Chapter 9 – Union
"So I've been thinking," Henry began. He was seated at the dining room table eating breakfast with his mothers.
"Oh jeez, here it comes," Emma moaned.
"What," Henry asked.
"Really," Emma replied. "You're going to pretend that every conversation that begins with 'I've been thinking' doesn't end up being some huge deal."
"Emmy has a point, dear," Regina agreed.
Henry huffed. "It's not my fault you raised me to think."
Emma nodded. "He definitely gets that from you, the thinking thing."
After scowling at Emma, Regina turned back to Henry. "So what were you thinking, dear?"
Henry swallowed a spoonful of oatmeal before speaking. "With the two of you getting married, we need to make a decision about last names."
Both women straightened in their chairs.
"And I think the two of you really do need to share the same last name, so that my little sisters all have the same last name. It would be weird for them not to."
Emma nodded. "And I suppose you should have the same last name too." Emma grinned wryly. "I suppose that means I'm going to become Mrs. Mills."
"No," Henry replied simply, surprising both women. "I had something completely different in mind."
"Go on," Regina prodded.
"Well, the way I see it, Emmy's name comes from the family that gave her back when they had a baby of their own. They don't deserve the honor of having us carry their name." Henry paused to enjoy his mother's smirk of approval. "And Mom's name comes from her mom being the miller's daughter. But she wasn't a good parent, so we shouldn't be honoring her either."
Regina narrowed her eyes. "Charming, White, Blanchard, and Nolan are all out, so don't even suggest it."
Henry hurriedly shook his head. "Of course not. It needs to be something that defines us, our family. If the last year has taught me anything, it's that the storybook was completely wrong in how it tried to paint the world as black and white. That's why I think we should take the name Gray."
"Gray," Emma replied, testing the name on her tongue. "Emma Gray, Regina Gray, Henry Gray…"
Regina's right hand dropped to her stomach. "Sofia Gray."
Emma smiled. "Willow and Ella Gray."
Henry looked back and forth between his mothers and grinned. "Looks like we've picked out all the names today."
When Henry first saw his mom walk out of the dressing room in her white finery he got a funny feeling in his chest.
"This is real. This is really happening. I've got both of my moms, I get to keep both of them, I'm not going to ever have to lose one." Henry blinked repeatedly, trying to clear his eyes. "We're going to be a real family, all together forever."
"You look beautiful, Mom."
Regina smiled widely as she looked down at her son. "Thank you, Henry. And you look so handsome in that suit. My little prince doesn't look so little anymore."
Henry grabbed his mom's hand and squeezed it. "I'll always be your little prince."
"That you will, dear. That you will."
At the sound of music beginning, Henry looked to the door then back at his mom. Tucking her hand under his arm he asked, "You ready, Mom?"
Regina squeezed his arm. "I am."
With a nod, Henry stepped forward as Archie opened the door for them.
As they walked forward, Regina's eyes locked onto her fiancée and she nearly stumbled. Henry glanced up at his mom briefly, trying to keep from bursting into laughter.
Up at the front stood Emma Swan. While she too was wearing a white dress, she was also wearing her red leather jacket. As much as she got riled up by the jacket, Regina was forced to admit, if only to herself, that the blonde had somehow made the look work.
When Regina had first stepped out, Emma had a broad smile on her face, partly from the big day and partly from looking forward to Regina's reaction. God how she loved getting a rise out of the woman. However, as she took in the sight of her son escorting his mom, her smile changed from mischievous to warm.
Ruby and Maleficent shared a knowing look. Ruby was grinning, amused by Emma's latest tweak of the formerly uptight mayor. Maleficent was smirking over the knowledge that if the blonde was doing this to her old friend at her own wedding... She stifled a giggle.
Sister Astrid, who stood in the center, did giggle, and subtly shook her head. She felt honored to have been asked to officiate, and was trying to be on her best behavior. She'd have to thank Dreamy again later for recommending her.
"You look so beautiful," Emma whispered when Regina had come to stand beside her.
"And you look like you want to spend the honeymoon on the couch," Regina whispered in reply.
"And the bed, and the table, and the counter top, and the washing machine…" Emma stopped when Regina sent her a glare. "Just admit you love how I rock this bad boy."
"Naughty girl," Regina playfully scolded. "Though you do look pretty sexy right now."
Emma smiled widely and nudged Regina lightly with her elbow. "Keep that up and you might get lucky tonight."
"I'm feeling pretty lucky right now."
"I'm feeling pretty lucky, too."
The End
An older blonde woman sat in the second row from the back on the right side. With as many people as had showed up at the church, it was easy for her to blend in. Unlike other guests, her features were stoic as she watched the ceremony.
"My dear sister. This wasn't at all what I'd wanted for you."
When Sister Astrid called out asking for objection to the match, the blonde bit her lip and remained silent. Trying to interfere would do no good. It was already too late to stop this.
"It wasn't supposed to be this way. I was supposed to get my sister."
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur for the blonde as she remained trapped in her own thoughts. When people rose to clap and then to leave, the blonde went out with them, but did not follow to the reception. Instead, she walked down the street towards the harbor, still deep in thought.
"It may be too late. Then again, it may not. Either way, I can't afford to waste any more time. Elsa isn't just going to fall into my lap, so I must go get her." The blonde sighed heavily. "I'm going to need to find a way back to Misthaven. And when I return, when we return, we'll have to make my newlywed sister a widow."
Author's Note: The story, for the Gray family, is largely over. A third story, set in the same universe, is under development. This third story, Elsewhere, is going to focus on Ingrid and her efforts to retrieve Elsa and form her sisterhood. I'm going to need some time to nail down the plot and start writing, so don't expect to see it for at least a few weeks. If you're interested, let me know via PM or a Review and I'll be sure to PM you when it's released.
Lastly, a huge thank you to all of the people who supported me with reviews and PMs as I wrote these stories. It's unbelievably helpful to know that I'm not just writing for myself. Thank you all so much.
