"Regina?" The small voice rang through the large bedchamber. Snow didn't want to disturb Regina too abruptly but she really, really needed to talk to her. She prepared herself, ready to move through the large room from the doorway. "Regina?" she asked a little more quietly this time as she crept closer to the sleeping figure in the bed. One more time. Just try one more time and if she doesn't wake up, I'll leave and try Cora. Thought the young girl. Although she would very much prefer Regina to Cora. The older woman's attempts at comforting always seemed forced, cold, heartless. Regina was always so much nicer and warmer towards her. She really needed to talk to her. Snow tip toed all the way to the bed before uttering the young woman's name again. "Regina!" She nearly yelled in her ear. Regina woke with a start and searched for the source of her unexpected awakening. Her eyes landed on the small girl standing to the side of her bed.
"Snow? Dear? What's wrong? Are you okay? What's wrong?" She could see the fear and sadness pooling in the girl's eyes. She sat up and scooched over in her bed, giving the girl room to climb in with her. Snow took opening and got right in and just as she got comfortable she broke into tears and wrapped her arms tightly around Regina's torso. The older woman took no time in returning the hug, shushing her, and smoothing her hair. "Shuuuush shush shush, Snow. It's ok, dear. You're safe. You want to tell what's the matter?" She could feel the girl nod her head yes. Pulling her away slightly she crouched down a bit to be eye level with her and brushed some hair and tears from her face. "It's ok. Tell me what's the matter." She encouraged with a warm smile.
That was what Snow liked about Regina. The warmth behind her eyes. Just like her mom.
"I had a bad dream." She began with her head hanging a big low. "I was captured and there was no was no way out. But the people who held me captive told me I could leave if I could pick out my mother from a group of women, and" she paused, trying to stifle more tears. "I couldn't. I couldn't tell if any of them were my mother! And now I'm afraid I'm starting to forget her. I don't remember her like I used to!" She pushed back in to a hug. Regina returned to her position of rocking and smoothing the child's hair. She spoke into the top of the girl's head in this position, but she was sure she could hear her all the same.
"Snow, you are not ever going to forget your mother. You have pictures; your father and the staff can tell you stories. You will not going to forget her. In fact you will see her every day."
"I will?"
"Yes. Because when you look in the mirror, you will see her in you, not just on the outside, but also on the inside. Those that love us never really leave. We hold them in our hearts."
"Forever and ever?"
"Forever and ever. I promise. Do you want to sleep here with me tonight or do you think you can manage all by yourself?" She asked. It was something she always wished Cora would let her do when she had nightmares. She thought it would make her feel better, but her mother saw it as coddling; nothing she ever tried to do.
"Can I stay here?" Snow asked. She probably could be fine in her own bed but staying in bed with her mother was always something she would do when she had nightmares.
"Of course you can, Snow. Just lie down, close your eyes, and the bad dreams will go away." She lied down beside the young girl. Surprised when Snow turned back around immediately to give her one last hug.
"Thank you."