Chapter Seven


A Confirmation of Love


Regina watched the people pinned on the wall struggle against the invisible band of magic. Granny and Red stopped struggling when they saw Regina, but Charming, Snow and Emma kept squirming, unable to give up. Ebony only stared at her mother, silently pleading with her eyes.

"Let them down," Regina said, anger rising.

Cora tightened her fist instead, causing Ebony to release a small squeal. "I just want to talk," she repeated, her smile still on her face.

Regina gritted her teeth, glancing at Ebony and back at Cora, deciding what to say in order for her mother to release her fist.

Cora smirked, knowing what her daughter was like, always thinking, and planning. She took the moment to begin her long prepared speech.

She began, "I'm sorry."

Cora smirked, knowing that the words caught Regina's attention.

Regina placed her hand on the nearest table, steadying herself. This was the moment she had been waiting her whole life, and when it came, it surprised her. Her mother was apologizing to her for the very first time.

Snow's eyes shot up as the words made its way into her ears. Snow squirmed more under the magic knowing that if the words will have an affect on Regina, and it will not be good.

Ebony was worried. She saw her mother's facade falter and it scared her. She didn't want Cora to manipulate her mother, she had enough of Cora's manipulation.

"Mom! Don't listen to her! What are you doing? KILL HER!" Ebony screamed as hard as she could, and it rung throughout the room.

The desperation in her voice was evident and it frightened everyone.

With a flick of her wrist, Cora formed gags around their mouths, halting them from intruding the conversation she was having with her daughter.

The force of magic pinning them down grew stronger than before, digging into her skin, making her wince in pain.

The voice of Ebony clearly had an effect on Regina, and Cora saw it. She saw purple emanating from her daughters hands.

Cora took a step and held her daughters hand, dissipating the magic, "I love you. Regina's gaze went from Ebony and back to her mother, silent.

Cora continued where she left, "I'm sorry for everything I've done to you, and I know why you pushed me through the looking glass, and why you sent someone to kill me. It's alright."

Regina looked at her in disgust, "I think it's not alright."

Cora pushed a strand of hair out of Regina's face, "I think it's time where we should be a real family again."

Everyone watched at how the words create an effect on Regina. They desperately wanted to scream, yelling at her to wake her out of her trance. Ebony watched, tears streaming down her face, she did not want to be left at the hands of Cora again.

Regina repeated the words her mother had said under her breath, "family."

Cora continued to stroke her hair, "We could be a family again, me, you, Rapunzel, and Henry."

The name her mother used, 'Rapunzel', stung her, lifting a little bit out of her trance.

Regina spoke, "Rumplestiltskin will-"

Cora finished her sentence, "-do nothing. Me and you, together we can find his dagger. He won't be able to hurt us."

Charming, Snow, and Emma's eyes shot wide, knowing nothing good will happen if they joined forces.

"Us?" Regina asked, studying her."

Cora smiled sweetly, "darling, I've heard of what you've done in the Enchanted Forest, I am so proud of you. Together, we can do anything."

Regina looked at her, obvious doubt and longing shown on her face.

"Take it to consideration. I won't push you, not again," Cora spoke in her fake sincere voice. She brushed past Regina, pushing the door open, causing the familiar chime of a bell ring.

Regina led out a breath she didn't know she was holding, "yes, mother."

As if instantly, everyone collapsed, hitting hard onto the floor. Red and Snow helped Granny stand, while Charming guided Emma to sit in one of the booths.

Ebony hastily wiped her tears away using the back of her hand, "I need a run."

Regina turned around and saw Ebony stand up, "Ebony, I'm-"

She brushed past her, just like Cora had a few moments ago, leaving teary-eyed Regina staring at the door, speechless.

Regina flinched when Snow placed a hand on her shoulder, "It's going to be alright, I'll go find her."

Snow took Red with her to search for Ebony. Momentarily, they both headed out the door following the trail Ebony ran to.

Regina stood idly by, staring at the door, taking what had happened into process.

Granny, Charming, and Emma sat in one of the booths, staring at Regina, wondering if she was alright.

Regina gazed at the three, "if Snow or Ebony needs me, I'll be home."

They nodded.

She turned around, pushed the door, causing the bell to chime again. She had a lot to think.


Snow and Red walked in silence, following the trail. They knew Ebony would need some time to think, so they took their time walking.

After some time, they heard some muffled cries. They knew exactly where it came from. They moved a little further and the scene before their eyes worried them.

They found her sitting on the same log staring down at the dead leaves on the floor, breathing heavily, with tears flowing freely down her cheek.

"Ebony," Snow said, trying to get her out of her trance.

Ebony flinched and saw Snow, hastily wiping away her tears.

Red and Snow each sat beside her, with Red rubbing her back. Snow studied her with concern, "are you alright?"

Ebony closed her eyes, "what do you think?" she paused and looked at Snow in the eyes, "I went to find my mother to get away from Cora, and now she is here persuading my mother to be with her," Ebony took a breath, "how could my mother do that? Mom said she was going to protect me from her, and now?"

"Now, she is protecting you," Snow said, giving her a genuine smile.

Ebony looked at her, with eyes pleadingly begging her to elaborate, "how do you know?"

Red glanced at Snow, also wondering how she was so sure.

Snow began, "your mother is a very complicated woman, and her relationship with Cora is very twisted in a lot of ways. She is protecting you. She won't join Cora."

Ebony looked at her with doubt, "how do you know?"

Snow smiled, "she has you in her life and she loves you. The reason why Regina acted the way she did in the diner was because all her life, she had wanted some confirmation as to if someone loved her or if someone could love her. With Cora saying it to her, it just makes her falter a little bit."

Ebony stood up and look at Snow, "so my mom just wants some proof if someone can love her?"

Snow nodded.

Ebony paced towards a nearby tree and kicked it as hard as she could. Afterwards, she repeated the motion and kicked it again.

"Ebony?" Red asked , worried as to why she was kicking a tree.

Ebony glanced at Snow, who was also waiting for an explanation, making Ebony to sigh and sit back on the log.

Ebony spoke, "When you told me that, I just realized something," she turned to face Snow, "I never told her I loved her."

Snow placed a hand on her lap, and smiled, "it's not too late."

They stood up from the log and began to walk out of the woods. After a while of silence Ebony turned to Snow, "thank you."

Snow grabbed her hand, "I think that should be what step-sisters are for."


A/N: I hope you guys liked this chapter :) Thank you for the amazing reviews, follows, and favorites, it means a lot.

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