Thank you so much for sticking with me and this story. Oh, and there will be some time jumps – Mainly because I want to get the big date over with.

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Chapter 12

The weeks started to go by and in them, things around the home slowly changed. After making sure the house was ready for Olivia, David, Mary, and Izzy headed back home. Cora and Zelena also headed out but checked in on everyone daily. Emma and Regina had moved their stuff out of the apartment and Ruby took over the lease, making Emma glad that her parents wouldn't have to pay some fee for her breaking the lease. Chloe had a choice on using her old nursery as her room or taking over one of the other rooms and she had picked the other room on the same floor as Emma's, but insisted they keep the day bed in the nursery "just in case." On Chloe's first day back at school, Regina, Emma, and Amanda all worked on her room so that when she came home, it was full of her things and all ready for her.

"Thanks again for coming back home, Emma." Amanda said, hugging her daughter.

"To be honest, I'm happy to have an excuse to be back here. I loved the apartment, but I missed all the family time."

They had worked out how they'd do the groceries and things like that, and Amanda reminded them that even though they live there, they didn't have to act like kids again. They were free to come and go as they pleased and plan their own days. Regina had assured both Emma and Amanda that she was fully on board with this and knew that the minute either she or Emma wanted their own place, Amanda and Olivia would understand. There had been talk about knocking the wall down between two of the unused rooms on the second floor to create and 'apartment' like feel and add a small kitchen, living and dining areas, but Emma told them that wasn't necessary.

Olivia was doing better and better every day and after a month, was finally sent home. She was wheelchair bound, but her physical therapist had mentioned more than once that she felt it wouldn't be forever if Olivia kept making the progress she was making. Both Olivia and Regina went to their own therapy for their PTSD and both of them seemed to be mentally healthy as well. Emma had long talks with Regina, assuring her that if she was feeling anything, she was there. Some nights, Regina still had nightmares, but Emma was always there to hold her and remind her she was safe. Regina's arms healed beautifully, and the scars were much more minimal than she ever thought was possible.

Olivia and Regina had a heart to heart when it was clear that Olivia was trying too hard with Regina. "Olivia, you have to stop trying to make things up to me. It wasn't your fault and I don't blame you one bit for what happened. If I'm not allowed to feel guilty for you getting shot, you have to stop feeling guilty for what he did to me."

Olivia sighed and took Regina's hand. "I know you're right, but I had never felt so helpless before. I mean, I felt helpless when Emma was little and Jane had taken her and I felt helpless when Amanda was in the hospital, but I didn't see it happening, so actually seeing him do that to you and not being able to do anything was horrible."

Regina squeezed Olivia's hand. "That's just it, Olivia, you couldn't do anything, and I didn't expect you to. If it makes you feel better for me to say I forgive you, then fine. I forgive you. But you honestly have nothing to feel guilty for and I need you to stop trying to make anything up to me. I want things to go as much back to normal as they can."

"I do too. Regina, you and Emma are still getting married, right?"

"As far as I know." Regina said, chuckling a little. "Unless you know something I don't."

"No, not at all. I just was worried she'd maybe postpone because of this."

"To be fair, we hadn't set a date yet. I'd like it to be this summer though, or maybe fall. I know Emma loves the fall."

Olivia smiled and then sat back. "Emma? Get your butt in here."

Emma came in and Regina couldn't help but think she looked adorable with a sucker stick hanging out of her mouth. "What did I do?"

"Nothing." Olivia said with a laugh. "Come sit down; we need to pick out a date for your wedding."

"Mama, you gotta be in here too." Emma called out and Amanda came in. "Mom said we have to pick out a wedding date."

The four gathered around the calendar and after calls to Cora and Mary, it was decided the wedding would be on Saturday September 20th. It was technically still summer, but it was two weeks before Chloe would be starting school, so if they did take a honeymoon (something the two had to wait and see if Regina could get time off for) they'd be home before her first day.

"Where are we having it?" Emma asked, getting a note book out and writing the date. "Any place special you've ever wanted your wedding?" She asked Regina. "Because like…I want to do this, I really, really do, but if there's special places and stuff, maybe we should wait a year so we can save…I don't even have a job yet."

Olivia looked at Amanda and nodded and the blonde cleared her throat. "Emma, honey, your mom and I are paying for the wedding."

"What? No, you can't…"

"We can and we are." Olivia said. "Once your mom and dad decided to pay for your education, we decided to keep your savings in your name. Yes, we gave you some when you needed it, and I admit, we may have taken some a few times we needed it, but we put it back and saved it. We talked the night you got engaged and decided it would pay for your wedding, including your dress. Well, if you decide to wear a dress – whatever clothes you decide to wear. Also, Alex is ordained and once she heard you were engaged, she called and asked that we let you know she'd love to officiate it."

Emma smiled, tears in her eyes. "Moms, you really…I mean, what if you need that money now?"

"We won't. Anything medically for me is covered from the victims fund the city has, just like with Regina." Olivia stated.

"What about Preston's school?"

"Emma don't worry. We wouldn't do this if we couldn't."

"Thanks, moms." She said, going and hugging them. "I don't mean to be rude, but can I ask how much there is? Just so I know what budget we have?"

"It's not rude. You have a budget of $30,000. What ever you don't use towards the wedding is yours for whatever you want."

"Moms, that's…so much." She looked at Regina. "We just planned a small wedding."

"That's fine, Ems, use the rest for a honeymoon or a family vacation for the three of you. Whatever you want."

"Regina, you could use some for your dress."

Regina smiled softly. "Actually, I'm going to wear my mother's wedding dress. It's been beautifully preserved and has come back in style. She was over the moon when I asked her about it." She looked at Amanda and Olivia. "Plus, she gave me $20,000 for the wedding." She bit her lip. "Emma, I know we haven't exactly talked about this, but when we were in high school and I daydreamed about our wedding do you know where I pictured it?"

"Where?" Emma asked, smiling at the thought that Regina had thought about it all those years before.

"Here. The back yard is perfect and we did want to keep it small with just family and close friends." She looked at Olivia and Amanda. "We wouldn't need you two to do anything. We'd hire a wedding planner to help with decorations, a caterer for food, even those really nice quality porta-potties so people don't have to come inside. We'll get a large tent so even if it rains, it can be outside with the walls closed and if it's nice, we'll leave them open. We'll pay you just like we would any venue…"

"Regina, that sounds perfect." Emma said, taking her hand. "Moms, is that okay?"

Olivia smiled, unshed tears in her eyes. "It's perfect. You don't have to pay us at all, but it will be nice to not have to do anything but enjoy the day."

"Then that's all you'll do." Emma said with a nod. "Great, so we have a date and a venue, now we just need a planner, DJ, caterer, dresses, a guest list. Gods this is exhausting."

Regina chuckled. "We don't need it all tonight, baby, but I think we should focus on the guest list for sure. Then we'll have numbers for the caterer."

"That's for you two to figure out." Olivia said. "But, I know a few old work pals of mine that would love to come."

"Fin, Nick, and Carisi for sure will be invited, Mom. Barba too and of course, if it's okay with Regina, Alex can officiate."

"Yes, it's okay. I think we should call her to make sure the date works for her."

"Do you have her number?" Emma asked and got it from Regina. She dialed it with a smile. Alex had always been one of her favorite people ever since she was that little five-year-old who was scared with where her life was going. "Alex? It's Emma." She chuckled. "Yes, Fred. Mom said you offered to officiate the wedding for Regina and me? We'd love that. We're planning September 20th; will that work for you? Great! Save that date and we'll talk more as it comes closer. Okay, I will. Thanks, Alex." Emma hung up and looked at Olivia. "She wants you to call her and set up a lunch date for the three of you." She then looked at Regina. "She is free that day."

"Great. Let's start a list."

Amanda and Olivia left Emma and Regina to it and headed to the living room. Olivia sighed and sat back after shifting from her wheelchair to the sofa. "Well, at least Emma won't have to worry about a special dance with me or me walking her down the aisle."

Amanda took Olivia's hand. "If I know Emma, she will still do something special with you. Besides, maybe you will be walking by then, Liv."

"Maybe." She looked at Amanda. "If I never walk again though, do you still want to be with me?"

Amanda felt tears in her eyes as she gazed at her wife. "Even if you were bedridden, I'd still want to be with you. I love you so much. Liv."

"I love you, too. I'm sorry I got a little self-pitying there."

"You're allowed." She smiled, then got a little sad. "You do realize that about a week after we have this wedding, we'll be saying goodbye to Preston as he goes to college?"

"I know. Amanda, we can afford to fly out with him, right?"

"Yes, baby. I just don't know if he'll want that."

"I don't care. I'm not saying goodbye to my baby boy at the airport unless it's him saying goodbye to us as we leave."

Amanda smiled. "I agree with you."

Emma looked up at Regina after counting the names and the plus one's. "Is this really it? 37 people?"

Regina chuckled. "We said small; just friends and family. Wait, didn't Ella and her husband Thomas have twins?"

"Right, so 39 people." Emma said with a laugh. "This almost makes me want to invite some of Chloe's friends and their parents just so we can get it to fifty."

"Well, are there any mom friends you have that you could invite?"

Emma shrugged. "I mean, her friend Marnie's mom Julia has been helpful in the past, but I'm not sure we're friends. Is it weird to invite your daughter's friends to your wedding so she has kids to play with?"

Regina chuckled. "Um, considering most brides don't have kids, it's maybe a little different, but it's also not a bad idea."

"Maybe I'll ask her what three friends she'd like to invite and have an awkward conversation with their parents."

"There's time, love. I think we tell the caterers 50 though, just so we know we have enough. You know what the great thing about having a small wedding is though? We can do so much more if we want. We can have actual good food and not just mediocre wedding food. We will have an intimate setting; we could even look into a live band."

"Or, we can have kick ass food, an intimate setting, and get a DJ and spend the money on the honeymoon. I mean, even if you can't get time off right then or I can't if I'm hopefully working, we can save it and go later."

"I like that idea." Regina said, leaning over and kissing Emma.

Over the next couple months, Emma's full-time job was wedding planning as Regina went back to work. She looked for jobs, but Regina assured her that they'd be fine if she waited until after the wedding. Emma felt weird not working or going to school, so she found other ways to pass her time. She helped Olivia with her home therapy and became active in Chloe's school's PTA. She talked to David and Mary Margaret about the dates and her siblings to be sure they would all save the date and not make other plans. Her brothers would still be in town, so she didn't have to worry about getting them back from school. She planned a day to go with her mom and sister to pick out Izzy's dress. "Being it's a fall themed wedding, I was thinking that the girls have some kind of orange in their dresses. Chloe's dress is white with a burnt orange trim and belt, but I figured it was too childish for you, Iz. I mean if I'm wrong, I can get one in your size." She showed her sister the picture and her sister kind of looked at her.

"It's pretty, and it'll look great on Chloe, but it's too girlie for me." She bit her lip and Emma wondered if she was wanting to ask her something.

"Honey just ask her. She won't get mad." Mary said, nudging her youngest daughter.

"Iz, you can ask me anything."

"Well I was wondering how you'd feel if I didn't wear a dress. I…I was looking at these suites and I like them so much." She said, holding her phone out to Emma.

Emma smiled and looked at the pictures. "You know what's great about those? That one right there are the ones I want my brothers to wear." She pointed to the white suites with the dark orange shirt. "Would you want to match them? We can still make it a special day and get you sized, but then it's rented, so if you'd rather get something you can keep, we can do that too."

"You really don't mind?"

"Not at all, Iz. I think it would look cute since you're walking down with Chloe. Besides, I'm still not sure on what I'm doing. One day I want a suite, the next, I want a big frilly dress." Emma chuckled. "So I told my moms I'd go dress shopping and if I find something, great, if I don't, it means I go for a suite."

"Do you know when you're going?" Mary asked lightly.

"When ever you have a weekend off so you can come with." Emma smiled. "I want all my moms there and my sister, if you want to be there. Ruby, Chloe, Mal, Zelena, and Cora all want to come as well. Zelena and Cora said they can help make sure my dress doesn't clash with Regina's. Oh, did I tell you she's wearing her mother's wedding dress? I can't wait to see it."

"That's so sweet. I wish I still had mine, but we used my wedding dress to make a baby baptismal gown when I was pregnant with you."

"That's really sweet." Emma said with a smile. They then set up a time to go wedding dress shopping and Izzy decided she'd go with her dad and brothers when they got fitted for their suites.

Regina went to her mothers and tried her dress on after work one day. It was beautiful, but a little big around the waste. "We'll get that taken in." Cora said and stood back, tears in her eyes. "You look beautiful." The dress was a sleeved off the shoulder cut with a simple floor length skirt all silk with beautiful lace covering it. There were a few rhinestones here and there, with more around the center of Regina's bust area.

"Thanks, mom." Regina said, admiring the white silk and lace. "I hope it's not too hot because I love these sleeves and they cover the marks that are still there, even if they are faint."

"They do detach if you feel too warm. The end of September could be really hot or have a nice chill in the air. Is there anything I can do to help, Regina?"

"We've got it all covered, mom, but thank you." She bit her lip. "Is it wrong that I'm not inviting dad?"

"Honey, I've told you that if you want him there, you invite him."

"He hasn't reached out at all since you left him. I mean, if he wanted me in his life, he'd have reached out by now."

"You're right and this is your wedding. You don't have to be the one to reach out on your day, unless you want to. However, I wouldn't even know where to start to find him."

"Then I won't." Regina said with a smile. "Do you have a recommendation on where to go to get this fitted?"

"I can do it." Cora said, going around and pinning the dress back. "I can sew, in case you forgot."

"I did forget, actually." Regina said, watching her mother in the mirror. "I can't believe I'm finally marrying Emma. I fucked up so much that I thought I'd never get this chance."

Cora smiled softly. "I'm so happy for you, Regina, and honestly I think this was how it was supposed to be. You both needed your space to grow and you did and still ended up together."

"I feel so lucky. Mom, she's been so great with everything. I've had nightmares and moments where I'm back there and she's right there, bringing me to the present, holding me and reminding me that I'm safe."

"Because she loves you, baby. I'm so glad you have each other."

SQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQ

Emma stepped into the dress and grinned as the woman tightened and tied up the back. She honestly never thought she'd go for princess, but damn, she loved this dress. It was the fourth one she was trying that day, and, in her mind, this was it. However, she cared about what the others – especially Olivia thought, so she really hoped she would like it. It was an off the shoulder cut top that fitted tight to her waste where it then bloomed out into a princess cut floor length skirt. It was silk with layers of mesh over it and spotted with rhinestones throughout the skirt. She really hoped Zelena wouldn't tell her it would clash with Regina's.

Emma took a deep breath and stepped out to her group. Gasps could be heard as they all looked at her and Olivia already had tears in her eyes as she watched her daughter get up on the pedestal. They put a veil on her, and Emma turned to look at them. "Well?"

"Oh Mommy, you look like a real princess!" Chloe said, making the others nod in agreement.

"Emma, it's beautiful. You're beautiful." Mary said, dabbing at her tears.

"Does it clash with Regina's?" She asked Cora and Zelena and let out a breath when they shook their heads.

"Not at all, honey, it'll look good next to hers." Cora assured her.

Emma looked at Amanda and Olivia. "Well?"

"I'm speechless." Amanda said, emotion filling her throat.

"What do you think, Emma?" Olivia asked, seeing her five-year-old baby in front of her playing dress up.

"I love it." Emma admitted. "Do you, mom?"

Olivia gave a nod. "It's everything I ever imagined you getting. It's so much like the dress up wedding dress you had when you were little."

"You really like it?"

"Yes, baby girl, but what's important is if you like it."

"I do."

"Then that's the one."

Emma smiled wide. "This is it. This is the one."

After a round of hugs were given, Emma went to Olivia and sat next to her, hugging her tightly. She knew Olivia was upset that she couldn't stand and go to her like everyone else, so Emma held her even longer. "I love you so much, mom."

"I love you too, baby girl." Olivia said, cupping her cheeks. "My beautiful little princess."

SQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQ

The rehearsal dinner was going amazingly well. Emma loved catching up with Alex, Nic, Fin, even Dr. West who came that night since she wouldn't make it the next day. Also there were Emma's biological parents and siblings, Amanda, Olivia, and Preston, Ruby, Mal, Zelena and Cora. They were in the tent set up at the Benson house and everyone was having a good time.

David stood and cleared his throat. "I talked with your moms earlier and figured if we all did speeches tomorrow the food would get cold; so Mary and I offered to do our speeches tonight." He smiled at Emma who took Regina's hand, knowing this could get emotional. "The day I found out I was going to be a dad was the best day of my life. The day we lost you was the worst. I remember thinking how we'd never see your firsts; first words, first steps, first haircut, first day of school, last day of school, first dance, first love, first heart break. It wasn't until three years later that I realized I'd miss your wedding as well. I'd miss seeing my baby girl start the next journey in her life. The day we found you; the day we were allowed into your life, I realized I didn't miss that yet. I missed a lot of things, but I didn't miss this, I won't miss your wedding day. Emma, I am so proud of the woman you have become. You've survived through more tragedy than any one person should have to, and you've kept such a good personality while doing it. Regina, I've had the pleasure of watching you grow as well and again, I couldn't be prouder. I know you didn't have the greatest experiences in life either, but you persevered and come out better for it. I couldn't imagine a better partner for my daughter to spend the rest of her life with; and believe me, I know it will be the rest of your lives. I think that you two will be able to make anything work. Sure, you'll have arguments like any couple, but I believe the two of you will be respectful of each other and work through them." He held his glass up. "To Emma and Regina; may the years ahead of you bring nothing but happiness and love."

Everyone toasted and took a drink and Emma stood and hugged her father. "Thanks, Daddy." She said, using the term she only used when filled with emotion for her father.

Mary stood and smiled. "My turn. My speech is going to be a little different." She smiled over at Olivia and Amanda and then looked back at Regina and Emma. "The two of you remind me so much of two other amazing women I've had the honor to meet. Regina, you are down to earth, respectful, you have this hidden sense of humor and fun and you know when to let it out. You're so much like Olivia in all the good ways possible. Emma, you are open minded, good hearted, funny as heck, and aim to make others happy much like Amanda. Sure, you each have qualities from both, but really, you're like miniature versions of Olivia and Amanda and you should be proud." She turned to Olivia and Amanda. "When we found out about Emma, my biggest fear was that you wouldn't allow us into her lives, and the this was, I got that. I'd have totally understood even if it would have broken my heart. But you weren't like that at all; you gave Emma the choice and put her first. You two have done such an amazing job with Emma and I don't think you give yourselves enough credit. You took, what I understand to have been a broken, scared little girl and you've both made her into this incredible woman, and you have yourselves to thank for that." She then looked at Cora. "And Cora, you basically raised Regina and Zelena on your own and you have the best daughters anyone could ask for. You helped form Regina into the perfect partner for Emma, the best stepmother for Chloe, and the best daughter in law for all of us." She focused back on the women of the hour. "Emma, I'm so happy for you to have found Regina. I know we're kind of grazing over the past, and I don't mean to bring it up in a bad way, but I honestly feel that this was the only way it would work. You guys got to grow up and become who you are without the pressure of a relationship and you still ended up where you're supposed to be. Regina, I happily welcome you and am glad that you will be the one with my daughter and my granddaughter." She raised her glass. "To happiness, love, and health."

They all toasted again, and Emma went and gave her mother a hug. "I love you, mom."

"I love you too." Mary whispered.

Regina hugged both David and Mary but stayed standing. "I just wanted to say thank you to both of you. I don't know if people understand just how nerve wracking it is to be with someone who has four parents." She chuckled along with everyone else. "But I feel blessed to know all of you and love all of you. Thank you so much for forgiving me and accepting me and welcoming me into your family."

There were more cheers and Regina sat down. Emma looked around. "Am I supposed to give a speech?"

Olivia chuckled. "Only if you want to. You can wait until tomorrow if you want."

"I mean, I've been so nervous about my vows, I didn't plan a speech for tonight, I thought it would be tomorrow night." She looked at her parents. "I'll save moms for tomorrow, but since you said the wonderful things you said, I'll do my best with yours. Thank you for never once making me choose between you guys and my moms. Thank you for all your support through everything that has happened since I met you. I honestly couldn't ask for better parents than the four I already have…and the in law I'm soon going to have." She said smiling at Cora and then looked back at David and Mary. "I…I remember being young and being told you guys hated me so much you threw me away. As I grew, I had such mixed emotions where you were concerned. Why didn't they love me? Why didn't they want me? What did I do wrong?" Emma took a breath, wiping her tears. "Then as I grew it was Why do I care? Part of me wanted to let go of the hurt and anger while the other part of me just couldn't. I'm not saying this to make you feel guilty; I know now it wasn't your fault. I'm saying this because when I was told that my parents had been found, I had so many mixed emotions. I was excited, scared, anxious and a bit curious. I'm so glad I decided to meet you, so glad you gave me the opportunity. I am sorry for what happened, sorry I was taken from you…but at the same time, I wouldn't be here, wouldn't be with Regina, wouldn't have Chloe or my moms or Preston. I'm so blessed to have you in my life now, blessed to have you here for all the major things in my life really. I love you both so much and I'm so glad to have you here. Sorry if that sucked, but I was caught off-guard." She said with a chuckle.

"Oh Emma, it was perfect." Mary said, coming over and hugging her daughter, followed by David. "We love you so much."

Emma sat down and smiled as Regina took her hand. "That was beautiful baby." Regina said and the two kissed.

"Well, I think we should all be calling it a night so we're ready for tomorrow." Cora said and the group agreed.

Emma couldn't wait until the next day, until she got to say 'I do' to Regina.