Thank you so much for this journey with this story. I took this prompt and I'm so glad I did because this was unlike any other story I've done. I'm glad you all enjoyed it as much as I did.

The conclusion

Chapter 10

Over the next few months, the Nolan's were adjusting to their new lives. Emma loved having a family and a home, but always felt like she was about to do something wrong to make it all go away and therefore, was almost consistently nervous. Mary and David saw this and did everything they could think of to assure her that wasn't going to happen, but to no avail. Emma was so scared; she'd sometimes get sick over it and that broke Mary and David's hearts.

"I just don't know how else to tell her that we're not giving her back." Mary sighed, sipping on her tea. "The poor kid gets headaches and stomach aches over all of it. She's scared if there's something out of place in her room, if she's loaded the dishwasher right, if she's sweeping right. For crying out loud, what did her past parents do to her?"

"Have you asked her?" Cora asked, sipping at her own tea. Ever since the dinner on Emma's first night home, Mary and Cora had become close friends and Cora was often sought after for advice.

"She just says they all sent her back. We've promised her we are not going to do that, even her social worker has tried assuring her that isn't happening, but it's like she refuses to listen."

Cora sighed. "Mary, can you blame her? She's been 'returned' so many times, abandoned at hospitals, just left as though she meant nothing. I'm sure that at first, she got close to those families, got comfortable, and then found herself alone. I know that doesn't help, I'm sorry." She said and then bit her lip. "What about adoption? I know to you and David she is yours, but maybe to her she needs that piece of paper saying you are really her parents."

"We've brought it up, but she keeps saying we don't have to do that."

"Then maybe that means you do. Mary, maybe it would just mean the world to her if you did that and she'd finally feel secure."

"Maybe you're right. I'll talk to David. We have to figure out something."

"Oh, Regina! It's beautiful. You shouldn't have." Emma said as she opened the silver bracelet Regina gave her. "It's far too much."

"Hush." Regina said, kissing Emma's cheek. "It's our six-month anniversary. Nothing is too much."

"But babe, it makes my gift look…"

"Perfect." Regina said, lightly stroking the blanket Emma had gotten her. It was a very soft, very comfortable blanket with a picture if wild horses running on it and Regina loved it. "I can cuddle up in it and pretend I'm cuddling with you at night."

"And we can cuddle in it together on nights we actually get to be together." Emma said with a smile. She was glad both their mothers were okay with them staying at each other's places with certain rules. Emma was still a minor after all.

"Speaking of, did you finish your online schooling for this week so I can stay over?"

"Of course I did." Emma said and then frowned. "I don't want to go to real school next month. I haven't gone for so long, Regina."

"I know, but babe, you're doing so well. You're right on track with the others and you'll be in your junior year. Besides, if you don't like it and it doesn't work out, Mary and David will let you go back to online. They just want to give you a chance to be a normal kid, Ems."

"What if that's not true? What if I fail and they decide they don't want me?"

Regina sighed, unable to believe they were having this conversation again. "Emma love, that would never happen. I honestly don't get why you always think that. They've never given you reason to think they'd do that to you." She sighed when she saw Emma look down. "I'm sorry. I know your past wasn't great and that's what you base things on but…Emma, I really think you need to try to relax a little and give them some credit."

Emma got up and started pacing the floor of her room. "Don't you think I want to do that? It's not that easy, Regina! You try going for your whole life never being good enough and then try telling yourself one day that you are. Go from home to home being sent back and then try to tell yourself it's not going to happen again. It's really not that easy." Emma wiped at her tears. "I want to believe them! I want to 'relax' and just enjoy this gift I've been given but…fuck! Regina all those voices won't leave me alone! The 'we don't want you' the 'you're just not a good fit' the 'you aren't good enough', 'you're too much work', 'we changed our minds'. Regina, they don't go away."

Regina got up and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend, gently stroking her hair. "I know, Emma. I'm sorry. Breathe baby, it's okay." After a bit, she lifted Emma's chin. "Is there anything they could do to help you feel better about it?" Emma shrugged and looked down. "Emma, tell me."

"Adopt me." She admitted.

"Haven't they asked, and you said they didn't have to?"

"Because they don't have to, but it would be nice if they wanted to."

"Emma, they can't read your mind and they don't want to push you." Regina said calmly. "Okay, let's go back to having a good time."

Three weeks later, the Nolan's were having lunch at home after they had gone to Emma's new school and met the teacher and principle. Everyone was very nice, but Emma was still worried about the other kids and how she'd do in a classroom. "Emma honey, we have something for you." Mary said, putting a wrapped package in front of Emma nervously.

"It's not my birthday." Emma said, confused as she wiped her hands on the napkin.

"I know, but we got it anyway." David stated.

Emma noticed they both looked nervous, but she opened the gift and took out the frame. As she read what it said inside, she had to blink the tears away. Her hands shook and she closed her eyes, trying to control her emotions. Mary and David looked at each other, scared they did the wrong thing. "Emma? Honey, please don't be mad. If this isn't what you want…"

"No. No, this…this is exactly what I wanted." Emma sobbed out, turning to hold Mary in her arms. "I never thought I'd ever be adopted." She was crying happy tears and soon felt David behind her, completing the family hug. "Thank you so much."

"We can't imagine our lives without you, Em." David said, kissing her head. "My only regret is that we didn't find you sooner."

After that day, it was like something was lifted off Emma; a weight she had been carrying her whole life. She felt relaxed, free to be herself, and it was amazing. She didn't worry about being sent away, she didn't worry about being perfect, she simply lived her life and had fun doing it.

Regina had fully healed and went back to work on River's Edge with a new agent. The cast was so happy to have her back and couldn't stop asking her questions about Emma. Ever since the two had been spotted and photographed together, they decided to just be open about it. Regina gushed about Emma to whoever would listen while Emma still stayed back out of the limelight as much as she could.

"You have to bring her one day, Regina. I'd love to meet her." Robin stated while Killian nodded.

"Yes, after all, we owe you both a lot. If it weren't for your story, we'd have never come out." He smiled at his partner.

Regina smiled at the two. "I'm sure she'd love to come one day."

Getting used to regular school was hard for Emma, but in the end, she did it and graduated third in her class. She couldn't believe all she'd accomplished and found it hard to imagine what would have happened had Regina never come to the hospital that day. At her graduation party, she stood and smiled at everyone there.

"I just want to thank each and every one of you for helping me get here today. I never thought I'd live long enough to graduate high school and if I did, I was certain I'd have no one to celebrate with. I'm alive, healthy, have an amazing family and amazing friends, and I honestly can't thank you all enough. I'm so blessed to have had and still have all of you in my life. Mal, Ruby, Ashley, Thomas, Cora, Henry, Zelena, Regina, Mom, and Dad, thank you for everything you've all done for me, given to me, and helped me with. I love all of you."

Hello SB Gazette readers, followers and fans! I am honored to share with you today my experience at what I will refer to as 'The Wedding I Will Never Forget'. I'm sure most of you remember an article I posted about ten years ago where I interviewed pop star Zelena Mills about her sister's journey as a kidney donor. Well, I'm honored to say that I was the only journalist invited to the heavily guarded Swan-Mills wedding, and let me tell you, Zelena wasn't lying when she said her sister's love was true.

I got there a little early as one really should and once I got through security, I was transported into what I would call something out of a Fairytale. An Enchanted forest if you will. It was in the evening and while it was outside, there were also lavish tents set up with fairy lights in the millions. This was a small gathering, so I wasn't fully surprised when I was escorted to my seat and saw there were maybe only 30 chairs set up. The journalist inside me wanted to find the brides and interview them, but I was respectful and instead, relaxed and got sucked into the evening.

The violins started and it was clear they had two aisles that met in the middle. From the left, an adorable little blond girl in a white dress with lavender ribbons in her hair and bare feet came out carrying a basket of flower petals and from the right, an equally adorable brunette girl came out in a matching dress also carrying a basket. They met in the middle and hugged each other before sitting in the front row. From the right, Zelena walked out wearing a beautiful lavender sleeveless dress and a bouquet of the most exquisite flowers I've ever seen. From the left came a woman I'd never met, but who I was later told had been a nurse for Emma Nolan – Regina's bride to be – when she was living in the hospital. Ruby was stunning and wearing the same color, but different cut dress as Zelena.

Next came the brides. Oh readers, let me tell you, these brides were the most beautiful site I've ever seen. Now, you all know I'm straight and love my husband, but if either of these women were to hit on me, I'd be in trouble! Regina was a vision in white with her form fitting white halter gown and veil that flowed with her long brown hair and finished the look perfectly. Her father and mother walked her down, her father in a crisp, black tux, and her mother in a stunning lavender pant suite.

Emma Nolan. Ladies and Gentlemen, you may think you've seen pictures of Emma, but none of them compare to the real thing. Emma Nolan was breathtaking. You honestly could tell just by looking at her how nice and kind she is; her aura just beams that she's a good person. Her long blonde princess curls were partially pulled back by braids but flowed down her back under her veil. Her princess dress was a vision of perfection that would cause jealousy among all the Disney Princesses. But brightest of all was the smile she had as she gazed into the eyes of her fiancée. Emma's parents were similarly dressed to the Mills and both sets of parents looked nothing but happy for their girls.

Let me tell you, readers, I have never in my life cried at a wedding; not even at my own. However, when these two met at the altar, I was a bubbling mess. You could see and feel the love these two share for each other. I noticed the little flower girls were perfect little angels as they sat by Emma's parents and wondered if they were siblings. More on that to come. I won't share the couple's vows as they are personal, but they were nothing short of perfection. I will say, with permission, that Emma's included a touching thank you to Regina while Regina's included an equally touching thank you to Emma.

Now, here's where it gets even more emotional. When the couple did the candle lighting part of the ceremony, they turned to us watching. "For our unity pledge, we'd like to include our daughters." Regina announced. Emma beamed at the girls. "As you all know, Taylor and Savanah legally became ours two weeks ago, so we thought it only fitting that they were included in this to unite us all as a family." It was beautiful and I could see how much it meant to the girls to be a part of this. More tears were shed and the kisses given and the couple was announced.

As the brides and their families were getting pictures taken, the rest of us were treated to a cocktail hour. If I thought my tears were done, I was sorely mistaken. As I entered the tent for the cocktails, I was captivated by the most interesting ice sculpture. I went to it and realized it was a large dragon with its body wrapped around a smaller one. Next to it was a handwritten sign that took my breath away.

"My Mama Dragon,

It seems wrong that you are not here with us today to celebrate. You worked so hard to save my life while in the end, no one could save yours. I think about you every day and miss you more than any words can say. You touched the lives of so many of us in ways you will never know and there was no way I could celebrate today without doing something special for you. You may not be here in the flesh, but you will forever be in our hearts. Dr. Malory Dracon, you were a blessing beyond words and the kindest soul I ever had the honor to know. It is because of you that we are here today. We love you Mal! We miss you so much, and we thank you for everything you did for us.

Love, Emma and Regina."

As I was reading this, my tears flowing, a kind woman came over and smiled softly. "Dr. Dracon was one of a kind. Did you know her?" I shook my head. "I'm afraid I didn't get the pleasure." The woman introduced herself as Ashely and said she too was one of the nurses in the Children's ward where Emma had stayed. She was so kind and told me so many stories about both Emma and Dr. Dracon. I tell you this right now; any child who had Dr. Dracon as their doctor was blessed. It was then that I found out that the little girls in the wedding had been foster children that Emma and Regina took in and ended up adopting. Apparently, Emma always wanted to give back and help kids who were in similar situations to hers. I'm telling you; I had no idea kindness like this still exists.

This article is already long and I haven't gotten to the actual interview yet, so let me just say that the dinner was amazing, the dance was magical, and the brides were the happiest I've ever seen brides to be. The next day, I was lucky enough to sit with the two and interview them. Emma had never done one before and seemed a bit nervous.

"Don't be nervous, Emma, I swear I won't bite."

"I know you won't." She said with a smile. "You're the one who not only wrote that article with Zelena, but kept your word and never hounded us again. That's why we trusted you to do this for us."

"That means a lot to me. Now tell me, what is life like for the two of you these days? Regina, I know you've just finished a movie and rumor has it, it's your last one for a while."

Regina nodded. "That rumor is true. I love acting and I'm sure one day I'll come back to it, but let's face it; I can afford to take some time off. Emma and I have been fostering for about three years now and got the gift of being able to adopt the last two that we had with us. I want to be able to spend time with my family and enjoy life for a while." She then smiled at Emma. "Besides, someone has to stay on the home front while Dr. Nolan here goes on a well-deserved tour to spread the good word."

"The good word? Emma, I didn't know you were a doctor."

"I don't like to announce those things." Emma said with a bit of a blush. "But yes, I am, and my team and I have recently broken ground with a new medication to help children diagnosed with the type of kidney disease I had. We're going around to different medical facilities to talk to patients and their parents about it. It was fully approved and tested, and we can't wait to get it out there to our patients. Of course, we have a few months before we start that, so in the meantime, I'm just looking forward to breakfasts with my girls, trips to the park and the zoo as a family, those normal things in life."

"Wow, Emma, that's amazing. I have to ask, and I'm sorry if this brings up sad feelings, but was Dr. Dracon your inspiration?"

Emma gave me a sad smile and took a breath as Regina reached over and squeezed her hand. "Yes." Her eyes filled with tears. "Dr. Dracon was the first doctor that didn't look at my file and toss it aside and just say to make me comfortable. She actually looked into my condition, tried many medications, made sure I was not just comfortable but also happy and as close to a normal child as I could be. She was kind and caring and…" She laughed a little. "When I was a patient, I was a moody teenager, you know? Anyway, she had to deliver the news that unless I got a donor, it would be highly unlikely I'd ever see my 18th birthday. The treatment didn't work, and she had finally hit a dead end. She cried with me and honestly, even if the news was terrible, she did it in a way where I knew that if there were more, she'd have figured it out. Anyway, years before I became a patient at her hospital, I had made a bucket list. She was the reason I was able to cross off 'know what it feels like to be loved' for the first time."

I cleared my throat, trying to blink my tears. "Oh Emma." For once, I was speechless. "Can I ask what happened to her?"

"Cancer." Regina answered as Emma was still a bit emotional. "She didn't tell anyone until it was too late. Thankfully, we got to go see her and be with her in the end." Regina looked at her wife. "I know it meant the world to Mal to have Emma there."

Emma smiled and wiped at her tears. "It meant the world to me to be there for her. Dr. Dracon will always be in our hearts."

I took a breath and figured that was the best way to end that part of the interview. "Your girls are beautiful, by the way. Are they biological sisters?"

Regina smiled proudly. "Yes, they're twins actually. Taylor and Savanah came to us when they were about six months. They're now just newly four and let me tell you, they are a handful." She laughed.

"We can't say much, but when we got the call to take them, we had just said goodbye to our last placement, happy that his mother was able to turn her life around and get him back. He was a lovely teenager and we weren't sure we were ready for a baby, much less two. We were told we'd have to pick them up from a hospital an hour away and when we asked why, all they'd say was 'you'll see'." Emma let out a breath and shook her head. "Those girls were covered head to toe in bruises. It broke our hearts and there was no way we could turn them away."

"It was hard at first, don't get me wrong." Regina stated. "Even at six months, they knew fear and it took a bit for them to trust us. Even as babies, they hated being apart from each other. But we got through it, and now, we couldn't be happier. The are legally ours and nothing can take them away."

"And nothing will ever hurt them again." Emma added. "I'm not trying to bad mouth the system, but sometimes, foster care…well it doesn't always work. At least, it didn't for me, which is why Regina and I decided on doing this. We wanted to be a home filled with love and kindness for kids who really need that."

"Emma, may I ask about your past? Were you living in the Children's ward because of your illness or because of being a foster child?"

"I…I guess it was a bit of both. I had never been abused at a foster home like some others had, but I also was never loved. My social workers would warn the families about my illness and they'd swear they could handle it and wanted to take me in, but at the first sign of something 'not normal', they changed their minds. I was left at hospitals, even dropped off at emergency rooms, and just abandoned over and over. I hated regular doctor appointments because I was terrified I'd go in and come out and find I was alone again. Finally, when I was about fourteen, I told my social worker that unless she found someone who would guarantee that they'd take me to my appointments AND take me home, I was done with foster care. I told her I'd just stay at a group home and take the bus." She looked down and shook her head. "The thing is, yes, I could have stayed with a family for those three and a half years I lived in the hospital if that family would have been willing to get me to my appointments and help me remember which meds to take. No family was willing to do that, so I was placed on the ward." Emma looked at me and shrugged, though I could see the sadness in her emerald eyes. "I made my own family I guess with the doctor, nurses, and volunteers."

"Until you finally got your forever family." Regina said, kissing her wife's hand. "It was a match made in heaven."

Emma smiled softly. "It was. Mary was a volunteer and was so kind to me. You see, at some hospitals, the nurses and volunteers really weren't very nice to those of us who didn't have family or visitors. It was like they didn't care since there was no one to impress, they weren't going to even try. But at Boston, it was different. Ruby, Ashley, Mary…they were the best. They got me through the worst time in my life along with Dr. Dracon, so when Mary and her husband said they wanted to foster me, I was ecstatic."

Regina smiled. "I remember the day she told me; she just couldn't stop smiling. I had been there a few times to visit with her, and honestly, the only thing that surprised me was that it wasn't done sooner."

Emma smiled as well. "I love my parents with all that I am. Everything happens for a reason and if me being abandoned over and over was needed in order for me to find Mary and David, then so be it. Other than meeting Regina, it was one of the best experiences ever."

"That's really very sweet. Now Regina, when you went to the hospital that day, did you ever think you'd find your future wife?"

Regina chuckled. "Never. I was there simply to make some kids happy and sign autographs. When I saw this sulky blonde with headphones in, I was honestly going to just leave her alone. It was obvious she wasn't in a good mood and I didn't want to upset her further. However, it was then I noticed that it was visiting hours and she was alone. That didn't seem right to me, so I just went over and started talking to her." Regina smiled brightly at Emma, tears unshed in her eyes. "For me, it was love at first sight. I couldn't believe the amazing creature in front of me. She was so funny, kind, and…real. You know? Like even though I was famous, she talked to me like I was just another person."

Emma smiled and kissed Regina's hand. "I was a nervous wreck. I'd had a crush on her since the first time I saw her on TV. I had no idea she was into girls and…well yes, that was the day I found out I didn't have long to live. So, I've got all these emotions and feelings running through me and Regina Freaking Mills was sitting and talking to me."

"We exchanged phone numbers and I went home. By the next time I saw her, I knew I wanted to see if I was a match for her. I couldn't lose her, no matter what. My sister also went to see if she was a match because…well Zelena is an amazing person, but also because she already knew how much Emma meant to me."

"That is honestly the coolest, sweetest, most adorable love story I've heard. Our time is almost up, though I wish I could just talk to you two all day! What should we look forward to in the coming years with you two?"

"Honestly, I'm hoping we stay out of the limelight." Regina answered. "My dream and my vow to my wife was that we simply live life to it's fullest and be happy from here on out." Regina gazed lovingly at her wife. "Emma was given a second chance and she's grasped it. All I want in life is to be right there by her side in the journey."

Emma smiled at her wife and kissed her cheek. "I couldn't have said it better myself."

So, readers, there you have it. The love story of all love stories. Mrs. and Mrs. Mills, I wish you nothing but health, happiness, and love in your years to come; you both deserve it.

Emma closed the magazine and smiled over at Regina who was unpacking the girls' swimming things. "Are they ready to head to the pool?"

"That's their favorite part of going to all these hotels, dear." Regina stated, smiling over at her wife. "Are you ready?"

Emma stood and changed into her bikini before hugging her wife. "So ready."

"Mama? Why do you and Mommy both have the same lines on your tummys?" Savanah asked as she grabbed her towel.

"That, my love, is a story for another day." Regina said, lifting the little one to her hip.

"What kind of story?" Taylor asked, holding her arms up to have Emma lift her.

"A love story about how your mother saved your Mama's life."

"Wow. Are there dragons and princesses and stuff?"

Regina chuckled. "And wolves!"

Emma chuckled as well and made sure she had the key to the room before the family headed down to the pool. "It's the greatest story ever told, and it still isn't over yet."

~The End~