Chapter 11
Mia walks along main street with Regina as the brunette said she would take her for some ice cream while they waited for Emma's return. Regina looks down to the smiling blonde smiling herself. She loved this moment. Just walking with Mia, something normal. Something innocent where she can just forget for a moment about who she is and everything else and enjoy the company of the little girl.
Walking in the direction of Granny's, Regina looks to the building frowning. Stopping in her path, Mia looks up wondering why they are not walking. Watching the diner, Regina notices all the lights on and what would appear, a lot of people inside. "Mia we are just going to make a quick stop at Granny's first okay?"
Mia pouts a little wanting ice cream but nods. Regina holds her hand tightly and walks over and inside. Everyone in the diner look to the door to see who else would want a say and freeze seeing Regina. Regina looks over a moment confused seeing Emma but stops when she feels a tug on her jacket. Glancing down at Mia, the girl holds her arms up again not liking everyone staring. Regina lifts her up causing Snow to step forward to stop her.
"Put her down"
Regina looks to Emma as Mia is her daughter not Snows. The blonde goes to say something but is stopped by David pulling her back. Snow glares at the former Queen waiting for her to put Mia down. Mia completely confused grips her arms tightly round Regina's neck so she can't put her down and looks over at her mama.
"Mama..I can hug Regina"
Having watched the whole scene involving her daughter and the look on Regina's face, a cross between fear and sadness of losing the girl and a pleading look for Emma to help. Something that Regina would never normally do, ask for help. Emma moves past her parents and stands in front of Regina and Mia as if she were their shield and looks to the people in Granny's. "That's enough..I get it okay I understand your pissed because of what happened and you want some sort of revenge but that will not help in the long haul. People will continue to get hurt and it has to stop. What Regina did was..terrible and lives were turned upside down but she is sorry and is trying to redeem herself if you'll just let her. I'm not saying to forgive her and be friends, at least be civil because whether you like it or not, you're not in the forest anymore. You're in Maine and things are run differently here so you are not locking her up. She was just as lost as all of you"
Mia hugs Regina more seeing her teary not understanding the situation. "You only shouted it's okay" Regina looks at her seeing how innocent she is thinking that this is why everyone is mad at her.
Snow having listened to Emma sighs knowing that deep down she is right. They are good people and revenge is not what they do. "Emma..everyone here they can't just forget what has happened"
Emma nods. "I understand that and respect everyone's choice just not by being violent or cruel. I for one forgive her, I do because she has done nothing but help me, she more or less saved my life. She took me in, got me away from trouble and helped me start a new life"
Snow shakes her head. "If it wasn't for her you wouldn't of had to go through that, you would be at home with us where you belong"
"No because then I would never have Mia and you of all people should get how important a child is, you saved yours by sending her away"
Snow looks over at Mia who just looks back making Snow realize that Emma is right on that part.
Emma turns to Regina and Mia stroking the side of Mia's face with a smile then looks at the brunette and does the same brushing away a tear. "I think we are done here, let's go"
Regina can only nod at this point for fear of breaking down in front of everyone and turns walking out the door. Emma looks back to her parents. "Please just leave her be otherwise not only will you upset me you'll upset that little girl, your granddaughter"
David stands behind his wife placing a hand on her shoulder as she nods at Emma. "Yes"
Emma watches everyone a second then walks out to Regina and Mia who are now standing just outside the gate, Mia now down on the ground in her original position of holding Regina's hand. Without even thinking about it, Emma walks straight over wrapping her arms round the brunette who happily accepts. Holding onto Emma with a hand on her back, Regina squeezes lightly. "Do you really forgive me?"
Emma nods against Regina's shoulder. "I wouldn't of said it otherwise. Besides we both want you around don't we baby?"
Mia nods hugging both of them trying to get in between them. "Can we get ice cream now?"
Emma pulls back raising an eyebrow. "Ice cream?"
Regina bites her lip. "She was good..."
"Let's get ice cream then"
Mia grins taking her mama's hand walking to get ice cream. Emma smiles at how excited she is and gradually takes hold of Regina's hand linking their fingers with her spare hand. Regina looks down to their hands and over to Emma who is watching her daughter in adoration.
Author's note: nearly a family! I think that date is in order :)