If there's one thing she loves about living so far out from the city, it's the sky. There's nothing to pollute the sky out here, which means her nights are blanketed by a billion stars spread out overhead. She idly wonders if the stars are the same as the ones from the Enchanted Forest, the same ones that she used to wish upon. Perhaps all the worlds share the same sky, because one of her wishes has definitely been granted.
"Mom?" Emma peeks out from the bedroom door. Ever since the renovations, Regina's had a little patio outside her bedroom on the second floor, complete with a padded bench and a small table for her to set a cup of tea and a book on. Regina puts her tea down now, stretching out an arm to open up a space beneath her big blanket. Emma climbs onto the bench and burrows into Regina's side.
"Can't sleep, sweetheart?"
"Uh-uh." A pause. She grins impishly. "Grams snuck me a cookie before bed."
Regina laughs. "She snuck you a cookie, or you begged her for one?"
Emma snickers and rests her head against her mother's shoulder, settling in comfortably. They sit like that in contented silence for a while, enjoying the warm summer night and the glitter of stars above them. Eventually Regina can feel Emma's head nodding off against her.
"Let's get you to bed, darling." She rubs Emma's back, the blonde yawning and rubbing at her eyes as she obediently stands and helps carry the blanket back inside. Regina shuts the patio door and turns, finding Emma climbing up into her bed already. The girl pauses, smiling shyly.
"Can I sleep with you tonight?"
"Of course you can."
They climb under the covers together, settling into the comforting and familiar darkness of Regina's bedroom. Emma snuggles in against her side and Regina wraps an arm around her, nestling her face against blonde hair that smells of Emma's favourite apple scented shampoo.
"Goodnight, darling. I love you."
Emma smiles sleepily against Regina's collarbone, her voice a soft murmur. "Love you more, Mommy."
Mommy. Regina smiles, her heart bursting at hearing that again. She would have never expected - when she made that wish upon a star so long ago, desperately wishing for someone to save her, for someone to give her a happy ending - that she would end up here. It's not the life she'd imagined, but she wouldn't have it any other way.
She kisses Emma's hair, smiling as the girl's fingers rest over Daniel's ring on her chest. The ring doesn't bring her sadness anymore; just good memories, and the comfort that she's found love and happiness in her daughter.
"I love you most."
Thank you guys so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this fun little re-imagining, and if you have a moment, perhaps like/fave and leave me a review? :) The next chapter is a short bonus epilogue #2 for StableQueen fans, if you want to meet Pearl and Walter's elusive youngest son Danny. Otherwise, please check out my other SwanQueen works if you like my writing! You can also follow me on Tumblr at Niki-Frost to keep up to date with all my fanfics, SwanQueen artwork, gifsets, and other goodies! Stay regal, darlings! -Niki