A/N: I am super excited about this update and this story in general. I hope you are too.
Thanks so much to everyone who is reading. Thanks to those sharing, commenting and following the story. My muse is quite inspired by your thoughts. Let me know if you like this one too.
It goes without saying that I do not own anything related to OUAT and am only borrowing these characters.
Regina sat on the chaise lounge in her bedroom. This room had been her secret haven for over 40 years before she had gone on her adventure with Henry. And now, it felt like she didn't belong anymore. It was hers. The things still belonged to her. But it felt distant… from another life.
She had been surprised to find the house in such good condition when she finally arrived there. The yard and exterior of the home were perfection. Somehow, impossibly, Stella had met her with a purr and a butt of her head against Regina's leg.
She had entered the house and found everything as she left it. Though the harder she looked, the longer she examined, the more she noticed microscopic differences. Pillows in the wrong place, dishes in the drainer she hadn't left there, tchotchkes moved from the place they had belonged for decades.
No matter. She hadn't let these small things bother her. Maybe her memory was finally growing faulty. It was when she noted that the pantry and refrigerator were stocked with her favorite things that she realized someone had prepared the home for her return.
Emma.
Of course it had been Emma. She was the only one who could enter the house without Regina's invitation. After so many villains in such short succession after Emma arrived in town, Regina had cast a protection spell over the house that would prevent anyone from entering unless she invited them. The only exceptions of course were Henry and Emma.
The brunette stood and headed toward the en suite. She didn't want to think about Emma. She had less than an hour before she was to meet her family at Granny's for a small "welcome home" dinner. But that was time enough for a hot shower. That might clear her mind of the blonde she had barely spoken to after saying "hi" at the town line.
~ (SQ) ~
"Hi." Emma's voice was soft and full of emotion.
Regina smiled again. "Hi."
Green eyes locked onto brown for the first time in a decade and Emma couldn't move. She couldn't look away. She wanted to say something. She wanted to do something. Anything. But she couldn't. She was frozen—stuck to this spot and this moment.
And the worst part was she wasn't sure what was happening to her or why.
Simply saying hi had transported her momentarily to the first time she had met Regina. There on the walk in front of the Mifflin Street house, with Henry defiantly glaring at his other mother. She hadn't been able to say anything else then either. Just "hi" like an idiot.
She noted curiously as she continued to stare into eyes the color of dark chocolate, melting from some hidden heat, that the other woman wasn't making any move to look away either. But that wasn't new. In fact, long, deep eye contact, unbroken by words, was commonplace between them once. When had that stopped? Ah, yes—when she began seeing Killian with earnest. But why?
Before Emma could follow that rabbit too far, she heard her son's voice calling and she finally looked away, feeling the connection severed all the way to her bones.
"Ma!" Henry nearly knocked her over with his affectionate hug. "I missed you so much!"
He squeezed her for a long moment before pulling back suddenly and motioning to Cinderella and the little girl. They drew nearer and from the corner of her eye, Emma watched as Regina backed away, giving them space. But those dark eyes never wavered from watching.
He introduced his little family, his wife Jacinda and daughter Lucy. Tears filled Emma's eyes at the realization that she was a grandmother. She held both Jacinda and Lucy in a tight embrace, one Henry joined, encircling them all with his long arms.
A moment later, he'd reached a long arm out for Regina and pulled her into the group hug. Emma felt fresh tears rush to her eyes as the brunette's small arm slipped hesitantly around her waist. Now they shared two children. A son and a granddaughter.
Emma sobbed. Regina's hesitation disappeared and her arm tightened.
~ (SQ) ~
Regina, wrapped in a soft towel, tiptoed quickly across the room to her cell phone. It had started ringing before she had even gotten out of her bath. She glanced at the screen. It was Henry.
"Hey Mom." There was a racket in the background that faded as if Henry was walking to a quieter place. A door clicked and the noise ceased. "You ok?"
Regina held the phone between her shoulder and face and started opening drawers looking for something to wear. She wasn't sure which version of her would go to dinner tonight. Roni? Mayor Mills? Some hybrid of the two? "I've only been away from you for a few hours. But thank you for checking on me." She paused and he said nothing. "I'm fine. How are things with you? Has Snow stopped fawning over Lucy yet?"
After the very long group hug, Regina had devised a plan. She had needed some space and a chance to clear her head. So, she had suggested Henry, Jacinda and Lucy go with Emma. They were going to stop in to see Snow and Charming before meeting up at Granny's. The next day, they would do a more formal excursion around town to show Lucy and her mom Storybrooke.
Meanwhile, Regina, with Zelena's help, planned to get the newcomers settled someplace for the night. Some decided to stay at the B&B. Alice, Robin and Rogers joined Zelena at her house. A few others just wanted to have some time to themselves and opted to camp out in the woods. In a matter of little more than an hour, Regina had been able to slip away to her home.
"Yeah, Gram has been hugging her and crying off and on for the last forty-five minutes. I feel bad for Lucy but… I gotta admit it is sorta funny." Henry chuckled and Regina couldn't help but join him. But then, he sighed and spoke again, suddenly serious. "Mom… are you okay?"
Regina was quiet a moment. "You always were an intuitive little boy," she smiled around the words and the memory they conjured of his five year old arms encircling her neck with a hug just when she needed it. "I am… I'm ok. I'm tired from the drive and it will take some time adjusting to this life again."
"Really, Mom?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "Yes, really. Now, unless you are purposely trying to have me make a late entrance to dinner, I have to go. I need to get ready."
There was another quiet sigh on the other end of the line. "I know something is up. But, I'm willing to let it go. For now. See you in a few. Love you, Mom."
"I love you, Henry."
The call ended and Regina sat heavily on the end of her bed, dropping her head in her hands. Here only a few hours and already Henry knew something was wrong. That wouldn't do. She would have to try harder to be normal.
Well, that's a great plan, Regina. Conceal, don't feel.
She shook herself and stood, letting the towel drop on the floor. She examined her body in the mirror across the room. Despite time passing, she still looked young and beautiful. She smoothed her hands across her tummy and under her still perky breasts.
Thank the gods for magic.
Stepping into her closet, she let her fingers slip across her clothes, feeling the rich fabrics. Each outfit made her think of different stages of her life in Storybrooke. She stopped on one and tilted her head to the side. This one always made her feel powerful. And if she needed anything tonight, it was to feel powerful.
She smiled mischievously, scolding herself for her thoughts but selecting the outfit anyway.
Powerful. And sexy.
~ (SQ) ~
Emma stood at the end of the counter in Granny's Diner closest to the door. What had started as a small dinner for the family, a time to just be together, had turned into something much larger. The place was packed. It seemed everyone wanted to welcome home the Mills clan.
Someone had fashioned a sign and hung it behind the counter. Emma squinted at it. It looked incredibly similar to the one that had been hung first for her mother and then for the two of them when they returned from the Enchanted Forest long ago. Surely it wasn't the same one with new names.
Surely.
"What's new pussycat?" Ruby hip-checked her friend as she rounded the bar and laid out some additional serving spoons. The counter was lined with both Granny's fare and a potluck style buffet from excited friends.
Emma smiled distractedly. Regina still hadn't arrived. "Oh, you know. My kid came back after 17 years with a sweet wife and made me a grandma."
Ruby offered a wide smile, her white teeth gleaming and reminding Emma of the approaching wolf's time. "And his other mother? Where is she?"
"Um, not sure. Henry said she was running late when he talked to her." Emma tugged nervously at her sweater. Why had she worn this? It wasn't flattering at all.
Who are you trying to impress, Swan?
"I see. Well, she always did like to make an entrance. I'm sure she will be along just before it becomes rude to stay away a minute longer." Ruby passed by Emma again, around the counter and into the kitchen. Emma just caught a glimpse of Dorothy in the kitchen as the door swung closed.
When Granny finally decided to retire and enjoy her life a few years ago, Ruby and Dorothy had come home from Oz and taken over the diner. The menu changed a little but not much else. It was as comforting as an old blanket to settle into the corner booth and order without looking at the menu. Emma had learned to love the routine.
The sound of the little bell above the door tinkling drew Emma's attention back from the kitchen.
"Sorry I'm late." Regina stepped in with a smirk.
A smile that rivaled the sun spread across the blonde's face. Her friend, clearly having been given a heads-up that this party had expanded far beyond family time, was dressed to kill. Her hair was still hanging in curls that Emma was definitely falling in love with, although she had clearly made an effort to get them just so for the occasion. It wasn't her usual sleek look but it wasn't the edgy curls from the town line earlier that day either.
Emma glanced quickly from her head to toe and again regretted her decision to wear this frumpy sweater and skirt. She looked like her mother. And Regina looked like walking seduction.
Hot coffee orbs glanced around the room and finally fell on Emma. Regina nodded her acknowledgment and let her eyes drift lower before looking away again. Snow appeared and enclosed the woman in an embrace all while Emma looked on. She sat on a stool, suddenly feeling lightheaded. Strange day. Twice she'd had a racing pulse at the sight of her friend.
Emma picked up her mug of beer and tried to inconspicuously drink in Regina's outfit more thoroughly. It was the same one she had worn that day they had been trapped inside the mirror by the Queen's evil twin.
Two of her.
Emma shook the thought away. It wasn't ok to objectify anyone. Even if they looked as perfectly delicious as Regina did right now. Red corset vest, fitted black slacks and blazer, simple necklace drawing the eye to her cleavage, and oh my goddess, those fuck-me heels.
"How long do we have to stay at this, Swan?"
Emma was pulled violently from her thoughts by her husband's voice in her ear. He had been a petulant child all day, knowing he wouldn't command all her attention. She felt her cheeks flush red, partly from irritation and partly from embarrassment at her ogling Regina.
"We have to stay until it is over," she said through gritted teeth, trying to smile in case anyone looked their way. "My son hasn't been home in nearly twenty years. I don't think it will kill you to hang around a couple hours while we celebrate his return."
Killian scoffed. "His return, indeed."
"What does that mean?" Emma asked, her smiling façade slipping.
"Nothing, love. I just notice everyone's eyes are on her majesty… including yours." And with that he staggered away, clapping his hand on her father's shoulder and joining in the conversation with a toothy grin as if nothing at all had transpired between them.
Emma stared after him, wondering what he meant and if she had been obvious in her staring at Regina. She'd ask him tonight in the privacy of their home. That would be the appropriate place for a married couple to argue.
She sighed and sipped her beer again. Killian was laughing too loudly and her father was trying to quiet him without seeming obvious. He was so embarrassing sometimes. Especially when he was drinking and he seemed to do that more and more lately.
They had been happy once. Of course they had. But it had been short lived. He was demanding and jealous and controlling. How hadn't she noticed that before they married? Had anyone else noticed it? Why hadn't they spoken up.
To be honest, you are too good for him.
That's what Regina had said in the hellscape version of Granny's when they had chased Killian into the underworld. Maybe someone had tried to warn her about him and she hadn't listened. But she loved him. Sort of. And this was the sort of thing fairytale people did, right? They had romances with people who didn't fit the story and ended up living happily ever after.
The princess married a shepherd. The beauty fell in love with the beast. So she married the villain who had changed. Wasn't that how this worked?
"Hello, Emma."
A bolt of lightning sped from the base of Emma's spine up and out at the sound of the much too close voice. She turned her flushed face toward her friend.
"Hey."
"I thought this was going to be a small, family affair," Regina smirked and took the blonde's beer, downing the last swallow. "I'm gonna need something stronger than this to get through tonight."
"I thought Henry told you it was a party now," Emma said, standing from the stool and leading Regina to the area designated the home of libations in the corner near the jukebox. "Jessie's Girl" grew louder the closer they got.
"No, no one told me. Why would you think that?" Regina took a tumbler with two fingers of whiskey and nodded her thanks to a smiling young woman she recognized vaguely.
"Because you look—" Emma stopped herself a moment too late.
Regina leveled a sexy smirk at her and purred, "Because I look what, Miss Swan?"
Something Emma hadn't felt in a very long time began to uncurl inside her, like a clenched fist finally opening, fresh blood causing tired fingers to tingle with life. A wicked grin settled over her pink lips and Emma felt confident and flirtatious words racing to the tip of her tongue.
"That's Mrs. Jones, your majesty. Or have you forgotten this is my wife?"
~ (SQ) ~
Regina hadn't meant to flirt. She hadn't. But the interruption—the intrusion—of the clearly inebriated pirate caused a bitter and boiling heat to fill her belly.
"Hello, Killian," she spat the words with enough venom that several revelers nearby stepped away.
Hook swept his arm wide in an exaggerated bow. "Your royal highness. So nice of you to remember my name since you've so obviously forgotten my wife's."
"Killian, don't," Emma tried to intervene. She knew when he reached this level of drunkenness he was at his cruelest and would certainly create a scene.
He grabbed her wrist and jerked her close, causing her to stumble. "Don't what, love? I'm only saying hello to our Queen."
For the first time in a long time, Regina felt unrestrained magic race to her fingertips. An acid taste danced in the back of her throat. She had learned with time to endure and ignore this man, but in the time she'd been away she had forgotten.
"Is everything alright?" Henry's presence was immediately calming as he placed a gentle hand on Regina's arm. Her magic retreated and she forced a smile.
"Perfectly. Your mother and I were just getting a drink and Killian came over to say hello." Regina's nostrils flared as she tried to keep her tone even. How… why had things escalated like that?
Henry gazed deep into her eyes and she could see his questions though she knew he wouldn't give them voice. At least not here, with an audience. She knew, like it or not, he would be asking her again if she was ok and she wasn't sure the answer to that question.
As if on cue, and oblivious to what was going on in this corner of the diner, Lucy appeared at her father's side with a bright smile. "Nana! I thought you would never get here!"
The girl flung her arms around Regina's waist and squeezed her tight. If the fire of rage had lived in her a moment ago, it was completely erased now and replaced with the gentle warmth of love. "Well, sometimes I like to make an entrance." Regina wrinkled her nose and winked at her granddaughter. "Have you had a good evening? I want to hear all about visiting your Gram."
Lucy shrugged lightly. "She wouldn't stop hugging me and crying but other than that, I like her. And my new... grandma? Mimi?" Lucy tried the words out and looked curiously at Emma. "I still haven't decided what to call you, but I will."
Regina looked at Emma, her face was red and she was still being held tightly by the pirate. But when she looked at Lucy, there was nothing but love in her green eyes. "Well, you just keep trying them. You'll find one you like." Emma looked up at Regina then and something passed between them as it so often did. Regina was afraid to name it and she was sure Emma never would.
"Aye, little tyke. What have you done with my daughter? Your grandfather said you two had been playing, thick as thieves, all day." Hook finally released Emma and bent at the waist to be closer to Lucy's eye level.
Daughter…
Regina hadn't even asked about Emma's child since she had arrived. Shame flushed her face. Emma was her best friend and somewhere she had a daughter.
Lucy thumbed over her shoulder toward the dessert table. "She's with Gram. She wanted something sweet."
Curious dark eyes turned in the direction of the desserts. She saw Snow reaching for a large chocolate cookie, but no child. Then Dr. Hopper stepped away and revealed her standing with wide green eyes, looking at the abundance of sweets.
She was small for her age, just as Henry had been. Her hair hung in long blonde curls down her back. She had a smattering of freckles across her porcelain face. She was just slightly older than Lucy, perhaps a year, but she looked younger, reaching to accept the cookie Snow had selected.
Suddenly, as if feeling Regina's gaze, she looked up with a precocious smile. She turned to Snow and said something and Snow's eyes went to Regina too. Smiling, she looked at the girl and said Regina knew not what and they two started across the room toward them.
Regina's heart was pumping hard but slowly in her chest. Each step the girl took… each contraction of the muscle in her chest that had once been full of blackness and death… each moment that passed in slow motion as the girl approached, Regina felt any worry of anxiety or bitterness slipping away. How had she thought she couldn't live with this child in her life?
In a moment, the girl was standing shyly before her, Snow's hands on her shoulders, propelling her forward. The girl handed Emma her cookie and looked to her mother for a confirming nod. Receiving it, she wiped the crumbs from her dress and curtsied deeply.
"Your majesty." Her voice was raspy and strong, not at all what Regina had expected. Yet somehow, it suited her.
Regina returned her curtsy. "Hello, Princess."
Snow's laughter made them both stand. "She's been practicing her curtsy since she heard you were coming home. She's been excited to meet you. Haven't you?"
The girl blushed. "Aww, Gram. You're embarrassing me."
With a small chuckle, Regina reached out tugged the ends of blonde curls gently. "You're Gram has a special talent for embarrassing people, dear. Did you know I met her when she was about your age?"
"Yes," she said, her face becoming solemn. "I've heard all about that. You are still our friend, aren't you?"
A slight sting raced through Regina's heart. Had they told her about how she had tried to murder them all? It would only be fair for them to tell it. It was the truth and even a child deserved to know where they came from.
"Well, I am Gram's friend. And I am your mother's best friend. But I am not your friend." Regina shrugged, feigning disinterest.
The girl frowned. "Why aren't you my friend?"
Regina sucked her teeth, making a tsking sound. "It is hard to be friends when you haven't even introduced yourself." The brunette extended her hand. "My name is Regina Mills."
Catching on to the game, the girl smiled broadly and shook Regina's hand. "Pleased to meet you. My name is Elena Jones."
If music was playing, Regina could no longer hear it. If the child went on speaking, she was unaware. The color drained from her face and she felt Henry's arm steady her. If he asked her if she was alright, she didn't hear him. The only thing she heard was one word.
Elena.
Gaining her wits again, brown eyes, glistening with tears looked up at Emma, questioning. The blonde reached out a hand but didn't touch her.
"Regina—"
"Excuse me, everyone. I'm suddenly not feeling well. I think I need some air." Regina turned and raced out the front door of the diner and down the steps.
"I wonder what's the matter with her?" Henry made to head after his mother but Emma stopped him.
"No, Henry. Let me."
~ (SQ) ~
Emma hopped down the few steps from Granny's to the walk in front of it. How many times had she chased Regina out of the diner like this? The brunette was standing at the archway, nearly to the street. Her hands were on her hips and her head was tilted skyward.
"Regina?" Emma hated the shaking in her voice.
"You know, the stars are different here?" Regina's voice was thick with emotion that did not match her words.
Emma drew closer and glanced up. "I'm sorry, what?"
"The stars. They are different here. I spent a lot of time in the woods with Henry while we were in the other realm. It had been so long since I'd seen any sky that wasn't over Storybrooke, I had forgotten how beautiful it was. But the stars… the constellations… they are different here."
The blonde was incredibly confused but she knew better than to press when Regina was like this. She could feel the energy coming off her in waves. So she stood closer than was necessary and looked more purposefully into the night sky.
"See," Regina pointed out a grouping of stars, "That is the Pleiades—the seven sisters. I look for them every night, even when I know they won't be visible. But you can't find them in the sky outside of this world." Brown eyes, no longer wet with tears, looked at Emma. "Doesn't that make you feel incredibly small, Emma? Knowing that we occupy such a tiny and finite place in the universe while so many others live equally tiny lives all around us? Billions on this planet alone."
Emma watched as Regina looked back at the sky. The brunette sighed deeply, as if making a decision. "I think I need to go home now. Please tell Henry and make my apologies."
"Regina, please. We—" Emma tried to stop her, to talk to her… to explain.
"No, Emma. If ever I learned anything as Queen, it was the art of making an entrance and knowing when it is time to leave." The look in her eyes told Emma to let it go. "Goodnight, Emma. Your daughter is—" emotion strangled her voice. "She's beautiful. Like her mother."
And like that, in a cloud of purple, she was gone.
"Dammit." Emma whispered into the night. "Dammit!" She shouted at the sky.
She had really fucked that up.
