Prologue:
This can't happen.
"I sentence you to death by hanging."
This cannot happen.
She glanced out the window, swallowing the sorrow that began to consume her. She wanted to get one last look at her true love before they were sent to the gallows to hang. But, she couldn't bear to finish out this task. She broke away, clutching her chest in pain as she started to sob silently, falling to the floor. She couldn't stay strong any longer.
Be strong for me.
Her love's voice echoed in her ear.
I can't. I can't go on without you.
She couldn't help but envision those last precious moments. The sad eyes of her true love fill with tears as the last words were spoken before the capture.
I promise, I will always be with you. In this life, or the next.
The guards closed in on them, pulling them away from each other. Their embrace was broken, along with her heart.
I love you.
Moments later, she heard the pull of the lever and the drop of her beloved. The swinging of the body on the noose was like a pendulum on a clock. However, time almost stood still as she rose from the ground, her eyes dark. She would be strong. And, she would become powerful, if it was the last thing she would ever do. With this realization, her soul became as black as the night approaching.
Present Day:
"You're going to be late for school!"
Regina was not in the mood for Henry to be running late. She had a busy day ahead of her, and was already not in the best of moods. Emma had scheduled a meeting with Regina to talk about means of being able to see Henry more often.
Henry ran down the stairs, clutching his backpack and prized storybook in his hands. Regina often wondered when he would begin to grow tired of lugging that thing around with him everywhere he went. Plus, she was particularly annoyed of being reminded of her past life.
"Henry, are you really going to take that book everywhere you go? You can't even carry the books that matter."
"Mom," Henry replied, "I already lost it once, I am not going to lose it again."
"You could always leave it here at home. Where it's safe."
Henry looked at her, skeptically. He knew well enough not to leave this book in the reaches of Regina, even with the ending torn out and burned.
"I promise, I won't let anything happen to it."
"Of course you won't," he muttered.
"Young man, I am not in the mood for your snide remarks this morning. Now, here is your lunch. Hurry before the bus leaves without you."
Henry rushed for the door. He didn't want to hear another lecture from his "mother."
"And, Henry."
He turned, rolling his eyes.
"I love you."
Henry nodded and ran out the door. Even though this wasn't the first time he had shunned Regina's sincere motherly affections, it still hurt her more than anything. It really put her in a worse mood, if that was even possible.
Why does being a mother have to be more difficult than keeping this curse intact?
Emma was not looking forward to this meeting with Regina, however important and vital it was for her and Henry's relationship. In fact, she had been trying incredibly hard to avoid the Mayor for the past couple of days. She had enough of Regina's attitude, whether it was about how to run the town as sheriff or how she should keep her distance from Henry. She knew that from the time she had met the Mayor, she had stepped on her turf, and she would be a force to be reckoned with.
"Well, you have got the strangest combinations of emotions on your face. I can't tell if you are worried or pissed," chimed Ruby as she slipped Emma a cup of coffee.
"She's been like that all morning. It has something to do with Henry." Mary Margaret was sitting next to her, hoping to give some comfort to her friend. "You shouldn't worry," she directed to Emma. "Henry loves you, and I know that there is a valid solution that will work for all of you, including Regina."
Yeah. The only solution that would work for Regina would be for me to fall off a cliff or get run over by a car.
"Thanks," she smiled, softly. She wasn't convinced, but Mary Margaret always sounded so sincere. She couldn't help but to be thankful for the kindness she had always shown her. Sometimes, she could imagine Mary being her mother in another life with how much she was willing to help Emma. Although, Mary wasn't so adamant to ask her help from Emma about the whole situation with David, which was becoming more and more obvious with the passing days. She even had found some of David's (explicit) love letters in Mary's room one day when she was looking for some nail clippers.
"You know, you could always file for custody," Ruby whispered.
"I have thought about it, but as much as it would please me to ruin Regina's life, even she doesn't deserve that. Plus, I don't want to put Henry through all that court and trial mess. I made a decision to sign away my rights as a parent when I gave him up for adoption, and I am now facing the consequences."
It isn't fair. He is MY flesh and blood. I should be entitled to see him whenever I want. Damn legalities.
Emma looked up at the clock. It was almost 10:00 am. She had to leave the diner in order to make her appointment with Regina, which was making her more and more nervous thinking about it. She stood up from her chair, grabbing her gray-colored coat.
"Emma, it'll be alright. I promise. Everything will turn out fine, for everyone," Mary reassured.
"I sure hope so. Man, I really wonder what made her into a cold-hearted bitch sometimes."
The Past
"Father, we are going to starve if the crops do not produce enough grain. We have to sell in order to survive."
"I know, my dear. But, the Ogre Wars have left all of the village's crops and land barren and a wasteland. It would be nearly impossible to grow anything right now. Don't worry, daughter. We will find a way to get food and supplies. I am going to the king this afternoon to speak with him to possibly convince him to help in some way. You will accompany me. You know I am no good with words in important situations."
The old miller looked into his young daughter's eyes. She looked frightened and tired at the same time. Too tired for a girl of her age.
"You mustn't worry so much. That's my job," he said.
"I can't help but to worry of what will become of our farm. Of…us."
She only worried so much because her father wasn't the strong and able man he used to be. He used to be such a figure to her. A hero. A conqueror. What had become of this powerful man she once idolized? She sometimes couldn't believe that he had turned into an old man who could barely keep a roof over their heads, much less protect hers. However, she still loved him more than anything, even if he was aging so quickly and just a miller.
"I promise everything will turn out fine, for everyone."
His eyes filled with sad hope.
"I really hope so, father. I don't know what I would do without you."
The road to the king's castle was long and rough, but they made it there with little to no trouble. The miller's daughter had never seen the castle up close, but used to gaze at it from afar every night since she could remember. She had always hoped that one day she could live in such a luxurious and grand palace.
"Come, my dear. We must hurry to speak to King Leopold."
She hastened her pace, glancing around the vast castle grounds. She wished she could just stay here forever.
The finally reached the King's ballroom, which was twice the size of their small hut and mill, combined. She looked forward to see King Leopold sitting on his throne, staring straight at her and her father. He had kind eyes, but a hard exterior. It was as if he had lost something dear to him. Something he would never get back.
"Miller, I see you have brought what was promised."
"Yes, Your Majesty. As promised."
The miller's daughter looked around as her father stepped back, leaving her standing in front. They hadn't brought anything but their provisions, and they were left in the carriage. All she had on her was an elegant dress that her mother had made her before a witch with a poison apple murdered her. It was saved for a special occasion, and her father had asked her to wear the lavish garment since they would be in the presence of royalty that day.
"I hear you are quite the spinstress, girl."
She looked at the king in confusion. "I…I suppose you could say that…" She wasn't sure where this conversation was going. "I haven't spun in a whi…"
"Father, father!"
A small girl, hair blacker than ebony and skin as white as snow, bounced toward the king, clearly wanting his affections. She suddenly stopped, pausing to look at the miller's daughter.
"…Who is she?"
The miller's daughter had never seen such a beautiful child. She almost forgot that she was also staring at the girl, while the small child watched her from her father's throne.
"Well, Snow. This young woman is going to help the kingdom. Guards, take her to the tower."
"Wait, what? Father, what is going on!" The miller's terrified daughter glanced at him, and then to her father as she was grabbed by both arms and pulled away from the only person whom she had known.
"I am so sorry, Regina. I did what was best for us. For you."
"Father, father! Please! Don't let them take me away!"
She couldn't help the tears as she cried out for her father to save her. She wanted her heroic father she remembered as a child to come after her. To save her. But, he stood there, back turned away, not wanting to see his own child taken from him.
No matter how hard she fought, there would be no escape for the miller's daughter.
Present Day
Regina stood looking out the window of her office, arms crossed. She was still in a sour mood, and anxiously waited for Miss Swan to arrive so she could get this meeting over with.
If that woman thinks she is going to take Henry from me, she has another thing coming.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"You can come in, Sheriff Swan."
Emma opened the door and stepped in, looking warily at the Mayor as if expecting to be screamed at.
"Sit."
Emma didn't take kindly to orders from someone like Regina, but she plopped onto the seat in front of the Mayor's desk. Plus, she actually wanted to be on Regina's good side so that she would be able to see Henry more than just passing on the street.
Regina turned around, unfolding her arms and sat in her throne of a chair.
"So, I take it that we are going to just skip the pleasantries."
"Well, Sheriff, as much as I would love to fake my joy to see you, I would rather cut the chase and get this over with."
Emma's palms started to get sweaty. She hated having confrontations with Regina over Henry. It could be anything else they were fighting about, but she knew she was already treading on thin ice when it came to being able to be around him. If it had been about anything else, like it usually was, she would have no problem putting the Mayor in her place. But, this was something that only Regina could control. And, it made Emma nervous.
"I honestly think that you keeping me from Henry isn't the best idea," she said.
"The best idea? So, him being around a person who breaks into their real mother's office and stalks me the 'best idea?' Wow, Miss Swan. You are really delusional."
Emma knew she was losing the battle. Whenever Regina referred to her as 'Miss Swan," it was like she was stripping her title and authority right then and there.
"Madame Mayor, please. I know that I have made mistakes, but I have realized that Henry's happiness is what is important. I know you do the best to make him happy, but keeping him away from me when he clearly doesn't want to be is making him miserable. I know you know that. I am not just doing this for me. I am doing this for Henry's happiness and him and your relationship. Keeping him away will only make him unhappier and act out more. Please," Emma almost pleaded," Let me be able to see him."
Emma looked into Regina's eyes, hoping to see some sort of compassion, much less soul. But, there was nothing, as usual. Just a blank stare from dark eyes.
Regina paused, and then sighed. She got up from her chair and went over to the fireplace.
"Can I be honest with you?" she asked after what seemed like forever.
She turned to face Emma, and the sheriff nodded.
"I love Henry more than anything in this world. And, due to…past events…I am afraid to lose him like I have lost everyone I have ever loved in my life. I know that everyone here, including you, thinks I am a soulless bitch with no heart," Regina said, nonchalantly. "But, the truth is that I am just scared to lose Henry. And, I am afraid that you will take him from me."
Emma was silent. She could not believe what she had just heard. She was speechless at the caring and touching words of Regina. It almost made her go into shock.
"I understand that you want to see him, however, and I do agree that keeping him from you isn't helping him become happy. Even though I try so hard to make him happy without you, I have seen how you two interact. It is like nothing he and I have, nor ever will, and I accept that. I am not angry with you, for it has to do with blood. I am his legal mother, but you are his biological…mother."
She had a hard time saying the last word. Admitting that Emma was, in fact, Henry's mother. Emma was still in complete shock. And the way that Regina said it...
"Regina, I don't know what to say…"
"Good. You don't have to say anything." Regina was back into her authoritative Mayor tone. "You can see Henry as much as you like. Just, let me know first. I don't like him sneaking off, even though I know he is going to go see you."
Emma got up from her seat, realizing that it was her time to leave.
"And, one more thing, Emma."
This completely stopped Emma in her tracks. Regina had never referred to Emma by her first name.
"Thank you for finding Henry's book."
And with that last sentence, Emma left the Mayor's office, leaving Madame Mayor to contemplate why she had spared Emma an argument and her dignity. And, she hoped that it wouldn't become a pattern.
