Chapter 28

Emma was lying across a chaise when Regina came back to their rooms. She admired the blonde's physique as she came back in. Emma must have heard her, because she turned her head around and smiled and smiled at Regina. Regina smiled back at her and made her way across the room to her.

"So, how'd it go?"

"You could have warned me," Emma told her.

"About?"

"That my mother wants to name Henry her heir."

"Sorry. I didn't realize that she had a time table set to do it. I did tell her that she should speak to you about it. By right, it should be you," Regina told her.

"She did mention that," Emma replied.

"Mentioned what?"

"That you talked about it. She was afraid to talk to me alone about it. She wanted to know what you thought about it. That doesn't strike you as odd?"

"No, why would it?"

"She is Snow?"

"I know that our new friendship is weird for you, Dear, but that had nothing to do with our discussion."

"Then what did?" Emma asked.

"She was asking me as one queen to another. She wasn't worried about what I would think. She was thinking logically. She wanted to know what I would think about her decision as Henry's mother. I understand her reasoning and it makes sense to me."

"You want Henry to be her heir?"

"I didn't say that, Dear. I told her that it was your decision for the most part. I have always thought of Henry as my 'little Prince.' How was I was to know when I gave him the nickname that it was the truth? I didn't know what was going to happen. I didn't know that your mother had been thinking about it. I knew that she had Ava and Ruth."

"I know. And, to be honest, I never thought about it either. I know that I am the Crown Princess, which makes me next in line, but I am older than my own mother. How weird would that be? She couldn't name me. Plus, she knew that I wouldn't do it. I don't want to live here."

"She told me as much as part of her reasoning for Henry."

"But, then she is going to stiff my younger sisters for my son…"

"He is the next in line," Regina stated.

"Because they are twins that was her reasoning. They are twins. They would fight over the throne. She's kept the kingdoms united. She didn't want to split it back up so they could co-rule," Emma told her.

"That makes sense from a monarchs' point-of-view."

"I mean, do we even know if Henry wants to live here? He did choose to stay with us. He loves to visit, but is he really king material? I don't mean that in a bad way. He is a good boy, but I don't know. Do we know what he thinks about this? Have you talked to him?"

"No."

"No?"

"No, I haven't talked to him about it."

"She wants to announce it tomorrow at his birthday ball," Emma added.

"And, what did you say?"

"I didn't really say anything. I reminded that she needed to talk to him. She's already made arrangements to name him heir to throne. She just wanted to know that we were going to back her play when she made it. As it stands right now, I am still heir."

"So, should we talk to Henry?"

"I believe that we should. He needs to know. He also needs to know that we are finally going to get married. It will make him happy."

"I know. Did you talk to you mother about that as well? How did she take it?" Regina asked.

"She asked me what took so long, actually."

Regina laughed. She wasn't really worried about how the Court would take their marriage. She was worried about Snow, because she was the only person that could stop it, well in the Enchanted Forest anyway. It would have hurt Emma, Regina knew that, but she knew that Emma wouldn't care either way.

"So, what else did you talk about? You were gone for a long time. I was about to come find you," Regina told her.

"As soon as you finished the book," Emma retorted.

"It is a good book," Regina countered.

"I am sure that it is."

"So, what else did you talk about?"

"She asked about the dress. I don't think that she appreciated the fact that I wanted to wear a military uniform. I thought it would be more fitting for me. I mean, I am the Sherriff and a knight. Wouldn't that make more sense to you? Why is it always a dress?"

"Because you are a princess, dear and princesses wear dresses."

"Speaking of princesses," Emma started.

"Yes?" Regina drew out as she asked.

"Well, Snow was really happy that I asked you to marry me. But, I thought it would cause some issues with your title and such. I mean, I know that you are happy being my Consort, but I am not. I don't like the fact that you aren't considered as important because you are a woman."

"I don't think that is the reason, Dear, but please continue."

"I asked her if you could be my Princess."

"What?!"

"I know that your father was Prince Henry, the fifth son of King Felix. You are a princess, Regina. You always have been. If you marry me, nothing would change but the titles after your name. You have always been Princess Regina of the Winterlands."

"I was Queen, Dear."

"Yes, when you married my grandfather, don't remind me. That still makes my head hurt thinking about the fact that you are my step-grandmother. But, when you gave Snow the kingdom back, she took the Winterlands as part of the kingdom."

"So?"

"It means that Henry would not only be the Prince of the Summerlands, but also the Winterlands. None of your cousins survived the curse or your mother. You are the heir to the throne, but you gave it to Snow to stay with me. That means that I inherited your throne by default and not marriage, meaning that Henry does as well," Emma told her.

"Interesting," Regina answered.

"So, Henry is both of our heirs."

"I see. And, I am sure that your mother pointed this out. But, what does that have to do with our marriage, Dear? I fail to see the connection," Regina told her.

"It means that I told Mom that I would get married here unless you were allowed to use your title."

"So, I am to be Queen?"

"Not unless you want to me to be," Emma stated.

"She will allow me to Princess Regina?"

"Yes," Emma replied.

"Why?"

"Because I asked her."

"Why?"

"Because she brought up the heir thing about Henry and you said yes to my proposal. I needed to know where she stood concerning it. I needed to know that you would be allowed to be by my side and will be treated as my equal. I am tired of everyone using your past to punish you. I don't know who that Regina was and I hope that I never do. I have only known you as my Regina and I want them to know you as that as well."

"Emma, some people can't forget. I was a horrible person. I did horrible things."

"Then, what better way to show them that you have changed?"

"What did your mother say?"

"She said that it was your decision. She couldn't fault you if you wanted it because it was your birth right. She couldn't stop me from letting you because of my birth right. Besides, I am sure that Henry would ask her to let you become a princess once we were married," she told her.

Regina looked at her. She wasn't sure what to say. She saw that Emma was pacing, like she didn't know what Regina's reaction would be. She didn't know what she should be feeling. She didn't know whether she should be happy or upset about Snow's decision. She didn't know what she wanted except for Henry and Emma.

"Would you say something?" Emma asked.

"I don't know what to say, Emma. I haven't really thought about using my titles again. I am happy in Storybrooke. I thought you were, too," Regina replied.

"I am. I don't want the throne. I don't want to rule. I am happy in Storybrooke, but that doesn't mean that I want you slighted when we are here. You are a princess to me, Regina and you should be one. Hell, you were their Queen and now, you are just my Consort. It isn't fair."

"I was not fair to them, why should be they be fair with me?"

"Because I am the Savior," Emma stated.

"Frankly, my Dear, that is a poor excuse. I wouldn't accept that. I don't expect that they should. You are Snow's daughter and I do believe that has earned your some if not a lot of leeway, with the people of this realm. They love your mother and by default, they love you. They have no love for me, Love, and once, I had no love for any of them."

"But, I've never met that person."

"I understand that, but that doesn't mean that they can forgive me as quickly as your family has. I don't know that I can ever do enough to make them see me as you do. There isn't a way to make them forget that will not take magic. I am not willing to do that just so they will like me. I tried to make them like me before and we see where that got me."

"Yeah, to Storybrooke and to me," Emma added, taking her into her arms.

"Emma, darling, there is something else that you aren't telling me, isn't there?"

"Maybe?"

"It has something to do with your discussion with your mother, doesn't it?"

"Maybe," Emma replied.

"Tell me."

Emma was about to say something when Henry came barreling into the room. He looked dashing in a tunic bearing the coat of arms of David. He was taking to the palace like he always did. He was a kid living out a great fantasy. He didn't care that it was real life, too.

"Hey, Mom, Ma, what's going on?"

"What are you wearing?" Regina asked him.

"Gramps found me a tunic. It's great, isn't it? I think it looks great. I think it makes me look more knightly, don't you? I mean I can't wear this back at school except for Halloween and no one would ever believe that I was a real prince. Does your dress have the flowers from the crest on it, Ma?" Henry asked.

"No."

"Women don't usually wear the coat-of-arms, dear," Regina told him.

"Oh, that's too bad. Gramps found you some tunics, too. He said that if you didn't tell Grams, he'd let you wear them tomorrow."

"Umm…"

"She'll be fine, Henry. I took care of it. She won't have to wear something frilly that Snow picked out. Trust me. She'll look good and make all of Court stare," Regina told him.

"Yeah, you did," Emma replied.

"So, do you know what they got me?" Henry asked.

"I wouldn't tell you if I did, Henry. It's your birthday. They are gifts and surprises. There is one thing that we need to talk to you about…together," Emma told him.

"Uh oh, this doesn't sound good. What happened? What's wrong? Does it have to do with Rhiannon and looking for her daughter?" Henry asked.

"No, it doesn't. She is fine. She is the libraries with Belle searching for clues and answers. It actually has to do with you," Emma told him.

"We, my little prince, would like to discuss your birth right," Regina stated.

"What does that mean?"

"Come here and sit," Regina commanded him.

He came to the couches that graced their room. He noticed that Regina had been reading before he came in, or so he thought. He watched as Emma sat down on the chaise behind her. He watched as they melded together and he smiled. He was happy that his mothers were happy together. He couldn't help what they were up to now as he sat on a high backed couch across from them and waited for them to continue.

"Well, being my child puts you into the line for the throne," Emma told him.

"Yeah, so?"

"That means that you are my heir to throne."

"I already knew that."

"Henry that means that you are the only living Crown Prince to the throne," Regina added.

"Meaning?" he inquired.

"It means that Snow wants to name you as the sole heir to her throne."

"What about Ruth and Ava?"

"They are your aunts, but they would only gain the throne if something happened to you."

"So, I am like the Prince of Wales?" he asked.

"In a manner of speaking, yes, you would be," Regina replied.

"Does that mean that I would have to move here?" Henry questioned.

"Not unless you want to, Henry. Snow just wants to name you her heir. She wants to knight you as the Crown Prince. You wouldn't have to move here until something happens to her. It would make you officially next in line for her throne," Emma told him.

"Wait…she would make me next in line. What about you, Ma? You are her daughter."

"I am, but I am physically older than my own mother. It doesn't make sense for her to name me as her heir. I will always be the Crown Princess. Unless something happens to her in the next few years, you would be the natural choice to be her successor," Emma answered

"But…Ava and Ruth…you…really?"

"Yeah, Kid, you," Emma replied.

"I…but what about school? What about Storybrooke? I don't…who…really?"

"Yes, my little Prince, you are a real prince. I agree that this seems like a lot for you to take in, but you were born for it. You are the son of the princess. Had things happened differently, you would have grown up here. As they are the choice of where you live is still up to you. I think that both your mother and I have talked with your Grandmother Snow. We told her that she should talk to you about this. It is a big responsibility. It is one that I hope that you will consider with great thought and reflection. We are not pressuring you to accept. We are merely trying to tell you what your Grandmother is going to propose to you, probably in the morning," Regina said as she watched him lean back on the couch in defeat.

"She knows that I can't tell her 'no'."

"If you don't want to take it, you don't have to, Henry. This is your decision. Don't let anyone pressure you into it. This decision will affect more than just yourself," Regina told him.

"I understand that," Henry stated.

"That isn't all that we have to tell you," Emma added.

"What? What else? Is it as epic as me being a prince?"

"It might be. I think that it is pretty wicked. I hope that you do, too," Emma stated.

"Should I be worried?" Henry asked.

"No, Henry, you shouldn't. What your mother is failing in telling you is that we are going to make our relationship more official. I would think that should make you happy," Regina said.

"Huh?"

"We're getting married!" Emma exclaimed.

"It's about freaking time."

"Henry, language," Regina scolded.

"It wasn't a curse word. But, seriously, that's great. Wait, what did Grams say?"

"She said the same thing."

"I hardly think that your mother used the same language, Dear," Regina replied.

"Well, maybe not the same phrase, but she did say that it was about time. How does that make you feel, Henry? Are you happy?"

"Hell, yeah! Sorry, Mom. But, this means that you will really be my Moms for real. It's awesome. This is so wicked! I can't wait to tell…everyone!"

"Does he have to use that word, Dear?" Regina asked her.

"It doesn't mean the same that it did for Zelena. It is slang in Boston for great, awesome, and the like. He doesn't mean anything by it. He is ecstatic, by the way," Emma told her.

"Hey, Mom, Ma!"

"Yeah?"

"Yes, my little prince?"

"So, when is the wedding?" he asked, all smiles.