When Emma and Regina had regained consciousness, they were informed that they'd been out for a day and a half. Their family hadn't left their sides. The Swan-Mills children gathered around their two mothers and wrapped their arms around them as tight as they would go. Snow, David, and Johanna were next; the pure look of relief on David's face said a thousand words. Maya gave her future in-laws welcoming hugs, with the absence of Henry. Even Belle hadn't gone up to the women for that matter. Gold's two relatives huddled together in grief; only they could truly empathize with each other at the loss. The only thing left of Rumplestiltskin was his legacy.
Emma and Regina held onto each other's hands as they lead their family out of the station and into the street. The sky had returned to its normal baby blue, the ground remained still, and somehow, the crack in the road had vanished. Slowly, other residents of Storybrooke came out of hiding, stunned at the mysterious repairs to their town. Cars with anxious parents sped down Main Street and pulled up to the library. Emma could see Red guiding students to their families.
In less than 36 hours, everything had gone back to the way it had been. There were no traces of Neal, except for memories. They may have returned home, but Regina and Emma's work was far from over.
Gold's memorial service was a small one. Only family attended. Regina used her magic one last time to create a bronze headstone for her former mentor that read, "Rumplestiltskin, A Great Wizard, And An Extraordinary Man." The family planted it right next to Neal's. They were all in agreement that that's what he would have wanted. With his dagger encased in a concrete block, Gold was finally laid to rest.
Belle said little during the ceremony, but Henry gave a moving eulogy. He didn't have much, but it touched everyone there. "For a long time, my grandfather was seen as a villain. He thought that villains didn't get happy endings... He made some bad choices, but he always looked out for a lot of us. He was smart, wise, kind, and funny in his own way. He never... he was never the Dark one to me. He was just my grandpa. He got to have a family, a life. He got to have his happy ending."
Emma and Regina told Henry about Neal the day after Gold's memorial. They didn't want to do it before; they didn't want to make things worse. Though, they supposed there was no "good time" to reveal such a harsh truth.
Henry had taken the news relatively well. He didn't punch a wall or break any glass. However, his entire idea of his father had shattered, and he spent the rest of the cold day with Maya at his castle, never minding that is was 12 degrees outside.
At the same time, Emma and Regina had never actually discussed the events that took place in limbo. They were reminded that their hectic life didn't stop on a whim. Sure, Emma and Regina shared the same bed and talked about their days, but they never actually dealt with their encounter with Neal. It was as though their experience in the spiritual plane had never taken place. Both women knew it was bound to happen, and both women were dreading it.
As the Mayor, Regina had duties to fulfill. As the Deputy, Emma had orders from her son- the Sheriff. She was impressed Henry was able to work in the very place his grandfather had died. At 30 years-old, his outstanding maturity still impressed Emma. For the time being, life was all about work.
December 31 rolled by; the last day of 2030. Normally, Regina threw large, festive New Year's parties. This year, she wasn't quite sure what to do. After Belle convinced her that Gold would have wanted everyone to enjoy themselves, Regina agreed to throw a celebration in his honor.
Apple cider, hot chocolate, sparkling juice for the kids, and water were served as beverages. Apple turnovers, brownies, cookies, and leftover candy canes were the snacks. Gold had always been fond of Regina's home-made brownies.
The family gathered together in the living room with the TV blaring the countdown to the new year. There was just half an hour of 2030, and everyone was set on making the most of it. Everyone was set on making a last minute memory.
While the kids all kept each other company, the adults mingled amongst each other. It had been a whirlwind week, but somehow, they were still managing. Henry had spent a lot of time with Belle; helped with the shop, sorted through Gold's belongings, lent a shoulder for moral support. Regina and Emma couldn't have asked for a better son.
Emma was on her way to refill her cider, when she bumped into her father at the refreshments counter. "Hey," she greeted calmly.
"Hey yourself," David winked. He held a glass of hot cider close to his chest; the warmth provided a comfortable at-ease mood for him. David pointed at the youngest Swan-Mills offspring, "They seem to be handling things well."
"They are," Emma concurred. She side-glanced at the aging man and wanted nothing more than for things to back to the way they were. Emma wasn't so simple-minded to think things would ever be the same, though. "Dad, look... I've been meaning to talk to you for a while."
"Uh oh. What'd I do now?" David semi-teased.
Emma saw through his humorous exterior. She always did. "I know you've been going through a lot since... well, since that day at Granny's. Regina told me she talked with you. She was right, you know. Words can hurt, but so can saying nothing at all. Just for the record, I don't blame you for any of it... Granny's or being deputy. Stuff happens. I think we both needed a reminder."
David, ever the macho-man, fought valiantly to keep the tears in his eyes. "Dad, one more thing." Emma dug a small badge out of her pocket and held it out to the stoic man. "I talked with Regina. I think it's time for me to retire. If you're ok with it, I want you to be deputy again. Henry'd do better with you there instead of me watching over him."
David let a soft chuckle escape, "It's not so easy being the parent of the sheriff, is it?"
"No, I guess not." She dropped the deputy's pin in David's empty hand.
"Emma," David started, "you're my daughter. Anything that happens to you, whenever you get hurt, I'm always going to feel guilty that I couldn't stop it. It just comes with the territory."
The blonde checked over her shoulder and watched Henry engage in conversation with Belle. "Yeah, I guess it does."
"And Emma?"
The last time someone said that, she'd reemerged from dream world. "Yeah, Dad?"
As Emma turned back to face her father, David's arms cloaked her body and she felt his warmth. "I'm proud of you, and I love you... more than you'll ever know."
"I love you too, Dad. Thanks. Ok, come on," Emma griped when David didn't let go. "Dad, seriously. Our wives are gonna come looking for us soon." Then, David released his embrace, cupped Emma's cheeks and kissed her forehead. With that, he left his daughter in the kitchen.
"You're popular tonight, dear," the Queen mused.
"I'm popular every night, babe," the Savior chided coyly. She wrapped one arm around Regina's waist and pecked her cheek. "I've got something for you." Amid her wife's protests, Emma dragged the brunette through the house and into the study.
"Emma, we can't just leave our guests," Regina rebuked.
"They'll be ok for a few minutes. I just wanted to do something without the peanut gallery." Emma closed the gap between them until they were touching noses. Like a head-on car crash, her lips collided with Regina's, her hands ran through her hair, and Regina melted in Emma's arms. "There," the blonde panted.
"Not that I'm complaining, dear, but that was rather sudden. What brought this on?"
One corner of Emma's mouth turned upward, "Eh, could be the fire last week. Could be the armageddon the other day. Or, it could be the fact that we communicated with the dead. Take your pick."
Regina's grin faltered slowly, "I'm sorry about Neal." It was the first time she'd addressed Emma about Neal's actions. She hadn't even looked at her wife when they told Henry.
"I'm sorry about Gold," Emma reciprocated. "Looks like we both lost someone this week."
"Yes, but I'm used to it. You haven't gone through as many deaths."
"Gina, I'm starting to finally understand that death's a part of life... whether you're used to it or not doesn't make it any less sad."
"That's true, dear. Quite true." Regina stayed safe and content in Emma's hold; she hadn't felt so secure in weeks. "Emma, can I be honest?"
"Yeah, please."
Regina rested her forehead against Emma's and closed her eyes. "I was jealous of Neal. Not because I thought you were attracted to him, but because he got to be there when I wasn't. You two shared a life before you came to storybrooke. You created a child together. He saw a side of you that I've never seen before."
"Gina," Emma placed a finger under her spouse's chin, "what Neal and I had wasn't a life- not the kind that you and I have. Yeah, we had Henry, but you and I had four more beautiful kids. You said it yourself, you were here for me when Neal wasn't. I know we've got a lot to talk about, but this... this is nothing, Gina. You're everything." The brunette let out a hearty chuckle and shook her head; her hair brushed against Emma's cheek. "What's so funny?"
Regina managed to compose herself once more, just long enough to voice her thoughts. "I think we're getting back to our old selves, Emma. You're here, trying to assuage my concerns, and I'm..."
"You're ridiculously incredible," Emma finished Regina's sentence. "No matter what else happens, never forget that." She let her long blonde locks fall over her face. "He was so...bitter, so full of rage."
"It happens to all of us. It seems as though he finally got what he always wanted: a family."
"I think that's what we all want in life; a place where we belong."
"Yes, and I hope you know that you have that." She moved in for another kiss, and fireworks erupted around them. "There's one more thing," Regina broke away from Emma's lips. "Neal said you're stubborn... I agree. You're a natural-born leader, Emma. You're the Savior. No one would expect any less of you. Your magic is so strong, just like you, you don't even realize when you're using it. Your will is unmeasurable, and your tenacity... Emma, you move, and everyone follows. This time, though, you finally let someone else do the saving. Neal was wrong about everything else: you don't lead with your mind, dear. You lead with your heart."
For a second, Emma felt as if she were floating- she and Regina. Their scattered talks over the past few weeks brought few insights into each other's minds, but this one... as Archie would say, they had a "breakthrough." "A heart you've had since day one, Gina." From the other room, voices grew louder and louder as the countdown to the last 30 seconds of 2030 intensified. One more kiss, and Regina was pulling Emma out of the study and into the living room.
Everyone was glued to the television as the Ball in times Square lowered with every second. Henry stood behind Maya with his arms hugging her torso, obvious anticipation on his face. David, Johanna, Snow, and Belle awaited the New Year together; David gave his daughter a paternal smile. Dani, Dakota, August, and Faith all grouped together in front of their mothers and beamed up at them excitedly; the promise of a new year with fresh starts and new opportunities weighed on their shoulders.
The network announcer wore a tight grin in the chilly air, his ears and nose were pink from the cold. One hand pressed against his inner-earphone as he counted down in the microphone. "Five... four... three... two... one! Happy New Year!"
The living room exploded in boisterous cheers for the new year; couples kissed, hugs were given, kisses were exchanged, and smiles were sent on to one another. Emma and Regina held onto their children lovingly, never wanting to let go. They wished they could have frozen that moment in time and keep it forever.
Henry and Emma shared a second just between the two of them; the young man peered down at his mother and saw his whole life in her eyes. "Happy New Year, Ma."
"Happy New Year Kid," Emma sighed.
Henry moved on to hugging the rest of his family, when Emma felt familiar hands on her waist. "Happy New Year, my Savior," Regina whispered in her ear.
Emma swiveled around and her lips met Regina's, her previous reservations about her family watching disappeared. "Happy New Year, my Queen."
A/N - And that's a wrap on "Lead With Your Heart!" Thanks so much for sticking with me during this story! Your reviews are much appreciated! More time to spend on "The Queen's Savior!" If you haven't checked it out yet, it's my most recent posting (other than this). Thanks again for all of the feedback, dearies!