Everything She Wanted
The wedding part I
Regina checks her watch and frowns deeply. Lily and Mulan are getting married in exactly one hour. It's about high time they get a move on.
But obviously, with three young children in the house, it's quite difficult to make it all on time.
Regina quickly adjusts the bright yellow bow in Amelia's dark hair. "There we go, baby," she says as she lifts her daughter off the changing table. "You look absolutely perfect," she assures the toddler.
"Perfect?" Amelia echoes.
"Yes. Perfect." Regina smiles.
The door is pushed ajar by Emerald who trots in, dangling her own, purple bow in her hand.
"Do you need some help with that, baby?" Regina offers.
Emerald nods and Regina quickly jumps in and fastens the bow in Emerald's golden hair.
"There. Now you're perfect. Both of you."
"Where's mommy?" Emerald asks.
"She's feeding your brother. She'll be here soon. I hope." Regina mutters and checks her watch again. If there not careful, they'll be late.
Regina steps over to the full-figure mirror and checks her appearance. She's indeed the tight, red dress with the zipper in the back. Maleficent got it her way. Of course, she did.
"Come, little dragons. Let's go downstairs and wait for mommy." Regina says and takes each of her daughters' hands as they head downstairs.
Amelia and Emerald are fairly content with waiting, but Regina is growing impatient. No, not impatient. She knows that Maleficent is in the middle of feeding Jonathan.
But she's worried that they might be late.
"Pretty," Emerald says spontaneously, and Regina whips her head around to see what caught her daughter's attention. To her amusement, Emerald looks at her and says sweetly: "Mama's pretty."
"Why thank you, baby," Regina says and crouches down. "Did mommy teach you that?"
"Noooo," Emerald protests and giggles when Regina makes a slight "mwah"-sound as she kisses the little dragon's chubby cheek.
Amelia, unwilling to miss the opportunity of getting a kiss, promptly pushes Emerald out of the way.
"Don't push your sister," Regina admonishes and then laughs a little. "There's plenty of kisses for both of you." To prove that, she kisses Amelia's cheek soundly.
Amelia giggles.
"What about me?" comes Maleficent voice behind her. "Is there plenty of kisses for me, too, my darling?"
"If you're really lucky," Regina drawls as she turns around. She smiles a little. Maleficent looks beautiful in her light, blue dress and her golden hair rolled into a soft bun.
And, to fulfill that image of perfection, she's carrying their son in her arms. Jonathan is sleeping soundly.
"I think someone is gonna miss the ceremony," Regina quips as she strokes Jonathan over the thick, dark hair.
"Mmm, looks like it. But there's no reason why he shouldn't," Maleficent says as she lays him down in the stroller. "He's been changed and fed. I think he's gonna be out for at least an hour."
"We should get going. Unless you want to miss giving your daughter away," Regina says and glances at her watch again.
"I wouldn't miss that for the world. You look beautiful by the way."
"So do you."
"I can't wait to take that dress of you later," Maleficent says nonchalantly.
Regina just laughs. Because they both know there will be none of that. With three young children in the house, it's hard finding time for that. Regina can't remember the last time they…
"Let's get going," the brunette says and interrupts her own train of thoughts.
"We shouldn't wait for Henry?" Mal asks.
"No, he's meeting us there." it was quite lucky that Henry was able to take time off from college to come home to the wedding.
"Very well then. Come on then, little dragons," Maleficent says and offers Amelia and Emerald her hands.
Both little toddler's races to their mother's side, but Amelia promptly stretches her arms up towards Maleficent. "Up, up!" the child demands.
Maleficent winces ever so slightly at that request.
"Mommy's tired," Regina says automatically. "And you can walk, can't you? You have such long legs."
Amelia giggles. Disaster avoided.
"Thank you," Maleficent says quietly as they leave the mansion.
"Anytime," Regina smiles. They wheel along with Jonathan. The baby is still fast asleep in the stroller. Amelia and Emerald keeps close to Regina and Maleficent as they cross the street.
"This fatigue is really getting the best of me," Maleficent continues.
"It'll get better. Trust me," Regina says and pats her arm lightly. She remembers all of this very well from when she was breastfeeding the twins. She was basically walking around in a daze and just waiting for the next feeding.
Maleficent doesn't look too convinced.
"It will." Regina says reassuringly.
Maleficent nods but then mutters something about being "so damn tired all the time" and "not even being able to lift her own daughter".
"The baby is only a few months old, Mal. Give it time," Regina says gently.
"I'm trying to be patient, but…" Maleficent sighs gravely. "I just feel like I haven't got the energy for anything."
"Because your body is still a bit tired after the birth," Regina says patiently. "It'll get better. And you could let me take some of the nights."
"You need your sleep too, my darling," Maleficent points out.
"I think you might need it a bit more than me."
For once, Maleficent doesn't protest.
They soon reach their destination, Lily and Mulan's enormous shared home. Lily has really embraced her dragon heritage, and the house is a visible symbol of that. With high gates, stone walls and large dragon sculptures in the garden.
The wedding itself is taking place in the back yard, and after reuniting with Henry out front, Maleficent excuses herself and says she should probably pop inside and check up on Lily.
"Yes, do that." Regina nods.
"Will you be okay with all three of them?"
"Of course."
"We'll manage," Henry grins as he lifts Amelia up on his hips. "Hey, kids."
"'Enry," Emerald beams and hugs his legs.
"Henry," Regina gently corrects.
All of her children ignore that.
"We better go find our seats," Henry says as he effortlessly picks Emerald up too and swans of with both of his sisters.
Regina chuckles slightly at that. Her big son. He has his own way of minimizing the stress there is in having three young children.
Regina steers the stroller over to their seat. Lily and Mulan has made plenty of room for a stroller in between the chairs.
She checks on the baby. He's still fast asleep.
"Hey there," comes a familiar voice behind her.
Regina turns around in the chair. There's Snow and David and Emma and Killian with baby Leia sitting behind her. Zelena is sitting a few rows behind them.
"Hey," Regina smiles.
"Hi, Jonathan," Snow half-whispers as she leans forward to look at the sleeping baby.
"Please don't wake him," Regina begs. "We've just got him to sleep."
"Of course," Snow smiles. "I get it."
"So, the bells are ringing for Lily, huh?" Emma chuckles and shrugs a lock of blonde hair behind her ear.
"I don't hear any bells, miss Swan," Regina jokes. Then she catches Emerald wiggle slightly on her chair.
"Don't wiggle, sweetheart," she gently admonishes.
"Want mommy." Emerald says plainly.
"Mommy will be here real soon," Regina promises. "She's helping Lily, remember?"
"Lily." Emerald's little face lights up in a smile.
"Exactly," Regina says, relieved that a new disaster seemingly is avoided.
Music flows out from- from what, exactly? Regina abandons all thought of finding out. For there comes Mulan, walking down the rose-sprinkled pathway. And she looks softer than Regina has ever seen her before. Mulan isn't big on dresses or extravagate styles for her hair, but today she looks quite different. Today, she has decided to skip the jeans and t-shirt. Not that Lily would have minded that. As she said, the most important thing is that she shows up.
And Mulan has indeed "shown up" and how beautiful she looks, in her soft, white dress. Her black hair is loosely braided and neatly decorated with little flowers.
More music follows. Now it's Lily's turn. And she looks beautiful too, in her cream colored dress. Her hair is styled in curls, hanging loosely down her back.
Everyone "ooh's" and "aah's" at the bride, but Regina has to admit she's looking more at Maleficent. She too, looks beautiful. Bursting with pride as she walks her oldest daughter up the "aisle" and to the waiting Mulan.
This takes Regina back to her own wedding day and her eyes goes a little misty. She "blames" that on the twins. Tears has come easily to her after she gave birth. She reaches into Jonathan's bag, roams around between the million little things they packed for him and finds what she's looking for. A handkerchief. Good thing she brought those. Regina daps her cheeks discreetly and watches as Maleficent "hands over" her daughter to Mulan. Archie stands behind them and waits.
As Lily and Mulan begins their vows, Maleficent discreetly sits down next to Regina.
Mal's eyes are suspiciously misty, and Regina wordlessly offers her the handkerchief.
"Thanks," Maleficent mutters and wipes her eyes carefully not to smudge her mascara.
Regina gives her arm a little squeeze.
It goes fast. Lily and Mulan exchanges their vows. Golden wedding bands are slipped on outstretched fingers. Lily whispers something in-audible to Mulan, and just like that, Archie pronounces them to be married. The brand-new wives kiss each other, and everyone stands up and cheers for the newlyweds.
Regina and Maleficent are the first ones to hug and congratulate.
"Congratulations, dear," Regina says as she gives her "stepdaughter" a hug.
"Thank you, Regina," Lily smiles and returns the hug. "I can't believe that we're actually married now…"
Maleficent laughs as she hugs her daughter.
"Congratulations," Regina says and hugs Mulan too.
"Thanks. Mother-in-law." Mulan grins.
"Regina's fine," Regina says and rolls her eyes a little.
"You are her mother in law, my darling," Maleficent smirks as she gives Mulan a hug.
"I know." Regina says plainly. She can't really argue with that, can she?
"Congratulations, guys!"
It's Emma who has elbowed her way up to them. And now she gives Lily a hug. The new bride's gets crowded by friends and extended family, and Regina and Maleficent takes a step back.
Emerald and Amelia feels more than at home in Lily and Mulan's backyard, and the little dragon's squeals excitedly as they run around between the guests.
"Slow down!" Regina warns. "Not so fast."
Both Maleficent and Snow chuckles.
"They'll end up hurting themselves," Regina mutters.
"And I'm sure they'll get over a scraped knee just fine," Maleficent says and gives Regina's arm a little squeeze.
Jonathan decides to join the party so to speak, and he begins to coo softly in the stroller. Regina beats Maleficent to it, and quickly picks him up.
"Is he hungry again?" Maleficent asks.
"No, I don't think so. Maybe he was just feeling lonely," Regina jokes.
"Woah! Watch it little dragon."
Regina turns around. It's Emma, who's making their way over to them with Killian and David. And it would appear that the blonde almost collided with Amelia.
"Amelia!" Regina warns again. "Slow down, honey."
Maleficent shakes her head and chuckles a little.
"They are very lively today," Regina comments.
"Very," Maleficent agrees. "Did you feet them sugar this morning?"
"I most certainly did not."
Snow chuckles as she snatches baby Jonathan from Regina. She bounces him up and down and the baby coos contended.
"Feel like getting an extra baby?" Regina quips and watches as Snow bounces Jonathan up and down in her arms.
"Says the woman who's looking forward to extend the family." Maleficent interjects.
That elicits a few sniggers here and there. Snow adjusts Jonathan in her arms and raises an eyebrow.
Regina rolls her eyes. Maybe she should have kept her late night musings to herself.
"Are you pregnant, Regina?" Snow chuckles.
"No." Regina says. "I just considered the possibility of maybe having another baby at one point." She shrugs lightly. "When Jonathan is older, obviously." She quickly adds. She makes sure it sounds completely casual, but maybe she has given it more thought than she's willing to admit. And she's not sure what spurred this. Maybe it was seeing Maleficent pregnant that gave her the urge. But it's too soon. Of course, it's too soon. Jonathan is only a few months old. And Amelia and Emerald haven't turned four yet. It's too soon. Way too soon. Of course, she can't get pregnant now. That would be ridiculous. And how can she have baby-fever when Jonathan is right here?
"Mama, Mama!"
Regina is pulled out of her thoughts by Amelia, who tugs at her skirt.
"What is it, baby?" Regina says softly and ruffles her dark hair.
"Up, up!" Amelia says.
Regina crouches down to lift the toddler. Admittedly, both of the girls are getting quite heavy. "Oops." She says as she teethers slightly on her high heels. "There we go. You're getting a bit heavy, you know that?"
"Nooo," Amelia denies and wraps her arms tightly around Regina's neck.
"Amelia, don't choke your Mama," Maleficent is quick to say. "I valuate her ability to breathe."
Both Killian and David chuckles at that.
"How romantic," Regina says dryly.
"It's true," Maleficent shrugs. "Your ability to breathe is of great interest to me."
Regina would have liked to throw some crass remark at her wife, but Jonathan coos again and squirms in Snow's arms.
"I think he actually is hungry now," the princess says as she hands the baby to Maleficent.
"Yes, you're probably right about that," Maleficent says and adjusts Jonathan in her arms. "Come on, little dragon. Let's fix that."
She walks off and leaves Regina in charge of two little overexcited dragons.
To Be Continued…
