It's been so long but I'm determined to finish this fic. The end is near, I'm thinking maybe about five more chapters left, but we'll see how it goes. Hope you guys enjoy, I've missed this story.

Thank you for the reviews, follows and favourites they make my day:)

If anyone has questions about the story or would like to see something in a chapter just PM me and I will see what I can do.

Italics show people's thoughts.

All mistakes are mine sorry in advance.

Thank you to my beta NoSoup395.

Disclaimer in chapter 1.

Slowly Regina and her father approach one another, falling into an old familiar embrace. Years of separation mixed with their shared grief has them clinging onto each other.

"I've missed you so much mija," Henry senior whispers into his daughter's hair.

"I've missed you too daddy, so much," she responds, clinging to his suit jacket as silent tears roll down her face.

Emma watches on with a fond smile upon her face, gently laying a hand upon Henry's shoulder. She shares a look with the children, silently conveying how happy they all are for the older brunette to finally be reunited with her father. They stand in silence for what feels like hours before slowly, reluctantly, Regina and her father pull way from one another, each wiping away fallen tears.

The older man smiles at his daughter before directing his attention to her family who stand united behind her. "Now, who do we have here?" he asks, looking over each of them as he gives them friendly smiles, which they can't help but return.

Regina smiles proudly as she looks at her family, taking a step towards them she takes Emma's hand in her own. "Daddy, this is my partner Emma, our daughter Sofia and our son Henry." He nods to each of them, a smile never leaving his face.

"Mija you have a beautiful family. Come, come, let's get you all inside before we catch our deaths," he chuckles, pretending to shiver violently from the late November chill, making the others laugh. They follow him up the steps and into the Mills manor. He leads them into a large but cozy family room with a fire roaring inside a huge, lavish, marble fireplace. Surrounding it are three brown leather couches which they all quickly fall into after passing their coats to Frederick, the main butler.

They sit quietly, happy to take a few minutes to warm themselves up. Frederick returns carrying a tray loaded with cups of tea, juice and a plate full of cookies. He sets it down on the coffee table then takes his leave.

Regina clears her throat after the silence had stretched on. "I'm sorry for your loss, Dad," she says, looking at the man.

He nods "For you too. It wasn't a shock. We both knew it was coming, that she didn't have long. I only wish we had gone on our trip to visit you sooner. You see, she'd been having heart problems over the last couple of years. She'd already had two heart attacks and after the second one they told us that if she didn't have a transplant then she wouldn't last much longer. We knew the chances of a donor were slim so we decided to make the most of the days we had left together. Her biggest regret was what she had done to you mija, so we had planned to come see you next week. She wanted to apologise in person. Our lawyer has informed me that she left some tapes with her will, so maybe she said what she needed in them. He'll want to speak to us both at the reading of the will anyhow," Henry Sr. explains.

"She...she regretted it?" Regina asks, tears slipping down her face.

"Oh mija yes, everyday. I know she did as soon as you were gone but she was too stubborn and proud to admit it." He sits forward, reaching out to take Regina's hands in his own. "She always kept an eye on you though. Tracked you down, made sure you were safe and happy. She couldn't have been prouder of you, though she did often wonder why you hadn't pursued art. She knew you were very talented." He pauses, smiling fondly at his daughter. "We had almost come to visit you once before actually, after we learnt that your daughter had been taken but I thought that might have scared you more given how things were when you left. That was when your mother switched sides at work. She thought that working for the criminals would help her track down the kidnapper. I told her that was a crazy idea but she would have none of it. She was really close too but then your Sheriff in shining armour here had already done all the work for her." He smiles at Emma, grateful his daughter has someone who loves and protects her. "I'm sorry you were injured getting him though."

Emma nods her gratitude "I survived. I'm just happy he can't hurt our family any more"

He nods in agreement as he moves to pick up his cup of tea and takes a sip. "Please help yourselves." Emma and the children happily take some cookies and their own drinks while Regina sits back, processing everything her father had just said. She couldn't believe that all this time her mother had actually cared, that she had known where she was and had never once done anything to interfere with her life. She only wishes they could have reconnected and actually had a relationship all this time. She gets lost in her own thoughts, staring off into space and only coming out of her trance-like state when Emma literally shakes her shoulder. Regina blinks a few times as she turns to look at the blonde, only now realising that Henry and the children are no longer in the room. "Where is everyone?" She asks.

"Your dad is giving them a tour. Are you okay? You kinda spaced out there." Emma takes her hand and squeezes softly.

"Yes...I...just processing everything. It's a lot to take in after all this time. Do...do you mind if I go out back for some air?" Chocolate brown eyes look into blue-green.

"Of course. You want me to come with?"

"No, no I'll be fine." She smiles reassuringly.

"Okay." Emma nods knowing the brunette needs some time alone. "Would it be okay if i just popped over to see my Ma then? I won't be long, I promise."

"That's a great idea. You know, you really should have told her weeks ago what happened to you. I know you think this saves her from worrying but trust me darling, she's always going to worry. Tell them all I say hello though. I would like to meet the rest of your family. Maybe after the funeral we could all have dinner?" Regina smiles, leaning in to kiss her love softly. "I love you," she says against her lips.

Emma smiles into the kiss. "I love you, too," she says as she pulls away. "And I know she's going to worry but you know I live on hope," she chuckles. "I think that's a great idea though. Ma will love you and I know she's just dying to meet the kids."

They both stand and make their way from the room, pausing in the doorway to share a hug before going off to their separate locations. Please don't kill me. Please don't kill me. The blonde repeats in her mind as she hobbles towards her sister's home, leaning heavily on her walking stick. She pauses outside the front door, taking a deep breath. Here goes nothing,she thinks before raising her hand and knocking.

TBC.