My New Beginning

Chapter 4 We're Giving a Ball?

Snow, Charming, Henry, Emma, and I sat at the table, eating our breakfast when Snow cleared her throat. We all looked up at her with questionable looks, and she smiled.

"Well, since we are all settled back to our old lives, David and I decided that we the Royal Family should host a ball."

I choked on my eggs, and Emma handed me my glass of fresh apple juice.

"Mom," Emma began, "Why are we hosting a ball?"

Snow answered, "In celebration of you and Regina saving the kingdom…"

I attempted to protest, "Do you know that I haven't danced in a very long time, right?"

"Oh, come on, mom, ma, it will be fun!"

Snow smiled. "I'm so happy someone sees my reasoning."

"Oh yeah, a thirteen-year-old!" I sneered at her.

Snow and I exchanged glares, then Henry asked, "So, when are we having the ball?"

"Tonight."

Emma and I shouted, "Tonight!" then Emma began to ramble, "But, I don't know any of the dances that you do. How am I supposed to fit in when I can't do anything but a waltz? I am going to need someone to help me!"

Snow replied to her opinion, "Well, Regina knows how to dance."

Wait…what?

"She can help you and Henry while I tend the decorations in the ballroom, and your father plans for the proclamations to be sent out."

I know the folk dances, but I can't slow dance! How in hell am I supposed to teach my son and Emma how to slow dance when I can't slow dance myself?

"That would be great, mom!" I turned to look at my son. "You teaching Ma and me how to dance will be so much fun!"

I smiled, stood up, and replied, "Well, follow me, you two. We have some dances to learn before the ball."

Henry and Emma followed me out room and up the stairs. Out of the three of us, I believe Henry was the only excited one while Emma and I dread it. I haven't danced in years, and to tell you the truth. I never slow danced before. I mean…who would ever dance with the Evil Queen?

* * * * *MY NEW BEGINNING* * * * *

I led Henry and Emma to my room and opened the door. I smiled as Emma admired my room with the beautiful Lilac purples, gold accents, my black leather lounge in the far corner of the room, and my vanity with a lilac purple plush bench. I walked to my vanity and picked up my music box. I wound it up and smiled.

"Why don't we start with something you're familiar with Emma?"

I opened up the music box, set it down, and a waltz melody played. Emma took Henry and led him through the waltz. I smiled as I watch my son catch on so quickly.

"Henry, your form is spot on. You are doing amazing."

Henry twirled Emma, and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful Emma looked as she and our son continued the one-two-three rhythms.

"Emma, you look so graceful."

She smiled at me, and I couldn't help but have a strange feeling inside. What is this? The music stopped, and Emma curtsied while Henry bowed. I applauded them.

"Regina, you want to dance the waltz with Henry? It will give him a chance to lead."

Dance…the waltz…are you kidding me? How in the hell am I supposed to waltz when I've never danced it before!

"Hey kid, go wind up the music box. I'll help mom out a bit. I'll get her warmed up for you."

"Okay," Henry ran up to the music box and wound it up.

My heart began to race. I took a deep breath and exhaled.

Emma looked at me, very concerned. "Are you alright?"

"I…" I mumbled, "I never waltzed before."

She smiled and took my hand, "First time for everything."

Emma positioned my hand on her shoulder and held my other in her left. She placed her free hand around my waist.

"I am filling in for the man, so I am sorry if this feels awkward. Now, I will lead. Let your feet do the work."

Henry opened the lid, and the music played. Emma began the one-two-three rhythms and twirled me. I followed her every move, and couldn't help but steal a glance at Henry. He was smiling at how we were enjoying it. Emma and I got lost in each other's gaze many times. We laughed and smiled in each twirl and one two three rhythms. When the music stopped, Emma stopped us. She bowed, and I curtsied.

Emma smiled at me. "You are a natural, your majesty."

I returned the smile. "Thank you, your highness."

We shared a laugh, and Henry said, "You do know I am still here, right?"

Emma and I looked at Henry and laughed some more. Henry took my hands in his.

"Mom, dance with me."

I smiled at him, assumed the stance, Emma wound up the music box, and opened the lid. Henry led me into the dance. He and I exchanged smiles as he twirled me. During the dance, I couldn't help but notice the way Emma looked at me. I felt a stir inside of me that I have never felt before. What the hell is this? What is this feeling? I wonder if Emma was feeling this as well. The music stopped. Henry bowed, and I curtsied. Emma applauded us, and with a flick of my wrist, musical instruments appeared ready to play.

"This dance is one of my favorites," I began with a smile. "I used to dance this one with my father. Every time there was a ball, the people would dance this one. I forgot its name, but I do know that legend has it that it would cure a spider bite. Wait, something is missing in the instruments. Oh, yes!"

I flicked my wrist again, and a tambourine appeared. The music began, and the tambourine started to shake. I started the tutorial.

"Alright, all of us are in a line facing the people watching us. Cross your right foot over your left like this."

We crossed our right foot over our left for the counts of one and two.

"Now, same with the left."

We crossed our left over our right for three and four.

"Repeat those two steps."

We crossed right then left for five, six, seven, and eight.

I smiled because my favorite part has come. "Now, we come to the active part. Place your hands on your hips and kick your right foot low to the ground on one."

They mimicked my action. "Now, place the ball of your right foot on the ground in front of your left foot on two, then hop back onto your left foot on three."

I have to say that Emma and Henry catch on very well. "Same with the left."

We kicked our left foot low to the ground, placed the ball of our left on the ground in front of our right, and hopped back onto our right foot.

"Nice work, you two! Now we will repeat these three more times."

After repeating those moves three times, I instructed, "Henry, I want you to kneel on your right knee with your right arm held up and your left out straight with your palm up."

I corrected his right hand then instructed Emma, "This is where the male and female are spotlighted. The females usually go counterclockwise the same steps we just did, then the males perform the same steps clockwise after we are finished."

Emma and I repeated the steps earlier but in a counterclockwise motion around Henry. When we finished, we stayed in place with our hands on our hips while Henry performed around us. When he finished, I began to instruct the concluding part of the dance.

"We form back in a line and repeat those same steps until the music stops."

We kicked our right foot low to the ground then placed the ball of our right on the ground in front of our left. Then we hopped back onto our left foot, then we kicked our left foot low to the ground, placed the ball of our left on the ground in front of our right, and hopped back onto our right foot. The music finished, and we laughed.

"That was fun!" Henry exclaimed, and Emma chimed in, "Yes, it was!"

"You see why I enjoy folk dances and not the slow ones."

Henry and Emma nodded their heads simultaneously, "Yes!"

I laughed, flicked my wrist, and another upbeat folk song began to play. I instructed Emma and Henry on how to do a Virginia Wheel. As we were weaving around each other, we couldn't help but laugh when I noticed Snow joined in. When the song finished, we were out of breath and laughing at what fun we were having.

"I haven't had this much fun in a long time," Snow took Emma's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

I smiled and commented. "I can't tell you the last time I had this much fun."

I could tell Emma sensed the change in my mood. She took my hand in hers, and I felt her happiness. It made me smile. As long as Emma and Henry were happy, I can't help but be happy. Seeing the smile on my son's face, it brightened me from whatever sadness I felt.

"Oh, Regina," Snow mentally slapped herself, "I didn't think. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it," I waved my hand and the instruments disappeared, "It is all in the past. Besides, I was the one who decided to make myself miserable by holding a grudge. I have myself to blame…"

Emma shook her head. "No, you have your mother to blame. She thought she could control every fiber of your being. She thought she was doing things for your good, but it only hurt you and made you so unhappy."

"Emma, my mother didn't make me hate your mother; that was my own decision. My mother didn't tell me to burn down villages; that was my doing; mine and mine alone."

"Alright, I am tired of this! Stop beating yourself up! What's done is done! Put the past behind you, besides look at what you got right in front of you."

What is she implying?

"What are you saying?"

"Us, Regina!" Emma motioned to herself, and Henry then stormed out to the balcony into her room.

I followed her and called out, "Emma…Emma!"

* * * * *MY NEW BEGINNING* * * * *

We reached her bedroom, and I had to ask, "What the hell was that about?"

"I'm just tired of you making excuses for yourself about your past!"

I hardened my facial expression. "Emma, sit down."

"I'm tired of sitting!"

"Sit!" I raised my voice, and Emma reluctantly cooperated.

I sat on the bed next to her, exhaled, turned to face her, and took her hands in mine. I closed my eyes.

"I want to try something. Tell me if you feel any changes."

I squeezed my hands and concentrated hard on showing Emma how the Evil Queen came to be. I showed her my memories of losing Daniel, marrying Snow's father, who I had no feelings for, satisfying my mother and the people, watch Snow fall in love, and get married. I watched Snow carry a child in her womb when I clearly can't because I took that away with a potion, and how beautiful it felt when I knew I defeated Snow with the dark curse. Emma gasped, and I opened my eyes to see her looking at me.

"It worked didn't it," I stated the obvious then continued, "Emma, I completely understand if…"

Emma took me into an embrace and spoke freely from the heart, "I stand by what I said before. You were dying inside. You never experienced how to be loved unconditionally by anyone until Henry came around. The only family member that truly loved you was your father. You wanted to be accepted for who you are flaws and all. My mother betrayed your trust to your mother, who is psychotic. Yes, my mom was stupid, but she had no idea because everyone is good in a child's eyes. Because of your hurting and the feeling that the world is against you, you decided to fight back only it hurt you in the end even at times you got some satisfaction out of it. Despite all that, you became a wonderful mother to Henry, and you saved the people of Storybrooke from Pan's curse. That, right there, is what I call one hundred percent redeemed. Yes, the Evil Queen will always be a part of you, but she no longer defines you."

I was in tears at this point. My tears of suffering are over, and what fell from my eyes were tears of joy. Here I am in the arms of my friend, the birth mother to my son, and Emma accepts me; flaws and all.

While sobbing, I questioned her, "What did I do to deserve your friendship?"

Emma chuckled then replied, "By being your quick-witted sass-talking self."

We laughed, then I heard Snow call out, "Are you alright?"

We broke the embrace to see Snow and Henry walking into the room. I held out my hand to Henry, and he walked over to us. He sat between Emma and me, and I kissed him on the cheek.

Emma replied, "Yeah, we're alright."

"I'm glad," Snow replied then looked outside at the setting sun, "It is time to get ready. We have a ball to attend!"