EPILOGUE
Emma,
I want to start with a quote. Now I know you've never been one to read but I think that this is important:
"I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity, and her flaming self-respect. And it's these things I'd believe in, even if the whole world indulged in wild suspicions that she wasn't all she should be. I love her and it is the beginning of everything." – F. Scott Fitzgerald
Emma, we're the beginning of everything because you're my everything. And I believe in you. I don't suppose it is sufficient to just say 'I love you because you're Emma', so I will try and elaborate. As the literary genius (that's someone who writes, Emma) Fitzgerald so eloquently states, I did fall in love with your courage. I did fall in love with your sincerity and you can sure as hell bet that I have fallen in love with your self-respect too. I also fell in love with your idiocy, your desire to always put others first, your fire and your smile. And I'm still falling, Emma Swan. I doubt I will ever stop.
I'm not saying that it will be easy. Loving me will never be a path devoid of fluctuations. We're both imprisoned by a past that has caged us for far too long, emancipated by the future of each other's key. I will get angry Miss Swan, I will lash out and push you away but I will always, always want you back- need you back. And you will need me too. This isn't about my happy ending Emma, it's about ours.
Yes. Yes I did read those letters and, yes, I did save you. But you saved me first. Emma, if I'm a beautiful storm, you're an ocean. I want everything, even your stupidity (especially your stupidity) because who am I to deny the surprising (if slightly cocky) Emma Swan.
Because even if you aren't all 'that you should be', I will still love you: just as you loved an Evil Queen. And just to think Miss Swan: my curse broke with a "Hi" on my doorstep and your curse broke with a "Hi" on yours.
Now let's write our own fairy tale.
Regina
P.S. if you ever write me another letter; send it next time.
…
Dear Regina,
I suppose this will be my last letter- I have the real thing now. You're sitting in the room next to me as I write this; probably at your desk doing Mayoral stuff as Mom does seem to be failing on that front. And that makes me so happy. No, not just happy- giddy. You make me giddy.
When I was a little girl I used to love Peter Pan. It was probably the only book I have ever truly loved and it probably still is. Okay so yes, the fantasy got slightly destroyed when I met Peter Pan and Tinkerbell and-oh my-CAPTAIN HOOK in real life BUT at the time, that story was my whole world. There's something beautiful about being a care kid and getting to travel to another realm; for me that was Neverland. And I will forever remember the quote that has shaped me today: "What if I fall? Oh but darling, what if you fly?"
Regina Mills I was falling but you helped me find my wings. I'm flying now and it has never felt so good. I've fallen throughout my whole life. I've fallen for you. And you caught me…
When I wrote you those letters, I had no idea that I would now be living in your home- a family. Shit. That's all I've ever wanted. You and Henry- my family. Mine. Until now, I've only ever had a yellow bug to call home. Now I have you.
Hook is doing okay. Ironically he's got a job at Mr Gold's shop and seems to be enjoying single life i.e. drowning his sorrows in alcohol and fairy nuns. And Robin… He really did love you, Regina. I'd almost feel sorry for the guy if it weren't for the fact that he stole you for so long. He'll be okay too, eventually. That's what you get when you run against a Swan *cue HUGE eye roll from Regina*. I know it's hard on you- I can see it in the crinkles of your eyes and the creases of your brow- and quite honestly, it just makes me love you even more. You care so deeply and, Regina Mills, I am honoured to be on the receiving end.
We don't ever have to be anything more than Emma and Regina. I know my mother has crazy plans for the future but we're still fragile. And it's beautiful. We began as Emma and Regina and we'll end as Emma and Regina. Beautiful.
You were shocked when I told you that I had got a new tattoo. I pretended it was spontaneous but truthfully, I have been imagining the word on my skin for some time now. You still have no idea as to what it says - letters you'll never read. But I'll write it down here because I love you:
everything
Because you are.
Love Emma
P.S. I think we beat Snow White for the most epic love story.
P.P.S. Thank you for being my beautiful storm.
P.P.P.S I love you.
A/N: WOOO! It is officially over! I cannot thank you enough for coming along on the ride with me *ew cheesy*. When I first wrote this, I could never have imagined I would get such a response- it's insane. I have another story idea which will be slightly ambitious but super fun so please stay tuned for that : ) Also, please do follow my tumblr 'the shameless fangirl' and my YouTube 'shameless fangirl' for updates on future fanfics and just general Swan Queen trash. ALSO if you ever wanted to check out my other fanfic, 'A Different Engraving', I would be most grateful!
Head canon:
Emma's 'everything' tattoo is on her hip with a little rain cloud beside it. When Regina does find it she does something completely out of character and goes and gets one herself (on her wrist, very small, basically imperceptible but still something).
Henry walks around the Mills' residence extremely smug for about a month and demands lots of ice cream and trips to Granny's to celebrate
Snow comes round almost every day to check on the new couple; David takes a little longer to warm to it but is pleased to see his daughter happy
Hook doesn't take well to the news and spends many of his days down at the pub and on one occasion, bursts in to Regina's house guns blazing! He is drunk and with a simple flick of her finger is passed out in the hall way (much to Henry's amusement).
They keep the letters in a scrap book in Regina's vault out of Henry's reach- who knows what that kid could get up to with them ie. publish a book of their love story
Regina broke Emma's curse with TLK- very simple yet revolutionary
*I wonder if anyone is actually reading these*
Robin remains very quiet when Regina tells him the news (he did cry later) and she hugs him and tells him that she is sorry that she cannot be what he deserves *emotional , huh?*
Storybrooke is a buzz with the news of Emma and Regina but is generally very accepting – Leroy begins to call them Swan Queen as a joke and it takes off (much to Regina's despair)
The two ladies argue A LOT but they also laugh at one another, bicker and gaze in to the other woman's eyes A LOT as well so it's all good!
Thank you so much! Let's keep this story alive…
See you again very soon for something exciting,
wavesketcher