Epilogue: Graduation Day

Emma was standing in line waiting for her name to be called. That was it. Only a few minutes separated her from the diploma now. Her whole family was sat there waiting for the same too. The ceremony had been beautiful, and Emma had to try her best not to cry and ruined her makeup. Belle's speech about their journey through Law School had been beautiful and Emma couldn't help but think about her own journey, that one that led to that moment. And boy what a journey it had been.

After Regina's kiss in the cafeteria, they had become the center of attention. Everybody talked about them, and not only people from her class. Everywhere Emma went she could hear whispers and glances in their direction. She nearly got into a serious fight with a girl, that had a ridiculous Disney Princess name, over a comment she made about Regina. If it wasn't for Mulan holding her back, Emma was sure she would have smashed the girl's face and probably get kicked out of the University. But luckily, Mulan had put herself between Emma and the girl, and when Regina arrived in class and saw the commotion, she politely asked the girl to tell whatever she had to say about her to her face. She didn't and Regina suggested that she took her seat and begun her classes. The whole semester was hell. Emma could handle the comments about her just fine, but when Regina's name was said she always felt like losing her shit. Regina had talked to her about it, several times when they were home. She held Emma on nights when the pressure of everything was just too much for her to handle and she just felt like crying. Emma thought about dropping, just for the semester, just until the gossip mill settled down but Regina didn't let her. She stood by her side for every single moment and didn't let Emma give up. Eventually, the gossip mill had stopped. Things calmed down to the point where no heads were turned when they walked hand in hand in a hallway, there was no more gossip about Emma's past only a comment or two here and there but they were never the mean type.

Killian never came back to classes. He was kicked out of the University the same week Emma and Regina came out. Cora did well in her world to destroy him. She reached out to Belle's father about the motion they were moving against Killian Jones. Cora joined forces with him putting her legal team at their service and covered all the legal fees that were to come out during the whole process. They dug out a lot of dirt on the Jones family. His lawyer was able to discredit Emma as a witness, but the case hit the media and many, many girls came out to tell their story. It was a long process and Emma felt heartbreaking every single time she went to a hearing and listened to the testimony of a girl that he had managed to abuse. He was convicted, fifteen years for sexual assault and possession of illegal substances. The full sentence was to be fulfilled in federal prison without the right of progression and his name was put on the government list of sexual predators. Emma felt a jolt of relief when Regina read the sentence to her. Justice had been made. His father's business went bankrupt and thanks to Cora Mills, the man also went to prison for fraud.

Emma had never left Regina's house. They had remodeled the whole office and opened space for both Emma and Regina. Emma now had a proper place to study in the mansion and Regina still had a proper place to work. And then one day she received a call from her landlord telling her she wouldn't be able to go to the apartment for two weeks. A pipe had broken down on the building and flooded the wooden floors. Regina and Henry were in the kitchen when she entered the room. Henry was sat on the island chopping carrots while Regina was putting the pasta on the pot. They were having a stir fry that evening. Emma crashed down onto the chair and sighed.

- God damn it – Emma said – I can't go to my place for two weeks. It's flooded.

- I don't even know why you still keep that place – Regina said turning around – When was the last time you went there anyway?

- Is that your way of asking me to move in, Mills? – Emma said.

- Move-in? – Henry asked – You still don't live here? I thought you lived here! Doesn't she live here?

- Well, I mean… Not officially I guess. – Emma said.

- What are you waiting for? – Henry asked – An invitation?

- Yes, Kid – Emma said and looked at Regina – That's exactly what I'm waiting for!

- Miss Swan, would be so kind and bring over your last two pairs of jeans into the house and live with us already? – Regina said.

- Hey, be nice! – Emma warned her.

- Fine! – Regina said and walked to Emma, holding her face between her hands – Emma, will you officially move in with us?

- I thought you would never ask – Emma said smiling and kissed Regina.

- You know, with the money you'll save up from rent, you could use it to buy me a ring.

- Oh, very smooth, Regina.

- You asked me to marry you and I said yes – Regina said – The question is, where is my ring?

- Will you just chill woman? – Emma said – It's coming, I promise!

When the two weeks were up, the three of them went to the apartment to pick up the rest of Emma's stuff. True be told, there wasn't much left. Most of the furniture belonged to the landlord and the little that was actually hers she ended up selling. Henry took his stuff from his bedroom and by nightfall, Emma was officially living together with Regina and Henry.

And then Regina started to, not discretely at all, drop little comments about the lack of a ring on her finger. Once, Emma had poured herself and Henry a coke and forgot to use a coaster on the coffee table while they were playing. When Regina came in and cleaned up the mess they made, she was sure she would have her head for the ring mark on the furniture, but instead, she said:

- Oh look – Regina said – Even the coffee table has a ring and I don't.

She left the room leaving Emma shocked and her mouth open.

- Oh my God, Emma – Henry said next to her on the couch – When are you giving her that ring?

- It's coming, Kid – Emma said – I just have to sign some papers and then I can go pick it up!

- Sign papers? – Henry asked – I thought you were supposed to do that after you give the ring, not before!

Truth be told, Emma found the perfect ring for Regina one week ago. It was a silver ring made of white gold with a single diamond on top. It was beautiful and elegant and very expansive. Emma couldn't afford it without taking money from her college fund and she did not want to do that and so, she made the decision of selling the bug. It broke her heart to do it, but it was for a good cause. Regina was worth it. She was just waiting for the sale papers to be signed and the money transfer to her account before picking up the ring.

- Hey, can I have your car for the day? – Emma asked one morning while they were having breakfast before school.

- Sure! – Regina said – What happened to yours?

- I'm taking to the shop before going to classes – Emma said – Old car, you know. She breaks a lot!

- Okay! – Regina said – Come and find me after classes and I'll give you the keys.

- Thanks! What time do you want me to pick you up? – Emma asked.

- I'll take an Uber back home – Regina said – It's no bother.

Emma left the house before them that morning and delivered the bug to the new owner. He was a nice old man who liked classic cars. It broke her heart a little bit when she saw her beloved yellow bug go. She found Regina after classes that day (She only had her for the first period) and she gave her the Mercedes keys. Emma drove to pick up Henry at school and together they went to the jewelry store to pick up the ring.

- When are you proposing? – Henry asked when they back in the car.

- Technically, I already did! – Emma laughed.

- So, you are just going to give her the ring? – Henry asked confused.

- Nah! – Emma said – I'll wait for the perfect moment and then I'll propose. Again!

And so, Emma walked around the house for a whole week with the ring inside the pocket of whatever she was wearing that day. She kept waiting to find the perfect moment to propose but no moment seemed good enough, special enough for her. Until one weekend where Henry went out to spend the weekend at his grandparent's house. Emma and Regina had dinner together and then decided to have a drink in the backyard. Regina sat down on the bench with a glass of wine and Emma laid her head on Regina's lap looking up the stars.

- You know, when I was a kid I used to look up at the sky and wish I was one of the stars high above – Emma said.

- Really? – Regina asked running her fingers on Emma's hair.

- Yes! I wanted to be up there and vanish. Be one of those shining dots far away.

- I'm sorry you felt like that – Regina said softly.

- It's okay – Emma said and smiled up at her – You know why?

- Why?

- Because I can no longer imagine living in a world where you are not in it – Emma said and rose from Regina's lap – Because if I was up there, I wouldn't have met you and I would live the rest of my life not being complete.

Regina smiled lovingly at her and just like that, she found the perfect moment. She put her hand inside the jacket pocket to make sure the ring was, in fact, still there and then Emma bent down on her knee right in front of Regina who looked at her completely surprised and mouth slightly open.

- You complete me, Regina. You had my whole heart from the very first second, I laid eyes on you – Emma said and reached inside the pocket, opening the ring box in front of Regina.

- Emma…

- Regina Mills – Emma said smiling at Regina – Will you marry me?

- Yes! – Regina said crying – Yes, I will marry you.

Regina launched herself on top of Emma and made her lose her balance. They both end up on the floor but neither one of them cared. Regina kissed Emma for a long time before getting off of her. Emma took the ring out of the box and slid it on Regina's finger who kept looking at it with one of the most beautiful smiled Emma have ever seen on her. The ring suited Regina so perfectly that for a moment, Emma thought the person who did it was thinking of her. They made slow, gentle love that night with Regina wearing nothing but the ring.

The happiness over the engagement, however, only lasted until Regina find out Emma had sold the bug to buy the ring. She was furious at Emma for selling the car. She tried to say it was just a car and that it was old and that soon enough she would buy a new one, but Regina wasn't having it. Five days after their engagement, on one fine Saturday morning, Regina asked Emma and Henry to care for the grass in the front yard because she wanted to plant flowers, and then, she went out. Emma did exactly what Regina asked for, not wanting to upset the brunette any further. She and Henry had been out there for two hours pulling out grass when she heard the familiar noise of her bug engine coming down the street. Emma looked at Henry and they both ran outside and that's when she saw her beloved yellow bug coming up the street with Regina behind the wheels. Emma wasn't really sure what had shocked her the most, seen her car again or Regina driving it.

- If you ever fucking sell that car again, I will divorce you, Emma Swan – Regina said when she was in front of Emma handing her the key.

- Technically, we are not married yet – Emma said and then looked at the serious face Regina was giving her – If I die, the car comes with me.

- Good girl – Regina said.

- How did you even find it? – Emma asked.

- I got the sale papers from your desk – Regina said – Nearly paid double of what you sell it for.

- Seriously? – Emma asked – I'll pay you back!

- Don't you dare! – Regina said – I'm just happy she's home again.

And then the whole wedding planning had begun. Regina didn't want to wait and Emma totally understood why. Cora wanted the wedding to take place in one of the hotels, a big lavish wedding full of people but that wasn't what they wanted at all. Both Emma and Regina wanted a small wedding with only the people they loved and not a place full of people they have never even seen in their lives. They married four months later in Cape Cod, right outside the beach house.

The ceremony happened on the beach. The setup was absolutely stunning all in white with red roses and lights everywhere. The pathway from the beach house to the gazebo was made with wood floors and covered in white carpet. Regina did not want to get married with her feet on the sand (Or look shorter than Emma). Henry walked Emma down the aisle where she waited for Regina to come to her. It took everything in her not to cry when she saw Regina in her wedding dress. Henry Sir walked her down the aisle and gave her hand to Emma. The minister started the ceremony and shortly after that, they said their vows. Emma cried so much at Regina's vows that she had trouble saying her own. The sun was setting when they slid their wedding rings onto their fingers. The sky was painted in bright red and orange with shades of blue as if God himself was blessing that union. When the minister said you may kiss each other, Emma launched herself on top of Regina not caring about their family and friends' witnessing such a kiss. She was her wife now.

The wedding party took place at the beach house. The porch was also decorated in white and red roses with Christmas lights everywhere. The buffet they had hired had the most delicious food and the drinks just kept on coming. They had their first dance right there on the porch just like they had on New Year last year. But now Regina was her wife and Emma just loved the sound of it. Wife!

The surprise truly came at two in the morning when Emma found Cora sat down on the stairs talking freely with an old friend of Emma who still worked for Gold. Elsa was a good friend, a very decent girl who helped Emma out through many hard times. She was the one who encouraged Emma to apply to law school. She introduced her to Regina a few months back, Emma was very nervous about introducing someone from her past life to her fiancé, but Regina was simply amazing. She told Emma to invite her for dinner and made her signature lasagna dish. They had a wonderful night together, sharing funny stories like the day they had gone out for breakfast and Emma spilled cocoa all over herself because she was staring at a brunette's ass. As it turns out, the brunette was actually Regina and they were both in shock by the fact. That happened one year before they even met.

- Hey – Regina said – Is that Elsa talking to my mom?

- Yep! – Emma said – They seem really engrossed in a conversation.

- So, you apply that – Emma heard Cora's voice sad – And it gets hot? Doesn't that hurt?

- Oh my God – Emma said eyes widened – Come on, babe. Let's go!

- What? Why? – Regina asked.

- Trust me, babe. That's a conversation you do not want to hear.

Regina looked at Emma suspicious but followed her out to the porch anyway. It was nearly four in the morning when they went to bed. They were both exhausted and only able to catch a few hours of sleep before Regina's parents drive them out to the airport. They were going to New York where they would go on a cruise to the Caribbean.

Emma was completely mesmerized when they walked inside the ship. There was a whole world inside that floating thing. Everything was so ridiculously beautiful that Emma had to stop at every corn to look at something. They had a room with a big round sea view that Emma pretty much enjoyed pressing Regina against it while having her fingers buried deep inside her.

What Emma did not like, however, was the heads turning in Regina's direction every time she rose from the sun lounger and walked to the bar to get a drink. That was a real nightmare. They had a gala one night at the ship, and when they both walked into the salon, many heads were turned in their direction. Regina took the lead and spun Emma around on the dance floor like a Princess. It was wonderful and the celebration in their cabin with Regina between her legs was even better.

The whole honeymoon was heaven to Emma. The best part of all was when they met someone new and she introduced Regina as her wife. Calling Regina her wife was the best sound in the whole world and Emma used every opportunity to say it. She was sad when the trip came to an end, but she was also happy to go back home with her wife to their son.

One year after they married, Cora offered Emma an internship in the office. Emma was very tempting to say yes, and she would if it wasn't for the other offer she received from the tutelary council. To her surprise, Emma had loved corporative law, but there was just something about the other offer that she couldn't let go of. Maybe it was because she would work with foster kids, as an orphan herself, Emma thought she could make a real difference in the world if she took the job.

- I mean I like corporate law – Emma said lying in bed – And the money is good. It would be enough to help pay for my tuition.

- Emma, we are not having this conversation again – Regina said putting applying cream to her legs – I am paying for the rest of your graduation and that is final.

- Don't you think you should put that money into Henry's college fund?

- Henry has more than enough money in it for him to go anywhere he wants – Regina said and walked to the bed – Besides, I already transferred the tuition fee to automatic debt into my account.

- You have? – Emma asked – How the hell did you do that?

- Perks of being married!

- Thank you – Emma said – I mean it.

- You don't have to thank me for that – Regina said – You are my wife, Emma Swan-Mills. I am more than happy to do that.

- It's a lot of money, babe.

- Thank God we have plenty! – Regina said – So, work for my mom or go to the tutelary council. It's your choice. Free choice.

Emma took the job at the tutelary council. It hit her too close to home at first but Emma was happy to help make a difference. Every time she worked on an adoption file that helped a kid to find a new home, her heart rested at ease at night. Until one day they got a call about a baby who was abandoned on the side of the freeway. The child's start in life was much similar to her own and Emma drove personally to the police department to take the kid. When she held the baby in her arms her heart was filled with something she couldn't describe. The baby had brown eyes and a little bit of blonde hair and she simply looked like a perfect mix of herself and Regina. When the baby held Emma's finger and didn't let go, she knew she was taking her home.

She told Regina about the baby girl and on the very next day they went together to the tutelary council. Regina fell in love with the baby the moment she was put in her arms and they initiated the adoption process that very same day. Because Emma worked there, they released the baby to come home with them. It was a long process but six months later, Veronica Swan-Mills was officially theirs. Not that anybody called her Veronica. She was their little Roni.

One night, after a particularly long day at both University and work, Emma arrived home and the first thing she heard after opening the door was the loud sound of her baby girl crying. She took off her coat and boots before heading upstairs, but when she was halfway up the stairs, the crying had stopped. She walked to her daughter's room and found Regina with Roni in her arms singing a lullaby. Emma leaned against the door frame and just watched Regina gently rocking their daughter in her arms. The whole scene was simply too precious for words and Emma wished she could capture that moment and put it in a box so she could live it over and over and over again.

- Hey – Regina said when she turned around – How long have you been there?

- Hi – Emma said back softly – Not long. She loves your voice!

- Yeah, she knows it's her mommy's voice, don't you baby girl? – Regina said looking at the baby, with a childlike voice.

- I love you two so much – Emma said smiling at Regina.

- We love you too – Regina said back and then looked at Roni with the same childlike voice and said – And I think mom should come closer and give her girls a kiss, don't you think so?

Emma smiled at them and walked inside the room kissing Regina on the lips before kissing the top of Roni's head. She loved her baby smell, and part of her wished she would stay like that forever.

- Where is Henry? – Emma asked.

- He is having a sleepover tonight – Regina said – And Daddy is picking him up tomorrow for his riding lesson.

Henry loved having a baby sister, he always helped to care for her and not even once complained about been awaken in the middle of the night by her cries. Her grandparents and aunt loved her to the core, and believe it or not, that teeny tiny little thing had Cora Mills wrapped around her little finger. And Roni loved her grandmother, she always asked for Cora by lifting up her arms and closing and opening her little hands.

The relationship between Cora and Regina blossomed too. Cora really did make an effort to change and even though the old Cora was still in there every time she criticized an outfit, they hardly ever took offense by it. Sometimes it was even amusing. Many times she and Regina stayed in bed before a party Cora was throwing deciding what they could possibly wear that would trick a comment out of the older woman. They even made a bet out of it.

Zelena and Chad married too. Their party though was ridiculously extravagant. It happened at the New York family hotel and it lasted the whole weekend. Chad and Zelena often came to the house for dinner where they would share good drinks, excellent food, and amazing laughs. About six months before Emma's graduation Zelena went to the house to have dinner with them. Chad was out of town in business and everything made Zelena nauseous.

- Do you really need to use olives, Gina? – Zelena said – That's disgusting.

- What are you talking about? – Regina said – You love olives.

- Only in my martinis! – Zelena said back – God that is making me sick!

- Zelena, how often do you get sick lately? – Emma asked.

- Every blurry morning for a month now – Zelena said – I think I might be coming down with something.

- Oh, sis, you are definitely coming down with something – Regina said with a huge smile – When was the last time you had your period?

- I don't know, I… – Zelena said and stopped – No, that's impossible!

- Is it? – Emma asked with a raised eyebrow.

- Well, I mean, technically no, but… - Zelena said and looked at Regina – Do you think I might be…

- Pregnant? – Regina finished for her – I think that's possible, yes!

- Oh my God!

- Emma, honey, do you mind going to the pharmacy and buy a pregnancy test? – Regina asked

- Nope! – Emma said smiling – I'll be right back.

- Bring as many as you can find! – Zelena asked.

Emma drove to the pharmacy and bought ten different brands of the pregnancy test. When she arrived at the mansion, Zelena grabbed them from her hand and ran to the bathroom. Over twenty minutes later, they all have the same results. Zelena was pregnant. They celebrated that very same night. They were going to be aunties. Later that night, when they were in bed, after a night of passion, Emma looked at Regina and said:

- I want to have more children!

- Me too – Regina said smiling back at her – I love having children and I love being a mother.

- You are a wonderful mother, babe!

- So are you, my love – Regina said – But I don't want to wait long. I don't want Roni to have such a huge age difference as she does with Henry.

- I don't want to wait either – Emma said – Maybe we can discuss that again after my graduation?

- Yes, of course – Regina said – I can't believe you are graduating in six months!

- Oh my God, me neither – Emma said - It just seems so surreal that I did it.

- It doesn't to me – Regina said – You are so intelligent, Emma. You have no idea what you truly are capable of.

- That because of you – Emma said.

- No, Emma. The merit is all yours.

Emma smiled at Regina and then claimed her wife's body for the second round of pleasure.

The line moved forward again and now Emma's name was even closer to be called. She looked at the side and saw Regina looking at her in line. She blew a kiss at Emma who grabbed in air and held it to her heart. Emma saw Regina mouthing 'I love you' and Emma mouthed 'I love you more' even before Regina had finished. They called up one more name and the line moved again. Emma could hardly believe that was actually happening. It was over. She did it. She graduated from law school. She was so proud of herself for finishing it, for not running away, for not giving up. She would miss the campus. She would miss going to classes and seen Belle and Mulan every morning. They had become such good friends to her. She was even surprised to find out Mulan had a crush on her. Emma truly had no idea, she didn't even notice but then again, she didn't notice much apart from Regina. She was dating a girl named Aurora now and Belle had got herself into a master's degree program. Always the scholar, that one. Emma was going to miss all of that, with all of her heart but she was more than happy to close that chapter of her life and soon begin a new one. She was officially hired to work at the tutelar council. The salary wasn't all that much, but she loved the work she was doing.

- Emma Swan- Mills.

The Dean called her name and Emma walked to him and shook his hand before getting her diploma. Her whole family was there, screaming and applauding for her. Regina, her wife, looked so ridiculously beautiful that Emma felt her whole heart melt just to look at her. Henry, her son, was already toping Regina and it wouldn't take long before he was taller than her. He was thirteen now. Their little baby girl was in her grandmother's arms applauding for her mommy even though she had no idea what was happening. Their little Ronica was two years old now. Henry Sir was holding up his phone taking pictures of Emma. Zelena and Chad were there too. Zelena's belly was huge and she was expected to give birth any moment now. They were all there celebrating that moment with her. After shaking everybody's hand and pose up there for the pictures, Emma walked back to her seat. After the ceremony was done, she ran to her family and kissed Regina the second she was close enough to pull her to her arms.

- How does it feel to be a Law School graduate? – Regina asked.

- It feels pretty damn good knowing I won't have to wake up at six every morning – Emma joked.

- You still have to take me to school, Ma! – Henry said next to them.

- That's your mom's job now – Emma said and tried to mess his hair but Henry didn't let her.

- Congratulations, Miss Swan – Cora said – I mean, Mrs. Swan-Mills.

- One of these days, I'm gonna get you to call me Emma – Emma said and then moved to take her daughter from Cora's arms – Hi, baby girl!

- Where are we celebrating? – Henry asked – And can I have pizza?

- You can have anything you want my little Prince – Regina said – Today we are celebrating.

- And where is the celebration again? – Zelena asked.

- Granny's!

- Oh, God – Cora said – Can't we simply go to a nice restaurant? I'll pay!

- Nope! – Emma said – I already called her and asked for a table for seven!

- Can she even fit a table for seven there? – Henry asked.

- Ruby said she'll find a way – Regina said – I believe in her.

- Ugh, Ruby – Emma said and rolled her eyes.

- You can't still possibly be jealous of her – Regina said.

- She keeps flirting with you every time we go there – Emma said – The ring on your finger only made it worse!

- You are seeing things – Regina smiled – Come on! Let's get this celebration to begin.

Emma smiled at her and held Regina's hand. They walked together in the direction of the car with Henry right next to Regina and their baby girl in her arms. Three years ago, Emma had started a new journey in her life. A journey she knew would forever change her. She had no idea where it would lead her, but if you have told Emma back then she would end that journey with a wife and two kids, she would laugh and said you are crazy. That was not for her. Emma Swan was no loving material. But three years later, here she was, graduated from law school, married to the woman who was the love of her life, a mother of two beautiful children, and soon to bring one or two more, and a whole set of in-laws that she loved with all of her heart. She has got everything she ever wanted in life. Her very own happy ending.

THE END


And we come to the end of this story.

And just like for Emma, what a journey that was for me. My first FanFiction.

Thank you so much to each and every one of you who kudo this story, left a comment, and read it without interacting.

I hope you have all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing!

Xoxo

Camila