"So when will you finally find a boy to marry and make me some grandkids with?" Eva pouted at her only child while she was cutting up the peppers for the rice salad. "I despise the fact that Cora will probably be a grandmother before I am. She's already annoying me to hell and back with the wedding tomorrow."
"Mom," Mary Margaret groaned in exasperation at the topic her mother had chosen to circle around. Again. She was helping her with dinner as she did every second Sunday of the month. Her parents did only have her – even though they'd tried for more children – and while it came with its ups, it also had many negative side-effects, one of them being the constant nagging about grandbabies.
"Don't you 'mom' me, Mary Margaret Blanchard," Eva waved a finger at her daughter. "Idun and Agnarr came by yesterday with little Freya, you know, Anna's first child. She's such a cute little girl!" Eva continued chopping up the vegetables. "But that wasn't what I wanted to say. Mary, there are so many nice men out there. You know, David Spencer for example? Such a nice boy. And he's had a crush on you since high school."
"Mom-"
"You should at least give him a chance, go on a date with him? Your father and I don't want you to end up alone, you know sweetheart? A woman your age still sharing an apartment with her best friend? Before you know it, Regina will find a good man to marry and follow in her sister's footsteps and you'll be all alone."
"Mom, really. Stop being so dramatic. I will not end as an old cat lady. I promise. Now, can we please just finish dinner? I bet dad's already hungry."
Eva Blanchard made a face. She seemed to consider her daughter's words but decided to give her a last piece of advice. "David will be there at the wedding tomorrow. He's Robin's best man as you know. Wear something nice and talk to him, please. For me?"
Mary Margaret tensed but finally gave an exhausted sigh. Her mother wouldn't stop unless she agreed. "It's a wedding, mom. Of course I'll wear something nice. And I'll... I can talk to him… I suppose."
Eva beamed at her daughter, already seeing herself surrounded by a herd of adorable blonde grandchildren. She'd make sure her 'talk' with Ruth and George's son would be a success. And maybe she would just invite him to their next family dinner… yes, that sounded like a great idea.
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"Hey daddy," Mary Margaret pecked her father's cheek, startling him from his light slumber. He was sitting in his favorite armchair and had apparently fallen asleep watching football. Unlike most dads, her father had never been too interested in sports. He loved to fish but didn't particularly care for any other sports. Still, sometimes he tried to catch up on football at least.
"Your mom been nagging you again, sweetheart?"
His daughter only grinned. "Of course."
"Of course." Leopold Blanchard chuckled at his daughter's face. "You know she just worries about you."
"I know," Mary furrowed her brows in thought. "I just wish…"
"What do you wish, sweetheart?"
"Nothing daddy." Mary Margaret smiled at her father. She knew what she wished for but couldn't find the courage to say it. "Dinner's ready."
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"I'm home," Mary Margaret called out upon entering the apartment she shared with Regina since the last three years. Not receiving an answer, she hung her coat on the coat rack, put her keys on the kitchen counter, and walked into the living room.
A wide smile lit up her face as she found Regina passed out on the couch, an open book in her lap and her reading glasses on her nose. She tiptoed to the sleeping woman and gently pried the book from her hands – Lori Nelson Spielman's 'The Life List' – before she moved her hand to take the glasses only to find a hand closing around her wrist.
"Hey there, book thief," Regina's dark eyes were grinning up at her, sleepy but alert.
"Hey there, sleepy head," Mary smiled back before lowering her head to peck Regina's lips.
"Mhmm." Regina's free hand found its way onto the small of her back and gently pulled her down on top of her. "I wish I wasn't so tired," she admitted with a yawn, her lips ghosting over Mary Margaret's cheek.
"It's okay, I'm rather tired myself and we have to get up early tomorrow."
"How could I forget," Regina groaned, making the woman on top of her giggle. "Zelena's called at least a dozen times while you were away. I think she's getting cold feet."
"Should we be worried?"
"Nah," Regina stroked her fingers along Mary's spine, drawing out a shiver. "She's just nervous as any bride-to-be. She loves Robin. She'd never leave him standing in front of the altar."
When her girlfriend fell silent for a while, Regina kissed her cheek. "Your mother?"
The slender woman only nodded against her girlfriend's chest.
"You know… maybe we should just tell them, M," Regina eventually stated, her voice barely above a whisper. "I mean, what can they possibly do to us? Maybe… maybe they'll be happy for us? For you?" She was pretty certain her own parents wouldn't be ecstatic about the matter of their relationship but Mary's? Eva and Leopold seemed to be more easygoing and open. Maybe they'd understand?
"We've been together for four years now, M," Regina continued, drawing figures on her girlfriend's back. "And living together for three. Maybe it's time to just come out with the truth, you know. After Zelena's wedding?"
"I just… I'm so afraid, Gina," Mary Margaret quietly confessed, burying her head in the crook of Regina's inviting neck. "I don't want them to look at me differently. But… I'll think about it. Promise."
"Come on," Regina playfully smacked Mary Margaret's ass. "Let's go to bed. I really don't fancy falling asleep on this dreadful thing again…"
Mary chuckled and climbed off of her girlfriend, holding out a hand to pull her to her feet once she stood. "I know. We'll really have to buy a new one like yesterday. Maybe we could go browse the furniture stores next week? I'm off early on Wednesday."
"Sounds like a plan," Regina let herself be pulled to her feet and wrapped her arms around her best friend and lover. "I may be too tired today but tomorrow night I won't promise to behave…"
"I'm counting on it."
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"Regina," Mary Margaret peppered the woman's face with kisses, grinning at the way her nose scrunched up at the tickling sensation.
"5 minutes, MM, please, I beg you," Regina tried to bury herself under her pillow, not at all ready to get up.
"I'm afraid not, love," Mary Margaret's last kiss found receptive lips. "Zelena's already called twice."
"What time is it?" came Regina's muffled voice.
"Just turned 7."
"Argh."
"You're always so eloquent in the morning," Mary Margaret giggled. Regina was grumpy in the mornings and if she tried to hold a conversation with her, the responses she got were usually comprised of mere grunts. She'd gotten used to it though and had even started to find the quirk adorable.
"Love you, too," Regina mumbled before she finally forced herself to open her eyes and sit up. Today was her big sister's wedding day. Her nervous-wreck-sister's wedding day. It would not do to dwell under the warm covers. "All right, all right. I'm up," she conceded to her fate. "Call her and tell her I'll be there in about 40 minutes?"
"Of course," Mary Margaret smiled at her girlfriend of four years and got up. She was held back by a hand on her bicep though. She turned back around and raised a brow at Regina.
"You forgot something," Regina smirked at Mary Margaret and pointed a finger to her lips.
Grinning, Mary leaned in and softly claimed the full lips with her own, running the tip of her tongue over the scar that marred them. That little scar always pulled her in, drawing all of her focus to Regina's lips.
When a moan left Regina's throat, Mary let go off her and gave her girlfriend an apologetic look. "I can't guarantee for anything if we don't stop right now and your sister awaits you."
Nodding, Regina pecked the alluring pink lips once more and dragged herself into the bathroom. This would be a very long day, she knew it would.
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"There you are," Cora was relieved to see her youngest arrive at the family manor. "Your sister is beginning to drive me crazy, Regina!"
"Mother," Regina briefly hugged her mother. "Where is she?"
"In her room. She's suddenly adamant that the dress reveals too much of her breasts. Just an hour ago she was complaining about the cake, stating she should've gone with the butter cream instead of the red velvet." Cora Mills rolled her eyes at remembering the scene Zelena had made. "I am glad you are finally here. There is so much left to do until the ceremony."
Regina simply nodded, already making her way toward the staircase and to her sister's old childhood room. Their parents had kept both their daughters' rooms as they'd been when they'd moved out, keeping them as their guestrooms whenever they visited and stayed overnight.
"Oh Regina dear?"
"Mother?"
"I assume you will be bringing a date?"
Regina shook her head and saw the disapproval in her mother's eyes.
"I told you explicitly to find an adequate-"
"I know you did," Regina frowned. Why had this to be so hard? Her face turned into a politely smiling mask. "But I didn't want to just invite anyone to accompany me to an event as important as my only sibling's wedding. I hope you understand."
Cora sighed. Her daughter's reasoning was logical but she knew Regina didn't actually mean it and only chose the words carefully to appease her. Regina had after all learned from the best – herself – how to move in certain circles of society and how to elegantly avoid topics she didn't want to talk about. It made her feel weirdly proud of Regina.
Cora didn't want to argue on Zelena's wedding day so she simply nodded and made her way to the garden where the reception and festivities would take place after the church ceremony. Decorations had still to be set up and the caterers needed to be shown where they could place the tables for the buffet.
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"Zel?" Regina knocked on the doorframe and cautiously walked into her sister's old bedroom. The redhead was sitting on her bed, her hair still messy from sleep, wearing her wedding dress.
"Gina!" Zelena hopped onto her feet and drew herself at her sister, hugging her tightly. "I'm so happy you're here! Mother's driving me crazy!"
"Is she now?" Regina chuckled, finding herself in a sort of dejavu.
"Don't make fun of me, Regina," her big sister jokingly warned her, finally letting her go. "Or I'll summon the wicked witch."
"I don't. It's just funny that mother said exactly the same thing about you only a few minutes ago."
"Hmpf," Zelena snorted. "She's one to talk. It's not her wedding day after all. She's not the one who chose the wrong cake and the wrong dre-"
"Nothing's wrong about the cake or the dress, Zelena," Regina tried to calm her sister down. "I know you want this day to be perfect sis but really nothing is. Your wedding, the red velvet and that wonderful dress? It all comes pretty close to perfect, Zel, if you ask me. And I helped you choose that dress, remember?"
Zelena hesitantly nodded, biting her lower lip.
"You, Zelena, will marry the man of your dreams in about four hours. And you'll look so gorgeous walking down that altar on daddy's arm, that I'll shed a tear or two. And you do know how much I hate it to cry in public."
"You're right," Zelena said more to herself than her younger sister. "You're right, I can do this." She gave Regina a nervous smile. "Help me out of the dress before I crumple it?"
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Three hours later at the apartment Regina shared with Mary Margaret, her girlfriend was almost done getting ready. Regina would be getting ready at her childhood home, staying at her sister's side. Mary Margaret therefore hadn't seen the dress her girl had chosen and was excited to lay her eyes on her. Regina was extravagantly dressed most of the time but she knew she'd wear something really special to her sister's wedding. There weren't a lot of things that could top Regina in a beautiful dress. 'Maybe Regina naked,' she thought with a smirk, applying a light shade of lipstick. She studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror and smiled. Today, she'd give Regina a run for her money. After all it wasn't fair if she would be the only one to reign in her hungry glances. No. Regina would have a hard time tearing her eyes off of her today, she'd made sure of that.
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Regina hurried into the old church. She'd only just gotten Zelena to let her leave her side and the bells were about to toll, signalling the beginning of the ceremony. She made her way to the first row – close family of the bride and groom only – saddened that she couldn't sit next to her girlfriend. Alas, she wouldn't be sitting here for very long as Zelena had chosen her to be her maid of honor and she'd be standing throughout most of the ceremony.
"Finally," Cora released a relieved breath when Regina sat down next to her. "Is you're sister all right?"
Regina nodded. "She is. She wouldn't let me leave before daddy was there. Everything going smoothly so far?"
"Yes, surprisingly," Cora shook her head in disbelief. "I still don't get why they even invited her. You know, Robin's ex, that Marian girl. I just know she's still not over him…"
"It was their decision, mother. Robin said they were friends long before they were romantically involved and if Zelena gave her okay, I think we shouldn't pay her too much attention."
"He looks dashing, doesn't he?"
Regina followed her mother's gaze to the groom. Yes, Robin Hood was admittedly a handsome man but even if she didn't generally prefer women, he still wouldn't be her type. She'd only shared a bed with one man in her entire life and that had been Robin's cousin Graham. The time with him had been rather… enjoyable but he had nothing on her Mary Margaret.
"Regina?"
"Sorry mother. Yes, he looks rather handsome today."
"Maybe you and Graham could try agai-"
"Mother, please. Not now?"
Thankfully, the music began to play and everyone's eyes darted to the church's open double doors, waiting for the bride to arrive.
Regina used the moment to find Mary Margaret. Soon, her eyes found the other woman's form next to her parents a few rows back and she gulped at noticing how deliciously her dress hugged her every curve. 'Damn,' she thought, already envisioning herself helping her out of the gorgeous light blue dress later that day.
Then her father led her sister into the little chapel and she focused her attention on Zelena.
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"That was a beautiful ceremony, wasn't it, Mary Margaret?" Eva glanced at her daughter. "Maybe you should talk to David about-"
"Mom," Mary Margaret rolled her eyes. The wedding party had followed the bride and groom, now wife and husband, back to the Mills family manor. Currently everyone was at the reception, having a glass of champagne and raising toasts at the newlyweds. She however, wanted nothing more than to go to Regina. Her girlfriend was standing together with her family and she really liked what she saw of her dress from afar. It was a beautiful midnight blue and elegantly flowing around Regina's perfect figure. To Mary Margaret, the woman looked like a Greek goddess in the flesh, the style of her dress only enhancing that notion.
"You promised, Mary Margaret. You promised to at least make an effort."
"And I will talk to him later, it's barely early afternoon. You know the party will go well into the night." She saw that Regina had wandered further back into the garden and was waving her over and smiled. "Excuse me."
"You look-"
"You look-"
The two women laughed, their happiness reaching their eyes and making them sparkle with love.
"You look very beautiful, Mary Margaret," Regina's eyes approvingly ran over the length of her girlfriend's body. "Don't tell my sister but you look more beautiful than the bride herself."
"And you look like a goddess," Mary said with honesty, not a hint of a joke in her voice. "My goddess."
"I wish we could just cut the party short and steal away," Regina grinned, lacing her fingers through Mary Margaret's. They'd wandered far enough into the garden to have some privacy. Not enough for more than some hand holding but it was better than nothing. "And I wish I could dance with you later, show everyone whom you belong to."
"So I am your possession then, huh?" Mary Margaret caressed the back of Regina's hand with her thumb.
"Yes. Mine. And I am yours."
"I like that. Belonging to you." Mary's hazel eyes found Regina's brown, a hint of sorrow in them. "I wish I could dance with you as well. Right now I feel like blurting out to everyone that you are my girlfriend but it'd be a really selfish thing to do. Everyone would be way more interested in us than Zelena and Robin."
"And we should first come out to our families in private," Regina added, letting go of Mary Margaret's hand as she noticed that her mother was approaching them. "But," she added, "at the next wedding we will dance until our feet hurt. We won't back down again."
Mary smiled softly. "I'd like that."
"Regina dear!" Cora had finally reached them. She started to say something to her daughter but chose to first greet Eva's child. "Mary Margaret," she gave the young woman with the short black hair a polite smile. "Thank you for celebrating this special day with us. I like your dress, you'll have to tell me where you bought it, dear."
Mary Margaret was about to reply but was interrupted when Cora pounced on her daughter. "Regina dear! It's about time for your speech!"
"Oh," Regina almost choked on her champagne. "Oh, I completely forgot! Mother, MM." She nodded at two of the most important women in her life and hurried off towards the stage that would later house the live band her sister had booked.
"Does this thing work?"
Mary Margaret watched as Regina awkwardly tapped the microphone that had been set up for her. The guests chuckled.
"All right, I suppose it does." Regina smoothed down her dress and found her sister's eyes in the front of the crowd. Zelena was in the embrace of her new husband and looked happier than Regina had ever seen her. "My, Zel you look so beautiful tonight," she said, her voice laced with emotion.
Zelena blew her a kiss and snuggled closer into her groom.
Regina cleared her throat. "You know, when Zelena first brought home Robin, I couldn't believe what I saw. As most of you know, Robin is a very outdoorsy person who likes to spend most of his time frolicking in the woods." Everyone laughed at Regina's choice of words. Regina made a face. "My sister however – well, have you seen her? She loves nothing more than a good pair of heels and gets nervous at the mere idea of getting them dirty." Zelena playfully glared at her sister. "However, during the last two years, I saw miracles happen. I saw my sister go on a camping trip. I saw my brother-in-law wear a tuxedo and watch a play at the theatre. I saw two people fall helplessly in love. Zelena, Robin. I am forever grateful that the two of you found each other. You are like two halves of a whole." The crowd started cheering. "Oh and one last thing. Robin. You know I love you like a brother already. But. Hurt my sister and I will rip your heart out." And with a wink at her brother-in-law, she placed the mic back in its stand and left the stage, pulling her sister into a bone-crushing hug.
"I love you sis."
"Love you too, little sis," Zelena kissed Regina's cheek and squeezed her a last time before letting her husband take over with the hugging.
"Thanks, Regina. That was... lovely. And I promise I'll never do anything to hurt your sister, at least not intentionally."
"I know," Regina grinned at the man who looked slightly uncomfortable in his suit. "I prefer your heart where it is."
"Me too."
"Well," Regina looked at the newlyweds. "You should open the buffet, Little John looks hungry enough to eat one of the other guests."
Robin chuckled at the mention of one of his best friends. "Yes, I suppose you might be right."
AN: I know I was supposed to update before writing this but I simply couldn't get the idea out of my head. Yet I am sure all of you SnowQueen fanatics will be happy about this one as well.
As always, please leave me a review, tell me your thoughts and wishes.
PS.: I have the second chapter ready to upload (: might upload it a little later this week - or possibly today - if the story garners some interest.