Chapter 8

"Honey, you aren't going to kill Scott," Regina said.

He looked at Regina. "You wanna bet on that?"

Regina walked over the bed and sat by Daniel. "If Erica wants to marry Scott, then who are we to stop her? Look at what happened to us."

Daniel sat up. "That's completely different. Your mother was a psycho who could've cared less about what you wanted. She wanted to live vicariously through you. I was a mere stable boy and a peasant in her eyes."

Regina looked down at her hands. "I know what my mother did. It cost us years of separation but I was able to bring you back. However, we are not my parents. I am not going to be like my mother and tell Erica she can't marry Scott. You can't do it either."

"And why not? My daughter agreed to marry someone she has known for what…at least seven months. That is not enough time. He did not even ask for our blessing. For all we know, Scott is not as he seems," Daniel said.

"Daniel, what do you suppose we do?" asked Regina.

Daniel rubbed his eyes and put his face in his hands. "I don't know. I don't like this at all. Erica is not even sure if she wants this."

"The only thing we can do is support her. We will talk to her in the morning before she leaves," Regina said.

Daniel got out of bed, went to the drawer, and pulled out the paperwork on Scott. "Is there anything in this stack that raised a red flag?"

"No, I couldn't find anything," Regina answered. She went up to Daniel and gently took the paperwork out of his hand. "Try to get some sleep."

He nodded. "I'm going to go take a shower."

Regina watched her husband go and then sat on the bed. She should have known something like this would happen. Erica did say Scott had been talking about marriage. If she tried to talk her daughter out of it, Erica would bring up her past with Cora. All Regina could do was hope and pray Erica would come to her senses.

Erica was trying to enjoy the festivities. She couldn't help but think of the disappointing looks on her parents' faces at the announcement. She knew her mom was upset but her dad was furious. She would talk to them in the morning.

"Earth to Erica," Scott whispered.

She turned to her now fiancée. "Sorry, just thinking about all of this. It's so sudden and unexpected."

"I knew right away that you were going to be my wife the minute I saw you," Scott said.

"You did?" asked Erica.

"Absolutely. You're funny, smart, and honest."

Honest. Erica just smiled but her heart was breaking. She had mastered the art of guarding herself. She learned that from her mother. She couldn't let this continue any longer without telling him.

"Scott, I need to say something," said Erica.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

She was about to respond but Henry cut her off. "I would like to make a toast. To Erica and Scott, I hope you get your happy ending. Erica is a wonderful woman who I've had the pleasure of knowing. It was yesterday that I was teaching her how to drive. Anyway, my sister is lucky to have you and you, Scott…welcome to the family."

Everyone at the table cheered and raised their glasses toward the couple. Scott and Erica each said thank you.

"I think it's time to get out here," said Erica. "We have to leave in the morning."

Rachel spoke. "I'll drive you home and Henry can take Scott back to the hotel."

A few minutes, Rachel and Erica got in the car. "So, are you ready for this?" asked Rachel.

"I suppose so. I honestly thought you would get married before me," Erica said.

"We're talking about you. Do you want to get married?"

"I do want to get married. The proposal happened so fast," Erica said.

"Then have a very long engagement," Rachel said. "Have you told Scott about Regina or anything about your life in Storybrooke?"

"I'm doing that tomorrow," Erica said.

Rachel pulled up to the white house. "Take care and I'll see you later. Remember what I said."

Erica nodded and got out of the car. She walked inside to find the house dark.

She headed up the stairs and went to her bedroom. She sat on the bed and pinched the bridge of her nose. Tomorrow, things would get better.