Well, here it is, the final chapter of the story. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with it and for all the kind reviews. Although this story has come to an end, please do continue to read and (hopefully) enjoy Our Charming family, where requests are always gratefully accepted. I have plans for another multi chapter story, but it probably won't be for a long while yet, if I ever get the chance to do it :). Well, happy reading! JMAMK.
It was hard for all four members of the royal family to believe their fight was finally over. George had been defeated, he was dead. His men had scattered at his downfall and both Snow and Charming were sceptical that any of them would ever darken Misthaven with their shadows ever again. It had been a long battle for the family, as well as everyone else in the kingdom, now was a time for mourning the losses they had all suffered and picking themselves back up again.
The family broke apart from their hug and turned to Regina. Snow smiled gratefully at her stepmother.
"You saved our lives, Regina. We won't let that go unnoticed. Everyone in the kingdom will hear about how heroic you have been today." Snow assured her. Regina grimaced at the idea of being known as a hero, but Snow could see the pride behind her disgusted façade. Charming entwined his fingers with Snow's in a sign of solidarity. He agreed with her that Regina should be given recognition for what she had done to save their family. Regina still thought peasants would run in the opposite direction when they saw her coming, hero label or not.
"Your daughters still have those cuffs on their wrists." Regina said, moving the conversation on. "I can get them off." Marali eagerly stepped forward, holding out the cuffed wrist to the woman she had not so long ago so heavily distrusted. Emma, on the other and, hung back, more hesitant. With ease, Regina waved her hand over Marali's wrist and the cuff snapped in two, both halves crashing to the ground.
"Your turn, Emma." Charming said, urging Emma forward. She shook her head, hiding her hand behind her back.
"Come on Em, it doesn't hurt." Marali encouraged her, holding out her own hand to show that no damage had come to it. "It just takes a second."
"I don't want it off though." Emma piped up. Everyone looked at her in surprise.
"You don't want the cuff off?" Snow asked her. Emma nodded. "Why?"
"I feel safer with it on. My magic sucks. Every time I get angry or scared I explode. It's painful, and one day, it could get someone killed. I'm safer with it still on, and so are everyone else." Snow and Charming hated that Emma thought that about herself. She wasn't some liability, or a ticking time bomb, she was their daughter. She shouldn't have to feel like she has to hide part of who she is.
"Emma, your magic isn't as wild as you all think it is. Yes, it is clearly heavily linked with your emotion, but that doesn't mean it can't be controlled. Your emotions belong to you, Emma. As do these powers. If you trust yourself more, with a little help, you can be in control of them. But if it makes you feel more secure, why don't we take the cuff off without breaking it? That way, if you feel one of your outbursts coming on, you can put it back on and stop it." Regina suggested. Emma thought about this for a moment before slowly nodding.
"Will you teach me how to control it?" She asked Regina. Despite herself, Regina smiled, touched. The smile only lasted for a few seconds before it faded, but long enough for Snow and Charming to notice it.
"Of course." Regina offered coolly. Once upon a time, Emma might have been daunted by Regina's passiveness, but now, like her parents, Emma saw the loving person hidden underneath. Snow noticed that her eyes had drifted past Regina, right over her shoulder to one particular young knight. A young knight who was staring back at her.
"Go on." Snow whispered, nudging Emma in his direction. Her cheeks went pink. "Don't act all shy now. He's come here because he wanted to rescue you. If you can't think of anything else to say just thank him." Snow prompted her. Emma nodded, walking off to talk to Marcus. Snow felt Charming stiffen beside her. He clearly was still uneasy about either of his girls talking to boys. Snow chuckled lightly beside him.
"Don't be nervous. We raised them well. Emma can handle herself easily. Besides, he seems like a good young man." Snow stuck up for her daughter's potential suitor. Charming just snorted, but Snow could tell he was softening to the idea.
Meanwhile, Charming watched as Marali nervously approached Regina herself. He could tell from her hand gestures that she was asking if Regina would give her a few tips as well. Snow followed his gaze and smiled. Snow rested her head against Charming's shoulder, who in return wrapped an arm around Snow. Things were coming together again. George was defeated. Regina had certified her allegiance to good and had proven herself by rescuing the Charmings and their allies from the dungeon George had held them in. The dark times were finally over, and now the family could enjoy the light.
The end.