Disclaimer: Nope. Just feels again.
Authors Notes: I'm sorry it's so short, fandom. But after seeing all the raging and the tears, I just had to write something. If anything to make myself feel better because I love living in denial. Obviously AU's are the only way we're going to see Regina happy at all, too, so. This is for us and our broken hearts.
It had been a long, long time since Regina Mills had felt this kind of happiness, although she was almost sure it would be fleeting. With Henry in her arms, and his wrapped tightly around her waist, knowing that this wasn't the cause of magic, and he was returning the gesture, the proclaimed Evil Queen felt the remaining frost covering her heart begin to melt. A warmth that enveloped her from Henry's acknowledgement, and knowing he was proud of her, for something that she did; something that didn't involve causing pain to another.
She felt as if she had just awoken from a nightmare that had lasted so long, it had become reality.
So profound was her joy in that moment, she forgot that she had not given birth to Henry, and that his true family stood feet away, waiting for him to return to them. Not even that thought could touch her, now. Not while Henry was with her, and for a split second, it was just the two of them. The way it used to be.
As all good things must, it came to an end. Far too quickly for her tastes, and the tears welled as soon as her sons hand slipped through hers, their finger tips brushing as the connection was severed.
In seconds, she would crumble. Her spirit would shatter and she would be broken, vulnerable; and she ached for knowing it. For having such a weakness, and for once, glad that she had it.
As the chattering voices began to die off, and her knees began to tremble, eyes focused on the floor because she couldn't bear to see him walk through that door, leaving her behind. After all that she had just done…
Suddenly, the voices stopped, but their footfalls did not continue out. Regina swallowed the burning in her throat, the heat of her sorrow ready to spill from her eyes at any moment, she glanced up to find Henry.
"Aren't you coming?" he questioned, as if he had expected her to follow all along. And how could she? Follow the group who she had hated and who hated her in turn for so many years? Not without proper invitation, of course. "They won't mind." Henry continued.
"A-are you sure?" she sniffled, letting out a humorless laugh at the situation she found herself in. The irony…honestly. "I don't think 'family' time includes me, Henry." and there goes her lip, quivering at the thought of never truly being considered his family. Did those ten years mean nothing?
She expected Henry to speak again, but instead, the voice that came in place of his surprised her.
"You are family." Looking beyond the boy, she saw Prince Charming standing in the doorway, and the shadows just beyond alluded to the rest of the crew. That sideways smile she always hated to admit was indeed charming made her own lips curl subconsciously. But the shock was more than evident in the blank expression now taking over her features.
Henry's hand slipped through hers. "That's right. You're my mom. C'mon."
Although it stunned her, and she wasn't particularly thrilled to join these people, she would for Henry. As they followed David out of the door, and into the open air of Storybrooke, Maine; with her son walking by her side, she thought that perhaps a new day would dawn.
Maybe, she could be family after all.
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