CHAPTER THREE
Regina had now been back in Storybrooke just over a month and at first she felt like she had stepped back in time. The small harbour town was exactly how she had remembered it when she was last here. Six years ago.
Back then, she was saying goodbye to her family and childhood friends and looking forward to the next four years where she would be attending University in New York, studying Photography.
But now, she was back.
Gone was the wide eyed impressionable teen that was ready to make her mark in the world only to be replaced with a broken young woman who, somehow, over the last two years had lost herself in a world that she didn't quite understand.
The last month had proven trying for Regina at times. Not only was she actively withdrawing from her drug abuse, her mother's brand of nurturing was best described as 'tough love' and at first the brunette had stubbornly dug her heels in and reverted back to her childhood self of defiance only to realise quickly that in fact Cora Mills was only doing what was best for her.
So now, one month later, the brunette felt thankful for her parents' intervention and hopeful that with their constant support and guidance she would recover well, rebuild herself and her life and leave the devil of addiction in the past.
~()~
Counting back through the days, Regina looked up from the desk calendar in her Father's study and sighed deeply to herself. At that moment, Henry Mills walked in to his study and couldn't help but notice his daughter staring at the calendar; it was obvious she was lost in thought.
Placing his paperwork down softly on the desk, he spoke. "Sweetheart, whatever is troubling you?"
Regina looked to her father and gave a weak smile. "I'm feeling apprehensive about working again, Daddy." She paused. "But I need to get back to my work and that means leaving here and travelling back to New York."
The aging man scratched his greying beard and murmured a soft 'hmmm' as he walked around his desk, offering his hand to his daughter. "Come with me, I have something to show you."
Regina took her father's hand and followed him out of the study. They stopped at the cellar door. Turning to his daughter, he spoke. "I took the liberty and well... See for yourself." He pushed open the door and gestured for Regina to go first.
Following his daughter down the stairs, he stopped on the last step and flicked the light switch on. He curiously watched Regina's reaction.
"You turned the cellar into a studio? You…You brought all my work belongings, here. But why, Daddy?
Henry stepped off the stairs and stood beside his daughter. "Because Regina..." He took her hand and squeezed it gently. "You are on the road to recovery. But you are not quite there yet. You still have a long way to go. But I thought with your equipment and your work here, you would be able to continue, with our support and guidance. And hopefully by the end of spring you will have enough material to show at the exhibition. Perhaps it will showcase your greatest work so far."
Tears brimmed in the brunette's eyes. "Thank you, Daddy. I don't deserve this. You and Mother have done so much for me already. I don't think I could ever repay you."
Henry embraced his daughter. "I would do anything for you, sweetheart. I am so proud of you. Remember Regina, no matter whatever happens, I love you. You may have had a ..." he hesitated and then spoke again. "A setback but you are well on your way to recovering and you deserve everything good that will follow."
Regina nodded and kissed her father on the cheek. "Thank you, Daddy. I won't let you down."
Henry blushed and chuckled. "Right, I'll leave you to it." He stepped away and walked back up the stairs, leaving the brunette standing in her new studio.
Regina glanced around the cellar; never expecting anything like this to happen. Seeing her camera sitting in the centre of her workbench, she knew she'd been given a second chance.
And she sure as hell wasn't going to waste it.
So Regina worked every hour, every day, every week and every month until a week before her exhibition.
~()~
Being back in New York after such a long absence felt good, refreshing and in a strange way felt like she had been reborn with a stronger sense of purpose. Regina was at peace with herself now and was extremely grateful to her parents for the intervention. Not only had she recovered physically but mentally too and more equipped to rebuild her life again. Gone was the young naïve girl from six or so months ago who hadn't appreciated the opportunity she had been given and now stood a woman determined to prove her worth.
Over the last six or so months she at times had thought about her ex-girlfriend and had wondered what the leggy blonde was up to. But she certainly hadn't missed Mal Draak. She'd come to realise that Mal was definitely a 'poisonous person' who leeched off her and in return, yes, she may have used Mal's influence in some degree but that was then and this was now. She certainly wasn't proud of how she had treated or was treated by the blonde. She knew she couldn't change that fact but this now felt right, felt true and she was proud of the fact that she'd recovered and was now rebuilding her life and more than ready for this exhibition to go ahead.
Her apartment had been sold and the proceeds had been used to help finance this latest exhibition. And that felt good. She felt like she had earned the right to show her latest pieces.
~()~
Regina stood in the small gallery space she had rented for the duration of the exhibition. This time it would be running longer than her last one. The return of Regina Mills had certainly piqued the interest of the Art World and the tickets had sold out quickly and the demand for an extension was music to Regina's ears.
The bare white walls would over the course of the week be filled with her pieces and Regina couldn't wait until next Saturday when the doors would be open to the public. The critics and patrons would have their function on Friday night and even though Regina was less than thrilled about that, it was necessary. But Regina had always lived for the public. She felt they were the ones who would be honest with their opinions. Rubbing her hands together, she was keen to get started. After all it was going to be a long week.
Over the week, Regina worked with the curator she felt she could trust. They would work long into the night organising and planning the pieces, hanging and rearranging them multiple times until she was completely happy.
Friday morning had arrived, Regina and the curator stood together in the main gallery, hands on hips, inspecting each photograph in detail until they were satisfied.
They moved into a smaller room and continued their inspection. Regina turned to the curator. "This room doesn't feel complete. Something is missing..."
"There are no other photos." the Curator glanced to Regina.
"Hmmm, okay let me worry about that. I'll have a look through my portfolios, perhaps I've got something." Regina said as she looked to her watch. It was mid-morning and her parents were due in town at noon.
They walked through the gallery one last time; Regina said her farewells to the Curator and left the gallery.
Standing on the sidewalk, she hailed a taxi and went back to her Hotel to get ready for her parents arrival.
~()~
With noon approaching fast, Regina had organised with room service for a buffet lunch to be delivered to her suite. It wasn't ideal but to be honest she had totally forgotten to book a table at her favourite restaurant and this would have to do. Part of Regina was glad really because she still had a lot of preparation to do for tonight's opening.
With portfolio after portfolio littering the floor, tables and couches of the suite; Regina was close to giving up and forgetting on finding the perfect photograph to fill the blank wall of the smaller room.
The brunette closed the last portfolio, picked up her glass of apple juice and took a sip when a sharp knock wrapped against her suite door. Glancing at her watch, she knew it was her parents.
Of course they were early. That was the thing about the Mills family, they hated tardiness.
So with glass in hand, Regina walked over to the door and opened it wide.
"Mother." Regina smiled, placing a chaste kiss on the older woman's cheek.
"Regina, you're looking well." Cora smiled as she brushed past her daughter.
The brunette turned back as her father appeared in the doorway. "Daddy!" Regina smiled widely as she embraced him in a loving hug and kissed his cheek. "Come in, come in." She moved aside allowing her father to enter.
"Hello Sweetheart." Henry smiled as he closed the door behind himself.
"Make yourself at home, I've organised with room service to bring up an array of different options off the menu for lunch. I know we were to go out but frankly this day couldn't get any worse. So I hope you don't mind." Regina said as she walked over to the cooler and poured her parents a glass of wine each.
Cora accepted her glass. "I hope everything is alright for your show tonight, dear? It won't be cancelled, will it?"
Regina handed her father his glass. "No, it won't. It's just not complete. I was going over everything with the Curator this morning at the gallery and I just felt something was missing. Hence why all my portfolios are littering the suite. I'm trying to find a photo that will fill a void...but.. Pah! It doesn't matter." Regina threw her arms up in defeat. "Anyway, it's good to see you both."
"Speaking of, I found one of your portfolios back at home; you must have forgotten it, when you left last Saturday. I wasn't sure if you needed it, so I brought it along." Henry said as he sat down on the sofa next to his wife. "I left it in the car; I'll go and get it if you need it, sweetheart. Maybe there is something in there that will help tonight." Henry shrugged.
Regina sat down opposite her parents. "It can wait, Daddy. Lunch will be here in a minute." the brunette said.
Henry nodded.
Soon enough, room service had delivered lunch and the Mills Family sat together at the small dining table and ate. The conversation was light hearted and Regina welcomed it as her mind was constantly going over the finer details of tonight.
With lunch finished, Regina left her parents to it as she dealt with some work related calls. Henry and Cora had checked into their room in the same Hotel and were settling in.
Sometime later, a knock rasped over Regina's door. Opening it, her father stood proudly holding the forgotten portfolio. Regina ushered him in and took the portfolio from him. "Daddy, really it's okay. I left this folder because they were just old photos and test pieces I was working on when I lived here."
"Oh okay, well you might as well have a look through it, you never know, something might stand out." Henry shrugged as he followed his daughter through to the dining room table.
Opening the black zipped up portfolio; Regina started to flick through the pages, nothing as yet stood out for her. She turned another page and was going to dismiss that particular photograph altogether but Henry stopped her.
"What is this photograph of, Sweetheart?" Henry said, running his fingers over the black and white photo.
Regina looked and at first wasn't sure but soon realised exactly what it was. Sighing deeply, she looked to her father. "Do you remember when I told you about the little girl who got hit by the out of control car?"
"Yes." Henry looked back to the photograph.
"Well, I had been taking photos of the girl and the falling snow, when I saw the car careering towards her. I threw my camera to the ground and I guess it captured that moment when I was running to her. I'd forgotten all about this photo. At the time I was going to throw it away but I guess I never got around to it." She turned the photo around so it was the right way around.
Henry could now see the distinctive shape of Regina's boot in the background and the road. But he was more interested in the bottom left hand corner. "Is that the snow?" He pointed to where he was looking.
Regina glanced to where he was pointing and nodded. "I'd say so."
"It's beautiful; you can see all of the individual particles that make up the snow. Amazing photography there, sweetheart. Even if it was by accident. " He beamed.
Regina studied the photograph again.
"It shows that the beauty is in the detail." Henry mused.
Regina looked to her father and then back at the photograph. "Do you really think so? It's just an accidental photo. I should have thrown it away."
"Sweetheart, it's stunning. The light, the contrast, the lines and the subject is perfect. Even if it was by accident. Sometimes our greatest achievements happen that way. Just takes a moment and then it's gone. You need to grasp that moment, hold it close to your heart because you may never find it again." Henry said as he took a hold of the photograph. "Use this picture to fill the void on that wall. It could turn out to be your greatest achievement or lead you to something that will be." He handed it back to his daughter and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll see you tonight, sweetheart." And with that Henry silently left Regina's hotel room.
The brunette stood holding the photograph and thought about what her father had said. He could be right or if anything, at least, she'd found something to fill the void on the back wall of the small room. Placing the photo in a protective sheet, Regina finished getting ready for her exhibition.
~()~
Regina arrived at the gallery early enough. The doors wouldn't be open for at least another hour. She'd spoken with the Curator and shown him the photograph that her Father had picked out. The Curator had an idea. Super impose the snow as it really was the feature of the photo. Regina agreed and she worked quickly in one of the back rooms.
Twenty minutes before the opening, Regina hung the photo on the wall and stood back from it. She looked to the curator who nodded in satisfaction and asked what it should be called.
Regina could only think of one thing. "Title it as, The Beauty within." She smiled at the Curator who quickly wrote out a small plaque for it and hung it beside the photograph.
Regina looked to her watch and realised she'd have enough time to take a quick break. Walking though the gallery, Regina headed for the back fire escape. She needed five minutes to catch some fresh air and prepare herself for the schmoozing and absurdity of the critics, media and patrons.
Opening the fire escape door and stepping out into the alley, the cool night air quickly filled her lungs. Taking a deep breath, she slowly started to pace around in tight circles. She could feel her heart beat just that little bit fast and her palms become sweaty. Regina Mills was anxious. The future of her professional career could be determined tonight and although she had disliked this part of her career, she needed it to be a success. So that meant, sucking it up, flashing her infamous smile, schmoozing with the professionals and playing nice, tonight. Every part of her hated it but she knew this was necessary.
Digging deep into the pocket of her tailored trousers, she hoped to pull out a packet of cigarettes, to calm her nerves. Coming up empty handed, she remembered she had quit five months. She could really do with a cigarette right about now. Sighing to herself and taking another deep breath, she looked to the clear night sky. Closing her eyes, she silently said a prayer to a higher power.
After a few moments, she exhaled and opened her eyes. She was now ready.
~()~
The exhibition was going better than was expected and the critics seemed appeased by her work and it was obvious they were welcoming Regina back with open arms. The media were intrigued and applauded each piece. Everyone else that attended admired Regina's bravery to return stronger than before. Henry & Cora Mills were extremely proud of their daughter and at any given chance would boast to anyone who was willing to listen.
Regina's nerves had settled and were long forgotten as she worked the floor, schmoozing with as many people as she could. Even though she hated every minute of it.
Finding herself standing alone at the bar, Regina's thoughts diverted away from the exhibition and rested solely on herself. She really had come a long way in a short amount of time and was amazed to think that everyone here was extremely supportive. With that niggling feeling of self-doubt fading into the background, her consciousness realised that she had needed to experience the spiral of self-destruction for her to rise again, stronger than before.
Perhaps she owed thanks to Mal Draak for leading her down that dark path only to trip, tumble and fall.
"There you are, dear." The distinctive husky voice broke Regina from her reverie.
Her body instantly tensed as she slowly turned around and came face to face with the devil so to speak.
The leggy blonde's wide smile immediately took Regina back to nearly eight months ago and she knew it wouldn't take much persuasion for her to be consumed by that personality once again.
Before she realised what was happening, Mal had embraced her, capturing her lips with a crushing kiss. Pushing the blonde away, Regina couldn't believe what had just happened.
"Oh darling, not the response I was hoping for but I suppose it's justified all the same." Mal smirked.
"What are you doing here, Mal?" Regina frowned.
"I heard you were back in town. And well I couldn't pass up this opportunity to rekindle the fire between us." Mal stepped closer, taking the brunette's hand in her own. "I've missed you, Regina."
Whipping her hand out of the blondes, Regina stepped back, shaking her head, no. She couldn't allow herself to be swept up in the Mal Draak show once again. She had worked too hard to throw it all away again. She knew if she chased the dragon again, than her redemption would have been for nothing. She knew there wouldn't be another second chance.
"I'd rather not rekindle anything with you, Mal." Regina gritted her teeth sharply.
The blonde was taken back by this new version of Regina. The naïve young girl was gone and replaced with this confident woman. But the blonde had her venom and couldn't help but snap back.
"Surely you realise what a mistake it would be to have me as your enemy, dear. I do hold some influence with the right people and it worked well for us then, let us not forget that."
"Oh I remember, Mal. How you used me as your meal ticket for another fifteen minutes of fame. And perhaps it was of some benefit to me but this time around, I will let my work do the speaking for me." She glared at the blonde. "Say Hi to Chloe for me…"
And with that Regina walked away from the dragon, this time for good.
Apart from the incident with Mal, Regina felt that night was a success and she was somewhat elated. She thought about joining the industry hobnobs in celebrating at the after party but instead chose to retire to her hotel room early. She knew tomorrow would be the real test with the public.
~()~
Over breakfast the next morning, her parents couldn't help bring up the incident with Mal. They had been keeping a close eye on their daughter from a safe distance and were somewhat impressed with the confidence, dignity and poise the brunette had displayed. Cora had expressed her concern with that parasite of a woman being in contact with Regina, but their concerns were easily squashed when they witnessed their daughter hold her own against the blonde. They realised in that moment their assistance and guidance wasn't needed anymore. They would always support her but they were now confident Regina was ready to move on with her life.
Regina normally didn't attend the first day of her exhibitions, she had previously chosen to wait a week or so when the hype had died down and she could enjoy the time in relative peace. But she decided, well to be honest, she had no choice really, her working schedule didn't allow her anytime in a week or so, so today was the day or it would be never.
Catching a taxi to the gallery, Regina flicked through the newspaper until she founds the 'Arts Section' and there on the first page was an article by the papers 'arts critic'. Reading the article, Regina felt it was a reasonable account and found herself neither impressed nor disappointed.
On to the next paper.
Flicking to the specific section, the review was a little more positive and Regina couldn't help but smile. Okay so far so good. To be honest, the critics opinions of her work didn't really matter to her, she was far more excited and somewhat nervous about what the public's opinion was going to be.
With the taxi stopping outside the gallery. The brunette had finished reading yet another article about last night's events. This one suggested that perhaps Regina was a one trick pony and last night's exhibition was perhaps a little too late.
Frowning slightly, she folded the paper and handed the driver a small wad of money as she exited the taxi. In that moment she decided that she wasn't going to read any more reviews. Ever.
The only valid opinion would now and forever be that of the public.
Pushing open the gallery door, she took a deep breath and steadied any nerves she may have. She was ready for the public.
A/N - Okay, so let me know what you think so far? With Regina's back story done and dusted, it's now time for the story to start. The next chapter introduces Emma into the mix and personally it was one of my favourite chapters (of this story) to write. Hopefully, the next update shouldn't be to far away. ~ 50sPUGirl