all people. The last thing Emma wanted to do was cause Regina any more trouble than she already had. Assuming that Regina wanted anything to do with her, which Emma wasn’t even sure of anymore. After all, it was her fault that Regina’s oh-so precious baby was in the hospital. And if Regina knew that she had traveled through time, then she must have also realized just how much Emma had interfered with the timeline, to the point of watching over Regina during one of her most vulnerable moments. Surely Regina must be incensed with her, if not mortified. Emma knew that she would feel the same if Regina had watched her give birth to Henry when she was seventeen.

“No, I can’t think so negatively,” Emma chided herself, “I have to have hope. Or faith. Whatever Henry always says.” 

Regina said it herself, didn’t she? That she wasn’t angry with her. That was something, right? And the baby was alive. There was no way that Regina could outright hate her. Sure, Emma wasn’t very high up on Regina’s list of favorite people, but she couldn’t be at the bottom. That was good, right? 

Then again, it probably wasn’t so good that she was using a baby to score brownie points with Regina. Desiree—no, Alana , deserved more respect than that. 

Alana. The name fit, but it stung a little in Emma’s mind. She knew she would grow out of it with practice, but Emma didn’t think that she could think of the little girl as anything other than Desiree. Though she had only known her for a few days, she loved little Desiree as if she were her own child. Emma knew it was a selfish desire, but she hoped that Regina would consider making Desiree Alana’s middle name. Alana Desiree Mills. That sounded nice. Then Emma could continue to call her Desiree on the days when she got to watch over her, or whenever Regina needed some extra assistance.

“Wait, what?”  

Emma was surprised by the brashness of her own thoughts. Who was she to assume that Regina would want her as a co-mother? Emma had to remind herself that just because she loved Des—Alana, it didn’t mean that she was the little one’s mother. Because Regina never gave Alana up willingly. Regina was Alana’s mother. Regina will be the one to set up a nursery for the baby in her mansion, complete with all the proper living amenities. Regina would feed her and burp her and change her, and soothe her whenever she cried or threw a tantrum. And she will do it with her boyfriend. The person who she loves and wants to spend the rest of her life with. That was how it was going to be from now on.

But what if it wasn’t? 

What if she and Regina had a co-parenting schedule for Alana, like the one they were planning to make for Henry? They had agreed to raise Henry together after dealing with Zelena and Henry got his memories back. Couldn’t they do the same for Alana? She would stay at the mansion, but Emma could watch her for a couple of days a week, whenever Regina went to the office. They would cheer together when Alana took her first steps, and hold her hands when they walked her to preschool. Henry might get somewhat jealous, but he would come around quickly and be a good big brother. Snow and David could even bring Neal over and have a baby playdate. Robin…he could fit in somewhere. Maybe… 

Emma quickly shoved those fantastical thoughts aside. They were all pithy dreams that had no relevance on the current situation. That situation being, she was overly fatigued from using magic and was currently somewhere in the hospital. Not that she could open her eyes to verify for herself; Emma couldn’t even feel her arms or legs. That last blast of magic clearly took a heavy toll on her body. It was almost soothing, being encumbered the way she was. Lost in a dark void, she was completely alone, with only her thoughts to keep her company. After the heart-pounding chaos of being on the run and exerting all of her magic just to get away, she could finally breathe and reflect on the crazy week she’s had.

For all the trouble that it was worth, Emma was glad to have fallen into that portal. She was able to right a wrong, save a child, and reunite mother and daughter. Alana would have to fight a little longer, but she would survive. Emma had to believe that. After believing that Alana was dead for so long, it would be too cruel for Regina to lose her now.

Emma wanted to enjoy her rest, but she couldn’t really. Not when Alana was sick and in danger of being assassinated, because for whatever reason, Cora’s huntsman of all people was targeting her. Never would Emma have imagined someone else from the past resurfacing all of a sudden. How did he even get here, Emma wondered. He couldn’t have followed her through Rumple’s portal—it closed immediately after Emma passed through. Did Cora send him somehow? Or did bringing Alana back with her mess up the timeline in more unexpected ways? Emma couldn’t be sure. However, between the brief exchange between him and Regina and her memories of the Enchanted Forest, Emma was certain that the Huntsman was a devout follower of Cora. Regina’s stifled posture and horrified expression made that clear. And following Cora’s command, he was still trying to kill Alana. Emma just knew that a magic blast wouldn’t be enough to stop him. Unless he was stopped for good, he would try again.  

Regina couldn’t handle this threat alone, not if Cora’s will was involved. Regina was strong. But scars from an abusive home don’t disappear fast, and Cora’s death was still fresh in everyone’s minds. And Emma knew that there was a small part of Regina, a remnant of a scared child inside of her, that still wanted to love her mother. And in such a state of vulnerability, it was easy to get hurt. Despite not fully knowing Regina’s past, Emma understood that feeling of desperate longing all too well.

Regina was strong. Regina could ward off the Huntsman on her own. But she wouldn’t need to, not if Emma had anything to say about it. Even if Regina didn’t appreciate her help. 

Regardless. Emma had to recover quickly. She had to protect Regina and Alana.

***

“Oh! She’s coming to!”

Emma winced as she opened her eyes, the bright hospital lights blinding her. After several attempts, she managed to tilt her head so that she could open her eyes without looking directly up. A nurse was wiping her face with a wet cloth.

“Regina? D—Alana? How…how are they?” Emma managed to ask, wheezing in between words. Her chest hurt, and her lungs felt trapped inside her ribs. Her throat was dry: once again suffering from dehydration.

“Drink first.” A nurse’s hand gently pulled Emma’s jaw, and a straw slipped into Emma’s open mouth. Emma drank the water greedily. Her chest still hurt, but she could speak to a normal extent without straining her throat.

“I know you just woke up and are feeling groggy, but I’m going to ask you a few questions, okay?” the nurse began. “First, do you know what year it is?”

“2013, Storybrooke, Zelena made a time portal, I fell into it, and I’m in the hospital,” Emma answered quickly.  “How’s Alana?”

The nurse was slightly taken aback by Emma’s bluntness but satisfied with her answer. “Good. You seem to be doing well cognitively. Dr. Whale is contacting your family right now. He will speak to you shortly and fill you in. In the meantime, I will refill your water and get you some ice chips.” She left the room quickly, taking Emma’s water cup with her.

“You didn’t answer my question!” is what Emma wanted to say, but speaking at a higher volume was beyond her at the moment.

Really, a lot of actions were beyond her at the moment. It was unlike the last time she awoke in the hospital, in which all of her joints ached in pain. This time, her body felt as though someone had taken a knife to every major limb and muscle group, slashing everything to ribbons. She could barely lift her legs or arms off of the bed so as to prop herself upright. Though the pain too, was also a relief. Pain meant that her nerves were still intact, and she would be able to use those limbs again. She would need them to protect Regina and Alana from the Huntsman.

“You’re awake, I see!” Dr. Whale’s voice rang out. Emma couldn’t see well, but she directed her attention to the familiar voice. She felt the back of the hospital bed recline upwards, putting her body in an upright position.

“How’s Alana?” Emma asked him immediately.

“Your glasses.” Dr. Whale slipped the pair onto Emma’s face, knowing that she couldn’t do so herself.  

“How. Is. Alana?” Emma asked again.

“Alana is healthy, as you can see to your left.” Dr. Whale gestured to the crib laid out next to her bed. Emma looked, and sure enough, she was there, sleeping soundly. “And before you ask because I know you will, Regina is fine too. She’s just not at the hospital right now.”

“The bruising! Has it gone—”

Dr. Whale interrupted her. “As Alana’s primary caretaker, Regina can tell you about the specifics of her condition when she gets here,” he said firmly, indicating that this was not a subject for debate. “Honestly, she’s doing much better compared to you. You’ve been asleep for five days.”

Emma sputtered at the news. “E-excuse me?! F-five days?!”

Dr. Whale nodded. “Five whole days. We had to set up an iv drip to keep you stabilized.”

Now that he mentioned it, Emma did feel an iv drip in her left arm. Her condition must have been really serious. She now also took note of some strange plaster around her wrists and hands. Before Emma could question it further, however, the nurse from before returned with some water and ice. Emma was fed an ice chip, giving her something to suck on while the doctor was talking.

“Since you’re awake and capable of answering questions, I first wanted to ask if you remembered anything about the magic blast that you released in the hospital,” Dr. Whale said.

Emma shrugged (or at least tried to). “Doc, I don’t know what to tell you.”

Dr. Whale pressed further. “Do you remember anything about the particular type of magic that you used? Perhaps the blast was different from the previous times you used magic. In case you didn’t know, you destroyed an entire wall with that magic blast.”

“I-I did that?” Emma couldn’t recall. “I…I remember. Regina ran off, so I followed her. Then he was g-going to shoot Alana, so I…my body just…exploded somehow. I think…”

“Well, ‘explosion’ is a good way to describe what happened to you. Whatever magic you used seemed to have an equally adverse effect on your body,” Dr. Whale noted. He went on to explain her condition, sparing no expense. “Although you had no broken bones, your muscular system was damaged immensely. The muscle fibers in your legs were torn, and the tendons were severely ruptured. The ligaments in your knees were completely destroyed. Similar damage was found in your arms. Your chest muscles were strained as well, but thankfully not to a significant extent. The worst damage was in your hands. Both the extensor and flexor tendons were completely torn, requiring surgical treatment. It was as if your body itself had exploded from the inside. Considering that there were no other incidents that could have caused this phenomenon, I will attribute the cause of your injury to your magic usage. You probably passed out from the shock of it.”

“My body…exploded?” Emma could believe it. Regina had warned her not to use her magic prematurely. After overexerting herself using magic, creating a large explosion would injure her already spent body. These must be the consequences of her actions.

“You…you said surgery. Am I…?”

“The surgery itself was a complete success,” Dr. Whale reassured her. “Really, it’s a minor procedure in which we make a small incision and stitch the tendon fibers back together. However, the tendons on your right hand were too damaged to be stitched normally, so we did a tendon transfer, using parts of the tendons from your fingers to fill in the gaps. Mind you, everything I just said happened only two days ago, so your tendons are still very weak. I’d advise you to not move around much.”

It was a lot to take in, despite the reassurances. Emma gulped, swallowing the rest of her ice chip. “What’s…what’s going to happen to me now?” she asked nervously. “Will I be able to fight soon?”

Dr. Whale’s eyes bulged, aghast at the suggestion. “Fight?! Emma, you are in no condition to even stand! After surgery, it takes up to eight weeks to even do light activities. Heavy activities, such as fighting, would require a minimum of twelve weeks, and regaining full control of your hands could take up to six months. The same goes for the rest of your muscles. Running, driving, everything is off the table for several months .”

Twelve weeks? Three months before she’d be able to fight, at the earliest?

“Gratefully, you had no internal organ ruptures, so you’ll be able to eat and drink normally,” Dr. Whale continued, “Still, you’ll be completely bedridden for the foreseeable future. Since you are an adult and not endangered, you are allowed to choose your caregiver. Someone who will assist you with meals, bathing, and bathroom functions. Your parents volunteered, but the decision is ultimately yours.”

She was going to be bedridden ? She was going to need a caregiver ?

“The plaster splints on your hands will be replaced with plastic, more mobile ones, when you get discharged. It will prevent you from further damaging your tendons through extraneous movement. You will have to wear the splints at all times for the next three to six weeks. A physical therapist will be coming by tomorrow to teach you some hand exercises, so that your tendons won’t get stuck to the surrounding tissues. Your caregiver will also assist you with that. You’ll also have to take some painkillers for the next two weeks so as to reduce the chances of infection. I’ll be prescribing you some paracetamol tablets.”

She was going to be bedridden, and she was going to need physical therapy. Not just for her hands, but for her entire body, if the damage done to her body was as severe as Dr. Whale had described. Her hands would be restricted for several more weeks, and she wouldn’t be able to use them at all.

“Emma?”

“Huh?” Emma was jolted out of her thoughts by a snapping sound. “Sorry, what?”

“I was talking about your post-surgery prescription medication. Your previous hospital records stated that you had been prescribed paracetamol for pain in the past. I want to prescribe you the same. Two tablets a day, taken at least four hours apart, for the next two weeks. Is that acceptable?”

“Um, yeah. That—that sounds okay. It’ll help me get better, right?”

“It will reduce your pain and prevent your condition from getting worse, but it won’t accelerate your recovery,” Dr. Whale clarified, writing the information down on a piece of paper. “I can tell that you want to get better as soon as possible, but medicine won’t make that happen. Your body will have to slowly recover on its own.” He paused and looked back at Emma. “Do you understand?”

Slowly. It was the last thing that Emma wanted to hear, but Whale was a doctor, not a magician. “I understand, doctor,” she said.

“Good.” Dr. Whale was pleased with Emma’s compliance. “Lastly, as of right now, are you experiencing any other pains besides the ones that I’ve just described?”

“No, doctor.”

“Very well. In that case, I’ll fill in your prescription now.” Dr. Whale stood to leave. “In the meanwhile, some nurses will come in to run some more tests just to make sure that your vitals are stable. Also, your parents said over the phone that they would be arriving shortly, so you can look forward to that. Think about what I said, and about who your caregiver will be.”  With that, Dr. Whale left Emma in her hospital bed.

Emma’s mind was reeling. It was relieving to know that Alana was safe and well, but she was now the one in pain. Alana was right next to her, and she couldn’t even see her or hold her because her body was completely useless. Her legs and arms were too weak. And her hands…damn it!

Emma needed her hands. Without her hands, she couldn’t use her magic. Without her magic, she couldn’t protect Alana from the Huntsman, or anyone else who threatened her safety. Dr. Whale didn’t say anything about the Huntsman explicitly, but he didn’t say that Emma had killed him with her magic either. He had to still be out there, plotting another attempt on Alana’s life. In such dire times, Emma needed her magic more than ever before.

And yet, Emma couldn’t use her hands, nor would she be able to use them for the foreseeable future. Worse still, someone else would be saddled with the task of looking after her. Instead of protecting her loved ones, Emma would be the one needing protection. It was incredibly ironic, but Emma couldn’t bring herself to laugh. Not anymore.

All magic came with a price.

Fuck.

***

True to the doctor’s word, Snow and David barged into her hospital room minutes after the nurses had finished their tests. Snow was quick to wrap Emma in a careful hug, whereas David watched from the side, maintaining a close proximity to Alana’s crib. “Emma, thank goodness you’re okay! After you collapsed for the second time, we were all so, so worried! Do you want anything? Do you need more ice?”

“I’m fine,” Emma said, wincing from the sudden contact.

“Oh, sorry dear.” Snow let go of Emma’s body. “It’s just, when Whale told us that you would need surgery, we were alarmed. Granted, it wasn’t an emergency surgery, but still. You sure you don’t need anything? I brought a heating blanket, and a thermos with hot chocolate.

“I’m fine. Really. You can leave the hot chocolate over there for now.” Emma forced a smile, trying to brush off Snow’s concerns. She had more pressing questions to ask. “The Huntsman. What happened to him? Did he—Did I get him? Is he…?”

“He’s not dead, Emma,” David answered. “We surveyed the rubble as quickly as we could. There were traces of that guy’s blood, but no body was found. No one’s seen him since.”

“So, he’s still out there,” Emma muttered. Her hands trembled within their binds.

“You and Alana are both safe here,” Snow quickly added, stroking Emma’s forearm tenderly. “Remember that protection spell you and Regina put up when I was in labor? Regina put up a similar spell in this hospital ward. She said it wasn’t as strong as yours, but it would protect both of you from harm. The Huntsman won’t be able to reach Alana here.”

“That’s why she’s here in your room, and not at the mansion,” David supplied, anticipating another question. “After you were targeted outside of Regina’s home, she thought it best if Alana stayed away from the mansion. It’s not ideal, but she’ll be safe for now. Regina is itching to get her out of here though.” He chuckled at the image.

Snow continued, “Regina helped you a lot, you know. She’s been in here, day after day, using her magic to help you get better. She explained to us that she was fixing the magic channels in your body. It was really amazing. I daresay if it wasn’t for her, you wouldn’t be awake now.”

“Regina…did that for me?” A ghost of a smile formed on Emma’s lips.

David nodded. “You can thank her later. Henry’s watching Neal, but he’ll come over soon, and he’ll bring her with him.”

“Where is Regina? Is she out searching for the Huntsman?” Emma asked. 

David said, “She’s resting at the loft. Our orders. Ever since Alana was brought in, she hasn’t had a moment of rest. She was sleeping when we got the call, and we didn’t want to wake her.”

“Then who’s looking for the Huntsman?!” Emma exclaimed, her face scrunching in worry.

“Oh, Robin’s doing that,” Snow replied plainly. “After he heard of the danger, he rounded up his Merry Men to do a search of the woods. For the past several days, they’ve been patrolling, searching for him. Actually, they should be out patrolling right now.”

Emma was completely stunned. “I…I see.”

“It’s really wonderful of him. Regina has been so exhausted between watching over the baby and you that she hasn’t had the time or energy to conduct her own investigation. David and I have been taking turns watching you two so that she could get some sleep, but David also doesn’t have much time with his regular duties. Robin stepped up immediately and has taken charge since.”

“…Oh. Okay.”

Right. Regina was never going to face the Huntsman alone. From the very beginning, she had other people with her. She had Snow, and David, and Robin. And who would be better to deal with a huntsman than another huntsman? They even looked somewhat similar, although Robin was a bit lankier. Even with Emma out of commission, Regina—no, everyone—would be just fine.

Emma was just the deadweight.

“Emma? What’s wrong?” Snow rubbed her shoulder gently, trying to get a response out of her.

Emma jolted at the contact. “N-nothing.”

“It doesn’t seem like nothing.” Now David had a concerned expression on his face. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I-I’m fine. I’ll ask a nurse to help later. Don’t worry about it.” Emma hoped that they would understand her silent plea to be left alone for a while.

Snow did not recognize the signs. “Oh Emma, don’t be embarrassed just because it’s us,” she urged. “Whale already told us. It might be a little awkward at first, but we do everything we can to make sure you’ll be living comfortably. Your father has strong arms, so he can lift you without struggle. Right, dear?” David nodded his agreement.

“Guys…” Emma knew that her parents meant well, but the abundance of pampering promises was too much for her to handle. Although she knew that it was meant to be supportive, she couldn’t help but feel extremely uncomfortable.

“It might take a few more days, but when you get discharged, you’ll be coming home with us. I know you’d much rather be independent, but we’re your parents, and we’re going to help you through this.” Snow declared. She planted a soft kiss onto Emma’s forehead in affection. It made Emma feel nauseous.

Home. It was a word that Emma wanted to find comfort in, but she couldn’t. Because Snow and David’s home was the loft, where they could fawn over their precious baby Neal. Emma knew that she should be happy for her parents, but she couldn’t stop the pangs in her heart whenever she saw the three of them together. Another cruel reminder of who she could never be.

Even if her baby brother wasn’t involved, Emma hadn’t considered the loft her home since before the first curse broke. Before she had parents, or magic, or realm hopping adventures, back when Snow was Mary Margaret, her roommate and close friend. Emma had long accepted her life of magic and fighting, but the loft wasn’t her home. That new apartment of hers could have been home, but it wasn’t really, not if she had to live in it alone. Deep down, Emma already knew where her home was, but it wasn’t a place she could go to anytime soon.

Emma had to voice her objections, before Snow and David ran off with their parenting fantasies. “You know, I haven’t declared anyone as my primary caregiver,” she said. “And, no offense, but I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep well with another crying infant nearby. I’d much rather stay here, especially if Alana will be staying here."

Emma paused and waited for her parents to process her words. Neither Snow nor David seemed to understand, however, voicing objections of their own.

“Regina will watch Alana regardless. Wouldn’t you prefer sleeping in a comfier bed, out of this hospital?”

“We’re your parents. Where else would you go?”

“I—not with you two.” Emma blurted out. She didn’t mean to be so direct, but she meant what she said.

“Emma—!” Snow exclaimed.

“Hey, can you check on Alana? I think she needs some attention.” Emma said quickly.

“Emma…” David tentatively stepped closer.

“Mom. Dad. Please.” Emma begged, her eyes pleading for them to go.

Snow and David looked at each other knowingly. If Emma was referring to them with those terms, then she was being 100% serious. With a mutual nod, they turned around and began watching over the baby in the crib. They kept their voices hushed, occasionally glancing over in Emma’s direction.

Emma did feel bad for blowing them off the way she did, but she couldn’t endure another minute of being treated like an invalid. She wanted to get up and hold Alana herself. She wanted to chase down the Huntsman. She wanted to comfort Regina. She wanted to go back to sleep. She wanted this nightmare state of living to just end.

But she couldn’t wake up anymore.

***

As the sun’s golden rays dipped below the horizon, Emma was once again alone. She had regained consciousness in the morning, and her parents had left in the afternoon. Now, a nurse was tending to Alana at the other side of the room, and Emma, propped upright in the neighboring bed, could only think about how she should be the one holding Alana.

Maybe it was a side-effect of falling into Zelena’s portal, but the feelings of jealousy wouldn’t leave her consciousness. She envied baby Neal for having her parent’s love. She envied Regina for being Alana’s mother. She envied Robin for being Regina’s.

If only Robin was a terrible boyfriend. Then her disdain towards the man would be justified. But from what she’s heard, Robin was a stand-up individual, even going out of his way to protect Regina and Alana. It wasn’t right to hate someone who was going out of his way to protect Alana. Still. Emma wanted to hate him so bad .

She knew that it was wrong to feel these feelings. But knowing that something was wrong, and being able to stop it were two different things entirely. It was the trial of goodness: to always try to do the right thing regardless of the circumstances. And she was the fucking savior, so she had to try her damnest to be good. Otherwise, Robin would have been blasted away long ago.

Well. She couldn’t blast him away with magic anymore. Emma’s arms were a stark visual reminder of that fact. The plaster around her hands and wrists was unbearably heavy, making her arms droop at her sides. Emma could only imagine what a trainwreck she must look like to other people.

“Behold, your savior! Or, what’s left of her anyway,” Emma muttered under her breath, angrily spitting out each word.   

She really was the savior, wasn’t she? She saved everyone from the first curse, and she saved Alana in two timelines. Weren’t heroes like her supposed to have happy endings? No, that wasn’t right, Emma thought. Because heroes are people like her parents. And Emma Swan wasn’t really a person because she was a savior, and saviors don’t get love or happy endings. She was really like a stork, delivering babies to expecting parents. No one ever asked if the stork had a family to go home to after a long day of work.

Saviors gave everyone else their happy endings. Saviors didn’t think about themselves.  

But what use was a savior who couldn’t even fight when she was expected to?

Emma groaned loudly and pressed her face into her pillow. The nurse watching Alana looked up in concern, but she didn’t say anything.

The room was depressing. The air was cold and oppressive, attacking her senses. Emma wanted nothing more than to get out, taking Alana with her. Knowing that she couldn’t make her body ache even more. 

It wouldn’t matter if she ran off with Alana, Emma realized, because she’d put on her bill and wings and deliver the baby straight to Regina.

Regina …fuck, Regina!

Nothing was more agonizingly painful than thinking about Regina, and Henry, and Alana, and home . After spending all her life searching for it, Emma finally found what was missing from her life. Yet here she was, in the same town as them, and Regina had someone else in her life, someone who she loved and considered to be her family. To have that happiness dangling in front of her and not be allowed a crumb of it was the worst torture.

Emma squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to fall asleep. She was happier when she wasn’t conscious. She could pretend that her world hadn’t fallen apart.

“Ma?”

At the familiar voice, Emma lifted her head from her pillow. At the doorway was Henry, holding up a brown paper bag that definitely came from Granny’s. Next to him was Regina, who had taken Alana from the nurse, cradling her in her arms. They were the most beautiful things that Emma had ever seen. All she could do was stare at them.

“You hungry? We brought dinner.” Henry smiled and plopped the bag on the table next to Emma, pulling out a burger and onion rings.

“I…” Emma looked at the food, at Henry, and then at Regina. Regina had kept a respectable distance from Emma, but she was looking at her with an expression of expectation. Regina was looking at her.

“Well?” Regina asked, bouncing Alana in her arms. “Aren’t you hungry?” To Henry, she said, “Help feed your mother.”

Henry tapped Emma’s cheek, indicating for her to open her mouth. Emma obliged and let him feed her an onion ring. Being fed like this was comforting. 

Emma told herself that realistically, this didn’t mean anything. Regina’s family was with Robin, and she came because Alana was here. If Regina came for her, then it was because of her condition, because of Henry, or some other feeling of obligation. Regina wasn’t even her friend, for crying out loud.

But Regina was here , with Henry. And they were both looking at her.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Emma could believe that there was still some hope left out for her.

Chapter Text

Here. 

Here is such a funny word. 

Regina was in fact here. She and Henry both. But there was at least a portion of her that would never be here. And Emma thought that that was the part that mattered. Because that part of her was the part that has been reserved for Robin and Henry. And now for Alana.

Her heart, Emma counclued. The part that would and could never be here with her is her heart. And that is the part that Emma wanted the most. 

“The spoon, Swan.”

“Wha–” Emma began. Henry had taken the opportunity to put the spoon in her mouth. He withdrew it and Emma’s nose crinkled. “Kid, this is foul.” She cringed. She had always hated the texture of jello. And the hospital had provided her with orange jello of all flavours. “Ugg…” She let herself fall back and deeply into the pillow. “How could they do this to me? I’m having a hard time as it is and they give me orange jello? Nobody likes the orange jello. It’s like popsicles. Nobody eats the orange and green flavours.”

“Green isn’t a flavour, Ms. Swan.” Regina quirked a brow, still giving Alana those little bounces. 

“Your sister sure seems to think it is.”

“My sister cohorts with winged-monkeys and thinks that pointed broomsticks are adequate means of transportation in spite of the better alternatives that this world has presented her with.”

Emma gave her first laugh in what felt like ages.

“Finish your jello, Ms. Swan. And then we’ll let you have more onion rings.” Regina rolled her eyes. Emma watched as she lifted Alana to eye-level and smiled–a thing that leaves her tummy tickling every time. That smile. That beautiful, precious smile. 

It was very easy to remember why Emma was letting herself go through all of this when that smile came to brighten the former Evil Queen’s face. 

Emma could still remember when those smiles were fleeting and rare. They were still plenty uncommon but Emma had certainly noticed an uptick in them since…since Robin. Especially since Alana. 

Emma found herself, once again, wishing that she could be the reason for Regina’s smile. And she supposes that, perhaps, she was the reason. She supposed that she could give herself a little credit; Regina was smiling because of Alana’s chubby baby face and her silly little gurgles. And Alana was able to babble because Emma had saved her…

“I can’t feed you if you don’t open up.” Henry remarked. 

“Sorry, kid.” Emma sighed. “I’m just thinking about things.” 

“Like what?” Henry asked, making himself comfortable on the bed. As comfortable as possible anyhow. 

“A lot of things.” She replied. “I’m just worried about Alana and Regina, and the fact that that man is still on the loose.” 

“I can defend myself plenty.” Regina folded her arms across her chest. “Don’t forget who you are looking at.” 

“How can I?” Emma forced a chuckle. Regina was simply an unforgettable woman in every sense and that just made the unspoken rejection that much harder to stomach. She didn’t even know that there was an offer to reject and Emma has gotten to thinking that she will be keeping it that way.

Afterall, how could she just come in and wreck the perfectly good family that she had helped create. 

“At any rate…” Regina continued as she stroked Alana’s cheek. Emma could swear that this was the first time she has taken her eyes off of the baby. “I do believe that we should be more concerned with you. Your parents have been insisting that I take some time for myself.” She paused. “By all means, I should spend some more time with Robin. But I’ve been thinking of how easy it would be for the huntsman to waltz in here and…” She didn’t have to finish, Emma knew exactly what she was thinking.

And Regina was right, she was an easy target. 

A smart villain would take out the Saviour first and then carry on with his main goal after there is one less person to stand in his way. 

Props where they were due, Cora’s huntsman seemed crafty enough to deduce this for himself. 

“So what are you saying?” Emma asked. 

“I’m saying that I have been… concerned for your wellbeing.” 

Based upon what Mary and David have been saying, Emma would wager that ‘worried’ was something of an understatement, but she didn’t call Regina out on it. She has come to know that Regina doesn’t take well to implications that she has gone soft. 

“Well thank you for your concern.” Emma tried to force a smile. “Really, thanks. But I…” 

Regina shook her head. “We are not doing this, Swan–playing the who is more worried game. Right now you are in critical shape, I am not.” She shifted to hold Alana closer to her chest. 

“You got hurt too. My parents said that you’ve been putting everything into helping me. That you’re exhausted!” The last thing that Emma wanted is to become a bigger burden to Regina, when the woman probably already saw her as nothing but. Even if she was too polite to say as much. 

“Look, Ms. Swan. You…you saved my daughter.” She paused to look at the babe. “Let me give you something in return.” 

“It sounds like you already have and then some.”

“Ma!” Henry exclaimed. In an instant she recalled that she was supposed to be eating. But that isn’t what Henry is scolding her for. “Regina wants to be your primary caregiver and I think that you should let her.” He paused. “It’ll be great, we can all stay together for once and we can watch movies and…”

And it sounded like a dream.

She wished that she wasn’t so afraid of those. 

They always seem too good to be true. 

“How does she…” She turned to Regina, “how do you even know that I need…”

Regina, lightly patting Alana’s back shot Emma another one of her semi-judgmental stares. “I told you that I have eyes everywhere, Swan.” She pauses. “But this time it is more or less common sense and your mother’s horrid inability to stop oversharing.” 

“Right.” Emma grumbled. “But what about Robin?”

“What about him?” 

“Isn’t your house getting crowded?”

“My mansion has plenty of space, I assure you. More than Mary Margret’s apartment.”

“But Robin doesn’t mind?”

“Of course not, Emma. Why would he?”

Yes, why would he? It wasn’t like she was any competition. He didn’t really have anything to feel threatened by. He has brains and brawn. She lacks common sense on the best of days and she had gone and scrambled her muscles and God knows what else. So brawn was perfectly off the table in terms of wooing tools. 

Emma gritted her teeth. God, she shouldn’t even be thinking about wooing the woman. Especially not now when there were more pressing matters to take care of–her own condition, Alana’s condition, Regina’s safety, and the huntsman’s existence to name a few.

“Will you finish your jello now? The onion rings are getting cold and I am not going to eat them.”

“I will!” Henry declared. 

“Hey kid, save some for me.” She tried to laugh but it fell short. Her whole body was beginning to ache to the point where even laughing was cramping her stomach and neck. “God, this is terrible.” 

“Of course it is. You were using magic that you didn’t understand and now you are facing the consequences.”

“I did it for you! And for Alana!” Emma wished that she could take the outburst back the minute it left her lips. “Sorry.” She mumbled. “You’re right, I should have been more careful.”

Regina sighed. “No. No it’s…you were doing your best in a difficult situation. I just wish that I could have…” She made some waving gesture with her free hand. “I wish that I had more time to work with you on your magic is all.” 

“Yeah.” Emma replied. 

“So should I have a room prepared for you or not?”

“Don’t pretend like you didn’t already prepare one.” Emma took a reluctant bite of jello. “Seriously, can we just skip to the onion rings?”

“I did, yes.” Regina admitted. “So don’t tell me that I’ve wasted my time. You know how I feel about that.”

“You didn’t.” Emma answers quietly. “I’ll go home with you.” Under different circumstances she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Under different circumstances it would have been a dream come true. Under these circumstances…

Decidedly it was going to be heaven to have Regina and Henry caring for her – it was going to be a little, delectable taste of everything she has been desiring. But that little taste was going to be poison. Poison in knowing that it will only be a bite of what could be. That little taste will come with a personal nightmare because it was going to come with front row seat tickets to the daily domesticity of Regina and Robin. 

Regina getting cosy and smitten and loving with someone who wasn’t her.

Chapter Text

Emma didn’t know whether this little care time in Regina’s white mayoral mansion was a blessing or a curse.

On one hand; Alana was in the crib in front of her, cooing and content while Regina spoke softly and hummed in that raspy voice that she was starting to feel in her bones. She was seeing the woman who raised Henry, all soft and loving. A woman who loved being a mother. It was a treat to watch this side of the former Evil Queen, it looked private and Emma felt special witnessing it.

On the other hand; Emma wanted to gouge her eyes out when Robin would wrap his stupid arms around the Mayor (she didn’t push him away which made this feeling even worse) and she’d lean on his stupid chest. He would touch her arm softly and the Mayor would smile without looking back at him.

The Savior wanted to push him off of her and Alana. She didn’t like how he would hover over the little princess and offer her the little green something to play with. What was that? A little green doll?

Emma wanted to lurch it on his head and stab him in the eye.

Woah, where did that come from?

Emma shrugged nonchalantly, maybe the savagery from the Enchanted Forest rubbed off on her. Who cares? No one could police her thoughts. Just because she was the Savior didn’t mean she’d think only good things.

And so, it went on. By the time Emma had gone through and gnarly killed him in the most painful possible ways, it was dinner time.

Feeling useless, Emma limped her way to the cozy dinner table all while Henry swayed Alana in her roller crib. He eventually set her beside Regina who immediately took off an expensive apron and picked the baby up.

It was utterly unfair how Regina looked so irresistible even after cooking – Emma peeked and saw dishes – garlic mash potatoes, vegetables, and lamb. Regina had tied her hair loosely and blouse half untucked simply because it was stopping her range of motion, heels in place, not a speck of flour or food on her dress pants.

Emma didn’t know whether the pain she was feeling was from her torn vessel or her tearing soul when Robin pressed a soft kiss on Regina’s temple and the baby's, or maybe it was when Robin started serving dinner. Regina shuffled her chair closer to the forest boy.

Emma suddenly didn’t feel hungry anymore. Despite surviving the foster system and eating as fast as one could to simply be able to live and sleep with a full belly, Regina's beautiful food didn’t tempt her. Not when there was mild steam coming out of her ears.

It wasn’t fair.

“Ms. Swan?” With an eyebrow raised Regina motioned to the food. 

Emma took note that her eyes sparkled. She looked happy and content. Why did it hurt so much that Regina was happy and content without her? Did Regina miss her even a little while she was gone?

“Dinner tastes great, thanks.” Some habits were hard to leave. Be a polite guest.

It tasted like paper; maybe it was because Robin had served her dinner, or maybe it was the view of the little family in front of her conversing and Emma, once again, felt like an outsider.

Emma was unacquainted with the feeling of belonging to a family. She wanted to join in their conversation, but how could she, when the Forest Fart was sitting and imposing on what should be HER little family.

“Ma, can I come to the station tomorrow? It’s Saturday and I promise to finish the homework tonight itself.” Henry was giving her puppy eyes. Emma jerked into wakefulness and her grip on the spoon loosened.

It filled her with some sick victory when Robin continued eating, without authority when Regina and Henry both looked at her. Hell, even Alana gazed at her.

Emma looked to Regina for guidance, after all, they were co-parents (not Robin). It was teamwork.

“Ms. Swan will be on bed rest for a week Henry. She shouldn’t be out of bed, lest going to the station in that metal deathtrap with Metallica on cheap speakers.”

A little laugh ripped from her bruised throat, “You love Metallica?”

Henry immediately snitched, “She rocks on the air guitar when no one is home.”

Regina went white at first, then bright red. It was all too much for Emma, so she snorted in her water and coughed at the image of Regina in her pricey silks, rocking to Metallica.

“Henry!” Regina slapped him gently on the shoulder and Henry just kissed her palm and all was forgiven.

The last time someone snitched on Regina, she wreaked havoc and no amount of palm kisses would’ve calmed her down, but Henry did.

“What’s Metallica?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know, weather boy?” Emma mumbled but her eyes bulged when Henry looked at her with wide eyes, a couple of spinach leaves in his mouth while his jaw hung open.

“Gross, dude.” Emma shut his jaw with her fingertips, embarrassment creeping on her neck at being caught by her son. “Learn some manners, like me.”

Regina laughed and suddenly the pain didn’t feel so bad anymore; the dinner tasted just like Regina’s cooking and not paper.

*

Something was itching under her skin; it was utterly uncomfortable and invasive. Emma mindlessly scratched with her good hand but it was fruitless. It felt like –

The Savior shot out of bed at the familiar magic feeling under her fingertips and she resisted the urge to rub her skin raw and red.

“Looks like Cora’s right-hand man has learned some tricks of the trade after all.” Regina’s voice sounded amused for some reason. Emma doesn’t understand why Regina sounds entertained. “He broke my blood magic protection half a mile away.”

Emma dizzily got up, only to be supported by Regina who pressed her soft palm on her ribs to hold her up. “We are under attack?”

“Not yet. But we have a warning. Any idea how he broke the blood seal?”

“He might have a vial of Cora’s blood?” Emma looked out of the window, copying Regina’s crossed arms stance.

Regina’s eyebrows were scrunched up in concentration as she magically swept the area for the Huntsman. She also tried detecting how her blood magic had been broken..

“Where's Alana?”

“Safe.” Regina was curt, preoccupied but fond.

“Shouldn’t we go out and fight him?”

“Oh no, Swan. This mansion is our turf. He might have thought that he could hit two stones with one bird–you and Alana–but let him come to us.”

Her smirk was positively evil and Emma was reminded of the woman she saw terrorizing villages–the Evil Queen.

Emma was sure the house was filled with traps now and Regina was just lying-in wait like a lioness for her prey to fall through.

Alana was safe with Henry somewhere in the house, or maybe Regina transported them away from the house, but the fact Regina was confident to let the mountain man enter the house, Emma felt her magic itching beneath but Emma couldn’t expel it after the injury.

So now it was a waiting game. The Queen was out to hunt for blood with the Saviour by her side.

Emma quickly removed her sidearm from her holster on her good side, trying not to stare at how Regina clenched her jaw at that action.

“What?” Emma raised her eyebrow and felt pain emitting from her head. The stitch burned. “You didn’t think I’d let you handle him alone. Let me teach you how we do things in a magic-less world.”

Chapter Text

"He’s after you Emma, I can’t,” Regina stammered as she magicked another shotgun. She nervously held it.

Emma looked up and down at Regina. “Gina,” she started softly, “your posture needs to be firm and confident, not cocky, just confident.” 

“Of course,” Regina said as she stood firmly and held the gun. 

“Right, there you go,” Emma encouraged her, stating, “you aren't gonna shoot yet, but once you do, stand your ground. Once you fire, it does push you back quite a bit. And lastly, no mistakes, we can't risk it.” 

“Right,” Regina gulped. 

“Where should we start looking for the hunter?” Emma asked. 

“I don’t know yet,” Regina started as she fired up her spell to search for the Huntsman. “I think I found him at the docks.” 

“Whelp, I guess it’s time to go after him. Also, where is Alana?” Emma asked. 

“She’s with Robin and Henry at your parents' loft,” Regina stated. 

Emma had been having this weird feeling about Alana being around that forest boy she desperately disliked, so when Regina said Alana was at the loft with Robin, she felt that something was wrong. 

Emma pulled out her phone to text her dad.

Emma: Dad, keep Alana and Henry close to you and Mom at all times. 

David: Robin has Alana with him. He said Regina could come get her. However, I do have Henry here with me. 

“Hey Gina…ummm, Dad just said that you let Robin take her with him?” Emma stated. 

“What?” Regina hissed. “I told him to leave Alana at the loft with David because I noticed that Alana started to show signs of being uncomfortable with him.” 

Emma started to call her Dad and put him on speaker. 

“Hey, kiddo,” David’s voice came through. 

Regina cut in. “David! Alana is not supposed to be with Robin. I instructed him to leave her with you.” 

David’s voice came through after a few moments of awkward silence. “Henry didn’t want Alana to go with Robin either, and Snow was against it too. That was my mistake. I’ll find her, and I’ll arrest him as well.” 

“Henry saw what I saw. Apparently Snow saw it too,” Regina replied. “This isn’t good.”  

“Alana was crying when she left with him. I just took it as what a baby does,” David stated, with remorse in his voice. 

“Dad, I'm sending Gina back to the loft to help you guys look for Robin,” Emma said. 

“But the Hunter? I can’t let you face the Hunter alone!” David and Regina said this simultaneously. 

Emma pleaded with Regina. “Another rule about gunfights is having a clear mind, Gina, and right now Alana is on your mind. For gun fights, you’ll have to have a clear mind.” 

“Emma, I can't let you go by yourself to the docks. You’ll get killed! You don’t even have magic,” Regina went on. 

“Does the Huntsman have magic?” Emma asked. Regina was unable to come up with a rebuttal. Emma went on, “I'll be ok.” 

Snow’s voice was distinct, reminding the ladies that the charmings were still on the phone.  “Regina, if you want, I can go with Emma to the docks with my bow and arrow; she won’t be by herself that way.” 

David’s voice slightly boomed. “Emma, no, you can barely move without help. You aren't going to the docks, that final!” 

“He’s right,” Regina admitted, “You can’t move.” 

“Yes I can. I’ll prove it.” Emma stubbornly stated as Regina let go of her. 

“Oh yeah? I dare you to take five steps forward,” Regina dared Emma. 

Emma tried and almost fell several times.

Regina said, “I told you so! I’m taking you home to the loft.”

"Regina, fussing over me is not your priority. You need to find Alana," Emma said sternly to Regina.

“Very well. Snow please go with Emma. I- I- I,” Regina hesitated, but mumbled out. “I care about you, like really really really care about you, ok? I want you back in one piece.”

“I’ll always come back to you. And Regina, I–'' Emma stuttered as shots were fired nearby followed by a distant crying. 

“Alana?!” Regina whispered, unsure of what she was hearing.

“I don’t know?” Emma questioned, then she added, “It could be a trap, I have no idea.” 

“Okay, hang on." Regina said as she shot warm white magic towards Emma. The magic seemed to go around Emma’s arms and legs slowly, but slowly easing the pain. “Emma Swan, listen carefully, I’ve healed your legs and arms temporarily, so be very careful. You won’t feel pain immediately, but later it’ll come back and bite you.” 

“Got it, thank you please find Alana,” Emma told Regina as she vanished in her signature purple smoke. 

Emma hung up the phone and slowly walked, shakily, to the docks unsure of what she would find. Once she had arrived she noticed that everything was a little too quiet for her liking. 

What now? Emma questioned inside her head. She strolled around the docks noticing that absolutely nothing was amiss. 

Seeing a ship, she boarded it only to see absolutely nothing. She continued to stroll around the ship looking for anything. Much to her disappointment there was absolutely nothing there, just as she thought - it was a trap. Strolling around the ship for what seemed hours, absolutely nothing was amiss. Soon, she could hear two distinct voices calling out to her. Looking over the side of the ship, she could see Tinkerbell and her mom rushing towards her.

“Emma, there you are!” Snow exclaimed and rushed onto the ship with an utterly panicked look on her face. 

“Mom, Tink what happened?” Emma asked curiously.

“Do you know how David was supposed to be looking for Alana?” Snow started

“Yeah, did he find her?” 

“Well, you see, I just happened to be passing by the mansion and I heard lots of sounds of fighting happening," Tink said. "I came to get Snow and you. I think they need you back there. I looked through the window and I saw David, Regina, Robin and the kids.” Tink explained. 

“Wait, you didn’t go in?” Emma questioned, panickingly.

“There’s a barrier around the mansion that was preventing me physically and magically from getting in,” Tink further explained. 

“Emma, Tink called me looking for you. I knew that you were coming here. So we came here hoping that you were still here.” Snow informed her.

Emma fell forward slightly. “Ok, mom, give me a sec,” Emma sighed after Snow had caught her and leaned her against the hull of the ship.

“You ok?” Snow asked as Emma shook her head. 

“No, Regina's spell must be wearing off. She said she was able to temporarily heal me,” Emma groaned. “Tink, can you help us get back to the house? Regina needs help. I don't know what’s happening there. Also what was that faint sound of crying I heard earlier?” 

“Of course. I think that sound was just a trap to pull you away from the mansion,” Tink replied. 

She then waved her wand and successfully transported them back to the mansion. 

“So what’s your plan, Saviour? Obviously you cannot go and fight whatever’s happening in there,” Tink said as the trio moved closer to the window. To their horror, David and Henry were tied up with ropes in two chairs. Regina, who happened to be holding Alana, was seen to be talking, or rather, pleading with Robin. 

Chapter Text

Before Emma could get inside the house, Regina blasted Robin across the room. She magically removed Henry’s ropes and handed to him Alana in one smooth move as she walked toward Robin’s body on the floor.

“How fucking dare you! What kind of pathetic person tries to kill a child? You have a child, you sick bastard.”

“Wait, Regina, I can explain…you know how your mother…”

“My mother is dead,” Regina said coldly, cutting Robin off. “Where is Roland?”

“With his mother.”

“His WHAT?” Henry exclaimed from behind Regina as he was untying David.

Rage filled Regina beyond what anyone had ever seen before, except David.

“Henry, take Alana outside. Regina’s eyes have turned purple. We don’t want to be around for this,” David said as he got up and ushered them out the door.

“But we can’t let mom…” Henry started to say.

“Trust me. This is out of our hands.”

Just then the door flew open with Emma standing there, Snow and Tink behind her.

“Go, NOW!” David yelled as he rushed Henry, Alana, and everyone else out the door.

Emma started to protest, “But Regina needs me.”

“Snow, Regina’s eyes…” David said.

Snow’s eyes went wide! She grabbed Emma, “Tink, help me with Emma. Emma, let's go! Trust me, Regina has this.”

Emma tried to break free. She could see through the door that the inside of the house was filled with a purple haze and Regina seemed to glow. Robin looked downright terrified. Yet, she still resisted Snow and Tink by giving one good yank to cut loose; but just then Regina’s spell wore off, and her knees buckled.

“Mom! Come on!” Henry cried out.

Henry looked scared as he clutched his little sister. She pivoted toward her two children and let Snow and Tink help her toward them. Emma had enough strength to embrace the two of them in a hug.

From the curb, they saw a flash of light.

They waited in silence.

After what seemed like forever, Regina came out of the house. She tried to compose herself as she approached Emma holding their children.

“Mom…are you ok? What happened? What did you do?” Henry asked.

Regina's face softened and she stroked Henry's cheek. Alana heard Regina's voice and cooed. Regina smiled. “Come here, my girl. There will be no bad men coming after you, or any of us ever again.”

“Regina…” Emma said, “What happened?”

“I think it’s best we talk in private, Emma,” Regina said as she glared at everyone to scatter.

David took Snow by the hand and they walked away. Tink stood looking at Regina sternly.

Regina returned her stare. “Thank you for your assistance, Tinkerbell. You may go now.” She was the last person Regina wanted to see.

“What did you do with your soulmate?” Tink asked boldly.

Regina’s eyes flashed at her. Alana grunted in her arms. Regina brought her emotions down a notch. She walked up to Tink’s face and said very firmly and deliberately. “Don’t you ever peddle that fairy bullshit again to anyone, you hear me?! Robin is nothing to me. I make my own choices and my own family from now on. Is that clear?”

Tink tried to stand her ground, but she eventually stepped back from Regina, her eyes turning to fear. She nodded. “Understood. I’m sorry, Regina.”

But Regina turned away from her as she tried to apologize, heading back to the mansion. She did not acknowledge her words. “Henry, help your mother get to the house.”

Henry nodded and put his mother’s arm around his neck as Emma limped toward the mansion.

Henry brought Emma to the couch and made her comfortable. She looked around the mansion and there was no trace that there had been a hostage situation. The ropes that bound David and Henry were gone; Emma expected to see a huge, dark scorch mark on the floor where Robin had fallen, but she saw no evidence of that.

Regina disappeared into the kitchen with Alana. Henry went to check on his other mother, then came back with a glass of water for Emma. “Mom told me to give you this. She is making you a sandwich. She’ll be right out.”

Emma took the glass, looking at Henry curiously. “Oookay…She doesn't have to do that…”

Regina shouted from the kitchen, “Yes I do. You have exerted yourself too much and need to eat. Drink the water, Swan. I’ll be right out.”

Henry was going to sit on the floor near the couch, but Emma invited him to sit on the couch at her feet, if he didn’t mind, and she would prop her legs up in his lap. He obliged. He rested his hands on Emma’s shins, grateful for the contact because after the events that just occurred, he found he needed a little comfort. He was feeling anxious waiting to hear what his mom had to say.

Regina came out soon after, baby on her shoulder asleep, and a plate with a well-stacked pastrami on rye that she brought to Emma.

“Thank you, Regina, but…”

Regina cut her off, “Stop. I used magic to make the sandwich, so it wasn’t a laborious chore. Besides, this is nothing compared to how much I have already healed you.”

Emma stuffed the sandwich in her mouth, unable to wait because as soon as she saw it, she realized how ravenously hungry she was. She used the napkin under the sandwich to wipe the gobs of mustard that collected at the sides of her mouth.

Regina sat down in a chair next to the couch near Henry and reached out for his hand. He gladly gave it. Regina pulled Alana tighter to her. She watched Emma gorge and was pleased that she was such a good patient. “Enough mustard?”

“Yes,” Emma nodded, “How did you know?”

“Your eating habits became my concern when you came to my house for rehabilitation. Sorry, it has not been the best rehab center, thus far.”

“Funny, not funny,” Emma said as she swallowed. “Are you ok, Regina? I know you said you want to talk, but we don’t have to right away. Whatever you did with…to…Robin, especially if he was the Huntsman, I don’t blame you. If he was the threat, and you took care of him…well, I am with you one hundred percent. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you all, either.”

Henry, who was having reservations about seeing his mother at her worst, looked between his moms. This was about protecting the family; his family and Regina didn’t seem to be reverting to her Evil Queen ways, so maybe it was all going to be ok. Nevertheless, he had to ask, “But you’re ok, right, mom?” He squeezed her hand.

Regina squeezed Henry’s hand back. She understood what he was asking; she was certain that seeing magical anger concerned him. She looked at him with assurance, “I’m fine. I promise I will be fine. I have you and Alana. It’s all I need to be the best.” She looked at Emma, “Thank you for your support. Without you, I wouldn’t have Alana back.” She let go of Henry’s hand and used it to hold Alana with both. She started to tremble, resisting the tears, but they started to fall. She held it in for as long as she could until a sob burst out and she began to cry uncontrollably.

Henry looked at Emma as she flinched like she was going to get up. He pressed his hands on her leg, looking at her to let her have her moment. Emma nodded in acknowledgment. It pained her to watch Regina hurting, but honestly, would she be able to console her?

They sat quietly for a while until Regina broke the silence. “I know you are anxious to hear what happened.”

Henry and Emma said nothing, although they were both screaming in their heads, “YES!”

Regina continued, “I took Robin to the forest, where his Merry Men were. They were all in on it. My mother's Huntsman was a part of their Merry Men. I took care of the Huntsman myself long ago, but I didn't know they were a brotherhood. When I executed that loyal dog of my mother's, they all took an oath of revenge, including Robin. He was…” Regina stopped talking as anger took over her face.

Regina took a moment. She was so angry that she fell for this soulmate garbage. Regina Mills did not suffer humiliation, especially on this level. She already broke down and cried in front of her son and Emma. She allowed herself that much. This is why she wanted to talk to them in private; without a doubt, she could trust Henry. And Emma…well, she risked her life to bring back Alana, which spoke volumes to Regina in many ways yet to be discovered. Still, she did not like feeling this way and she was working hard to keep it together.

“They were all lucky a child was among them, otherwise I would have shown no mercy. Roland was indeed with his mother, Marion, hiding. He had his wife all along.” Regina closed her eyes and took a deep sigh. “At that point, a great power surged through me, and I opened a portal. I don’t know if it was to the Enchanted Forest, but I commanded them all to leave and walk away with their lives. They did, and it closed. They are never coming back.”

Henry’s eyes were wide at watching his mother’s pained expressions. This betrayal was beyond belief. But his mother spared their lives. His mother did the right thing. He was relieved.

Emma felt horrible for Regina. Regina did not need to be betrayed like this. She wanted to lash out on her behalf, but on whom? Regina took care of the situation. The only concern she had now was Regina’s emotional state. She had come so far bringing down her walls of mistrust; where would this put her now?

As Regina composed herself Alana began to squirm in her arms. Regina didn’t want her to cry. She got up and started to hand Alana to Henry, but then she looked at Emma and changed her mind. “Can you hold Alana? Let her lay across you as I go fix a bottle?”

Emma happily accepted her. Alana instantly relaxed as Emma laid her across her chest. She took a giant breath that shook her little body and made her hands ball into fists. When she sighed, she relaxed and fell back asleep. Emma looked at her delicate little features: a thick row of eyelashes, perfectly arched eyebrows, pink pouting lips, and a nearly full head of wavy black hair. Emma smiled–she looked a lot like Regina.

Regina came back from the kitchen with the bottle. She was about to pick up Alana, but Emma stopped her, “She went back to sleep.”

“Oh,” Regina said as she looked down at her. She then went to sit back down, holding onto the bottle. “I guess this will be ready for her when she wakes up.”

“Can I feed her when she wakes?” Henry asked.

Regina smiled at him, “Of course, dear. You have a little sister now.”

Henry smiled brightly, “I do. I love her.” He looked at Emma. “Ma, what happened? How did you save her?”

Emma looked over at Regina.

Regina said, “You never got a chance to tell us the whole story. Want to tell us now?”

“Are you sure it’s not too much?”

“It is, it was…” Regina paused, and looked down, thinking for a moment. “I spent so much time looking for the woman who helped me bring Alana into this world, pacifying me through her birth. That was you, wasn't it, Emma?”

Emma looked at her softly and nodded.

“You saw me at my most vulnerable, so I think we need to talk about this together with Henry because this is our story…our story of how we become a family.”

Emma raised her eyebrows. “We become a family? You mean, I can be a part of Alana’s life?” Emma’s heart started to race in joy. “Like, how much involvement are we talking here?”

“If you want to, you can be like her second mom? It’s only fair. I raised yours and you get to raise mine. Co-parents. We still have this one to raise, too,” Regina pointed her thumb at Henry.

Henry smiled, lifted his chin, and nodded. He looked between his mothers.

Emma caught his eye, then Regina's, and smiled so big, all the while trying to hold back tears. She looked at Alana and stroked the back of her head gently.

Emma decided to start her story by saying, “Once upon a time…”

Chapter Text

Emma recounted the story of their family as their children rested against her, Alana still pressed against her chest, thumb in her mouth, and Henry with his head rested on her shoulder, one hand playing with his baby sister's other hand. Regina was leaning on the back of the couch on her side, her head resting in her palm. This felt right, this moment felt like everything Emma had wanted. An adoring family, the warmth of home, and unconditional love. She never imagined finding it here, with the woman who she thought would be her enemy. Regina turned out to be her friend and so much more. She liked this part of her life and one day she will add this to the story. 

For now, she told them of her journey with Alana and how brave and strong the baby girl was. Regina and Henry seemed to be hanging onto every word as the story progressed. Emma was not much of a storyteller but she tried her best.

"And now we are all together where we will be forever," Emma said after the part where their family was reunited. "And they are living happily ever after…"

"I'm so happy you and Alana found your way back to me," Regina said into the silence.

Emma released a breath and shut her eyes, emotions crashing down on her. She was so glad to have told their beautiful story. It would make for a perfect fairytale. There was a slight tightening in her chest and she had to exhale to loosen it just a bit. 

A soft hand wrapped around hers. She opened her eyes and met Regina's warm gaze. Emma looked down to find the woman's hand wrapped around hers in a gentle grip. Emma squeezed her hand back then Regina offered her a little half-smile and Emma returned it. They sat there for a moment. Emma knew that Regina was feeling exactly what she was feeling then.

Alana fussing broke the moment between them as they both looked to check on her but they did not say much else. Although the moment was broken, it was not lost. The baby opened her mouth wide in a toothless yawn before putting her thumb back in her mouth. 

"Wow, you must be really sleepy, little girl," Regina whispered to the baby as she reached up and rubbed her head. "What a big yawn that was."

The baby just cooed in reply. In a way, she and Alana had a special bond. They've been through a lot together. She watched Regina with Alana, entranced by the way the woman looked at her daughter.

"Mom," Henry's voice snapped her out of her thoughts and she looked at him just in time to not get caught staring. 

"Yeah, Henry?" Emma asked.

"I really liked our story. I wish we could put it in our Storybook," Henry said thoughtfully. "It's my favorite."

"Well, of course, it is, Henry," Regina said then winked at their son.

The boy grinned at his mother's response. Emma smiled and shook her head.

Another question was interrupted by a yawn from the boy. 

"Oh, someone else is tired," Regina chuckled and the sound was so nice and refreshing. "Bedtime."

"Aw, mom!" Henry groaned. "I want to stay up and talk to you guys!"

Regina shushed him. "Tomorrow. Your sister is already sleeping."

Henry frowned and started to protest but Emma cut in. "Bedtime, I'll see you in the morning."

Henry sighed and his shoulders slumped. He was outnumbered. There was no way he was getting his way. He stood up and started shuffling out of the room but Regina stopped him. 

"Henry, wait. I have to put Alana to bed," She said shifting to get up and then she reached for the baby

Emma shook her head and stood up, placing a hand on the baby's bottom to secure her. "I'll bring her."

Regina nodded and started following their son out of the room. Emma came up the rear as they headed upstairs. 

Regina squeezed him and then kissed Henry on the forehead. The boy smiled up at her and then headed to Emma. He hugged her loosely since she was holding the baby. He kissed Alana on the cheek and then headed inside. He stopped for a second, looked over his shoulder then said, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," both women said. 

The boy smiled then stepped into his room then closed his room door a little but not all the way. She and Regina both knew that Henry was not going to leave his room to do anything. That was his last stop and then bed. The kid was exhausted and honestly so was she. She bet Regina was too. Emma planned to lie Alana down wherever Regina asked then head to bed. 

Regina gestured for her to follow her so Emma did. It slowly began to register that she was going into Regina's bedroom. She has never been there and she never thought she would be welcome there. This was a private room and an intimate part of Regina's life.

Regina walked into the room. Emma hesitated a moment but after Regina threw her a look over her shoulder, she was drawn inside. Butterflies filled her stomach. She suddenly felt both nervous and awkward in this woman's presence. This is Regina. Her friend that she co-parents with. Maybe being in her room in the dark made her feel like something else. 

Regina walked over to her bedside table and flicked the light on. The other side of the bed remained dark. She then sat on the end of the bed and opened her arms. "You can bring her here."

"You want her in the bed?" Emma asked.

Regina nodded. "Mhm. Yes, please. Do you mind?"

Emma shook her head and headed to the end of the bed. She laid the baby down beside her mother. The little girl didn't even stir. 

"She's a good sleeper," Emma commented. 

"Oh yes," Regina said gently. "Yes, she sleeps through anything now. Soon throughout the night."

"Impressive," Emma nodded.

Regina shrugged lightly, lying down next to her sleeping daughter. "Indeed."

"I'll keep an eye out tonight," Emma said, there was still a danger lurking beyond their safe little house. 

"I put up a spell. It will inform me if anyone is near. I think we are safe tonight." Regina said.

"Yeah." Emma nodded her head and started to leave. Regina turned her light off, leaving the room dark except for the hallway light. "Goodnight."

"Emma…" Regina whispered in the darkness. 

"Yeah," Emma said, stopping dead in her tracks and spinning round to face the bed. 

"Alana and I could really use the company." She said slowly as if unsure. Emma's heart stalled in her chest awaiting confirmation on what she thought the woman was saying. "Lie down with us."

Emma did not have to be told twice. She was going to get to cuddle with Regina and Alana. Her heart was aflutter as she climbed into the bed with them on the other side of Alana and rested her head on the pillow. She looked at the baby and then at the woman who she knew was facing her but she couldn't make her out in the darkness. The fact she couldn't see Regina will make this easier. 

The still, cool, dark room was comforting. Having Regina and Alana nearby gave her some peace of mind. She knew Regina didn't want to sleep alone for that very reason. 

"Thank you for staying," Regina whispered in the quiet room. "I could use the extra muscle and company."

Emma understood that but she simply said, "Anytime, Regina."

Regina was quiet for a moment and Emma wondered if she had fallen asleep but then she said, "We have so much to do. We have to work on Alana's nursery and get everything prepared for her, you know she can't sleep in my bed forever"

Emma grinned then said, "We will worry about all that tomorrow. You are both safe here with me."

"And you are safe with me," Regina said almost instantly. "I always take care of my family." 

Emma knew that but her heart still skipped a beat at the quiet confession. She will never get tired of hearing that. "Thanks. "

"Mmm," Regina hummed softly. 

"You should get some sleep and so should I. We have a baby."

Regina chuckled. "She will be up in a few hours."

"Exactly. That's why you should get some sleep." 

"You're right." Regina agreed.

Emma smiled a little. "Goodnight, Regina." 

The woman fell silent and Emma thought she was sleeping but she heard her kiss the baby. She then said, "Goodnight, Emma."

Emma leaned forward and kissed Alana on her chubby cheek then laid down. She refused to go to sleep until she was sure Regina did. A few minutes passed before she could hear her soft breathing. This gave Emma the go-ahead to drift off too. Leaving this night behind.

Chapter Text

Sleep had gotten a tight hold on Emma that night. The excitement of the day before had drained all her energy. Vaguely she had registered Alana had woken up, but Regina’s soothing voice had put Emma right back to sleep. It had been a dreamless sleep and when Emma woke up her entire body felt heavy; it took Emma a tremendous amount of effort to turn her head. It was already past 10 a.m. The bed was empty next to her, so Emma assumed Regina and Alana were downstairs. If she listened closely, she could hear the murmurs of voices.

To Emma, it was still strange to think of the baby girl as Alana. Yeah, she only spent three days with the little one, but the name Desiree resonated with her. Maybe she could bring it up to Regina? See if they could find a way to include the name? But first, Emma had a different challenge to face, getting out of bed. She took a deep breath as she focussed, but she soon realized her body felt the same right after she’d blown through her magic. The tingling in her fingers she had felt yesterday had completely gone and she could barely move her arms. It took her all the amount of willpower she could summon to sit upright. She was swaying lightly and sweat was beading on her forehead. If she was being honest with herself, she wasn’t feeling very well. A shiver ran down her spine and she took a shaking breath. She wasn’t sure she would be able to stand, let alone call for help. She felt weak on the brink of collapsing, she needed to get food and water in her system. After sitting on the edge of the bed for five minutes, Emma pushed herself up and dragged herself out of the bedroom. She managed to get herself to the stairs and sighed. There was no way her legs would be able to carry her down safely. After debating, she plopped down on the ground and scooted her butt to the top of the stairs. Carefully, she lowered herself down on the step. The hardest part was to move her legs down, but she managed. Of course, she couldn’t do this quietly, so when she was halfway down the stairs, Regina walked into the hallway.

“Miss–Emma, what are you doing?” Regina’s voice turned to concern as soon as she spotted Emma sitting there.

With two or three steps, Regina stood before her, eyes shimmering with worry.

“I- I-,” Emma stammered helplessly, every last bit of energy she had spilled out of her.

Regina shook her head and gently lifted Emma. Emma rested her head against Regina’s chest, hearing the soothing “ka-boom, ka-ka-boom” of Regina’s heart (Regina had decided somewhere down the line her heart did belong in her chest).

“You are burning up,” Regina chastised as she placed Emma on the couch. “Why didn’t you call for me?” she asked as she draped a blanket over Emma.

Emma hadn’t noticed she’d started shivering until she felt the warmth of the blanket and Regina’s hands on her cheeks. Regina had knelt in front of the couch next to Emma’s head.

“I–,” Emma tried again and took a deep breath. “I couldn’t,” she whispered.

Regina nodded quietly, assessing Emma’s state. “I think you over-exerted yourself,” Regina mumbled. “You’re experiencing a relapse, dear.”

Emma’s heart skipped a beat at hearing Regina calling her ‘dear’. It was not something Regina ever called her and a little spark of hope ignited in Emma’s chest.

“Will I be okay?” Emma asked, shivering.

Regina’s mouth twitched slightly. “I think so,” she finally said. “But you need plenty of rest. I will make you some soup, okay?”

“I’d prefer a bear claw,” Emma tried to joke.

The corner of Regina’s lips lifted into a small smile. “You are miles away from that, Miss Swan,” Regina said as she stood up.

“Alana?” Emma asked.

“She’s in her playpen, she’s perfect,” Regina said, her voice turning soft as melted butter.

Emma nodded satisfied and closed her eyes.

God, she was exhausted.

~~~

Regina rubbed her forehead. Emma was suffering from the worst case of magic burnout she’d ever seen. She was tempted to ask Gold for help, but she already knew his answer; Emma needed rest and a chance for her body to recover. Regina had a hard time to admit it, but it pained her to see Emma like this. The Emma she knew was full of life, the epitome of strength, with her rosy cheeks and cheeky smile, not this shell of a woman. Regina shook her head. Since when did she picture Emma like this? She supposed ever since Emma had brought home Alana. The way Emma had kept asking about Alana’s wellbeing had warmed Regina’s stone-cold heart, and slowly, but surely Emma had wormed her way inside her chest.

Shaking her head, Regina set about to make the soup she promised the blonde. It would be easier and faster if she’d just magicked the soup, but she decided Emma deserved a decent homemade soup. Before she started making it, she peeked in at Alana who lay cooing at the hanging mobile above the playpen. Regina dared to peek over the backrest of the couch and saw Emma was sleeping deeply with little snores escaping her mouth. A smile played around Regina’s mouth as she walked back to the kitchen.

Henry was at school and Regina was glad for that. He didn’t need to see his other mother like this; she was sure Emma didn’t want that. Emma always had this bravoure over her whenever she enacted with Henry as she needed desperately to make up for lost time. Regina figured that that probably was the case. Emma hadn’t been so lucky to have someone who would time jump for her.

While cutting up the vegetables, Regina realized she hadn’t thanked Emma properly for risking her life to save Alana.

Alana.

The little girl had been one of the main reasons she’d fought with Robin. She noticed how he pretended to be smitten with Alana when there were other people around, but behind closed doors, he never touched her. He had blatantly told Regina to give her back to Emma, this child from the past. He didn’t care Alana was the last shred of her actual soulmate, he’d rather see her dead. Regina shook her head, how could she have been so blind to his betrayal? How could she have not recognized the posture of the Huntsman as one of his men? They’d been over plenty of times for soccer games on tv, she’d served them food and beers.

As she was stirring the soup, she heard soft footsteps behind her. Whirling around, she found Emma leaning against the kitchen counter.

“Emma!”

“Hi,” Emma smiled weakly and sat down on the stool placed under the bar.

Regina walked over, stopping Emma’s hand from picking at the plastic splints. “How are you feeling?” she asked softly.

“Weak, but a bit better,” Emma replied, her voice barely more than a whisper.

“Then why didn’t you stay on the couch?” Regina scolded as she walked back to get Emma a bowl of warm soup.

“Because,” Emma’s voice faltered and she took a shuddering breath. “I missed you.”

That made Regina stop for a second. Could Emma mean she missed Regina or was just lonely? Regina closed her eyes for a second, it was probably just the latter.

“You could have called,” Regina said as she filled the bowl with soup.

“You seemed busy,” Emma replied, her voice growing stronger by the minute.

Regina returned with the bowl of soup and set it down in front of Emma. Emma picked up the spoon and stirred through the soup.

“This looks good,” she said, lifting her eyes to Regina.

Regina swallowed thickly as Emma’s eyes looked into hers with an intensity Regina had rarely seen in her.

“I hope it is,” Regina whispered.

Emma shoved the bowl a bit away from her, steam was blowing upwards. Regina watched Emma playing with a fringe on her splint as if she was nervous.

“Emma?” Regina asked softly.

Slowly, Emma looked up and took a deep breath. “I–,” Emma started, her voice faltering and her eyes darted everywhere but on Regina. “There is something I would like to talk about,” she finally said.

“Okay, what is it?” Regina asked curiously, sitting down on a stool as well.

Emma’s eyebrow twitched as she finally made eye contact with Regina. Once again Regina’s breath hitched at the intense green eyes staring at her.

“Promise me you won’t fly off the handle and burn down the town?” Emma asked seriously.

Regina chuckled. “I think we all used enough magic to last a month at least.”

Emma smirked and that seemed to help to lift the tension a bit. “Okay. It’s about Alana,” she said.

Regina felt herself stiffen at the mention of her daughter. A hundred thoughts went through her head, but she forced herself to listen to Emma first. In the worst case, she could poof herself and Alana away in a matter of seconds.

“Okay.”

It seemed like Emma didn’t notice the storm brewing inside Regina, as she continued her story. “While I traveled with Alana to Rumple’s castle, I…” her voice hitched again, uncertain on how to go on. Regina squeezed her hand softly in encouragement. “I gave her a name. I didn’t know you already did that and of course, I should have known, but I kind of got attached to the name I gave her,” Emma rambled as if scared she wouldn’t dare to speak if she talked slower.

Regina let out a breath of relief, none of the horror scenarios her brain had come up with had been what Emma wanted.

“What did you call her?” Regina asked with a smile.

“Desiree,” Emma replied. “It means ‘desired.’”

Regina closed her eyes; how true that name rang. “It’s beautiful,” she said, looking up at Emma.

A smile broke on Emma’s face and her shoulders relaxed as if a weight had been lifted off of her. “Really?”

Regina nodded and glanced at Alana in her playpen. “We could use Desiree as her second name?” she suggested.

Emma nodded. “That was what I wanted to suggest,” she said.

Regina smiled. “Then that is what we are going to do,” she replied. “And, Emma?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing my little girl home,” Regina said, she felt tears well up.

Emma showed her trademark smirk as she grabbed Regina’s hand. “It was my pleasure. A family should be together after all.”

Regina took a deep, shuddering breath and pulled the bowl of soup back to Emma. “Eat, you need your strength.”

Emma nodded and started ladling up the soup, a blissful look fell over her face. Regina watched her eat and for the first time in forever, her heart felt truly filled.

Chapter Text

It had been almost one week since Regina sent Robin and his Merry Men to who-knows-where. At this point, Emma was expecting to feel a little better, but she could almosts say she was getting even worse.

Emma spent the last two days in bed. Her body was exhausted and she lost her appetite, which was concerning since, well, it’s Emma. Regina has been trying to make her eat, but with not much success.

“Do you think she’s getting better?” Snow asked Regina, whispering so she wouldn’t disturb Emma’s sleep.

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen something like this before,” Regina said sincerely. “At this point, her fever should be gone. She’s losing weight and I’m afraid we might have to take her to the hospital.” She sighed.

“Did you talk about this with her?”

“Yes, and she refused, of course. But we’re getting to a point where we will have to make a decision against her will if we want her to get better,” Regina said.

“She’s stubborn,” Snow sighed. “Regina, I want to thank you for taking care of her. It’s been difficult for me because I wish I was her caregiver. And I know it’s been difficult for her as well, she doesn’t like to bother other people with her problems — no matter how much we try to show her she’s not a problem.” Snow's eyes were watering. She tried not to take all this personally, believing her daughter didn’t want her around, but some days it was more difficult than others.

“Honestly, I know how you’re feeling. I would want to die if Henry were sick and choose anyone else to take care of him other than me.” Regina shrugged. “She’s been through so much, and if we’re being honest, we are taking care of her together.” Snow gave a little smile. Regina was right.

“I hope she gets better soon. It breaks my heart to see her like that,” she sighed.

“It breaks mine too,” Regina said without hesitation, almost regretting the second the words left her mouth. “I mean–”

“I understand, Regina.” Snow tried to comfort her. “I’m not that dumb, you know. It’s obvious to everyone that something is happening between you both. You should have seen how everyone got confused when Robin arrived in town and all of that ‘soulmate’ stuff… I’m glad he's gone and I hope it won’t take the two of you long to realize that your true love was right in front of your eyes all of these years.”

Regina was startled. She couldn’t formulate an answer and Snow noticed that.

“You don’t have to answer me. You need to answer your own questions only.” She smiled, caressing Regina’s arms. “I've got to go; David’s going to work now and I’m taking care of Neal. Let me know if she’s getting better or if you decide to take her back to the hospital, ok?”

“Of course,” Regina said and in a second, Snow was gone, leaving her with a lot of questions.

She looked at Emma lying in bed so fragile. Her blond hair was sweaty, hopefully a sign that her fever was breaking. Emma was pale, with big black circles around her eyes. Regina wished she could instantly make the Savior better, but no matter how hard she tried, it seemed like it's enough. She’d been exhausting herself in healing Emma, but she made no improvement and had only gotten worse.

“Regina…” Emma whispered.

“How are you feeling, dear?” Regina sat in the bed, her hand caressing Emma’s front.

“Like shit,” Emma gave a little smile and started to cough. 

“Emma, you need to go to the hospital,” Regina said.

“No, I’m getting better.” And she coughed again, but this time, it didn’t stop until blood came straight to her mouth. 

Regina was alarmed. “We’re going to the hospital now!” Regina got up from the bed. 

She went to get Alana, who was sleeping peacefully, and Regina felt like a monster for disturbing her sleep.

“It’s okay, princess. Momma’s here.” She rocked her and then put Alana in the baby’s car chair. “I thought about just using magic to get us there, but I don’t think it would be good for you or Alana. So we’re going old-fashioned.”

“Oh, no. You’re driving…” Emma said playfully. She always liked to say that Regina was a bad driver — which wasn’t true, she just liked to piss Regina off.

“Lucky you, don’t you think?” Regina rolled her eyes. “Now, let me change your clothes.” It had been days since. Every time Regina helped Emma change, she felt like she was seeing more than her injured body. Regina never said anything; she removed her clothes carefully and cleansed Emma’s body like a precious piece of art. 

And Emma was finding it hard to control her feelings for Regina whenever she touched her like she did. She reasoned that it was nothing more than maternal instinct on Regina’s part; she knew how to take care of an ill person with finesse. But deep down in her soul she would lose that rational fight and begin to believe, hope, that the way Regina took care of her was unique, or maybe even special. 

“There, you are ready,” Regina said. 

Emma was wearing a Metallica sweater, which she thought belonged to Regina, and a pair of her cotton pants. “You’re really a Metallica fan?” 

“Yes. I know you are too, it’s why I am letting you wear it.” 

“Of course; I have very good music taste,” Emma said and laughed, but she started to cough, and it was too much. She felt drained. “Regina, I don’t think I can get to the car.”

“Rest a moment. I’m going to put Alana in the car, then we will move together, okay?” 

Emma nodded and Regina left the bedroom. She was starting to get scared. Emma was never scared of dying — she could even say that it was almost a hope for a long time of her life. But right now with Regina, Henry and Alana Desiree, it started to feel a bit unfair. 

All she ever wanted was a family, even though she convinced herself a long ago that it wasn’t for her. And now she has her parents — even when she still has a few traumas to take care of — and her little family with Regina. It just doesn’t feel right that she’s going to die now.

She knew something was very wrong; she could feel it in her bones. It felt like her life was leaving her with every breath she took. Regina’s healing (I don’t think we ever said she was taking medicine, just rest) wasn’t working and no matter how much she rested, she felt like she was slowly dying. She didn’t tell Regina because she didn’t want to worry her, and in turn, worry about her. 

Regina came back and helped Emma to stand up. She walked slowly, letting Emma do it on her time. Regina didn’t say anything, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. Emma really appreciated it because it would have been hard for her to walk and walk at the same time. They made it into the car.

Regina drove carefully, her eyes oscillating between Emma, Alana, and the road, but they arrived quickly at the hospital. Emma was feeling nauseous and with every step forward she took, she felt like it was going to be her last, but they made it to the lobby.

“I need to–” but before Regina could even complete her phrase, Emma collapsed, diving right into deep and black unconsciousness. 

Everything happened faster than Regina could process. Nurses appeared from nowhere and had Emma in a gurney before Regina could respond, rolling her swiftly through the emergency door.

Regina was left there with a crying baby and a heart beating so fast she thought it might explode. After almost thirty minutes Alana was sleeping again, then Regina texted Snow. She didn’t have news yet and every second she was getting more and more anxious.

After one hour, Henry and his grandparents arrived. Regina told them what happened and they all fell into their silence, with different thoughts but the same fear. After what seemed forever, a nurse approached them.

“Regina Mills, you are Emma Swan’s primary caregiver, right?” She asked, looking at the file in her hands.

“Yes. Is she okay?” Regina asked. 

“I’d like to talk to you in private. Can we?” The nurse asked, her big brown eyes looking at Regina.

“Sure.” And the woman guided Regina to where Emma was lying unconscious, the only sound in the room was the beep-beep of the machine, assuring Emma was still alive.

“Miss Mills, do you remember when your son Henry was in a coma after that curse?” She asked and Regina felt sick at the memory.

“Yes.”

“We checked on Miss Swan and she’s recovering well from her past injuries. Her tendons are much better, so that this isn’t the cause of her collapse. Is there a possibility that she could have been cursed?” The nurse, Sarah, as the badge on her coat said, looked at Regina. “It would probably be impossible in the world without magic but we can’t exclude any possibility here. Her vital signs are stable, but her brain activity is not responding as expected. Not as someone healthy, but also not as someone who is dying or even already dead.”

“What does it have to do with Henry’s case?” Regina asked, her mind running faster.

“We checked his files and he was in a situation very similar to hers. The only difference was that he wasn’t hurt, just deeply sleeping.” She said, looking again at the files in her hand. 

Regina looked at Emma. “I don’t know if she was somehow cursed, but she’s been abusing magic. Could it be the cause?” Regina asked. 

“We don’t know for sure. Magic is something very unpredictable, but the doctor isn’t excluding anything. He has recommended that Emma’s true love be brought to her. Does she have a boyfriend?” Sarah asked and Regina felt a punch in her stomach.

“No, she doesn’t.” 

“Well, perhaps we can try with her family members–mother, father, and son – see what happens and hope for the best.” She smiled hopefully. “Can we prepare everyone?”

“Yes,” Regina said and left the room to talk to everyone. She explained the recommended solutions, and as expected, everyone was ready to give it a try.

Sarah guided them back to Emma’s room and one by one, starting with Henry.

He kissed Emma’s forehead. They waited for a little but no rainbow light, not even a sign that it worked. Then Snow tried, then David. They each  stood there in silence, waiting for some miracle to happen. Nothing.

Only the beep-beep was present in the room. 

“Won’t you like to try?” Sarah broke the silence, making Regina turn her head to stare at her. 

“Excuse me?” She asked, confused.

“She’s right, Mom. You should try.” Henry said, a little hope present in his voice.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Regina whispered. 

“Just give it a try.” Snow said. 

“Please,” David begged.

Regina walked next to Emma. Her face was serene and her chest was moving slowly with her breath. Regina brushed a strand of blond hair from Emma’s face and gave her a gentle caress. When she looked at Emma, she could feel how her heart wasbeating absurdly. She slowly lowered herself.

"I hope this works." She closed her eyes and placed a chaste kiss on the corner of Emma's lips.

Chapter Text

Regina had always heard that the breaking of a curse was a feeling most sublime. At one point or another, she had tried to imagine how that would feel. Admittedly she hadn’t put much thought into it. After Daniel she never had a reason to; never thought she would know what it felt like to break a curse. And so to speculate would have only left longing.

And maybe that was for the best. It left no room for disappointment and made it all the better when that burst of prismatic rainbow light threw itself across the room. So what does the breaking of a curse feel like? Regina imagines that it is different for everyone. For her, it was the light of the sun at high noon on her skin after a late springtime shower. It was the feeling of staring at dewdrops and beads of rain on each blade of grass; the sensation of the cool droplets kissing her bare feet. It was a sensation like a bumblebee's fuzz and flower petals. A cyclone of butterflies and the flare of the sun’s final breath as it sunk beneath the horizon.

Perhaps for Emma, it felt like something else entirely–maybe a summer night or the very breath of winter or an explosion of warm cider and cinnamon by an autumn bonfire. Maybe it had nothing at all to do with seasons. Maybe she felt the breaking of the curse through song or color.

Whatever the sensation, Regina hoped that it was pleasant. It ought to have been. The breaking of a cure is a breaking of torment, an end of suffering. Her fingers lightly touch Emma’s cheek and they lingerie there for quite some time.

Just enough time for it to settle in; she had broken the curse. Not Henry, not Snow, not Mary. Her. Regina Mills. The Evil Queen…

She staggered back.

“Regina, are you alright?” Emma asks breathily.

Regina could laugh. She should be inquiring that of Emma, not the other way around. “I–I’m fine.” She managed. Fine but…somehow terrified. Terrified and relieved and surprised and…happy? "Are you?"

"Yeah, I think so," Emma murmured, rubbing the back of her head. “What happened?”

“A curse, that’s what the doctors are saying,” Regina replied. “I suppose it finally reached its peak.” She frowned. “And then you just…” She vaguely waved her arm to indicate the abruptness.

“If only all of our problems could just…” Emma imitated the gesture. It might have been childishly peeving if it weren’t such a relief to see the woman moving her limbs with ease again.

“Emma…” another vague gesture. “You can move again.”

Emma chuckled. “So I can. How about that?”

Regina scooped Emma into her arms. It finally settled in, struck her like a bolt straight to the chest; she cared about Emma, more than she could ever imagine. She cared about her so much. She…loved her. Oh, God, she loved her.

She found herself clenching her teeth. She wished that she weren’t so thoroughly terrified of love. But how could she not be, having lost Daniel to her mother and Robin to his hatred and evils?

Even so, she squeezed Emma tightly to her. Squeezed the woman who she hadn’t realized she cared this much about until she had felt that burst of pure energy, that sugary release of darkness.

She could cry.
She thinks that she did.
Her cheeks were certainly wet.

“Regina, you did it,” Mary remarked at last.

Regina gave a small jolt, in her moment of bliss and confusion she had forgotten about the several others gathered around the hospital bed.

“Thank you for saving our daughter.” David rested a hand on her shoulder.

Regina managed a faint smile and peered over at Alana. “She saved my daughter first.” She saved her daughter, her soul, and probably much more. Regina stroked at her blonde locks. The poor woman looked so thoroughly exhausted. “Are you sure that you’re alright?”

“A little dizzy and tired, that’s all.” She gave a weak thumbs up. “Trust me, that’s an improvement from before.”

The bar was low there.

Regina helped her lay back. “I think that it’s safe to say that you’ll still need some rest.”

“She’ll need some rest,” Sarah agreed.

Emma interlaced her fingers with Regina’s. “Stay with me?” She requested.

Regina gave a soft, almost sad laugh. “Of course, I’ll stay with you.” She hadn’t, until then, considered that Emma might be just as broken and fearful of love as she. She crawled onto the bed and made herself as cozy as she possibly could without disturbing Emma’s comfort. Somehow, she got this feeling that Emma wouldn’t mind no matter how she positioned herself so long as she was there.

And Regina’s heart fluttered. To think that someone could love her that much. She tossed a glance over her shoulder to see Mary leaning into David. They are smiling. They are smiling for her, for Emma. And Henry, holding Alana close, was smiling too. They are happy for her. They are happy for Emma. And for a moment she could pretend as though this was how it always had been–that she had always been the sort of person worth loving. That there was no Evil Queen; just Regina, a sad, lonely girl who had lost so much.

She found it hard to fathom why Emma would go to such great lengths for her, why she would suffer all of this for the woman who had taken her from her family and made her life so miserable for so long.

With a weak and shaky arm, Emma rubbed the tears from her eyes. “Those better are happy tears, Regina! You’re a hero now.” The way that she said it made it sound like she always had been or, at the very least, like there was never any doubt that she could be.

“They’re tears of a lot of things,” Regina admitted.

“Breaking your first curse can be overwhelming,” David nodded.

“Try not to overthink about it,” Mary added.

But there was so much to think about, so much to consider. The implications of her kiss having worked. God, she hadn’t even considered that she could be in love with Emma. And yet…

“Feel free to stay overnight, Madame Mayor,” Sarah spoke. “We have some extra pillows and blankets.”

“What about Alana?”

“We’ll watch her,” Mary promised.

Regina hesitated to look from Emma to Alana and then back to Emma. She supposed that leaving Alana alone with the two idiots for one night couldn’t be too harmful. And she supposed that the Metallica t-shirt would be cozy enough to sleep in. “Okay.” And what choice did she have? She is Emma’s primary caregiver.

She is Emma’s…true love.

.oOo.

Emma exhaled. She had awoken sometime in the night. She couldn’t be sure of when because the hospital was woefully lacking in the clock department; likely they didn’t want their patients stressing over how much sleep they weren’t getting.

But Regina, still cuddled close, was sleeping quite soundly, occasionally murmuring something or another in her sleep. She found herself combing her fingers through Regina’s silky, well-groomed, albeit slightly disheveled locks.

She still couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe that the woman she has been pining over for so long had given her that saving true love’s kiss. A thing that felt like nuzzling her cheek against her favorite wool blanket. That felt like old and forgotten lullabies humming kindly in her ear.

She still couldn’t believe that she truly did have a chance to have a family. Not just a family, but the family she had been dreaming of for so very long.

Regina gave another sleepy little hum and nuzzled her forehead into the crook of Emma’s neck. As best as she could with the wires and IVs coiling around her arms, she rolled over and hugged Regina. Hugged her own personal saviour. She pressed a gentle kiss to the woman’s forehead and the woman gave another sleepy, contented sigh. Emma felt her grip tighten momentarily and then loosen again.

Emma smiled to herself, hoping that this was a preview of how she would wake up every morning. Did she dare to hope? Surely she had to hope. She thought that she had gotten enough proof that things could work out to cling to a little hope.

Chapter Text

Emma slept peacefully throughout the night, but most importantly her love was by her side. When she awoke there were birds chirping at her window, and when she turned her head she expected to see a certain brunette. She saw nothing, a slight panic filled her.

A voice rang from the doorway as Regina entered the room.
“Good morning, pretty princess, did you enjoy your slumber?”

“I did, your Majesty,” Emma smiled teasingly at her, her panic from a moment ago fleeing away.

Regina crept closer to the bed like a cat on a prowl. When she got on the bed she pulled Emma into her for a very rapid, deep, and desperate kiss. Soon, someone moaned causing the duo to go deeper and deeper into their passionate kiss. As Emma was about to reach for Regina's shirt to pull it off, Regina stopped her.

“Not now, dear,” Regina sighed as Emma pouted at her, “I do have to return to work, my love. But you know, the sooner I can go, the sooner I can return.”

“I know your tricks, babe,” Emma chuckled as Regina gave her one last hug and kiss.

“Take care of yourself, Swan.” Regina smiled and she left.

Emma sighed as she watched her walk away, then got up to get ready for the day.

ooOOoo

Emma entered Granny’s Diner with the bell alerting those inside to her entrance.

“Hey, Emma, it's been a while! What can I get for you?” Ruby asked.

“I’ll take my usual bear claw, hot chocolate with cinnamon, and a bagel with cream cheese and jelly.” Emma called out her order to Ruby as she made her way to sit at the counter.

Ruby nodded and walked away to get her order ready. When she returned, she propped herself against the counter after placing Emma’s order in front of her. “So, Emma, I heard you’ve been out on an adventure. So spill.”

“Oh yeah, that’s a long thing,” Emma replied, then she explained the whole story to Ruby of how she had ended up in the past, found Alana, and brought her back.

“Oh Emma! What a story!” Ruby exclaimed. Granny noticed she was ignoring other customers, so she called to Ruby to get to work. She sheepishly looked at her from across the diner then waved goodbye to Emma.

Emma finished her breakfast then made her way to Gold’s Pawn Shop. As she entered, it appeared to be completely deserted. Alas, she didn't have to wait too long before Gold came out from the back.

“Well, Savior, what brings you by?” Gold asked Emma.

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why did I almost die?” Emma asked.

“Well, dear, as unfortunately as it may seem, I am not God.”

“No, but was this the price or something?” Emma pestered on.

“You interfered with the timeline by saving the life of a baby and bringing it into the future where she doesn’t belong.”

“I see...” Emma muttered as Gold went on.

“As it goes: a life for a life. You saved a life, and the consequence? You almost died.”

“Then shouldn’t I be dead?” Emma asked in confusion.

“You didn’t because your true love kissed you.”

“But, like, what would have happened if that didn’t work?” Emma inquired.

“I don’t know, Swan.” Gold said as he turned away from Emma and headed back to the storage room.

Emma left not feeling satisfied nor dissatisfied with that response. Thoughts were crowding her mind. Was it fate that pulled her back to that timeline in that forest just to find and rescue Regina’s baby? Did fate want her dead? But she was still alive.

“Emma, hi!”

A voice pulled her out of her thoughts. Looking up, she saw Snow with a pram which could only hold Alana in it.

“Oh, hey Mom, Alana, what are you guys doing out here?”

“Alana was a bit fussy so I decided to bring her out for a little walk. She seems to be enjoying it,” Snow responded cheerfully as she and Emma gazed at the sleeping baby. Snow looked back up, “Why don't you join us? You seem like you have a lot on your mind?”

“It feels strange, you know,” Emma commented.

“Explain further?” Snow asked.

“I went to talk to Gold, to ask him why I almost died. He said it was the price that I had to pay for bringing back Alana. I was actually supposed to die,” Emma shuddered. “Now I can’t help thinking about ‘what if?’”

“But you didn’t die, because of the kiss,” Snow said earnestly. “Though I can understand what you mean. After the Curse, I remember taking turns being awake, and you know, I had a lot of those same thoughts, like what if this time I don’t come back. But Emma, you know what? It all worked out in the end. You brought Regina’s child back. And because of that kiss, you’re now in a relationship with her.”

Emma smiled, “I know, but if fate led me to Alana, wasn’t I supposed to die? Pay the price? What happens now?”

“After everything you’ve been through, it’s natural to have these questions. Try to look at it this way, Emma: fate just led you to your true love. You and Regina are so stubborn, it took you almost dying to figure things out!” Snow chuckled.

Emma wanted to, but she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, nodding her head in agreement. She took Snow’s hand. “Mom, I didn’t know that you were a philosopher. That makes complete sense.”

“Well, I’ve been hanging out with the best—Belle and Henry. They are both so amazing with the way they look at the world.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

“Of course,” Snow smiled.

“Can you take Alana and Henry for a bit longer? I think I need to talk with Regina about some stuff.”

“Of course. I always love to have both of my favorite grandchildren with me.”

“They are your only grandchildren,” Emma laughed.

“Oh, I know. Now shoo,” Snow waved Emma off, leaving Snow to continue her walk with Alana.

On Emma’s way home, she happened to see Regina and Archie in the park also, on a bench.

“Miss Swan, how are you?” Archie asked, fixing his glasses.

“I’m good, I've been trying to process everything you know.” Emma muttered.

“Like what?” Regina asked, looking at her lovingly.

“I suppose I should take my leave,” Archie responded as he got up to leave.

“Stay?” Emm asked Archie then quickly turned to Regina. “Are you ok if he stays?”

“Of course, Emma,” Regina agreed as Archie sat back down. Regina poofed another small bench for Emma to have a seat in.

“So, Emma, what has been on your mind?” Archie asked.

“Yeah,” Emma started, then began to explain what she had discussed with Snow earlier and what she had found out from Gold.

“I see,” Regina responded first. “Your feelings and questions I have asked myself too, all the ‘what if’s’ and all that.”

Archie nodded, then said, “Now, Emma, rest assured it is perfectly normal to ask those questions. Thank you, Regina, for sharing that you also have similar thoughts. I think many of us do, including myself. Those feelings can be tough and that’s valid. However, I must point out that your reality did not work out that way. What you have now is your life, a new love, and a new child to raise together. Fate clearly had other things in store for you.”

Archie was right. Her reality was amazing. She started to tear up as she looked at Regina who was looking at her with that still loving look. Emma began to process her feelings differently. She stood up. “Thank you, Archie,” Emma said as she went to shake his hand.

Archie stood up, taking her hand, “Of course Emma. Madam Mayor. If you two ever need to talk or need anything, my door is always open.” Archie nodded his head to the both of them as he left.

Emma gave Regina her hand. Regina took it and the two ladies held hands as they walked. “Let’s go pick up our kids from their grandparents’.”

“I like the sound of that,” Regina said, giving Emma a bright smile.

Chapter Text

“You’ll stay for dinner?” Snow asked. She’d placed Alana over a narrow, towel-covered shoulder, patting the little girl’s back.

Regina glanced across the room at Emma. The other woman was deep in conversation with David and Henry. Her arms waved wildly as she made some point that drew a giggle from Henry. “Yes, I suppose we shall.” It wasn’t the way Regina had hoped to spend the evening.

She’d go back to Hell before admitting just what she had hoped for to her foster daughter-cum-possible mother-in-law.

Snow laughed. “I recognize that look. The early days of True Love. The emotions. The need to be…close.” She laughed harder when Regina’s head whipped around. “Oh, put that away. No one here is afraid of you anymore.” She removed Alana from her shoulder, making ridiculous faces and spewing baby talk before offering her to Regina. “I’ve got frozen lasagna. Let me get dinner started.”

Frozen. No wonder Emma thought microwaveable meals were actual food. Regina clutched Alana protectively. “Why don’t I take care of dinner, dear?” Anything to avoid the plebeian, culinary wonder of Stouffer’s. Even Granny’s would be a better choice. Regina swayed into a waltz that took her and Alana into the apartment’s tiny kitchen.

It was immediately clear where Emma got her lack of cooking skills. The cabinets and refrigerator were alarmingly bereft of anything resembling healthy food. Regina discounted the two bruised apples and the brown, wilted head of lettuce in one crisper drawer. At least the loaf of bread on the counter was mold-free.

She pawed through the pantry. “It’s a wonder your mama hasn’t developed scurvy,” she murmured to Alana, “or perished from malnutrition.”

A wet burble sounded in response.

“Yes, we love her anyway.” Regina was about to admit defeat when she discovered a lone, battered box of pasta buried deep in the pantry. “But we don’t have to forgive her quickly for making us eat boxed spaghetti with…” It was physically painful to pick up the large jar of prepared spaghetti sauce. “...Ragú.”

Turning back to the island counter, she set her questionable treasures down. “Henry, would you please take your sister?”

“Sure, Mom.” He appeared at Regina’s elbow. “I’ll take good care of her, I promise.” Then, in complete disregard of that vow, he told his sister, “Come on, Alana. Grandpa got me a new game. I’ll show you how to shoot the bad guys before they blow you up.”

Regina watched her children for a long minute. Henry settled on the floor in front of the Charming’s battered couch with Alana nestled in his lap. David sat behind him, and Snow curled up at David’s side.

Only one member of their family was missing. “He’s going to be the perfect big brother.” Emma smirked at Regina’s start of surprise. “It’s a good thing we’ve vanquished the Huntsmen, Your Majesty. They could have broken into the apartment, and you might not have noticed.”

A frisson of anxiety sent goosebumps up Regina’s spine.

Emma’s smirk wavered. “Shit. I’m sorry. It’s definitely too soon to joke about that.” Her wide eyes pleaded with Regina to overlook her thoughtless comment. “I promise. The kids are perfectly safe here.”

Heart still pounding, Regina forced her attention to opening the box of pasta. “Perhaps you could put the water on to boil?”

“I could if you wanted to call for takeout at Granny’s.” Emma’s shrug was equal parts chagrin and wry amusement. “Where do you think Snow got her talent for nuking frozen dinners and making boxed mac and cheese?”

Rolling her eyes, Regina grabbed a large pot. “Even if you were both Cordon Bleu-trained chefs, this is not a proper kitchen,” she grumbled. There was no pot filler over or near the stove. “Here.” She thrust the pot at Emma. “Use those muscles for more than flexing and fill that with water.”

Of course, Emma didn’t follow her command. Eyes twinkling, she set the pot onto the counter, took a wide-legged stance, and...

Regina's mouth grew as dry as the desert when Emma raised her arms in a classic body-builder pose. "Is this what you meant, my Queen?"

"Water," she snapped, all hope of hiding her reaction buried beneath a pair of biceps and a victorious flash of teeth. Regina's composure was further threatened by the snickers floating in from the living room.

"As you wish." Emma's mockery had softened into something Regina thought was, perhaps, a step beyond affection. She took the pot and slipped past Regina to the sink. The water splashed into the pot, hopefully drowning out the rapid pounding of Regina’s heart.

Her fingers trembled as she opened the box of spaghetti. “I’m buying you a pasta maker,” Regina called over the sudden burst of cheering and trash-talking between David and Henry.

“Are you going to enrol Snow in cooking classes?” Emma paused on her way to the stove, biceps slowly bunching. The towel Regina snapped against her side only made her laugh. “I had it far worse in middle school gym class.” The pot settled on the front burner.

Before Regina recovered from the latest display of Emma’s assets (or answered her question), Snow butted in. “Oh, I tried that already. Regina has two choices: put me through another cooking class and risk salmonella or food poisoning - the Head Chef at Father’s summer palace almost quit during my first ‘class,’, or she uses the pasta maker herself when we have Sunday family dinners here.”

Two bright, irritating smiles taunted Regina. She ignored them both in favour of turning on the burner beneath the pot and tossing in enough salt to turn the water into a tiny ocean.

“Wine, honey? Regina?” Snow opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle. “It’s a red.”

As if anything would make this dinner more than an off-the-shelf disaster. “That would be nice.” Maybe drinking enough would turn the night around.

“None for me.” Two arms wrapped around Regina’s waist; a chin nestled into the space where her shoulder met her neck. “I don’t want to let down my Queen during dessert later,” Emma breathed into Regina’s ear.

So much for lubricating dinner with cheap red wine. Regina didn’t refuse the glass, though. She took a sip, grimacing for dramatic effect, and set it down. The water began to boil, and she nearly pouted. Emma was a warm, safe weight against her back. “Unless you’ve changed your mind about Granny’s, you have to let me go.”

A hand dropped from her waist and picked up the open pasta box. “Consider me your extra pair of hands.”

“Emma!” Embarrassed (Snow was openly gaping), amused, and charmed, Regina twisted away. Her face burned yet she couldn’t stop smiling at Emma’s childlike whine. “Go entertain our children before I send you to bed without supper!”

The words were out without conscious thought. The pasta that she’d reclaimed from Emma dropped into the water with a splash. Our kids. Ours. Just days ago, Regina had been planning a future with Robin. Now, she could barely remember him.

It almost bothered her. Almost. With Emma making grabby hands to get her to come back and their kids in the living room, Robin’s memory faded away.

Hours later, Regina struggled to unlock the mansion’s front door. Emma the Octopus had returned. She was draped over Regina’s back like her favourite winter coat - and her hands roamed freely.

“Miss Swan!” The keys jangled on their ring as Regina nearly dropped them. She gripped the hand slipping beneath the waistband of her slacks. “I am the Mayor of this town. You are the Sheriff. We are not making out on the front porch like two randy teenagers after the Prom!”

Although, if they could only get inside, Regina was more than willing to let Emma have her way on the couch. Or the stairs. On the rug in the study.

“You’re no fun.”

“And you sound like our son when I take away his gaming privileges.” If she turned her head, Regina knew she’d see a pout so like Henry’s that all her willpower would drain away.

Finally, with Emma’s hands back in safe zone locations, Regina managed to unlock and open the door. She reached back, fingers latching onto Emma’s belt loops. She hauled the other woman inside, slamming and locking the door.

Emma grunted when Regina shoved her against the door. Not pausing to apologise after the hours of teasing, she dove in for a kiss. It was sloppy. Too many teeth with too little lip or tongue. The brief, sharp burn as Emma’s teeth sliced her lip added to the heat in the foyer.

“Gina…”

She’d never liked nicknames, but this one—this one Regina could learn to love, as long as Emma always said it with that perfect blend of helpless pleading and gravel.

Pulling back, she smirked. “Em-ma.”

“I love you,” Emma said. “God. I never thought…how could you ever…”

Regina barely registered the words. The tone, though, slipped through the fog of desire. The aching pull of her True Love. “I’m here, my Swan. I love you, too.” She leaned in, needing another kiss as she needed her next breath.

Emma responded. She surged forward and took Regina in her arms. Looking at Emma’s biceps had long been one of Regina’s favourite pastimes. Feeling them close around her was a purely religious experience.

Teeth scraped her neck. Emma’s hand slid up Regina’s silk blouse and cupped her breasts. “Love you,” Emma said again. Urgency thrummed in the husky rumble.

Regina’s head dropped back. Her back arched, pushing her nipples into Emma’s palms. “Yes!” She fought to keep her eyes open. She wanted to watch as Emma ruined her.

Green eyes, surrounded by a wide ring of dark desire, gazed back. Those eyes. Regina had seen them blazing with anger, narrowed in concentration, and shuttered to hide Emma’s emotions. Regina had never dreamed she’d see them so vulnerable. How could she have missed Emma’s love?

How could she overlook the uncertainty peeking out from behind the sexual need?

A million pieces of the Emma-Puzzle fit together in an instant. Emma loved her. She’d said it more than once. Yet Emma’s own words indicated she didn’t believe she deserved Regina’s love in return.

Emma, who’d been “traded in” by family after family. A child told over and over that she wasn’t good enough. Who, no matter the apologies and explanations offered, had been abandoned by her birth parents.

Regina stared at Emma. They’d have a lifetime to indulge in defiling every surface in the mansion. Regina would have only one chance to get this moment right; to show her Lost Girl, her Emma, how very deserving she was of her Queen’s love.

She took one of the hands learning the heft and shape of a breast and raised it. Her lips whispered over the callused skin. “I don’t want fuck you in the foyer.”

More uncertainty drove the desire from Emma’s eyes.

“I want to worship you in our bed.” Regina stepped back, holding Emma’s hand to keep them linked. “Will you let me do that, my Swan? May I lavish you with all the love in my dark heart?”

She wasn’t expecting Emma’s face to harden. “Don’t say that! Don’t you ever say your heart is anything but perfect!”

Tears burned behind Regina’s eyes and clogged her throat. “May I lavish you with all the love in my perfect heart, Em-ma?” she repeated and melted at the soft smile her corrected question garnered.

“I’m yours, my Queen.” Emma’s eyes were so amazingly green.

Not yet. Regina knew there was a part of Emma who didn’t believe in her. Leading Emma up the stairs, she surreptitiously waved her free hand.

The master bedroom was neat and clean, with new sheets and a row of candles sputtering on the windowsill when they entered. Regina hadn’t magicked anything that screamed seduction or One True Love. Regina wanted Emma comfortable, not overwhelmed. She wanted to show Emma that what they had would last longer than a one night stand and that was more than a gimmick written by Disney. Their love would last a lifetime, built on the foundation they had already built as a family.

Somehow, Regina had to show Emma all of that through her touch and the physical representation of her devotion.

Regina took a steadying breath and then drew Emma to the foot of the bed. “May I undress you?” Her fingers hovered over Emma’s belt buckle.

“But I…”

“I know.” Regina understood how being in control hid so many fears and insecurities. “I really do. Please, let me show you what it means to be loved. Trust me?” She waited long enough for Emma’s hesitant, jerky nod of consent before sliding warm leather through the metal buckle. “This is for you, pretty Swan. All for you.” Regina wiggled a hand between Emma’s jeans and her body. “If I do anything you don’t like, all you have to say is ‘stop,’ or ‘no.’ Understand?”

Emma’s breath rippled the cotton against the back of Regina’s hand. “Yes.”

Regina raised an imperious brow.

“Yes, my Queen.”

“Excellent.” Movements slow and deliberate, she removed each piece of Emma’s clothing. The leather jacket that had once been like a flag waved in her face and now starred in her daydreams and fantasies. Jeans, t-shirt, and the saddest, mismatched pair of underwear and bra.

Her palms tingled as Regina mapped warm skin. “On the bed.” The order lacked punch, yet Emma scrambled backward, sexy despite the uncoordinated crab walk across the comforter. She didn’t follow immediately.

Holding Emma’s gaze, Regina stripped, too. A flush highlighted each of Emma’s freckles as it rolled from her chest to her hairline. She put a knee on the bed. “Emma?”

Emma’s eye roll was familiar.

Regina didn’t move. She meant to start as they would go on.

“Show me what it means to be loved by a queen.” Emma put her arms out and continued. “Please.”

“It will be my pleasure.” Regina climbed onto the bed and set her lips on Emma’s right calf. She dragged a path with her tongue, tracing a scar on Emma’s knee and a grouping of hair Emma had missed when shaving. Down the other leg. Arms. Shoulders.

Neck. “You blew into my life. Shattered my perfect world.” Regina gripped Emma’s nipples and smirked as Emma arched into her rougher touch. “I thought you were a nuisance. I thought I could put on my crown and run you right out of my little kingdom.”

“And when that didn’t work…” Emma said with a hint of her usual cockiness..

Regina nipped at the tender flesh of Emma’s breast. “I watched, and I waited.” She laved the reddened skin and let her fingers caress the pebbles dotting darkening aureolae. “I discovered a survivor. A warrior. A woman who fought for everything she had and who was willing to sacrifice it all for those she loved.

“A woman who taught me that the people I thought were enemies could forgive a bitter, angry, evil queen.” Raising her head, she kissed away the tear trailing down Emma’s cheek. “Don’t cry, my Swan. I would rather tear out my own heart than hurt you again.”

She kissed Emma softly. Repeatedly. Placed a palm over a pounding heart. “True Love is a gift given only to the purest of purpose. It cannot be bought with jewels or earned by place of birth. It belongs to those who put others first and is paid for in pain and sacrifice.” Regina quoted from a treatise on soulmates she’d read as a girl.

“You, Emma Swan, have the purest soul.” Regina gave up talking. Her tears streaked Emma’s chest and left trails as she placed love bites over Emma’s stomach. Her fingers tugged at damp pubic hairs and gently separated the soaked folds of Emma’s labia.

Once again, Regina hesitated, giving Emma a chance to retract her consent. Emma’s hips rose to chase her stalled hands. It was enough. Regina pressed her thumb over the clit already peeking from its hood. I love you, she tried to convey as she slipped two fingers into Emma’s cunt. Her tongue replaced her thumb in a silent promise. I will cherish you in this life and the next.

Chapter Text

A soft breath left Emma's parted lips as Regina's tongue slid over her needy little bundle of nerves. A moan escaped when the tongue began to gently but consistently flick back and forth in a torturous rhythm. Her hands splayed out at her side, gripped the sheets tightly in her fists as she threw her head back, burying herself in the pile of blankets. She tried to bite her lip to hold in the next moan but a quiet whimper slipped through. A hum of approval from Regina caused Emma's eyes to open slowly and look down her body where her gaze met Regina's. The other woman's eyes appeared darker than she remembered and there was a mischievous gleam in them. There was something about that look but it caused a fluttering in her stomach and she didn't know if it was butterflies or an impending orgasm but she liked it. Her hips began rolling upward and the fingers inside her started moving faster curling and twisting. She tightened around them, forcing herself to slow down, flopping down against the bedspread. 

Regina could feel Emma’s struggle which only made the brunette perform her ministrations with more urgency and firmness. To bring Emma Swan to orgasm under her control was the only thought in this former Evil Queen’s mind. Emma had tightened around her fingers, causing resistance, but Regina was still able to curl and twist, searching for her G-spot. Emma lay motionless under her, tight-lipped, and whimpering. When Regina finally found her spot, Emma arched her back and gasped. Regina continued to stroke her as Emma slowly began to utter “fuuuuck.” Regina smiled with a mouth full of Swan. She latched onto her clit with a gentle suck, causing Emma to twist a bit and move up in a feeble attempt to get away, but Regina was swift and shot an arm up, cupping a breast, nipple between a set of fingers, pulling her back down. 

Emma collapsed back against the bed, her hips going still, having rode out her orgasm. Her body, now hot and covered in a thin layer of sweat, was still humming. Her eyes opened and she stared up at the ceiling. Her chest was heaving as she tried to catch her breath. A chuckle came from down the bed and that was when she felt a kiss on the inside of her thigh. This caused Emma to flinch in surprise but then there was another kiss and another, trailing upward. She bit her lip, holding back a moan, she didn't know how much more she could take. Her heart was already racing and she feared it would get away from her. "Regina…" she whispered, her hand found its way into the woman's soft dark hair, and then she sat her head up a bit, catching the woman's eyes. "Please…" She didn't know what she was begging for until the words left her lips. "Let me touch you."

The sound of Emma begging for her made Regina ache. She gave Emma’s inner thigh one more nuzzle, kissing her soft, wet folds. She wanted more of Emma, but she supposed that now she had a lifetime to explore her. Emma looked down at Regina between her legs, and she didn’t look like she was going to heed her plea, but fair was fair and she felt it was her turn. She once again uttered a soft, “Please, Regina, I need to touch you.” The sound of Emma’s voice begging for Regina was unreal. Never had she hoped she would be in this situation with her. She wanted her even more than before; at Emma’s second plea, Regina looked up, brown eyes fully black with excitement. “Fuck, what you do to me Swan is inhuman.” 

Emma cupped her face and beckoned her to crawl across her body as she lay back down. Regina slowly came up Emma’s body, her nipples grazing Emma’s abs. Regina hovered a moment to lavish kisses on Emma’s breasts before making contact with her waiting lips. When she pressed into her soft mouth, she also pressed her core upon Emma’s. Emma’ bucked her hips up, receiving Regina.  

Emma's eyes were squeezed shut as Regina moved on top of her. She kept thinking how wet this woman was but that could have just been her or both of them. She was sensitive from her last orgasm so she was tingling just a bit. She knew it wouldn't take long for her to come again but she wanted Regina to finish first. The feeling of the other woman's skin against her and their nipples brushing was almost too much. Regina broke the kiss to allow herself a low groan and Emma moaned, throwing her head back and burying herself in the pillows. Her mouth stayed slightly open as Regina rolled her hips, grinding against her. Lips grazed her throat and Emma's eyes opened and she bit her lip as she enjoyed the sensations Regina was giving both of them. Emma's hands traveled to Regina's back, sliding down to her ass where they settled. She started using her grip to guide Regina's hips so that she was moving faster. The woman's head popped up and she looked at Emma, eyelids low and her lips slightly parted. She then crashed her lips into Emma's. 

There was a hunger inside Regina that was building up that she never felt before. She had many lovers in the past, some rather intense and passionate, but this with Emma was a whole other level that she never dreamed of. The harder she grinded against Emma’s hips, the harder she kissed her, sometimes teeth coming together. Emma’s kisses met her ferocity, keeping up with her, telling Regina that her passion was rising just as savagely as hers. Emma grabbed Regina’s jaw and greedily began to kiss her, biting and sucking at her lips, coaxing her tongue to intertwine with hers. Through it all, they never lost rhythm of their hips; their throbbing lips were just as wet, slick, and pulsating as the one’s on their mouths. Soon, through the cacophony of pulse, pace, and panting hot breaths, Regina felt a spark ignite, and this spark began to build and build with each thrust and each taste of Emma. Her bundle of nerves began to swell and grow hot until soon she let out guttural moans that came out of nowhere, and it crescendoed without control. She buried her face into Emma’s neck as she pressed her hips deep into Emma’s feeling her core seeming to melt into hers.

Emma was gasping with each thrust from Regina. She could feel the pressure building inside her and judging by the way the woman’s movements were becoming tighter and more deliberate. She could tell she was close but so was Emma. Emma’s hands began to roam the other woman's lower back. She just needed to touch and feel more of her. Regina started rolling her hip harder and faster but she kept at a rhythm. Emma was rolling her hips, matching Regina. It didn't take much more of this before Emma's orgasm was approaching and she let out a little gasp. Regina shuddered on top of her before stopping momentarily. Emma looked up at Regina, her eyes were squeezed shut, face red and covered in sweat. Reaching up, she took her face into her hands and lowered her so their lips met. Regina moaned softly into the kiss and then started moving again, this time much faster and almost fanatic. She was close. For the second time that evening, Emma felt her orgasm building and building. Regina gasped into her mouth and broke the kiss. Emma kept her hands on her face as she came. Emma's orgasm bubbled over the edge shortly after. She let out a breath as Regina crashed her lips into hers but kept riding her until they were both too sensitive to touch anymore. That was when Regina collapsed on top of her. Emma wrapped her arms around her as they both laid there, chests heaving as they tried to catch their breath. 

Soon, Regina’s breath became slow and steady, and then Emma heard a snore. She smiled but held onto her saying nothing. Regina flinched, waking herself up. She took in a gasp of air as she lifted her head to look at Emma. 

“Sorry, I think I fell asleep,” she said as she pushed back her hair.

“It’s ok, it wasn’t for long,” Emma said with a wide smile. “It gave me a moment to think about us.”

Regina rested her hand on Emma’s chest, then her chin, making herself comfortable as she looked at her. Emma was always beautiful, but in this afterglow, she was transcendent.

“Us,” Regina found that she couldn’t say that without smiling. 

Emma ran her hands up and down Regina’s back, gently caressing her. “I would like it if you slept here like this,” Emma said.

Regina smiled, feeling spent, “I hope we have a lifetime of this.”

“I promise,” Emma said. “I can imagine no other life now.” 

They looked at one another, letting their eyes speak all that was left unsaid, in truth, trust, and True Love. Regina hoisted herself forward and planted a passionate kiss on Emma’s lips. Emma returned the kiss in full, letting her hands glide across Regina's ass and then down her thighs as she straddled her. Emma started to feel a second wind but controlled herself. 

Regina pulled back, feeling Emma getting riled up again. “No.” She pulled her hands away. “You’ll behave, or I’m not sleeping on you.”

Emma started to laugh, “No, no, I promise. I will behave. It’s just that you have such power over me…” Emma embraced Regina once more as she made herself comfortable, laying her head on her chest. 

Regina placed a hand on Emma’s breast. “I’m laying this here, but that is all that is happening. I want extra comfort,” Regina said playfully.

“As you wish,” Emma replied. 

Regina nodded off before Emma, softly snoring. Emma listened to the little sleeping sounds she made and noted that her sent was like home.

Emma laid there, relaxed into the pillow, hands still on Regina. The room was quiet and still completely different than it was a few moments ago. Those events were still playing through her mind. She almost couldn't believe this is what the rest of her life could be like… would be like. She was filled with hope and excitement. She felt Regina relax into her further and she could tell exactly when she had fallen asleep. The comfort and safety in this room and the weight of Regina made her feel so relaxed that she felt herself drifting off as well. 

Emma awoke the next morning feeling well-rested and excited. She stretched, her arms over her head then yawned. Last night was incredible and waking up to find Regina still asleep on her, made Enma smile softly. She ran her hand across the woman's back and received a small hum in reply. She glanced over at the clock on the bedside table. It was still pretty early, she knew she should get some more sleep but she just couldn't. She was wide awake. She absently let her fingers tail up and down Regina's back. About an hour passed before Regina began to stir. Emma looked down with feeling excitement in her chest. Their eyes met. "Good morning." She said with a smile. 

Emma hummed and leaned in for a kiss. "Morning."

Regina accepted it and their lips met briefly. The kiss was warm but fast. "How did you sleep?"

Emma looked down at those rich brown eyes and smiled. "Good. You?"

"Well," Regina answered.

"That's good…" Emma mumbled before a short pause. She then said, "You wanna just lay here and talk?"

Regina hummed and shifted to get up. "I wish." She climbed off of Emma and knelt beside her. "But we're forgetting something."

Emma knew exactly what she was talking about but she still asked, "What?"

Catching on to Emma's joke, the woman answered. "Our kids Emma!"

—---

Later that evening, Regina sat in a chair in Alana’s room, holding a swaddled Alana in her arms, tightly. She watched the sweet girl as she slept. 

All these years she had hidden the fact of her existence. Her mother, Cora, had Regina take a forgetting spell, along with everyone else in the house who’d remember. But she tricked her mother into thinking she had taken it. She had already taken Daniel and now she wanted to take away the memory of their baby? She didn't think so. And in time, there wasn't ever anyone to talk about Alana to; besides, remembering was painful. Some days she wished she had taken that potion. 

But now, the Savoir brought her back. Regina had never really liked that title or believed her to be the savior. Curse breaker, home wrecker, pain in the ass, for sure. But now she was her’s and Alana's Savior. And now, her lover. 

Alana let out a huge sigh, her little body shuddering; she then put her thumb in her mouth and continued to sleep soundly. Regina covered her little butter-ball body in a yellow onesie. She had gained so much weight in the last few months. When Emma brought her she was thin and sick. Not that it was Emma’s fault; circumstances didn’t allow her to have the most secure life for those first few weeks. 

After all, she and Emma went through to come back to this future, Regina was beyond amazed at how things panned out. All Regina’s life had been manipulated and controlled by her mother; any happiness she desired was squashed by her, including Alana. But Emma restored that, lived up to her Savior's name, and restored her happiness. And as a bonus, Emma was to BE her happiness. No tricks, no spells, no magic, just real True Love happiness. 

Regina gave herself a little pinch on her elbow. It was a jolt. Alana was still before her and she could hear Emma and Henry laughing with each other downstairs in the kitchen. 

This was it. This was her life. No more fear of being alone, no more anger at how life had robbed her of happiness, she finally had a family. She started to softly cry to herself. Her daddy had always told her she deserved so much more; this was the more. And as sorry as she was that her daddy was not there to see what had become of her, she knew he made the ultimate sacrifice so that she could have a second chance. That was the kind of person she was going to be for her family, too. 

—--

It had been a little over two years and Emma had been through so much therapy that if she never heard the word “therapy” again in her life, she would give her left ear. Emma continued to suffer the consequences of her overuse of magic. 

Just after she moved into the mansion, she lost feeling in her right arm, and then one day woke up unable to move it. Regina tried to help her with her magic, again, but it was no use. Not that the doctors were of much help either. All scans and tests showed absolutely nothing wrong with her. So she went to physical therapy. 

Which did help, perhaps. Or maybe she just “magically” regained control of her arm over time. Nevertheless, she would still feel occasional nerve pin-pricks, which would send her into a panic that she was about to lose control again (especially if she was holding Alana). 

But a few months after she was able to use the arm, the same thing happened with her left leg—woke one morning and couldn’t walk. Regina’s magic, scans, and test, showed nothing. And she went back to physical therapy. A few months later, she was back to walking again. 

Regina questioned if she was using magic, but she was not, not even trying. Ever since what happened to her the first time around, she had not felt the surge in her to do so, and she was quite frightened to try anyway (it was more like traumatized, but she didn’t want to call it that…it would involve more “therapy”).

The coming and going of Emma’s symptoms were very strange. Although Regina knew what had caused it, she was still unsure how to go about stopping it from coming back. She didn’t know when and which body part would go next. It was a waiting game and Regina did not like the discomfort it created in both of them. It didn't affect their relationship but there was something in the way. Snow White and Prince Charming were worried as well, seeing their daughter on her bad days as much as her good ones. They all knew it was a result of magic. She decided to study her books and maybe come up with something for Emma. Perhaps she missed something. She will look again until she finds something.

A few days passed–more time than she would have liked. Today was one of Emma’s bad days, she was pale and her light had dimmed just a bit. She lay on the floor with Alana. Her movements were slow and weak as she played with the baby. Regina glanced up at Henry, his lips were turned down into a frown. His expression said it all. He was just as concerned as he was. 

“I can feel you two staring and worrying,” Emma said without looking at them. She smiled at Alana while she handed her a toy. 

Regina looked up from her book and then shared a look with Henry before saying, “We have every right to be concerned.” 

“Yeah, but what good would that do?” Emma asked. 

“It’s not like we can help it, mom.” Henry snipped.

“I’m fine, Henry,”

“You’re clearly not–” He started but then he looked at Regina who shook her head. For one he was raising his voice at his mother but also, Emma Swan is so stubborn that there is no point in arguing with her and getting worked up.

With a sigh, she checked her watch. “You have therapy soon.”

Emma sighed. “Alright,” She kissed Alana on the forehead and rubbed her head. She pulled her hand away then shifted and slowly pushed herself up on her knees. Her arms wobbled and the blonde woman groaned in pain. Regina leaped to her feet and rushed over to her. “Regina, I’m fine.” But Regina was already helping her to her feet. “Thanks.” The woman said as Regina steadied her.

Regina nodded then helped Emma to the couch beside Henry. The boy stared at his mother with a frown. She then walked off to grab Emma’s jacket. The blonde woman was already dressed in her workout clothes. Regina returned with her jacket and handed it to her. She then helped her up again. 

“Henry, I will be right back,” Regina said. “If you need me, call me. If one of you gets hurt, call for help.”

Henry looked bored then sighed. “Yeah, yeah, mom I can look after her while you drive mom and come back.”

Regina hesitated but Emma placed a hand on her lower back then leaned into her ear and whispered, “He’ll be fine. He’s our son.”

Well, that was true after all. Henry is a product of her and Emma. So is Alana. Their children will be fine in the short time it takes to drop Emma off. She nodded her head and then waved at Henry. The boy waved, then got down on the floor next to his sister. Regina hesitantly headed for the door. She knew Alana would likely cry while she was gone but she would be okay. 

She unlocked the front door and opened it, sunlight and fresh air streaming in. She and Emma started to step out the door but they stopped short when they saw two familiar faces standing outside. One of the two they were happy to see but the other… not so much. 

Regina stopped and folded her arms over her chest while Emma shut the door behind her, “You.”

“Good morning, Regina,” Blue said dryly as she always does when she greets Regina. She looked over her shoulder. “Emma. how are you?”

“Good,” Emma said almost childishly. It was clear that Emma wasn't really up for conversation or visitors.

“Hi, Regina,” Tinkerbell said with a smile. 

Regina smiled at her old friend. Of the two fairies, Tinkerbell was her favorite. Here she thought she would never be friends with a fairy.

Tinkerbell never thought Regina would talk to her again after her matchmaking debacle, but she forgave her the first time she went to the hospital to see Emma just after True Love’s kiss. Tinkerbell thought it was only right that she apologize to Regina's face to face and tell her how wrong she was. She also helped Regina to replenish herself whenever she drained herself from healing Emma, then taught her how to do it herself. 

“Regina, it isn’t by accident that we are bumping into you at the PT office. Ever since Blue and I have been aware of Emma’s condition, we have been trying to understand it and come up with a cure,” Tink told them. 

Now, this was a conversation that Emma was interested in. “Go on…”

Blue cleared her throat, “One of the reasons why we Fay try to prevent time travel or cross realms, although we can, is for this very reason—it is draining on the body and the user of magic. Fairies can tolerate it better because we are magical beings, and we understand how to prevent such consequences. Emma is a rare human born with magic. She was also born in a land with magic but then brought to this land without, which has always prevented her from harnessing her magic. But each time she went back to her birthplace, the magical part of her was woken up. It calls to her and wants her back. Storybrooke used to be a land without magic, but since she broke the curse, SHE brought magic back by her very being.”

Regina and Emma were looking at Blue with an unbelievable look. 

Blue looked at Tinkerbell. “Did that not sound right?”

“We’re not idiots,” Regina retorted. “But it is just like you to come up with an answer that sounds like it doesn’t have a solution. Thanks for nothing. Come on, Emma, you’re going to be late.”

“Hold up,” Emma lightly grabbed Regina’s elbow. “Do you have a solution, Blue? What does this mean?”

“It means that you are the spark of magic for Storybrook. The bridge between two worlds. Magic is your essence, and because you aren’t using it, it’s trying to make you,” Tink simply explained.

“And this is why I keep losing control of my body,” Emma said.

“And it will keep happening,” Blue replied.

“We honestly have been looking for a solution, but because although you are born with magic, you are still human. You maxed out as much magic as your body could tolerate and caused permanent damage,” Tink said.

“We know that part,” Regina said. “So do you have a solution or suggestion? Forgive my impatience, but Blue generally loves to waste my time.” 

There was a twitch in Blue’s eye that made Regina a little proud to get under the fairy’s skin. She let out a huff before speaking up, “Magic is a magnet that will always pull on Emma. It is best if she goes somewhere else where there isn’t magic.”

Emma started to snidely laugh as she shook her head, “Yeah, I’ve spent a lot of time moving, running, being kicked out or forced out of places, but Storybrooke is my home. I’m not leaving.” And with that, she made her way into the PT office as fast as she could.

—-

Emma didn't allow herself much time to think about Blue's words. She needed to focus on her exercises so she could feel better. It wasn't until she was done for the day and she sat on the bench by the front windows that she thought about it again. Through those very windows, she watched Regina finish up their conversation with the fairies. That or she just dismissed them and walked off. Either one sounded like Regina. 

But to be completely fair, what they said made sense. Emma always felt a special pull or connection to Storybrooke. She was unsure of the reason why but now she knows. She was unsure what that meant for her relationship with this place. The town she has grown to love was making her sick. What was she to do with that information?

She sat there for a moment with her thoughts as she watched the townsfolks walking around outside. She knew it wouldn't be long before Regina arrived so she waited. 

When Regina arrived, Emma hopped up to her feet. She was feeling much better. Still stiff but better. She waved at the staff before heading out the door. She walked up to the curb just as Regina got out of the black Mercedes to help her into it. Regina rounded it and walked up to her. She leaned over and opened the car door. They stared at each other for a moment, knowing they both had a lot to discuss but they will do it privately like in the car. So, Emma got in and Regina shut the door before heading back to the driver's side and getting in. Regina leaned over to help her but Emma held up a hand and then buckled herself in. Regina looked concerned for a second but then nodded and just buckled her seat belt. 

They pulled off, heading for home. Emma spoke up first. "So…"

Regina kept her gaze on the road ahead of them. "I suppose we should discuss this."

Emma hummed and nodded. "We should." 

Regina gave a short nod. 

"Is what Blue said true?" Emma asked Regina. 

Regina’s hands tightened on the steering wheel and she nodded. "With that information, I did a bit more reading and found that it's true."

Emma sighed. She was hoping she was wrong. Nope, it's true. This place was making her sick and she was human so she wasn't meant to have her powers. "Olay. So there's nothing we can do?"

Regina shrugged then tilted her head to the side. "There's one thing."

The unsure expression on the woman's face when she said those words made Emma's stomach flip. "What?"

"Well, I think if we remove you from the magic…." Regina began. "Say a land without magic… it will sever the connection and you will begin to start getting better." 

Emma knew what Regina was implying and she didn't like it. This town was their home. She found her family here, her friends. Storybrooke is important to her. She knew it was important to Regina too. "What are you saying"

"I'm saying we should find a nice little place outside of town. For now at least. Until you get stronger." Regina said.

"But you love this town. This is our home."

"My home is wherever my family is," Regina replied. "This town and its magic are harming you. I can't let that happen." 

Emma was shaking her head. She knew Regina was right. She just didn't want to uproot her life, Regina’s, or the kids. "Regina, I–"

"Emma, I don't know what your fate will be if you stay here." Regina's tone was pleading. "Please. Let's just leave for a little while. Get stronger and see how you feel about coming back."

Emma knew she didn't have many options. She wanted to feel better. She would do what she had to. "What about the town? What if a villain shows up."

"Then we will come back," Regina answered. 

That seemed fair. Also, Emma hated feeling like this. She wanted to play with their toddler and touch Regina in bed. She wants her life back. "Okay. Let's do it."

Regina nodded. "Good. We have to find a place."

Regina glanced at Emma. "What?"

Emma nodded. "Oh, and you have to tell my parents. I'll tell Henry but you tell my parents."

Regina sighed and her shoulders slumped. 

After a few moments of silence, Emma spoke up. “I still have the apartment in New York. It wasn’t a bad place. Henry was really happy there. Of course, he didn’t remember he had forgotten about his other mother…”

Hearing this made Regina’s stomach turn a bit; things had been so amazing now, almost like they had always been. She didn’t like to be reminded of her non-existence with her son.

Emma sensed the uneasiness from Regina, but continued, “...what do you think? It’s a nice place, we can give it a try, you can redecorate if you hate it?”

Regina gave a small laugh. “Anyplace with you and the kids is perfect. Let’s go there.”

—--

Later that night, Regina decided to rip off the bandaid and go over to the Charming’s house, without Emma, to tell them of what they had learned and their plan to leave Storybrooke. She highly doubted that it would go over as simply as it had with Henry. 

Henry, although sad to leave his grandparents and Uncle Neal, knew that his mother’s health was important. He had FaceTime to keep in touch with them, he said, and he was excited to share New York with his sister. 

And that was something Regina and Emma had not thought about. Raising Alana in a land without magic. At first, the thought frightened Emma. It is where she grew up, and it was not pleasant. But of course, her circumstances were different; this Alana had parents that loved and wanted her and were never going to throw her away. When Emma expressed this to Regina, she gently reminded her that she also had found a family that wanted her and were never going to throw her away. They were all going where she needed for her sake and be by her side no matter what. Emma burst into tears. The truth of this reality broke through her soul, releasing all the pent-up fear, sadness, mistrust, and unworthiness she had held onto all her life. 

Regina cried with her, knowing she had been the source of that pain, but she didn’t blame herself, but that knowledge still pained her. She also understood Emma’s release because she had been slowly letting go of similar emotions ever since Emma had become part of her life. She held on tight to Emma until she cried herself out.

When Emma came to, she had a stronger resolve to go to New York and raise Alana in a magicless world. Regina was happy to hear that because she too wanted to raise Alana that way. She had raised Henry that way after all. 

The conversation at the Charmings had gone mostly as Regina had figured. Snow was outraged—she ranted, came up with a million irrational theories as to why the fairies were wrong (which surprised Regina because she was probably the only one in town to trust Blue), and tried to get David to agree to move with them (although nobody had invited them to come). 

David and Regina let her run out of steam until finally she relented and understood that this was the best course of action. Regina assured her that it wasn’t as though they were never coming back; long-term exposure to Storybrooke left Emma vulnerable. It was like taking a bath; baths were not meant for you to be in them for a long time, or you get pruney skin. When they visit, it was for a short while, Emma would probably be fine, and Tink said she would help Regina put a magic concealing spell on Emma while in town. just in case. They had already talked about this being a permanent solution, but the way magic energy reaches out seeking its kind was like gravity, which one cannot escape.

Swan-Mills family was hoping to be out by the end of the week. 

Snow asked if they were going to get married before they left. 

Regina was thrown off guard. She didn’t know how to answer that.

“I was planning on gently working on that question to you in time, but since I have no time, I have to be blunt. I want to see you two get married before you leave. Those are my terms,” Snow told Regina firmly.

Regina didn’t know if she should laugh, tell her to mind her own business, or…what. 

David stepped in, “Snow, don’t you think that is too much pressure too soon?”

“Why? It doesn’t have to be elaborate. And that is saying a lot coming from me. Emma is a princess and should have a princess wedding, but circumstances being what they are…”

Regina thought to herself, “but I’m a Queen!” however she was still in too much shock to say anything. She couldn’t bring herself to tell Snow “no,” however. Of all insane ideas…but suddenly, Regina found herself taking out her phone, dialing Emma, and putting her on speaker.

“Regina, you ok? How did it go? Did my mother have a freak-out?”

“Why does everyone think I freak out!?” Snow said indignantly. David put a hand on her arm and patted it.

“Emma. Everything went fine. I have something to ask you.”

There was silence. “Okay…I’m listening.”

“Will you marry me?”

There was silence again.

Marriage hadn't crossed Emma's mind. She was happy the way they were. Being in love, sharing a home, and raising their children. It wasn't that she was opposed to it. She was just taken by surprise. She had already decided to spend the rest of her life with Regina. Now they would have it on paper. Besides, Emma Swan-Mills has a nice ring to it. Everything led to Yes. 

"Come home." That was all Emma said. She heard a slight hesitation then she realized that she might have sounded a bit abrupt. "I'm sorry. Regina, can you please come home? I want to talk about this in person." 

"Alright," Regina said and she sounded a bit unsure. "I'll be home soon."

"Okay. See you soon."

They disconnected the call at the same time. Emma showed her phone into her pocket and started pacing. She wasn't nervous but excited. She already knew what she was going to say and she hoped she didn’t worry Regina too much. 

She paced until she heard Regina's car. She raced over to the door and pulled it open. Regina was getting out of her car. Emma stepped out of the house, onto the front porch. She waved at Regina and the woman waved back before she opened the gate and waked up the path.

Emma walked over to the stairs and waited. She was full of butterflies. Regina walked up the stairs and stopped in front of Emma. They were quiet for a moment, Emma watching Regina. She was also nervous.

"Hey," Emma said, putting her hands in her front pockets. 

"Hey," Regina said. 

"Do you really want to… get married?" Emma asked, feeling a bit awkward now. 

Regina nodded her head. "I'm sorry I don't have a ring. I will get you one. This is very sudden for me too."

Emma smirked then, putting the piece together. "My mom?"

Regina nodded again. "She wants to see us married before we go."

Emma laughed and shook her head. "Sounds like her. At least she's okay with us going."

"Well, in a way she is," Regina explained. "She doesn't want to see you go but she loves you and she knows you leaving will be the safest choice." 

"But she wants us married first."

"Right."

"And we want to be married…"

Regina hummed her agreement. "Yes but I think it's a good idea to start our new lives as a married couple."

Emma already knew she was going to say yes. This is the life she wanted. She just wanted to talk more. "Alright then."

Regina smiled a little. "Emma Swan, will you marry me?"

Emma smiled wide. Her heart was racing and the fluttering started again. She blurted out a "yes" and flung herself into Regina's arms. She caught her just as she kissed her firmly. She then pulled back and wrapped her arms around her fiancée's neck. She hugged her tightly and whispered, "I love you so much, Regina."

"I love you, Emma," Regina whispered back. 

They embraced for a long while until Emma realized they had been out there too long. She slowly pulled away and looked at Regina. "Let's go inside."

She took her hand and started leading her into the house. 

"Yeah, I have to call your mother and tell her you said yes." 

Emma chuckled as they went inside and she shut the door behind them. 

—-

Emma and Regina figured that if they were to pack up and leave, they would need a week. But Snow had complicated things. But for the better, they all agreed. Although most of Storybrooke was sad to see them go, the idea of a wedding quelled everyone’s sadness. The two women were overjoyed to know that there were so many in the town that was happy they were getting married. Everyone wanted to come to the wedding. 

Emma and Regina had imagined something small, simple, with close friends and family only. But then the town became buzzing with contributors, and people who wanted to cater, do the flowers, take photos, and formal-wear fittings. The two women sat down and talked about what they wanted and didn’t want. It was not ideal to rush such plans, but they found that they were more or less on the same page concerning taste and style. They made a list of “yes” and “no’s” and appointed Snow as their wedding coordinator who was over the moon to do such work. They also agreed that the wedding would be in two weeks. The day after their wedding, they would leave.

There was also the matter of Regina as Mayor leaving town. She could handle some things remotely, but she never had a Deputy Mayor. She and Emma talked about who to pick, and the next morning when Regina asked Snow to come to her office for their wedding list, she told her the news that she decided that she should be acting Mayor. At first, Snow hesitated, but she eventually accepted, and Regina right there and then deputized her. 

As predicted, Regina and Emma finished packing what they wanted to take within a week. Now they had a week left in the Mansion to live like squatters with limited supplies. 

Alana loved the emptiness of the house. She had taken to running around screaming at the top of her lungs in each room, or stomping her feet or clapping her hands, noting the different echoes and acoustics of each. It never got old; she laughed each time. For the rest of the house residents, it did get old quickly. That was when they would request she play silently, and she would then roll and flip and tumble across the space.

On the last night in the house, Alana was not told to stop. They tolerated her last hurrah. They all sat in the dining room on the floor eating Granny’s take-out for the last time as they watched in bewilderment at Alana’s boundless energy.

“Alana, come here hun and take another bite,” Emma said as she held out a grilled cheese. 

Alana, spinning in the middle of the room going “ooooooooh” ignored her.

“Alana…” Emma said again.

“OooooohhhhhhhNoooohhhhhhhh,” Alana said without missing a beat. Her shoulder-length black curls bounced with each circle she made.

Henry laughed, mouth full of a cheeseburger. “She never finished her grilled cheese. I dunno why you get her one. She just ends up picking Mom’s food.” 

“She has taste,” Regina said as she picked up a fork full of her chicken caesar salad. 

“Whatever, she just eats all your croutons,” Emma said. “Alana, a slice of grilled cheese is like one giant crouton. Come eat what is good for you…cheese.” 

Regina looked at Emma and rolled her eyes. 

Alana finally stopped spinning and ran dizzily at Emma. She picked up speed and then flopped into her arms, “Mommmmeeeeeehhh,” Alana laughed as she looked up at Emma.

Emma lifted her and kissed her neck, “I’m gonna eat you, nomomomomom.” When she started to kiss her neck, Alana let out a high-pitched scream with laughter. Both Regina and Henry winced.

“Ow! That was in my ear!” Emma stopped and looked at her.

“Sorry…hee hee,” Alana looked sheepishly.

“As your punishment, you need to take a bite of the grilled cheese.”

Alana ripped the sandwich from Emma’s hands and began to tear at it like an animal.

“She gets her weird from you,” Regina said, chuckling. 

“I hope so!” Emma said proudly.

“For sure,” Henry said equally proud.

Regina merely chuckled. Weird and all, she loved them fiercely.

“Moms, tomorrow is the day. Yous nervous?” Henry asked.

“Relieved, more like it. Not that I want to get the day over with, but…” Regina said.

“I know what you mean,” Emma said, still watching Alana to make sure she didn’t choke. 

“I’m excited about it,” Regina said looking at Emma.

“Me too,” Emma said.

“I am too. I mean, I know you love each other and all, but the ceremony will be a nice touch,” Henry said. “I’m glad you agreed.” 

Both his mothers looked at him with adoring looks and smiles. He beamed back at both of them. 

—-

It was a perfect morning wedding. Emma suspected that the fairies made it that way, but maybe it was just because it was taking place on the grounds of their monastery. Regina cracked a joke that she swore she heard more birds singing than usual, and she was sure Snow had summoned them. The monastery was large enough to accommodate anyone who wanted to attend. Snow had been the perfect wedding coordinator, and on top of it all, she was going to officiate.

Emma and Regina were put in separate dressing rooms when they arrived at the monastery. Both had agreed to not see what the other was wearing, and they were both to come out at the same time. Many had asked them to be best man or bridesmaids, but that was way too much for them to handle. The ceremony was to be simple: officiant, David would walk them down the aisle, Henry held the rings, Alana was the flower girl and that was it. The rest were witnesses.

Both women sat in their dressing rooms waiting to be called out. Both paced and recited their memorized vows. They both wondered what the other wore. As nonchalant as they were last night about this day, it was turning into joyous-nervousness all rolled into one. 

David stood at the end of the isle waiting for his daughter and soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Everything was timed perfectly. To his right, Belle came bringing in Emma, and to his left Tink brought Regina. When the two women met eyes, they both had tears falling down their cheeks. They each found one another beautiful and were overcome that they were about to be legally joined together, a final seal to True Love’s kiss. 

Emma wore a black suit, not unlike the one she loved on Janelle Monae at the 2013 Grammy Awards, no hat, but the waistcoat. She always told herself she wanted that suit, and today was the day for it. 

Regina also wore a suit, no waistcoat, and one single button closing the jacket. It was made from a burgundy brocade fabric, couture, and stunning.

The audience gasped as David took each woman’s arm and led them down the aisle. It could be audibly heard people saying that never was there a more stunning looking couple.

Snow did an amazing job at not breaking down and crying. Emma won that bet, not because she believed that her mother would not, but she felt the need as her daughter to give her some credit. When Emma and Regina stood next to each other, they did so closely, their shoulders touching (later they both admitted that they wanted each other so badly). 

Alana walked up to them and gave them their bouquet. With some help from Henry, she picked the flowers. Her mothers found them beautiful and held them with pride. 

By flip of a coin, Emma was first to say her vows. She almost cracked in tears, and foibled some words, but Regina looked at her with encouragement to keep going. Emma was expecting Regina to be flawless in her vows, but she too had some breaking points and word-stumbles. Emma placed her hand on her’s, centering her. But after this, everything seemed to zip by: the rings, the “I do’s” and Snow pronouncing them wives for life. The reception likewise was an inundation of congratulations, eating and drinking. 

By the fourth hour, Emma leaned over to Regina, “How long did we agree to be here for again?” 

“Forever. I’m sure this is Snow’s way of tricking us,” Regina replied. “Why, are you ok? Is something wrong?” She looked at Emma up and down.

Emma took her hands in hers, “No, everything is fine, I promise. Do I look ill?”

Regina swept her eyes over Emma for the millionth time that day, “Not at all.” Reigna leaned into Emma’s ear and whispered. “You have never looked better.” She placed a hand on her knee and squeezed.

Emma felt electrified. She refrained from grabbing her wife in a lude manner. She slipped her hand around her waist and whispered back into her ear, “You’re not wearing much, but it’s making me want to rip it all off.” She pulled back. “Just thought you should know.” 

She watched Regina’s eyes go full-blown black, and her breath quickened. 

“I supposed that if we left, nobody would notice, right?” Regina asked rhetorically as she grabbed Emma by the hand. She looked for a family member, and David was closest to them, so she caught his attention. “Hey, we are going to leave. Watch Alana, let Henry know. We can come pick them up in a bit when they are ready.” Regina poofed her daughter into David’s arms, to his surprise. 

Emma looked at her dad and gave him a thumbs up. It seemed to settle his confused look, and he nodded in understanding as he watched them run out the venue. He then carried a surprised Alana to the dance floor.

—--

Moving day came fast. It was a bittersweet day. 

Sure, Emma was excited to get out of Storybrooke and to start getting better but she would miss this town and seeing her parents almost everyday. This needed to be done though. She has no regrets. 

She picked up a box in the living room and started carrying it out into the foyer. There she met up with her father who was carrying out two boxes from Regina’s study. He stepped aside and let her go outside first. She found Regina loading a box in the back. Snow was on the other side of the yard, watching Alana and Henry.  

Emma walked to the back of the U-Haul and loaded the box in. They didn't have many boxes since her apartment wasn't as large as Regina's house. They just packed what they needed. 

"Done," Emma said, stepping back so her father could put his boxes in. 

"Is that the last of it?" Regina asked. 

Emma nodded and placed her hands on her hips. Her father did the same.

"We're all done," Emma said. 

Regina nodded and walked closer to her. "We're ready."

Emma smiled. "Yeah."

She hugged her father and he squeezed her before letting her go. 

Regina went to get the kids and started helping them into the car. She strapped Alana into her carseat. 

Emma rounded the car to find her mother standing there talking to Regina. As she approached she heard Snow say, "Look out for each other, alright."

"I will look out for your princess, Snow." 

The woman laughed and grabbed Regina up into a hug. "Call when you get there."

Regina hugged her back. Something Emma never thought she would see. Snow pulled back from the hug and Regina said, "See you around, Snow."

"See you, Regina."

Regina smiled and after a wave at David she headed to the car. She got on the passenger's side of the yellow bug. 

Emma turned to her mother who had tears in her eyes. Emma smiled a little and shook her head. She hugged her mother tightly. The woman squeezed her so tight she couldn't breathe. 

"Mom," she grunted. 

"Oh!" Snow gasped and loosened her grip. "I'm going to miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too." Emma whispered. "I'll call as much as I can." She allowed her mother a few more minutes of a hug. "Mom, I gotta go. It's a long trip."

Snow sniffed and let her go. Emma looked into her mother's face. "I love you."

"Love you," Snow replied.

Emma smiled at her and got into the car. She glanced at the house one last time. The house where her family had begun. She looked at Regina who was  looking at it as well.

"You ready?" 

Regina looked into her eyes and smiled. "Ready."

"Ready." Henry said. 

"Yay!" Alana cheered.

Emma chuckled and started the car. She honked her horn at her parents then they pulled off. 

Rolling down the streets of Storybrooke was nice. Seeing how far she came as she rolled past familiar buildings and townsfolk. Some of which had stopped to wave them off. Emma honked the horn at them. When they passed Granny's, a group of towns folks were standing outside. The crowd included Granny, Archie, Marco, the Dwarve, and many more. Emma was so happy to see them. It filled her heart with joy. Her friends and family were so loving.

She waved out the car and her friends cheered. She then drove off. She will see them again soon. 

She drove out of town and they were now on the road out of town. Emma's stomach was in knots as they came to the town line. Emma held her breath as they passed the "Leaving Storybrooke" sign. She exhaled when it was in her line of sight. She could feel the magic trying to draw her back as she headed to the town line.

She ignored it though and drove forward. She felt a hand on her thigh. She glanced down at Regina's hand then looked over at the woman's face. She looked calm and assured her that they were doing the right thing. She nodded her head and drove over the town line. 

Once she was over, she immediately felt the magic hold loosen before letting go altogether. She let out a relieved sigh. She smiled as she kept her gaze on the horizon, heading towards their happily ever after.