The Queen with the Broken Heart - Part 2
Author's Note: Thank you all so, so much for the reviews. I hope you like the ending. Happy Valentine's Day! 3
Regina had her cloak on, and she was waiting for her driver to bring her carriage to the entrance. It was snowing out, and Regina hugged her cloak to her body to keep the warmth in. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
So that's why she felt this way; that's why she felt a connection to him. He was her soul mate; they were meant to be together. And they would be happy together. She knew it and his son could see it too.
She thought back to hours ago, when they first danced. Being so close to him made her feel dizzy. It had been so long since she'd danced, since a man had held her in his arms. Except when Daniel came back. They'd hugged then, but it was a frantic, short moment. Not long enough to show him how much she'd loved and missed him.
But this dance hadn't been long enough either. She'd gotten lost in the twirls, in his arms, and in his blue eyes. Then there was the way he smiled at her. The poor man had lost his wife and he was still able to find some sort of happiness, and he tried to make her happy too. Perhaps if she'd had time to heal after Daniel's death, she could have found happiness, too.
Or if she'd gone into the tavern and met Robin when she should have. He would've charmed her like he'd done tonight. If only she hadn't been so scared. So why was she running again?
Because now he deserved better and she didn't deserve happiness at all.
His smile flashed through her memory again – his dashing, crooked, mischievous, charming, perfect smile. She wished she'd returned the smile more. He found her beautiful, he said, and she should have been more grateful.
Well, she should have been a great many more things.
Something was telling her to go back in and to find him. Give in. Express her feelings. Open her heart. Love again, like Daniel told her. Daniel wanted her to be happy, and she expected his Marian wanted him to be happy too.
And his child! What a sweet, innocent little boy. Lonely and motherless. It was he who sparked this confusion, but she supposed it would've happened anyway, especially when they had to say goodbye. Would he have tried to kiss her goodnight? That would've been frightening, but wonderful. Imagining his lips on hers made her feel lightheaded.
And it seemed little Roland wanted them to be together, and how could she deny him the loving mother he so wanted and needed?
But Henry… She couldn't ever replace her son and she wouldn't want to. Even if she never saw him again, not a day would go by when she wouldn't miss him.
Even if Roland was hers, she would still miss Henry. It would be selfish to have another child and replace Henry. And it would be selfish to Roland because she'd always miss Henry so much.
But Roland wasn't hers, and it was foolish of her to think he might be one day. She couldn't give in. She couldn't love again. She just couldn't. That same crippling fear of opening her heart, letting go of sadness and anger, and finding happiness stopped her. It always stopped her. Love just…wasn't an option.
"Regina," a voice said behind her. But it wasn't Robin's voice, thank goodness.
"Oh, Tinkerbell, I didn't know you were at this ball. It's nice to see you." Her words were kind but her voice was empty and emotionless.
"Regina, I saw you running away; is something wrong?"
She couldn't hide, even from the fairy. "The man with the lion tattoo – you know, my soul mate – is here. I met him."
Tink's face lit up. "Well? Do you like him?" Then she noticed the tears running down the Queen's cheeks. "Regina, what happened? Did he hurt you?"
"No, no. He's…he's wonderful."
"So what's wrong?"
Regina sighed. "I've lost everyone I've ever loved. They've either died – or in Henry's case, they're taken away from me," she explained. "Shouldn't I spare him and keep him safe from me?"
"No, Regina. He's your soul mate. You're meant to be together. Wouldn't you be much happier if you were with him? If you were loved? Hasn't your life been leading up to this moment, to finding him?"
"I don't know what happiness or love feels like anymore."
Tink frowned. "I think you should give him a chance. You can't keep running away from destiny. He is yours." Regina sighed about to protest, but Tink continued. "You told me once to give you a chance at love – remember that first reunion in Neverland? I chose not to kill you and I'm glad I didn't. You're a better person now. You shouldn't punish yourself anymore. Open your heart and give love a second chance."
Regina turned back and looked into the party. She was sure Robin was upset and looking for her. She finally nodded. She didn't really want to leave; she really just wanted to be close to him.
She handed her cloak to a servant and told him she wouldn't be needing her carriage after all. She surveyed the room and saw her Robin with another glass of wine by the Christmas tree. She took a deep breath and crossed the room to his side. She slipped her hand into his.
"I thought I'd lost you," he said. He set his glass down and reached up to stroke her cheek.
She reached up and put her hand over his. "You almost did, but an old friend convinced me to give love a second chance." She smiled at him. So she did feel as he did!
"Who is this friend? I think I owe her my thanks," he said. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I never meant to hurt you or frighten you."
"Don't worry, I feel much better now," she grinned. "My friend is a fairy and her name is Tinkerbell. She took his hand in hers and turned it over so she could get a closer look at his tattoo. She could believe after all this time she'd finally found him. She touched the lion tattoo lightly. "There's something you must know."
"And what's that?"
She told him the story of a young unhappy queen who still missed her stable boy with all her heart. A fairy named Tinkerbell appeared to her one day and promised to help her find happiness – a new soul mate, a new true love. The magic fairy dust led them to a tavern late one night and the queen saw the man she was destined to be with. She didn't see his face, but remembered a tattoo of a lion on his wrist. The queen was too afraid of love, of being happy, and of giving up her anger and sadness. She thought if she loved this man, it would be selfish, and she'd forget her lost stable boy. So she ran, never to see his face or to meet him. Until now.
"You're my…my soul mate?" Robin asked, glancing down at his tattoo, and her tiny, smooth hand in his.
"It appears I am."
Robin smiled, and pulled her into his arms. "I knew…the moment Roland said I should marry you. But it began the moment I saw you. I knew I had to know you. There was some connection I felt. I felt it all night, drawing me to you. I thought I was just mesmerized by your beauty – and I am – but I felt…"
"Magic?"
"Maybe, yes," Robin said. He wasn't sure. He had never believed in soul mates or that true love was magic. He thought he'd lost his one love, Marian, and he was never destined to find anyone else. But one thing was sure – the moment he saw her, he had to be close to her. "And I knew I couldn't let you go."
Regina wrapped her arms around him. "It hurt to pull away and to run, but I was so scared. Of what I felt. It's such a change. I was afraid of happiness and of losing you."
"Don't be afraid," he said, rubbing her back in smooth circles. "I'm not going anywhere. Now that I've found you, I couldn't imagine life without you."
"I do love you," Regina said, truly smiling at last.
"I love you too, my Regina."
He pulled back and gently lifted her chin to press his lips to hers. He wrapped his arms around her waist and her arms encircled his neck as they kissed. Regina forgot they were in a crowded ballroom and that people could see. All that mattered was that they were together and that they'd finally found each other. So who cares if everyone could see the former Evil Queen kissing her new true love? No doubt they'd hear of their romance soon anyway. Perhaps the kingdom would rejoice that the sad queen had found her happiness. Perhaps then they'd realize that love and compassion was all she ever needed. The world disappeared around them as they got lost in each other and their kiss.
So this is what true love's kiss felt like! Regina had often wondered what made it so powerful, and if her love would ever be pure enough to break a curse with a kiss. Maybe a kiss like this would brighten her dark heart? Now she could feel the spark through her whole body. There was magic in this kiss, of two soul mates finding each other at last. True love is magic, Daniel was right!
They parted when they needed air, and Regina glanced around. Tinkerbell was practically jumping up and down with joy. Snow White and her prince were holding hands, and Snow's hand was over her heart. The Queen blushed and glanced up at her love, who took her head and lifted it to his lips to kiss her knuckles.
The clock struck midnight and clanged twelve times. Regina beamed up at Robin. "Merry Christmas, my love."
He kissed her forehead. "Merry Christmas, Your Majesty. Your love is the greatest gift of all. All I wanted was you."
This earned the thief another passionate kiss on his lips. Then Robin led his Queen onto the dance floor to waltz again. They danced until they grew tired, and then they retired upstairs to Regina's guest room.
Regina and Robin woke together on Christmas morning.
He smiled down at her. "So beautiful," he whispered, kissing her hair.
She grinned. "Good morning to you too."
They dressed; this time Regina wore a burgundy taffeta dress encrusted with diamonds. Robin made her spin around so he could admire her beauty from all angles in the new dress, and Regina rolled her eyes but obeyed. Then they crossed the hall to wake up Roland.
He immediately hugged Regina. "You're still here!"
"I'm not going anywhere. I think you'll be seeing a lot of me," she said.
"I'm really glad," Roland said.
"Me too," Regina said with a smile, and she glanced over to Robin. He reached out and squeezed her hand.
They went downstairs to the ballroom and found Snow and Charming by the Christmas tree. They handed a few packages to Roland, who squealed with excitement and began ripping off bows and colored paper.
Robin retrieved a tiny package and handed it to Regina. "I believe this is for you."
"For me?" She opened it and read the note. To Regina, queen of my heart and my true love. From Robin. She gasped when she opened it. Inside was a diamond ring with two rubies on either side. She glanced up at him and Robin was already on his knee.
"Marry me?" he asked. "I know I've only known you for one night, but I can't imagine a day without you."
Regina's eyes welled up with tears. Coming to this ball, she never expected to dance with a man and fall in love with him. She didn't think she'd have such a wonderful time, and she certainly didn't expect this wonderful man to be asking her to marry him. She never expected to marry again. Her first marriage had been so terrible that she couldn't imagine ever marrying happily. And now…with Robin…it seemed wonderful and magical again. So she nodded. "Of course I'll marry you."
"We'll wait until after we find your son – and we will find him, I promise. Just as I promise you my heart. I love you, Regina."
She put the ring on her finger and admired it. "I love you too, but…how did you manage this? I didn't leave your side."
Robin grinned. "Christmas magic, I suppose. Or you could ask your friend Tinkerbell. I'm sure she has answers, since she did bring us together. I think…she can read minds. It's quite strange really. The ring is just as I imagined it."
"Well now I owe her my thanks," Regina smiled. "It's beautiful. Thank you."
Robin took her in his arms and kissed her deeply. "Only the most beautiful ring in the realm for my future wife. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," she said, and glanced down to Roland, who was beaming.
"So you are going to be my new Mama?"
"I suppose I am," she said.
"This is the best Christmas ever," the little boy said and hugged them both.
Indeed it was, for all of them.
The End.
Author's Note: Hope you all liked it. I realized it was kind of fast to happen all in one night. But I hope you enjoyed the magic of Christmas...and the magic of true love.
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