Chapter 49
Cora appeared to Regina and Mal and between herself and Maleficent, they were able to stop Regina from using her magic. Cora stepped forward and examined her daughter. Her eyes were dark, not her own. "Regina, my darling. I know you're in there."
The younger brunette smirked. "I'm right here, mother. This is how I was always supposed to be. Dark."
Cora held her hands up and sent her magic through Regina. "You've been poisoned."
Mal stepped over. "With what?"
Cora watched her daughter as she fought against her strains to use her magic.
"Darkness."
Mal watched as Regina looked at her, her eyes going soft for a moment. "Help me."
Mal cupped Regina's cheek and watched her eyes go dark again. "We will." She sighed and looked at Cora. "Where's Emma? We need her."
"I know, but she wouldn't come. She said she needed time. I can't say I blame her. REgina did a number on her, both physically and emotionally. We all know it wasn't really her, but I can only imagine how she's feeling."
Mal nodded and sighed. "Who did this? Who would want her dark again?"
Cora shook her head. "I don't know. However, if it wasn't me and it wasn't you, the only other person who even could do this is Rumple."
Mal glared and nodded, knowing Cora was right. "You're right. That imp must have done this. Why doesn't he just leave well enough alone? He got his sone back, what does he need? Why attack her?"
Cora sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "You need to ask Emma. It's not my place, but right now, we have to figure out what to do with Regina. We have to get the darkness out of her."
Mal nodded, knowing Cora was right, but also knowing they couldn't. "Only Emma can do that. You know it and so do I."
Cora sighed and went to a box, grabbing a leather cuff. She put it on Regina so she wouldn't be able to use her magic. She then got her book and looked at Mal. "Let's take her home. She can stay downstairs with me until Emma is ready."
Maleficent nodded and the three of them disappeared back to the mansion. Snow had just gotten Emma back to sleep when she heard the trio downstairs. Belle was with the babies and Mal came upstairs while Cora took Regina down to her room. Mal checked on Emma and sat on the bed.
"How is she?"
Snow stroked her daughter's hair. "Confused. She's trying hard t remind herself that it isn't really Regina, but it's hard for her. Especially when such personal things were said."
Mal sighed and looked at the sleeping blonde. "I can't blame her. Why don't you lay down with her and get some rest. Belle and I will take the guest room and take care of the babies." She leaned down and kissed Emma's forehead.
Maleficent got up and left the room while Snow got under the blanket with her daughter. She pulled her baby girl into her arms and watched her sleep. She looked so young and peaceful in her sleep. The weight of her life wasn't showing in her features. Snow ran her fingers through her daughter's hair, thinking of how very strong her daughter is. Too strong. She had to be too damn strong for too damn long. She had been through more than anyone should have to go through in her almost 21 years of life, yet she could still smile. She could still be happy. She could still see light in the world.
Sure, Snow had gone through things in her life, but nothing like Emma. The thought of that made Snow feel such guilt. She knew Emma would tell her not to, would hate the sympathy on her face, but Snow couldn't help it. She would forever feel guilty for the life her daughter had and she would forever try to make up for it. "I love you, my baby girl." She whispered as she let sleep take over her.
Maleficent let Emma sleep as long as she could, but the girls were hungry and Emma hadn't had time to pump yet. So really, she had no choice but to wake her. "I'm sorry Emma, but they're hungry. Malory took her pacifier, but Eva Lynn is having none of it."
Emma sighed and stretched, trying hard not to be in a bad mood. "I'll be right there." She used the bathroom and splashed water on her face, looking at herself. She looked a mess, and that made her more angry. They were supposed to be a team. Regina promised they would do this together. Emma rubbed her face, trying not to be mad about that because something wasn't right. That wasn't her Regina.
When Emma came out, she noticed that everyone was acting like she was fragile or about to break. She took her babies and looked at everyone. "I'm fine." Emma turned and went to the nursery, closing the door before sighing. She situated herself so that she could feed both her girls and sighed watching them. "I'm so sorry, my babies. I'll fix this. I promise I'll get mommy back."
Cora had been up all night, going through her book and trying to keep Regina quiet. The spell was complex, and only Emma could do it. Being that Emma was new to magic, Cora didn't think it could work. Once the girls were fed, Emma changed and came downstairs. "Can you guys watch the babies? I need some air before I go see Regina. I'll be back before they have to be fed, and maybe figure out the breast pump thing."
"Sure, sweetie, no problem." Snow smiled softly as Mal watched her.
"Emma? Can I come with you?"
Emma nodded and the two of them left. Mal looked at Emma as they walked and put an arm around her. "It's going to be okay. Cora knows what this is."
Emma looked at the woman. "She does? Can she fi it?"
"Actually, you're the only one who can. We'll help you, we'll stay right with you."
Emma nodded softly, not sure she could do it, but she'd try her best.
"Emma? Why would Rumple do this? Cora said you may know."
Emma stopped and looked at Maleficent, her blood starting to boil. "Rumple did this? Are you sure?"
Maleficent nodded. "He's the only one who could outside of Cora and I, and obviously, we didn't do it."
Emma narrowed her eyes, balling her fists. "Neal. God of course! Of course he would do this!"
"Who's Neal? The guy you talked about before? Henry's dad?"
"Henry's what?"
Emma's heart sank as she heard his voice. She turned and meant to just nudge him back, but her magic came out and he went flying back. She felt a little guilty, but that passed when he stood and came charging back at her, grabbing her wrists.
"I'm his father? Why didn't you tell me?"
Emma was furious and she pulled her wrists out of his grasp. "When?! When should I have told you? When I was in jail? After you left me?! Fuck you, Neal!"
Neal hated the anger and hurt in Emma's eyes. He hated seeing her upset. "I didn't know! I didn't know you were ever in jail. I didn't want that for you. I swear, Em."
Mal stood watching, ready if she was needed. Though - she figured it may be Neal who would need protection.
"It doesn't matter! None of it. I did my time and had Henry alone and in jail and he's been adopted and is happy and loved and has a better life that either you or I could have ever given him! That's all that matters. He is legally Regina's and it's going to stay that way, no matter what you or your father try to do to us!"
Emma was fighting tears and trying to stay strong. Neal deflated - he couldn't stand seeing Emma like this and knowing he did it to her. "You really love her?"
"With everything I am. You know my story, my history. Neal, she didn't just break my walls, she obliterated them. She's the first person who made me feel lived, wanted, worth it, and good enough. You know what that means for me, Neal. You know where I come from. Why are you ruining it? Why are you doing this?"
Neal hated himself in this very moment. He cared about Emma very much, he had since the day he met her. He wanted her happy, wanted her to feel all those things she felt, even if it wasn't for him. She deserved all the happiness and love in the world. "My dad said you were under a spell. He said we'd break it and I could be with you. I'm sorry, Em. I'm so very sorry."
Emma looked at him, searching his face and seeing only honesty in it. She let out a breath, knowing that he was telling the truth. "I'll forgive you when you tell your father to leave us alone."
Neal looked at Mal and then Emma. "I will. I promise I will. I...I can't say that I can control him, but I will leave you alone and I'll do everything I can to make sure he does too. Maybe...maybe once you've forgiven me we can be friends again. Nothing more, I don't want more. Not when I see how Regina makes you feel. And...Emma, I don't want to take Henry away. I won't ever push that. But maybe...maybe I can see him? Maybe...just be known as Mom's friend Neal?"
Emma sighed and rubbed her neck, knowing he did have some rights. "We'll talk about it, Neal. It's really not up to me. Regina legally adopted him. But...but we will see. Okay?"
Neal nodded and looked down. "Go help her, Emma. Get Regina back."
Emma nodded and looked at Mal. "Please take me home."
Mal smiled softly and nodded, surrounding them with smoke and took them home.
Emma was still livid, still so pissed off at Gold, and everyone in the house could feel it. She went downstairs to find Regina.
"Oh look! It's the Savior. How charming."
Emma walked up to Regina and put her hands on her chest. Cora and Mal watched, surprised at what they were seeing. She pulled her hands back, pulling out black air. She looked at it and focused until it turned white and she then pushed it back into her chest. She saw the darkness leave Regina's eyes right before she passed out.
"Emma!" Regina caught the blonde before she hit the ground. "What did she just do?"
Cora came over, along with Mal, and the three of them brought Emma to Cora's bed. "She took the darkness from you. I don't know how she knew what to do, but she did it."
Mal stroked the blonde tresses. "She was mad. Protective. She's strong and her magic comes naturally. It told her what to do."
Cora knew a lot about magic, but Mal knew more. Cora was in awe over her future daughter in law.
"She is more powerful than any of us." Mal stated, gazing at the blonde. "Including Rumple. That's saying something, Cora, because well...not to brag, but I'm pretty powerful."
Regina sat by Emma and took her hand. "I agree with you. About all of that. Mom and you and Rumple...you're all so powerful, but you had to learn. You all had to learn and Emma just...she just did it. We can't let people know. If Rumple finds out about how powerful Emma is, it won't be good for her."
Mal and Cora nodded and Cora added to it. "With you and Emma as their parents, your girls may be just as powerful one day. We have to protect them from anyone who would want to use them. Of course, Rumple would be on the top of that list."
"Let's move her to your bed." Maleficent looked at Regina who shook her head.
"I hurt her. I remember. I couldn't stop, no matter how hard I tried. I gave into the darkness. I couldn't fight it. I don't deserve her. Take her to her parents apartment. Or better yet, I'll go back to my vault."
Mal sighed and rolled her eyes as Cora moved Emma to her bed. The older blonde went to Regina and slapped her.
"What the hell?!"
Mal just looked at her and slapped her face again.
"Maleficent! Stop it!"
Mal raised a brow. "Stop? Do you feel better now you've been punished?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "What are you on about?"
"You didn't do anything, Regina Mills! You were a victim of a potion. We know that, Emma knows that, why don't you know that? You would never hurt Emma, Regina! We all know you never would!"
Regina slumped. "Maybe I know, but that doesn't change the hurt and fear in her eyes that I - under the poison, yes - but I put there." Regina didn't stop her tears. She couldn't fight the darkness, she couldn't. She would never hurt Emma and now she did. She hurt the woman she loved. She hurt her not only physically, but with her words. She remembered Emma's face, remembered the moment those words came out of her mouth and she hurt her blonde Princess. She hated herself, hated herself so much that she just cried. "I ruined it! Our first night with our babies was ruined. Emma can't possibly trust me now, and I can't blame her. Even if it was the poison, I can't take it back. I can't undo any of it."
Maleficent sat next to her friend, holding her. "No you can't, but you know what? You don't have to take it back. Emma could have left. She could have taken the babies and got the hell out of here, but she didn't. Look, Gina, I understand that you don't feel you deserve to be happy. You have demons and we're all here to help you fight them. However, right now, you have a fiance who broke the darkness from you when she had every right to just leave. You have a son who adores you, and twin girls who need you. You have friends who love you and you know what? You deserve all of that, all of us! Go hold your babies, wake up your fiance. Bond, love. You deserve it all."
Regina wiped her eyes as she listened to her once dark friend. "She forgives me? Really?'
Mal smiled softly and hugged Regina. "She forgives you. Now go to her, give her energy and wake her up. Then get those babies and enjoy your life!"
