A/N: Hi, this is my first story involving these characters but please know I have loved them from the beginning.

While this story has politics as its backdrop I am not claiming to be an expert in this arena. Further, there will likely be some political achievements in this story that would probably never be possible in real life. But hey, this is fiction and we get to live out whatever we want!

I do not own Once Upon A Time or any of its characters.

I hope you enjoy the first chapter. Your comments are more than welcome!

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Cheers and whoops of joy exploded around her but Regina Mills was rooted to the ground, her eyes fixed on the television screen. The noise around her had reduced to a low buzz as the words turn over and over in her head. President-elect Regina Mills. Slowly a smile started to bloom on her face and she let out a breath that she felt she'd probably been holding for a few months now.

She had won the election. As she stood in the hotel room surrounded by staffers and volunteers Regina Mills had just been announced as the first ever female President-elect of the United States. "Holy shit! You did it!" her communications director exclaimed before hugging her. Ruby Lucas had been by her side from the first day she had been elected as Governor of Maine. "We did it," Regina retorted, a nervous laugh bubbling up from her throat.

It would be lie to say that she wasn't still in shock. Before she could say anything more an aid appeared with a phone in her hand. "Governor, I have Senator Gold for you," she said extending the phone towards Regina. Senator Robert Gold had been Regina's opponent in the general election and a formidable one at that.

She nodded her thanks as she took the phone from the aid and step into a quieter room. "Senator," she greeted. While Regina Mills had always been on the political radar the Governor from Maine wasn't really expected to run for President. But Regina had been fed up with politics as usual and she knew that in order to make a real difference, to even try to change things, she needed a bigger platform and a much more powerful title. Along with her team they decided to run a campaign that many wouldn't have given a chance of succeeding. Her platform held several bold policy positions and Regina Mills wouldn't compromise on any of them. She stumped on the basis and fact that Americans needed a strong leader that would follow the courage of her convictions and not compromise them for political gain.

Of course Regina was well aware that she'd have to play the political game if she wanted to get anything done. "Thank you. Yes. My best to your family," Regina hung up the call with Gold and sat down heavily. She shook her head but a smile dominated her face. It had been a long two-and-a-half years to get to this point and Regina was sure that the real work hadn't even started yet. But just for now she wanted to soak up the moment. It didn't last long though as a knock on the door drew her out of her musings. "Come in," she answered.

"Madam President-elect," her personal aid Zelena greeted, a smile threating to swallow her face. She quickly schooled her features though and presented Regina with cue cards. "Ma'am, you're scheduled to deliver your acceptance speech in about half an hour," she instructed. "These are your notes".

Another knock on the door signaled the appearance of another aid. "Ma'am, your mother is on line 2," she was informed. "Thank you. And thank you Zelena. Give me a few moments and we can go over the speech," said Regina as she once again reached for the phone. The two aids retreated to give their boss some privacy.

"Mother," she said into the phone. "Hello darling and congratulations. I am so proud of you," Cora's voice carried through the phone. "Thank you mother. You know I could never have done it without my family".

"How is Henry?" Regina asked. "Oh the poor boy wore himself out and is fast asleep with no inkling that his mother has just made history," Cora answered pride and awe evident in her voice. Regina was silent for a few moments. Cora understood her daughter's silence but said nothing.

"I wish they were here," Regina whispered. "Your father and Daniel…they would both be exceptionally proud of you darling," Cora finally said.

Regina's father had passed away from a sudden heart attack when she was barely out of college. It had taken her some time to learn how to live without her doting father. And then she met Daniel. He was kind and gentle and never threatened by Regina's ambition. Instead, he'd spurred her on, making her believe that she could do anything she set her mind to. Regina was sure that she couldn't have been any happier. That was until baby Henry had come into their lives several years later. The pregnancy came as a surprise to both Daniel and Regina as they were told that conceiving would be close to impossible. Somehow it happened and with their little family they'd become ever happier than Regina thought possible. What could she possibly have wanted more? She was married to a man she loved, they shared a beautiful baby boy, and she had been elected Governor of her home state.

The fairytale had come crashing down a year later though. Daniel had been driving home through a storm eager get back to his family after a business trip. The police concluded that he'd lost control of his car and was unable to correct it because of the slick roads. He'd crashed head on into a tree and never made it home to his wife and son. Regina shook the memories from her mind and cleared her throat.

"You're on an extraordinary journey Regina. First female President. And you have much more to achieve. So get out there and show them Regina Mills," Cora encouraged.

"I will," Regina vowed. "Give Henry a kiss for me". She spent the next several minutes looking over her acceptance speech with Zelena. Naturally, every aspect of the day had been planned to a tee including a concession speech that was now consigned to a dustbin somewhere. Regina had chosen her own clothes though and she was determined to wear the same outfit win or lose. She'd chosen a deep plum coloured pantsuit as a way of illustrating the coming together of the country, of red and blue. Whether she stepped out onto the stage as the winner or not it was her intention to unite the country. She knew it was a symbolic gesture but it was important to her to make the first move towards unification.

Zelena glanced at her watch and then at the agent in charge of Regina's secret service detail. She took her nod as her signal and slipped the President-elect's notes into a leather binder that would be placed on dais. "It's about time for the speech ma'am," she informed Regina.

As Regina squeezed several hands and accepted numerous hugs as she made her way through the suite. She stepped out into the hallway with Zelena by her side. As she began to make her way down the hallway secret service agents fell into step behind her. A few steps ahead of her was Killian Jones, the agent in charge. "Victory is on the move," he said discreetly into his cuff. She smirked at the code name as she was led to the stage.

As she stood in the wings she could almost feel the palpable excitement of the people that had been gathering since early morning. Her stomach fluttered as it always did before she stepped out onto a stage. This time though it was one of the most significant speeches Regina Mills would ever make and deliver.

"Ladies and gentleman," the speaker announced. "The next President of the United States of America." Zelena gave her the cue and she strode out onto the stage to rapturous applause and cheering. It went on for several minutes as Regina patiently waved and smiled. She knew she'd have to start the speech to get the crowd to settle down but it wasn't an easy task.

"Good evening". The deafening roar of the crowd drowned out Regina's greeting.