Chapter 10
"Regina!" Emma called from the bottom of the stairwell. "You coming or what?"
the clatter of high heels cold be heard from the far end of the upstairs hallway.
"If you must shout, at least be dignified."
Regina appeared at the top of the stairs in a black pants suit with her blue silk shirt poking out at the collar.
"Whatever, Come on. We're going to be late." Emma crooked her head to the side. "Why do are you dressed like your going to work?"
Regina slowly stepped down each step with deliberate poise.
"It was this, or my skinny jeans." Her tone was even and elegant.
"Well, at least you don't sound like a dying frog anymore."
Regina paused.
"Excuse me?"
Emma smirked and turned to grab the front door handle, and opened the door. Stepping out into the cool evening air.
"Come on!" she called out behind her.
Descending the stairs more rapidly, Regina grabber her purse off the side table as she flew out the door and slammed the door behind.
"Why do we have to go to this thing?"
Smiling, Emma turned around and waited for her to catch up.
"Because, we've been stuck inside this place for almost a week. We need the fresh air."
wrapping her arm around Regina's shoulders, Emma lead the reluctant mayor to her yellow bug. Opening the passenger door, Regina slid into the cracked leather seat with a grimace.
"its Six blocks, Regina." Emma rolled her eyes, "You'll be fine."
Regina pulled her door closed as Emma rounded the front of the bug and promptly jumped in the drivers seat. Starting the car and backing out slowly.
"I don't want to go." Regina tried again to appeal to Emma's good graces.
"Its my parents anniversary," Emma countered, "I know its not the most desired of appearances for a Mayor, but Its getting out! It'll be fine."
"fine." Regina uttered under her breath.
With the exception Emma singing along with the radio to a song that sounded more to Regina like cats being beaten than music, the short drive was relatively quiet.
"OK! Where's the present?" Emma asked putting the car into park and stepping out onto the street.
"Henry dropped it off here this morning." Regina rounded the car and joined Emma at her side.
"Great!" Emma smiled. "What is it?"
"You'll see." Regina sighed, attempting to get into the spirit of the evening with playful banter.
"Oh C'mon..." Emma mock whined, stomping her foot twice and pouting. Regina's laugh was genuine.
"No." She slapped Emma lightly on her shoulder. "Get going."
Emma spun on her boot heel and stomped up the short walk to Granny's diner and pulled the door open with enthusiasm. Regina close behind heard the cheering as Emma entered. To her surprise, they cheered for her as well. Even Grumpy.
The party was somewhat enjoyable for Regina, as little as she participated. A few people sat down and had short conversations with her. David asked about Henry and how she herself was doing. Grumpy wanted to know about his missing ax, to which she turned him in the direction of Rumple. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, especially Snow and David. A bittersweet smile formed on her lips, unable to stop herself form remembering that day, this day, so many years ago. The day she ruined.
"Hi Regina." Snow said sweetly, pulling Regina from her reverie. Clearing her throat, the once terrible queen bowed her head in greeting as Snow sat opposite her.
"Congratulations." Regina grinned. Her throat suddenly dry.
"Can I talk to you about something?" Snow looked apprehensive.
"Sure." Regina felt goosebumps on the back of her neck.
"Are you OK?"
The question stunned Regina and her eyes widened.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?"
"I've been watching you, and you seem uneasy." Snow tilted her head. "And I think I know why."
Snow sat back and gave Regina a fond smile. Her features softened as she spoke.
"You do know we've all forgiven you."
Regina felt her nerves screaming to run.
"Oh, well, Yes. I suppose you've mentioned it before." Regina shifted in her seat.
"Have you forgiven yourself?"
Regina's eyebrows nit together in confusion.
"Myself?"
"Yes, Regina." Snow's expression was sympathetic and soft.
Regina had never considered forgiving herself. Mostly for the fact she didn't feel she deserved it.
"Of course, I have" Regina laughed awkwardly, shifting her eyes away from Snow and locking eyes with Emma across the room. Green eyes that melted her. Her heart skipped a beat and her shoulders deflated. "Or, maybe not." She sighed, still looking at Emma, who smiled and winked.
"Why not?" Snow asked.
"Because," Regina pulled her eyes away from Emma and faced Snow. "Why bother?" she shrugged.
"You have to forgive yourself. Please." Snow begged with sad, doe eyes.
"Why?" Regina noticed how Snow still resembled that little girl she saved from a run away horse, so long ago. Regina remembered that day so vividly.
"Because we..." Snow shook her head as she corrected herself, "WE care about you. You have to stop torturing yourself, Regina."
"It's so hard." Regina confessed, her voice barely audible. "The less dark my heart becomes, the more pain I am in."
Snow smiled sweetly and reached across the both placing both her hand on top of Regina's.
"That's what makes you a hero."
Regina's face twisted In confusion.
"...What?"
"It take more courage to follow a path of love, than one of hate." Snow paused for a few moments letting her words percolate before she continued. "When you chose hate and Evil, you became numb. The pain buried itself. Your soul couldn't heal, and you lost yourself."
Regina nodded slowly.
"I remember the numbness. It was like a vast chasm of emptiness. It was like a blanket of apathy. It was easy."
"If you'd forgiven me and let yourself be who you were always meant to be, it would have hurt. A lot."
Snow tilted her head, her smile growing brighter.
"Whats with the joker face?" Regina half joked.
"I'd Imagine it take more courage to do what you've done."
"What do you mean?"
"You were almost pure evil, Regina." Regina recoiled, but Snow held tightly to the hands she was grasping.
"No, listen." She took a breath, "You willingly turned your back on it and you are following a path of light and love. You are facing your original pain, plus all the pain that grew afterward. Regina, I cannot imagine the pain inside you right now, but I do know the first step, is Forgiveness."
"I have forgiven you, Snow!" Regina said a little too loudly, drawing a few eyes, including Emma's.
"No, not me. You. Forgive yourself. Go easy on yourself, for once, Regina."
Regina's eyes flashed with understanding.
"OK." was all she could say, clearing her throat.
Emma approached the two women and motioned for Snow to let her in. Instead, Snow stood up and offered her seat with a flick of her head.
"you sit. I'm gonna go find your father."
with a quick glance and a wink to Regina, Snow was across the room with David. Regina watched them. A new found appreciation growing in her heart for the girl who'd started her evil path, and who had subsequently ended it.
"You good?" Emma asked, drawing Regina's attention back to reality.
"Yep!" Regina's smile felt lighter. She laughed at Emma's expression.
"What?" Emma asked
"oh, nothing." Her eyes sparkling. "Thanks for making me come."
"My pleasure!"