The next week was one of the hardest Regina ever had to go through. Everyday, her feelings for Emma rose, but everyday, her faith lessened.
Emma wasn't awake most of the time. And when she was... she wasn't Emma.
Henry, that poor boy, couldn't even be in the same room as her, he couldn't deal with the sadness, the hopelessness, that emanated from the room.
The first time that Emma had opened her eyes, and not recognised her own child, Regina made her mind up.
She was going to get a job. As soon as Emma got better...
She would get better, Doctor Hopper said so.
She had realised how dependent she was on her mother, on her father. And the only way she would break free of that would be by marrying another Leopold, some rich, old, pervy man.
And she didn't want that at all.
For a start, she was a lesbian.
But... she didn't like not being in control.
For the first time, she was happy, she fantasised about having her own money, her own future.
But as the week went on... Regina just lost it.
What if Emma died. What if Regina didn't get a chance to say another word to her. She needed her so badly.
It was so lonely, without the blonde talking to her, laughing with her, protecting her.
All she wanted was for Emma to open her eyes, and smile at her, to say her name. She wanted Henry to smile again. She wanted a family.
She was unable to leave Emma's side, she couldn't take her eyes off of her, terrified that if she did, there would be nothing left.
At that moment Granny knocked on the door and poked her head around.
"¿Cómo estás, Regina?"
"how are you Regina?"
"no tan bien"
"not so good" she sighed.
Granny pulled a chair up and gazed solemnly at the sleeping woman. It was funny, Regina nearly chuckled. It felt like that story Granny used to tell her growing up, Bella Durmiente
"you really care about her don't you?" Granny asked.
Regina lifted her aching head sharply. "What?"
"There's no point pretending Gina." She chuckled. "You love her. More than a friend, and not like a sister."
"I- I don't know what you are talking about... Eugenia, I think you better leave."
Granny slapped her knee. "¡Deja la actitud! ¡Yo fui quien te cuidó todos estos años, Regina! "
"Drop the attitude! I am the one who looked after you all these years, Regina!"
Regina sighed. "Lo siento."
"Listen my darling. I do not judge. I have been through too much, seen enough, I would Never, no never, hate my daughter-"
At Reginas sharp exclamation, she repeated herself. "Yes, daughter. I see you as a daughter- and my child, I would never abandon you over something like love."
Regina placed her hand over her mouth.
"So, you do not mind I love Emma?"
Granny raised her eyebrow. "Emma? I thought you meant Doctor Hopper?"
"¿Qué?"
"Jaja. No I'm joking with you! I know it is Emma. I knew from the moment I saw you look at her."
"Oh granny." Regina launched herself into the woman's arms. "Thank you. Thank you."
The two sat in silent for a while.
Then Regina lifted her voice.
"Granny..."
"Hmm?"
"What if-"her voice broke. "What if Emma doesn't wake up again?"
The older woman just looked at her, her heartbreak written over her face.
"Will I ever get over it?"
"no" she murmured.
"I can't granny, I can't." She broke down.
"I can't live without her, granny, she has only been with me for a month, perhaps less, but she is the most important thing that has ever entered my life. And without her, without Henry, my life isn't worth living. I love her."
And from the bed, Emma stirred, and said "Regina, I love you too."
Regina launched herself onto the bed and placed her wrist on her love's forehead. "Emma your fever has broken!" She exclaimed.
"Fever?" She said, her brow wrinkled.
"You don't remember?"
"No-no" she stuttered. "I remember knocking on your door- but then everything is black. Regina. What- what happened to me?" She bit her tongue, clutching the brunette's hand, her eyes filling with tears,
"It's okay, Emma." Regina soothed.
"You just…weren't yourself, but it's okay."
"What do you mean?!" Her voice rose, and in that moment, Regina decided not to tell her about Henry, the woman was in no fit state to hear about how she'd forgotten her son.
"Nothing Emma, it's nothing." She leant down and placed a chaste kiss on Emma's dry- but nevertheless wonderful- lips.
Emma raised her eyes to Grannies. "Um- Gina- we have company…"
"It's fine Emma! It's fine!" Regina found herself laughing and crying at the same time. "Everything is fine now".
After that, things improved considerably. In the days where Emma recovered from her illness, the two women and Henry just talked. All the time, about anything and everything. The best bit was, Cora stayed away from them, in case she caught any "nasty little peasant girl germs".
One afternoon, the three were lounging on Regina's bed. Regina was curled around Emma, stroking her back, whilst Henry perched on their feet and chattered about the fairy tales Mary Margaret had been reading to him.
Suddenly he stopped, and looked between the two of them with narrowed eyes.
"What is going on between the two of you? Why are you cuddling- ALL the time?"
Emma and Regina sat up slowly. "Should we tell him?" Regina communicated silently.
Emma blinked slowly in confirmation.
"Henry…" the woman began. "Your mama and I… we're in love with each other."
He frowned. "What, like Ruby from the kitchen and Peter the stable boy is?"
"Um. Yes."
"But you're both girls… can girls love each other?"
Emma shot a nervous glance at Regina. "Yes Henry. Remember Lily from the factory… it's like that. But Regina is more to me than Lily ever was."
"Oh okay." He shrugged. "Hey, have I told you two about Cinderella!" He grinned excitedly and carried on talking.
After a while, the conversation ceased, and the three just lay as a heap on the bed, enjoying being in each other's company.
All of them were thinking the same thing. "This feels so perfect. I love them all both so much. This… this is my forever family.
And now both Henry and Granny know! This story is coming to an end soon…maybe (although I said that like ten chapters ago!) But I reckon there'll be top five more chapters… plus an epilogue.
Anyway please review!