A/N: I've had this sitting in a file for a while, and I thought that I would finally post it.
It's short.
Thoughts?
Love lots,
CBC
Henry took a deep breath as he stood and walked up to the dias. "As you all know, I am Henry Mills. Regina Mills is my mom, and despite how everything got flipped upside down when I found out that she was the Evil Queen, I love her with my whole heart. She took care of me, she loved me, she was a wonderful mother. She is my mother. Even now, at twenty-four, her rules and lessons guide me on my way."
He looked out to the crowd and found Emma's eyes locking with his as he continued, "I am so proud of all that she has done, and am so happy that she found herself able to love again. To have my mothers work out their problems and find comfort in each other is a beautiful thing. Even though at first it was awkward, and hard for everyone to understand and get used to. I love my moms so much, and I love Deirdra and Demietre with all my heart. And who can forget the memories of the good shock everyone got when my mom announced that magic can aid same sex couples to have their own children."
Henry paused as soft, watery chuckles escaped lips in the crowd, "I am so proud that despite the past events, we have all moved forward. Ruby and Dr. Whale are happily married, with a precious daughter. Belle has broken the curse of the Dark One and freed Rumplestiltskin, and they have two happy children of their own. Snow and David have three more children in their clan. But most of all, we found it in ourselves to forgive. We found it in ourselves to give my mom a second chance to find happiness with Emma."
He took another deep breath and swallowed the lump in his throat. "I am happy that after a lifetime of sadness, she was able to find her happy ending. I am so happy that she was able to meet her grandson, my precious six-months-old baby boy. I hope that together we can create a beautiful image of my mother for my son. Let the next generations remember the beauty of redemption, and love, not the damnation and hatred. Let us rejoice in peace but never forget that no person is perfect. Let this be how we love, and let this be understood as I step into the position of Mayor in my mother's place."
Henry wiped a tear from his cheek as he looked towards the hand-crafted wood and glass casket Gepetto had been so humbled to make, "Let us create images of peace for our children, and embrace the goodness of all of our hearts. My mom was able to finally get her happy ending, no matter how she was taken away much too soon. My heart aches for my mom to be back, to take away the pain that Deirdra and Demietre are feeling, to take away the pain in Emma's heart. She was ripped away from us because of the cancer, and we're left to pick up the pieces. Kari and I have been spending our nights in the mansion's guest room, and every morning I wake up, hoping that my mom will knock on the door. Instead, I wake up to the crying aching hearts of my brother and sister… they miss her just as much as I do."
Henry paused his talking as the eight-year-old twins scrambled from their chairs and ran to wrap themselves around his waist, tears staining their cheeks. He held them close as he continued, "We won't ever not miss her, and every day that passes, it'll become just a little easier to breathe, a little easier to smile, but we will never forget how much she loved us, and how much she still does. I love you so much mom. Thank you, thank you for loving me, no matter what anyone did, what anyone said, you did love me, and I am so glad that you never gave up on me. Thank you, mom, for loving me, for loving Emma, for loving Deirdra and Demietre, and for being so good to all of us. I love you, and I will never stop loving you, and will never forget hearing your voice telling me the same thing."