I'm so sorry for the longer delay. School, work, a trip out of state to visit my newly pregnant sister and a stuck muse are my excuses. I can't guarantee it will get better, but I will try and get a chapter out every week or two. Although everyone be warned, I don't have the time to edit this as much as I want; so it is being posted as is.
I thought I would go for a little happier memory, before going into my version of some of the history shown by the show. I don't think I've said it in a while, but just in case you didn't know, I don't own anything of Once Upon A Time including the characters. What I do with them, well that is mine.
The scene fads and Regina and Snow stare at each other in shock.
"Regina, I remember all of that now. I remember your stay and how we promised to be best friends forever that week. And you tried to protect me, saving my life before we met, when my horse went wild." Snow said in awe.
"Yes, well, dear, don't let it get to your head too much. We tried to kill each other often enough later; I don't know that it matters. My mother seems to have decided long ago to ruin both of our lives and decide for us that instead of friends, I was to be your step-mother. What is it the fairy-tale of this world calls me? Oh, yes, the evil step-mother, whom they think is so shallow that I couldn't stand that your Father, thought you were the fairest in all the land. He liked to remind me all the time that I could never be as good as Queen Eva and how much you reminded him of Eva. I'm sorry, Snow that my Mother killed your Mother, but you have no idea what she did to me because you broke your promise. I'm trying to change for Henry, but it is hard when none of you believe me." Regina said in frustration.
The past few weeks plus the life in review has just played havoc with Regina's emotional state, and she knows this is only the beginning. She can't take dealing with Snow and her daughter, so she does what she does best, she fights.
"Regina, I-" Snow tried to find something to say, but was interrupted by Regina again.
"No, I'm sure you are sorry. And this stupid curse will probably expose every little hidden part of my life to bare for you and the Savior to see, so you can just shut up and leave all your excuses for later. You know what is coming up next, and I don't want to live it again. It destroyed me slowly last time, what will it do this time, Snow?" Regina said in anxious anger.
Snow looked Regina in her eyes, and said with love and sadness, "This time, I will be here for you Regina. I'm sorry I broke your trust before and have hurt you more than I can ever make up for, but you have done the same to me, so this time we are together to face this."
Emma was tired of being left of the conversation, "I'm glad you all are making nice here, but what are you two talking about? And what the hell is with your mother trying to take your heart?"
Regina just rolled her eyes at Emma, "Miss Swan, did you even read Henry's book? My story is in there, but it doesn't talk about it as the "creation of the Evil Queen". That would make it too easy for Henry to not view me as evil. It also leaves many parts out as does many of the stories in that book. And my Mother as you've seen is far from a great mother, and she is the Queen of Hearts, but that is another story." Regina said with distaste and disgust at the latter.
Emma looked defensively at Regina and Snow and said, "Hey, at the time I thought Henry was just caught up in his fairy-tale delusion, and I didn't have time to be reading fairy-tales when I stopped believing in those when I was 3 years old, and I was busy dealing with all of your crap as Mayor and you trying to chase me out of town. I didn't believe him until after he ate that stupid apple turnover that you gave me, and I kicked your as-"
"Both of you. Is this really necessary?" Snow tried to intervene.
Just as the next memory started Regina and Emma both threw in one last word, "YES!"
20 year old Regina is laughing under the shade of a large tree enjoying a small picnic overlooking Firefly Hill with her secret boyfriend, Daniel. Two horses are tied up to a nearby tree, just in case they wander away.
"This is perfect, Daniel. I wish I could stay here with you forever and not have to worry about her interfering in our lives. We love each other, shouldn't that be enough? But, bad things happen to people who get close to me, and I don't want that to happen to you. What are we going to do?" Regina said starting to get more worried as she spoke.
Daniel put his finger to her lips and said, "Regina. Shhh. Your Mother hasn't found out about us yet, and we have been dating for exactly a year. We are supposed to be celebrating our anniversary. No more worry during this picnic about her. Now my love, I have a gift for you. Would you like to see it?"
"Why would you ask a silly question like that? Of course, I would love to see it. That is like asking if we love to ride horses." She giggled with anticipation.
"Regina, my love, I may not have much as a stable hand, but I want you to have this as a token of my love for you on our anniversary."
Daniel smiles and hands Regina a small wooden box. Regina takes it and slowly opens the lid to reveal a blue fabric satchel inside. She sets the box down in her lap and pulls the satchel open and finds a leather necklace with a gold metal circle with a horseshoe in the middle.
"Oh, Daniel! This is so wonderful and beautiful! You shouldn't have, but I'm glad you did. I love you." Regina exclaimed as she launched herself into his arms kissing him passionately.
"Well, its beauty doesn't come close to how beautiful you are, Regina. But, my lady if I may have the honor of placing it on your neck we can get a few more kisses in before we have that riding demonstration for your parents." He mock bowed, and she lightly slapped him before handing him the necklace and allowing him to put the necklace around her neck.
"Well, Sir Daniel, we should commence that kissing then don't you think?" She said smiling suggestively.
Daniel didn't need to be told twice as he rolled Regina onto the grass and their lips met and became one as their souls already were. They embraced each other and gave each other strength and comfort. They knew they couldn't go further and risk her Mother finding out she had been with a man intimately.
"Daniel, let's just stay a bit longer. I love you too much to pretend not to in front of my parents." Regina sighed with her head on his chest.
"I love you too, Regina. Just a few more minutes."
Coming up...modified scenes from The Stable Boy (at least that is what is in my head right now). I will take requests for story ideas for what is going on outside the spell. Right now, I have writer's block in that area until further down the road in my story.
Metope: Thanks for your review! I'm glad we were on the same wavelength about Cora and Eva. I can't wait for the next two episodes to find out how it plays out on the show.
Barbara Montgomery: You sure know how to boost my confidence! Thanks, I needed that.
NCISGleek: Your review was great and I totally agree with you. And I don't mind a bit of rambling; it means you're just as excited as I am about all of this, which is cool. Thank you!
To the Guest that just posted tonight you have eerie timing since I was in the process of writing the chapter tonight when I got your review. Ask and you shall receive.
