Miss Regina Mills,
Thank you so much for visiting Henry and I. He misses you already. He complains every day about you leaving and begs me to tell you to move to Boston. It breaks my heart to see him so upset, but I don't know what to tell him. I simply told him that this was how things had to be, and that it was best for everyone, but of course, he didn't believe me. Honestly, I'm not sure that I believe me either. It's not that I lied to him – part of me believes it – but some other part of me wonders if I made the right decision. I can hardly bear to say this, but Regina… I think I made a mistake. Having you here only made me realize it. I don't say this to guilt you – I know you're just doing what's best for you and making the most of a difficult situation – I just want you to know that I regret what I've done and wish that things could change. But it's too late now, and I fear that I've done Henry wrong by taking him away from you. He deserves a better parent than I can be for him. I'm just not cut out to be a parent – I never was. I'm so blessed to have him back in my life, but I worry that I'm only hurting him more with the choices I've made. Anyway, I'm rambling. I must sound pathetic. I want to crumple this letter already, but I don't know what else to say. How are things for you? Is it good to be back at work? I know how restless you get when you're not busy.
Emma Swan
Miss Swan,
Please don't talk that way. You are a wonderful parent. You must know that. I'm the one lacking in parenting skills. He's much happier with you. He may love me, but he doesn't trust me, and he trusts you with his whole heart. That is a blessing. His heart is so full and forgiving, and his love for you is a beautiful thing. I just wish he could love me as much as he loves you, but I've never been the woman that you are. I've never been good the way you have. Deep down, Emma, I am the Evil Queen. Henry deserves so much more than that, and that is why he's there in Boston with you – because you can do right by him. To be frank, work has been terrible. Since I've come back, I haven't been able to keep my mind on any task at all. All I can think of is you and Henry, of being in Boston with you both. I feel so out of place here. It feels so wrong. I can't look at anyone the same way. No matter how many people I surround myself with, none of them are you. None of them are Henry. I have never felt so empty.
Regina Mills
Regina,
You're about as evil as I am. We both have our dark sides, and that doesn't mean that we're bad people. Deep down, Regina, you are not evil. Your heart is full of love – you just have trouble showing it. Think of Henry. How much do you love him? Would you die for him? I know you would. I don't know anyone who loves their child as much as you love him. I'm so sorry that you don't feel at home there. I wish there was something I could say to comfort you, but I know that there isn't. It hurts me to think of you in pain. If there was anything I could do to take that pain away from you, I would do it. I hope you know that. I care for you so deeply… Please don't think that's silly.
Emma
Emma,
I know you love Henry just as much as I do. And you're right; I do love him – so, so much. I would die for him. He's the only one I've ever felt so strongly for. Except… Emma… You've made me feel more in these past months than I've ever felt before. I can't explain it, but when I'm with you, I feel like I belong. I know that's silly, but I just can't shake the feeling that I'm where I'm supposed to be when we're together. If there was some way to raise Henry together, for me to help you through this, I would. But things just didn't work out that way. I truly am sorry that things are the way they are. I feel terribly for leaving you on your own to parent him, but I just don't know what else I can do. And, Emma… I care for you, too…
Yours truly,
Regina
My Sweet Regina,
I can't keep this from you. Seeing those words on the page makes my heart race. I can't sleep at night anymore. I watch you drive away every single night as I try to fall sleep. No matter what I try, I can't rest until hours and hours have passed. I rewind to when you were here and picture you kissing our son goodnight, imagining that you're with me again. I don't know what to make of what happened between us while you were here – I know we haven't talked about it, but I just can't hold it in anymore – and I just feel so confused, so broken without you. Regina… what are we?
Yours,
Emma
Dearest Emma,
I'm confused, too. I don't know what we are, or what even happened between us. What do you want us to be?
Lovingly,
Regina
Dear Regina,
What do I want us to be? What about you? Just tell me how you feel about us. Just tell me what this is.
With love,
Emma
Emma,
This is ridiculous. Why does it have to be me who says it first?
Regina
Regina,
Alright, dammit! Since you're too much of a coward to tell me your feelings, I'll throw my heart on the line for you, because I can't stop myself. Regina, you are the mother of my son. I could never imagine another woman in my life who could make me feel as whole as you do. When you were here, I felt like I belonged, like everything was going to be okay. Watching you leave tore my heart out. What do I want? I want you to move to Boston. I want you to help me raise my son, and I want you to be with me.
All my love,
Emma Swan
Darling Emma,
That's all I needed to know. Can I come down next weekend?
Your truly,
Regina
My Regina,
Of course you can come down next weekend! Please, please do… I can't wait any longer to see you. Henry is dying to have you back. He keeps asking why I let you leave, and it takes everything in me not to cry. Please, please say you'll stay…
Lovingly yours,
Emma
My Emma,
Where you are is where I want to stay. I'll see you soon!
Yours always,
Regina