Apologies for it being so late! Been a crazy semester and then I lost my laptop last week on top of it (I backed it up luckily)! This is the last chapter with only the epilogue after it!
On the other side of the ship, Clarke and Emma were having a similar conversation.
"You and Regina work well together," Clarke said, "and it's really encouraging that you two have a son together through all... well, it just seems like you've dealt with situations like this before."
"We've dealt with situations like this, yeah," Emma replied, "but we're only co-parents. Nothing more."
"Not from the looks of that hug," Clarke remarked, elbowing Emma.
"What? No. Regina just-"
"I once tried to run from my true feelings, because I thought it was best for my people," Clarke started, "but then I realized that I was the best for my people and myself when I was happy." Emma stared at Clarke in awe.
"She could never love me," Emma murmured. "I'm not worthy of that."
"I think you're worth more than you give yourself credit for," Clarke said. "Don't let your life pass without trying." Clarke reached over and squeezed Emma's shoulder before starting toward Lexa and Regina. Emma looked over and saw Henry animately talking with Octavia as Bellamy stood with Gold and Belle. She then gazed over and saw Regina looking her way as Clarke and Lexa discussed something beside her. She gave her a nod and headed toward Henry.
"You almost ready to go, kid?" Emma asked.
"Ma, do you know how to get someone messages through magic?" Henry asked.
"Uh, I'd talk to your mom about that," Emma replied, "she knows a bit more than I do about the magic stuff. Why?" Henry nodded toward Octavia.
"I'd like to stay in contact with Octavia," he told her. "She also told me Lexa knows most, if not all, of the Legend of the Commander." Emma grinned.
"It's an Author thing, isn't it?" Emma asked.
"Yeah," Henry admitted, shrugging.
"Ready to go?" Regina asked, sidling up next to them.
"Henry's wondering about magic forms of communication through realms," Emma told her. "The Author here sounds like he's gearing up for more writing."
"We can attempt to arrange that," Regina said. Henry grinned and first pumped the air.
"I guess this is goodbye, then," Emma said, looking at Clarke and Lexa.
"You and your family are welcome in Polis as my guests any time," Lexa told them.
"Thank you," Regina said.
"I would even like to invite you and your family back in a few months time," Lexa said, "I will explain further if contact is kept."
"We will work something out once we return to Storybrooke," Regina assured her.
There were hugs and respectful handshakes before they dropped Clarke, Lexa, Bellamy, Octavia, and Skikru off back on shore. Gold then produced a second bean to send them home to Storybrooke.
"Why was he even necessary on this trip?" Emma whispered to Regina.
"Because he's a paranoid bastard and wouldn't just let us have magic beans," Regina whispered back. Emma stifled a laugh as Gold threw them a glare. Everyone watched as Gold tossed the bean into the ocean. Emma and Regina held tight to their safety ropes and the mast, while watching over Henry who was, once again, steering the ship.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into letting him steer," Regina muttered.
"I don't want the kid to feel left out," Emma said, "I can't continue to let us leave him out of things."
"It's not for his punishment. It's for his safety," Regina replied.
"I know you'd do anything for him, but maybe letting go of the reigns a bit is something he needs," Emma said quietly, taking Regina's hand. Regina looked up into Emma's eyes just as the ship reached the portal, jostling its passengers. Emma pulled Regina firmly into her arms.
"Sorry," Emma apologized, loosening her grip, "reflex."
"It's quite alright," Regina replied, finding herself content to stay in Emma's arms. "Wouldn't want anyone falling off, now would we?"
"Guess not," Emma agreed, hugging Regina just a bit closer.
Once they were back on Storybrooke waters, Emma reluctantly let go of Regina.
"So," Emma cleared her throat, "I guess there will probably be a celebratory get together at Granny's tonight, then?"
"If you parents have their way, then yes," Regina said.
"Guess I should clean up this cut beforehand, huh?" Emma joked, referring to her wounded side.
"Oh, Emma, I'm sorry, I forgot," Regina's forehead creased in worry.
"I told you, I'm fine," Emma reassured her, "it just needs a gauze patch or something."
"Henry," Regina called the boy over, "we need to go home and clean ourselves up."
"If we're having a party at Granny's I, uh, the clothes I want to wear at at Grandma's loft," Henry lied. He'd manage find something decent, but he hadn't a clue what was there.
"If you're sure," Regina said.
"Yeah, of course!" Henry told her. "Go take care of Emma. I can even text you when I get there if you'll feel better."
"That would make me feel better, thank you," she kissed his forehead before he dashed off toward Snow and Charming's loft. Regina turned back toward Emma. "I would transport us back to the mansion-"
"Don't worry about it," Emma said, "that time freeze was draining."
By the time they reach 108 Mifflin St. Henry had already texted Regina and assured them that he was safe.
"What could he possibly have at the loft that he doesn't have here?" Regina wondered aloud.
"Beats me," Emma replied, shrugging.
"Sit," Regina ordered, "I need to go get the gauze." Emma plopped onto the counter in the kitchen and waited. Regina returned with a washcloth, soap, peroxide, a towel, medical tape, and some gauze. She set everything down next to Emma on the counter before helping Emma shimmy out of her red leather jacket. "You're also going to need to remove your shirt," Regina told her. Emma's cheeks dusted pink, but she did as Regina told her. Regina first cleaned the wound with soap before gently dabbing it with peroxide. Emma sucked in a breath. "Sorry," Regina murmured, absentmindedly taking Emma's hand. Emma's breath caught in her throat at the action, causing Regina to look up. Emma swallowed and bit the inside of her lip, attempting to tamp down her feelings.
"It's okay," Emma managed to reply, "continue." Regina nodded, dabbing the wound a bit more before reaching for the gauze and tape. She placed the long gauze strip over the cut, lightly applying the medical tape to secure it, brushing it down so it would stay.
"Regina, I..." Emma trailed off.
"What is it?" Regina asked. "Does something hurt?" Emma shook her head.
"No," she replied quietly. "We should get going." Emma pushed off of the counter and pulled her shirt over her head.
"Emma," Regina sighed, grabbing for her wrist. Emma slowly walked back toward Regina, her wrist still in Regina's grasp, and placed that hand on Regina's cheek.
"We could've died today," Emma started, "we could've died in Hell. There's always a chance we could be killed tomorrow. And... I don't know what I'd do if I died and you didn't know how I felt." Regina's hand slid down Emma's arm to settle in the crook of her elbow, effectively pulling them closer.
"And how do you feel?" Regina whispered.
"Like you're my everything," Emma admitted. Regina placed her free hand on Emma's cheek and leaned forward, capturing the blonde's lips in a sweet kiss. Emma opened her mouth and gently sucked Regina's bottom lip. When they broke apart they were both breathless.
"I guess Lexa was right," Regina laughed.
"Lexa?" Emma asked.
"You were jealous," Regina realized, noting Emma's stiffened posture, "even after you knew she had a True Love."
"Can you blame me?" Emma asked. "She was attractive."
"And a little young for my taste," Regina teased.
"Must mean I'm a little young for you too," Emma joked back. Regina hit Emma on the shoulder. "So you two talked about us?"
"Mhm, Lexa knew. She could see it in how we looked at each other," Regina confessed.
"That's how Clarke knew," Emma said. Regina let her head fall onto Emma's shoulder.
"Are we that transparent to everyone else?" Regina asked, her voice muffled. Emma chuckled.
"Sure seems like it, huh?" Emma replied. Regina lifted her head to meet Emma's eyes.
"What if I want to keep us to us?" Regina asked quietly.
"What are you worried about?" Emma asked, furrowing her brow.
"I have no doubt that there will be a bit of trouble for the citizens to handle the Savior and the Evil Queen," Regina said bitterly.
"Yeah, trouble for them if they have a problem with it," Emma said, putting her hands on her hips in a strong pose. Regina laughed and pulled Emma into a hug.
"Thank you," she murmured.
"I'd do anything for you," Emma responded.
"Anything?" Regina pulled back and raised an eyebrow.
"What have I just agreed to?" Emma asked.
"Flaunting us in front of your mother all night," Regina replied mischievously.
"Why am I not surprised?" Emma smiled and shook her head. "Do you really think it'll bother her?"
"Are you suggesting it won't?" Regina asked.
"I don't think it will," Emma told her, "I think she'll be happy to see us happy."
"Ah yes, Snow and her Happy Endings," Regina remarked.
"Come on," Emma said, kissing her forehead, "let's go celebrate all of us not dying, again."
I hope you enjoyed this wild ride as much as I did! Let me know in the comments!
