"Are you insane, Emma?" Regina berates me as we stand in the middle of the barn, our fingers interlocked and my heart running rampant.
"No, I would say a hopeless romantic," I counter with a cheeky grin as I step in front of her bewildered face. "Come on, you said it yourself, this is our place," I urge as my eyes attempt to meet hers, which are frantically darting around the spacious barn.
"But Emma..." her words trail off as she shakes her head dumbfounded. "...it smells."
A hearty chuckle escapes my mouth while I shake my head and take the only step forward. With my free hand, I curl her thick tresses behind her ear and smile a mile wide.
"God, I love you," I breathe heavily and capture those sexy plump lips.
Regina doesn't hesitate, she instantly returns the passion and presses further against my lips. She inhales deeply, like she's trying to consume all of me, forcing a smile to spread across my lips.
"Seriously, Em," she gasps as she struggles to catch her breath. "The beach is romantic and a hell of a lot cleaner than this barn. We agreed we would be wed on the beach at sunset," she argues against my sudden idea, but I just know in my heart that this is where we should declare our love for one another.
"Regina, the first moment I ever laid eyes on you was in this barn." I smile as all those warm, familiar, tingling feelings swarm through my blood. "The second I knew I was safe and you weren't going to beat me with a shovel," her beautiful smile grows even wider as her eyes beat with tiny little hearts. "I fell hard for you. You stole all the air from my lungs with your beauty, along with my heart." I stretch forward and peck her lips delicately to seal my declaration with a kiss before I continue. "I knew in that moment that my life was about to change and that you had everything to do with that realization." I grip her hand even tighter and squeeze some love into her embrace. "After we broke up, you found me again in this barn, pregnant and not once did you ever falter on your love for me. You accepted me once again into your heart, but more importantly, you accepted my son. You didn't even bat an eye when it came to loving him or the idea of raising him. That day I fell even more in love with you." I kiss her once more as the tears of love quickly fill her eyes. "Then, you proposed in this barn, promising me the love Henry and I deserved, to always be by our side and to never let us go again. So please explain to me, how the hell, we aren't suppose to marry each other here?"
Regina's deep chuckle resonates between us as she sniffles and cups my cheek. She pulls me into a searing kiss that's impossible for me to ever break away from. Luckily, she's the one who slowly backs away and rests her forehead against mine.
"Okay."
XXXXXXXXX
"Emma?" There's a soft timid knock against the wooden door to the small addition that was once mine. I instantly smile from her sweet voice as a burst of energy floods my limbs. "May I come in dear?"
"Of course, Cora," I happily comply with my eyes focusing on the door in front of me, waiting for my mother-in-law to be.
Slowly the door knob turns and my mind takes me back to the first night Regina and I spent together, both terrified when Cora so rudely barged into the room, with Henry standing right behind her. The older woman's chestnut hair falls into the crack of the door, as her head peeks inside, causing me to laugh lightly at her shy disposition.
"Oh my," she gasps as she quickly straightens her posture and rushes through the door, forcefully shutting the door behind her. "Emma, my dear," she breathlessly whispers as her hand rests against her chest. Her big brown eyes that resemble her daughter's so much, fill with tears immediately. "You are radiant," she chokes out as she fights back her tears, inspiring my eyes to well up with a warm liquid as well.
"Thank you," I nervously chuckle while her eyes scan over every inch of my body.
Her eyes start at the top, where my hair is braided along the right side and swoops down over my left shoulder, ending in a fish tail braid that Ivy so kindly styled for me. Her eyes meet mine, but only for a second because the emotions are far too much and cause a single tear to trickle down her cheek. I know she's assessing the light makeup, because I have never been one to wear any at all, but today is different and I can't wait for Regina to notice as well.
Those warm eyes travel down toward my white dress. It may only be fifty-five degrees outside, but that doesn't matter, I couldn't wait to show off this little number. Since the original plan was to marry on the beach, we both decided on casual, but still elegant dresses. My wedding dress starts at the bottom of my throat, wrapping around my neck in white silk, before the lace begins and lays across my chest. My arms and shoulders are bare, while the rest of the dress clings tightly to my every curve, ending mid thigh.
"I'm so happy for you two," Cora gushes as she stumbles forward and pulls me into her warm motherly hug.
My arms instantly wrap around the tiny woman and hold onto her for dear life, because as happy as this day is supposed to be, it's also a moment I have dreaded since the day I found out my mother was sick. Tears fill my eyes once again, but I fight against them with every ounce of energy I have.
"Your mother would be so proud," Cora vows even if she never met her, it's as though she can feel a connection with my mother through me.
"That she would," my father gently agrees, his warm hand resting against my shoulder blade. "She loved you very much Emma. I uh, I don't know how to go about this..."
"Emma dear, please sit down," Cora kindly urges as she pulls away from my death grip.
"What's wrong?" I quickly inquire as fear strikes through my heart, that maybe Regina has cold feet and my father and Cora have decided to let me down gently together.
"Nothing, relax," my father encourages and gently rubs my back to soothe my irrational fears.
Cora guides me to sit at the edge of the bed, slowly peeling my bouquet from my vise like grip. She places the flowers down beside me and slips her hands in between my clammy hands.
"I asked Cora here because I know how close you are with her and I know you lean on her for moral support," my father begins as he stands tall in front of me. My eyelashes flutter rapidly as I peer up at my hero and try to see through his armor, protecting the emotions he's struggling to keep hidden. "Ems, this is really hard for me and you know I'm not very good at expressing my feelings or talking about your mother...god I miss her..." he chokes out as his tears finally stake their claim against his crystal blue eyes.
My father hastily squeezes the bridge of his nose in an awful attempt to keep himself from crying, but it's too late. The dam has been damaged for far too long and it's about time it finally collapsed. His fingers rub aggressively against his eyelids as a few tears escape the prison they have been locked away in for almost two years now.
My own eyes fill with tears again and I know I'm going to have to call Ivy back in here to fix my makeup because this is my dad crying. My hero. My protector. How can I sit by and watch him fall apart and not feel the same ache deep within my own heart?
"Dad," I gasp and release one of Cora's hands to slip it between my father's.
"I'm sorry," he croaks as he pulls a plain white envelope from the inside of his jacket pocket and just like that my body immobilizes. My breathing halts. My heart beat stills. My limbs are numb. My father bends down in front of me and I feel like a small child again, with bright golden pigtails, my feet kicking as he tries to explain something important to me. "Your mother...before she passed..." he hiccups as more tears stream down his face and if I wasn't so numb from shock right now, I would probably notice my own tears. "...she wrote you this letter and made me promise that I would give this to you on your wedding day."
My father holds up the envelope between our bodies creating a cold shiver to run viciously down my spine. My muscles begin to tremble while my eyes focus on the letter as my dad begins to turn the envelope around, revealing my name in perfect cursive. My mother's sweet, delicate handwriting...and then I gasp. My heart takes off racing and suddenly there's just not enough air to fill my lungs.
I hastily reach for the letter with a hand that's shaking violently. The room falls deathly silent as my finger rips through the sealed envelope. I don't dare risking another glance at my father or Cora, because there's no way I can handle that look of despair in their eyes. I quickly unfold the letter and cry even harder when I see my mother's perfect penmanship.
My beautiful Emma,
This is by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life, but I couldn't stand the thought of you marrying one day and thinking I wasn't there with you. I need you to trust me baby girl, that I am there with you right now. I'm never too far from your heart and I promise with each step you take down the aisle, I am right there beside you. I'm blubbering like a big baby right now, just imagining you in your stunning white dress, with your hair...probably in some type of braid, because I know you and ever since you were little, dress up time means braids of some sort. I bet you're terrified to walk down that aisle and give your heart away completely knowing yours is still probably broken because of me, because I left you alone in this world. But, my sweet Emma, please love, with all your heart because I promise you this person who you chose for your future is well worth it. Don't be scared of what the future may hold, just enjoy the now, like I did everyday. You are my greatest accomplishment in life and I don't regret one single day. You brought so much joy into my world and showed me the true meaning of unconditional love. You are my very best friend, my daughter, my future, my legacy and I will live on forever in your heart. I am there with you, helping you slide into your dress, giggling as we zip up the back. I'm there with you, fixing the little fly aways near your temple before you walk down the aisle. I'm there with you, linking your arm with your father's before he walks you down toward your future. I'm there, smiling, crying and laughing as you chuckle nervously through your vows. I'm there, wiping my tears as you kiss the love of your life. I'm there every step of the way, even when you have beautiful babies, I'll be in that delivery room offering my support and watching as you hold your precious baby for the first time. I promise my baby girl that I will never leave your side, you're my daughter and I'm so terribly sorry that you can't see me or hear my voice again. Okay, I have to wrap this up because I'm a mess right now, but just remember I love you with all my heart and I owe all my happiness in this world to you.
Love,
Your mom
My hands fall to my lap as I stare at the letter in pure shock. My face feels sticky from my insistent tears and I know I have indefinitely ruined my makeup.
"Emma," Cora softly whispers, but my eyes stay glued to the blue ink stained into the white paper. "My dear, are you alright?" Her hand methodically rubs against my back to wake me from my stunned state.
"I am," I breathe heavily as though the last bit of uncertainty and heartache in my life has finally escaped the confines of my body. "She's here. She's with me," I hiccup and sniffle as my dad magically produces a soft tissue to dry my watery eyes.
"She is Ems, she's always with you," my dad confirms as his thumb sweeps across my cheek to wipe away the last of my tears.
"Do you feel better now?" Cora tentatively asks while her hand continues to wash away my heartache and soothe my quivering muscles.
I nod and turn my head just far enough to meet her worried eyes. "I do. I really do. She prepared for this moment. She was just as scared to miss it as I was, but I know she's here. One way or another, she's here," I whisper as my thumb caresses the paper in my lap, just needing to feel a connection with her once again.
"Good. Now, I'm going to grab Ivy and tell her she needs to fix your face," Cora quips to lighten the mood and pats my back gently.
XXXXXXXXX
"Are you ready?" My dad whispers as his hand lightly pats my forearm that is intertwined with his.
"I am, more than ever," I breathe as a calming sensation of relief warms my body from head to toe. I smile to myself, a joyful giddy grin as I feel a warm breeze engulf around my skin, hugging me tight to remind me, she's here. She's always been right here with me. "Take me to my future," I whisper provoking a silly grin to slide across my father's lips and I swear he's never looked prouder.
My father escorts me away from the small addition set on the Mills' farm. The chilly air produces little goosebumps to spread like wildfire across my skin or maybe it's just anxious nerves, I'll never know. What I do know, is that when my father walks me through the barn door, my breath is stolen from the beauty of it all.
I had never expected much of anything when I suggested Regina and I marry in the barn because that's our special place, but it seems Cora and Henry have really outshined themselves. The barn is filled with candles, scented of course to mask the smell of Rocinante. The warm, homey feeling of cinnamon apples fill the air and heats up my heart. The scent reminds me so much of my mother and Cora when they bake and I couldn't be more ecstatic.
There are stunning lights hanging all around, that illuminate the barn in a soft yellow glow. With the flickering flames from the candles and the glow from the lights I feel like I'm in some wonderful dream. There's only a few white chairs where our closest family and friends are waiting, watching me with tears already filling their eyes.
I swallow my anxious nerves as I spot Marco, the Mills' old family friend, who is ordained to preform this ceremony. He smiles, a warm, gentle, yet encouraging grin to persuade my feet to keep shuffling forward. I inhale one deep breath and nod, silently vowing to my father that I am ready.
As we walk down the aisle, arms linked, a burst of adrenaline buzzes through my body and tickles my fingers and toes. All of a sudden, I'm giddy, like a small child entering Disney World for the very first time. I can't wait to see Regina because I know she's going to be absolute perfection.
When we near the front, I spot Cora sitting next to the aisle with my son in her arms. Regina had found him the cutest little outfit for today, complete with black slacks, a baby blue button down, a black pinstriped vest and matching clip on tie. My eyes fill with tears again as I see my green eyed baby watching me carefully and clapping energetically as I pass him by. I bend down and kiss his tiny forehead before I claim my position next to Marco.
I sigh, a moment of contempt just before my eyes sweep over to the barn door and there she is. Heart stopping, jaw dropping, perfection at its finest, Regina Maria Mills. Her long raven tresses are tumbling down her shoulders and laying beautifully over her chest. A strapless, sweetheart cut accentuates her breasts in a sexy, yet still classy way. Her white chiffon dress clings to her tight figure, kick starting my heart into palpitations I fear. I bite down on both my lips so suppress the blubbering mess of tears just waiting to be released. Her enchanting brown irises meet my eyes and then she scrunches her nose in the most adorable way, purses out her thick lips and shakes her head at me. I can't stop the giggle that bursts from my mouth as she silently scolds me for crying already.
Regina's father smiles happily as he too, pats his daughter's arm before they begin gliding down the aisle as though she's floating on air. Effortlessly, with the grace and composure of a queen. It's impossible to stop the happy tears from clinging to my eyes and blurring my vision, but I try my best. My soon to be wife, also stops in front of Henry and kisses his cheek softly, leaving behind her mark of deep red lips. Our son giggles and reaches for her face, but she's already on her way toward me, creating a pout upon my son's lips.
"Hi," I mutter as she stands right in front of me, more beautiful than I could have ever dreamed of.
"Dammit Emma, you're going to ruin my makeup already," she chuckles as her free hand gently cups my cheek and wipes away the tears I didn't know have fallen.
I laugh and allow her to dry my cheeks as I watch her eyes gloss over and listen to how she sniffles to suppress her tears. Marco begins speaking with his heavy accent curling around his every word, but I find myself lost in those beautiful eyes yet again, trapping me under her spell, just as she always does.
"Emma, your vows," Marco urges as though he may have said this statement more than once.
I blink and notice the way Regina's intently watching me with slight panic etching on her face. I shake my head and laugh lightly.
"Right. Sorry," I smile when I realize she's probably petrified I was about to bail. "Regina, you came crashing into my life, shovel in hand and all," we both laugh as we reminisce and I squeeze her hands lightly. "You entered my life at a time I needed someone most. I was broken, hurt, but most of all utterly lost. You swooped in, stole half my bed that night and all of my heart. You saved me. I thought I could never offer my heart again after my mother passed, but you devoted all your time and love to me and waited patiently for me to heal, never leaving my side. We fell hard and fast and sometimes I still can't believe I ever tricked you into liking me." Regina laughs and rolls her eyes dramatically as thick tears slowly roll down her flushed cheeks and my god is she breathtaking. "With you by my side, there's nothing to fear in this world. I vow to stick by you, I'm going to have your back no matter what. I vow to believe in you and keep encouraging you to be all that you can be. I vow to keep our relationship unique and special. I vow to give you the world and never stop loving you, because you are my everything. My partner in crime, the love of my life, my soulmate."
Regina's tears are now in full swing, tumbling hazardously down her cheeks and disappearing somewhere between our feet. She's hiccuping, nervously laughing and sniffling to control her emotions, but there's no point, I plucked her heartstrings and I'm fully proud. My heart swells and I have to fight every instincts now to pull her into my arms and kiss those tears away.
"Emma," she breathes and inhales sharply to regain her composure. "One week. That's all that I promised, one week of fun and time to heal my broken heart, but you weren't having any of that," I chuckle softly and focus on the way her eyes dance with pure amusement. "You not only mended my broken heart within that week, you stole it and I couldn't just walk away without my beating organ. You still hold my heart in the palm of your hands and I have never felt more safe in my entire life. You taught me that there's so much more to life. You taught me to toss away the rule book and finally be free, to laugh, to be silly, to love, to accept my inner brat," with that, my eyes double in size and my heart hammers so much faster. I'm falling, yet again, in more love with this astonishing woman. "Not only did I fall hopelessly in love with you, but you gave me our son, the greatest gift I could have ever asked for. I vow to be there everyday for you and Henry. I vow to trust you wholeheartedly. I vow to chase you anywhere. I vow to love and support you. And I vow to spend the rest of my life reminding you just how much you are loved."
She offers me the most adorable smile as we both cry uncontrollably, but Marco begins speaking once again, reminding me that we are not alone.
"Do you, Emma Swan, take Regina Mills to be your wife?"
"I do," I proudly state because who wouldn't want to have this woman all to themselves?
"Do you, Regina Mills, take Emma Swan to be your wife?"
"I do," she seductively whispers causing me to shake my head at her playfully side.
"Then I now pronounce you Mrs. and Mrs. Swan-Mills, you may kiss the bride," Marco excitedly squeals inspiring mine and Regina's eyes to grow wide with excitement.
Regina slides her dainty fingers softly across my cheeks. We both smile from ear to ear while I grip her hips and steady myself for the most amazing kiss we will ever share, because no other kiss will top the one that seals our declaration, marriage and love for one another.
"I love you," I whisper as her lips draw closer to mine like a magnet.
"I love you," she repeats as her delectable lips brush against mine.
We both can't suppress the aching smiles embedded across our lips as we kiss for the first time as a married couple, vowing that there is no another person on this planet more suited than each other.
XXXXXXXXX
"I am going to need to steal you for a moment," I chuckle as I slip Regina's champagne flute from her clutches and place it on the picnic table near by.
"Oh, yeah?" She laughs lightly as her eyes gaze upon me with pure excitement buzzing around her.
"Scusaci," I politely excuse us from Augusto and tug her warm hand to follow my lead. He nods and smiles at my attempt of Italian and watches us as we drift away. "Cora, I'm going to need this little man as well," I laugh as I gently steal my son from her embrace. She smiles with love shining through her warm eyes and watches as our family walks down to the shoreline.
I glance in Neal's direction for my confirmation and he nods in return, preparing his speakers for this moment I planned with him. The thick, slow strumming of the acoustic guitar vibrates through the evening air. Regina whips her long raven locks around in utter shock while I smile as far as my cheeks will allow.
"What song is this?" Regina whispers as her feet stall near the edge of the ocean, the waves stretching but never quite reaching our feet.
"Our song, now," I reply cheekily while the soft rich voice of the male lead singer fills the air.
I rest Henry on my hip and with my free hand, I snake around Regina's hip and press my fingertips into the small of her back, encouraging her to take a few steps closer. I rest my forehead against hers and slowly begin to sway to the soft music while our son babbles happily between us.
"I'm not sure if I know this song," she shyly admits as she follows along with my lead.
"I know, but the words to this song have never been more true," I whisper and stretch my lips to kiss the tip of her nose.
"I've never been the one to admit that I was wrong, but for you I will. So hold on, hold on, this means a lot to me, 'cause I know, I know, you will always be, the one, the one. The one that I can count on for anything, anything and I'll always be your biggest fan."
"Emma," Regina gasps just before her emotions bubble to the surface and she captures my lips because her brain cannot formulate words to express exactly how she's feeling in the moment.
"Listen," I whisper against her lips as our baby boy snuggles in closer to our embrace, absorbing the love that is swooning all around us right now.
"I've never had much use for these scars in me, but I love that you do. I've never had much hope for my insecurities, but I love that you do. But everything that I lack and could never be. The other half is you, it's always been you."
"I love you so much, Emma," she breathes into our intimate bubble as her fingers grip the nape of my neck and hold on to steady herself.
"I love you."
"Hold on, hold on this means a lot to me, Cause I know, I know that you will always be, the one, the one, the one that I can count on for anything, anything. And I'll always be your biggest fan, and I'll always be your biggest fan. And I'll always be yours. I've never been down on one knee, for you I will."
The soft strumming of the acoustics vibrate and slowly dissipate into the evening air. I don't pay attention to the sniffling coming from somewhere behind us, I just focus on those enchanting orbs that always trap me into my favorite place to be, lost in her.
Regina tenderly presses her lips to mine for a gentle kiss that ends far too quickly. She carefully pulls Henry from my arms and kisses his forehead before she rests him on her hip instead. I watch with curiosity as she slowly rolls up his dress pants to above his knees before she cautiously steadies him down upon the sand.
Henry's little forehead scrunches in confusion as his feet kiss the sand for the first time ever. We both laugh as he tries to understand the texture while he attempts to walk through it. I take a few steps back to encourage our newly walking baby to follow my lead. Regina stands protectively behind him, her hands out and ready to catch him if he falls.
A gentle tide washes up the shore and tickles the bottom of our feet, causing Henry to squeal with joy and rush forward into my arms. I swoop down and pick up our sweet baby boy and pepper his face with loving kisses.
My wife rushes to our side with her fingers already wiggling in the air to tickle our son. Henry giggles that adorable baby sound when her fingertips gently tickle his sides. I stare at my beautiful wife as my lips move without my permission to capture her plump lips once again.
"I'll always be your biggest fan," I murmur against her silky soft lips.
"I'll always be your brat," she teases before stealing another passionate kiss.
