Silence reigned in the room after Regina confessed to her children who their parents were. She produced the picture of Daniel and handed it to her daughter. Danielle and Theo stared down at the picture for a few minutes.
"This is Dad?" Theo asked. "Daniel?"
"He was my true love." Regina whispered.
"What happened?" Danielle asked. She looked up, eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "Why would you leave us on that terrible island? Didn't you want us?"
"I didn't know about you." Regina sighed. "If I did, I would've given everything to be with you, but I don't remember being pregnant or giving birth. I'm so sorry. I only knew about you at all because of a dream. A dream where you run into my arms and ask me about your father. Until the last time, the dream was always someone else that you would run to, I never thought that it was me. Although I hoped it was. I didn't know about you or the island, or I would have spent night and day trying to save you."
"So you're our mom?" Theo asked.
"Yes." Regina said.
Theo suddenly grinned and jumped into her arms, shocking her so much that they both fell off the couch. "This is awesome!" Regina could only laugh and cry as Theo hugged her and she hugged him back. "I'm glad you're our mom, Regina. Can I call you Mom?"
"Yes." Regina said, getting back into the chair. "You can." She wiped her eyes, and smiled. She looked at Danielle, who hadn't moved or said or word. "Dany?"
"Why were we on that island? We spent our whole lives in fear. We were attacked so many times." Dany said quietly.
"If you want someone to blame, then blame me." Regina said. "I don't know why you were there. It was probably for something I did a long time ago. I'm sorry, and I will do whatever it takes to make it up to you. You are my daughter and I love you. If there is anything I can do to make you feel better, to give you your best chance in life, then tell me and I'll do it."
Danielle's lip quivered. "Let me call you Mom."
Regina burst into tears before her daughter as both of her children rushed into her arms. She pulled them close and kissed their foreheads, feeling her heart swell at the happiness that was almost overwhelming.
"Can you make my collar like Dany's?" Theo asked. Regina smiled and did so.
"Now if you ever need me, all you have to do is call me. Now." She wiped her eyes again. "Pizza?"
Xxxxxxx
Emma knocked on the door and smiled as Theo opened it, dressed in a white t shirt and khaki cargo shorts. "Hey Theo."
"Hey Emma." He smiled. "Come in, we're almost ready."
Emma stepped into the home and stopped short at the framed picture hanging on the wall of a handsome young man. "Who's that?"
"My dad." Theo said, continuing into the living room where his sister was putting down her bag. "Everything ready?"
"Yep. Mom hasn't come down yet."
"MOM!" Theo screamed at the top of his lungs. He raced upstairs and into Regina's room.
Emma shook her head with a smile. "I'll take these out for you." She picked up the bags and carried them out to the rental car. Henry was sitting in the back with a scowl in his face. "Henry, you better behave on this trip." She cautioned.
"This was supposed to be our trip!" He said.
"It's still us, plus three other people. Now stop acting like a spoiled brat, Kay?" She turned around as Regina walked out of the house, making her jaw drop in a pair of skin right riding pants, a fitted tanktop and long black riding boots.
Regina smiled as he walked down the driveway with Theo just behind her with her bag and Danielle just in front of her. "Good morning Emma."
"Emma? Stepping up from Miss Swan? Yes!" She said, making the older woman chuckle.
"The kids and I had an idea."
"Okay?"
"What if we ride up to the campsite instead of drive. The trail is more than wide enough."
"That sounds like fun...except I don't know how to ride a horse."
Regina grinned. "I'll show you."
Xxxxxxx
"This isn't so bad." Emma said, riding alongside Regina who still managed to appear regal and beautiful on the back of a steed.
"I told you." Regina smiled. She looked over her shoulder at the kids. Henry was sulking, not surprisingly. Dany was quietly petting her horse and Theo was...gone. "Theo?!" She yanked hard on the reins and turned her horse around. "Dany! Where's your brother?" Dany looked around in confusion. "Damn it." Regina turned back around.
"What's going on? Aren't we missing a kid?" Emma said.
"Mom!" Regina turned again as Theo appeared on the trail ahead. "I found the perfect campsite!"
"I should kill you." Regina hissed. "Why did you leave without telling me?"
"Because I wanted to find a better campsite." He replied. "Are you mad?"
"No, I was worried. Don't EVER do it again."
"Yes ma'am." He said, hanging his head.
"Now, show us this campsite." Regina commanded with a soft smirk.
Theo grinned. "This way!"
He lead them to a good sized clearing that was perfect for the group. "Isn't it good?"
"It's fine, but you're not off the hook yet."
They dismounted and made camp. Henry took the lead, showing them how to make a fire and set up the tents. By night, they had a roaring fire and were roasting marshmallows for s'mores.
"So, you told them?" Emma asked as she and Regina fixed the s'mores while the kids talked around the fire.
"Yes. They took it better than I thought they would." Regina answered.
"They're lucky to have you as a mom."
"Flatterer." Regina wiped a piece of melted chocolate on her nose and laughed as the blonde tried to lick it off.
"Flattering but completely true." Emma smirked as she wiped off the chocolate with her thumb and sucked it clean. They shared another laugh before carrying the s'mores over to the kids.
"This is amazing!" Theo yelled after biting into one. Danielle let out a hum of agreement.
Regina smiled, watching them devour the pile of treats. Even Henry was smiling and his mother was acting just like one of the kids. The brunette rolled her eyes at the sight of the blonde chowing down on some s'mores like a kid. She felt relaxed and at peace, except for the thoughts of her last dream that wouldn't seem to leave her alone. Daniel she could understand, she'd always loved him and never truly stopped. Robin on the other hand had chosen to remain with Marian and Roland, so she couldn't understand why he was in the dream. Daniel had told her to love again, and she had found love again with Robin, although it had ended in disaster. Where was a former evil queen to find love in a town that hated her?
"Mom?" Theo moved to sit next to her. "Can you show us how to change form one day?"
"What is with you and shape shifting?" She asked, running her fingers through his hair.
"Please?"
"Of course, but you're hardly ready for that."
"Then show us how you do it." Emma added. She grinned at the annoyed look on Regina's face.
"We're supposed to be enjoying nature, not changing into animals." She pointed out.
Emma and Theo gave her puppy dog look.
"Just do it, Mom so they can shut up about it." Dany said.
Regina sighed and stood up. She concentrated and felt the pull of her magic. She waved her hands and felt the magical cloud of purple engulf her. When she opened her eyes, she was looking at Theo's chest in the form of a black wolf.
"That is so cool!" Theo screamed.
She let out a bark of laughter and tried to walk. It was a challenge on four legs, especially with the tail, but Theo's encouragements kept her going. Finally she was able to take a few steps, soon she was trotting around the campfire. She loved the smile on Theo's face as she returned to her seat and shifted back. Emma, Theo and Dany applauded her show of magic.
"You have to show me how to do that." Emma said. She turned to the kids. "Time to hit the sack guys."
Theo did his really loud groan that he always did, but he wasted no time in kissing Regina good night and hurrying into his tent, probably to play some video game he'd snuck with him. Danielle said good night as well and Henry simply walked off to his tent.
"He'll come around." Emma said.
"I'm sure." Regina muttered. She turned to face the blonde and Emma almost hesitantly reached for her face. She gently drew her finger across the scar on the brunette's lip before gently stroking her cheek.
"You know you still have that scar in wolf form?"
"I didn't." Regina said, placing her hand over Emma's. "I never thanked you for saving my life. Three times." She leaned forward and kissed the blonde's lips, earning a soft sigh from the younger woman.
"Mom, have you seen my-" Dany froze midway out of her tent.
Emma and Regina quickly leaned away from each other. "Um, " both of them stuttered in attempt to come up with an explanation. "This was just-"
"Mom, relax." Danielle smirked. She made a zipping motion over her lips and went back into her tent.
Both Emma and Regina let out sighs of relief. "We should get to bed."
"Wait." Emma grabbed her arm and turned back around and kissed her again. "Your welcome."
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