I know there is no Charmings in this story but i really wanted to focus on the Mills as a family, including Zelena of course and the bond they then share with Emma and Henry without Regina present.

Chapter 3

"Henry?"

Turning towards his grandmother, the boy gives a sad smile as he waits by the counter in granny's.

"What are you doing here? Where's Emma?" Cora asks concerned as the blonde is no where to be seen.

"She's at home..I came to get her a bear claw..she hasn't really eaten much..or said anything.." Henry explains as Granny appears, passing the takeout bag over.

Watching the boy fish inside his pocket, the older woman stops him. "It's on the house Henry"

Giving a grateful smile, the boy takes the bag then turns towards the exit. Following behind, Cora then steps into line beside him. "Mind if I come with you?"

"Ma's not up to company.."

"She may not be but you might. Dear I'm worried about you..I promised I would look after you and that includes more than whatever granny just gave you in that bag. At least let me make you some breakfast.."

Pausing for a moment, Henry glances across confused. "How are you so calm? Hades killed my mom, your daughter!"

Shocked by the boys outburst, the older woman gives him a moment to calm himself before replying"You don't think I want to rip his heart out? Because I do believe me..but that never got me anywhere with Regina and it constantly hurt her, watching me that way. He will get what's coming to him trust me but right now my concern is for my grandson. Your mother wouldn't want you to slip from your routine.."

Sighing, the boy nods then begins walking again, back to the mansion.

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Peering into the bedroom, Cora takes a breath finding it difficult to be in her daughter's house without the woman there. Looking over towards the blonde curled up on the bed while hugging a pillow, the older woman walks over. "Emma dear, it's time to get up"

Shifting her gaze to the brunette without moving a muscle, the blonde replies. "I'm okay here.."

"No you're not. Think about Henry..he has just lost his mother. Think about Regina, she wouldn't want you to be like this" sitting on the edge of the bed, Cora watches as Emma slowly sits up and brings her knees to her chest.

"She is all I keep thinking about..all I can feel..it amazes me how much love she held for a woman who denied it for so many years as she was too scared to allow herself to feel it. Now..now I can feel it in her heart..now I'm scared..I.." Pausing, the blonde grows teary and rests her chin against her knees.

Shifting herself, the older woman hesitantly moves to beside Emma and touches her arm. "Why are you scared?"

Quietly, the blonde confesses as she is encouraged to lean on Cora. "I can feel the darkness..it's different to when I was..it's..less anger, more pain. A pain that she felt for the majority of her life..what made her become her and I don't want to turn vengeful or into the woman Regina once was..but..when it happened..I could feel her dark magic surging through me, I even conjured a fireball and now I don't know what to do. I'm angry, I want Hades to pay but if I do anything what will then happen to me? Because you're right, Henry just lost his mother..he doesn't need to lose another. At the same time I..I just want her back and I don't know how to handle it"

Pulling the younger woman into a hug, Cora rubs her back gently. "We all just need time..no one is going to push you..but Henry also comes first..so we need to put that mask on then wait until it's the right time, whether by yourself or if you want to talk to me, you let it all out"

Nodding, Emma pulls back and wipes her face. "She forgave you, you know. I know she never said it in so many words but she was so much more happier having you and Zelena back..she told me she felt like her family was complete. Her happy ending was finally here. There was no more being alone or the need to search as everything was right here"

Going glassy eyed, the older woman smiles a little then stands. "When you want to come down, Henry mentioned about watching a film.."

"I'll be down in a minute, I'll just go freshen up" the blonde rises then makes her way towards the bathroom.

Heading out the door, Cora pauses seeing Zelena stood teary.

"Zelena?"

"I heard everything..I need to fix this. I need to do what's right" the redhead explains with determination. "Don't tell Emma yet but be prepared to move Regina when I say.."

Frowning, the older woman watches as her eldest daughter turns on her heel and heads down the stairs.

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Strolling across the field while hugging her arms, keeping her coat tightly shut from the cold air, Zelena ascends the steps onto the porch of her farmhouse. Entering the front door, the redhead stops then glances across to the wooden table to find Hades sat quietly while playing with a whiskey glass. "I thought you'd be here.."

Looking towards the former witch, the God rises quickly and walks up to the woman. "Zelena listen to me.. I did do this for you..for us..I-"

Raising a hand up to silence him, the redhead smiles. "I know you did it because you love me. The proof is in your heart beat"

Watching Zelena closely, Hades smiles. "So does this mean..." Gesturing between them, the God awaits a reply.

"Truth be told I never did like that blonde saviour, she always got in my way. As for Regina, it was her decision to make, no one forced her to swap their hearts and we would have fought again sooner or later..especially now mommy dearest is back. She would have been the favourite and now I'm all she has left of a daughter.." Smirking wickedly, the redhead steps closer while resting her hands onto Hades arms as he embraces her. Leaning close to his ear after pecking his cheek, Zelena whispers. "While we are being honest and you want to know if we are okay? The answer is simple. No, we're not okay because while my sister choose her own consequences it was a big mistake! one that you're going to pay for!" Having slid her hand across, the redhead plunges her hand sharply and pulls Hades heart out.

Stumbling back, the God looks on in horror. "How did you..my heart is protected!"

Glaring, Zelena raises an eyebrow. "Not from your true love it's not" approaching him again, the redhead sneers. "I may have loved you and you may be my true love but even that doesn't compare to the love of my sister!"

Looking speechless, the God grabs hold of his chest as the former witch disappears in green smoke.

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Appearing within the mansion foyer, Zelena looks to her mother as the older woman lowers her hands having cast a spell of blood magic against the house just in case Hades has some way of returning. "Finished?"

"Yes. It's done, are you going to tell me what is it your doing?" Cora asks curiously as her eldest daughter begins to smile.

"Getting my sister back. Did you?..."

Nodding, the older woman glances towards the stairs. "She's in her bedroom"

"Right..I'll get Emma"

"I will stay with Henry..we don't want him watching if it doesn't work.." Cora suggests as the pair make their way to the living room to find the mother and son curled up together with Emma keeping a close watch on Henry protectively.

"Emma? Can I talk to you?"

Glancing over at the redhead, the blonde nods then kisses her son's crown as she makes her way over then follows Zelena upstairs with a frown. "Zelena what is it?"

Taking a deep breath, the former witch looks at the sheriff seriously. "I need Regina's heart.."

Going wide eyed, Emma looks around for any warning of Hades with the sudden announcement. "Zelena..if I give you Regina's heart it will kill me..."

"I know.."