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Chapter 20, part 2

The two stayed in each other's arms for a while and though Regina knew she should go see her own kids, she just couldn't leave. Something was telling her to stay, and when it hit just after 3 AM and her mother woke with a gasp, she was glad she was there. She bit her lip as she looked at her mother who was breathing hard. "Call your sister." She said and Regina nodded before getting out of bed and calling Zelena and Anslie, and then calling Emma, not wanting to leave her mother alone.

Emma came in and looked at Regina. "It's time?" She asked, tears in her eyes.

"I think so. Should…do we have the kids come?"

"No." Cora said from her bed. "I don't want them remembering this." She closed her eyes, her hand on her heart. "Come sit by me, please."

The two came over and, since Regina had already set up chairs around the bed, sat down and put their hands on the bed, comforting Cora as much as they could. Zelena and Anslie came in and while Zelena sat down, Anslie went into medical mode and made sure Cora was comfortable and not in too much pain. She felt her pulse and took her blood pressure before sitting down. "Cora…it's time." She said, tearing up as the woman gave a nod with a kind smile.

"If any…of you don't…want to be…here, you…don't have…to stay." She said between breaths. "I just…want my girls…all four…of them."

"We're here, Mom." Emma said, putting her hand on Cora's leg as Regina had her hand. "We're here with you."

"We love you." Anslie stated, her hand on Cora's other leg.

Zelena kissed Cora's hand. "You're surrounded by love, mom. You can relax and go peacefully."

"She's right." Regina said, kissing Cora's other hand. "Your business is finished, your work is done and your love is felt by everyone. Now, it's time for you to rest."

Emma put her head on the bed, her tears falling as she prayed to whatever being was out there that Cora go in peace and not pain. Regina and Zelena each held Cora's hands and when the last breath was taken, they gently placed the woman's hands over her chest and kissed Cora's forehead. They stepped away and Anslie came, leaned over and also placed a kiss to her forehead. "Be in peace." She whispered.

Emma stood and went to the head of the bed, gazing at the woman who meant so much to her. She stroked her cheek, ran her fingers through her hair and then kissed her cheek. "I already miss you, Ma." She said before gazing once more and going to her wife, holding her.

After about a half hour, the couples left the room, Regina sealing it with magic knowing the kids may go in and try to say good morning to their grandmother. They sat at the kitchen table as Emma made some coffee, knowing none of them would get more sleep. Anslie came in from outside and kissed her wife's temple. "I called the coroner. She has to come and confirm Cora's passing, but said we can keep her here for up to twenty four hours if we want."

Regina looked at Zelena. "Mom didn't want the kids to see her like that. Do you think we should just have them take her body? I can call the funeral home in a couple hours. Mom already gave them her wishes for what she wanted."

"I think that's best. Keeping her body won't change anything." She looked towards the door. "I can't believe she's gone."

Anslie sat by her wife and hugged her. "At least she didn't have pain." She said quietly.

Regina looked over at Emma who was blankly staring at the coffee filling in the pot. "Em?"

Emma didn't look up and at first Regina thought maybe she didn't hear her. "I've never seen anyone die before." She said quietly. "I kept waiting for her to take another breath."

Regina went over and hugged her wife, comforting her as best she could. Unfortunately, Regina and Zelena had seen people die, and Anslie had in her years at the hospital. Regina hadn't thought of how hard that would be for Emma. "I know it was hard, but it meant a lot to her to have you there."

Emma just nodded and started pouring coffee. After taking the cups to the table, she sat down. "What do we do now?"

Regina looked at the time. "Well, it's too early in the morning to call anyone, but we have to let the others know. We have to let the kids know and figure out when we'll do the ceremony. Mom didn't want a huge funeral, didn't want to be in the mausoleum. She…she told me what she wanted." Regina said, going to a drawer and taking out a folder. "She didn't believe in doing a legal will because she said we are all good people and would accept what she wanted. She wants to be cremated and she got these for some of her ashes." Regina said, pulling out a baggie with vials about an inch long. "She has enough for us four, our eight kids, Tori, and three extra for any future kids you may have." She said to Zelena who gave a nod.

Zelena decided today wasn't the day to announce Anslie's pregnancy, but she was glad there would be a vial for their child. "Looks like you can wear that with a chain?" Zelena asked, looking at the baggie.

"Yes. She did use her magic to make them unbreakable." Regina said as she got out papers. "Mom said she wanted the rest of her ashes to go in a planter with roses and for us to do the spell to keep those roses alive for always. She didn't want a 'funeral' but said to call it a ceremony of life. She said she wants it to be a party of sorts, a celebration. If there are any speeches, she wants them to be of good times and not dwelling on the fact that she's gone." Regina's hands were shaking as she went through the papers.

Zelena put her hand over Regina's. "Sis, we can do this later."

"I just wanted to show you that I'm going by her wishes and not my own." Regina said. "And I don't know what else to do right now."

Zelena squeezed her hand. "I know these are mom's wishes and not yours. What else does she want?"

Regina took a breath and looked through the papers. "Well, she left a menu for the ceremony as well." She said with a chuckle. "And said for the kids to decide on the music." Regina then handed Zelena a copy of Cora's inventory. "She said she knows she has more and that we can decide if someone wants her things or if we donate or throw them, but there were specific things she wanted each of us to have that she listed out. Zelena, your list includes for you, Anslie, and Tori and mine includes for me, Emma, and the kids. There's another list for the rest, though she said she felt bad, she didn't have anything for the other kids other than the Christmas presents she's got hidden away."

"She…she's gone?" Henry asked from the doorway, his hair tousled and his eyes shining with unshed tears. "When?"

"Maybe an hour ago." Regina said, getting up and going to him. She hugged him close. "I sealed the door but if you want to see her…"

Henry shook his head. "Not now. I may change my mind before they take her, but not right now." He looked at his mother. "Are you okay?"

Regina sighed, taking Henry's hand and sitting back at the table. "I think I'm still processing it."

"Did you get any sleep?" He asked her as he poured himself some coffee.

"A few hours. I'm fine, Henry." She looked at Emma who seemed to be zoned out again and sighed. "But maybe we all should get a bit more rest before we start the day."

"The coroner will be here soon." Anslie stated. "I can wait up for them if you all want to go rest."

"I can't sleep, but if it is okay, I may go home and just rest a bit."

"It's fine, sis." Regina said and looked at Anslie. "Go with her." She glanced at Emma and then back at Anslie. "I think we'll be up for a bit."

Anslie gave an understanding nod and then went to Emma, hugging her. "She's resting now, Ems." She said softly and Emma nodded, looking down.

"Mom? I wanna see her." Henry said as Zelena and Anslie left. Regina nodded and undid the magic, letting Henry in before going to her wife.

"Emma honey, talk to me." Regina said as she wrapped her arms around her wife's shoulders from behind.

"I just…" Emma sighed and closed her eyes. "She's really gone, and I watched her die. I've never…but she did and she's not coming back."

Regina came around and sat on her wife's lap, holding her. "Honey take all the time you need. I didn't realize you hadn't seen someone die before, though why would you have? Have…have you known anyone who's past?"

Emma shook her head. "I was never with anyone long enough for that. I know this is going to sound stupid, but I don't know what the right thing to do is. I feel like I should be crying, but for some reason, I can't. Does that make me a horrible person?"

It was Regina's turn to shake her head. "You are not a horrible person. Baby, did you see how none of us were crying? We're all in a form of shock. Yes, we knew this day was coming, but no one knew exactly when. We're all processing it Emma, and we will each do that at our own paces." Regina stroked Emma's cheek softly. "Just don't bottle anything inside. When it comes time to cry, you cry."

Emma nodded and held her wife, just wanting to be close to her. Henry came out and wiped at his eyes before sitting at the table. "Don't worry, you two don't have to move." He said, sipping at his coffee. "She's really gone."

Regina shifted enough to look at their son. "Yes, she really is."

"Don't take this question the wrong way; I don't mean this in a selfish way, but did Grams already have Christmas gifts for any of the kids?"

Regina nodded softly. "All wrapped and labelled in her closet. Why?"

"I don't know if you ever knew, but I always helped Gramma 'play Santa' each year and I want to keep that going. Though, I don't have magic so I may have to ask the twins to help so I can do it just like she did."

Emma smiled softly. "That's so sweet, Henry. We'll make sure you're all set come Christmas." She rests her head on Regina's arm. "Are you okay?"

Henry nodded. "It hasn't quite hit yet, but I know it will. Are you going to wake the girls before they take her body?"

Emma chewed her lip. "I don't know if we should. Gramma didn't want them to see her like that, but I don't want them to be upset if we don't let them."

Regina sighed. "I think we should give them the choice."

Emma nodded and once Regina stood, she went with her up to the girls' room. Emma sat on Ry's bed and Regina on Eva's, the mothers gently waking their daughters. Malory looked at Emma and her eyes instantly filled. "She's gone?" She asked quietly.

Emma nodded. "Yeah, baby, she's gone."

Eva looked at her mother and shook her head. "No, she can't be gone!" She said sitting up. "I'm not ready for her to be gone!"

"I'm sorry, honey." Regina said, reaching to take her daughter.

"We wanted to see if you girls wanted to see her one last time. You don't have to, no one is going to be upset either way, but we wanted you to have a choice."

Eva shot up out of bed. "Good, I can show you that you're wrong!" She then ran out of her room, leaving Regina sighing.

"I'll go with her." She said and stroked Ry's cheek before going down.

Emma looked at Malory who shook her head. "I don't wanna see her. I already saw her and cuddled, and I don't wanna see her dead."

Emma gave a soft nod and laid down next to her. "That's just fine, honey. Grandma didn't want you girls to see her like that, but mom and I thought we'd give you the choice."

"Mama? Will you stay with me for a bit. I know it's almost morning but…I just kinda want you to hold me." She said, tears escaping her eyes.

"I sure will, baby girl."

"Wake up! Damnit Gramma wake up!" Eva called, shaking Cora's arm as tears spilled from her eyes. "I'm not ready!" Regina came into the room and watched her daughter, letting her have her moment. Eva looked over at her and shook her head. "I'm not ready, Mommy!" She fell to her knees and started sobbing. "My heart hurts. It hurts so bad, Mommy. Mommy, my heart is broken."

Regina came over and sat on the floor, pulling her baby girl into her lap. She held her and rocked her back and forth as her own tears finally made themselves known. "I'm sorry, baby girl. I know it hurts, I know you're so sad, but we can't change it." It took a while, but eventually Eva's sobs turned into weak whimpers and then grew quiet. Regina looked at her baby and saw she was still awake. "Honey, we need to leave this room so they can take Gramma's body." She said softly, kissing Eva's head.

"Where are they taking her?" Eva asked, her eyes wide again.

"Let's go talk about it." Regina stated, standing up and keeping her arm wrapped around her daughter. Henry let the coroner in as Regina took Eva to the living room, explaining things to her.

When the clock hit 6 am, Emma carefully left Ry's bed and came downstairs. She smiled softly as she saw Regina with Eva on the sofa, the both of them sleeping. She covered them up and went into the kitchen with all intentions of making more coffee. However, something took hold of her and she instead slipped her boots on and went outside, not even noticing the cold. Blue eyes watched from the window and worried as the blonde started towards the woods. "Go to her." Lacey said, kissing Mal's cheek. "Go make sure she's okay."

Mal followed Emma and watched as the woman threw magic here and there. After a bit, she came over and held Emma from behind. "I'm so sorry, my sweets." Emma started sobbing, letting Mal hold her as she let out her feelings.

Regina had heard Emma and was going to follow her when she saw Mal leave her part of the house. Instead, she called Snow. "I'm sorry to call so early." Regina got out. "Mom…she…she's gone."

"Oh Regina, I'm so sorry. I'll be right over." Snow said and quickly made her way over to Regina and Emma's house. She wrapped Regina in her arms and held her.

From that moment on, everything seemed to go so smooth and so fast. Plans were made, things were handed out, tears were shed, hugs were given, stories were told and a by the next Friday, Cora's Ceremony of life was held. Almost everyone from the original Storybrooke were there and offered their condolences. Henry, Malory, Tori and finally Eva made speeches about their grandmother, sharing good times and fun stories.

Eva sat by the rosebush after most people sat inside eating or had gone home. "It's not the same without you, Gramma." She said softly, gazing at the bright red rose petals. She hadn't heard anyone come out, but she looked over when someone sat by her. "Hey, Layla." She said quietly.

"Hey." Layla said and then slid her hand into Eva's. "Your hand is freezing."

"It's cold out here." She answered simply.

"Let's go in the house. She wouldn't want you to get sick."

Eva just nodded and let Layla lead her into the house. She, like Emma, spent most days in a silent daze, needing others to remind them to eat and sleep.

Christmas wouldn't be the same, and while Regina felt bad for that, she also knew the older four would understand and the younger four wouldn't remember. Henry played Santa with Malory and the kids were at least happy on Christmas day. The group gathered for dinner and Zelena finally announced Anslie's pregnancy. Real smiles were given, and words of congratulations exchanged.

"Life goes on." Emma said quietly, and then looked up as everyone stopped talking and looked at her. "It's a good thing. I don't know what Cora said to all of you, but to me, she said to go on with life. What better way than by having a new family member? Life goes on and we can decide if it's going to go on in darkness where we're all moody and depressed all the time, or we can decide that it goes on and gets brighter every day and we see the good that remains." Emma looked around, smiling softly. "I don't mean to make this about me, but Cora meant so much to me. Yes, by the time I met her I knew who my parents were, I knew I wasn't thrown away, I had worked through so much darkness in my life before I even met her. However, she still instantly became someone I trusted, and that wasn't easy. She joked with me and didn't treat me like I was so fragile I would break. She saw me, the real me, and loved me. Anyway, I get now what she meant when she said that we have to go on. I'm going to have a new niece or nephew and that baby deserve to come into a world where there are smiles and happiness and love. That baby will know it's grandmother but will not grow up with everyone around him or her depressed." She looked around again. "We lost an amazing woman, but we still have each other."

** Seven Months Later **

Emma and Maleficent sat in the waiting room after Emma checked in on the kids. It was the first time they had allowed the girls to babysit their siblings and it sounded as though everything was going well. Henry was home on summer break, but he and Lilly now had their own "apartment" in the palace and didn't see him every day. Sure, he came to eat now and then, but mostly he was with Lilly and they were okay with that.

"Man, being on this side of a baby being born is almost as stressful as being the one giving birth." Emma said, letting out a breath. "I'm glad Zelena is including Regina on this. It means more to Regina than I think Zelena even knows."

Maleficent smiled and gave a nod. "I know, though I'm sure they're both missing their mom right now."

Emma gave a nod. "I'm sure they are. I wish I knew what she was having, but I get wanting to be surprised." She looked at Mal. "You know you don't have to stay."

"I want to." Mal said, and then chewed on her lip. "Emma, I don't know that this is the right time or place, but I have to talk to you. Layla came to me last night and…she's kinda scared."

"About what?" Emma asked, concern in her face.

"She…she has a crush on Eva. She knows we all accept that, but she's scared that if Eva doesn't like her like that, she'll be sent away. I told her that wouldn't happen, and even told her my suspicions of Eva, but she's still scared. I…I know it's a lot to ask, but would you mind talking to her?"

Emma smiled softly and chuckled. "They're just newly fourteen, so I guess this was going to happen sooner or later. Honestly, I think Eva is crushing on Layla too, but for whatever reason, she hasn't talked to us about it yet. Mal, I will talk to her, but you know that we'd never tell you to send her away, no matter what, right?"

"Oh, of course I know that, Emma. I was just hoping maybe hearing it from you will make her feel better. Her adoption is next month, so hopefully that will help too." She chuckled. "It's cute, isn't it? First Lilly and Henry, now Layla and Eva. I mean, I know they're babies, but imagine if they do end up together. I could be Mama Mal to Emma 2.0."

Emma chuckled and nudged her. "Just remember who was first." She joked.

Before Mal could say anything, Regina came out with a huge smile. "Come on back."

They came into the room and Anslie was laying on the bed, Zelena next to her with a bundle into her arms. The redhead smiled. "Emma, Maleficent, meet Corey Eric Mills."

Emma grinned. "Corey. I love it. He is a gorgeous bumpkin. We needed more boys in the family."

"It's a beautiful name for a beautiful baby." Maleficent said.

After a bit, Mal left and Regina, Emma, and Zelena healed Anslie so they could go home the next day. "I think we should get going." Regina said, gazing at her wife.

Emma nodded and handed Coraline to Zelena. "Congratulations." She said, kissing Zelena's cheek.

"Wait just one moment." Anslie said as she sat up. "We were wondering if you two would do us the honor in being Corey's Godmothers?"

Both Regina and Emma smiled and nodded. "We'd be honored." Regina said hugging both of them.

"Yes, thank you." Emma said, doing the same.

That night, after getting the little ones to bed and making sure the twins weren't causing trouble, Emma and Regina sat in Regina's office discussing different things when there was a knock to the door.

"Moms?" Henry asked as he came in. "You busy?"

"No, come on in." Emma said, sitting back and sipping her cider. "What's up?"

Henry sat down and folded his hands as he rests his arms on his knees. "I have something to tell you and I hope you don't freak out."

Regina raised a brow. "Freak out? Why would we freak out?"

Henry sighed. "I um…okay, I'll be transferring to online classes come fall."

Emma grinned. "You're staying home! Really? That's exciting!"

"Why?" Regina asked, folding her arms. "Come on Henry, after one year you're changing to online? What's going on?"

Henry scratched the back of his neck. "Well…Lilly and I went to the doctor yesterday and we found out today that…she's six weeks pregnant. I swear to you that we've been careful, but it happened…on my first night back it seems and I'm sorry, please don't be disappointed, but I…I'm also happy and excited." He looked at them, nervousness in his eyes. "Please don't disown me."

Emma sighed and went to him, wrapping her arms around him. "There's nothing you could do to make us disown you." She cupped his cheek. "While this is a surprise, you're an adult, Henry, and you're smart. I love you and I'm not disappointed in any way."

Regina cleared her throat. "I will not be called Grandma."

Emma chuckled. "Ooh, I wanna be Memaw!"

Regina rolled her eyes and came over, joining them on the sofa. "Your Ma is right in that we'd never disown you. I do want a serious conversation about what this means for your future, but we're not upset."

"My future?"

"Yes. I don't want you to quit school. I fully support you changing to Online, so long as you still finish and get your degree. Your inheritance from Grandma is more than enough for you to support your baby and its mother. I don't expect you to do a gunshot wedding either, Henry. I can't tell you what to do, but I'd love it if you waited until after you graduate for marriage."

"Don't worry about that, mom, we've already discussed that. We want both her and I both to have our degrees before we get married so we can actually start our lives after that. The baby wasn't planned, but we're not going to let it take us off track either."

Emma smiled softly, tucking some hair behind his ear. "My baby is having a baby. Congratulations, even if it wasn't planned."

"Has she told her mothers yet? I hope they don't take it badly." Regina said, wondering if this could ruin such close bonds.

"She's telling them now. Thank you for being the best moms ever." He said, hugging them before his phone vibrated. "It's Lilly." He said and then smiled as he read the messages. "They're happy for us…shoot, I wasn't supposed to tell you that because Mal wants to tease you."

Regina smirked. "Oh, does she? Ha, there's a reason I was called the Evil Queen." She picked up her phone as it rang. "Yes?"

"Well hello to you too, dear." Mal said dryly. "Your son tell you what he did to my daughter?"

"Oh, you mean did he tell us about how your daughter trapped my son?"

There was silence and Mal then started laughing. "Okay, so we know each other too well."

Regina grinned. "Yes, we do. Oh, Emma already put dibs on being called Memaw, and I call Gigi."

"Oh, that's adorable and it works because Belle wants Nana and I want good ole Grandma."

Regina smiled. "Who would have thought that you and I would be having a conversation over what our grandchild would call us?"

Maleficent laughed and then sighed. "It just goes to show you that Emma was right at Christmas. Life goes on."

***End note***

Well, that's it folks. I have a feeling I'll be back with another segment, but I do want to work on my other stories for a while first. I've loved this verse (or whatever you want to call it) so I don't think I can leave it forever. Thank you to everyone who has continued on the journey with me and our ladies. All your comments, reviews, follows, favorites, kudos, everything has been amazing. Like I said, I probably can't leave this forever, so if you have anything you'd like to see, I'm always open for suggestions (though, I can't guarantee I'll use all of them.) Again, thank you all! xoxo