Chapter 21
David had been trying to persuade Snow to give up her quest for revenge. He tried to warn her of the consequences of taking this path. He tried to tell her what revenge had gotten Regina. He thought surely comparing the situations would snap his wife out of this ridiculous notion.
However, Snow had a one-track mind. Cora would be gone. There was no redemption for that woman. To Snow, redemption was too good for Cora. Cora deserved to be put out of her misery. The world would thank Snow for ending Cora's reign of terror.
Regina was anxious. She knew the battle would take place soon. The battle between good and evil. She had always wanted to defeat Snow and Charming but now all of that seemed pointless. She had Daniel and the last thing she wanted was for him to get caught in the crossfire.
She was afraid that if he were there, her emotions would win out and her mother would know of her double-crossing and scheming. It was time to end this and get back everything she loved.
Cora came out of her bedroom ready for battle. Today would be the day when she got everything she deserved: her daughter and her power. She would no longer be The Miller's Daughter, but a rightful ruler over these pathetic and miserable people. She would help her daughter kill Snow and her precious family. Indeed, the Mills family would be invincible.
Cora went into the kitchen and saw Regina staring out of the window. "Regina, are you all right?"
Regina straightened her back and put on her Evil Queen façade. "I want to get this over with and crush those snobbish Charmings."
Cora smirked, "Patience, darling. The battle will commence soon and you will have everything you've dreamed of."
Regina gave one of her wicked smiles. "Will that dream include you, Mother? Will I be enough to redeem you?"
"You're right. I must be patient. I've waited this long, a few more hours won't hurt," Regina told her mother.
"Trust me dear. Everything will work as it's supposed to," said Cora.
A few hours later, the Charmings and Neal were in Gold's shop coming up with a battle plan. Mr. Gold instructed Emma on how to put up an invisible barrier.
As everyone headed out of the back room, Mr. Gold stopped Snow. "Snow, would you hand me a blanket out of the cabinet?"
Snow walked to the cabinet to find the candle Cora gave her to save her mother.
She turned to Mr. Gold. "Why do you have this?"
"I was saving it for a rainy day," Mr. Gold replied.
"In order for this candle to work one has to die," Snow said. "You want me to kill Cora."
"Precisely. If I die, she gets my power and nobody wants that," he replied.
"True. But I can also get rid of two evils. I can let you die and I can put Cora's heart back in."
"I'd hate to see the look on Henry's face when he finds out you let his grandfather die," Gold replied. He would get what he wanted. Goading Snow was easy.
Snow paused and gave it some thought. Cora stole the thing that mattered most. She wasn't going to rip anything else from her.
"The question is dearie…how are you going to get Cora's heart back in?"
"I'll think of something," said Snow.
Emma walked in and sensed the atmosphere was tense. "Is everything all right?"
"Everything's fine. Just waiting for Cora and Regina to burn my shop but I know you won't let that happen. I'm relying on you."
Snow knew those last words were directed at her.
Regina called Daniel alerting him of the plan. They would do battle and there Regina would persuade her mother to stop this game. Regina would tell her mother that power wasn't what she needed but family.
Daniel wanted to go with her but Regina held her ground. She would go to him when it was all over.
Cora came into the foyer. "Are you prepared, my dear?"
"Yes, mother."
They headed to Mr. Gold's shop.
Everyone in Gold's shop felt the building shake. It was time to end this and defeat Cora and Regina.
Snow was biding her time. A part of her knew Regina was going to be furious at the change in plans. The other part of Snow simply didn't care. If it wasn't for Cora, Regina wouldn't have turned into the monster that ripped her family away. If it wasn't for Cora, she would have her mother. That heartless woman was going to pay for her sins.
Cora and Regina barreled their way through the shop. It was four against two but that didn't matter. Cora easily deflected Neal and David's attacks.
Regina hated every second of this battle. "Where's Snow? She was supposed to be here."
Snow went to the mausoleum and found Cora's heart. It was glowing red. "Her incorruptible heart."
"Stick to the plan Snow. Just give Regina the heart in perfect condition and this will end."
Then the image of Eva popped in her head. Her sweet and caring mother lying on the bed helpless. She was dying and Snow couldn't do anything to help her. Well, she could've but that meant giving into dark magic.
Snow's heart burned with anger and hatred. "Screw the plan."
Snow put the candle over Cora's heart and whispered her name. Snow took great comfort in knowing that Cora would no longer be an issue. The deed was done.
Regina came down the stairs after few minutes later. "Snow, did you find my mother's heart?"
"Yes, it's been untouched. Your mother will now love you and you can have your family intact. You can finally be happy with all the people you love."
"Thank you Snow. Not only for helping me but also for stopping Daniel from killing my mother. My mother will be redeemed. I'm sorry for all the pain we've caused. You truly are good."
Snow looked at her innocently. This was going to work. Cora would be out of Regina's life. She would be out of her life.
"Go, we're stopping your mother from becoming the Dark One. She'll thank you for it in the end," Snow said.
Regina rushed to her car and called Daniel.
Daniel's phone rang and he saw Regina's number on the screen. "Regina! What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"Everything is going to be fine. Snow found my mother's heart and I'm going to put in back in. She will be redeemed after all. There is no need to kill her. Meet me at Gold's shop."
Daniel hurriedly got off the phone and rushed out the door. He may not like Cora but if Regina wanted her in her life then he would learn to tolerate her. He wished things could have gone differently if Cora hadn't ripped out her heart.
"All this grief could've been avoided."
Regina and Daniel met up with each other in front of the shop.
"Ready for this?" asked Daniel.
"I've been ready for this my whole life," Regina answered.
"Let's go save your mother."
Meanwhile Snow was hit with a tidal wave of emotions. What had she done? She used manipulation against Regina. They were just starting to come to a place of possible healing.
David reached the cemetery to find his wife cradling her head. "What did you do?"
Snow looked at her husband terrified. "I just did something horrible."
She stood up suddenly. "We have to go back to Gold's shop. Regina's about to kill Cora!"
They got in the truck and sped down the street.
Regina and Daniel saw Cora about to plunge the knife into Gold's chest. Daniel gave Regina a slight push and Regina plunged her hand into Cora's chest.
"It's done," Regina thought.
Regina waited to see her mother's reaction. Cora felt the strange sensation only for a moment and then she looked at Regina.
Cora was overwhelmed with joy. She was seeing her baby girl for the first time. Her precious baby girl who she would die for.
Regina smiled. "Mother!"
Daniel smiled at the scene unfolding. This is what Regina desired: her mother's unconditional love. She had finally received the affection she'd been craving. He hadn't seen Regina smile that way in weeks. He was truly happy for her.
Gold knew something was off. "Snow actually did it."
He looked at the dagger and his name remained. He picked it up. He would not die today.
Cora felt a burning sensation across her chest. She saw the poisoned wound forming on her skin.
"Mother," Regina said concerned.
Daniel saw the change and was about to move. Suddenly, Cora fell and Regina caught her in her arms. Daniel rushed to Regina's side and supported Cora's head.
"Regina, what's happening?" asked Daniel.
"I don't know. This isn't right," said Regina.
"Mother, talk to me," Regina pleaded.
Cora looked at Gold and said, "This would've been enough."
She looked at her precious daughter again. "You would've been enough."
Cora placed her eyes on Daniel and sighed. "I'm sorry Daniel. You loved my daughter and I see you would've made her happy. Please, take care of my baby girl. I'm so sorry."
Daniel was tearing up. This is the woman he should have met a long time ago. "It's okay. We both love Regina. You're going to be fine."
"I love you Regina." Cora slipped away.
Regina shook her mother. "Mother don't leave me, please. You have to wake up."
Daniel turned to Gold. "Can't you do something?"
Daniel was stunned. Regina just got her mother back.
"I can't do anything. Regina, your mother did you no favors."
Regina whipped her head around. "Shut up! You stole her life! You cast some spell!"
Regina looked at Daniel and cried harder. "She was supposed to be a part of it."
"I know, Gina. I don't understand. I thought everything was fine," Daniel said.
"I don't understand either," she answered. She faced Gold again. "What did you do to her?"
"I did nothing," Gold simply stated.
Regina looked at her mother's face. The only person who said nothing was wrong was Snow. "No, not Snow."
Snow screamed as she ran into the room. "Regina, stop!"
Regina stared at Snow. She had trusted her again. "You did this!"
Daniel couldn't believe his ears. Surely, Snow didn't do this. She couldn't have killed Cora. But the look on her face said it all. Snow killed Cora out of revenge. Daniel stood up and stroked Regina's hair. He walked over to Snow. His voice low.
"You need to leave."
He held up his hand in protest. One word out of Snow and Regina would burn this whole place down. He signaled David to take Snow out.
Daniel turned to Gold and glared. "He had to have a hand in this madness. Snow didn't do this by herself."
"Would you excuse us?" Daniel asked Gold.
Gold nodded his head and walked out.
Daniel kneeled in front of Regina who was still cradling Cora. He tried to touch Cora and pry her out of Regina's arms.
Regina pulled back. "No! You can't have her!"
Daniel's heart was shattering. "Ok. I'll sit with you." Daniel went behind Regina and wrapped his arms around her chest.
Regina cried and spoke. "Why did you leave me? I had you! You were finally my mother and now you're gone! Please wake up! Mama, I need you."
Regina was hoping that Cora would somehow magically open her eyes. It never happened.
Regina was conscious of Daniel's presence again. "Daniel," her voice barely audible.
"Yes, sweetheart."
"Will you take her now?" Regina was sounding as a child.
"Ok." He knelt down and slowly maneuvered Cora into a comfortable position. He picked her up and cradled her like she was his own mother. In his heart of hearts, he knew this would happen. He figured there was still a chance of redemption but Snow had uncharacteristically ripped that chance away.
Snow. She wasn't responsible for his death and he finally got Regina to see that. However, her hands were now soiled. She was directly responsible for Cora's demise. He would deal with Snow later.
He had to get Cora to the cemetery and Regina home. They were so close to getting the ending they desired.
He felt Regina's hand on his lower back. "She'll have a proper service."
Regina nodded her head. "Thank you."
The couple magicked to the mausoleum. Regina preserved her body in the same manner as she did Daniel.
Regina became numb and despondent. She barely registered what was happening. She didn't even remember coming home. She walked into the foyer, her heart heavy.
Daniel watched Regina for a few seconds. He could tell Regina was shutting down. Regina tried to climb the stairs but her legs felt heavy. Daniel picked her up bridal style and carried her up the stairs.
He placed on her the bed. "Let me take care of you."
He ran a bath for her and slowly undressed her. He didn't even think Regina registered what was happening.
After checking the water temperature, he picked Regina up again and put her in the tub.
He took extra care in washing her body. "Regina, I need you to stand for me."
The option of sticking her head under water and joining her mother in death seemed like a really good alternative. However, having Daniel and Henry go through the pain she was feeling was out of the question.
She stood out of obedience. Daniel wrapped a towel around her and got her out of the tub.
He found some pajamas for Regina to wear and had her put them on.
"I'm going to make you some tea. I'll be right back."
Regina simply nodded her head.
Daniel came back a few minutes later and watched Regina drink the tea. He placed the cup on the nightstand and then helped Regina stand while he pulled back the covers.
Regina got in and Daniel kissed her on the temple. He wasn't sure if she needed to be alone. He stroked her hair one last time. He turned off the lights and was about to walk out the door.
He heard her voice. "Please don't leave me too. I need you."
Daniel took off his shoes and got in bed. He wrapped his arms around Regina and she snuggled into his chest. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here as long as you need me."
Regina broke and the tears ran down her pale skin. She was soaking Daniel's shirt but he didn't care. He held Regina all night hearing the cries until she fell asleep.
Daniel looked at Regina's sleeping form. He was now afraid for her. She was making progress and it seemed life was knocking her five steps back when she would take a step forward. He knew the road to redemption just got a lot harder.
He said within himself that Regina was worth fighting for her. He got rid of the Evil Queen but what if Regina fell back into old patterns? As much as he hated what Snow did, Regina's anger was stronger.
Daniel tightened his arms around Regina. "Tomorrow is another day. We'll face it together my love."
He kissed Regina lightly and fell asleep.