Despite the fact that I gave up on this show many seasons before it ended, I'm still writing Swan Queen. At least for this SwanQueen Week story. I love a good soul bonding story and was compelled to write my own. I honestly don't even know if it is good, it really got away from me.
Italics are "unspoken"thoughts.
And obviously I own nothing involving Once Upon a Time.
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It's viewed in the same vein as ghosts. Many people believe them to exist, but to varying degrees. And of course, there are those who staunchly refuse to acknowledge the possibility.
Cave painting, hieroglyphics, and ancient scriptures are riddled with stories of the power. Of what could and has occurred when a fragmented soul finds its other half. Historians are torn on the validity of these stories. And of those who believe they are segmented further still. Some believed it to be common occurrence. While others believed it very rare, but important enough to document.
Either way, it's not a prominent part of modern culture. Not exactly something you learn about in school. Although there are the rare cartoons (ahem, Disney) which distort facts and romanticize the idea. Forever giving young people an unrealistic expectation of love.
Emma had never seen those movies. At seven years old, she was moving into her fourth foster home. And she was loosing hope that any home would be filled with care, let alone give her the opportunity to see many movies.
In later years when Emma would analyze her life, she would realize that everything started the moment she arrived in town. The moment she drove into the driveway of her new home.
It was a blue house with white shutters and a small yard.
A "raised ranch" style home.
The term floated up from the back of her mind. Somehow, she knew the term even though she didn't know what that meant or where she could have heard it. However she dismissed the odd occurrence in the wake of meeting her new foster parents.
However, a peculiar happening occurred again that night.
She was lying in bed that night when she felt an overwhelming sense of annoyance. It seemingly came from nowhere. She was contemplating the new family, and though they appeared rigid, they also seemed caring enough. So the flash of annoyance was misplaced. And a flash it was. It was strong for only a moment but the irritation was lingering.
Loneliness, hopefulness, longing. All those were present before. They made sense.
But Emma dismissed the feeling. Deeming it must be an unconscious irritation at her birth parents.
And it would have been easy to dismiss these strange happenings...if they hadn't continued at least once a day for the next week. The young girl would suddenly know facts she never did before, or feel emotions that didn't quite make sense. She had frequent headaches, and it became hard for her to focus. It felt as though half her mind was on other nameless topics.
A week and a half after Emma moved in she was allowed to go for a walk in the neighborhood by herself.
Her foster parents turned out to be nice though pretty strict. By then they felt she knew the town well enough and set her a schedule of when to be home.
Emma felt as though she were being tested.
Despite the nerves that she would somehow fail said test ( you see, she had very bad luck in her life up to this point) she was excited to be out from under their thumb for a little while.
The neighborhood was a unique one. Being in Maine, it bordered both a beach, and the woods. A dirt road behind a house nearby led to an outlet where Emma could see the water. She didn't dare go near it, or even in the sand really, but was happy to sit on the low stone wall and just watch the waves.
She got lost in the sounds when, like Humpty Dumpty before her, she heard a rustling noise by the trees and fell off backwards. Not a long fall, but enough to cause some aches.
She heard a shout and groaned as footsteps rushed toward her.
"Are you hurt?" An angelic voice asked from above.
And as Emma opened her eyes, she saw the most extravagant and excruciatingly painful sight she could imagine.
A girl.
Extravagant, because this stranger was the most perfect girl she could have ever dreamed up. All symmetrical and soft, with wild brown curls and warm expressive eyes.
Painful, because the moment their eyes met, both girls felt the most intense pain they would ever have in their lives. It was as if their head was being opened with a nutcracker and their bones were rearranging within their skin.
It couldn't have lasted more than 30 seconds, but to both girls it had felt like a lifetime. I mean, have you counted out 30 seconds in a while? It's a long time to be in that much pain.
Yet other than being left slightly breathless, once the pain passed, it felt as if nothing had happened.
In fact, both girls might have even felt...better than they ever have. Every sense and emotion felt heightened.
Mierda! What was that?
"You felt that too?" Emma shakily questioned as she squints at the other girl.
The pretty brunette was on her knees with her hands gripping her head. Upon hearing Emma's question her hands slowly descended. She looked up and nodded but became distracted when she looked down.
blood?
Emma heard whispered. The brunette girl's hand reached toward her but Emma instinctively flinched back before contact was made.
"You're bleeding." The brunette said. "Are you okay?"
Emma looked down at her legs and she could see blood but nodded that she was fine. It wasn't anything major. It was honestly low on her list of current priorities. First priority being that she wanted to know who this beautiful girl was and where she had come from.
"My name is Regina" The beauty said softly. When Emma's head snapped up at the sound, she saw the other girl brushing her curls behind her ear. "You're...very pretty too."
Did I say that out loud?
Now it was Emma's turn to blush; both at the compliment and the embarrassment of apparently having said her thoughts aloud.
Suddenly Regina's ( And what an amazingly fitting name that was) face changed abruptly. Emma wondered what the expression meant because it didn't exactly look like a good thing.
"You're wondering what I'm thinking?" The brunette states more than asks.
"Um, yeah?"
How did she know?
"Can you do something for me?" Regina asked. Her tone was serious but there had been a hint of...amazement?
Now Emma was very confused but agreed without a second thought. She doesn't know why, but she felt she could trust Regina in a way she'd never felt before.
"Can you think your name? Don't say it out-loud. Just think it." She hastily requests.
Why would she...? Emma just shakes off the questions and does as asked. EMMA
The other girl's eyes go wide.
How is this possible?!
Emma hears. But it's only then (and because she happened to be studying the other girls face closely) that she realizes Regina's mouth never moved.
"Emma suites you." She said with a wide, incredulous smile.
"How..?"
"It's like something out of a fairytale!" She whispered to herself excitedly.
Her excitement was infectious and Emma couldn't help but smile as well.
Could she really communicate with this girl, just in their minds?!
"Yes." Regina verbally responds with a giggle.
"Why? How? Do you think we could talk to other people like this?" Emma pondered in rapid fire.
Regina purses her lips. "I don't think so. At least the couples in the stories couldn't."
"What stories?"
"You've never heard soulmate stories before?"
Emma shook her head 'no' in embarrassment.
"That's okay!" Regina reassures with enthusiasm and takes her hand gently. "I'll tell you everything I know!"
And she does. She proceeds to tell Emma all the fairytales and movies she can think of involving souls being reunited or mind communication. Neither child being able to understand yet the magnitude of the event. The stories assured them it was unique...special even. Most of the stories were fictionalized and didn't seem to fit with their situation. Emma didn't mind listening anyway. In fact, she could listen to the other girl speak forever and be content. Especially since Regina had never let go of her hand...
Naturally, the two become inseparable after the initial meeting. "Inseparable" being an exaggeration. They saw each other as often as possible. Which was much much less than either would have preferred. They decided not to tell anyone of their connection. Neither trusted such intimate information with someone else. Not to mention they had an inclination that neither of their parents would approve. Regarless of the fear they would get into trouble from meeting up so often, they were willing to risk it for even a few moments in the other's presence. Luckily, the logistics of planning when to meet were made much easier by using their 'powers'. When they met, they would mostly sit on the stone wall (yes, the same one Emma fell off of) and talk. Sometimes about themselves, sometimes just about the world in general. But always, at some point during the rendezvous, their hands would meet, and their heartbeats would synchronize.
And all would feel right with the world.
Emma had learned so much about the brunette during these weeks. All of which she thought were wonderful. Everything about Regina filled Emma with awe. Everything from the fact that Regina was a year older than herself, to her love of horses and Spanish cuisine. However, the most important things about Regina, Emma learned without being told. For example, the first time Emma met Regina's family, she didn't really meet them at all. Her "parents" had taken her out to eat at the diner and she sensed the moment she walked through the door that Regina was there.
They both looked up and made eye contact.
hi
Emma thought excitedly but a little shyly. She'd never run into Regina unexpectedly before. At least since their meet cute.
The brunette blushed and looked down at the table before her mother asked her a question. She struggled to tame her face before responding.
Regina's mother was very beautiful. In the same way a fancy Medevial sword is beautiful. You appreciate the craftsmanship...but you never want to get close enough to touch. If Emma had been sent to a foster home with this woman, she knows she wouldn't last long.
The other two occupants of the table had their back to Emma most of the time. A girl a bit taller than Regina has out-of-place bright orange hair that is hard to miss. Emma assumes its her older sister. A man stocky man sits next to the redhead.
Emma observed the Mills family most of the meal. As she observed, something felt...off. She couldn't figure out what felt "wrong" about the family.
It wasn't until the Mills were leaving that Emma figured it out.
Regina mentally said goodbye to her as she passed the booth and Emma realized it's the only thing she'd heard or saw the other girl say all night.
Regina, who had always been the more talkative and excitable of the two of them, had been subdued and quiet. Not that she seemed unhappy, but definitely not her normal self.
Emma didn't understand it, but she felt she learned something important about their family dynamic that night.
The younger girl also learned things through "feeling" Regina's emotions. In the first few weeks, they had discovered that they could only feel each others emotions or even hear the other person's thoughts if:
a) the other person wants them to
or
b) the emotion was very strong
From what Emma could analyze (and she did analyze everything when it came to the brunette) Regina seemed to feel certain strong emotions around her family. Most often it was longing around her mother, disappointment or love around her father, and annoyance or joy with her sister.
And around Emma, Regina felt many strong emotions. Emma didn't have the vocabulary to describe them. Regina tells her it's euphoria. Emma is always dazzled when Regina says smart things like that. The older girl insisted that Emma is smart too though which meant more to Emma than you could imagine.
One day, about six months after they had met, the two girls had decided to meet somewhere new. After school they took the long way home so they could walk by the docks. Emma made an inappropriate joke about the sailors and Regina had to stop walking because she was laughing so hard and couldn't catch her breath. The laughter was contagious and soon the young girls were doubled over.
Emma couldn't help but marvel at how pretty Regina was when she laughed like that. They had never discussed what it meant that they were soulmates, but Emma knew in her heart that she would never want anyone else. She tried to hide the crush, but in moments like these she couldn't hide the adoration that showed plainly on her face.
Regina sensed these emotions and blushed. She took the blonde's hand gently and led them to a bench overlooking the water.
Emma?
Yeah?
Regina's anxiety started to affect her. Was something wrong?
Do you...do you think we'll get married some day?
The younger girl was not expecting that question. She blushed all the way to the tips of her ears.
Um...I don't know. Would you want to?
The undeniabe hope in Emma's mind must have given Regina some courage because suddenly she finds herself in a fierce embrace.
Emma felt a new and overwhelming sensation.
Home, her brain provided. The feeling was home.
Regina hugged her tight with her face buried in Emma's shoulder. Emma could feel when the other girl started nodding.
"really?" She whispered in disbelief. Regina was willing to marry her?
Regina lifted her head and their faces were so close. Emma was caught in an intense gaze that she couldn't break away from if she wanted to. And why would she want to? Especially when the prettiest person on the planet was looking at her like Emma had just moved the moon.
Regina's eyes shifted to her lips and Emma had never been so aware of a feature on her face. Her lips suddenly felt very dry and strangely tingly.
Can I...?
And before the brunette could finish a coherent thought, their lips brushed together. At first it was barely a touch but they pressed firmer for a few seconds before pulling away once more.
Emma had never felt so alive.
In hindsight Emma felt she should have known. Nothing good had ever lasted for her, so why would something this good, this special, be expected to have a long lifespan.
She realizes this as she is driving away from Maine with her social worker, Dawn. She is not surprised those foster parents decided to send her back. That they wouldn't want her to stay when they could have another kid, a better fit, come to live with them instead.
Clarity had not come fast though. The last few hours had been filled with horror and tears and promises of love.
I Love You
Emma had to believe that Regina meant it when she told her. Had to believe that the first person to say those words to her would always feel them in their heart.
It was easy to believe when Regina was in the middle of a full-blown panic attack while saying them. Panicked over the thought of living without a fragment of her soul. The fragment she was entrusting in Emma's care.
The worst part though, was that the further away Emma got from Maine, the less she could hear Regina in her head. By the time she arrived in New York, Regina was nothing but a faint presence. A feeling of abandonment, that for once, wasn't her own.
Life was rough for Emma in the years after their parting. Being a child should be a magical and care-free time in a person's life. Yet Emma felt like she only got a taste of that. A taste of something perfect. And now she would never have it again. She longed to be an adult. Be free of the foster system and able to find Regina once more.
Oh, she had hope. At least initially. She had to believe that she would find Regina again some day. That she would grow up and then no one could stop them from being together. So she did her best to distract herself and stay out of trouble. This got harder the older she became. Girls were vicious and boys were pushy. It was hard to think of excuses to thwart their advances. Maybe if she had told them she liked girls it would have helped, but the thought never even occurred to her. Mostly because it would have been a lie. She didn't like girls. She didn't like boys either.
She hadn't...couldn't...look at anyone else after meeting the brunette.
Emma was thankfully naturally intuitive. It had helped her stay out of too much trouble so far. She learned a lot from books and picked up concepts easily. However, this did not necessarily make her a good student. Frequently, while in high school, she would not do homework and was never able to participate in extra-curiculars. There was one class she did pay attention to though. Her sophomore year, she took anthropology as an elective. The class would have been interesting anyway, but this class was particularly interesting to Emma because it often brought up the topic of soul-fractures. They would learn about how the concept appears in different cultures and read doctoral research on the phenomenon.
Emma was always inclined to believe Dr. Jane Porter's theory that the soul-fracture was an evolutionary flaw. That during cave-man days people needed to communicate mentally for survival. However, since humans have domesticated themselves it hasn't been necessary. Over a few thousand years, most humans lost the connection. But a few genetically flawed couples existed throughout history. It would make perfect sense to Emma that even her genetics would be flawed. It seemed like the rest of her was.
She was just sad she had tied Regina to her doomed fate.
Now, Regina's life without Emma hadn't been magical. She was terrifyed when she had stopped hearing Emma. And was constantly worried for the other girl and if her new family was treating her well.
Her mother didn't understand her sudden bouts of anxiety and depression. It frustrated her and she began treating Regina even colder. She put even more pressure on her to succeed. The drive to accomplish the nearly impossible goals which her mother set out for her provided a distraction. A distraction she reluctantly began to embrace.
Then her sister went off to high school...in England. A boarding school. Apparently it was to metaphorically straighten her out. Regina knew it would only make her more wild.
So Regina ended up feeling very alone in the world. Isolated for so long, it became hard for her to make friends as she got older. She hardened herself and eliminated any possibility of a connection.
Her father tried to encourage her to go-out and meet people. But he was never around. He couldn't understand.
She began to believe that she would never see Emma again.
That she had exaggerated their connection in the first place.
That there was no thing as true love anyway.
Yet...every year on Emma's birthday she would do her very best to send as many good feelings as she could through their connection. Love, and hope, and gratitude. If questioned, she would deny she did this. ( Although, who would question her, as no one knows about their bond) But no matter how old she got, she still thought of Emma. Still let herself believe that they would find each other again...even if she only allowed those thought one day a year.
On Emma's twenty-third birthday she awoke feeling oddly positive. Her birthday had always been a good day, but today she felt more hopeful than usual. The last fews years on her own -no longer being a ward of the state- had been hard. Harder than she had thought they would be. She could barely survive, let alone attain the resources to find her lost love.
However, Emma finally felt stable. She finally felt as though she would be okay. That she would survive. She had three jobs, lived in a shitty apartment, and had a car that she is pretty sure was stolen by the guy who sold it to her, but she was stable. She had even been promoted at one of her jobs. It was a coffee shop. Her favorite job of the three, and it's fortunately the one where she gets to celebrate her birthday. Of course, Emma wasn't particularly close to anyone she worked with, so no one knew of the significance of the date. Regardless, she was content to be there, and even got to take a free cupcake when she went on break.
Emma felt silly making a wish on a candle. However the break room was empty so she allowed herself to indulge in the tradition.
She made the same wish she makes every year.
I wish to find Regina again
As Emma blew out the candle she was filled with a wave of panic. But as quickly as it had come, it disappeared.
Regina?
She knew it must have been the other woman. Although she hadn't felt the brunette's presence in her mind that strongly in years.
Could this mean she's near?!
The lack of answer in her mind lead her to believe that it was unlikely.
She tried to forget the strange occurrence for the rest of her shift but it was near impossible. She was distracted thinking about it. Why had the other woman been panicking? Was she in some kind of trouble? Why did Emma feel her so strongly?
It didn't help that 20 minutes before she shift was due to end, an intense phantom pain shot though her. Now Emma was truly worried something was wrong. She was afraid and had a feeling that not all the fear was her own.
Her co-worker Janet had noticed her double over in "pain" for a moment.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"Yeah...I don't know...I have to go!" She manages to stumble out. And doesn't give Janet a chance to respond before she is grabbing her bag and rushing out the back door.
She doesn't stop until she turns on her car and realizes she has no idea where she is supposed to go. It's not like she can just drive to Regina when she doesn't know where she is! If she knew, she would have found her already!
Think Emma, think!
Well, last I know she was living in Maine. What are the chances she's still there? I don't even know where that town was! I think it had some sort of fairytale name?
Almost unconsciously she had put her car into gear and started driving north.
I guess I'm driving to Maine and I'll figure it out once I get there.
And that's exactly what she did. Emma drove for hours. Every hour that went by felt too long. Even stopping for gas made her shaky and anxious to start moving once more. She could only hope her old VW Bug would last the drive. Why couldn't she just poof to the other woman?!
The unexpected road-trip was filled with worry especially when she started to feel the "pain" more frequently. Other emotions were showing up as well. Emma tried to disseifer them all. Fear, anxiousness, annoyance, and even hope were cycled through her mind. Emma was trusting that the fact that Regina's presence was stronger in her mind meant that she was headed in the correct direction.
Instinct drove the car all the way to a small town by the shore. The sign proclaimed it's name as Storybrooke.
Storybrooke! Emma thought excitedly. Recognizing the town from her childhood.
Emma? Oh God, I'm hallucinating from the pain.
Emma slammed on the breaks at the sudden voice in her head. Thankfully the road was deserted.
Regina! Is that you? Where are you?
Who else would it be?! Have other people been speaking to you in your head since you've left? If so, you may need to see a psychiatrist!
Her words were testy but Emma didn't care. She was so happy to hear the other girl..woman...that anything she said was music at this point. Emma was also willing to blame the snarky remark on the fact that as she was saying them another wave of "pain" came through Emma. This time lasting longer than before.
Where are you?!
Stroybrooke Hospital
Why are you in the hospital Regina?!
She asking the question as she is putting the car into drive once more and making her way toward her new destination.
...It's a long story which I'm not exactly up to telling at the moment.
And though it's not possible, Emma imagined Regina saying this through gritted teeth.
Okay, okay. I'm on my way!
You are?
Yes, just...hang in there. I'll be there soon.
And she tried to send as many calming thoughts through their bond as she could.
In record time she was pulling up to the hospital. She barely stopped to put her car into park before flinging the door open and running into the building.
"Can I help-" An older woman at the front desk started to ask before Emma interrupted.
"Regina Mills!" She practically shouted and tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for her to look up the room number.
"Room 311"
I'm here.
She tries to sound reassuring as she power walks through the hallways. She had tried to run but the nurses had given her a scathing look.
Emma was too distracted to notice the signs. To notice what area of the hospital she was walking into and what the implications of that could mean. Nothing mattered but getting to Regina. She couldn't believe she was so close. Her heart was beating wildly as she saw the numbers she was looking for. Like a beacon of light guiding her home.
When she steps across the threshold it's as if everything in the universe were put on pause but the two of them. There's a ringing in her ears and her feet have stopped moving. All she can focus on in this moment is the woman propped up in the hospital bed.
regina
The name is said with reverence. And she can't articulate more words now that she's in Regina's presence once more. The brunette was even more beautiful than she had ever been. Her hair was shorter and her face more angular, but it was the same girl that had always put her in a state of awe.
Then brunette smiled. Bright and wide. Her eyes show relief, and disbelief, and love. So much love. She was glowing. And it was only at this observation that Emma notices other details. Like the fact that the other woman is sweaty, with messy hair...and has visible bump protruding from her abdominal area.
You're pregnant?
Emma can feel the brunette's sudden worry about her reaction. Regina bites her lower lip and nods.
How-I mean...Who...um...?
"I'm not with the father." Regina states in a voice just loud enough to hear. And god, does Emma wish that the first thing she hears Regina say out-loud to her in 15 years was more romanic than that. Although she couldn't deny that it was the exact information she wanted to know.
Pulled by their connection, she moves closer to the bed. There is no one else in the room and Emma is more than curious to hear the full story, however she knows it's not the right time for that.
Their hands clasp just before Regina has another contraction.
"Can I...Do you want me to stay?" Unsure now that she knows what the situation is exactly.
Despite the pain, Regina manages to look at her like she's an idiot before responding.
"Forever"
Little Henry doesn't end up sharing the same birthday as Emma. Born after mid-night, he get's a day all to himself. Emma isn't sure how she feels about that. It's nice that he has his own day, but perhaps if they shared a birthday, she would feel they had more of a connection. Not that she isn't enamored with this beautiful baby boy. She absolutely is.
And for all of Regina's negative emotions during labor, she clearly is as well.
Emma is unsure about a lot of things though. She is unsure if she should let herself connect with Henry. She isn't sure if Regina would even want her to. Isn't sure if whoever his father is would want her to. Isn't sure if she could even be a parental figure when she's never had one herself. Isn't sure what her place in any of this really is.
But Regina hasn't told her to leave yet, so she'll stay as long as she's allowed.
forever
She remembers what Regina had said hours before. But what if that had been the hormones or fear? She had been all alone and needed Emma there.
And why was she all alone?
"You're thinking too much." Regina mumbles without opening her eyes. "It's distracting."
"Sorry."
She peaks her eyes open and pauses before sitting up fully.
"No, sleep." Emma says and gets up from her chair by the bed where she was holding the newborn.
The brunette simply shakes her head and makes 'grabby' hands. Clearly asking to hold Henry.
After the baby is passed over, she motions for Emma to sit on the bed with her. Hesitantly she complies and watches mother and son together in silence.
"You're going to be a great mom." She eventually states.
"I hope so but...I don't know. I'm not that positive girl you once knew Emma." Regina responds quietly as continues to look down at her son. "I haven't necessarily even been a good person. I got pregnant by some man while I was trying to prove to myself I didn't need anybody. To try and convince myself that I could use people without it affecting me. That I could be as ruthless as my mother always hoped I'd become. How am I supposed to be a good mom? A good role model for ou-my son?"
"You love him. I can feel how much you love him. That's all that matters."
"All my adult life people have called me heartless." She reveals and finally looks up at Emma.
"You're not." She says fiercely.
"I was." Regina argues. "Because you had my heart. And the worst part is, I didn't even give it to you. It was just yours before I was even born. I had no choice but to love you, and loose you."
Emma doesn't know how to respond to that at first. They are getting into dangerous territory. Dangerous because it has Emma hoping for so much.
"You had mine, as well." She finally affirms.
Regina looks down at the newborn again and sighs.
"I'm sorry if I didn't take care of it." She starts. "If having Henry has hurt your heart. But I don't regret it. I can't."
"I would never want you to." Emma assures.
"Do you...do you think you could forgive me? That you could ever love me like you once did? Love Henry?"
And Emma knows Regina has always been braver than her. Braver and smarter, and more honest. And Emma will never be more thankful of these qualities than she is right now. It allowed her to be brave too.
"I already do."
And like a valiant knight, her bravery was rewarded with the affections of her queen. And a kiss, gentle and so full of love, was bestowed.
Though it was quickly becoming not-so gentle and soft.
"Well, well. Here I was rushing to arrive because I thought you'd be all alone." A voice drawls from the entrance. The two break apart at the sound.
"Zelena!" Regina exclaims happily. "What are you doing here?"
"You think I wasn't going to come and meet my new niece or nephew?" The tall red-head chastises. "I would have been here for the delivery but your due date wasn't for another two weeks."
"Come meet Henry then." Regina holds up the sleeping child slightly to indicate that she wanted her sister to hold him.
Zelena sets her purse down and happily snatches him up.
"What a perfect little boy." The older woman says softly while looking at the child. "How was labor? I can't imagine going through that." She says with a shutter.
"It could have been worse." Regina answers with a not-so subtle look over to Emma.
"I see." Zelena responds after catching the look. "You know I was very worried when I realized I probably wouldn't make it in time. After your falling out with Mother, I was under the assumption you'd be all alone. Clearly that wasn't the case." She pointedly looks at the blonde.
"I'm Emma." The blonde introduces. Feeling the need to say something.
"Oh I know. How could I forget the girl my sister has been in-love with since we were children." A self-satisfied smirk accompanying her words.
"You knew?" Regina asks, genuinely surprised.
"Of course I knew." Zelena says while sitting down. "You were very obvious with all your sneaking around to see her and mooning over her once she left."
"You never said anything."
"I didn't think you wanted me to know."
I'm a bad sister
You're not
I am. We should have been so much closer than we are.
Well she came all the way here. You still have a chance to be as close as you wish
"I didn't" Regina agrees. "I didn't think anyone would believe-" She stops herself from saying something about soul fractures. Because even today the connection feels too intimate to discuss with others. " Believe that we were in-love." She finishes. And this is also a true statement. Who would have believed a child claiming they were forever in-love.
"I believe it now." Zelena admits. "When did this start again anyway." She asks while motioning to the pair.
"Oh, uh, she arrived while I was in the hospital. It was like a miracle." Regina says with a fond smile. "I really appreciate you coming all the way from England though Zelena. How long are you staying?"
"A week for now. While I am here I may look at flats. I was thinking it may be time to move back home."
"Truly?"
"Well I don't want to miss out on this little guy's life. And I assume you two will need a babysitter during your date nights, no?"
As if on cue, the couple blushed.
And so it happened that little Henry grew up in a loving household with two mothers. He grew up to believe in soul-fractures, and magic, and many other wonderful things...even ghosts.