Chapter 29
Henry looked at Regina who was now looking at Derrick.
"Mom, I can explain it," he started.
Regina looked at her son with grateful eyes but this was her battle to fight. She bent over and tilted his chin up. "Thank you Henry but I'm a big girl. I can handle it." He gave her a questioning look but soon relented.
Regina faced Derrick again. "I need to take Henry to school first. Speaking of school, Brittany needs to be there as well. She can't sit around all day. After that, I'll explain everything."
"That's all I ask for. I'll be right back."
Regina let out a sigh as they watched him go.
"Mom, I'm sorry," Henry stated.
"As I said, it's not your fault. No one is more important to me than you," she replied turning to him. "However, I do need you to look after Brittany at school," she continued. Henry nodded in understanding. "That's my boy."
Derrick came with Brittany and they went to the school. Henry went to his class while Regina led Derrick to the principal's office. She got Brittany into one of the kindergarten classes without hassle. They made sure Brittany was settled in and comfortable.
Regina looked on thinking how this could have been her life in California. Taking her would be stepdaughter to class and picking her up. Helping her with homework. That dream was over and reality set in. Now it was time to tell Derrick the truth.
"We'll go to my house," she said turning to him after she closed the door. He nodded and followed her.
Regina's was thinking of every possible way to start this conversation. "Once upon a time I was a young girl in love who had her future ripped away. Do you believe in fairytales? I'm the Evil Queen. This town was cursed for 28 years because of me."
They got to her house and walked in. Derrick stood there mesmerized. "You have a beautiful home Regina."
She faced him. "Thank you," she said leading him to the living room. She sat down on the couch next to him.
"When you hear what I have to say, you'll think of me differently. You'll look at me differently. Maybe you will understand why I didn't want to tell you."
"I doubt anything will change my feelings for you," he argued.
She shook her head slightly. "Just listen to me."
"I grew up in a family where one was supposed to aspire for the greater things in life. There's nothing wrong with that but my mother wanted me to have power. Love is weakness. She drilled that into my head from the very beginning. My father was powerless against her but he loved me. He showed me how a parent was supposed to love its child. As I grew up, I realized I didn't want power. I wanted happiness and freedom. But that was taken from me when I met a little girl named Snow White."
Derrick arched an eyebrow. "Snow White...as in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves."
Regina nodded. "Except my story in it isn't true. I didn't pursue Snow because I was jealous of her beauty. I pursued her because she was responsible for my true love's death."
"Wait, what are you saying? That you are the evil stepmother of a fairytale character."
Regina nodded yes. "It's true and I'm not crazy. This town that you see was brought here 28 years ago by a curse. I cast it so I could get my happy ending and rip everyone else's away. More importantly, I wanted to rip Snow's happily ever after away."
Regina let out a shaky breath thinking about Daniel. She hated talking about his demise and her pain seeped through her eyes.
"My true love's name was Daniel. He was a stable boy at my family's estate. Over time we fell in love but I couldn't tell my parents, specifically my mother. She thought one's trajectory should go up and Daniel wasn't that. None of that mattered to me. One day we met on the hill and we heard something coming. We saw a little girl on a wild horse. I immediately hopped on my horse and went after her."
"I didn't know that our lives would be intertwined forever. Her father, Leopold, came to us and he proposed marriage. My mother accepted. The man was old enough to be my father. So Daniel and I made plans to run away but Snow caught us. She ran and I had to stop her from telling Leopold and anybody who would listen. I made her promise not to mention one word about me and Daniel. She said she could but she ended up telling my mother anyway."
"My mother ripped out Daniel's heart and crushed it," she continued her voice breaking. "She broke her promise and I ended up being her stepmother. You have no idea what it was like to see her day after day knowing what she did. I tried to fight the darkness. I didn't want to end up like my mother but I did."
"You're not evil Regina," Derrick said not sure what to make of Regina's story. It was too crazy to be true.
"Evil is not born, it's made. I summoned Rumplestilskin, who you know as Mr. Gold. He taught me dark magic. All I wanted was to bring Daniel back. I didn't want to hurt anyone. I wanted to be happy and not feel lost. I was told a wizard could bring him back but he didn't. My hope and heart died with Daniel. From that point on, I completely turned and I spent years chained to a man who truly didn't love me. I spent so many years pretending and hiding the pain was easier than confronting it."
"Time passed and I...had the king killed," she said cautiously waiting for a reaction.
His eyes widened for a fracture of a second. "Then you became the new leader," he deadpanned.
"I could now reign as I wanted and I could finally take my revenge out on Snow. I tried so many times to kill her. Eventually, I lost my kingdom."
"Rumplestilskin informed me of a curse that would take away everything Snow cared about. The only thing I had to do was kill the thing I loved the most," she said sadly.
"What was that?" Derrick asked afraid of the answer.
She looked away. "My father. I did it and I woke up in Storybrooke. I had finally won. I got my victory."
"I spent 18 years alone. I wanted to love someone so I had Gold procure a child for me. That's when I got Henry," she said her eyes lighting up. "He was my world and there was nothing I wouldn't do for him. When he was ten, Mary Margaret gave him that fairytale book and my problems began. Henry went to look for his birth mother and she was in Boston."
"Emma," Derrick interrupted.
"She was also the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. The Savior who could break my curse," she said a little bitter. "I tried to get rid of her. It nearly cost me my son. I…I gave Emma a poisoned apple turnover and Henry ate it. She broke the curse with true love's kiss."
Derrick ran his fingers through his hair. "None of this makes sense Regina."
She placed a hand over his. "I know this is difficult."
"Why did you leave?" he asked.
She sighed. "I left because of David. See, after the curse broke, Rumplestilskin, had a wraith come after me because I locked up Belle and made him believe she was dead. All of us: David, Mary Margaret, Emma and I came up with a way to send the wraith back. We did but Mary Margaret and Emma got sent through a portal and ended up back home."
"David and I took care of Henry and I fell for him then. I knew it was wrong but I just wanted it. I wanted the love, the family I dreamed of with Daniel. But then…Daniel came back."
"What does that mean?" Derrick asked cautiously.
"He was brought back and I held him in my arms. For a brief second, I thought I would get my happy ending. He wasn't the same. He..he was a monster so to speak. He tried to choke the life out of me but I got through to him. But he was in so much pain and he begged me to stop it."
She turned away and wiped her eyes. She stood up and walked to the fireplace and rested her arm on the mantle.
Derrick watched her and his heart went out to her.
"I had to do the one thing I didn't want to do. I had to let him go. He told me to love again before I had to kill him. He turned to dust and my heart broke," Regina continued.
"I lost him twice. Then David helped me through it. However, Snow and Emma came back and I knew there wasn't a future for us so I looked up the farthest place I could go. California seemed like the best option. I wrote myself a note and took the necessary items. I crossed the town line."
She turned around to see Derrick standing. "I'm sorry about Daniel," Derrick started.
"You know I understand that kind of pain. It doesn't really go away. It's just gets easier to deal with."
Regina gave him a grateful smile. Then Derrick asked, "Who exactly are Snow White and Prince Charming in this town?"
"Mary Margaret and David."
Derrick sighed. "David purposely left behind a wife to look for you. Why? If it was about Henry, I'd understand but it wasn't."
"He said he wanted me," Regina said.
"What changed to make him go after you?"
"I wrote him a letter stating my feelings but I told him not to find me. He said I came to him in a dream and I apparently told him to find me."
"A dream? He interrupted our life together over a dream," he said in disbelief.
"It's complicated Derrick."
"Yes it is. I assume all of this was David's doing. When did you know you had to come back here?"
"David woke me up when he kissed me. It was the day you told him you were going to propose. I lost all my memories when I crossed the town line. I knew I couldn't continue on with you knowing who I am. All the pain I inflicted. I didn't want to put you or Brittany in jeopardy," Regina said.
"You never gave me the chance," Derrick said quietly. "You never gave us a chance."
Regina shook her head. "Would you really want to be with a woman who has killed? A woman who cast a curse to get revenge. Do you want someone who can do magic?"
He stayed silent. It was hard to reconcile the two Reginas. This woman who stood before him had done horrible things and yet he still wanted her.
She took his silence as confirmation. "That's what I thought," she said holding her head high.
He approached her. "I was thinking how I still want you."
She looked genuinely shocked. "What?"
"I still want you. Answer me this. Are you still this person who has inflicted pain on others? The Regina I knew wasn't a woman who felt she had to hide. You intrigued me and I genuinely fell in love with you. I saw how free you were."
"I'm not that person anymore. I guess I'm not the Regina you knew either. If David hadn't come along then yes, we'd probably be engaged. We'd be happy and living our lives. But my past is now an issue."
"Your past. So David is more equipped to handle your past than I am," he argued.
"David understands everything. He's from our land. I don't have to hide with him," Regina said her voice rising a little.
"And that's what I do not understand. When did I ever give you the impression that you couldn't trust me? I let you in and I thought we were going somewhere. I took you to my parents' home. They welcomed you. You were part of the family. The minute you woke up, you should have told me."
"I was only trying to protect you," Regina shot back.
Derrick shook his head no. "No, all this I time you were afraid of how I would perceive you. You were afraid of being judged. That says a lot about your feelings for me. It also says a lot about you not wanting to get rejected again. I get you not wanting us to be in the crossfire. When did sacrificing your own heart become necessary? Regina, I'm more upset at the fact that you felt the need to run away."
"And what would you have done? Stand there like you are doing now and welcoming this news. No, you wouldn't. You would yell and accuse me of lying the entire time. You would write me off and kick me out your life."
Derrick threw up his hands in frustration. "Stop assuming what I can't handle. I'm not going to abandon you. And no, I don't like what you've done but I know that wasn't the real you. Just give me a chance to prove that I can make you happy."
"No," she said firmly. "I'll be betraying David. All I would end up doing is hurting more people. I have to think about a lot of people. It's not just about us."
"The only other people who matter in this situation is Brittany and Henry," Derrick argued.
"While that is noble of you, you don't have to live in this town. I do. I can't leave Henry behind."
"Then don't. He can come with us to California or I can move to Storybrooke," he said.
"Derrick, no. Just no. The whole point of me telling you the truth is to get you to back off. I'm trying to make you see that I am no good for you."
"Do you see me running for the nearest exit?" he asked his eyes pleading with her.
She closed her eyes for a second. "That doesn't mean that you won't. I'm not taking the chance. I-
"Do you really love David?" he interrupted.
"I've already answered that," Regina said.
"Do you really love David?" he asked stepping even closer to her.
She held his gaze. "Yes."
"Why? Honestly, why?"
"He sacrificed his family, his reputation for me. He wants to be committed to me."
"Would he have still looked for you if you hadn't wrote that letter? Because if he would, that's love. Not because of some dream." He caressed her face. "You deserve to be loved."
Her eyes misted. "I am loved. I'm sorry Derrick. I want you to be happy." She could tell he didn't want to give in. His eyes held so much defiance. "Derrick, in the long run you will thank me."
"We can still leave this place. We can start over. You and Henry won't have to be separated," he said softly.
"Another life perhaps," Regina said.
Derrick removed his hand. He clasped her neck and kissed her gently. "See you later Regina." He walked away from her. She heard the door close. Regina sat on the couch with her legs propped up.
She knew it wasn't going to be easy but Derrick surprised her. He didn't lash out. He fought for her harder.
She didn't hear David come in. He found her still on the floor. "Regina?" he called out. She looked up and gave him a smile. He sat next to her. "What's going on? Why aren't you at work?"
She turned to him. "You seriously don't know."
He shook his head no. "Should I?"
"I just thought Emma would have opened her big mouth," she muttered.
"Regina," he said exasperated.
"Your lovely daughter had breakfast with Derrick, Henry and Brittany. Henry asked him what fairytale character he was. He was getting ready to pull out his book when I arrived. Then Brittany hugged me and Henry got upset, then he ran out the diner. Emma loved every minute of it. I had to tell Derrick the truth."
"And?" he asked.
Regina shrugged her shoulders. "He was calm about it. He said he was more upset that I ran away."
David wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "How do you feel?"
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Relieved. Sad. I told him and I think he finally got the message."
He kissed the side of her head. "That's good. I was thinking of ways to get him out of town."
She sat up. "Aren't you devious?" she joked. "Whatever it was is not needed. I think Derrick will be gone in the morning."
They stayed in comfortable silence. "David, would you have still come after me if I hadn't wrote that letter?"
"Why do you ask?" David questioned.
"I was just wondering," she replied.
"Yes, I would have. You belong here with me. With Henry. With all of us." She smiled. She had love after all with David.
"I better go to work," Regina said.
"Are you sure?" David asked.
"Yes, there are things that need to be done. I'll be fine." She kissed him goodbye and grabbed her belongings to head out the door.
Derrick went to the police station to find David. He hated doing this. He had to be the better man for Regina. She was what mattered. However, he found Emma instead.
"Derrick," she said after looking up.
"Emma," he deadpanned. "I was looking for David, your father."
Emma tilted her head to the side. "Regina told you."
"She told me everything. I thought you were her friend. You brought me here under false pretenses. I thought I could fight for her and get back my family. Do you have any idea the pain you've inflicted?"
"Me? Regina is the expert on inflicting pain," Emma said.
"So what was I in your little game? Woo Regina back so your parents can have their happy ending. I'm not thrilled about them being together but you shouldn't have brought me here the way you did."
"You are going to bow out too then," Emma said.
"I tried to get her to listen but she wants David and there's no changing her mind. You and I are not getting what we want," Derrick said.
"You aren't gone yet," Emma said.
Derrick huffed. "I'm not going along with this. I refuse to be a pawn in your game."
"What exactly did Regina tell you about my parents?" Emma asked.
"She saved Snow White from a horse and from there things went downhill. She lost Daniel and she hasn't been the same since."
"Did she tell you how she separated me from my parents for 28 years?" Emma shot back.
"That's horrible Emma. I can't change that but she's trying to be a better person. It's time you do the same before someone gets hurt."
The following day…
Regina and David were walking down the street when they ran into Derrick and Brittany. Regina could feel the tension between the men immediately.
"Derrick, Brittany," she said warmly.
"Hi Regina," they both said.
"Are you alright?" Derrick asked Regina.
"I'm fine Derrick," she said guessing his reasoning for asking. "We're good Derrick."
He turned to David. "You better treat her right," he whispered.
"I always do," he shot back. They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity.
"I still don't trust you."
"I'm sorry you feel that way but I don't care," David said.
Regina sighed. "Gentlemen, please. Please don't do this. There's nothing to argue over. Besides, Brittany is here," she said glancing at the now empty spot. "Where did Brittany go?"
Derrick turned around and saw she was gone. He looked in the immediate vicinity. Regina looked to see Brittany about 3 blocks down about to cross the street.
"She's down there," she stated. Her heart stopped when she saw a car approaching and Brittany wasn't looking.
Regina magicked quickly and pushed Brittany out the way. However, the driver wasn't paying attention and Regina rolled on top of the car and then hit the ground.
Derrick and David took off. Brittany rolled over and saw Regina lying on the pavement. She started to scream and cry until she felt a pair of arms grab her and turn her around.
"Brittany, honey, listen to me. I need you to hold onto me," Snow said.
Snow held her head against her shoulder as she looked up. Derrick and David were crowded around Regina.
"Regina, can you hear me?" David asked fear rising every second.
Derrick darted his eyes between Brittany and Regina.
"She's okay," Snow said.
Derrick noticed blood on the concrete. "She's bleeding," Derrick said.
They heard footsteps approaching. "The ambulance is on its way," Ruby said.
Ruby took a look at Brittany who was still in Snow's arms. "I'm taking her to the hospital," Snow said.
Derrick looked up and nodded. "I'm right behind you," he said.
They heard the ambulance and the paramedics checked Regina. Her pulse was weak. They put her on the stretcher and put her in the ambulance. They left leaving David and Derrick fearful.
The ambulance arrived and Whale was paged. He rushed Regina to the back.
David and Derrick arrived and found Ruby in the waiting room. "Where's Regina?" David asked.
"Whale took her in the back."
"What about Brittany?" Derrick asked.
"She's with Snow. The doctor is checking her out. I'll take you to her." Ruby glanced at David before walking with Derrick.
Brittany was sitting in Snow's lap when Derrick walked in. Snow looked up.
"The doctor said she is fine. Just a couple of bruises."
"Britt," he said. She snuggled into Snow's chest more. He took a chair and sat in front of them. "Sweetheart, I'm not mad. I'm just glad you are okay."
She sniffled. "Miss Regina is hurt," she said.
"I know," Derrick said softly. She sat up and looked at each adult in the room before addressing her father.
"Is Miss Regina going to die like mommy?"
Derrick looked away with tears in his eyes. He looked at his daughter. "Regina is going to be okay. She has a lot of people who need her."
"I'm sorry daddy," she said softly.
He kissed the top of her head. "You have nothing to be sorry for." She reached out for her father and he scooped her up. He let the tears fall. He turned to Snow.
"Thank you Mary Margaret," he said. "Thank you Ruby," he said turning to her.
David paced around and stopped when he saw Emma and Henry walk in.
"Where's mom?" Henry asked rushing up to David.
"Buddy, she is in the back. The doctor hasn't said anything," David said.
"What happened?" Emma asked.
"Car accident," he replied.
They saw Snow, Ruby, Derrick and Brittany come to the waiting room.
"Any word?" Snow asked.
"No," David said.
They sat in silence until Whale walked in. They stood up waiting for the news. "Regina is in a coma. There is swelling in the brain. We will continue to monitor her."
"How long will she be in a coma?" David asked.
"I don't know," Whale said.
"Can we go see her?" asked Henry.
"Yes," Whale said.
Emma took Henry to see Regina. He looked at his mom with tubes and wires and he cried softly. "Mom, I need you to wake up."
Meanwhile, David held his hands in his head. He looked at Derrick. "This is all your fault."
Derrick narrowed his eyes. "Excuse me?"
"All you had to do was leave and Regina wouldn't be stuck in a hospital bed," David said harshly now standing up.
"How was I supposed to know this would happen? I care about Regina just as much as you do."
"You know nothing about her," David shot back.
"And you are such an expert. You are the reason we are even in this mess. You should have left her alone with me. You forced her to come back to this place. She was happy before you decided to play the hero. You have nobody to blame but yourself."
"You son of a-
"Enough," Snow interrupted. She stood between the both of them. "If you haven't noticed there is a little girl here. Ruby, take Brittany." She waited before continuing.
"Regina loved you both. You are doing her no good arguing. She needs us to stay strong for her. As far as I'm concerned, I am the only legitimate relative outside of Henry. So help me, I will ban you both from her room. I will make sure neither of you get within 10 feet of this hospital. Do I make myself clear?"
They mumbled yes.
"Good. Now we wait for Emma and Henry to come out." They waited for another 5 minutes.
"She's so small," Henry said. "Is she going to die?"
Emma wrapped an arm around him. "No, your mom is a fighter."
"That's right. Regina is a fighter," David said. "I'm going to go see her now."
David walked into her room and stood there. Tears came as he held her hand. "I need you to wake up baby. I can't live my life without you. We all need you to fight and come back to us. I love you so much. Can you even hear me? I hope you can."
Regina woke up to unfamiliar surroundings. She creased her eyebrows in confusion. "Where am I?" she thought.
She turned her head to the left and her eyes widened. "This can't be. How is this happening?" she thought. The person smiled at her lovingly. She reached out to the person to see if this was real.
"Daniel?"
