Chapter One
Regina wakes up like she's been asleep forever. Her eyes open wide as she begins to realize her surroundings.
She's in quite an elegant home. The furnishings are plush. Everything is crisp and white. She is obviously someone who can afford the best.
She springs out of bed and looks out her large bedroom window. She sees it. Her town, her curse…it worked!
"I won" she says to herself triumphantly. She goes back to gazing out her window when a rather large, almost vulgar piece of jewelry catches her eye. It is dancing in the abundant sunlight.
It is an enormous ruby as red as blood surrounded by diamonds paired with another, more simple band of diamonds on "that finger" of "that hand."
"What the" she mumbles to herself. "Married"? "Who could I possibly be married to"?
She begins to look around her bedroom for clues. Nothing in the immediate area, so she moves to the adjoining bathroom. She spots 2 toothbrushes on the counter. She looks further and spots a bottle of men's cologne. She holds it up to her to nose and takes a whiff. It is a very masculine, almost intoxicating scent.
She moves her search to the large walk in closet. She admires her fashionable wardrobe. Beautiful clothes indeed. She turns to the other side of the closet. There they are, men's clothes. Suits to be exact. Whoever she is married to in this land is obviously someone of status. Each suit was more elaborate than the next. Beautiful design and impeccable tailoring. Now Regina was intrigued, who was this man? She was actually excited to meet him. She found her way down the rather grand staircase quickly and walked into the kitchen.
"Good Morning Dearie, I was beginning to think you'd never wake."
Regina's heart almost came to a complete stop. While he looked different in this land, there was no mistaking that voice. It was Rumpelstiltskin! Rumpelstiltskin was standing at her kitchen counter drinking a cup of coffee. Regina's eyes immediately noticed the band of gold on his ring finger.
"What the hell are you doing here"? Regina asked in a very annoyed tone. "Isn't is obvious Dear"? Rumpelstiltskin replied "It appears we are husband and wife."
"What"? Regina shouted back angrily
"I must admit dear, I don't know whether to be flattered or angered."
"You twisted little imp, what did you do"? Regina asked
"I did nothing, this curse is your design, your revenge, remember"? Rumple replied
"I assure you, Regina, I have not been dying of love for you all these years" he continued
"In what realm is being bound to you for the rest of my life a happy ending"? Regina replied back
"Oh, there there your majesty, I'm not all that bad and lucky for you there's plenty of time for you to discover that" Rumple replied smugly
"I can't believe this" Regina shouted "How could this happen"? Regina was truly flabbergasted. She began pacing around the kitchen.
"Well, I hate to say I told you so, but magic always comes with a price" Rumple said amused
"Come to think of it, I'm the one who should be angry, you promised me a good life, how is having you as my wife a good life"? He continued
"Look at this house, this furniture, and our clothes. Obviously we're quite comfortable." "It appears we do have a good life" Regina replied
"Yes, it also appears magic has a sense of humor. I guess you're never too old to learn something new" Rumple shot back
"Well, I'm glad you think this is funny" Regina lamented "How the hell are we supposed to live like this"?
Rumple came in close to Regina. His eyes were locked with hers. She could feel the warmth of his breath as he replied "We've got all the time in the world, I suppose we'll figure it out."
"Whether this is by mistake or design, you are all mine" he growled
Regina was fearless by nature, but this man, Rumpelstiltskin, could always evoke fear in her. She put on her best poker face and said in a very dismissive tone "I'm going to take a shower, then I'm going to work."
Regina would not let Rumpelstiltskin, of all people, destroy her victory.
"Suit yourself my dear, I'm sure I have things that need tending to as well" Rumple replied in his normal cool as a cucumber tone.
Regina went upstairs and took her shower. Her mind raced the whole time. It was a most bizarre feeling. She could still remember her old life, her "real" life back in the Enchanted Forest, but her head was also full of thoughts and memories from this new life. It was a lot to take in.
She got herself together and got dressed. As she made her way out of the house, she noticed some framed photos above the fireplace. There they were, wedding pictures of her and Rumple looking as happy as ever. If she didn't know any better, she'd say they were really in love.
"Bastard" she mumbled to herself as she found her way to her black sedan. It was amazing how she knew exactly where to go and what to do in this new life.
She pulled up to her office and made her way inside. As soon as she walked in, there it was, staring her right in the face, "Mayor Mills-Gold" emblazoned on the door. "Bastard" she mumbled to herself again. Regina was positive that Rumple had tampered with the curse.
Meanwhile across town Rumpelstiltskin now known as Mr. Gold found his way to his pawn shop. It was a quaint little shop filled with rare and priceless antiquities. He found he recognized many of the items in his shop from past deals.